Lawrence girls Box Out Cancer for Alfond Cancer Care Center

Brooke Lambert, Keegan Alley and Savannah Weston lead the Lawrence High School girls basketball team onto the court for their Box Out Cancer fundraiser. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

On January 29, Lawrence High School held its second annual Box out Cancer event. The money raised at this event is donated to the Alfond Cancer Care Center. This starts off with the Lawrence Girls Basketball Boosters selling pink ribbons that are hung on the gym walls the night of the event. On the night of the game, the cheerleaders and players from both Lawrence and Mt. Blue are given pink “Box out Cancer” shirts to be worn during warm-ups. These shirts were generously donated by Hometown Veterinary Care for the second year in a row.

Additionally, the boosters sell 50/50 tickets, pink ribbons, and T-shirts during the junior varsity game and the start of the varsity game. This helps to raise more money for this wonderful cause. Participants are very excited to take part in and event that will help so many. It’s a way for the community to give back and help people out at a very trying time in their lives.

The committee tries to think of ways to make this process fun. The Shopping Cart Frenzy is a fun-for-all game that is played at halftime of the varsity game. Fans can purchase a bag of three tennis balls for $5. These balls are numbered and the fans name is written on a chart next to their ball number. At halftime, a volunteer teacher throws on a helmet and cruises around the gym as fans try to throw the tennis balls into the shopping cart. If your number lands in the cart you win a prize. These prizes are also donated by local businesses. This year had donations came from Gene’s Market, Sonny’s Pizza, and Personali-tease, just to name a few. These donations helped to bring the community together to help fight one of life’s biggest battles for so many.

This year Lawrence girls basketball raised $1,300 for the Alfond Care Center. A member of the Care Center comes to the game and is presented with a check. Many people have been impacted by cancer and the havoc it creates in families. This event is meant to give our youth and their families hope. It creates a way to come together and fight this horrible disease together.

Members of the Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, and Mt. Blue High School, of Farmington, girls basketball teams pose for a photo prior to the game focusing on cancer awareness called Box Out Cancer, that took place at Lawrence High School. (Photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

Nine area students on University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list

The following students have been named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, New Hampshire, for the fall 2018 semester.

Matthew Murray, of Augusta, with highest honors; Nicholas Carey, of Waterville, with high honors; Cody Short, of Fairfield, with high honors; Bradford Wilbur, of Fairfield, with honors; Carly LaRochelle, of Fairfield, with honors; Elijah Caret, of Oakland, with highest honors; Jessica Hosea, of Oakland, with highest honors; Hannah Duperry, of Oakland, with highest honors; and Adam Bovie, of Vassalboro, with highest honors.

Fairfield Cops Care For Kids Program experiences another great year

Fairfield Police Department personnel, front row, from left to right, Capt. Paul St.Amand, Officer Casey Dugas, Officer Shanna Blodgett, Dispatcher Jeanne Kempers, Officer Jordan Brooks and Officer Joseph Pelletier. Back, Officer Patrick Mank, Sgt. Matthew Bard, Officer Nemiah Nattress, Chief Thomas Gould, Officer Blake Wilder, Officer Timothy MacArthur and Sgt. Matthew Wilcox. Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff

by Mark Huard

Once again Fairfield Police Officers carry out their annual Cops Care For Kids, where they bring wrapped presents in their cruisers wearing Santa hats. This is a tradition started by Kingston Paul in 2006. At its inception, Kingston purchased all of the gifts and wrapped them himself to ensure that more of the children in the community were able to have enjoyable Christmas memories with their families without worrying about financial stress. The program has grown over the years. This is a heartfelt occasion for all those involved and something that all of the law enforcement employees take pride. This year was another success, as the officers delivered presents to 226 kids in 108 Fairfield households on December 20. Officers had met earlier in the month and spent a long evening in the town office basement wrapping presents for the event.

