The artistic talents of an Orono High School student will take center stage the weekend of August 2 and 3, 2025, as the State of Maine celebrates its fifth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend.

On July 17, 2025, at Brodis Farm in Hope, Governor Janet Mills made the official proclamation of Wild Blueberry Weekend, a tradition since 2021 to celebrate the state’s berry and the growers and processers who harvest it. This statewide event features farm tours and other activities at more than a dozen wild blueberry farms across ten counties, as well as wild blueberry-themed offerings at restaurants, ice cream shops, and breweries.

This year, the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine announced a T-shirt design for the fifth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend. During her Brodis Farm visit, Governor Mills celebrated Orono High School student Elena Weaver, whose winning design will be featured on T-shirts to be sold at participating farms during Wild Blueberry Weekend.

“We launched the T-shirt design contest this year in celebration of Governor Mills’ proclamation of 2025 as the ‘Year of Youth in Agriculture’ in Maine,” Jennifer Maskala, Director of Programs for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, said. “We reached out to more than 100 Maine schools to encourage student participation and were proud to receive submissions from across the country.”

Maskala said that a selection committee reviewed all entries using a judging rubric and evaluated them based solely on the artwork itself.

“We were honored to recognize a youth winner from Maine and an adult winner from Washington state at the Governor’s Wild Blueberry Weekend proclamation event—a meaningful way to celebrate creativity, agriculture, and the next generation of leaders in our industry,” Maskala said.

Thirty-one people total submitted designs for the Wild Blueberry Weekend T-Shirt Design Contest. Maskala said the Commission selected Weaver’s design based on its strong visual impact, creativity, and clear appeal to young audiences. Maskala said that Weaver’s design stood out for its originality and the way it captures the spirit of Wild Blueberry Weekend in a fun and engaging way.  

“I love doing art, and it is special to have my work seen by so many people. There are a lot of subtle colors to wild blueberries as they ripen, and this influenced my design,” Weaver said. “My favorite thing about blueberries, though, is eating them!”

In 2024, more than 10,000 people attended Wild Blueberry Weekend events in Maine. If turnout is similar this year, that will make for quite the platform for Weaver’s artwork.

You can learn more about Wild Blueberry Weekend, and find a map of participating locations, here.

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Marshwood Middle School came alive with energy, excitement, and purpose, as students and staff participated in the school’s first annual Wellness Summit, a full-day celebration of mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Built around the theme, “Mindful and Strong,” the summit created a space for students to explore healthy habits, reflect on their wellness, and develop positive connections with their peers and the community.

Organized by school staff with the help of community partners, the event featured more than twenty presenters, including local yoga instructors, mental health advocates, golf professionals, and student leaders. Students participated in a rotating schedule of interactive, hands-on workshops that focused on various topics, such as mindfulness and movement, stress management, nutrition, and creative expression. Sessions included painting, gratitude journaling, yoga, breathing exercises, healthy snacking, and even a visit from local K-9s.

“Middle school can be a challenging time for students, and we wanted to create a day where students could pause and reflect on their wellness in a fun, supportive environment,” Marshwood Middle School Principal Christine Goulet said. “The energy and engagement we saw were incredible.”

The summit’s goal was to empower students—not only as participants but also as leaders in their wellness journey. The event emphasized building skills in resilience, self-care, and emotional awareness, all within a positive, encouraging setting. Students had opportunities to try new practices and discover tools that they can continue to use long after the event.

“You could really see students connecting,” Kathleen Ring, a school counselor who helped to coordinate the summit, said. ”Some of them tried yoga or meditation for the first time and loved it.”

The event concluded with a school-wide field day that brought students together for fitness challenges, yard games, and an inflatable obstacle course, ending the day on a high note, filled with movement, teamwork, and fun.

With strong support from the school community and positive feedback from students and staff, Marshwood Middle School hopes to make the Wellness Summit an annual tradition.

This story was submitted by Marshwood Middle School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Students at Cushing Community School ended their 2024-2025 school year not just with completed assignments and cleaned-out desks but with a meaningful act of kindness, bringing together learning and community service in a powerful way.

