Jenny Bergeron

“Jenny’s integrity and strong character are evidenced by her active participation in Girl Scouts since first grade, as well as Boy Scouts Venturing where she has been elected to two offices;

“Helps her friends with homework assignments on a regular basis, often times going above and beyond, putting aside her own studies to help someone else;

“Is driven by her passion of academics and learning new concepts and is in the top 10 of her class. She is also a member of National Honor Society, Math Team and AVEC Math and Science;

“Enjoys writing and recently won a $1,000 scholarship in the New England Patriots “Write On” contest;

“Has shown discipline and dedication, earning her varsity letter on three LHS teams, has served as team captains and has received such awards as Most Improved Girl, Coach’s Award, Spirit Award and “Highest GPA on the Girls Team Award;

“In her junior year, Jenny was sidelined from cross country due to illness but she kept motivating and encouraging ‘her girls,’ to include re-instituting spaghetti suppers before the meets;

“Has volunteered as a Special Olympics swim coach for swimmers who attend John F. Murphy Homes, and she has volunteered as a figure skating coach for young children at Auburn Recreation;

“Has become certified as a lifeguard, as well as certified in CPR and AED for the professional rescuer, as well as first aid.”

Madeline Blaisdell

“Has always been on the academic honor roll and behavior honor roll, setting high standards for herself and striving to improve in all that she does; she also regularly reviews with peers to assist them prior to taking a test;

“Is a member of the YMCA Twin City Swimming Team, plays intramural tennis, is a member of the Writer’s Club, the Academic Advocate, the Honors Chorus, the Student Council and the Drama Club, setting goals for herself for each activity;

“Has a leadership role in the Lewiston Middle School Civil Rights Team, being pro-active on the topics of hate-bias, discrimination, bullying and harassment – often taking the role of mediator, peace activist and friend;

“Maddy has led civil rights team meetings, organized school/community events, the annual Camp Kieve field experience and will lead the team in holding the annual World Café Evening;

“Visualized a fundraiser last spring that she saw to fruition; she compiled a community cookbook that symbolically pulled diverse members of the community together and raised more than $1,000 for the LMS Civil Rights Team;

“Is greatly motivated, tireless in her efforts and has a positive attitude not seen in many her age.”

Delan Fulgham

“Has volunteered to help coach one of McMahon School’s boys basketball teams for the past two winters; takes the extra mile to work with each individual player on personal goals, while getting the team to work on team goals at the same time;

“A former ‘little’ himself, Delan is now returning the favor by being a Big Brother who instills friendship and hope to his ‘little’ at McMahon School; when Delan’s ‘little’ recently faced a life-changing event, Delan let him know that he cared and would be there for him with support; changed his visit schedule to accommodate his ‘little’;

“Maintains a part-time job at a local CVS where he is well-respected by his co-workers and management;

“Joined Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) in grade eight and has been president of the Lewiston High School JMG program for the past two years;

“Recently completed an extensive philanthropic project called JOY, Jumpstart Our Youth, requesting grant proposals from area nonprofits for allocated philanthropic funds; reviewing proposals/presentations; then awarding grants;

“Is a big supporter of Multiple Sclerosis awareness, kindly offering his DJ services for entertainment at the Walk MS 2009;

“Now offering his DJ services to the community-at-large so he can strengthen his entrepreneurship knowledge and skills.”

Chelsea Hebert

“Chelsea is an extremely compassionate person and has an uncanny ability to relate to people, enjoying meeting those from different cultures and backgrounds and sharing life stories with them;

“She is in her second year of mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters and now mentors two ‘littles’ whom she sees weekly;

“An honor roll student, Chelsea participates on the tennis team, Chess Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Environmental Club, the LRTC National Honor Society and the LHS Blue Crew, giving tours and helping incoming freshmen get used to life at LHS;

“She has been involved with the human services program at Lewiston Regional Tech; Language and Literature of the 21st Century and Human Genetics at the University of Southern Maine; and psychology at Central Maine Community College;

“Believes that ‘giving back’ to her neighbors is of utmost importance and credits the people of this community for shaping her into the young woman she is today;

“Chelsea has volunteered at the Jubilee Center Soup Kitchen, raising money for UNICEF and buying Christmas presents for an underprivileged family;

“Shares her talents by being a Youth Council adviser on the New Beginnings board, helping at car washes to benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and participating in the Shaw’s Polar Dip to also benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.”

