Sharp to propose budget

Superintendent Ted Sharp will roll out his proposed new school budget in a School Committee workshop at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 29, in a conference room in the Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

Little named Presidential ?scholar candidate

Sophie M. Little, a Gorham High School senior, has been named one of 3,000 candidates in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Little was selected as a candidate from nearly 3.2 million students. Little is the daughter of Ellen Quinlan and Kirk Little.

A panel of educators will select 500 semi-finalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 32 citizens appointed by the president, will make final selections including one young man and one young woman from Maine. The Education Department will announce the scholars in May.

Scholars are selected for superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership, character and involvement in community and school activities.

The scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C., for several days in June to receive medallions in a recognition ceremony and to participate in events with elected officials and educators.

USM dean’s list students

The following full-time students from Gorham have been named to the dean’s list at University of Southern Maine for the fall semester:

Tiffany Amoroso, Alexandra Bacon, Thomas Bahun, Nicole Bastarache, Erica Benson, Richard Burgess, Dani-le Davis, Cindy Day, Matthew Defiore, Christina Dougherty, Angela Doxsey, Julie Doxsey, Ora Freeman, Michael Frier, Briana Gervais, Megan Gosse, Hilary Greenier, Alexis Hamlin, Norma Harrison, Jennifer Kennedy, Sarah Kennedy, Jennifer Koenig, Tony Kourinos, Dylan Lajoie, Emily Lavery, James Lewis, Courtney Maiorino, Nathaniel Marcet, Katharine McConnell, Sarah McCullough, James McDonald, Ilunga Mutombo, Lindsay Paschal, Cameron Pomerleau, Jessica Portlock, Corey Randall, Nicholas Randall, Nicole Silverman, James Tillman, Austin Walker, James Williford, Christina Zahn and Colin Zarnoch.

Senior center schedule

The Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St., has announced its upcoming schedule.

Monday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m. – Coffee Cafe, conversation, and delicious refreshments $1.50; 9:30 a.m., cribbage open for all levels.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 9:30 a.m., exercise with video in movie room; 10 a.m., knit with Florence a newborn hat; take knitting needles size 11 (8mm), worsted yarn, and a darning needle; for more information, call Florence at 854-9284; Also starting at 10 a.m., cards and board games.

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m., pickleball in the gym; learn and play poker with Ray, open for all levels; 12 p.m., Sadie Hawkins Day in honor of Leap Year, this is for guys and gals, pack your paper bag with a l lunch of a sandwich and a dessert, for a fun Yankee swap.

Thursday, March 1, 10 a.m., bingo, 25 cents a card, first card free; bingo will be open to the public every Thursday at 10 a.m. for the month of March.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Feb. 16 that the U.S. public debt was $15,413,030,984,842.14.