2008 Shining Star Winners

(Confidential Until Evening of Monday, May 19, 2008)

Katherine Doyle

Katherine “Katie” Doyle is a strong-minded person who does not give in to peer pressure.

She is a school-based mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has a passion for working with children to help them become vibrant members of their community.

Katie began her freshman year as a mentor and began weekly visits with her “Little” at Longley School. In her sophomore year, she requested an additional “Little” whom she still meets with at the River Valley Village After-School Mentoring Program. In addition, this year when Katie heard of a student at Montello School who wanted to have a “Big,” she came on board again. She now visits three “Little Sisters” each week and has logged over 500 volunteer hours.

Due to her consistent, exceptional work with her “Littles,” Katie was recently invited by Mrs. Gajowski, a school counselor at Montello, to join the Montello Girls in the Community Program. This program brings fifth- and sixth-grade girls together at Marshwood Nursing Home where they learn to recognize their strengths and learn team-building skills.

For the third year in a row, Katie assisted with the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Bowl for Kids Sake” fundraising event. She created five teams, which raised over $900 for the event.

Katie also belongs to Voices Committed to Change, a group of teens who talk to other students about domestic abuse and teen dating violence. She has helped the group create its own Web site.

She also volunteers her time helping her grandparents, who own Beverley’s Greenhouse.

Katie excels academically, taking Spanish honors and English Advanced Placement classes. She plays clarinet in the Lewiston High School concert band.

Nominator says: “Katie Doyle is a fine representation of what a Lewiston Shining Star should really be: high self-achievement while obtaining high community impact. She has already defined who she is by her selfless actions in our community.”

Brian J. McKeown

Brian has been an altar server for Holy Cross Church for seven years and is involved with the parish youth ministry group, consisting of teens who want to pursue faith at a deeper level. He has participated in family choir, which leads the congregation in prayer through spiritual music during Mass. He’s known as a young man who shows great enthusiasm for his relationship with God.

Has been a junior volunteer at Central Maine Medical Center for three years and has contributed more than 100 hours, especially enjoying working at the front desk helping people find their destinations.

Brian has been employed at Heartland Restaurant for the past year and is regarded as a model employee, receiving numerous compliments from patrons.

Although experiencing challenges at times, Brian has persevered in his education and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is active as a trombonist with the Lewiston High School marching band, jazz band and chorus. For the past two years, he has also auditioned as a bass vocalist and was selected for the District II Music Festival.

In 2007, Brian earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 116 of Lewiston. Following extensive research and planning to share his love and enjoyment of bike riding with local youth, he coordinated a very successful Bike Rodeo for his Eagle Scout project, touching upon all aspects of biking, including proper helmet fit and bike and road safety. Children and their families left with free bike accessories and a multitude of information.

Throughout his family’s multiple medical crises, Brian’s uncanny ability to brighten dark moments with his sense of humor has been regarded as “therapeutic . . . a dose of sunshine.”

Nominators say: “He is a compassionate, caring, and conscientious young man.”

Dayle Castonguay

Dayle Castonguay is first and foremost a dancer, having perfect attendance for the 13 years that she has been studying dance. She also assists her dance teacher with four classes with participants ages six to eight.

She is in her second year as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters school-based mentoring program and is incredibly gifted when interacting with children.

As part of her high school community, Dayle participates in the Student Council, Academic Advocate and the Key Club. In addition to being involved with the LHS Women’s Chorale, voice class, music appreciation and concert choir, Dayle also participates in two church choirs: St. Patrick’s and Holy Family.

One of the most satisfying achievements for Dayle was assisting a friend in landscaping St. Peter’s & Paul’s Basilica last May.

Dayle loves to give back to the city of Lewiston and has said she feels grateful for the opportunity to help her city, even in a small way.

Nominator says: “Dayle is one of those young ladies you recognize immediately as a person who will go far in her lifetime.”

Athena Andoniades

Athena continues to demonstrate tremendous talent and accomplishment in the area of fine art. She has taken various art student courses at LHS, excelling in all of them and working with an admirable commitment to excellence.

She is touted as a young woman with a strong sense of individuality and a civic-minded nature.

Athena has honors, distinctions, and degrees of merit due to her involvement with LHS Mock Trial Team, LHS Debate Team, National Forensic League, National Honor Society and Seeds of Peace.

She is a recipient of the Scholastic Youth Excellence in Art Award, recognized by the Maine Art Commission and First Lady Karen Baldacci.

