KIDS Service-Learning Awards 2004

2004 Educational Leadership Awards

Valerie Shinas, Orono Middle School

Valerie Shinas is a 6th grade teacher at Orono Middle School not only does she use service-learning in successful projects, but she is also a vocal supporter of the method and shares her excitement with others. She recently worked to create a permanent place in the 6th grade curriculum for service-learning through her LifeFlight project. She has also developed a project to bring school supplies to Afghan children, as well as supporting poetry nights at Orono Middle School. Valerie has worked to create a new forum for the student government to allow more student voice in the process. These students are now undertaking a project to use old laptop cases for personal care items, which will be donated to area shelters. She shares her excitement about service-learning with other educators and she has been credited with helping increase the interest in service-learning among her fellow educators.

Melissa Skahan, MSAD 51 (Cumberland and North Yarmouth)

MSAD 51 attributes it's successful and evolving institution of service-learning to the work and enthusiasm of Melissa Skahan, the Director of Volunteer Services for this district. She recently worked with students at Greely High School to develop a project around the local watershed concerns. She worked tirelessly to connect the students with construction managers, architects and engineers to assist the students with their project. This project has been successful and has engaged both students and community members to work together to solve a problem. Well versed in all the aspects of service-learning, Melissa developed a web site to help others understand the foundations of this method. She is always willing to share her knowledge and excitement about the process of service-learning with others who might benefit from this method.

2004 Student Leadership Awards

Joe Burnham, Winthrop High School

Joe Burnham from Winthrop High School was involved in a service-learning project that shared his artistic abilities with seniors in the community. The Art II class at Winthrop High School was invited to the Granite Hill Retirement Community to assist the seniors with an art project. However, Joe was able to go above the good work he was doing with the seniors in this project to become an advocate for service-learning in his school. He appealed to the school board speaking about his positive experience with service-learning. His speech helped convince the board to give their unanimous support to the service-learning program. He also served on the legislature's Commission on Citizenship Education where he has met with members to look at options for expanding service-learning and other civic education opportunities for Maine students.

2004 Community Partner Leadership Awards

Jim Amaral, Founder and President, Borealis Breads

Since 1999 student in Fort Fairfield, Maine have been working to create their own successful business baking organic breads with the help of their community partner from Borealis Breads. Their business, called Students Baking A Living, makes loaf breads, rolls and cakes which are distributed to surrounding communities both through donation and purchase. Jim Amaral, from Southern Maine's Borealis Breads, has been working with the students find distributors, assisted in grant writing endeavors and offered internships to the students and teachers of Fort Fairfield. Jim visits the students on a regular basis, assisting in both the business aspect as well as helping ensure the students maintain the quality of their product. Thanks to Jim, Students Baking a Living were recognized in from of 500 attendants at a University of Southern Maine Business Department Seminar on branding, and were interviewed on a segment of Made in Maine that featured Borealis Breads. Students Beckie Nersession, Jay Donovan, and Josh Spittle nominated Jim for all his efforts in their business endeavor.

Laura Newman, Educator, Portland Trails

Laura Newman has represented the organization Portland Trails at a number of schools around the Portland area to help them with their service-learning projects. These schools include, Lyseth elementary, Riverton, Longfellow, Hall Elementary, and King and Lincoln Middle Schools. Laura has been an asset to the teachers by assisting in grant writing as well as helping to plan and guide projects. She has also worked in the classroom assisting students in learning the skills that are necessary to complete their projects. Laura's work has extended beyond her help with project to work sustaining service-learning in the Portland schools. She has joined the Portland service-learning team and will be assisting with recruiting teachers and community partners for future Community Partner fairs. She is clearly committed to the Portland schools and the community surrounding them.