Schools

Bangor Christian Schools

BANGOR – Denise Spencer, a senior at Bangor Christian Schools, has been nominated to compete in the national Principal’s Leadership Award scholarship program, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Herff Jones funds the program.

James Frost, principal, announced the nomination, which places Spencer in the national competition. One hundred national award winners will be chosen next spring to receive $1,000 college scholarships.

Frost said, “Denise is a tremendous example of what a school leader should be. Her performance in her academic work has been exemplary, and she is very active in a number of co-curricular activities. Denise is involved in a number of community service projects through our school and through her local church. She is well-respected by the faculty and staff at Bangor Christian Schools as well as by the members of our student body.”

High school principals nominated student leaders based on leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, achievements in the arts and sciences, employment experience and academic record. They also write an essay.

Spencer has been president of the student council, a member of the varsity cheering squad, and has been active in choir, ensemble, drama, yearbook and the National Honor Society. She attends the Family Bible Church in Ellsworth and has been involved in ministries.

Spencer has served as a youth group leader, a teen worship leader, a nursery worker, a junior church worker and a member of the Sunday morning worship team. She plans to study music at Harvard University or Grove City College.

Bucksport Middle School

BUCKSPORT – British-born chef and TV personality John Ashton, based in Orlando, Fla., was in town Oct. 20 to meet with Bucksport Middle School health teacher Susan Berry and 300 pupils.

Chef John, a former overweight teen, shared his passion for cooking with the schoolchildren, inspiring them to try healthful recipes and help fight obesity with healthful snack options. He cooked for the pupils and shared recipes. He has his own television show, “The Mad Chef,” and has appeared on the “Today” show, “The Tonight Show,” Food Network and the Discovery Channel.

Bangor Y Opportunity Program for Teens

BANGOR – The YWCA Bangor-Brewer recently received an $11,500 grant from Penobscot Valley Health Association Fund, a component of the Maine Community Foundation, to support the Bangor Y Opportunity Program for Teens.

Bangor Y Opportunity Program for Teens is a weekly program that helps at-risk teen girls in grades seven to 12 develop new skills, discover new opportunities and build a foundation for the future.

The curriculum includes adventure, creative expression, personal improvement, life skills, college preparation, job skills, fitness and substance abuse prevention. Girls are referred by school guidance counselors, parents or guardians for the program and have fun building positive relationships while gaining important building blocks for the future.

“This contribution will help support the Bangor Y’s efforts to promote positive youth development among our community’s at-risk teenage girls. We’re thankful for the support of Maine Community Foundation and the other supporters who make this program possible,” said Nancy McKechnie, Bangor Y youth and family director.

The Bangor Y, or YMCA and YWCA of Greater Bangor, is a joint operation of the Bangor YMCA and the YWCA of Greater Bangor-Brewer. The Bangor Y is a community leader in supporting children, adults and families in the quest for physical, emotional and social wellness. For information about the Bangor Y Opportunity Program for Teens, call Nancy McKechnie at 941-2808.

Holbrook School

HOLDEN – Service learning coordinator Trisha Smith announced that St. Joseph Hospital and the Holbrook School are teaming up on a service learning project, Healthy Choices. St. Joseph Hospital team leaders are Reita Abbott and Dr. Garry Martin; and team members Sally Patterson, Paula Theriault, Randy Cyr, Tama Catell and Sheryl Bouchard.

To begin the partnership, the St. Joseph’s team presented health data to pupils, emphasizing nutrition, exercise and the benefits of making healthful choices. Pupils then went to their homerooms and brainstormed areas of interest and what they could do to promote healthful choices.

The seventh-graders immediately started a walking program at the end of the day to provide pupils with an opportunity to improve their exercise routine. Other classes have discussed ways to offer more healthful food choices through the lunch program.

The potential is enormous for good things to come out of this partnership, school officials said, and the pupils and staff at Holbrook School appreciated working with the experts from St. Joseph Hospital.

Lynn Nickerson, the art teacher at Holbrook School, announced that pupils have worked very hard this year to create a special art exhibit now on display at the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor.

The exhibit features the creative works of more than 40 pupils in grades five to eight. The display includes paper mosaics, amate bark paintings, parodies of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” painting and other works. The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 30.

Old Town High School

OLD TOWN – The Old Town High School Homecoming events were a success this year. The floats, the shining stars of the Riverfest Parade, were built on the theme of comic book heroes.

The winner was the sophomore float with a Spider-Man theme; second was the senior float with a Batman theme; third was the freshman float with a Superman theme; and fourth place was awarded to the juniors with the Mutant Ninja Turtles theme.

Homecoming activities included a home football game against Maranacook High School, a pep rally, a bonfire and a dance. Each class elected its own king and queen. Senior reigning monarchs were Abbie Fogarty and Scott LaFlamme. Junior king and queen were Allison Brown and Colin Ziegenbein. Sophomore king and queen were Nick Ouellette and Ashley Curtis, and the freshmen were represented by Vincent Willette and Brittany Young.

Homecoming events were under the direction of Josh Curtis and the student council.

A blood drive held Sept. 26 netted 30 pints of blood. Timing was changed this year and will be readjusted for next year.

Three new scholarships are posted in the guidance office:

. The AXA-Achievement Scholarship, open to any U.S. citizen or legal resident who is a current high school senior planning to attend a two- or four-year college in the fall. One scholarship per state, $10,000. Apply online at www.axa-achievement.com. Application deadline is Dec. 15.

. The Burger King Scholars Foundation Award, open to a senior who maintains an 83 to 92 GPA, works part time 15 hours a week for 40 weeks, and is involved in community and co-curricular activities. Applications in the guidance office. Application deadline is Dec. 15.

