School News

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Schools

Dr. Lewis S. Libby School

MILFORD – Summer school pupils Andrew Libby, Jenna Lavoie, Shawna Rustin, Zachary Willett and Alexis Haskell, all of Milford, toured the Bangor Daily News printing facility and its main offices on Aug. 2 as part of the Extended School Year Program at the Dr. Lewis S. Libby School.

Kim Whitmore of the BDN met the pupils and their teachers, Ruth Clark and Judy Dauphinee, at the Hampden plant. The students were amazed by the 1,500-pound rolls of paper used to print the Bangor Daily News and The Weekly.

After seeing The Weekly being printed and stuffed with advertisements, the Milford group set off for the Main Street offices of the Bangor Daily News.

In Bangor, Whitmore gave the youngsters a tour of the classified, advertising, newsroom and graphics departments. They learned that the folks in advertising are paid to use glue sticks and markers.

They also met John Holyoke, an outdoor columnist for the paper, who has “the best job in the world.” He goes fishing and hunting and then writes about it.

The Milford pupils said they were grateful to the Bangor Daily News and Kim Whitmore for sharing so much information about the production of the BDN and The Weekly.

Bangor High School

BANGOR – A senior at Bangor High School was named as a Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist. Samantha Jannenga was selected by the staff of Dirigo Girls State, held June 18-23 at Husson College.

In making the announcement, officials said Jannenga was chosen on the basis of academics, school and community involvement and financial need.

Jannenga will join 99 other National Finalists from around the United States each competing for one of nine scholarships, each scholarship worth an expected $20,000.

At Bangor High School, Jannenga participates in cross-country and JV tennis. She is also a member of the speech and debate team, the math team, Academic Decathlon and the school’s Amnesty International chapter. Although currently undecided on where she will attend college, Jannenga intends to major in biochemistry with possible minors in French and international relations.

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship funds come from the earnings of a $5 million endowment given by Samsung. Samsung, in recognition of the sacrifice and commitment of United States servicemen and women who served during the Korean War to maintain the security of the Korean peninsula, joined with The American Legion to offer an educational opportunity to the descendants of war-time -veterans who have served honorably.

Jannenga’s grandfather served with the Army during the Korean War era.

The president and chief executive officer of Samsung North America, Dong-Jin Oh, said Samsung wanted to recognize “the sacrifices and commitment of U.S. servicemen and women. We believe this is the best way to show our appreciation to the United States and to U.S. war veterans.”

Members of the Dirigo Girls State selection committee said the selection process was difficult. The applicants were some of the best-qualified students in the state and the competition was keen.

Wassookeag School

BANGOR – Wassookeag has just launched its new Web site at www.wassookeagschool.org.

This year, in addition to the academic program, Wassookeag will offer a program for home-schoolers.

The program will meet on Mondays and will be devoted to the arts.

The school will offer a drama program in which children work together in a collaborative environment to develop, write and perform a play.

Music classes will include direct instruction as well as opportunities for performance.

Classes will be offered in keyboarding and singing in ensemble. In a unique hand chimes class, children will be introduced to musical notation and learn to play in ensemble.

A multifaceted arts and crafts program will enable children to work with a variety of media in artistically expressive ways.

For more information on the program and Wassookeag School, call 945-4900 or e-mail info@wassookeagschool.org.

Colleges

Bowdoin College

BRUNSWICK – Lindsey Noelle Parsons of Hampden has graduated with honors from Bowdoin College, earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology.

Parsons, a graduate of Hampden Academy, is employed by Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical in Boston.

She is the daughter of Bill Parsons and Kim (Steeves) Parsons of Hamdpen.

Fordham University

BRONX, N.Y. – Sara K. Boyorak, Bangor High School graduate and daughter of Paul and Yasmin Boyorak of Bangor, graduated May 6 from Fordham University at Rose Hill, Bronx, N.Y., with a double major in urban studies and Latin American and Latino studies.

Boyorak participated in the Global Outreach Program at Fordham with a trip to El Salvador, Peru and two trips to India. She was the leader of her last trip to India. She spent two months in Jamaica funded by a McMahon Travel fellowship, which she used to explore the social and cultural effects of the island’s music on disenfranchised members of the population.

For four years Boyorak did work study through the Community Service Program office as a student coordinator at Fordham. She also did volunteer work in the Bronx community, teaching English as a second language.

