Schools

Upward Bound

ORONO – Upward Bound will mark its 40th year at the University of Maine this month as 175 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors arrive June 24 for the annual six-week academic and career exploration experience on campus.

A federally funded educational opportunity program, Upward Bound provides opportunities for high school students from low-income, first-generation college families to change the course of their lives by overcoming economic, social, academic and class barriers to higher education.

Participation is year-round with service to students in their schools, as well as the six-week summer residential program at UMaine. Usually, more than 90 percent of students who complete the program enter postsecondary education.

The majority of the 129 students coming to UMaine this summer are in the Classic Upward Bound general academic support and enrichment program. They attend schools served throughout the academic year by UMaine Upward Bound counselors in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Hancock counties.

The other students – approximately 49 – are in the Upward Bound Regional Math-Science Center program, which serves motivated math, science and technology students from targeted high schools around New England.

This is the first year that students from Rhode Island will participate in the UMaine summer experience.

During the summer, the students take classes in math, science, English, foreign language, career exploration, SAT preparation and a variety of electives. In addition, students have a research agenda, working on projects with UMaine faculty, and at jobs in the community. They also complete hundreds of hours of community service each summer, including an annual blood drive.

This year, students and staff will read the award-winning book “The Secret Life of Bees,” by Sue Monk Kidd, and weave its messages into experiences and activities throughout the summer, according to Upward Bound Director Linda Ives.

Set in the southern United States in the early 1960s, “The Secret Life of Bees” is the story of a young girl’s coming of age amid racial violence and unrest and haunting memories of her mother who died in a tragic accident.

Classic Upward Bound is one of the TRIO programs, established by Congress in 1965 to help encourage and support the higher education aspirations and efforts of individuals from low-income, first-generation college families.

The series of programs includes Talent Search, designed to help students in grades six-12 aspire to, prepare for and enter college, and the Maine Educational Opportunity Center, which assists adults in preparing for and accessing higher education. UMaine received its first Upward Bound grant in 1966, according to Ives. The UMaine College of Education and Human Development administers these federal programs at UMaine.

Junior Chamber International

DEDHAM – Melanie Craig of Dedham and Kurtis Biggs of Augusta were selected as two of the 20 national winners for the U.S. Junior Chamber International Scholarship program. They were the only two selected from the New England states.

In January, the two high school seniors were selected as top candidates for scholarships from the Maine JCI Senate organization, each receiving $75 Danforth West Memorial Scholarships. Their scholarship applications were forwarded to the organization’s national competition. In April, both were selected to receive $1,000 grants from the US JCI Scholarship Foundation.

Melanie Craig, a senior at Bangor High School, is the daughter of John and Patricia Craig of Dedham. Besides her academic excellence in mathematics, science and Spanish, Craig was involved in varsity cross-country and track.

She competed on academic teams such as the New England and American Math leagues, National Science Bowl, Junior Engineering Technical Society and Maine Academic Decathlon. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Congress, Dirigo Girls State and earned many special awards in her high school career. She will attend Hollins University in Roanoke, Va., and hopes to become an allergy specialist.

Kurtis Biggs, a senior at Cony High School, is the son of Mark and Nancy Biggs of Augusta. He excelled in math, science, Latin and French. He was recognized with a Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, an AP Scholar Award, National Honor Society and numerous other awards.

Scholarship recipient

BANGOR – Jennifer Robicheau of Bangor is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship Fund, sponsored by its members. Robicheau was sponsored by the Bangor chapter, Alpha Master. The award was presented to Robicheau by her grandmother Audrey Higgins, member of the Alpha Master chapter.

The scholarship is one of 41 grants given this year. Members of Beta Sigma Phi, their sons, daughters and grandchildren are eligible for the awards. Recipients are chosen according to scholastic standing, community involvement, letters of recommendation and an essay telling of their future goals.

Head Start registration

Penquis CAP is accepting applications for its child care programs. Head Start program and child care services are available for children age 6 weeks to 5 years. Before- and after-school care is available for children age 5 to 8.

Children are provided developmentally appropriate classroom activities to increase skills in learning, thinking and doing, social interactions, large and small muscle development, and daily health and nutrition routines.

With permission from parents, Penquis CAP Head Start and Child Care Centers offer health screenings for vision, hearing, speech, language and growth measurements. Meals and snacks are provided at no extra cost to families.

