Eighth-graders rewarded with limo ride

FARMINGTON — Reaping the reward of their effort, four top fundraisers and their guests from Mt. Blue Middle School spent two hours riding in style Tuesday with stops for lunch, shopping and to see what was happening at Mt. Blue High School.

The eighth-grade Katahdin Community team, totaling about 100 students or half the class, recently spent a couple weeks selling Yankee candles to raise funds for field experiences for students on the Katahdin Community team, teacher Maureen Oswald said.

As an incentive this year instead of cash rewards, teachers offered a two-hour limousine ride complete with lunch for the top four sellers, who could each invite a guest from among the other Katahdin team students.

Staying within the school district boundaries was the only requirement for the eight students, who couldn't entirely agree on what they planned to do. Wal-Mart, Subway or maybe pizza and definitely showing their chauffeured ride to the high-schoolers were discussed before the group rode off while other students gathered to watch. Assistant Principal Joel Smith accompanied the seven girls and one boy.

More than $7,000 in candles were sold during the two weeks, and once the bills are paid, Oswald expected the profit to be around $3,500.

The money will be used for field experiences, such as a white-water rafting trip next spring, two visits in different seasons to Mount Blue State Park, skiing at Titcomb Mountain and to benefit the students rock 'n' roll show, she said. A candy sale is held in the spring.

Guided by the letters of the state's name — MAINE stands for Maine Adventure In Natural Environment — the experiences are geared toward showing the students that Maine is a nice place to stay, she said.

Courtney Austin sold the most candles, raising $650. Tied for second place were Mikayla Oswald and Joe King, who riased $524. Third-place winner was Sarah Wade, who raised $407.

The four winners chose Lucy Celon, Emmye Senecal, Rileigh Blanchet and Astra Pierson to accompany them in the long white limo from Moonlight Limousine in Sydney.

abryant@sunjournal.com