LEWISTON – The 10th annual Lewiston Shining Stars Celebration, held May 16 in the Lewiston City Council Chambers, was attended by a full house of supporters for the event’s 18 nominated Lewiston youth.

Lewiston High School senior Kelin Sevit kicked off the evening with his rendition of the National Anthem followed by a welcome/program overview by Community Relations Coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier, who served as MC for the evening.

Councilor Norm Rousseau addressed the 18 nominees, noting, “I am inspired as both a city councilor and as a resident of this community when I look at the youth sitting before us this evening. They are part of our future’s leadership, and I’m encouraged by what they’ll surely bring to our community and our world.”

Special comments were provided by 2004 Shining Star Ryan Reed, who is now a sophomore at the University of Maine Farmington majoring in secondary education; social sciences.

Perham-Whittier then facilitated a PowerPoint presentation highlighting all 18 nominees and announced the “10” 2007 Lewiston Shining Stars. Assisting Perham-Whittier were fellow 2007 Shining Star judges: City Councilor Ronald Jean, Nick Knowlton of GSM Group and Linda Varrell of Broadreach Public Relations.

Along with a Shining Star certificate and Star keychain from the city, the 10 received gifts from Sam’s Italian, Marco’s Restaurant, L.L. Bean, Lewiston Recreation and Parks Department, the Lewiston MAINEiacs and Community Credit Union.

The 10 Shining Stars are Jama Ahmed, Abigail T. Blaisdell, Ted Blaisdell, Nicole Bradbury, Carter J.D. Handy, Jacob LaRoche, Nicole Court-Menendez, Mackenzi Masselli, Patrick Smith, and Katrina St. Claire.

The remaining eight nominees were recognized by individual presentation of an “In Celebration of Who You Are” certificate and a “I Make the Difference” keychain. Those nominees were Tiffany Beaulieu, Garrett Clark, Katherine Doyle, Kyle C. Fenderson, Kassie LaBrecque, Kevin McKeown, Adam Meservier and Ashley Stuart.

The grand prize on-site drawing wrapped up the evening, which included the names of the 10 2007 Shining Stars. The grand prize consisted of a full-fledged computer system and accessories compliments of Sisters of Charity Health System. Annette Bourque of the health system marketing department pulled the winning Shining Star name resulting in an excited _______________________________.

The 2007 Shining Stars celebration poster for siting at Lewiston City Hall was unveiled by Councilor Norm Rousseau, and all nominees participated in a congratulatory receiving line consisting of members of the Lewiston City Council.

Nicole Court-Menendez, Lewiston Middle School seventh-grader, has had perfect attendance since kindergarten.

For six consecutive birthdays, she has held the tradition of asking for donations of pet food for the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, and hundreds of pounds of food have been donated in her name. Each year, she hosts a “holiday craft” to benefit the humane society, with friends donating pet food, supplies or cash in exchange for an afternoon craft. Court-Menendez also sets up a humane society collection jar at her family’s annual yard sale.

She serves as one of the youngest volunteers at the Great TV Auction, demonstrating and modeling products to be auctioned. Court-Menendez became the lead runner for a new cross country running program established at Lewiston Middle School and earned an All-League Honors Award at the end of the season.

She became a cross country program team leader, adding humor and creative ideas at practices; established motivational race day traditions; and rewarded team members for their efforts

Court-Menendez is enrolled in advanced math. Her nominator said, “Nicole is an exceptional role model, teammate and loyal friend.”

Abigail T. Blaisdell, a Lewiston Middle School eighth-grader, often puts the needs and feelings of her family and friends ahead of herself. According to her teachers, her drive for excellence in academics results in her not just meeting the standards but constantly pushing herself to exceed the standards and learning new material presented to her;

Blaisdell enjoys assisting teachers during her free time and study halls. She is a three-season athlete and holds the record in the 400-meter dash.

As a member of the Civil Rights Team, she often initiates ideas and volunteers to head planning committees and fundraising committees for events such as the team’s trip to Camp Kieve Leadership School, Movie Night, the HIV/AIDS Walk-a-thon and World Cafe.

Blaisdell takes time to understand issues of bias and prejudice, asking questions that exhibit her deep concern and often drive her to action. She worked with her brother when he undertook his Boy Scout Eagle project and is a member of the Lewiston Rec tennis team that won the USTA Northeast Junior Tennis Regional Championship in 2006;

This year, Blaisdell was one of three students from Maine recognized by the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine for a poem she wrote in honor of Holocaust survivor Judith Isaacson.

Her nominator said, “There is no doubt that Abby will be a future leader who strives to make a positive difference in the world.”

Jama Ahmed, eighth-grader, is active at Lewiston Middle School, serving on the Student Council, Civil Rights Team and has attended Camp Kieve for bullying prevention. Last summer, he was a junior volunteer at Central Maine Medical Center;

For the past four years, Ahmed has volunteered once a week in the Children’s Department at the Lewiston Public Library, where he cleans books, puts videos back on shelves and stocks books.

