LEWISTON — After-school programs in Lewiston and Auburn won two of three “exemplary” awards Thursday at a statewide celebration.

The “Lights On Afterschool” rally, held at the Franco-American Heritage Center, was one of 8,000 happening Thursday around the country. It called attention to the importance of giving students safe and healthy activities and supervision from 3 to 6 p.m.

Local winners were the downtown Tree Street Youth of Lewiston, a new program run by Bates College graduate Julia Sleeper; and the Community Learning Center, offered in Auburn schools by the Auburn School Department.

A third award went to the Riverview/Brunswick Community Learning Center Program.

Also, two local residents won Afterschool Champion awards. They were Auburn Police Department’s Tom Poulin, a school resource officer who teaches cooking  at Auburn’s after-school program; and Odelle Bowman, executive director of L/A Arts.

In presenting the award to Tree Street Youth, Maine Afterschool Network Director Deb Chase said, “There’s something that stands out about this program.” Tree Street Youth serves 130 to 150 students daily. The mission is to support the youth of Lewiston-Auburn through academics, arts and athletics.

“The program is 100 percent supported by private donations and a few small foundation grants,” Chase said.

She quoted a student who goes to Tree Street and called it “’amazing. Everyone respects each other and cares for one another.’” Chase also quoted a parent who said since her children started attending, they’re doing better in school because they’re getting help with homework.

When Sleeper accepted her award, she said it was a dream to open a youth center in downtown Lewiston. The audience reacted by hooting and hollering.

In giving the Auburn Middle School its award for the Community Learning Center program, Chase said it has helped students after school for 15 years. “A program that has that longevity is amazing, because it’s hard to sustain,” she said.

The mission of the program is to empower students to become successful partners in their education. The program is part of the school’s movement toward full engagement in the community.

Auburn Superintendent Katy Grondin said in a prepared statement that the award celebrated the program “where good things have been happening for AMS students. Kudos rightfully belong to the staff who stay after school to make CLC happen every day, to the entire AMS staff who embrace CLC.”

When it was time for Poulin to accept his award, Chase described him as a person who has worked with hundreds of students, both after school and during the summer, “building positive relationships, teaching personal responsibility and giving undivided attention.”

Poulin has volunteered for many youth programs. “He’s everywhere, from festivals to a longtime volunteer at Camp Postcard” (a summer camp for disadvantaged youths), Chase said.

Poulin teaches cooking skills, but students have learned more than food preparation, Chase said. “Kids become self-reliant, confident and tolerant of each other,” while learning skills critical for their futures.

As Poulin came to the stage to receive his award, students formed a line to high-five him. He said nothing as he held up the plaque during a standing ovation.

Bowman, the other after-school champion, came to Lewiston-Auburn earlier this year. The community not only received someone who was an experienced, passionate and energetic arts administrator, “they got a champion for after school,” Chase said.

In the months that Bowman has led L/A Arts, she’s become involved in the Lewiston Educational Achievement Program at the middle and high schools. She has assembled a creative staff and a new energy in the after-school program, Chase said.

Elsewhere in Maine, Bowman has been involved in after-school programs since 1995. She has advanced the well-being of women in Maine by creating opportunities for women and girls to get involved in the arts, Chase said. When Bowman came to Lewiston-Auburn, “the community received a special gift,” Chase said.

Other speakers included dignitaries, police officers and teachers. The Tree Street Youth gave a lively hip-hop dance performance. The ceremony closed with a youth-led, flash-mob Zumba dance presentation.

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