Four Middle School eighth graders received Scarborough Rotary Club Student of the Quarter Award on June 3rd.
 

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In the photo:  From left to right:Lead Teacher Randee-Sue Allen, Anna Chase, Dr. George Entwistle, Lindsey Kelley, Lead Teacher Mark Tardif, Katie Verreault, Lead Teacher Karen Rand, Kaitlyn Lemay, Principal Barbara Hathorn, Lead Teacher Shelly Tsujiura

Photo courtesy Tim Byrne Photography

Lindsey Kelley won the award for 3rd quarter. She was described by Algonquin Team Lead Teacher Mark Tardif as a promising future community leader with integrity, who strives to advance world understanding. Lindsey works with her church as a volunteer to prepare food for people who access the Preble Street Resource Center. “For most, the rub of our service to others builds our own character, and Lindsey shows this mature character in other of areas of her life”, said Mr. Tardif.

Lindsey is a three sport athlete, who has chosen to refine these skills by playing the same three sports in community clubs, as well. She is a student council representative, and was recently selected as an eighth grade liaison to represent student voices in planning end of school year events. “Lindsey is most appreciated by her teachers as an up-stander.”, Mr. Tardif spoke of her at the Rotary club meeting where the awards were presented. “She is one who will model the integrity behind respecting all people, people of her interests and ideas, as well as those who may not.  She seems gifted with the empathy and sense of justice that many of us need in a leader, because many of us do not have her strength, or faith to lead ourselves”

Rotary sponsors the awards to promote attributes of good citizenship. Each quarter one student is nominated by teachers, administrators, coaches, or other advisors. Criteria are set by Rotary to help foster and promote ethics, civility, and world peace and understanding.

Katie Verreault won the award for 4th quarter for the Sokokis Team. Lead Teacher Karen Rand spoke of her as a student who exemplifies the criteria for the Rotary Award.  “She is someone the Sokokis teachers have had the pleasure of knowing and teaching over the past three years.  What’s most impressive about Katie is her unique awareness of other students – students who may be quiet, shy, or not typically included or invited to join others in a class group project or places like the lunch table.  Katie simply approaches these students and extends a genuine invitation and sometimes, some gentle words of encouragement to join her.” Her easy sense of kindness and compassion create a comfortable environment of inclusion and contribute to any classroom community.

Katie is a dedicated athlete who participates in soccer, basketball, track, and softball. She enjoys basically anything outside – she loves skiing, swimming, camping, and fishing. “But beyond her list of accomplishments and interests, Katie is the type of student who improves the classroom with her singular presence” Mrs. Rand said. “She demonstrates confidence in herself but not at the expense of others. She is kind and thoughtful, positive and easy going. She truly treats others as she would want to be treated.   She is an example to all, students and teachers alike.”

Kaitlyn Lemay was the winner of the 4th quarter award for the Abnaki Team. Kaitlyn is a student who maintains high academic standing and demonstrates acts of good will and compassion toward others”, explained lead teacher Shelly Tsujiura. “While Kaity started middle school as a quiet student, hesitant to raise her hand and speak up in class, she broke out of her shell during her eighth grade year.” It soon became apparent that she had blossomed and would be a tremendous asset to both her classmates and our community, as she grew as a confident young woman willing to take more risks.

“Her written work is some of the most thorough, organized, and well-supported writing that we have encountered as eighth grade teachers” Mrs. Tsujiura continued. Kaity is always willing to lend a helping hand to those around her.” She cares a great deal about the well-being of others and puts others before herself. Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self, so she is a perfect candidate for this award, remarked Candy Macomber. Macomber is president of the Rotary club and presented the awards.  Mrs. Tsujiura added “For instance, when she noticed a classmate being bullied by a fellow student, she did not simply ignore it; she addressed the situation as an upstander, confronting the student and reporting the incident to a teacher. Not only does she treat her peers with politeness and respect, there has not been a day where Kaity has left the classroom without saying a quick “thank you” or asking “how is your day going?” to one of her teachers. These actions show genuine care and concern for others.” This care and concern is also reflected outside of the school environment and in her community, as she has been an active participant in Mary’s Walk on the team “Red Storm Strikes Out Cancer,” the Bike/Walk-A-Thon for AIDS, and at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church.

Kaity’s academic ability, coupled with her kind and generous heart, is unique and admired by all those around her.

Also receiving her award Tuesday was Anna Chase. Anna was the 1st quarter recipient but could not attend the February presentation because she was competing at the district spelling bee the same evening. “Anna Chase is a young woman who is going places. First, Anna’s academic prowess is clear— demonstrated by her ability to maintain high honor grades each quarter for all 3 years of middle school” said Lead Teacher Randee-Sue Allen. “She is a talented writer who produces outstanding and sophisticated written work.” Actually, Anna has won a National Poetry Award and has had her work published. Additionally, she has taken part in the National History Day competition, was the school spelling bee winner this year and has participated in Math Olympiads the past two years. Anna prides herself on her schoolwork and goes above and beyond on every assignment.

On top of her academic achievements, Anna has also experienced great success in visual and performing arts. She is a gifted artist who loves to draw, sculpt and paint. She won the school planner contest for 2013-14. This year her Meridian Stories Video collaboration piece took first place in their division. Anna is an accomplished cellist and currently is a member of Portland Youth Junior Orchestra. She also has taught cello to younger students.

Anna is an active volunteer and advocate both inside and outside of the classroom. At the Middle School, Anna is 2-year member of her team’s House Council. She has been involved in school events like the Bike/Walk-a-thon for AIDS . Anna regularly volunteers in the community at the Preble Street Resource Center. She is a weekly volunteer at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland Shelter. Anna fundraised for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. Anna participated in the Scarborough Marsh clean-up through Friends of the Scarborough Marsh and the Maine Audubon Society.

As a global minded citizen issues of most concern to Anna are social equality, environmental health, and animal rights. Not only does Anna do an amazing job managing time given her busy schedule, she manages her health independently. Anna Chase, without a doubt, is an exemplary role model in her class, team, school and community.

Scarborough Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Entwistle was the closing speaker. “Academics come first of course, but these are exactly the kinds of future leaders we are trying to build here in Scarborough Schools.” Developing good citizens is one of the goals identified through a series of Community Dialogues he launched to help connect the schools and community.