He has also started volunteering for the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society; in addition to caring for the animals, he cleans cages and walks dogs. He has also volunteered for two years at Lever’s Day Care summer camp.

In his neighborhood, Ahmed has volunteered with the Caleb Foundation at the River Valley Housing Project, helping the community coordinator by distributing flyers and newsletters door to door;

He is also an active member of the Lewiston Youth Empowerment Program, which is sponsored by Empower Lewiston and hosted by LA College, and he is participating in a community dialogue discussion that has been organized by the Center for Prevention of Hate Crime.

Ahmed assists an elderly neighbor by getting her mail and shoveling snow during the winter.

His nominator said, “Jama has showed the desire to be mindful of others; he has great ambition to change the world.”

Nicole Bradbury, a junior at St. Dominic Regional High School, reaches out to those who need a friend the most and those who need the most encouragement. She goes out of her way to help new students and even new teachers.

Bradbury’s commitment to serving the community goes far above and beyond St. Dom’s community service requirement. She helps organize a community Halloween party, as well as an arts and crafts project for underprivileged children.

When her previous elementary school moved to a new building this year, she spent hours helping her former teachers move in and organize their classrooms. The school recognized her with a Saint Elizabeth Seton Stewardship Award, noting she assists people “without complaint and is the first to volunteer no matter what the task.”

Bradbury volunteers with Alzheimer’s patients at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center/d’Youville Pavilion. She holds a part-time job in the hospital kitchen and after work she commonly spends many hours visiting with patients and residents to see if there is anything she can do to make their stay in the hospital better.

Bradbury is a tutor to community children who need assistance. Her nominator said, “We talk to our students all the time about how much more you receive when you give to others. No student at our school exemplifies this more than Nicole; she truly looks to receive nothing back for all that she does.”

Lewiston High School senior Carter J.D. Handy‘s nomination is the story of a boy who not only survived serious health problems as a child but who also overcame considerable challenges in order to succeed in the classroom and the community.

With severe asthma – nearly dying twice – and speech challenges, Handy never allowed himself to give up; he’s persevered, while displaying traits of compassion, good nature, loyalty and kindness.

His yearning to succeed has always motivated him to work harder and longer to meet his goals, and he’s using the same resolve to realize his dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.

Although he’s struggled personally, he has a strong desire to help others. He is a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, and at least once a week, he walks from the high school to Martel School to spend time and have lunch with his “little brother.”

For the past four years, Handy has volunteered as an assistant basketball coach for the Lewiston Recreation Department, working with players in the fourth and fifth grades.

He has also served as a 20-hour-a-week summer volunteer at Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care, and his extreme dedication in that role earned him a Lewiston Mayoral Citation of Excellence.

Handy has served on the Lewiston High School Student Council for four years. In addition, despite his limited musical experience, he wanted to be in the LHS marching band. He joined his freshman year, playing cymbals and tambourine in the pit. He steadily improved, moving on to bass drum during his junior and senior years. His musical contributions have earned him the band’s “Most Improved Performer” recognition.

Handy has also spent four years working on the stage crew for the LHS Centre Stage Ensemble, and although he normally shuns the spotlight, when the music director put out a call for more male singing voices, he made his stage debut in March as a knight in the musical “Once Upon a Mattress.”

His nominator said, “Carter is one of those rare people who is not only focused on his destination but on the journey he takes to get there.”

Mackenzi Masselli, a Lewiston Middle School seventh-grader, been an honor roll student while maintaining a busy extracurricular schedule; her present grade point average is 97.

Masselli is a member of the Student Council, yearbook staff, Academic Advocate staff, the Drama Club and is a school office worker. She is the only LMS seventh-grader to make the District II Chorus; she also plays the piano and sings for the Androscoggin Youth Chorus.

In 2006, Masselli won the local and district, then third at the state level for the VFW Patriots Pen essay contest titled “What Does Citizenship Mean to Me.” Masselli volunteers for Tri-County Mental Health Project THRIVE (youth in crisis and managed care systems) in the social marketing area.

She recently completed a public service announcement for THRIVE with FOX Television. She has assisted Advocates for Children with their holiday fair, as well as getting the word out to community youth about Mental Health Awareness Week.

Masselli also volunteers on and off stage at Community Little Theatre, the Monmouth Theater and Lewiston High School Centre Stage.

Her nominator said, “Thank you for the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of young members of our community.”

Lewiston High School sophomore Patrick Smith has been a People to People Student Ambassador, hiking the Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana. He prepared physically and financially for an entire year and believes the experience fostered personal growth and independence.