. The Coca-Cola Scholarship, open to graduating dependents of CMP Group of affiliated employees or retirees. There are 50 $20,000 scholarships and 200 $4,000 scholarships. Apply online at www.coca-colascholars.org by December.

Downeast Russian School

BANGOR – Downeast Russian School, a nonprofit organization, is accepting registrations for the next session of Russian adult beginner program. Classes meet for 10 weeks once a week at 1752 Union St. A new group will start as soon as the class is full – only five participants per class.

People with previous knowledge of Russian are invited to join ongoing groups, intermediate and conversational Russian for adults, and intermediate Russian for kids. Each session is 10 lessons. For cost and other information, and registration, call Natalia 262-9727, or e-mail natabra@yahoo.com.

Bangor Chinese School

BANGOR – The Bangor Chinese School, a nonprofit organization, has scheduled several classes on Chinese culture 2-5 p.m. at Husson College:

Oct. 28: Calligraphy, painting, history of Chinese language and characters, Tai Qui.

Nov. 4: Lecture on philosophy, religions, education, arts and Tai Qui.

Nov. 11: Chinese food, tea, Chinese medicines, learning to cook Chinese food and Tai Qui.

Nov. 18: Exploring China with Dr. Quanzhen Shi and Tai Qui.

RSVP to Jing at 990-0710.

MELMAC Scholars

The following area students are recipients of the MELMAC Education Foundation $1,000 Richard W. Tyler Principals Scholarship:

. Erin Cormier, a Bangor Christian Schools graduate who is attending Bethany Bible College.

. Elizabeth Hall, a Bangor High School graduate who is attending the University of Maine.

. Chadwick Szylvian, a graduate of Brewer High School who is attending Boston College.

. Mallory Ericson, a graduate of Calvary Christian School who is attending the University of Maine at Farmington.

. Michael Julian III, a Central High School graduate who is attending Bowdoin College.

. Shannon Field, a Hampden Academy graduate who is attending Simmons College.

. Jenna Redman, a Hermon High School graduate who is attending the University of Maine.

. Charmy Simkov, a John Bapst Memorial High School graduate who is attending Husson College.

. Keisha Kelliher, an Old Town High School graduate who is attending Eastern Maine Community College.

. Velvet Goodrich, a graduate of Orono High School who is attending Husson College.

A principal from each participating high school selects the scholarship recipient based on a variety of criteria. For more information, call Wendy L. Ault at (866) 622-3066, or visit www.MELMACFoundation.org.

Colleges

Bates College

LEWISTON – Emily Crowley of Northport and James Peckenham of Orland are two of 18 Bates College students participating in the Fall Semester in China program.

Students in the program study Chinese language, Eastern and Western concepts of self and society, and China’s economic situation at Nanjing University. After a one-week orientation on campus, the students travel to Nanjing to take intensive courses in Chinese from Nanjing University professors and two courses taught in English by Bates professors. Students visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing, the port of Shanghai and the Yangtze River. The program is directed by Margaret Mauer-Fazio, associate professor of economics, and Shuhui Yang, professor of Chinese.

Crowley, a junior dean’s list student, is a politics major. A 2004 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, she is the daughter of Marjorie Crowley of Northport and Michael Crowley of Belfast.

Peckenham, a junior rhetoric major, is a 2004 graduate of John Bapst. He is the son of John Peckenham and Mary Elizabeth O’Shea of Orland.

Bowdoin College

BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College held its annual Sarah and James Bowdoin Day ceremony Oct. 6 to honor undergraduates who distinguished themselves by excellence in scholarship.

Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars are in the top 20 percent of their class for the previous academic year. In addition, those with a GPA of 4.0 are designated Sarah and James Bowdoin Book Award Winners.

These area students have been named Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars:

. Caitlin Edwards of Bangor.

. Maria Openshaw of Hampden.

. Andrew Steltzer of Hampden.

James Bowdoin III was the earliest patron of the college and was instrumental in its founding in 1794. Sarah Bowdoin also gave many gifts to the college, including most of the Bowdoin family portraits in the collection of Bowdoin College Museum of Art.

Connecticut College

NEW LONDON, Conn. -Ashley Leighton, a senior at Connecticut College, was recently elected president of the Connecticut College chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society of Psychology, for the 2006-07 academic year.

Leighton, a 2003 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, is the daughter of Donetta and Cary Leighton of Glenburn.

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology.

Eastern Maine Community College

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Community College will hold its annual open house for prospective students and community members 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 13, at the Campus Center.

Admissions office staff will be available to answer questions about applying to or enrolling at the college. Faculty members will be on hand to answer questions about specific programs and departments. Tours of the campus will be offered by current students, and there will be presentations in the shop and lab areas.

For more information, visit www.emcc.edu. Call 974-4680 or (800) 286-9357 to indicate your plans to attend the open house.

Halloween radio dramas

Brewer Youth Theatre takes another trip to those glorious days of yesteryear, presenting a Halloween special, two live radio dramas, at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 26, at Brewer Middle School, 5 Somerset St.

The BYT Radio Players will perform Orson Welles’ adaptation of the Bram Stoker classic, “Dracula,” and the orginal drama “The Haunted Balcony,” based on the legend of a ghost at Brewer Middle School.

“Dracula,” the original vampire story, features a cast of staff members and high school performers. Middle school teachers Tom Burby and Tom Leonard play Dr. Van Helsing and Count Dracula; director Rich Kimball is Arthur Seward, seniors Elysa Woodhead and Kristin Brown portray Mina and Lucy, and sophomore Anthony Severance is Jonathan Harker. Clayton Smith provides music and sound effects.

The cast of “The Haunted Balcony” is made up of Brewer Middle School pupils in a new drama that tells the tale of mysterious happenings and rumors of a ghost in the balcony of the school’s auditorium.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students and seniors.