The program has developed into an application process that is sent out through the school systems. It is no longer limited to struggling households and has been expanded to reach any Fairfield child. The officers focus on giving back to the community they love and spend so many hours protecting. It is now more about giving back to the community that they love and spend so much time protecting.

Community Outreach is something that the officers recognize as a critical part of their job. They want children and adults to be able to join together, and there is nothing like magic of the holiday season to inspire good will among everyone. It’s carrying on the heartfelt sentiment of their fellow officer, Kingston Paul, who has since passed away. Officer Paul donated $20,000 to the program, which has assisted in creating a stable program with longevity. Despite the large donation, officers still donate weekly to the cause out of their own pockets.

The Fairfield Police Department has a vision of eventually expanding the program in hopes of focusing on community togetherness. They hope to hold an event at the community center which will allow officers and families to have more direct interactions with each other for a longer period of time. These positive experiences are life changing for children in regards to having positive memories and positive interactions with law enforcement. The vision is one of holiday treats, officer elves, a holiday movie and whatever else will bring a smile to the face of children. The officers will not retire their sleighs though, as they will still do home deliveries to those not willing or able to attend the event.

Lawrence basketball teams gearing up for season

The Lawrence High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams are getting ready for the start of the 2018-19 season. (Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography staff)

PAL football senior division champs

Front row, from left to right, Jackson Collman, Cameron Stewart, Colty Carter, Roman Parish, Troy Hamlin, Gavin Wilson, Michael Dearborn and Chairity Thebarge Middle row, Cameron Dostie, Justin Day, Maddox Santone, Zack Wentworth, Dane Zawistowski, Jayden Burnham, Henry Wadsworth, Derrick Crowell, Cameron Blodgett and Devon Young. Back, coaches Ben Dostie, Roy Lawrence, John Stewart, Jeremy Collman, Toby Blodgett and Todd Carter. (Photo courtesy of Casey Dugas)

Members of the Clinton Lions, Fairfield PAL senior division, went undefeated with a 10-0 record to claim the division title.

Getting ready for Super Sunday

Brett Lawler, standing, and Colby Kramer, pose during Super Sunday at the PAL Field, in Fairfield. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Central Maine Photography-sponsored Fairfield PAL soccer team

The Central Maine Photography-sponsored Fairfield PAL youth soccer team members include, front, from left to right, Samantha Hamilton, Dawson Chapman, Dylan Frugal, Dylan Dennison, Dylan Languet and Hailey Knowles. Back, Domanic Golder, Landon Letourneau, Zoe Hutchins, Drake Johnson, Seth Gallant and Ryan Lea, coach. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

2018 Senior Bulldogs girls soccer players

The 2018 Lawrence High School senior girls soccer players are, front, Emma Robilliard and Emily Curtis. Back, Captain Ashley Rhoades, Eran Dowd, Captain Riley Hanson, Kiana Joler, and Captain Brianna Meader. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Area Students Enroll at Colby College 2018

The following area students have enrolled at Colby College, in Waterville, for the 2018-19 school year.

Benjamin J. Amalfitano, of Oakland, is a graduate of Messalonskee High School. He is the son of Neil and Kimberly Amalfitano, of Oakland.

Benjamin K. Bernier, of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School. He is the son of Daniel and Jennifer Bernier, of Waterville.

Jacob T. Burton, of Oakland, is a graduate of (high school unknown). He is the son of Thomas and Lisa Burton, of Oakland.

Jarret T. Mayo, of Fairfield, is a graduate of Lawrence High School. He is the son of Thomas and Tammy Mayo, of Fairfield.

Luca R. Thamattoor of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School. He is the son of Dasan and Davida Thamattoor, of Waterville.

Lawrence soccer seniors 2018

The 2018 Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, boys soccer seniors and coaches are, from left to right, Coach Bob Towne, Drake Zimba, Alex Owens, Christian Adams, Nick Ellis, Jackson Dudley, Sebastian Nebauer and Coach Ryan Mountain.(Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)