Region 8, Mid-Coast School of Technology

Friends and family were welcomed to the Mid-Coast School of Technology's Student Recognition Night by Director Beth Fisher on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Elks Lodge on Rankin Street in Rockland.  This annual event celebrated the accomplishments and achievement of students from Camden Hills, Georges Valley, Medomak Valley and Rockland High Schools, Lincoln Academy, the islands of Vinalhaven, North Haven, Isleboro, along with home-schooled students.

The keynote speaker, Senator Chris Rector, inspired the students with a number of hints and tips for success in life.  He recommended the following:  you are ultimately responsible for you own success, strive to put in your best effort every day; find joy in your work; realize that happiness comes from the inside, don’t rely on others to make you happy; now that you’ve proven your success in education, don’t be afraid to learn more, be a lifelong learner; and give back to your community in whatever way you define community.  

Master of Ceremonies, Student Services Coordinator Tom Stammen, handed out one hundred two certificates of program completion.  Another forty students participated in co-op programs within their sending schools. Twenty-six awards in categories for outstanding achievement, and outstanding progress were handed out.  Twenty-five seniors are members of the National Technical Honor Society. Four seniors were honored for their participation in Skills USA, all four received medals for their work in their trade program: Gold medal winners were Melissa Simmons (CHRHS), Advertising Design and RJ Polky (GVHS), Fire Fighting; and bronze medals were awarded to Brett Butterfield (Lincoln Academy), Fire Fighting, and Morgan Porter (CHRHS), Courtesy Corps.  Sixteen students were recognized as Student Ambassadors for their work promoting and sharing their MCST experiences.

A total of nearly $20, 000 in local scholarships was presented.  Receiving awards for Early College for ME – Brett Butterfield (LA), Chris Crippen (CHRHS), Joseph Lawson (CHRHS), RJ Polky (GVHS), and Cassie Thomas (CHRHS); the Michael Libby Memorial Scholarships presented by Jane Pierce were awarded to – Joshua Harjula (RDHS), Benjamin Lufkin (MVHS), Kyle McLaughlin (RDHS), and Novelle Szandzik (RDHS); the Adam Ober Scholarship recipients included – Morgan Porter (CHRHS) and Thomas Cain (RDHS);  the Andy Anderson Scholarships went to – Kyle McLaughlin (RDHS) and

Morgan Porter (CHRHS); Emily Barfod Scholarship recipients included – Catharine Bissonnette (CHRHS), Joshua Harjula (RDHS).  The MCST Activity Account Scholarships went to Samantha Bartlett (CHRHS), Thomas Cain (RDHS), Ashley Lindsey (CHRHS), Kyle McLaughlin (RDHS).  John Murphy of Fisher Engineering presented the Fisher Engineering Scholarship to Joshua Harjula (RDHS).  The recipient of the Maine Association of Career and Technical Education Student of the Year award and scholarship was Courtney Kilbreth (MVHS).

Refreshments were provided following the ceremony. MCST is grateful to John Ludwig and the Elks Lodge of Rockland for their generosity and accommodation of this annual event.