Dyandrea Labonte

“Is a hardworking young woman with many exceptional traits and skills;

“Serves as a member of teacher Rick Meyer’s Project Reach class, and he said she’s separated herself as a leader and a person that any organization would be proud to have as their ‘face’ or in the school’s case, ‘Reach Spokesperson’;

“Is an active member of the LMS Civil Rights Team and is active in bringing students together;

“She is known to stand up for the underdog and frequently shares her voice to stop unfair and inappropriate behavior and comments;

“Dee knows her values and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in; in a time when teachers look for student voices to be heard, Dee has repeatedly demonstrated that she is an excellent communicator for her peers;

“Has been a part of Jumpstart Our Youth, a philanthropic drive to provide money to local nonprofit organizations that support Lewiston youth. Along with fellow 2009 Shining Star Delan Fulgham, she presented $4,000 to be split between the Make a Wish Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Androscoggin County.

Jared Benjamin Lussier

“No matter the task at hand, Jared is an achiever who always gives more than is expected, with characteristics of being loyal, trustworthy, honest, and, most of all, respectful;

“As a Boy Scout, he has taken on the role of teacher by helping young Scouts prepare to earn their ranks. He’s also been preparing for his Eagle Scout distinction, and his project in that regard was rebuilding the bike bridge at Bradbury Mountain;

“Has been in the Drama Club, plays the tenor saxophone, and he’s taught himself how to play the guitar;

“According to Col. Meyers, Jared has ‘set the tone’ for the rest of his LHS AFJROTC class. Jared demonstrates outstanding leadership ability to include being named ‘Cadet of the Month.’ Since the beginning of the school year, Jared has advanced in rank three times – going from Airman Basic to Senior Airman. He’s also received the Recruiting Ribbon/Oak Leaf Cluster, Physical Training Ribbon/Oak Leaf Cluster and the Activities Ribbon;

“Jared has also participated in many community events, including the LHS open house; Lewiston Rec Halloween activity and skate night, Veterans Day breakfast, Veterans Day pass and review, the military ball’s rifle drill demonstration and parking lot sweeping at Holy Cross Church. He’s also helped several with their Eagle Scout projects;

“At the young age of 12, he sold $5,200 in popcorn sales, making him the top seller not only in the district but the state. Since then, his popcorn sales have totaled over $12,000, helping to raise money for his pack and troop;

“Last summer, he volunteered over 100 hours at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center;

“When starting the ’08-09 swim team, he could barely swim but since then has received the ‘Best Male Improved’ Award.”

Amanda Martin

“Amanda will graduate in the Class of 2009 at Lewiston High School as ‘valedictorian’;

“Utilizing what she’s heard of her deceased sister, Tammy – whom she never had the privilege of meeting – Amanda has turned that unspoken bond into a strength that encourages her to ‘Question the world you live in. Stand up for what you believe in. Never question that you have what it takes to fulfill your dreams’;

“Has been in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, recipient of the Harvard Book Award and excelled with a Top 10 score in the state French test – Le Grand Concours;

“Has participated in the Bates-Lewiston Writer’s Collaboration; Community Little Theatre dance workshop; Lewiston High School pops concert; accepted into Maine All-State Choir; accepted into District II Musical Festival; and has participated in numerous other musical and drama onstage events;

“Amanda said that on stage she finds adrenaline in living the extravagant lives of characters and meeting new people who show her how to look at the world in entirely different ways;

“Has volunteered at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society Animal Shelter; is participating with Big Brothers Big Sisters; has excelled in basketball, intramural volleyball.”

