DIXFIELD — Misty Steward believes in helping out whenever she can.

Dirigo High School Principal Michael Poulin said the 17-year-old senior is one of the most courageous students he has encountered in his 28 years in education.

“She’s very kind and giving and very much concerned with those around her, way more so than for herself,” he said. “We’re going to miss her. I can’t think of a better choice for the Student of the Year Award at Region 9.”

Steward was among 25 students from regional vocational schools across the state to be so honored at a banquet earlier this year.

“I’ve loved every second of the program at Region 9,” the early childhood program student said.

She lost her mother, Stacey Laliberty, late last year. She remembers well what her mother told her and her sister, sophomore Tamyra. “She said she was so proud of us,” Misty said.

Misty Steward plans to take her love of children and desire to help into the elementary classroom eventually. She’ll be a freshman at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the fall.

“It’s a very friendly school and not so big that we’d get lost,” she said Monday morning as she prepared for graduation marching practice.

“I just love children so much,” she said. “I want to help mold their minds. I want to go to work and love what I do.” 

She also plans to get a master’s degree in special education so she’ll be able to help all children in her classroom.

Over the years, she has given many volunteer hours at the Church of the Nazarene in Dixfield, which she attend. She remembers a group from the church visiting a ghetto in an Ohio city. They brought activities and lunch for the young children.

“We don’t know if that was their only meal of the day,” she said.

Her nomination for Career and Technical Education Student of the Year at Region 9,  states: “Misty’s ever present smile and vibrant personality will be greatly missed at Region 9, but will, without a doubt, strongly impact the lives of children, present and in the future.”

Steward also teaches gymnastics at the Greater Rumford Community Center, plays field hockey at Dirigo High School, is the lone female on the school’s wrestling team and is a former Civil Rights Team member.

She also volunteers for Relay For Life, was named this year’s Student of the Month at Dirigo and sings in the chorus.

She said her early childhood program teacher, Terri Provencher, as well as Region 9 director Brenda Gammon and Region 9 student services coordinator Cheryl Ellis have all been encouraging.

“They treat you like everybody else, and not just a student,” she said. “We’re one big family.”

Misty and Tamyra are the daughters of Alton Steward Jr. of Rumford.

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