LEWISTON – A shocked expression was the look on Lewiston High School senior Matthew Pettengill’s face Nov. 23 when Lewiston Mayor Lionel C. Guay Jr. read his name as the recipient of the first Mayoral Citation of Excellence.

The mayor walked into marketing instructor Kevin Stilphen’s class at 9:20 a.m. and announced that Pettengill was being recognized for his recent exemplary efforts in founding the Young Democrats Club at Lewiston High School. Applause and cheering broke out among fellow students.

Guay said, “Matthew, your passion for citizen involvement and the elective process is hereby commended, and we salute your leadership excellence in that regard.”

Principal Dr. Patrick O’Neill was on hand for the presentation and stated, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to be recognized for the positive work they do in the school community as well as the Lewiston community, and it’s an honor to have the mayor and staff recognize our youth for the wonderful things that they are capable of doing and do.”

The program is a new initiative of the mayor’s office in conjunction with the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council. Modeled after a similar program in Newport, R.I., either a nominated middle school or high school student will be recognized by the mayor once a month in regard to an action or accomplishment deemed as “extraordinary” or “above and beyond” that has occurred within the past couple of months.