Kevin McArthur

“Is on the academic honor roll and behavior honor roll and displays high integrity and character;

“Has been an altar server since 2004 at Holy Family Church and participates in the church choir throughout the year;

“As well as playing a role in Community Little Theatre, he has also volunteered for set construction on various productions;

“He is a member of Troop 007 and attained the rank of Star Scout when only 13. He is working toward earning his Eagle Scout distinction and is only one community service project away from reaching that goal;

“Kevin is a troop guide responsible for directing the training of younger Scouts; he’s taken this responsibility so seriously that he delayed working on his Eagle project to put more energy into being a troop guide;

“Last year, his peers elected him to the Order of the Arrow, which is equivalent to the National Honor Society for the Boy Scouts of America, due to him exemplifying the ideals of scouting: trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courtesy, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness and reverence. In January, members of the order elected him vice chief in his chapter;

“Community projects include being course marshal for the New Beginnings 5K run walk; handing out hats and mittens to children and teaching them games at Multi-Purpose Center winter activities; keeping pumpkins lit and collecting donations for the Maine Children’s Cancer Society’s Pumpkin Parade; and helping winterize vehicles at the Vineyard Church’s fall car clinic. He’s also assisted with landscaping at Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, weatherizing the New Gloucester First Congregational Church hall, refurbishing mountain bike trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park, assisting with a meditation trail at the local Hospice House and has volunteered for a week at Camp Gustin in Sabattus, where he taught Cub Scouts the basics of outdoor cooking.”

Rahma Odowa

“Is a member of the Lewiston Middle School Civil Rights Team, which promotes nonviolent discussions and conflict resolution, and Rahma has said, ‘The times when I stood up and did something I felt the strongest’;

“Rahma is an active participant in Hillview’s after-school activities; especially noteworthy is her involvement with the Aspirations Club that assists Hillview youth with knowledge and resources to reach their goals. Through the club, Rahma has personally learned about various colleges and careers, as well as the importance of community-building and money management;

“Very involved as a member of Hillview’s Lots to Gardens Program. As a summer youth gardener in 2008, Rahma worked with younger children and taught them the importance of healthy eating habits and sustainable community food projects;

“For the upcoming summer, she has been selected from a competitive pool of applicants to be a summer youth intern responsible for teaching workshops, leading garden work days and continuing to act as a role model for her peers, noting that she wants to ‘create greater change in her community.’ She has also assisted with harvest dinners at Hillview;

“It’s very important for her to be a role model for her sisters, with the most important lesson she wishes to infuse in them is that they can do whatever they want and be their own person;

“Has led yard clean-up activities at Hillview and has enlisted other children to assist. Has also assisted the Hillview staff with the USDA summer lunch program, clean-up and monitoring of younger children.

Sarah Patrie

“Sarah is a very dedicated student-athlete whose positive attitude, work ethic and ability to work independently and in a team environment far exceeds many others of her age;

“Has displayed outstanding integrity and character as a volunteer for over 500 hours at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center;

“Striving toward academic achievements to include co-designing fitness rooms for Lewiston Middle School and the elementary schools as part of the Lewiston Regional Technical Program;

“Committed to Lewiston High School through membership on the executive board, Outing Club and Key Club, which includes assisting with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast;

“Member of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and recently assisted with illustrations for the group’s recycling storybook for Lewiston elementary grades one to three; been part of the group’s new recycling video, also assisted with crafts at the Twin Cities Downtown Holiday Celebration;

“Has earned varsity letters on the LHS swim team; has volunteered at the Liberty Festival and the Great Falls Balloon Festival; is especially supportive of her younger brother’s athletic events/goals;

“Diligent and dedicated employee as a lifeguard at the Auburn YMCA, Lewiston YWCA and Kennedy Park Pool;

“Placed third in a DECA competition for her hand-drawn original pin design as a student of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center and for taking on the task of personally painting a wall mural to enhance classroom décor.”