Gordon graduates at the University of Minnesota Crookston

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Minnesota Crookston, in Crookston, Minnesota, recently announced its list of spring semester 2018 graduates. Summer session graduates include Cailyn Marie Gordon, of Rome, graduating with a bachelor of science in animal science.

Fishy photo: Hunter scores!

Hunter Hallee, 12, with his first trout.

Hunter Hallee, 12, of Rome, who is normally the goalie for his youth hockey team, had a big score on a recent fishing trip with his father and grandfather, at Tea Pond, in Eustis, on May 18-20. Hunter caught this 15-inch brook trout on Sunday morning, the first brook trout he’s ever caught. Hunter is the son of Ryan and Rachel Hallee, of Rome, and the grandson of Roland and Joan Hallee, of Waterville, Barbara Saxton, of Rome, and Terry Greenleaf, of Oakland.

Students pursue skills employers claim are in short supply

When was the last time you updated your resume? Did you include skills like problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication? According to a study conducted by LinkedIn in partnership with the Wall Street Journal, those are exactly the types of skills and attributes we should all be highlighting if we want to stand out in a job search. This week at Pine Tree Camp, in Rome, about 180 middle school and high school students from across the state gathered for JMG’s annual Leadership Education Conference (LEC). The Conference is an overnight intensive that gives students the unique opportunity to learn those soft skills employers are looking for.

JMG’s annual Leadership Education Conference (LEC)

Recently, at Pine Tree Camp, in Rome, about 180 middle school and high school students from across the state gathered for JMG’s annual Leadership Education Conference (LEC). The conference is an overnight intensive that gives students the unique opportunity to learn those soft skills employers are looking for. Contributed photo

Robbie Clark is an eighth grader at Winslow Middle School. He said, “When we’re at school, we’re usually working by ourselves or with our close friends. But, here at LEC you have to work with kids from all over that you’ve never met before. We have to work together to solve problems and meet deadlines. It challenges us.”

The conference, held from October 18 – 21, includes a series of hands-on activities that require students to practice their communication, time management, and teamwork skills. For example, the Army National Guard was on hand teaching them how to build emergency shelters. The students had to take some very basic materials, a few instructions, and work together to build a functional shelter in a certain amount of time. Chances are relatively few of these students will ever need to build a shelter, but the soft careers skills they’re honing will come in handy throughout their lives.

Ryan Moore, vice president at Bank of America, in Belfast, is a volunteer at LEC. Moore says, “This type of student event gives these young people the chance to get out of the classroom and offers them the opportunity to practice skills that are in high demand in the job market.”

Along with the skill-building activities, the theme of the conference was “grit.” Students learned about the importance of this combination passion and perseverance.

Area youths find success at USATF Summer Championships

Jack Bilodeau

Jack Bilodeau, of Winslow, claimed the boys 13/14 javelin state championship.

 

Gabe Katz

Gabe Katz, of Rome, earned the boys 13/14 triple jump state title.

 

Kaylan Bourque

Kaylan Bourque, of Benton, is the girls 9/10 long jump champion.

 

Left to right, Jenna Veilleux, Ashley Quirion, Sadie Irza and Grace Biolodeau

The Winslow girls 13/14 4×100 relay team captured first place at the USATF summer state championships. Left to right, Jenna Veilleux, Ashley Quirion, Sadie Irza and Grace Biolodeau.

 

Carly Warn

Carly Warn, 13, of Winslow, competed in the 100m dash at the USATF youth state meet in Augusta on August 13. Warn competed in the 13/14-year-old age group placing third overall with a time of 13.67. She has been part of the Winslow summer program since she was 8.

 

Waterville and Winslow Youth Summer Track & Field

Members of the Waterville and Winslow Youth Summer Track & Field programs walking in the Parade of Athletes on August 13 at the USATF state championships, held in Augusta.

 

All photos by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography