Skotarczak Canal teacher of the year

Canal School has announced that Beth Skotarczak has been selected its teacher of the year.

Skotarczak is a fourth-grade teacher and has taught at the school for six years.

“Miss Skotarczak seems to always have a new project or a great idea to lead the school in a new and interesting direction,” the school said in a statement. “One project that has made a large impact for our students and staff, through which Beth’s contributions were crucial, was the implementation of a school wide literacy basket project.”

The statement said Skotarczak displays a high level of expectation for her students’ academic achievement as well as with their personal behavior.

She was cited for her high level of commitment to excellence for herself and others.

“We at Canal know that Beth shines as a bright star of our school. We can count on her good nature, her helpful and cheerful attitude, and her deep laughter at any given moment of the day to carry us through. She is a natural educator and an essential part of our school family. The students love having her as their teacher, and we as a staff are proud to not only call her a colleague, but a friend, too.”

‘Westbrook Idol’ contest returning

After the success of last year’s event, organizers of the “Westbrook Idol” competition have brought it back again.

“I think it’s something that the community has kind of grown to look forward to,” said Kate Hersom, principal of Saccarappa Elementary School and one of the event’s organizers.

On Feb. 11, organizers selected 16 semi-finalists during tryouts at the Performing Arts Center at Westbrook Middle School. Hersom said the semifinals competition will be held on March 1, and the finals on March 8. The event gives locals a chance to show off their singing talents, and is modeled after the popular “American Idol” television show.

Last year, Gabrielle “Gabbi” Latini, an eighth-grader at the middle school, beat out seven other finalists to win the contest. This year, Hersom said, three other former semi-finalists, Margaret “Margo” Carroll, Jake Limanni and Ingrid Ayer-Richardson, will all be returning to the stage.

Hersom said like last year, the 2012 “Westbrook Idol” is a charity event, with proceeds from ticket sales going to a fund for a diagnostic reading assessment program for the school district. Hersom said organizers are hoping to raise $10,000, and are also looking for corporate sponsors for the event.

Woman’s club meets

Westbrook Woman’s Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St. Arty Ledoux, deputy director of Westbrook Public Services, will speak. Refreshments will be served.

Boisvert on

dean’s list

Deanna Boisvert has been named to the dean’s list at the University of New England for the fall semester.

A 2009 graduate of Westbrook High School, Boisvert is the daughter of Gary and Kelly Boisvert of Westbrook. Boisvert is majoring in nursing and is involved with the Student Nurses’ Association.

Seniors to meet, eat

Westbrook Senior Citizens will be served a baked haddock dinner at noon on Monday, Feb. 20, at Westbrook Community Center.

The group is planning several trips and are available to non-members in the Greater Portland area.

Trips include dining at DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant in Portland on Thursday, March 15, followed by a Portland Players production of “A Few Good Men.”

Trips being planned include one to Worcester, Mass., on Sunday, March 25, for a Celtic dinner; a nine-day trip beginning Saturday, April 14, to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; traveling by air to Michigan for a tulip tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May, 8, 9 and 10; Flag Day, June 14, a motor coach ride to Rhode Island for a dinner and band; a lobster trip in July; Alaska; overnight foliage trip Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 9 and 10, to Killington, Vt.; and Indian Head in Lincoln, N.H., in December.

For more information, call 883-5046 or 854-2725.

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