AUBURN – The greatest fear Val Elie took to college was public speaking. She’s ready to face that fear in her child development class, prepared to make an oral presentation on fetal alcohol syndrome.

Although confident in her research, the assignment is still jangling her and she’s eager to get past it.

Getting the work done has been tough. “I’ve missed a couple of classes within the past couple of weeks because I had strep and a nasal infection. I had to miss a whole week.” She hated the interruption because she had to catch up, but also because she loves the casual academic atmosphere at Central Maine Community College and just doesn’t like to miss school.

A little frustrated with her sociology class because it’s challenging enough, Val turned to her memère, who lives in Rangeley, for advice.

“She’s like the old wise one,” Val said. “Whether you still get credit for the class, still even get 100 percent, you’re not going to know anything,” her memère told her. “You still need that knowledge.”

Val agrees, and isn’t willing to skate through a class. That’s why she’s in school. Learning has become important to her and the Lewiston High School graduate is determined to make the most of her classes.

She’s balancing good grades with a new full-time job and helping care for her boyfriend’s little dog, who recently broke a bone.

All that, and she had a scare last week.

Val’s grandpepère has a heart condition. “My mom and Memère had to bring him to the hospital. I’m worried about him, a little bit.”

– By Judy Meyer

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