With six years of scouting experience, Smith holds the rank of Life Scout and helps his troop with recruitment efforts. He is regarded as a “resourceful and dedicated student” by his Lewiston Housing Authority Youth Enrichment Opportunity Program music instructor; has been in the program for six years learning music theory and taking piano lessons. He feels the program has “awakened his desire” to go into the music production or broadcasting business.

At age 14, Smith obtained a job at Sam’s Italian Sandwich Shoppe and makes it a priority to save half of his paycheck to go toward college. He has volunteered many hours at the Hillview Resource Center to assist with the USDA Summer Lunch Program and in various yard clean-ups around the Hillview grounds.

Smith is a good influence on his younger brother – often encouraging him to respect and listen to their mother.

His nominator said, “He demonstrates outstanding integrity; character; and commitment to learning, community service and family, as well as takes responsibility for his own future success.”

Katrina St. Claire is a senior at Lewiston High School. Her integrity is original, and her character is that of a distinctive mark in individuality, honesty, openness, exceptional moral qualities and commitment to family and school. She is also noted for commitment in her work and compassion for others.

In her junior year, St. Claire wrote a letter to the Lewiston Regional Technical Center to be selected into their nursing program. During her first semester at Central Maine Community College, her study in psychology brought her a 4.0 average, and she’s already been accepted into the nursing program at St. Joseph’s College.

Through hard work and study, she has received certification as a Certified Nurses Aid and has been certified in CPR. Since 2006, St. Claire has worked per diem at Montello Manor caring for the residents and demonstrating her abilities in caring for the elderly and her compassion for them.

Her work ethics are excellent; she’s always on time and willing to help others. Upon completing her work assignments, she is also always willing to do more. Her love for children and caring traits have resulted in her being in demand as a babysitter, which she does as often as possible.

During the past couple of years, St. Claire and her mom have bought gifts at Christmas for families and women associated with the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project. During the spring and fall, for the last four years, she has worked at B.J.’s Dairy Treat.

She was recently in the Miss Maine Teen Pageant and found the experience of meeting many different people a great way to enhance her people skills.

Her nominator said, “I am a supervisor for Montello Manor Nursing Home, and it is my pleasure to nominate Katrina as an outstanding example of Lewiston youth.”

Jacob LaRoche, a Lewiston High School senior, has tremendous talent and dedication in the area of pottery, taking introductory and advanced courses – taking time to work in the studio even when not enrolled in a specific course.

Schoolmates look toward him for leadership, and he is respected by his peers. Despite missing his junior prom – a personal sacrifice that he looks back at without regret – he acted upon his nominator’s recommendation to apply to the Haystack Center for the Arts Weekend clay workshop in May 2006.

LaRoche also shines as a disciplined athlete, and in June 2006, his nominator recommended his acceptance as a participant in the World Scholar Athlete Games in Rhode Island; he came back with an expanded understanding and appreciation of world events and said he was “mesmerized” listening to the words of former President Bill Clinton, Claus Nobel and other distinguished speakers.

The notion of becoming involved as a citizen spurred him to volunteer during this past fall’s gubernatorial debate, with him taking great interest in the issues. LaRoche has been involved with the LHS Executive Board, the L-Club and has volunteered at Special Olympics events. He has also been a Big Brothers Big Sisters role model.

LaRoche’s employment has included part-time at the Lewiston Shaw’s and most recently Auburn’s Pat’s Pizza.

His nominator said, “Jake displays tremendous personal integrity of character in the many and varied things he does.”

Sophomore Ted Blaisdell, Lewiston High School, approached the Good Shepherd Food-Bank in 2006, asking if he could complete his Eagle Scout Project as a service to the organization. After several conversations and site visits, Blaisdell captured the target need as creating and designing “Appreciation Gardens” for volunteers to utilize during their daily break sessions and visitors to enjoy.

He also took the lead role in securing new roadside signage, designed by NeoKraft Signs, to help the food bank become more visible to traveling commuters of Hotel Road. During the food bank project, Blaisdell’s dedication was tremendous. He arranged for all donations of supplies, such as lumber, mulch, trees, benches and signage, to include pick-up and delivery.

His project task list included approximately 20 businesses, 40 people, and 265 hours to complete. While working at the food bank, Blaisdell displayed integrity and maintained outstanding character when communicating with GSFB staff and outside vendors, resulting in the food bank awarding him a “Youth Recognition VIP Award” in November 2006.

Blaisdell is the senior patrol leader for Boy Scout Troop 116; he’s also attended the Maine Human Rights and Holocaust Center Diversity Leadership Institute at Bates College, Lead America in D.C., as well as Seeds of Peace Camp in Maine.

He has also volunteered for the YWCA (in support of the LHS swim team), Holy Cross Church and Special Olympics and works part-time as a lifeguard at the YWCA.

His nominator said, “Not only was Ted dedicated to his project as an Eagle Scout, he personally committed to providing service to a well-respected organization.”