SACS students chosen for MLTI screensaver program

6 years ago

DYER BROOK, Maine — Three students from Southern Aroostook Community School were among those chosen to have their photos included in the 2018-19 Maine Learning Technology Initiative screensaver program.

Sophomores Alexis Hartin, daughter of Chris and Stephanie Hartin of Crystal; Makaelyn Porter, daughter of Jon and Jessica Porter of Smyrna; and senior Hanna Marley, daughter of Ted and Laura Marley of Smyrna, were among the 20 students statewide to have their photos selected this year.

The three girls are students in Kermit McGary’s photography class at SACS.

“All three of them are very good photography class students and are good students all the way around,” McGary said. “They are very pleasant and respectful, willing to go the extra mile. Makaelyn is a three-sport athlete and all-around good student. Alexis is the first to volunteer in class when I need somebody to photograph a school event. Hanna has a very artistic eye when it involves photography.”

Over the last nine years, MLTI devices have featured screensavers featuring student works of art (20 each year). To date, there have been well over 2,000 pieces of artwork submitted. With the variety of devices available at MLTI, images are now made available as a download for either a screensaver or background image on every MLTI device.

The MLTI provides professional development and 21st Century learning tools to Maine’s K-12 public schools to support the attainment of Maine’s college and career readiness standards.

Amongst many other responsibilities, MLTI currently provides devices (both tablet and laptop computers) to more than 80,000 teachers and students provided by multiple technology solution providers.

In addition to the devices and four years of technical support, the program provides participating schools with software and other learning tools, internet connectivity, and training for educators and school leaders.

The students whose work is selected will have their art featured on the Big Screen at the MLTI Student Conference which will be held on Thursday, May 24, on the UMaine campus in Orono.

The 20 artists also will receive free conference registration and their artwork will be featured on 2018-2019 MLTI devices. Student’s artwork also will be printed and displayed at the Department of Education during the summer of 2018.