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Student, teacher volunteers

When the Sept. 19-21 Common Ground Fair is over, a lot of work remains to be done. For the past several years, school groups have attended the fair free during the weekend and have returned to the fairgrounds to help with cleanup projects. Teachers or students who want to pitch in may call 568-4142 or e-mail volunteers@mofga.org for more information. A meal and T-shirt will be provided.

Walnut Hill Dance School

Erin Norris of Glenburn and August Eaton of Hermon, students at Thomas School of Dance and members of Bangor Ballet, were accepted by Walnut Hill Dance School in Natick, Mass., for a summer dance intensive. They recently returned from that three-week program, where both were placed in the school’s highest level.

Other Thomas School of Dance students accepted to summer programs include Hilarie Blunt, to the Boston Conservatory, and Reilly Bolin and Julia Fasse, to the Bossov Ballet summer program.

Ivy Forrest, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City and their teacher at Thomas School of Dance, said, “I’m proud of these students and look forward to having them back. I hope that their enthusiasm about these programs will encourage others to apply in the future.”

Colleges

University of Maine ‘Hello’

ORONO – Hundreds of University of Maine faculty, staff and student volunteers will greet the members of the Class of 2012 when the first-year students arrive on campus Friday, Aug. 29. While the program runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m., most of the activity occurs before noon.

Known as the “Maine Hello,” the traditional welcoming features more volunteers than ever this year. New students and families simply drive up to residence halls, accept a warm greeting and stand back as the students’ belongings are carried to their new room by volunteers.

“The ‘Maine Hello’ gives the new members of our community immediate insight into the warm and welcoming nature of the University of Maine,” said Robert Dana, UM vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “We all enjoy meeting the new students and those who accompany them on move-in day, and it sets the tone for an important weekend leading up to the start of classes.”

The new students will be busy for the four days leading up to the beginning of classes on Sept. 2. Some Fall Welcome Weekend activities are planned to help students get acclimated to life and study at UM.

One highlight will be the Class of 2012 Convocation, scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the Memorial Gym. The guest speaker will be Arthur Serota, a 1966 UM graduate who is executive director of the United Movement to End Child Soldiering in Northern Uganda, Africa.

Friday’s move-in activities take place in the dorms reserved for UM first-year students – Oxford, Somerset, Knox, Androscoggin, Gannett and Cumberland. UM President Robert Kennedy will participate in the initiative.

Maine Maritime Academy

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy welcomed the Class of 2012 to campus on Aug. 23, launching the college’s 67th academic year with a solid undergraduate enrollment.

The college expects to welcome some 850 undergraduates to classes on Sept. 1.

Through normal requests for leaves of absence and student changes of plans, that figure enables the college to continue to meet comfortably the strategic goal for a total undergraduate enrollment of 800 students.

The Class of 2012 is participating in orientation, a weeklong introduction to familiarize students with the campus and student services. “Oceans of Opportunities” highlights MMA’s small college atmosphere which encourages personal development through active student roles.

Organizers hoped that the interactive events would help new students and families experience the strong sense of community and support offered by a small college. They invited the entire college community to participate in opening day events, including checking-in students and helping carry boxes to dorm rooms, a community social, sports, games and networking.

Staff and faculty accompanied students on community services projects and offered support and encouragement at the annual Regimental Field Day and ship jump events.

Integrated into orientation is a five-day regimental preparatory training program for students seeking an officer’s license in the U.S. Merchant Marine. The program emphasizes traditions of the MMA Regiment of Midshipmen, military drill, aquatic training and ship familiarization.

The program concludes with an athletic field day encouraging friendly competition among the four student companies. Activities include relay races, tug of war and strength competitions. The field day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 31, will take place on Ritchie Field, the all-weather in-filled synthetic turf field. In the event of rain, the field day will be held in the college’s fieldhouse.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Students choosing a traditional college lifestyle participate in local community service projects. Volunteer groups will conduct improvement projects at Girl Scouts Camp Natarswi and Baxter State Park, Millinocket; Boy Scouts Camp Roosevelt, Holden; and Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Point, Winter Harbor.

Continuing an MMA seafaring tradition, groups join in a confidence jump from the side of the training ship, State of Maine. The jump, born out of practical training needs for students entering seagoing careers, serves as a class unification activity and symbolizes a willingness to embrace the adventures and challenges of a Maine Maritime Academy education. The jump is set for 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, rain date 1 p.m. Sunday. Community spectators are encouraged to attend and offer their support.

Returning students arrive on campus on Sunday, Aug. 31, with classes beginning Monday.

Fall semester highlights will include Homecoming, Sept. 26-28, and Family & Friends Weekend, Oct. 10-12.

Dartmouth College

HAMPDEN – These students received the Rufus Choate Scholar Award from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., during the 2007-2008 academic year:

. Lauren Hartz of Hampden, daughter of Charles and Janet Hartz.

. Amelia Potvin of Hampden, daughter of Paul and Connie Potvin.

Rufus Choate Scholars are students whose grade point average is among the top 5 percent for the academic year.