At the Modern Woodmen Civic Oration Contest, held March 11 at Bucksport Middle School, Aaron Gray was selected the winner and Margaret Stearns was runner-up. Their names were engraved on the school’s plaque, and each received a trophy and gold award pin. Pins also were presented to Jamie Bowden, Melissa Levandoski, Gen Reynolds, Jen Silsby and Katie Walls, the next five ranking finalists. Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal life insurance society with its home office in Rock Island, Ill., annually makes the contest available free of charge to help young people develop public speaking skills.

Students in all grades at The Bay School in Blue Hill learned several original works by composer, musician and music teacher Adelman Debreceny during her three-week stay as artist-in-residence. “Eureka!” a musical history of invention, “Weather,” “Animalfacts” and “Dwellings” were performed during a concert March 16. Debreceny is a graduate of Auckland University School of Music, New Zealand, and the Western Australian College of Advanced Education. She has composed and published many teaching songs for students including “Renaissance — A Musical Evening at the Medici Palace.”

At the 1996 Aroostook County Spelling Bee, Mathieu Loiselle, an eighth-grader from Madawaska Middle School, was declared the winner. Seventh-grader J.C. Flannery of Katahdin Junior High School placed second, and Robby Nadeau, a seventh-grader representing SAD 27, was third. Twenty-one pupils competed March 18 at Washburn District Elementary School. Loiselle will represent the County in the State Spelling Bee April 6 at St. Joseph’s College, North Windham.

After the Dexter Middle School Science Fair, awards were presented to the following winners:

Fifth grade, Anastasia Kaufman, first; Luke Palmer, second; Tiffany Ellis, third; and Kyle Wilson and Mark Brasier, honorable mention; sixth grade, Mike Fyrberg, first; Shakeem Mettles and Matt Ross, second; Matt Larrabee, third; and Mike Campbell, honorable mention; seventh grade, Matt Foster, first; Jessica Bonneau, second; Rachel Goetze and Angie Verrill, third; and Laura Dorman and Jennifer Fogler, honorable mention; and eighth grade, Josh McPherson and Tom Hocking, first place.

Mike Fyrberg won the environmental science and best of fair awards. Elijah Gudroe and Ryan Robichaud won the student choice award. Best team project was presented to Angie Verrill and Rachael Goetze. Travis Thompson was awarded honorable mention in the environmental science category. Invention awards went to Josh McPherson and Tom Hocking, first; Rick Brasier, second; and Amanda Currier and Tracy Potter, third.

The School News column is compiled by Darlene S. Henderson.