Nine area field hockey players recognized by Maine Field Hockey Association

The Maine Field Hockey Association has announced this year’s all-state and all-academic accolade recipients.

The all-state selections will be recognized at the annual awards banquet on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Augusta Civic Center at 1 p.m. Players recognized for academic all-state will be recognized with a certificate, not at the banquet.

Three area Waldo County players earned all-state accolades: Hannah Banks (Belfast; Class B), Brooke Richards (Belfast; Class B) and Sophia King (Mount View; Class C).

Each varsity coach is able to nominate up to three players from their own team for all-state selection. The nominees are then voted on by all varsity coaches in the state. Each coach may vote for up to 11 players, not including their own.

To qualify for all-state selections, players must perform consistent at a high skill level, possess leadership on and off the field, exhibit excellent sportsmanship and be dedicated to field hockey.

Seven area players spanning four schools earned all-academic accolades: Banks, Greta Bishop (Camden Hills), Sophia Campbell (Camden Hills), Meredith Luce (Camden Hills), Annika Reinwand (Camden Hills), Thurston Illingworth (Mount View) and Audrey Young (Oceanside).

Special Olympics Bowling in Rockport!

ROCKPORT — The sounds of bowling balls hitting the candlepins and sending them bouncing wildly around the end of the lane was the impetus that allowed Special Olympians of all ages a few hours of fun and camaraderie — while it also created a boatload of smiles and plenty of pride — on Monday, Nov. 18 at Oakland Park Lanes.

The annual regional Special Olympics bowling event, which draws participants from Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties, saw the younger group participate in the morning and older group in the afternoon.

The event is a highlight for most Special Olympians, many of whom also get involved in other regional events such as swimming, track and field and tennis, among other activities.

On Monday, Captain Jammer (Jon Moro, the Windjammers first-year boys varsity basketball coach), the Camden Hills Regional High School mascot, arrived to help school Principal Shawn Carlson award the school-aged athletes their award ribbons.

Captain Jammer and Carlson also had a one-ball bowl off — in which Carlson won.

There was a lot of laughter and high-fives during the younger participants' session. The adult session included a lot of comparison of bowling scores by the older athletes.

The schools and organization represented at the event were: Thomaston Grammar School, Oceanside Middle School, Oceanside High School, Camden-Rockport Elementary School, Camden-Rockport Middle School, Camden Hills Regional High School, Miller School, Medomak Middle School, Medomak Valley High School, Captain Albert Stevens School, Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast Area High School, Coastal Opportunities, and MVRA.

The individual results for the bowlers, with name, school/organization and number of pins knocked down listed, were:

Younger group
Ages 11 and younger (assisted) — Malachi Fairfield, TGS, 46; Henry Fairfield, TGS, 51; Jimmie Clark, TGS, 31; Landon Benjamin, Cass, 29; Lila Jackson, CRES, 53; and Zayden Myrick, TGS, 61.

Ages 11 and younger (unassisted) — Sapphire Eli, Cass, 15; Carter Merry, Cass, 53; Zachery Ellis, Cass, 40; Matthew Martin, Cass, 62; Inara Frank, Cass, 19; Izic Curtis, Cass, 51; Seth Woodrow, Cass, 26; Aidyn Davis, CRES, 52; Gavin Davis, CRES, 52; Patrick Sauvage, CRES, 51; Salvatore DeVita, CRES, 42; Trey Johnson, CRES, 18; Annie Hunt, CRES, 40; Chris Randall, CRES, 49; Cooper Perez, CRES, 53; Asher Dennison, Miller, 63; Kamaryn Brackett, Miller, 30; Elijah Wallace, Miller, 39; Noah Massicotte, Miller, 53; Alden McBrien, Miller, 61; Khloe Flynn, Miller, 37; Gary Simmons, Miller, 36; Alexus Wadsworth, Miller, 40; Wyatt Chavanne, Miller, 40; Tegan Carlson, CRMS, 41; Max Mahoney, CRMS, 58; Jonathan Black, THMS/TLC, 29; and Alexander Higgins, THMS/TLC, 56.

Ages 12-15 (assisted) — Finley Vannoy, Miller, 57; James Kennedy-Bemis, MVHS, 42; and Joshua Wallace, MVMS, 50.

Ages 12-15 (unassisted) — Landen Stewart, MVMS, 37; Isaac Richardson, MVMS, 48; Paige Harvey, MVMS, 24; Karl Hoffses, MVMS, 46; John Burchett, OHS, 79; Ben Coulter, OHS, 68; Brian Farnham, OHS, 55; Tyler McKay, MVHS, 54; Hailey Campbell, MVHS, 47; Autumn Pierce, OMS, 62; Dallas Heal, OMS, 50; Hunter Lane, OMS, 62; Levi Thomas, CRMS, 42; Fisher Thomas, CRMS, 33; Emma Deetjen, CRMS, 51; Charles Gray, THMS/TLC, 22; William Bragdon, THMS/TLC, 44; Sheriden Ingerson, THMS/TLC, 43; Jacob Prince, THMS/TLC, 46; Shawn Williams, THMS/TLC, 67, Thomas Young, THMS/TLC, 55; Autumn Foster, CHRHS, 53; Madison Marshall, CHRHS, 39; and Hannah Flaherty, CHRHS, 44.

