LEWISTON – Lewiston High School senior Nicholas Dufault was surprised on Oct. 20 when Mayor Lionel C. Guay and members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council walked into his classroom. As the mayor began to speak, students’ eyes started to focus on Dufault, and a smile broke out over his face.

Guay announced that Dufault was the recipient of the October Mayor’s Citation of Excellence in recognition of keeping a commitment he’d made amidst a health challenge.

Guay said, “Nicholas, you are to be commended for your unwavering commitment to the Devil’s Advocate Committee. You recently attended two days of meetings even though you had undergone major surgery in Boston and were wearing a full-length cast.

“The reason you attended was simply that you’d made a commitment that you wanted to keep. Not only were you the only high school student in attendance, but you demonstrated what being a man of your word’ is all about. Young people like you are an inspiration to all of us.”

Each month the mayoral citation is given to a Lewiston middle school or high school student, and nominations for the November 2005 citation are due no later than Thursday, Nov. 10.

A one-page nomination must detail an achievement or accomplishment deemed “above and beyond” or “extraordinary” that has occurred within the last two months. Nominations may be submitted to Guay at 27 Pine St., Lewiston, ME 04240, or via [email protected]

After reviewing nominations, Guay and the youth council will decide upon a recipient, and the presentation will be made later in November at the youth’s respective school.