Windham-Raymond Adult Education honors class of 2014 - By Michelle Libby

Not everyone takes the traditional route to graduation because typical high school doesn’t work for everyone. Windham-Raymond Adult Education offers a way for anyone from ages 18 to 110 to earn their high school equivalence certificate or their high school diploma through classes offered at night.

This year, 31 students graduated and 20 of those marched at a ceremony held on June 12. 

“They were a group that grew so much this year - from kids who just wanted to get finished with school to adults with a future focus. It was really exciting to watch as learners worked together to meet their educational goals,” said Lisa Robinson, lead teacher, who also does assessments and placements. 

“Each student is given an individual plan to meet their goals. We have that luxury in having small classes that everything in individualized,” said Tom Nash, director of the adult education program. Older students are given credits toward their high school diploma based on work experience, volunteer experience and educational experience. 

“Many have a hard time escaping their past issues and indiscretion. They’re looking for a fresh start and we’re willing to give it to them,” said Nash. 

Gloria Warrick earned her associates, bachelors and master’s degrees from an online college based in Colorado. She couldn’t make their graduation ceremony, so she asked if she could be involved in the adult education ceremony. She had originally gotten her GED through adult education, said Nash. She was the last one to cross the stage and was given a yellow cord to wear to signify being on the honor roll along with her stole and gown from the university. 

 

Alisha Blumenthal, 19, earned her diploma this year. She grew up in foster care and spent two years on her own. She moved to Florida, then moved back to Maine, had heart surgery and then found Robinson. “Lisa helped get me there,” said Blumenthal. She plans to go to SMCC to be a nurse and possibly get her master’s degree someday. “Lisa helped me stay focused and kept me on track.” Blumenthal would like to encourage student not to give up and not to feel like they won’t be anything.

“It’s the most exciting feeling in the world. It’s my achievement, my motivation. I proved everybody wrong,” Blumenthal said. 

Matt McConnell, 18, loves to work. He has two jobs and working full-time while attending school at night worked for him. “(High school) wasn’t the right scene for me,” he said. His plan is to attend Washington County Community College in Calais to earn an associate’s degree in engine specialist and heavy equipment operation. After that he hopes to move to Florida to find a job rebuilding motors and eventually open his own auto body shop. 

“For people who can’t do regular high school, I’d recommend this all day,” he said. 

 

This year was a transition year for many states, as the trend was to stop giving the GED test and move to the HiSET assessment. 

“This was a transition year from the GED to the HiSET (the Maine State approved testing option for a high school credential). It went much smoother than expected, and the learners have had a really positive experience with the new test,” said Robinson. The company that created the HiSET is the same one that created the SAT test. It is both a paper and a computer-based test, whereas the GED was going to completely computer based, according to Nash. The HiSET test covers Language arts – reading and writing, mathematics, science and social studies. 

Steve McFarland, our College Transitions Coordinator/Advisor stated that about 50 percent of the students say they want to attend some post-secondary program, and about 20 to 25 percent will actually do so.

Raymond native receives two New England Emmy Awards - By Elizabeth Richards

Raymond native and Windham High School graduate Katie Eastman recently achieved what many broadcasters spend years striving for, just a few years into her career. Eastman was recently awarded two New England Emmy awards, outstanding video essay and outstanding video journalist, for compilations of stories she filmed as a multimedia journalist for the Boston Herald.

          

  “Winning an Emmy is something that I always wanted to do,” said Eastman. “I never thought I would get one so young. I was so excited that this was able to happen.”

           

 The accomplishment really starts with the stories, said Eastman. Both compilations included stories from the tragic bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon. The first story in her video essay was filmed on the day of the marathon, a mile away from the finish line. Eastman had been running the marathon with a camera. “I was planning on telling a very different story than what I ended up telling,” she said.

           

 Because they were a mile out, she said, no one knew what was going on, but she captured the confusion and emotion of the crowd. “It was an incredibly personal story for me to tell. You’re not used to being the news when you are reporting the news, but I was the subject of that story,” said Eastman. “I think that’s why it came across so emotional. When I put that story together, I knew exactly what I was feeling, so I could convey that emotion into this piece.”