Athena is a very active member of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and participated in multiple roles when the group professionally filmed SMASHED, a U Booze U Looze underage drinking awareness film that’s been approved for driver’s education curriculum statewide.

Continuing her love of art, Athena also recently planned and facilitated a youth council art event for K-4 area children titled “Lessons Through Expressions,” whereby children had an opportunity to try their hands at art, mimicking the work of such renown artists as Pablo Picasso.

She has co-facilitated both a dialogue group and now an action group in regard to the community-wide initiative titled Y.A.D.A. (Youth + Adults + Dialogue = Action), and from her vast contributions in that regard, she has been selected to attend an Everyday Democracy leadership/community development conference in Denver in June.

Nominator says: “Athena is an exceptionally gifted, accomplished, and unselfish young lady … indeed one of the brightest shining stars that this community can assuredly be proud of.”

Roland Chabot

Roland volunteers each week at Central Maine Medical Center in the pharmacy area.

An honor student, who is active in athletics, he and has played flute for the Auburn Community Band for three years.

Roland responded to a 2006 family crisis in an exemplary manner, demonstrating tremendous maturity, “unconditional love of family,” and great compassion; he is a source of continued pride for his parents.

He is very involved in Scouting and has earned the rank of Life Scout and is now eligible for the Eagle Scout Award, which is anticipated for a presentation in the near future.

For his Eagle Scout Award, he chose to refresh the playground and back lot at Central Maine Christian Academy in Lewiston. He organized adults and Scouts, obtained donations for food and materials, and over the course of a weekend, he managed to have the playground equipment repaired, repainted and cleaned, as well as mowed a back lot and put down new mulch over the entire playground for the safety and comfort of children using the facility.

As a Scout, he has also worked on many community projects, including parade monitoring, assisting peers with their Eagle Scout projects, and assisting with Auburn’s well-known Parade of Jack-o-Lanterns each fall.

Nominator says: “The best Eagle projects are those like Roland’s, a project undertaken due to a passion for the host organization and one which he and others will see the results of on a regular and continuous basis.”

Kristy-Mae Lacombe

With a strong commitment to family, Kristy has a passion and a commitment to use her “voice” to advocate for children.

Kristy participates in the school-based Big Brothers Big Sisters program committed to the same “Little” for three consecutive years.

This year, she expanded her mentoring role to include two after-school programs so that she could see her “Little” more often.

Kristy has developed a tremendous bond with her “Little,” impacting the child in very positive ways with her nominator describing the Big-Little match “as one of the most magical things” he’s ever seen occur.

Besides her 75-plus hours of mentoring, Kristy is engaged within the community in other ways, including Bowl for Kids Sake, the American Heart Walk and the MS Walk. She has also completed 30 hours of community service at the Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Kristy has made first honors all four years of her high school career, and she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and the National Technical Honors Society.

At school, she is on the Class of 2008 Executive Board and participates in the Key Club and the Spanish Club. She has been on the LHS swim team, and has played JV softball. Kristy consistently speaks up in support of positive, healthy choices.

Nominator says: “She works hard to achieve happiness, and instead of being selfish with her achievements, she shares her happiness and knowledge with others, helping to improve their own lives and the community.”

Maria Rose Labbe

Preparing herself for the nursing field, Maria has enrolled in health career classes for the last three years.

As an outstanding athlete, she demonstrates exemplary leadership skills. Maria has served as captain for one year on the LHS girls basketball team; two years as captain of the LHS girls soccer team; and two years as captain of the LHS girls softball team.

In her junior year, she received the honor of KVAC First Team All-Star Catcher Award voted on by coaches within the KVAC.

During her Senior year, although never having played organized hockey, she courageously tried out for the LHS girls hockey team. She not only made the varsity team, accumulating a season total of four goals and four assists, she also made LHS girls hockey history by scoring the first goal against the St. Dominic’s team. In that sport, she also received the Coaches’ Award.

Maria excels in her ability to guide others not only on the athletic field but also at her place of employment, Shaw’s supermarket in Lewiston. She averages 15 hours working a week during the school year and additional hours during the summer. For the last two years, her position there has been working the store’s front-end where she was recently assigned to the position of team captain by her supervisor.

She has volunteered her skills in area softball clinics, Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and she and her family have served countless suppers at St. Martin De Porres Shelter in Lewiston.

