Merriconeag student in state poetry finals

For the second consecutive year, a student at Merriconeag Waldorf High School in Freeport has advanced to the Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Senior Skyler Samuelson of Freeport was one of five finalists selected at the Southern Regionals held last month in Biddeford. She will compete against nine other contestants in Bangor on March 20 for the state championship. The event will be aired live on MPBN televison.

Samuelson’s recitation of three poems – Shakespeare’s “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day,” “Calling Him Back from Layoff,” By Bob Hicok, and “Sweetness,” by Stephen Dunn – propelled her into the finals over students from 20 other schools.

Last year Merriconeag student Tyler O’Brien won the state title, earning him $200 and the high school $500 for its library of poetry collections. In addition, he received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for national honors.

Merriconeag Waldorf School, founded in 1984, serves some 240 students in early childhood through Grade 12. For more information, see www.merriconeag.org.

Presentation focuses on senior eye care

As part of the ongoing Ounce of Prevention series, Mid Coast Senior Health Center will be hosting a presentation by Midcoast Eye Associates physician Dr. Kurt H. Kelley, “Seeing To Your Eyes: Tips for Protecting and Optimizing Your Vision,” Tuesday, March 12. The even runs from 11 a.m. to noon at the Mid Coast Senior Health Center, 58 Baribeau Drive in Brunswick.

This presentation aims to help participants better understand how they can help protect their vision as they age. Topics will include guidelines for how often one should have a complete eye exam, as well as a review of several important eye problems such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Treatments will also be discussed.

The Ounce of Prevention is a monthly series providing education about health and health-care issues sponsored by Mid Coast Senior Health Center.

University of Maine Singers to perform March 12

Freeport High School will host the University of Maine Singers on Saturday, March 12. The group will arrive at approximately 3 p.m., eat dinner at the school, perform a free concert for the public at 7 in the Freeport Performing Arts Center, and stay with local host families.

The University of Maine Singers is a select choir whose members come from all disciplines across the university campus. Under the direction of Dr. Dennis Cox, singers perform multiple concerts on campus throughout the academic year, tour New England for one week each spring, and perform abroad every four years. Kate Breau, Freeport High School class of 2010, will be performing with the group.

The Freeport High School music department is looking for local families who would be willing to host students overnight. The requirements would be to take the students home following the concert, give them a place to sleep, breakfast in the morning and a ride back to the school to catch their bus. Students must be housed in at least pairs. Those willing host students should contact David Watts (wattsd@rsu5.org) or Sandy Foreman (foremans@rsu5.org).

Skyler ?Samuelson