          

  The other two stories in the video essay were also related to the marathon bombings. One profiled Pete DiMartino, a survivor whose foot was severely injured, during the early part of his recovery at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The third piece showed Carlos Arredondo interacting with people who had come to say goodbye to the marathon memorial in Copley Square before it was archived.

          

  The compilation that won her the outstanding video journalist award featured a profile of Lee Ann Yanni, who was slated to run her first marathon in Chicago in October of 2013 when she was injured while watching the Boston Marathon. Eastman followed Yanni for six months as she learned first to walk, and then to run again. Eastman was in Chicago with Yanni when she completed 26.2 miles against all odds. “That was a really incredible moment,” said Eastman of watching Yanni finish. “It’s the most joy I’ve had in telling a story, because I was with her for such a long time, and watched her progress,” she said.

           

 The other stories in the video journalist compilation were not related to the bombings. One was a story about a blind stonemason, and the other an 11-year-old campaign manager for a school committee campaign in Cambridge.

           

 Both awards were for categories in which the reporter shoots, writes, and edits everything on their own, said Eastman. “It’s about people who are out with a camera by themselves, which is what I like to do because you get full control and ownership over your work,” she said.

            

 Winning two regional Emmys in the same year was completely unexpected, said Eastman, who was nominated last year, but did not win. She went into the evening thinking it was just great to be nominated, she said. When they announced her name the second time, she was shocked. “It was very nice, and gratifying just to know that all the hard work really did pay off,” she said.

           

 Eastman said she really appreciates that people have taken the time to share their stories with her. “It’s cool that I was able to get these awards, but when I think about it, all of these people are way cooler,” she said. Her job doesn’t really feel like work, she said, and she feels lucky to be doing what she loves.

            

 Eastman is proud of her accomplishments, knowing that she worked incredibly hard to tell the stories in the best way she could. She is also looking forward to the future and what is to come. “I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see what the next step is, and what will happen next. Maybe I’ll try for the New York Emmys, although those might be tough,” she said.

           

 Eastman began her career at an ABC affiliate in Iowa after graduating from Emerson College in 2011. While in college, she had interned for the Boston Herald, and returned to work for them in 2012. Wanting to get back into television, Eastman recently moved to Albany, New York, to work for Time Warner Cable News.

           

 Eastman said she loved growing up in a small town, and she tells everyone she meets about Raymond. “I absolutely love Maine, and I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from,” she said.

Second annual UCAN 5K a success in Raymond - By Elizabeth Richards

The weather was cloudy and unpredictable, but that didn’t prevent runners and walkers from turning out for the second annual UCAN 5K and kids’ fun run. The event was held Saturday, June 14^th, at the Sheri Gagnon Park in Raymond.

Friends, family and community members gathered in the park to honor the life of Candace Woolston, who passed away from cancer in December of 2012. She would have loved the event, said her husband, Jack Woolston, “But she wouldn’t like it being all about her,” he added. “She was more a giver than a taker.” 

The race wouldn’t happen without volunteers like organizers Brenda Dionne and Ed Gagne, Woolston said. “They’re the glue. They keep this together, and they make it easy for my boys and I to come.” Jack walked in the race, and Will and Tyler, his sons, both ran.

Dionne was busy the day of the event, tending to endless small details, and keeping people informed every step of the way with announcements on the loudspeaker. She said she thinks the event went well, and attributes that to the group of approximately 50 volunteers.

This year, though not as emotional as last year’s event which was just a few short months after Candace’s death, ran much more smoothly, said Dionne. “We didn’t know what the heck we were doing,” she said of the first event. This year she said, “Everybody just kind of pulled together.” She said a great committee and more volunteers than she could name helped make the event successful. 

