AUGUSTA – Commissioner of Education Susan A. Gendron and state Board of Education Chairman James W. Carignan will recognize the 50 top performing high school students on the Maine Educational Assessment for the 2005 school year. The students being recognized have the highest combined scores in the reading, writing, mathematics and science/technology MEA subtests. The students represent 28 high schools scattered across Maine.

Commissioner Gendron has invited the students to identify a teacher mentor to be part of the recognition celebration, which includes parents and school principals. In addition to the recognition of student achievement, it provides an opportunity for the participants to discuss their secondary school experience and contribute ideas to the ongoing discussion of needed school reform by the Center for Educational Transformation.

Peter Geiger, editor of the Farmers’ Almanac and long-time supporter of students and schools to achieve high standards, will set the stage for the discussion in opening comments to the students being recognized. The achievement celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Top performing high school students in the area include:

Brunswick High School: Julia Knowles and Benjamin Stanford.

Edward Little High School, Auburn: Carin Eisenstein.

Freeport High School: Wade Schwanda, Nolan Mckusick.

Lisbon High School: Kayla Pelletier.

Maine School of Science and Math: Hannah Olson.

Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham: Rosa Spaeth.

Mt. Blue High School, Farmington: Malina Dumas, Benjamin Wooden, Isaac Raymond.

For more information about the celebration, contact Patsy Dunton at 624-6625 or Horace Maxcy at 624-6774.