BIDDEFORD

Biddeford High junior wins Neuharth journalism award

Megan Friel

Award-winning poet Rachel Contreni Flynn, second from right, served as a judge for the ninth annual Merriconeag Poetry Festival contest. With her are the top three winners. from left, Falmouth High School sophomore Ella Boyd, Cape Elizabeth High School junior Anna Friberg and, far right, North Yarmouth Academy sophomore Charlotte Collins. Courtesy Maxime Rumiel

Deb Shangraw

Biddeford High School junior Megan Friel has been selected as the Maine winner for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference for her essays and samples of published work.

The BHS Yearbook “The Pride” and online newspaper website “The Roar” also won Highest Achievement for a Class II school (700 to 999 students) at the New England Scholastic Press Association conference.

Friel, editor of “The Roar,” was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to the conference in Washington, D.C., in June to meet top journalists and government leaders.

Friel is the ninth student from BHS to win the award since 2005.

Four students won individual special achievement awards, including seniors Alex Keely and Taylor Turgeon and junior student Noah Gagne.

FALMOUTH

Ella Boyd wins top honors in Merriconeag Poetry Festival

Falmouth High School sophomore Ella Boyd has won top honors at the ninth annual Merriconeag Poetry Festival, held May 1 at Maine Coast Waldorf School’s Freeport campus.

Cape Elizabeth High School junior Anna Friberg and North Yarmouth Academy sophomore Charlotte Collins took second and third place.

Other finalists who participated are Deering High School sophomores Fadumo Adan, Arlo Farr-Weinfeld and Alexander Fitzgerald; Edward Little High School sophomore Najmo Ali; Falmouth High School freshmen Emma Auer and Caitlyn Bull and seniors Zachary Bull and Ellie Sapat; Greely High School sophomore Ethan Brouder; Gorham High School senior Mallory Campbell; Cape Elizabeth High School junior Natalie Gale and senior Katherine Hansen; Catherine McAuley High School freshman Kelly Gilbert and junior Gabe Robbins; Yarmouth High School sophomore Salomé Skinner; and Maine Coast Waldorf School juniors Cassandra Albano and Riley Smith.

SOUTH PORTLAND/ CAPE ELIZABETH

Rotary Club donates $1,000 to youth literacy programs

The Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth has donated $1,000 to benefit youth literacy programs at two local public libraries.

Youth librarians at Cape Elizabeth’s Thomas Memorial Library and South Portland’s Public Library each received a check for $500. The additional materials, chosen by the librarians at each library, are materials they otherwise would not be able to purchase.

WESTBROOK

Deb Shangraw is named Rotary service award winner

The Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club has honored resident Deb Shangraw with its 2016 Highland Lake Grange Community Service Award for her positive contributions and impact on the surrounding community.

Grange Master David Gowen presented Shangraw with the award at a recent ceremony.

Shangraw was recognized for her work benefiting service organizations including the Westbrook Gorham Rotary, My Place Teen Center and the annual Toys for Tots drive, as well as her work on the Duck Pond Historic District Committee.

WELLS

District honors 59 students for literary achievements

The Wells-Ogunquit Community School District has honored 59 students from kindergarten through 12th grade during its 30th Annual Literary Achievement Awards Ceremony at Wells Elementary School.

The students were recognized for their writings, judged to be the best out of 260 entries.

The top prize of $500 was awarded to Wells High School senior Seamus McDonough for his moving essay reflecting on a childhood toy and its connection to his late brother.

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