Penquis CAP Child Development is designated a Quality Program by the Federal Head Start Program and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Quality Program designation allows families of enrolled children to receive a double tax credit on the State of Maine Income Tax Child Care Credit.

Full day, full year care is available at centers in Bangor, East Millinocket, Exeter, Dexter, Newport and Old Town. Part-day, part-year care September to May is available in Bangor, Brewer, Dover-Foxcroft, Howland, Lee, Lincoln, Milo, Newburgh and Parkman. Before- and after-school care is available in Dexter and Exeter.

Child care subsidies are available to eligible families on a sliding scale. For more information, call 973-3567 or visit a nearby center.

Teacher of the Year

BREWER – Washington Street School second-grade teacher Priscilla Sawyer is the winner of the Brewer Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award. A $1,000 donation in honor of Sawyer was made to the school in May. Sawyer also received $100 for classroom supplies and a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year T-shirt.

Chinese school, camp

BANGOR – Bangor Chinese School, a nonprofit organization, will begin a 12-week session for children on June 18 at Husson College. Chinese Dragon Camp begins June 19.

The school also offers 14-week sessions for adults. For information, call 990-0710 or e-mail zhangjing2000@yahoo.com.

Colleges

Alfred University

ALFRED, N.Y. – Megan Gray of Milford graduated May 13 from Alfred University with a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in fine arts. She also was named an Alfred University Scholar as an honors program graduate.

Gray is a 2002 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School and the daughter of Darrell Gray of Milford and Lynn Stevenson of Bangor.

Colby College

WATERVILLE – These area students graduated recently from Colby College:

. Casey Civiello received a bachelor’s degree in economics and was named to the dean’s list. A graduate of Bangor High School, he is the son of Thomas and Carolyn Civiello of Freeport.

. Robert Girvan III received a bachelor’s degree in history and was named to the dean’s list. A graduate of Central High School in Corinth, he is the son of Robert and Karen Girvan of Kenduskeag.

. Johann Von Hoffman received a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, and was named to the dean’s list. A graduate of the Orono High School, he is the son of John McCormack and Irene Von Hoffman of Orono.

Husson College

BANGOR – The following area students received diplomas from Husson College at commencement ceremonies held May 13:

Bangor – Melissa Achorn, Richard Atkin, Natalie Balogh, Edward Brown, Ryan Callahan, Sherri Capponi, Amanda Gleason, Robert Gordon, Liza Graham, Jodie Harnish, Paul Kelley, Timothy Kelly, Joshua Lander, Benja Lane, Martin Mann, Quinn Paradis, Stephenie Peakall, Melinda Plunkett, Ashley Robar, Scott Speck, Susan Steele, Jodi Vail, Angelica Vicnaire, Marlon Weaver and Chad Turner.

Brewer – Joshua Fitts, Robyn Fogarty, James Grindle, Lisa Grindle, Kimberly Heyer, Barry Kitchen, Joella Michaud, Leanne Sprague and Bruce Wood.

Bucksport – Jennifer Smith.

Carmel – Mary Graybill, Jennifer Nute and Katie Nason.

Dedham – Kathleen Bowen.

Glenburn – Sarah Goodell, Ewa Sitarski and Darcy Smith.

Hampden – Kimberly Hart, Patsy Husson, Adrian Jones and Michael Tardif.

Hermon – Sandra Britton, Lindsay Duplisea, Lori Johnston, Wendy LaPlante, Terry Mosher, Frank Pagurko, John Saviano, Gil Soucy, Lindsay Ulman and Michelle Wilkie.

Holden – Tara Chesley and Deborah MacLean

Hudson – Karen Waters-Higgins.

Kenduskeag – Natasha Mitchell.

Levant – Heather O’Keefe and Michael Phair.

Old Town – Chadd Bennett, Adam Theriault, Summer Carson, Jessica Johnston and Gabriel Livingston.

Orono – Ashley Migliore and Shawn Tyrell.

Orrington – Kathleen Harding-Heber.

Veazie – Jason Bishop and Melissa Dow.

Winterport – Crystal Beale and G. Matthew Goodman.

Johnson & Wales University

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dustin Pease of Bangor received an associate degree in advertising-communications during May commencement ceremonies at Johnson & Wales University.

