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Nominations to military academies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe have announced their nominees for the United States Military Service Academies. Applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes members of Congress.

“We are honored to nominate such an impressive and deserving group of students to America’s service academies,” said Snowe and Collins. “These students have earned their nominations, and we are confident they will make us and their communities proud.”

Area students who have been nominated are:

U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Caleb Grindle, Bucksport, Bucksport High School.

U.S Air Force Academy: Forrest Bush, Milford, Old Town High School.

U.S. Naval Academy: Forrest Bush, Milford, Old Town High School; Jeffrey Dow, Old Town, Old Town High School; Tyler Garrett, Holden, Bangor High School; Ashley Sanford, Holden, John Bapst Memorial High School; Daniel Wheaton, Old Town, Old Town High School.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Jeffrey Dow, Old Town, Old Town High School; Ashley Sanford, Holden, John Bapst Memorial High School.

Mock Trial Competition

HAMPDEN – Hampden Academy is one of four high schools competing in semi-final rounds of the mock trial competition in southern Maine. Hampden Academy is competing against Bonny Eagle, while Cape Elizabeth takes on Deering High School.

The Hampden Academy mock trial team comprises: Jarrod Bouchard, Paige Clifton, Jacob Cravens, Logan Deane, Sam Dow, Jessica Hackett, Jason Hamilton, Peter Herrick Jr., Sophie Kelmenson, Kristina King, Rachel Lawler, Tim Leong, Tao Mason, Kaylie Reese, Savannah Sargent, Lauren Sturdivant, Lauren Swalec, Stefanie Veneziano and Samuel Wood.

The winners in the semi-finals will compete for state champion in the mock trial competition next week in Portland. Several dozen volunteer lawyers and judges participate in the mock trial competition, which is sponsored by the Maine State Bar Association with support from the Maine Bar Foundation.

Competing schools are trying a murder “case” involving a school shooting. Each match consists of two unscripted trials: One team acts as the prosecution and the other as defense in the first trial, and then they switch sides for the second trial. Team members fill the roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses.

The Cape Elizabeth and Deering teams competed Nov. 30 in the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland.

Bonny Eagle and Hampden will compete noon-4 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Federal District Courthouse, Portland, with Judge Kermit Lipez, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, presiding.

Hampden Academy worked with high school teacher Kathryn King and attorney coaches William Devoe and James McCarthy.

The mock trial competition educates students about the legal system, the judicial process, the attorneys’ roles and the rules of evidence. It teaches effective communication, critical thinking, principles of advocacy and teamwork.

The mock trial competition will culminate in a state championship trial Thursday, Dec. 8, in Portland, presided over by Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley of the Maine Supreme Court.

Last year’s champion, Hampden Academy, represented Maine in the national finals in Charlotte, N.C. This year, the state champion will be eligible to participate in the national finals in Oklahoma City in May.

Coordinator Julia Finn, a Maine attorney, said, “The mock trials represent a tremendous accomplishment. The opportunity to try a case in a real court, in front of a judge – it’s amazing to see. It’s especially impressive to consider that these kids are so young and doing a great job, and of course they haven’t even been to law school. They may not realize now just how unique an experience this is, but there are many lawyers who rarely appear in court.”

The public is invited to attend the mock trials, but seating is limited.

Santa’s breakfast

ETNA – The Etna-Dixmont School will hold its annual Santa’s breakfast 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the school. Organizers are seeking those who make crafts to set up at the event. There is no fee for a table. A donation to the giving tree is requested. To reserve a table or obtain more information, call Rose Hill at 234-2260.

The Etna-Dixmont School’s eighth-grade class will hold an auction at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the school to benefit the class trip to Boston. Auction items have been donated by individuals and local businesses. Doors open at 6 p.m.

John Bapst Memorial High School

BANGOR – According to John Bapst Memorial High School student Rebekah Green of Brewer, she and fellow student Zel Bowman-Laberge of Trescott were looking for a way to address some of their concerns about the world and to channel their energy in a more unified effort.

The two researched the national Student Environmental Action Coalition and decided that the organization fit their personal criteria, specifically that the work could be tailored to meet the needs of the area. They also found that the University of Maine had an established coalition chapter on the Orono campus that could be used as a resource for ideas and advice.

Green and Bowman-Laberge founded the John Bapst Student Environmental Action Coalition, a group hoping to pursue several of the national-level goals of promoting world peace, eliminating hunger and protecting the environment.

According to the national organization’s Web site, “SEAC is a student- and youth-run national network of progressive organizations and individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. [The group] defines the environment to include the physical, economic, political and cultural conditions in which we live.”

Specifically, the group builds networks, teaches skills, educates others about the issues, and puts ideas into practice through projects and campaigns.

The John Bapst coalition has formed several committees and begun work on various projects, including bringing more healthy foods to the school’s lunch program and vending machines, organizing official carpooling groups, planning a “Hunger Banquet” for later this year, working with other local groups to help clean Bangor streets, and collecting and testing water samples to support a statewide project.

“We didn’t want to wait until we were adults to begin improving our world. We wanted to get involved now,” Green said. She and Bowman-Laberge are not alone. The John Bapst coalition already has more than 20 members who meet weekly.

In addition, several faculty members have expressed an interest in working with the group and are overseeing individual projects. Faculty members involved to date are Dr. Fred Jones, Bill LoPotro, Landis Green, Dr. Lynne Manion, Jonathan Pratt and Teresa Thornton.

BANGOR – Joseph Price, a junior at John Bapst Memorial High School, will attend Presidential Classroom’s National Security in a Democracy Program to be held July 15-22, 2006.

Presidential Classroom provides high school juniors and seniors access to the leaders who shape America’s public policy. Participants will explore the role of government, military and private sector play in planning and executing defense and the debate over citizen’s rights.