On June 12, 2025, a handful of students (the “Sea Store Team”), along with advisor Ms. Jennifer York, delivered a donation of $374 to the Pope Memorial Humane Society in Thomaston. That generous gift was made even more impactful through the Humane Society’s Sherman Medical Fund matching program, bringing the total value to $748. These funds will directly support medical care for animals in need, making a lasting difference in the lives of local pets awaiting adoption.

This donation was the result of a year-long effort by the school’s Sea Store Team, a dedicated group of fourteen students who operated a small but vibrant store at the school each Friday morning during arrival time. The Sea Store offered essential school supplies, such as pencils, pens, notebooks, stickers, rulers, glue sticks, and more. It quickly became a popular stop for student shoppers and was a highlight of the weekly routine during the school year.

Running the Sea Store gave students real responsibilities. They took on roles as cashiers and customer support helpers, learning to handle money, give change, assist customers, and do mental math—all in a supportive, real-world setting. The experience gave both team members and shoppers the chance to strengthen practical skills in a fun, meaningful way.

The lessons learned from the Sea Store extended far beyond the cash register, too. Students on the Sea Store Team learned what it takes to run a small business, from choosing which items to sell and setting prices, to promoting the store, to working together to keep the store running smoothly. This project offered valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving—and all for a great cause.

The Sea Store Team chose to donate the store’s profits to Pope Memorial Humane Society, transforming their business into a school-wide community service project. When it came time to deliver the donation, the students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter and even got to spend some time with puppies and kittens. This up-close opportunity with the animals they were helping made the experience feel even more rewarding.

The Sea Store has been more than just a school fundraiser; it has been a project rooted in learning, leadership, and compassion. Through their efforts, students gained real-world skills, contributed to a cause they care about, and experienced the joy of giving back.

As the school year came to a close, the Sea Store Team walked away with business experience and a sense of pride, purpose, and a reminder that even small actions can create big, positive change.

This story was submitted by Cushing Community School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

A once-plain hallway at Waterboro Elementary School has been transformed into a vibrant mural, thanks to the creativity and teamwork of LearningWorks students. What began as a request from school administration to “add some color” quickly evolved into a full-scale art project that reflects the spirit of the entire school community.

From the start, students approached the project with purpose. After learning about the power of public art and its ability to communicate without words, they understood their mural needed to speak to everyone, no matter their age or language. A visit to the mural’s future site—a hallway connecting the gym and cafeteria—sparked the realization that this space was the perfect place to celebrate everything that makes Waterboro Elementary School special.

Students decided on a theme of community, highlighting art, music, reading, healthy food, friendship, and the school’s core values. Drawing inspiration from artists like Keith Haring and Romare Britto, they blended ideas and styles to make sure every student’s voice was reflected. When it came time to present their plan to school leaders, they created visuals, practiced their roles, and walked in with confidence—and a few nerves.

The administration was impressed by their preparation and passion, offering full support for the project.

Painting the mural was a journey filled with memorable moments: spilled paint, sock prints, ladder adventures, and plenty of laughter. While there were challenges—like balancing individual ideas and learning how to compromise—the students grew as artists, teammates, and leaders.

Now, the mural stands as a lasting symbol of student voice, creativity, and connection. Staff, students, and families have praised the work, and the hallway has become a place where kids pause to admire, or even pose with, the art.

Although the paint has dried, the inspiration has not. These young artists are already dreaming about what wall they might paint next.

This story was written in collaboration with Waterboro Elementary School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

In a stirring display of patriotism, tradition, and student leadership, the cadets of Sacopee Valley High School’s Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program proudly led a moving “Two Lights” ceremony and historical reenactment to honor the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Held on April 17, 2025, the event captivated an audience of approximately 550 students, educators, and community members, transforming the school grounds into a living tribute to a pivotal moment in American history.

