Before graduation at Freeport High School on June 13, senior class president Colby Lewis reflects on his time and the importance of mental health for his community.

Lewis has dedicated his senior class project to volunteering and fundraising for The Kita Center in Acton, a mental health nonprofit. He is surveying members of his community to get a better understanding of mental health in Freeport Middle School and Freeport High School, Lewis said.

“Mental health has always been something that is super important to me,” Lewis said. “Growing up, my parents were both licensed clinical social workers, so [mental health] has always been something that has been talked about.”

The Kita Center focuses on mental health and suicide prevention, which includes honoring the lived experiences of people impacted by suicide and giving support through the nonprofit’s workshops, programs, retreats, Respite Cabin and Camp Kita.

Lewis’ initial senior project involved shadowing a Blue Origin team in Seattle, Washington, for the New Shepard project. However, the team handling the project postponed it a few days before Lewis could submit his senior project proposal. He got the idea about doing his senior project for The Kita Center during a car ride home after skiing at Sugarloaf.

Mental health is an ever-growing area in need of focus, and everyone in the community has had quite a hard loss from suicide, which impacts a lot of students and people, Lewis said.

On May 30, Lewis is planning a community walk at Pineland Farms with a $25 registration fee, and proceeds go to The Kita Center.

During the first week of June, Lewis will give his first presentation of his senior project at the performing arts center at Freeport High School. After graduation, he also will volunteer for Camp Kita, a summer camp for kids who have lost someone close to suicide.

Next fall, Lewis will go to Cornell University’s College of Engineering in Ithaca, New York, and will likely pursue a mechanical engineering degree.

Lewis has been busy in his final days of high school handling the duties of class president after three years as class treasurer. From mid-January to April, Lewis helped raise $10,000 for the senior auction for the high school’s Project Graduation.

“I think at a high school, especially the size of ours, you do know everyone even if you don’t talk to them every day,” Lewis said. “To be on a [college] campus with 15,000 students is going to be pretty different community-wise.”

HOW TO GET HELP

IF YOU or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 911.

FOR ASSISTANCE during a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

FOR MORE SUPPORT, call the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email [email protected].

OTHER Maine resources for mental health, substance use disorder and other issues can be found by calling 211.

FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DETAILS

WHEN: June 13 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

GOOD TO KNOW: All seniors are required to ride the bus to the Merrill and must be at Freeport High School by 8 a.m. Every graduate gets eight tickets; if more are needed, seniors may request extras.

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