The goal for the day is to provide a community atmosphere, she said, and the event certainly offered that. It was much like a block party, with music by Flamin’ Raymond and Sizzlin’ Susan, hula hooping, refreshments for sale, and plenty of cheering and encouragement for all race participants. There were a little over 300 participants this year, said Dionne, and in future years she would like to see it grow to 600 participants. 

The timing went more smoothly this year as well, since they were more prepared for the turnout they had. Last year, said Dionne, 150 people signed up at the last minute, and they ran out of bib numbers and had to improvise, making it difficult for the timers to accurately record numbers as they crossed the finish line.

The Raymond Elementary School chorus sang the National Anthem, and then the kids fun run began. Before the 5K, participants warmed up with Zumba, then lined up for the big start. The top finisher, with a time of 17:44, was Sheri Piers from Falmouth. Dionne stayed at the microphone, announcing names and encouraging participants until the last one crossed the finish line. 

One of the big sponsors of the event was Norway Savings Bank, where Candace’s sister works. She has been a big support in bringing everyone together and keeping the event going, said Dionne. Cabelas donated all of the prizes, including fishing poles for every child who entered the fun run, headlamps, hammocks, zero gravity chairs and gift certificates. With prizes donated, all the funds raised can be put towards the goal of getting a new playground structure for the Sheri Gagnon park. “It’s going to take some years, because we want something really nice and durable,” said Dionne. After this year’s event, total money raised will top $7,000, she said.

Race results can be found online at http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/me/Jun14_UCAN5K_set1.shtml.

It's time for Windham Summerfest - By Michelle Libby

Summerfest - for the community, by the community

Summerfest is all about community. Community support. Community pride. Community togetherness.

This Saturday, Windham will put its best foot forward in a volunteer-run, town-sponsored, non-profit involved day of fun, food and entertainment. Starting at 7:30 a.m., there will be registration for the fifth annual Duane Clark Scholarship Car Show. At 9 a.m. at the school complex, 406 Gray Road, the Summerfest 5K begins. From the parade at noon to the fireworks at dusk, the day is packed with performances, games, live music and more. 

Last year Summerfest was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers. However a group of people stepped forward and pulled the event together. This year, many of the same volunteers are back including event coordinator Kelly Mank, Robert York (fundraising), Robin Mullins (parade and fundraising), Rick Sanborn (booths) and Neils Mank (booths).

The parade will begin at noon and travel from the rotary at Routes 202 and 302 to the Summerfest grounds. The parade is a wonderful example of community, said Mank. It showcases local businesses, organizations and groups including local daycares and singers. There will be a fleet of antique tractors and many classic cars. The Town of Windham also polishes up its line of public works vehicles. 

New recruit Blaine Davis has taken over coordinating the booths for non-profits and athletic teams.

“This should be able to be their huge fundraising event for the year,” said Mank. She pointed out events like the Yarmouth Clam Festival, where youth sporting raises the majority of their funds every year. “Youth programs struggle a lot with fundraising and this could be a great way for the community to support them,” Mank added. 

From church groups to Boy Scouts, boosters to political organizations, each group brings a unique item to sell. And, yes, the Boy Scouts from Troop 866 will serve their frozen hot chocolate again this year.

Windham Historical Society will hold an artisans fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 234 Windham Center Road. They will have horse-drawn wagon rides, and demostrations from blacksmithing to caning, granite splitting and rug braiding as well as more. There is a $5 suggested donation.  

Volunteers have put in hundreds of hours to get ready for this event. They began meeting early in the year every other week and have, in the last month, begun meeting weekly to tie up all the loose ends. 

Fan favorites, helicopter rides, Flamin’ Raymond and Sizzlin’ Susan, a K9 demonstration by K9 Grinko and Sergeant Bill Andrews, and the frog jumping contest will all return this year. 

Evening entertainment is Veayo Twins, Montgomery Road and The Band Apollo, which will appear just before the fireworks. People are encouraged to get there early to enjoy the music and find a seat, although there really are no bad locations to see the fireworks on the school grounds. 

Attending Summerfest is as much about the citizens having a good time as it is about supporting local businesses, non-profits and area sports teams.