Mall event seeks stories of school inspirations

BANGOR – Who in school influenced you and why?

That’s the question organizers of a new initiative called Celebrate School People in Maine will be asking between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bangor Mall.

Patsy Wiggins and Kathleen Alfiero, both of South Portland, will be at Center Court interviewing Maine residents who want to tell stories about how they have been inspired by caring school people including teachers, administrators, coaches, librarians, cafeteria workers, counselors, aides, bus drivers, nurses and crossing guards.

Some of these stories will be shared at a celebration on Oct. 18 at the Augusta Civic Center where 4,000 of Maine’s school people will be honored. They will be selected by a lottery held at all of Maine’s schools on Sept. 8.

Wiggins is a television journalist and Alfiero is a former teacher and substance abuse counselor. The women, who several years ago created a Maine Public Broadcasting series called “I’monair” that featured extraordinary people’s stories, are traveling the state this summer, interviewing and videotaping school workers who have influenced and encouraged people to be the best they could be. They are amassing names with help from community members and school officials.

More information is available at info@imonair.com or stories@celebrateschoolpeople.com or by calling 799-4544.