Maria is very dedicated to her family, especially her Pepere. She has been his “right arm” for many years. She spent many of her growing years as co-captain on his boat and in more recent years mowing his lawn, spreading gravel, stacking rocks, and anything else he may need help with.

Nominator says: “Maria truly is a role model extraordinaire; she has a winning smile, fantastic sense of humor, and a heart of gold.”

Tanner Adams

A member of Boy Scout Troop #116, Tanner recently obtained the rank of Eagle Scout by reconstructing a trail between Montello Elementary and Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary. He wanted students to have the opportunity to use the trail to expand their knowledge of nature and the environment, utilize it for recreational purposes, and use it as a tool toward being physically fit.

The trail project took Tanner months to plan and complete, now measuring over 900 feet in length and 8 feet wide; adults are also now using the trail for walking and jogging.

When reconstructing the trail, Tanner personally obtained donations from many area businesses and organized 35-plus volunteers;

Within Troop 116, Tanner currently serves as assistant senior patrol leader and recently became a member of Venture Crew 116, a high-adventure Scouting group recently established in Lewiston.

He has volunteered on a number of conservation and community projects organized by fellow Scouts, assisting in clearing trails, building bridges, and renovating areas at Bradbury State Park, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, Androscoggin Hospice House and St. Joseph’s School.

At school, he is on the honor roll, a member of the freshman executive board, is a member of the Young Democrats, and volunteered at the state primary held at Lewiston High School.

Last year, he was involved with the Lewiston Middle School Unity Project and attended meetings at Bates College regarding hate violence and how to prevent it within the community.

Tanner consistently offers to help his family or neighbors when they need a helping hand and works part-time doing yard work and snow blowing, never leaving any job unfinished.

Nominators say: “Tanner is a fine young man, one we believe is a positive role model for others and who sets a wonderful example of how young people can positively effect their community.”

Hossain Naji

Hossain has demonstrated tremendous talent and dedication in the area of art, to include drawing, painting and printmaking.

He has a healthy sense of individuality and possesses a sharp intellect and strong commitment to community.

His accomplishments include LHS Yearbook editor-in-chief and being a member of the Diplomacy Club. He is a member of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) and had a feature role in the group’s U Booze U Looze underage drinking awareness film project, titled SMASHED, which has been approved for use in statewide driver’s education curriculum.

As an LYAC member, Hossain also played a vital role in Lewiston’s successful journey to become an All-America City.

A disciplined, accomplished athlete, Hossain has earned a varsity letter in soccer (grades 10 and 11); indoor track (grades 9-12); and outdoor track (grades 9-12).

Hossain also engages in part-time employment as a coach-staff for the Lewiston Recreation Department’s spring and summer track programs and most recently started working as a waiter for the LA Coffee & Wine Bistro in Lewiston.

He has helped to organize fundraisers for New Beginnings in partnership with the YWCA, a resource for teens within our community.

Nominator says: “Hossain has an animated personality, is a free thinker, and mindful human being and citizen. An enjoyable mix of maturity and whimsy make Hossain Naji an ideal student and an outstanding example for his schoolmates to look toward for leadership.”

Sydnie N. Racine

Sydnie is praised as an extremely positive, honest, compassionate individual.

A junior in the ROTC program learning about aerospace science survival and first aid, she also participates in drills and fitness.

In February 2008, she was awarded Cadet of the Month and has been promoted to Cadet Airman First Class.

She has served as a volunteer at Montello Manor, assisting the elderly in the activities program.

Skilled in music, Sydnie has taught herself how to play the piano, with her favorite song being the Hungarian Dance #5, and she will be teaching herself the guitar in the near future.

She has taught Gospel lessons through the Catholic Church program, leading a disciples and mission group for five children. She is currently a first-honors student and has taken advanced courses in algebra and honors math.

Sydnie has received the President’s Award for grade point average and was honored with a letter of commendation from First Lady Baldacci. Last year, she received a scholarship award for academic grade point average and was honored with a Citizenship Award.

Sydnie also excels in sports and has served as captain of her field hockey team, as well as participated in school productions and after-school honors chorus and musical program.

Dedicated to family, during the summer months Sydnie can be found mowing her grandfather’s lawn.

Nominator says: “Her integrity is original and her character is that of a distinctive mark in individuality, honesty, openness, exceptional moral qualities and truly a Shining Star, an outstanding example of Lewiston youth.”