Young scholars and leaders from across the State of Maine were recognized on May 9th at the Twentieth Annual Scholar Leader Awards Banquet in the Augusta Civic Center. This is currently the only Statewide recognition ceremony in Maine for middle-level students.
The Maine Association of Middle Level Education (MAMLE) and the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) partnered to present awards to students who showed initiative both within and outside of the classroom, as young leaders, academics, and positive forward-thinkers. Both organizations strive to promote student success in education among young adolescents. Students were chosen to receive the award based on the following criteria, as detailed in a press release by MAMLE:
- Demonstration of Academic Achievement
- Services provided to classmates and school
- Being a positive role model for peers
- Demonstrating integrity, honesty, self-discipline, and courage
The following is a list the high-achieving awardees:
Veazie Community School, Veazie: Rebekah Jaska, Martin Skacel
Middle School of the Kennebunks, Kennebunk: Matilda Bordas, Maya Flores
Philip W. Sugg Middle School, Lisbon Falls: Maia Tebbets, Levi Tibbetts
SeDoMoCha Middle School, Dover-Foxcroft: Ayda Holyoke, Adam Taylor
Spruce Mountain Middle School, Jay: Chance Brooks, Nora Castonguay
Mount Blue Middle School, Farmington: Mckella Ford, Kamryn Joyce
Reeds Brook Middle School, Hampden: Elise DeRosby, Jack Johnson
Holbrook Middle School, Holden: Kyleigh McCafferty, Jonathon Pangburn
Bruce M. Whittier Middle School, Poland: LiSha Powell, Shane Yorkey
Medomak Middle School, Waldoboro: Michael Mank, Aleah Sebrey
Oceanside Middle School, Thomaston: Theodore Campbell, Cassidy Novicka
T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School, Dixfield: Zackary Putnam, Grace Robbins
Joseph A. Leonard Middle School, Old Town: Isabella Bouchard and Hunter Clukey
Valley Rivers Middle School, Fort Kent: Connor Pelletier, Tia Saucier
Orono Middle School, Orono: Abigail Deschaine, Collin Loranger
Telstar Regional Middle School, Bethel: David Goodwin, Cassandra Sylvester
Saco Middle School, Saco: Cole Cochrane, Thalia Tucker
Biddeford Middle School, Biddeford: Krystal Shumate, Richardson Victorino
Jefferson Village School, Jefferson: Aowyn Burbank, Abigail St. Cyr
Mount Jefferson Junior High School, Lee: Zachary Holt, Kaitlyn Watkins
Cony Middle and High School, Augusta: Jasmine Day, Derek Harding
Richmond Middle & High School, Richmond: Max Viselli, Sophia Wells
Medway Middle School, Medway: Randi Richards, Wyatt Stanley
Lewiston Middle School, Lewiston: Benjamin Cloutier, Farid Muhammed-Aceto
Auburn Middle School, Auburn: Landon Cougle, Sarah Morgan
Monmouth Middle School, Monmouth: Holly Hunt, Adam Knell
The event was opened by the Joseph A. Leonard Middle School Jazz Ensemble, at the direction of Shianne Priest, and included welcoming remarks from Erica Gabbianelli and Dr. Katie Rybakova of MAMLE, and from Maine Department of Education Commissioner, Pender Makin. Other speakers included Dr. Gert Nesin of MAMLE, Jeff Rodman of NELMS, and Adam Regan, a Senior at Old Town High School.
This event was reported on by Central Maine and the Bangor Daily News.