Hugo-Vidal named
U.S. Senate Youth
Program delegate

Virginia Jewel Hugo-Vidal of Gorham High School has been selected as one of two Maine delegates to the 56th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Hugo-Vidal and Caroline Baldacci of Bangor will join 104 other students spending a week in Washington, D.C., studying the American legislative system.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced the selection of Maine delegates. “Caroline and Virginia are exceptional students who will represent Maine well as delegates to the U.S. Senate Youth Program,” Collins said in the announcement.

Hugo-Vidal was appointed to the Superintendent’s Policy Focus Group, the Senate announcement said.  She is also an officer of the Thespian Society, Ambassadors Club, and Debate Club and participates in Model United Nations, serving as the head delegate for Gorham High. 

She is active in her community, volunteering in the Youth in Government Program, the Maine Youth Court, the Salmon Falls Library, and as an AP U.S. history tutor. Hugo-Vidal hopes to pursue a degree in political science and international relations and aspires to work for the U.S. State Department after graduation.

During the week in Washington, March 3-10, Hugo-Vidal will meet with officials including senators, representatives, a Supreme Court justice, and President Donald Trump. She will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship.

The program is fully funded by the Hearst Foundations, the announcement said, with the “goal of raising awareness among young Americans about the federal government and the importance of the democratic process.”

Sebago Brewing
barleywine honored

Paste magazine recently ranked the 2017 barleywine brewed by Sebago Brewing Company as third of 62 barleywines in the country, according to the brewery. 

“In barrel-aged beer, it’s not about being the biggest, or the boldest, or the most adventurous—it’s about being the most complete, and that’s what this bourbon barrel-aged barleywine from Maine’s Sebago Brewing Co. is all about,” according to Jim Vorel, Paste writer and craft beer aficionado.

Tasters included professional beer writers, brewery owners, brewmasters and beer reps.
 
“Our Barleywine is quite a different offering in our portfolio of beers and can slip under the radar, so it’s great to get this kind of recognition,” said Kai Adams, Sebago vice president and co-founder. “It’s a really fun beer to make – and to sip slowly on a cold winter day.”

Free throw reminder

The Knights of Columbus is sponsoring its annual basketball free throw competition at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in Shaw Gym, 75 South St., Gorham.

Boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are eligible; proof of age is required at sign up.  The winner in each age group receives a prize and winners advance to a district contest.

Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call Ben at 436-0223 or Mike, 839-3963.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Jan. 19 that the U.S. public debt was $20,493,342,622,878.63.