WATERBORO

Ocean conservation group honors science teacher

Massabesic High School science teacher Kerra Gearinger received a Sponsor Recognition Award from the Ocean Awareness Student Contest.

More than 20 of Gearinger’s students entered the contest, which challenges students to combine art, science and environmental advocacy on behalf of the oceans.

The contest prompted students to consider “Our Oceans, Our Plastic” to direct attention to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the seas.

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, the international nonprofit that hosts the contest, considered submissions ranging from essays and stories exploring the causes of plastic pollution to sculptures and dresses crafted out of discarded plastics.

Gearinger received $750 as part of the honor.

Contest winners can be viewed online at fromthebowseat.org.

PORTLAND

Children’s cancer program board member recognized

Maine Children’s Cancer Program board member Rick Drouin has been awarded a 6 Who Care Award from WCSH6.

Each year the awards celebrate outstanding commitment to community through volunteer work and are presented in partnership with the United Way and TD Bank.

Drouin, of Sanford, has been an active volunteer for the children’s cancer program for 23 years.

He has led the Sanford Elks Lodge No. 1470 and its nearly 75 volunteers to raise nearly $2 million and invaluable awareness for the program.

“Rick and his team of extraordinary people in Sanford are indeed angels in the eyes of every child’s family for the hope they bring to the mission of the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, and to our collective wish that kids just get to be kids,” said Maine Medical Center vice president of philanthropy Sue Doliner.

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