Ages 16-21 (assisted) — Justin Hunt, OHS, 74; and Kyle Bagley, BAHS, 68.

Ages 16-21 (unassisted) — Kaitlyn Elliott, BAHS, 51; Kaleb Wing, BAHS, 69; Toby Jones, BAHS, 50; Gage Smith, OHS, 65, Haley Callahan, OHS, 63; Angel Seiders, OHS, 69; Kaytlyn Pierce, OHS, 51; Keegin Colby, OHS, 56; Ryan Morse, OHS, 76; Ryan Warren, OHS, 76; Angel McKay, MVHS, 80; Von McLaughlin, MVHS, 66; Blaine Cook, CHRHS, 41; Jerrid Farwell, CHRHS, 61; Joshua Henning, CHRHS, 54; Tom Roberts, CHRHS, 52; and Deven Short, CHRHS, 51.


Courier Publications' sports staff can be reached by email at sports@villagesoup.com or by phone at 594-4401.

CASS Luncheon for Tall Pines and The Birches

On Wednesday Miss Storer and Mrs. Brita's classes hosted a meal for Tall Pines and The Birches. The students have been learning in the garden since the fall, saving herbs and seeds and learning how to cook. For the meal, the students sent invitations, chopped vegetables for a vegetable herb soup, shaped bread rolls, and made tables arrangements to make the space nice. They even made thank you cards for the folks who came.

Special thanks to all the passionate students, the dedicated teachers, staff, administrators, and our FoodCorps service member who made this meal possible!

  

The Power of Audience in RSU # 71: You’re Invited, Part II

The Power of Audience: You’re Invited, Part II

In the first quarter of this school year, which has just ended, Regional School Unit # 71 (Belfast, Swanville, Searsmont, Belmont and Morrill) launched “PD Fridays.” PD stands for professional development, which teachers, support staff and administrators engage in together every Friday afternoon when students are released from school.

One of the instructional practices we’ve been learning about and working on in the first quarter involves teachers designing instruction such that students may share their learning with various audiences beyond the classroom. The inclusion of an audience in the design of instruction has been shown to spur student motivation and elicit deeper engagement and purpose in the undertaking of meaningful and rigorous work.

District staff have been working out of a book entitled Leaders of Their Own Learning: How to Transform Schools Through Student-Engaged Assessment by Ron Berger et al, along with its just published Leaders of Their Own Learning Companion Guide.

We all know about the enthusiasm generated by athletic teams, choral and instrumental concerts, drama club productions, art exhibits, technical education projects, science olympiads, math meets, science fairs and the like. Part of what elicits such passionate engagement and hard work on the part of students is the knowledge that there are real stakes in the form of a real audience that will be giving them feedback of one kind or another. A public audience will bear witness to the quality of their work (or lack thereof) — will see for themselves the results of students’ practice and hard work. The crowds in the stands, on the sidelines and in the audience add kinetic energy and excitement for the students in the spotlight of attention — not only during live performances but also during practices and rehearsals that are preparations for the real thing.

We believe that students’ intensity of engagement and urgency of purpose could become more of the norm in day-to-day academic activities. A diagram in chapter six of the book posits a “hierarchy of audience” theory that the more high stakes the audience the more engaging and motivating the school work:

This year we aim to have 100% of our students do at least one “student-led” parent-teacher conference. We also aim to have 100% of our K- 12 students participate in a Celebration of Learning this spring. Mark your calendars for the Belfast Area High School Celebration of Learning on Friday, April 17 (presentations in the humanities in the morning and presentations in math, science and technology in the afternoon). Dates in our seven other school sites will be announced in late winter.

Here I’d like to publicly thank those community partners who have worked hard to help our children and young adults succeed. Last year at this time in an article entitled “You’re Invited,” I announced a supper-hour book study on Helping Children Succeed by Paul Tough that was open to the public. Many members of the community and I enjoyed wide-ranging conversation over pizza and salad. I thank these individuals for their commitment to helping our students succeed.

I’d also like to publicly thank the many community partners who have stepped up to offer special enrichment programs for students on PD Fridays afternoons. The Game Loft runs after school programming every day and opens its door early on PD Fridays. The Waldo County Y started a new after-school program at Ames Elementary School, serving students in the tri-town The Waldo Y has a long history of offering after-school programming to middle school students daily and has also opened its doors early on PD Fridays. Waterfall Arts is offering a fabulous Art Club at CASS on PD Fridays. The Belfast Free Library is offering special programming on Friday afternoons and has a long history of providing special courses and events. The Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition has been offering fascinating programs to students during vacation weeks. The Cornerstone Montessori School offers a Friday afternoon Nature Series. And Kids Unplugged offers a program on PD Fridays. Bank of America volunteers are teaching chess to students and have long offered students free Junior Achievement Classes. On behalf of RSU # 71 staff, students and families I extend heartfelt gratitude to all these organizations!

