Outstanding Volunteer

John DiRenzo has been an advisor and mentor for FIRST Team 133, Bonny Eagle Robotics Team (BERT) for 17 years. He began participating in the program in 1997 with South Portland’s Team 58 (Riot Crew), before any of his own children were eligible to participate. Once his daughter joined Bonny Eagle’s robotics team in 1998, John left the South Portland team to become a mentor for Bonny Eagle.

John has inspired many students through the years and encouraged alumni members to volunteer their time to FIRST. Clayton Colburn, a BERT alumni, said, “John’s enthusiasm for science and engineering had the biggest impact on my life. I got a robotics scholarship to a school I couldn’t afford and got an amazing job doing what I love. It was John’s motivation and inspiration that sparked my interest to pursue software engineering as a career path. The least I can do is pay it forward and continue to support the FRC program.”

John’s support and enthusiasm for FIRST is contagious. His two daughters now volunteer in various roles with the FIRST Robotics Program.

John’s efforts reach beyond his own team. He has worked with many teams and mentors promoting STEM education and the FIRST Robotics Competition program. John volunteers at FIRST Lego League competitions and is a board member and volunteer coordinator of the Pine Tree District and University of New Hampshire District competition events.

John is an outstanding mentor and role model. His sense of humor and patience make it easy to work with and learn from him. He is a great communicator and a huge part of the Bonny Eagle Robotics team’s success. If anyone exemplifies what FIRST is, John DiRenzo goes beyond.

Second at FIRST

The Bonny Eagle Robotics Team (a.k.a. BERT) has won second place at the Pine Tree District FIRST Robotics Competition and are Boston-bound for the New England District Championship ranked 13th of 54 New England teams!

This was BERT’s second competition of the 2014 season with their robot “Pneuman.” They ranked second of 38 teams at Pine Tree with a qualifying record of 10-2-0 going into the quarterfinals. BERT’s alliance won all of their quarter and semifinal matches. Unfortunately, they got knocked out after three grueling finals matches against the 1st ranked alliance. In addition to the second place finalist award, they received No. 1 for pit safety Day 2 and head mentor John DiRenzo received the Pine Tree volunteer of the year award.

The New England FIRST Robotics District Championships will be held this weekend, April 10-12 at Boston University’s Aganis Arena. For more information, visit www.bert133.org.

Vendors Wanted

The Steep Falls Farmers Market is looking for vendors. If you or someone you know locally grow or create your own product please share this contact information. Visit www.steepfallsfarmersmarket.com for applications or more information, or you can email Julee Applegarth at [email protected] or 675-3410.

Bunny Breakfast

The annual Standish Recreation Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and the Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt will be held tomorrow, April 12, at the Standish Municipal Center. Breakfast will be served from 8-10 a.m. with the egg hunt taking place from 9-11 a.m.

Get Your Tickets

Schoolhouse Arts Center at Sebago Lake will present “Godspell” by John-Michael Tebelak with music by Stephen Schwartz from April 25-May 11. “Godspell” is a Broadway musical based on the gospel of Matthew. Godspell at Schoolhouse Arts Center is directed by Mary Wassick with music direction by Patrick Martin and choreography by Shelbi Wassick.

Performances will be held at Schoolhouse Arts Center on April 25, 26, 27 and May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for students and seniors and $14 for children under 12. Schoolhouse is located at 16 Richville Road (Route 114) in Standish, just north of the intersection of Route 114 and Route 35. For reservations, call 642-3743 or buy tickets at www.schoolhousearts.org.

Last Call

“Fiddler on the Roof” auditions will be held at Schoolhouse Arts Center this Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14, from 6-8:30 p.m. Please bring sheet music and come prepared to sing a Broadway-type song. An accompanist will be provided. For more information, contact Schoolhouse Arts Center at [email protected] or 642-3743.

Seats Open

Nomination papers are available now at the Town Clerk’s office for six open Planning Board seats, three Town Council seats, three Budget Committee seats and one SAD 6 Director at Large seat. The filing deadline is April 28 at 4:30 p.m.

You do not need to have experience, just a passion for wanting to be involved. “Nomination Papers” sound ominous, but you simply fill out your paperwork, get 25 signatures from people you know (registered Standish voters) and turn them in to Town Clerk Mary Chapman. Her office will check to be sure all the signatures are valid, and put you on the ballot for the June elections. For more information, contact Mary at [email protected] or 642-4678.

Grand Opening Celebration

The Standish Recreation Committee in partnership with the Johnson Field Playground Committee invite you to attend the grand opening of the playground on Saturday, May 3, from 4-6 p.m. at the Johnson Field, located on Chadbourne Road (Route 35), Standish.

Refreshments will be served with entertainment provided by Direct Effect Entertainment. Please come and enjoy a fun family event, but more importantly to thank the volunteers and local businesses that made it all possible. Rain date is May 10. For more information, contact 642-2875 or visit www.standishrec.com.

John Direnzo, head mentor of the Bonny Eagle Robotics Team, was recently awarded Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at the Pine Tree District Robotics Competition. Cast members rehearse for the upcoming performances of Godspell starting April 25 at Schoolhouse Arts. The cast includes Matthew Ryder as Jesus, Anthony DeRice, Tiana Burton, and Maggie Topel from Windham; Chris Roberts and Maridel Fredericksen from Portland; Elinor Connell from Standish; Dan Levasseur from Gorham; Deb Sevee from Yarmouth, Paul Menezes from Lewiston; Harmony Brown from Raymond; and Kim Egna from Steep Falls. The 78-year old Steep Falls Bridge, spanning the Saco River on Route 11, will be replaced with a new and wider bridge with a sidewalk. The $2.7 million construction project begins in April and continues through November 2014. Within that timeframe, there will be a full closure of the bridge beginning in May and lasting through November. Traf?c will be detoured along Routes 11, 25 and 113 during that time. The construction work is weather dependent, so dates may change.