FARMINGTON — The Regional School Unit 9 [RSU 9] board meeting on Nov. 8 celebrated student achievements, community engagement, and expanded career opportunities for students. Highlights included the Totally Trades event at Mt. Blue High School and a Veterans Day car parade that brought local veterans and students together for a moving celebration.

Mt. Blue High School Principal Joel Smith spoke about the impact of Totally Trades, which provided ninth grade students with opportunities to explore nontraditional career paths. “Our ninth-grade girls explored fields like metal fabrication, building construction and electrical work,” Smith explained. “Our ninth-grade boys also had the chance to explore career pathways and participate in enrichment activities.”

The Maine National Guard joined the event, bringing a Blackhawk helicopter to campus. “They took some people in the community up for a ride. Dee and I were on the same helicopter,” Smith said, referencing RSU 9 Board Chair Dorothy “Dee” Robinson. “We put the superintendent on a different one. It was a great day.”

Robinson expressed her enthusiasm for the event and praised Smith and interim director Galen Dalrymple’s coordination. “Kudos to you and Galen for putting that together. That was phenomenal,” she said. “I got to speak to some people from the National Guard, and I was super excited to hear that you’re going to continue that and make it bigger and better. Because, wow, is all I got to say, it was awesome.”

Smith announced that more than 45 students were honored for academic excellence and athletic achievements during the first-quarter student recognition assembly Nov. 8, a special day celebrating their commitment and hard work.

Smith also highlighted the school’s recent unplanned safety drills as a testament to student and staff readiness. “I want to highlight the work our students and staff did in maintaining their composure,” Smith said, explaining that one drill took place during a busy class transition, with nearly 1,000 students in the hallways, yet students followed protocol instantly, securing the building within seconds. “Kudos to them and all the staff here for their outstanding cooperation and readiness,” he added, commending everyone for their swift response and dedication to safety.

Mt. Blue Middle School Principal James Black recounted the Veterans Day car parade, which included about 30 vehicles, such as motorcycles, tow trucks and an old Ford pickup. “It was just a really neat event. Veterans had huge smiles on their faces,” Black said. The event moved many in attendance. “A gentleman who served in 1946 was there and as you know, those folks are getting fewer and fewer all the time,” he added. Black shared heartfelt community feedback, including a note from a veteran who said, “The handcrafted sign I received from students was more meaningful than any medal.”

W.G. Mallett School Principal Tracy Williams also spoke about the parade’s emotional impact on students and staff. “It was one of the warmest events we’ve done in a long time,” she said. Williams shared that both staff and veterans shed tears during the event. In a message following the celebration, Williams explained, “Some students have a good understanding of what a veteran is, as they have relatives who are veterans or active military. Teachers put a lot of energy and time into it, and it felt like a very positive and meaningful event all-around.”

The RSU 9 board announced its next scheduled meetings at Mt. Blue Campus for Dec. 10 and Jan. 15, 2025, both beginning at 6:30 p.m.