Mountain Bound

Shawnee Peak is boasting record snowfall this year, all trails and lifts are open, and the conditions are better than they have been in years. Unfortunately, the skiers who participate in the Raymond Recreation afternoon ski program have skied less than ever.

Unseasonably heavy rain has fallen on four out of six Wednesdays causing cancellation of the program and disappointed skiers. To accommodate for the missed sessions, vouchers were provided for some of the weeks and the program will also be extended to March 12. Having the vouchers enabled the kids to ski with their families during school vacation week and fortunately, the weather was clear and many skiers were able to enjoy the mountain in all its glory.

Parents Have a Voice

Jordan Small Middle School principal Randy Crockett formed a Parent Advisory Committee at the beginning of this school year. His goal in doing so was to include parents of our middle schoolers in the planning and implementation of the curriculum and the approach to student learning.

Monthly meetings are held and this group has made great strides toward their goal. In the February meeting, the parents took a survey that was previously given to the middle school staff. The purpose of this process was to gather information on how parents viewed the school, its mission, vision and purpose as well as how they would like to see its growth.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 10 and the results of the survey and how parent’s viewpoints compare to teachers’ will be discussed. In addition, emphasis will be placed on developing future goals. All parents are invited to join this group and should call Crockett at 655-4743 for more information.

Arrow of Light Recipients

After several years of hard work and diligently earning their Webelos badges, Compass Point Emblems and Metal Compass Points, ten second year Webelos have earned the most prestigious badge a cub scout can earn, the Arrow of Light.

The Arrow of Light award is the highest award available to Cub Scouts. In addition to the skill and activity requirements of the preceding ranks, the Arrow of Light requires Scouts to learn the Scout Promise and Scout Law, and visit one meeting and one activity of a Boy Scout troop in preparation for advancing to the Boy Scouts. The Arrow of Light award is the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform.

Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge. The 10 boys from Pack 800 earning their Arrow of Light award are Luis Allen, Peter Emery, Dustin Fisher, Daniel Hanson, Jared Jordan, Errol Kurtz, Noah Larsen, Danny Pike, Brady Sutherland, and Ethan Winde. Congratulations to all of them.

Hopeful Hoop Stars

To celebrate the conclusion of another successful basketball season, the Jordan Small Middle School boys and girls basketball teams played in an annual game that provided fun and entertainment for themselves as well as the spectators. In a change from their usual competition, they went head to head with adult teams comprised of teachers and staff from the school. The entire student body watched with delight to see their teachers transform into foul-making, ball-stealing, dribbling hoops stars.

This game, played Friday before February vacation, provided a great opportunity for students and staff to unite. Students cheered on their favorite teachers as well as their classmates. The boys were outdone by the adults; however, the girls defended their elder opponents. More importantly, fun and laughter were in abundance amongst players and spectators alike, and this event was the perfect way to kick off winter vacation.

To Ski or Not To Ski

Having enjoyed cross country skiing for many years, it has only been recently that I have taken it up a notch and finding myself skiing further, faster and more often. Despite my declaration that I am not competitive, I entered my first ski race last winter. I was one of the racers in the Sebago Lake Winterfest cross country ski race. It was my first ski race, and I was definitely apprehensive. I quickly sized up the competition and saw none other than Raymond’s own Olympic biathlete, Kristina Sabasteanski. I instantly knew I would not be the one going home with the gold from this race.

Not having skill or strength on my side, I started scheming. However, all my clever ideas were illegal and shameful, and I knew that not only was she an amazing skier, this woman can shoot a gun with brilliant accuracy. I was quivering.

Sabasteanski was incredibly friendly and offered much encouragement. Of course, when the race began, she instantly disappeared leaving me in her snowdust. Skiing far behind the group, I was in awe at their speed and skill and when I exhaustedly crossed the finish line, my respect for ski racers rose exponentially. I also knew this was not the last race I would ski.

A year has passed and I would like to think I am stronger, more confident, and more skilled. Truthfully, however, I am hoping that the Olympians go ice fishing and leave this event to mere mortals like myself who hope to race with the others and not so far behind them. The cross country ski race is the event of the Winterfest to which I am looking most forward. Loaded with talented and friendly skiers, I am happy to be among them and perhaps someday, one of them.