By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On June 10, the Caribou Performing Arts Center was filled with Moms, Dads, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends all present to witness the 102 members of the Caribou Middle School 2010 eighth grade class receive their recognition certificates.
Members of the 2010 Eighth Grade Class at the Caribou Middle School gather just prior to the ceremonies of the annual Recognition Night held at CPAC on June 10. Students include: Samantha Adams, Garrick Alley, Arianna Bard, Shyanne Barnes, Mackenzie Beaulieu, Krista Beaupre and Dylan Berkoski; Christina Berube, Melanie Biggs, Chantal Bittle, Breen Blackstone, Michael Boone, Margarita Barrego, Emmanuel Bouchard and Harley Bouchard. Also: Andrew Brown, Christie Burby, Kaylee Butler, Brooke Cameron, Samantha Camy, Ethan Caron, Carlyn Cavender and Austin Caverhill; Ryler Charette, Adam Collins, Clara Collins, Dustin Cook, Matthew Curry, Devin Cyr, Sirena Cyr, Chandler Dobson, Katelyn Dombroski, Jared Doody and Keith Draper. Ashley Dube, Vicctoria Dunn, Meagan Duplessie, Nikki Farley, Matthew Frost, Rebecca Gagne, Caleb Gardon, Sara Hamlin and Jennifer Hanson. Also: Taylor Hartley, Cody Herbert, Logan Holck, lexie Honto, Jazmine Hooey, Allissa Irwing, Nicholas Jackson, Gabrielle Jewell and Paige Johnson. Chaya Karunasiri, Jared Keaton, Victoria Keaton, Cory Ketch, Elyse Kiehn, Lucas Kinney and Daniel LaCasse. Miranda Levesque, Rachel Levesque and Kyle Libby; Sophia Maile, Rebecca Malm, Kameron Manter, Cody Martin, Jordan McEwen and Danae McKenna. Also Tom McLean, Logan McPherson, Matthew Milliard, Crystal Mitchum, Alexander Murchison and Jesse Page; Jacob Perreault, Daniel Powers, Ryan Reiff, Derek Richardson, Scott Romano, Briana Rossignol, Jessica Rowland and Sean Sadler. Also: Alexander Scott, Alexander Searles, James Seward-Doucette, Harley Shaw, Jared Shaw, Marina Shaw Courtney Sheldon and Ashley Simon. Alana Sirois, Emilee Sirois, Jason Soares, Alyssa St. Peter, Brooke St. Peter, Sabina St. Peter, Tyler Strid, Kody Theriault, Matthew Theriault, Connor Thibeault, Ryan Washington and Delaney Williams.
After the class was seated, their faces reflecting anxiety, confidence and pride, the audience was welcome to the annual Recognition Night by CMS students Morgan Outing and Emma Jandreau, followed by a dance routing to “Fire Burning Remix,” performed by eighth-grader Lexi Honto.
Faculty members presented Honor Roll Certificates to the students who had achieved this academic success through their final year at CMS. Following the final student, stepping to the stage to receive their certificate a dance routine to the music “Pony It’s O.K.,” was presented by students Delaney Williams, Chaya Karounasiri, Samantha Camy and Samantha Adams.
“For the past four years we have presented an award to an individual who has shown outstanding service to the Caribou Middle School,” stated Susan White, principal. “Previous recipients have been Amber Pelletier for the countless hours she volunteered to our cheerleading program; to Megan Towle for the outstanding press she gave CMS during her time with the Aroostook Republican; to Rebecca Holcombe for her work with the PTA and our music program and to Carl Soderberg for his dedication to the Nordic and alpine ski programs at CMS,” White continued.
Following White’s remarks, student Krista Beaupre stated, in part, “This year the service award goes to a dedicated and hardworking person who listens and is open to all ideas. This person has changed the school for the better by coming and talking to students and seeing where the school needs help, in doing so they have planned multiple activities including Red Ribbon Week, where all CMS students were asked to tie a red ribbon on the fence in the park pledging to stay drug-free.” Beaupre added, “this person also had the developmental Asset Team set up a table for “Kick Butts” Day during lunch to make students aware of the harmful chemical in cigarettes and they helped students understand the 40 assets that a child needs in their life to live a productive lifestyle. This year the CMS Service Award goes to Ali Heidorn.” Students who presented Heidorn with the Service Award and offered their congratulations included: Beaupre, Emmanuel Bouchard, Keith Draper and Sara Hamlin.
The CMS Personal Growth Award, recognizing an eighth-grader who has shown tremendous growth academically, socially and personally during their time at the school was awarded to Sara Hamlin. White stated, “Each and everyday it amazes me to watch students overcome obstacles and just plain old mature as they make their way through these very difficult middle years.” Over the past four years we all knew the potential this student had and it was just a matter of helping her recognize for herself that she had this potential,” the principal continued, “We watched this young person participate in music, athletics and the Developmental Assets Team. She found a love of poetry and used that as an avenue to express herself.”
Assistant Principal Travis Barnes and White presented the Secretary of State Citizenship Award to Emilee Sirois. This prestigious award is presented to students throughout Maine who understand the importance of academic success and who devote time and attention to making meaningful progress. It also serves to recognize those individuals who take responsibility for their work and who strive to make contributions in their community.
Sirois, a talented musician, plays two instruments and participates in band, show choir and All Aroostook Band,” stated White. “Emilee is an exemplary student, a student in the Gifted and Talented Program in all subject areas, she served as the editor of the fall edition of the GT newspaper. She represented our school at the Young Authors Institute and is also a member of the basketball and softball team. Her ability to balance all of the demands of her extra-curricular activities with the demands of her academics is impressive and one of her strangest qualities,” the CMS principal added, “this student always represents our school with class and dignity.”
The 2010 Caribou Middle School Principal’s Award was presented to Sirena Cyr, Krista Beaupre and Emmanuel Bouchard. “These students lead by example and are involved in many extra-curricular activities while maintaining honor roll status,” said White. “Fulfilling the description that includes: conscientious, pleasant, dependable, trustworthy, confident, hard-working, honest and responsible, these students are exemplary school citizens and their never-ending ‘can do’ attitude in everything they do inspires everyone around them. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding work ethic of these three student,” she added.
Prior to the awarding of the Eighth-grade Recognition Certificates, White addressed the students saying, “ On behalf of the staff at the Caribou Middle School I wish to congratulate you on all of your successes at CMS and wish you all the best as you begin a new chapter of your education. Take advantage of all the opportunities that will be placed before you. Be proud of what you have accomplished so far and build on those accomplishments.”
Other entertainment during the annual Recognition Night included a vocal selection by the eighth-grade chorus, “Keep Holding On,”; a musical ensemble presentation of, “Theme from Super Mario Brothers”; vocal selection of “For Good” from the Broadway musical ‘Wicked’; all directed by Vicki King.
Before the always anticipated slide show, student Victoria Keaton perform a vocal selection to, “The Call.”