At John Bapst, Price participates in soccer, basketball, swim team, Key Club, Math Club, jazz band and is an Eagle Scout. He is the son of Ray and Beth Price of Glenburn.

Kids Fun Night

OLD TOWN – The Old Town Parks and Recreation Department will offer a Kids Fun Night 6-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the Herbert Sargent Community Center. Activities planned are games, making pizza and creating holiday crafts. The program is for children age 4 and up and will be available to the first 25 who register.

Parents who register before Friday, Dec. 9, will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Governor’s Restaurant.

The cost for Kids Fun Night is $7 for residents, $12 for others. Call 827-3961 for more information or to register.

Colleges

Bangor Theological Seminary

Bangor Theological Seminary will hold an informational evening 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in Bell Hall, the seminary’s new home on the Husson College campus.

Informational evenings are designed to answer specific questions about theological education in general, and Bangor Theological Seminary in particular. The informal agenda is determined by participants.

For questions or reservations, call Fae Gilbride at 942-6781, Ext. 126.

Bates College

LEWISTON – Lindsy Blazej of Dixmont received Bates College funding to conduct research in her chosen field this summer.

Through an Otis Fellowship, Blazej explored six eco-villages throughout Europe, investigating these intentional communities and the ways different cultures have adapted the concept of sustainability into communities. She also evaluated how effectively these villages serve as models for global sustainability.

Blazej, a senior dean’s list student, is an environmental studies major. She studied in Madagascar and Australia during her junior year at Bates. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Barbara Blazej.

Eastern Maine Community College

BANGOR – Registration for the spring term at Eastern Maine Community College will begin Monday, Dec. 5. A schedule of classes is available by calling 974-4621.

EMCC offers more than 25 programs in specialized technologies, an associate degree in liberal studies for transfer to a four-year institution and career training programs. Credit and noncredit classes are available during the day, evenings and Saturdays. Options include online courses and classes on campus or at one of EMCC’s campus centers in East Millinocket, Dover-Foxcroft and Ellsworth.

American Sign Language is a new course offering. Students will find a range of general education courses available, specialized offerings from many program areas and noncredit courses ranging from phlebotomy to woodworking.

BANGOR – Gregory Betz of Ellsworth, a student at Eastern Maine Community College, has been named a recipient of the 2005 Theta Kappa National Dean’s List Scholarship. Betz is in EMCC’s medical radiography program. Fifty-five community college students were selected for the honor.

The National Dean’s List is a prestigious compilation of honor students in two-year and four-year programs. All new inductees are automatically nominated for the National Dean’s List. Recipients of the scholarship are chosen by random search to receive a $250 award.

Husson College

BANGOR – Three alumni were appointed to the Husson College board of trustees at the board’s annual meeting. The college reported continued enrollment growth, new programs and a strong financial picture.

Elected to the board were alumni Daniel Coffey of Holden, Edward Darling of Glenburn and Ross Furman of Falmouth.

Coffey is senior financial officer and interim executive CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

Darling is CEO of Down East Toyota and associated companies and recipient of the 2005 Norbert X. Dowd Award.

Furman is a commercial real estate developer and owner of Skillful Vending Distributors Inc. in Portland.

Also re-elected to one-year terms were W. Tom Sawyer Jr. of Bangor as chairman of the board and Arthur Fuller of Greenville, S.C., as vice chairman of the board.

Sawyer is the former owner of Sawyer Environmental and a former two-term state senator from Bangor.

Reappointed to the board for three-year terms were Diana Beaudoin, Kris Doody-Chabre, Arthur Fuller, Kenneth Hews, Norman Kominsky, Robert O’Donnell, Tom Sawyer Jr., Irving Schneider, Richard Trott and Lloyd Willey.

Husson President William Beardsley reported on the campus’ undergraduate enrollment growth of 124 students or 8 percent over the previous year – an increase of 474 students or 39 percent since fall 2002.

Highlights of the past year included the co-location of Bangor Theological Seminary to the College Circle campus, the construction of the 40,000-square-foot O’Donnell Commons and the O’Keefe Softball Complex, new graduate programs in acute care nurse practitioner and criminal justice administration, a new undergraduate degree in English, establishment of a women’s swim team, professional accreditation of the School of Business, reincorporation of Bangor’s Northern Conservatory of Music and the matriculation of the first students into the new doctor of physical therapy program.

Beardsley reported growth in net assets of $2.4 million on gross revenues of $21 million for the fiscal year, an increase of 9 percent over 2003-2004. The enrollment and fiscal figures reflect consolidation of Husson and its wholly owned subsidiary the New England School of Communications.

Colleges

University of Maine

ORONO – University of Maine diners will have the opportunity to “sea” what they’ve been missing 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, when Black Bear Dining will host a celebration of sea vegetables.

Sea vegetables are wild ocean plants, popular in coastal areas around the world, and can be used in a variety of recipes. Menu items, including nori-stuffed manicotti, norikopita, roasted vegetable and nori wrap will be available to those who visit the Maine Marketplace in Memorial Union.

Coordinators for the event are Dawn Aubrey, director of dining services at UM, and Susan Brawley, professor of plant biology and cooperating professor of biological sciences in the School of Marine Sciences. The sea vegetables will be supplied by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables in Franklin.

Carl Karusch from Maine Coast Sea Vegetables will be on hand for the occasion. The Sheep Island Rovers, a contra-band from Winter Harbor, will provide music in Union Central, just outside the Marketplace.

“Our goal is to educate the campus population on the nutritional value of sea vegetables, as well as to show their versatility in a variety of recipes,” Aubrey said. “We hope to raise awareness among the students, staff, faculty and guests who visit the Marketplace.”