Lasell College

NEWTON, Mass. – These area students were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Lasell College:

. Mary Wollstadt of Old Town. She is studying fashion and design and production.

. Emily Reed of Winterport. She is studying fashion and retail merchandising.

Merrimack College

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. –

Mallory Brown of Milford graduated May 21 during commencement ceremonies at Merrimack College.

Nichols College

DUDLEY, Mass. – Maegan Kimball of Bangor was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Nichols College.

Norwich University

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Blake Civiello of Bangor graduated summa cum laude during commencement ceremonies at Northfield University. He received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and plans to pursue a master’s degree in architecture.

Pensacola Christian College

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Julie Ann McDonald, daughter of Michael and Jane McDonald of Corinth, received a bachelor’s degree in nursing during commencement ceremonies at Pensacola Christian College on May 10. She also was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at the college.

Springfield College

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Alison Leighton of Bangor was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Springfield College. She is studying therapeutic recreation services.

Saint Joseph’s College

STANDISH – Marianne Alley of Hampden graduated recently from Saint Joseph’s College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and was on the dean’s list both semesters.

The following area students were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester:

Argyle – Shaun Tidwell.

Bangor – Adam Ham.

Eddington – William Chapman.

Glenburn – Erin Healey.

Hampden – Marianne Alley and Jessica Lindsay.

Winterport – Amanda Hart.

University of Maine

ORONO – Fifty-eight students in the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development were recognized recently for outstanding academic performance. The students are from communities across Maine, as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. They were recognized at the college’s spring Presidential Academic Achievement Award ceremony.

College Dean Robert Cobb, along with academic advisers, congratulated the students and presented each with a Presidential Academic Achievement pin and a certificate. The one-time award goes to fulltime students who have earned a 3.5 or higher grade point average during the most recent semester and have maintained an average of at least 3.0 over the past two semesters. The award goes to part-time students with a 3.5 or higher GPA over the past 12 credit hours and a 3.0 average based on a minimum of 30 credit hours at UMaine.

Guest speaker was J. Duke Albanese, senior policy adviser of the Great Maine Schools Project and former commissioner of the Maine Department of Education.

Receiving awards were:

Auburn – Racheal Gifford.

Bangor – Michele Campbell, Sarah Glazier and Kari Redding.

Bar Harbor – Christopher Beard.

Beachville – Julie Poulin.

Bowdoin – Amy Skelton.

Brewer – Caitlin Coutts.

Buxton – Renae MacDonald.

Cornville – Sara Hogate.

East Millinocket – Ellen Surrette.

Eddington – Shawn Sutherland.

Exeter – Sara Brown.

Hampden – Emily Jenkins, Rachel Miller and Kristie Reese.

Hancock – Lawrence Duhaime.

Harpswell – Margaret White.

Hermon – Michelle Burgess.

Holden – Vanessa Michaud.

Kennebunk – Megan Hubbard.

Knox – Evan Porchetta.

Lincoln: Kerwin Whitney.

Lovell – Brooke Anderson.

Manchester – Alexis Pullen.

Minot – Elizabeth Goddard.

Newport – Katie Ames.

Oakland – Lauren Viles.

Old Town – Christopher Kimball, Rachel Duplessis and Minquansis Sapiel.

Orono – Heather Fuller and Barry Terrill.

Pittsfield – Anthony Crabtree.

Readfield – Emily Albee.

Saco – Michelle Mercier.

Scarborough – Timothy Martinson.

Searsmont – Melissa Howard.

Searsport – Sarah Cook.

Sherman Station – Brandon McCarthy.

South Berwick – Erik Clauson and Samantha Perham.

South Portland – Christopher Devinney.

Springvale – Sarah Mallon.

St. Agatha – Haley Labbe.

Union – Michelle Athearn.

Weeks Mills – Shawn Barnes and Susan Barnes.

West Boothbay Harbor – Katelyn Benedict.

Windham – Amy Jack.

Winterport – Andrea Bozzino.

York – Julie Johnson.

Also: Sara Collins, Natick, Mass.; Shannon Embry, Norwalk, Conn.; Caitilin Joly, North Reading, Maass.; Marguerite Soule, Pepperell, Mass.; Krystyn Tonnessen, Ridgefield, Conn.; and Patrick Vetere, Katonah, N.Y.