By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Mark Jones, principal at the Caribou High School recently announced that Duncan Flynn, a senior at CHS, has been selected to receive the 2010 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Mark Jones, Caribou High School principal, recently presented Duncan Flynn with the 2011 Maine Principal’s Award. From left are Jones, Flynn and his parents Dr. Carl and Clarann Flynn.
Historically the recipients accompanied by their principal attend an Honors Luncheon held in Bangor during which the outstanding students are recognized with the presentation of an individual plaque and the awarding of five $1,000 scholarships in the names of Horace O. McGowan and Richard W. Tyler, both former Maine principals and executive directors of the association. However on the date of the event this year, inclement weather prevented Jones and Flynn from traveling to Bangor for the award presentation.
On May 5, unknown to the CHS senior, Jones had made arrangements for a special luncheon to be held at the school’s ski building. With pizza on the menu, balloons congratulating Flynn on his accomplishment decorating the room, a group of friends and teachers and his parents surprised the senior as he entered the building.
“Duncan (DJ) is an excellent school citizen,” stated Jones, “through his academic achievements and all he has done for our school, his leadership ability, his focus and his outlook has permeated throughout CHS and his peers — I see a lot of him in his friends and vice versa.” “I have seen exceptional growth transpire during Duncan’s four years at Caribou High School and I sincerely believe he is destined to be hugely successful,” the CHS principal added.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
CHS principal Mark Jones speaks of Duncan Flynn’s leadership and achievements during the past four years at Caribou High School, during a recent luncheon gathering held in recognition of Flynn being awarded the 2011 Maine Principal’s Award.
Prior to presenting the 2011 Principle’s Award, Jones asked the students and instructors attending the luncheon if they wanted to share any of the ways that the young man had effected their lives or their school.
Kenneth Atcheson, CHS teacher and advisor to the National Honor Society cited Thurgood Marshall telling a story of a minister explaining to an individual why people are different in their success and achievements by comparing someone created on Saturday, when supplies were low and the creator was tired, to another created on a Monday when the creator was well rested and had all the tools needed to make the very best. Atcheson said, “ For me — you were born the very best.”
CHS teacher Ron Willey told Flynn, “You are the balance of mind and heart.”
Classmate Ezra Duplessie-Cyr, referring to a successful school career balanced between academics and athletics stated, “DJ is what little kids want to be when they grow up.”
Bringing about laughter from classmates and teachers present, Kjteil Rossignol added, “I want to be like DJ,” adding, “why wouldn’t I? You are a great role model.”
During his high school years at CHS Flynn has been involved in many activities including: JV soccer; cross country, Alpine and Nordic skiing; track and field, band and jazz band. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and has served as president of the student council.
The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 140 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPS, the professional association which represents Maine’s school administrators.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Fellow classmates and CHS teachers surprised Duncan Flynn at a special luncheon on May 5, when he was presented the 2011 Maine Principal’s Award by Mark Jones.
