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Mitchell Scholars

ORONO – Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell welcomed the recently selected 2005 class of Mitchell Scholars and their families on Aug. 21 at the Wells Catering and Conference Center at the University of Maine. Mitchell was the keynote speaker.

More than 250 guests, including members of the Mitchell Institute board of directors, university and college leaders, and other supporters from across the state attended the event.

Mitchell Scholars from the Bangor area are:

. Nicole Bureau, Bangor High School.

. Rhysa Washburn, Brewer High School.

. Kimberly Buxton, Bucksport High School.

. Christine Paige, Central High School, Corinth.

. Caitlin Churchill, Hampden Academy.

. Whitney Schreiber, Hermon High School.

. Crystal Wiley, John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor.

. Joshua Marcho, Old Town High School.

. Stacy Scott, Orono High School.

Since 1995, the Mitchell Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million in scholarships to 1,130 Maine high school graduates. Each year, 130 graduating seniors – one from every Maine public high school – are chosen to receive Mitchell Scholarships.

Annual scholarships averaging $4,000 each are awarded on the basis of academic potential, community service and financial need. Recipients must be residents of Maine who will be entering their first year of a two- or four-year accredited college or university.

Nearly 30 percent of Mitchell Scholars selected in 2005 are first generation college students, and almost two thirds are from noncollege tradition families. Nearly 60 percent come from families with less than $5,000 available from their own resources to contribute to the student’s college education.

In addition to scholarships, the Mitchell Institute offers a variety of support programs that encourage community service and that provide career based opportunities for summer employment, and leadership and professional development. Officials at the institute said they believed that the exceptional 94-percent college retention rate among Mitchell Scholars was due in part to these and other meaningful support programs.

While Maine ranks very high nationally in high school graduation rates, it does not fare as well as most of the nation in college enrollment and completion rates.

The work of the Mitchell Institute also includes an ongoing research component. A long-term study of the Mitchell Scholars began in 2000 to gauge the effectiveness of the scholarship and support programs, and to learn more about the Scholars’ college and career experiences. Other efforts undertaken at the Mitchell Institute focus on high school reform and early college.

Additional information about the Mitchell Institute is available at www.mitchellinstitute.org.

SAD 22

HAMPDEN – SAD 22 in Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport has announced new staff members.

Hampden Academy: Leslie Boyd, math and science teacher; Dannielle Donovan, science teacher; Jeannette Evans, administrative assistant; Rebecca Higgins, special education; Rob Kissinger, English teacher; Kathryn Ksyniak, alternative education teacher; Jill Ouimet, guidance; Melissa Shaffer, American sign language; and Sara Weaver, math teacher.

Earl McGraw School, Hampden: Jennifer Barton, special education; and Shari Casey, special education.

Newburgh Elementary School: Karen Karp, fifth-grade teacher; and Mary Smith, teaching principal.

Reeds Brook Middle School, Hampden: Ellen Brochu, special education; Tricia Carver, Spanish teacher; Reed Farrar, eighth-grade teacher; Patty Preston, school nutrition; and Dorothy Wellman, custodian.

Leroy H. Smith School, Winterport: Barbara Carter, nurse; and David Mallek, music teacher.

George B. Weatherbee School, Hampden: Regan Nickels, principal.

Music outreach to schools

BANGOR – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra announced that it has received sponsorship support for its educational outreach program from Bangor Hydro Electric Co. and Union Trust Co.

Coordinated by BSO staff, the outreach program takes groups of musicians – and sometimes Maestro Xiao-Lu Li, the orchestra’s music director and conductor – into area schools for workshops, demonstrations and performance.

“We are thrilled to be able to return to schools and build on what we have already started,” says executive director Susan Jonason. “Nothing can take the place of having professional musicians working one on one with students in a relaxed and familiar setting. It’s a great complement to what school music teachers are already doing with their curricula, and we are so grateful to have the corporate support of Bangor Hydro and Union Trust.”

Through the program the Bangor Symphony aims to reinforce the Maine Learning Results and support Maine teachers’ efforts, which are sometimes constricted by budgetary demands.

Mike Flagg is the director of instrumental music for the Mount View Schools in Thorndike.

“Nearly 150 students from our rural complex here had a wonderful opportunity to witness the amazing sights and unique sounds of a full percussion ensemble,” he said. “We are, geographically, the largest rural district in the state and few of our students have financial or geographic opportunities to witness such great music outside of school.”

Educational sponsorships from Bangor Hydro and Union Trust are targeted specifically for outreach in rural Maine schools, many of which have little or no access to music education. For more information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Know Your Orchestra! educational outreach, call 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221.

Glenburn School

GLENBURN – Glenburn School’s first day for all pupils will be 8:10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. For information, call 947-8769.

Adult Education

ORONO – Orono Adult Education has announced classes for the fall 2005 semester. Most classes begin the week of Sept. 26.

Courses are: Basic reading and math skills program; English as a second language; diploma classes in biology, English, math, and U.S. history; vocational courses in career counseling and woodworking I and II; personal enrichment courses in adoption, American sign language for students and teachers, Asian arts and crafts, basket weaving; ballroom dance classes at beginner and intermediate levels; certified nurse assistant course; hunter safety; introduction to herbal medicine and medicine making; introduction to Tellington Touch for companion animals; beginner and intermediate personal tarot; quilting; SAT preparation; Saturday storytime literacy program; and t’ai chi.

Those interested in the diploma program should call the adult education office so that schedules may be arranged. Students preparing for college entry who need developmental math and English may gain the necessary credit to qualify for admission through adult ed academic courses.

To register for courses, stop by the adult education office at Orono High School, Room 103; call 866-4119, or mail registration to: Orono Adult Education, 14 Goodridge Drive, Orono ME 04473.

For additional course information, visit www.orono.u87.k12.me.us./ohs/ohs.htm.

Colleges

Boston University

BOSTON – Blake Goodwin of Hudson was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Boston University. He is an engineering student and the son of Beth Goodwin.

Dartmouth College

HANOVER, N.H. – Sarah Mead of Bangor graduated from Dartmouth College this spring with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She also received a Third Honor Group award for 2004-2005. She is the daughter of Andrew and Kelly Mead.

Hartwick College

ONEONTA, N.Y. – Ashley Smyth of Orono graduated cum laude from Hartwick College with a bachelor’s degree in English. Smyth received Departmental Distinction recognition in English.

Smyth participated in junior varsity field hockey, varsity lacrosse, Society of Brothers/Sisters United, Hilltops Student Newspaper, Pluralism Associates League for Students, Orchesis Dance Club and Sigma Tau Delta.

She is the daughter of Wallace and Anne Smyth of Orono.