Staff Writer
HOULTON — Sixty-five students reaching educational landmarks were honored May 15 at Houlton Higher Education Center.
Pioneer Times Photo/Sarah Berthiaume
CONGRATULATIONS — Jodi Moore, left, shares a congratulatory hug with Dolores Pollitt after graduate recognition night at the Houlton Higher Education Center. Pollitt recently earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Augusta.
The center’s annual “Graduate Recognition Night” included presentations for those completing high school studies, as well as, those earning associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
“Tonight we celebrate the achievements of all students who have been served by the partners of this center,” said Center Director Chuck Ames in his opening remarks. “I know that the students we are honoring here have worked hard … and I congratulate all of you.”
Ames went on to introduce the first guest speaker of the night, Rep. Richard Cleary.
Cleary congratulated both the center for its service in the community and the students for their efforts.
“Take some time to reflect on where you’ve come from and what you’ve done,” he encouraged.
He spoke on what it takes to be a good person and what lasts in life.
“Never stop learning. Always try to be a new discoverer. Continue to dream boldly,” he said. “You can make any dream possible.”
Also addressing graduates at the ceremony was Brandi Spinney, who recently completed the College Access Program (CAP) there. Spinney, who completed her GED in 2001 and earned her Certified Nurses Assistant designation shortly after, was recently accepted into the Northern Maine Community College’s nursing program.
“When I enrolled in CAP in January, I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I had no idea where to start in furthering my education.”
She credits the CAP program with giving her confidence enough to pursue college, and she also encouraged others to give the program a try.
Following the speeches, diplomas were presented.
Receiving high school diplomas through the Carleton Project were: Conrad Connors, Samantha Jewell and Robert Henderson. Earning their GEDs and high school diplomas through SAD 29/70 Adult Education were: Jeffrey Applebee, Gene Barnes, Chace Bellefountaine, Becky Cole, Nichole Fletcher, Britney Foss, Kristin Giles, Holden Gray, Megan Hanning, Casey Henderson, Carisa Ingalls, Jennifer Knapp, Kirt Lorom, Lauren Mahoney-Faulkner, Robin Moore, Natalia Mowrey, Crystal O’Bar, Dayna Owens, Timothy Quint, Charles Rogan, Jon Spooner, Thomas Tweedie, Apryl Vargas and Steve Zonin.
Nursing graduates from Northern Maine Community College included: Lindsay Stewart, Eric Mailman, Mark Goodale, Christina Merrill, Jared Hand, Nicole Bennett, Jillian Miller, Jane Moody, Shelli Sanders, Alison Willette and Amy Savage.
Graduates from the University of Maine at Presque Isle honored included: Chelsea Wilson, Travis Milton, Michelle Randall, Heather Way, William More II, Margaret Richards, Alyssa Foster Schools, Angela Kline, Linde Goodness, Patricia Howe, Andre Cavalier, Michelle Carbonneau, Katherine Cole, Jocelyn Haney, Heidi McCartney and Ashley Russell.
Graduates who completed their work through the University of Maine at Augusta were also honored. They included: Kimberly Nason, Willis Nason, Heather McGuire, Holly Potter, Alicia Tomah, Tim Guiod, Susan Hardy, Jessica Pullen, Dolores Pollitt and Jennifer Walker.
Also recognized for earning a master’s in library and information science through the University of South Carolina was Linda Faucher.
Pioneer Times Photo/Sarah Berthiaume
SPEECH — Brandi Spinney, one of the special speakers at graduate recognition night, talks about how the College Access Program has made a difference for her.
Pioneer Times Photo/Sarah Berthiaume
DIPLOMA — Jennifer Knapp accepts her high school diploma from Adult Ed Director Otis Smith.
Photo courtesy of Houlton Higher Education Center
UMPI GRADUATES — These University of Maine at Presque graduates were among those honored at the May 15 ceremony. They include, from left: front, William More II: standing: Travis Milton, Heather Way, Alyssa Foster Schools, Margaret Richards, Heidi McCartney and Linde Goodness.