Finally, I’d like to lift up and recognize the educators who are already exposing students to a variety of audiences. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated and talented workforce across the school district. My next article, during the second quarter of this school year, will give examples of rigorous learning that has culminated in sharing with audiences beyond the classroom. In late January we will also be premiering a TV show entitled RSU 71 Students Shine featuring the teaching and learning of students and staff across our district. Stay Tuned!

Newsies in the PenBay Pilot!

NEWSIES in the newspaper!

BELFAST — Belfast Area High School presents Newsies - The Musical as its fall musical production. Performances will take place at the Crosby Center, 96 Church Street in Belfast.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 15, 16, 22, and 23, at 7 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 17 and 24, at 2 p.m.

The Broadway hit Newsies is based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, and tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from the beautiful female reporter Katherine Plumber, all of New York City soon recognizes the power of “the little man.”

The cast includes Bryan Spaulding as Jack Kelly; Willa Bywater as Crutchie; Phoebe Norman as Katherine Plumber; Emily Wakeman as Race; Gemma Bradney as Finch and a Bowery Beauty; Alice Dyer as Elmer; Haley Black as Mush; Hayle Withee as Albert; Sarah Cournoyer as Romeo; Maiara Rebordao as Buttons; Savannah Springer as Specs; Marina Bannister as Henry and a Bowery Beauty; Ada Curry as Jo Jo and Spot Conlon; Annabelle Lisa as Tommy Boy and Scab 1; Mercedez Whitmore as Davey; Maddie Mailloux as Les; Shaylynn Williams as Morris Delancey; Paige Rollerson as Oscar Delancey; Paige Ford as Medda Larkin, Nun, and Scab 2; Hannah Marsden as Weisel, Bunsen, Nun 1, and Bill; and Lily Christian as Hannah, Nun, Woman, Darcy, and Scab 3.

Adults roles will be played by Mike Lawson as Nunzio, Guard, Mr. Jacobi, and the Mayor; Bob Withee as a Policeman and Teddy Roosevelt; Scott Cournoyer as Snyder; and Eric Sanders as Joseph Pulitzer.

The production team includes Director Jason Bannister, who also led the Set and Light Design, Music Director Dominic Williams, and choreographers Julia Clapp and Michelle Lemieux,

Gymnastics instructor Amber Resmini, Stage Manager Melora Norman, Costume/Hair/Makeup Designer Sarah Joy, Stunt Coordinator Nathan Roach, and light board and follow spot operators Paige Sweetland and Sofia Barnard.

"It's been an incredible experience directing Newsies," Director Jason Bannister said, in a news release. "These high schoolers have worked tirelessly over the last 8 weeks, nearly 100 hours, with the adult guidance of two choreographers, a music director, a stunt coordinator and a gymnastics instructor. I am honored to be surrounded by such talent and determination. The focus on creating the strongest theatrical performances possible is at the heart of this production."

Tickets are $5/adults, $2/students, and will be available at the door.

For more information visit the BAHS website at www.bahs.rsu71.org.

Farm to Table at RSU #71

The RSU71 School Nutrition Program continues to support local farmers. Yesterday staff at THMS shredded local carrots from THMS garden and Cross Patch Farms in Morrill. Cabbage was delivered yesterday from Village Farms in Freedom.Wicked fresh and healthy coleslaw,( 80 lbs) will be delivered to all schools for Mondays menu that has coleslaw as a side dish. Cabbage and carrots will also be on the menu as a hot side dish next week. RSU71 has partnered with the Harvest of the Month Theme for this current school year. Brassicas is the vegetable of the month for November, which is part of the broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage family. Please visit the Food Service link on school websites to review school breakfast and lunch menus.

Red Ribbon Week at Ames School

Red Ribbon Week Write-Up
The students at Ames celebrated Red Ribbon Week during October 21st-October 25th. Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign to help students learn about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Students in grades two through five had classroom guidance lessons, completed activities, signed a banner pledging to be healthy and planted red tulip bulbs in the garden out front. These tulips will blossom in the spring and help to remind the students about staying alcohol, drug and tobacco free.

We would like to thank Jake Gurney, our transportation director, for coming out to Ames on Monday night and rototilling our garden so that the ground was ready for planting. We would also like to thank Aubuchon Hardware for donating some of our tulip bulbs. And we want to recognize fifth grader, Zoey Fitts, for taking our beautiful pictures.

    

   

The Vape Talk

Over 5,700 kids start vaping every day. Misconceptions, peer pressure, and marketing tactics all contribute to the staggering rise. Talk to your kids about e-cigarettes while they're still willing to listen. Visit the American Lung Association's website to read about The Vape Talk here.