WISCASSET

Third-graders get look at rock, stone processing

Wiscasset Elementary School third-grade STEM class students finished studying engineering and simple machinery with a field trip and a tour of businesses that process stone and rock using simple machines.

STEM education refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The students traveled to Crooker Construction of Topsham, where they observed how rock ledge is drilled and marked for blasting. They also toured Precast of Maine to see how concrete is made and how old asphalt is recycled for new pavement.

KENNEBUNK

Bikers who wear helmets can earn free ice cream

Dairy Queen of Kennebunk owner John Dube will donate 100 coupons for a free ice cream to individuals who are observed using helmet safety – positioning it properly on the head, fastened securely with helmet straps. Police officers who observe such cyclists will randomly give out the coupons throughout the summer.

The Kennebunk Police Department also seeks helmet donations in all sizes for children through adults.

For more details or to make a donation, call Patrol Commander Lt. Eric O’Brien at 985-2102, ext. 1320, or Officer Mark Carney at 985-2102 ext. 1369.

HERMON

FedEx driver wins Maine truck-driving competition

Local FedEx driver Richard Roghelia is the winner of the 2017 Maine Truck Driving Championship, held May 20.

Roghelia won the title in the Freight 3-Axle category, earning an opportunity to compete in the National Truck Driving Championships, Aug. 8 to 12 in Orlando, Florida.

The state and national contests offer professional truck drivers a chance to demonstrate their driving skills and safety expertise. Championships include three segments: a challenging driving course, a pretrip inspection and a written examination, which covers vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.

Roghelia qualified by driving accident-free for at least one year.

WELLS

Junior high wrestler named March’s top student-athlete

Wells High School junior Nolan Potter was honored as student-athlete of the month for March 2017. He received the award for his academics, sportsmanship and participation on the high school wrestling team.

Potter became Class B state champion in the 195-pound category, Class B South regional champion in the same category, Mid-State League champion and was named team MVP.

AUGUSTA

Youths pen winning essays on disabilities, inclusion

The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council recognized winners of the 2017 Inclusion Awards Contest and the recipient of the Policymaker Award at a ceremony at the Statehouse’s Hall of Flags. The contest invited 11th- and 12th-grade students to consider how the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities benefits the full community.

State Treasurer Terry Hayes, the keynote speaker, was given the Policymaker Award.

Sen. Michael Carpenter joined Sen. Brian Langley in recognizing seven students from Linneus, Chelsea, Houlton, Hodgdon and Augusta for their winning essays and creative-expression submissions. Two educators from Cony and Hodgdon high schools were recognized with the Teacher Award and School Participation Award.

PORTLAND

FairPoint will award $16,000 to three Maine nonprofits

FairPoint Communications recently unveiled FairPoint Connected Communities, a program recognizing nonprofits dedicated to connecting and serving Maine residents and communities. Three nonprofits will be selected to receive $16,000 each and a technology package valued at up to $1,000. Applications are accepted through June 16.

FairPoint invites 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Maine to apply. The application is at www.fairpoint.com/connectedcommunities/apply.

WALDOBORO

National group recognizes Heirloom Seed Project

The Heirloom Seed Project at Medomak Valley High School has been honored with a national Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs Inc.

The Heirloom Seed Project is the oldest, and one of the largest, school-based seed-saving programs in the U.S.

PORTLAND

Six-year member named Junior League president

The Junior League of Portland has inaugurated Jillian Rich as its president for the 2017-18 league year, which begins Thursday. The gavel was officially passed to Rich at the organization’s annual meeting May 10 at the Woodlands Club of Falmouth.

As president, Rich will oversee the league’s more than 270 members as they embark on partnerships and projects to reach at-risk youths.

She has been an active member for more than six years and has served on the board of directors as vice president of mentoring and placement. During the 2016-17 league year, Rich led an ad hoc committee focused on analyzing the league’s current fund development efforts and making recommendations for future improvements.

A graduate of Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Rich has spent the past six years working in marketing at Bangor Savings Bank, where she is assistant vice president and senior marketing coordinator.

LIBERTY

Lebanon student’s painting of seascape earns award

Jordan Lister of Lebanon is the winner of Liberty Graphics T-shirts’ 20th annual art contest titled “Art and Our Natural Environment.”

The contest, which awards a $1,000 scholarship, is open to Maine high school seniors. Lister won for her dynamic impressionist-style gouache painting of seaside rocks and salt spray.

She plans to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.