At the heart of the ceremony was a reenactment of Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride. In a scene that transported the crowd back to April of 1775, one of Sacopee Valley’s own teachers rode on horseback, passionately portraying Revere’s urgent mission to warn the colonists of the advancing British forces. The moment was brought to life by the dedication and planning of the JROTC cadets, whose attention to historical detail—from colonial costumes to lantern displays—created an unforgettable experience.

The ceremony was part of the “Two Lights for Tomorrow” curriculum, a nationwide initiative developed by America250 to mark this significant anniversary and inspire a deeper understanding of America’s fight for independence. The students honored tradition by reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s iconic poem, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” infusing the event with a sense of reverence and historical significance.

The primary architect behind the event’s success was Major Dan Bartlett, U.S. Army (ret.), senior JROTC instructor at Sacopee Valley High School. His leadership and dedication, alongside the tireless efforts of the cadets, ensured the ceremony not only educated but also profoundly moved all who attended.

“This was more than a reenactment; it was a community celebration of our shared history,” Major Bartlett said. “Our cadets worked hard to make this an immersive and meaningful event, and they did it with pride and precision.”

The powerful gathering at Sacopee Valley High School served as a vibrant reminder that the echoes of Paul Revere’s ride still resonate today, reminding new generations of the courage, urgency, and unity that helped shape a nation.

“We all had a wonderful time planning and executing this event. It was awesome to have the opportunity to perform this in front of our middle school and high school. I was told by many children there that it was a really cool event, and they were glad they got to come—especially because of the real horse that we had for Paul Revere to ride,” Cadet Gage Wilson said.

Information for this story was provided by Sacopee Valley High School. To submit a good news story to the Maine Department of Education, please fill out the good news submission form. 

Photo courtesy of Edmunds Consolidated School, one of the four Life Happens Outside® Challenge-winning schools

To promote mental health awareness and build lifelong habits of outdoor time, Teens to Trails hosted its second-ever Spring Life Happens Outside® Challenge for Maine middle and elementary schools (grades 5-8). The Challenge ran from May 9-16, 2025, and encouraged students, staff members, and teachers from across the state to get outside, as research shows that spending time outdoors significantly benefits both mental and physical health.

This year’s Challenge was a tremendous success, with 30 schools from 12 counties and one Maine Indian Education school participating and collectively recording nearly 5 million minutes of outdoor time. That equals more than 82,000 hours–or nearly 9.5 years spent outside in just one week!

During the Challenge, 6,454 students enjoyed outdoor classes, playing sports, spending time with friends and pets, riding bikes, and simply taking moments of quiet in nature. Here’s what some students shared about their experiences:

“I like outside.” – 6th grader, Saco Middle School

“Stepping away from screens and routines gives my brain a reset.” – 8th grader, Marshwood Middle School

“I now know that even short moments outdoors make a big difference in how I handle stress and stay focused.” – 8th grader, Boothbay Region Elementary School

“Spending time outside made me more happy and focused.” – 8th grader, Messalonskee Middle School

Thanks to the generous support of lead sponsor Unum and legacy sponsor First National Bank, the four schools with the most outdoor minutes per student were awarded $1,000 each to invest in future outdoor programming.

The winning schools are:

• Sipayik Elementary School, Pleasant Point
• Washburn District Elementary School, Washburn
• Edmunds Consolidated School, Dennysville
• The Ecology Learning Center Bridge Program, Unity–recognized by Teens to Trails as a Trailblazer in Alternative Education for logging more than 4,000 minutes of outdoor time per student during Challenge week!

“We’re incredibly proud of these schools and all the students who participated,” Alicia Heyburn, Executive Director of Teens to Trails, said. “The stories we heard about feeling refreshed, happier, and more relaxed confirm what research tells us: Time outdoors is essential to mental and physical wellbeing. We hope these students continue to embrace the outdoors long after the Challenge.”

Teens to Trails would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who made this event possible and who helped foster a culture of outdoor time in schools across Maine.

To learn more about the Challenge or winning schools in your area, please reach out to Connor Huggins, Teens to Trails Outreach and Communications Manager, at connor@teenstotrails.org.

The original Maine DOE Newsroom article for the Challenge can be found here.