Local students on University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list

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The following students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire for the spring 2019 semester, in Durham, New Hampshire.

Matthew Murray, of Augusta, earning highest honors.

Madeline Lewis, of Augusta, earning highest honors.

Cody Short, of Fairfield, earning high honors.

Bradford Wilbur, of Fairfield, earning honors.

Carly LaRochelle, of Fairfield, earning highest honor.s

Elijah Caret, of Oakland, earning highest honors.

Hannah Duperry, of Oakland, earning highest honors

Adam Bovie, of Vassalboro, earning highest honors

Cash cashes in with two home runs

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Messalonskee Middle School (photo source RSU 18 Messenger)

by Dan Cassidy

Cash Bizier, a seventh grade student at Messalonskee Middle School, in Oakland, recently hit his first out of the park home run on April 28, playing against the Famington Flyers with his 50/70 Sunday League at Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville.

His second home run came on May 15, his 13th birthday at the Sidney Pits vs. Ward Electric playing with his Rec League team. Cash plays mostly as a utility player. He pitches, plays second base, catcher, shortstop and plays in the outfield. He is the son of Shannon and Jeremiah Bizier, of Oakland.

Area residents graduate from Colby College

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In an outdoor ceremony May 26, 462 degrees were awarded to members of Colby’s Class of 2019 at the College’s 198th Commencement, in Waterville. Award-winning television writer David E. Kelley told graduates to reject a career that is “not so terrible” and instead pursue what will make them truly fulfilled. Colby President David A. Greene handed a diploma to each of the graduates.

Emily H. Goulette, of Oakland, who majored in Government, attended Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, and is the daughter of Greg Goulette, of Waterville, and Kelly Smith of Oakland.

Adam C. Zarfos, of Waterville, who majored in American Studies, attended Waterville Senior High School and is the son of Donald Zarfos and Elizabeth Schiller, of Waterville, and Karen Kurtz, of Waterville.

Burton named to Hamilton College dean’s list

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photo credit: Hamilton College

Mackenzie Burton, of Oakland, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, for the 2019 spring semester.

To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have carried throughout the semester a course load of four or more graded credits with an average of 3.5 or above.

Burton, a rising sophomore, is a graduate of Messalonskee High School, in Oakland.

Oakland student recognized as RA

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Colby-Sawyer College President Susan D. Stuebner has declared Resident Assistant Appreciation Day at Colby-Sawyer, in New London, New Hampshire. Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in business administration, is one of 25 Resident Assistants being recognized and thanked for outstanding work supporting all students, developing communities based on individual responsibility and respect for others, and providing opportunities for student learning.

Local students named to Colby-Sawyer College dean’s list

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Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, New Hampshire, recognizes 234 students for outstanding academic achievement during the 2019 spring semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours in graded courses.

Haley Carver, of Sidney, a sociology major and member of the class of 2020.

Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, a business administration major and member of the class of 2021.

Empty Bowls fundraiser to be held at Messalonskee

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Empty Bowls has been a fundraiser for several years at Messalonskee High School. The purpose of this project is to raise money for food pantries in our communities. It is also about raising awareness that many people are struggling to provide food for their families.

Students in pottery classes, faculty members, and people in the community have been crafting ceramic bowls under the direction of ceramics teacher Sherrie Damon, to be sold as part of the dinner. The bowls will be on display for diners to choose and take home after their meal as a reminder of the event and what is represents.

This year the Empty Bowls will be held on Friday, March 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Messalonskee High School Cafeteria. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.

The menu will include homemade soups, salads, rolls, drinks, and desserts. There will also be a raffle and prizes to give away.

Diners can complete the evening by attending Something Wicked This Way Comes, performed by the MHS Players. The show starts at 7 p.m.

For more information call Susan Perrino at 465-9135 or email sperrino@rsu18.org.

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

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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.

Students named to the University of Vermont dean’s list

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The following local students have been named to the University of Vermont dean’s list for the fall 2018 semester, in Burlington, Vermont:

They are: Natalie Palmer, of Augusta, and Kayla Christopher, of Oakland.

Where are they now? Oakland’s Nick Mayo integral part of Eastern Kentucky basketball

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Former Messalonskee High School basketball player Nick Mayo, now playing for Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball has high hopes of making it back to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament this year, in no small part thanks to the skills of Senior forward Nick Mayo.

Earlier this season Mayo hit a career high of 40 points in a single game, with a game average of just under 17 shots.  He holds the program’s record for career blocks, has already reached No. 2 on the school’s all-time scoring list and is likely to take the top spot within the next few games.

The EKU Colonel’s new coach, A.W. Hamilton, describes him as a “once in a lifetime player” and has said on more than one occasion that he is fully confident we will see NBA beside Nick’s name in the future.

This doesn’t come as a surprise to those of us back in Mayo’s hometown. Mayo, his parents Scott and Jenn, and his sisters Kelsey and Mackenzie called Belgrade home while he was growing up. His parents and younger sister now make their home in Oakland. All three kids attended RSU #18 and played sports in the district.

“Nick was an incredible player to work with,” said MHS basketball coach Pete McLaughlin. “Coming into our program, he was a kind-hearted young freshman (only 6 feet tall at the time) who was eager to get better every day.”

Mayo grew five inches coming into his sophomore high school season, and according to Coach McLaughlin his work ethic grew with his frame. He started having an even bigger impact on the court and during his junior and senior year, college coaches from across the country started to really take notice. Mayo received interest from over 30 Division I and Division II schools, and for good reason, according to McLaughlin.

“In my 16 years of coaching, I have never been around a player that had such great vision on the court,” he said.  “If you are open…Nick is going to find you, and you better be ready to catch because you may not know the ball is coming your way. On the defensive end, Nick has incredible timing and was one of the best rebounders and shot blockers to ever play in Maine.”

Mayo’s awards and stats speak for themselves, but they aren’t all he brings to the court.  McLaughlin describes him as the glue that held the teams together during high school. The now 6-foot 9-inch forward has been named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference first team after each of his first three seasons, regularly breaks school and personal records, and still has a humble attitude. In interviews, Mayo is always quick to point out that he’s not alone on the court and always gives his teammates and coaches credit and praise.

“We as a community are lucky because he models exactly what it means to be a Messalonskee Eagle to all of our youth,” said McLaughlin. “I could not be more proud of him! I cannot wait to see what his future has in store for him!”  The sentiment is echoed by many friends, family, and community members who are staunch followers of Mayo’s career. Two years ago, a bus full of fans from Central Maine sporting “Team Mayo” shirts attended an EKU away game in Manhattan.

The home support isn’t lost on Mayo. He never forgets where he comes from and has claimed it’s a huge source of comfort and strength for him. “My family is awesome…and it’s not just my family, it’s the whole state of Maine,” he said in a recent interview. “I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have back home and I’m thankful for it.”

“We are so proud of all he has accomplished,” said his mother, Jennifer Mayo. “Nick has had a lot of people who have helped him along the way, but when it comes down to it, Nick has been the one who has put in all the work and has taken up the opportunities.  He pushes himself every day and has set high goals. We are excited to see what his future holds.”