Boyorak won the United Student Government and Office of Student Affairs senior leadership award in appreciation of her outstanding leadership and service to the Fordham community. She was elected to membership in the -Fordham Club for outstanding service in extracurricular activities.

Boyorak also received a community service award from the Community Service Program at Fordham University at Rose Hill.

She received the prestigious Claver Award, granted to a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior who exemplifies, in an outstanding manner, Fordham’s dedication to community service.

Boyorak will work for the New York City Teaching Fellows Program teaching elementary or junior high students in the fall.

Harvard University

BOSTON – Jarred Brown was among 24 juniors inducted into Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society at Harvard in May.

Brown, a 2003 graduate of Hampden Academy, is the son of Eric Brown and Jean Camuso of Hampden.

Rochester Institute of Technology

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Kate Higgins of Los Altos, Calif., and formerly of Brewer, was named to the dean’s list for the spring quarter at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is enrolled in the pre-med program.

A 2004 graduate of Brewer High School, Higgins is the daughter of Brian and Sheila Higgins of Los Altos, Calif.

Syracuse University

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Lani K. Corson has been named to the dean’s list for “superior scholarship” for the spring semester at Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Corson, a graduate of Hampden Academy, received a bachelor’s degree on May 14 after studying musical theater and drama at Syracuse. She has been on the dean’s list for all four years.

Corson is on a six-month tour, performing for the Holland America cruise line.

A graduate of Hampden Academy, she is the daughter of Catherine Jewell of Hampden and Sheldon Corson of Liberty.

United States Military Academy

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Cadet John Rohn was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at the U.S. Military Academy. He is the son of Charles and Carol Rohn of Brewer.

University of Maine

ORONO – Karen Nelson graduated magna cum laude in May from the University of Maine.

She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is the daughter of Reggie and Paula Nelson of Carmel.

University of Maine

ORONO – Nicklaus Laverty, a 2006 Honors College graduate from the University of Maine, is one of 77 students nationwide to earn a graduate scholarship in the nationally competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Program.

Laverty competed with 1,100 nominees to earn this distinction. The graduate scholarships cover tuition, room, board, fees and books – up to $50,000 annually – for up to six years. The scholarships are among the most generous academic awards offered in the United States.

Laverty, a native of Lewiston, received highest honors from the Honors College in May, completing his degree in political science, with minor in English, from the University of Maine.

Laverty’s honors thesis, totaling 308 pages, was titled “Postponing Democracy: Vladimir Putin and the Emergence of Authoritarianism in Post-Soviet Russia.” He was advised by professor James Warhola of the UMaine political science department.

This fall Laverty will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to begin working on a doctorate in comparative politics and international affairs.

Laverty is sure there is a connection between his involvement in the Honors College at UMaine and this award.

“I never would have known about this opportunity if Charlie Slavin, dean of the Honors College, had not encouraged me to apply,” he said. “I know that completing my honors thesis this year made me especially competitive in the selection process for this scholarship, and has me prepared to start doctoral work this fall with confidence.”

This is the fifth year the graduate scholarship program has existed. The new scholars bring the total recipients in the program to 286. The exact amount and duration of the scholarships vary by student, based on the cost of attendance and length of the graduate program, as well as other scholarships or grants the student has received.

Students attending any accredited college or university in the United States were eligible to apply. Each institution could nominate up to two students. Candidates underwent a rigorous assessment at two stages by independent panels of academic experts, including graduate school deans, admissions counselors and faculty members.

Selection criteria included academic achievement and financial need as well as a will to succeed, leadership and community involvement.

The scholarship recipients come from 33 states and nine foreign nations.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 2000 by the estate of Jack Kent Cooke to help young people of exceptional promise reach their full potential through education. It focuses in particular on students with financial need.

The foundation’s programs include scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and high school students, and grants to organizations that serve high-achieving students with financial need.

Vassar College

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Area residents awarded bachelor of arts degrees during the 142nd commencement at Vassar College on May 28 include:

. Paul Christopher Phillips, the son of the Rev. Lyman and Ruth Phillips of Bangor. Phillips, a graduate of Bangor Christian School, majored in computer science.

. Joel Tennent Barkan, the son of Steven Barkan and Barbara Tennent of Holden. Barkan, a graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, majored in environmental studies.