‘… unless you have a piece of paper …’

‘I am going to be in debt for the rest of my life’

‘I’m fortunate my industry is OK’

So-called ‘stranded learners’ rack up mountains of debt but none of the financial promise that a degree might afford them. And in Maine, tens of thousands of them have strayed from their educational paths.

School officials and advocates of changing the nickname say the issue isn’t over and agree that more education should happen.

The Skowhegan-based district’s board put an end to months of debate Thursday night with an 11-9 vote in favor of retaining the name.

Emma Hickey will be honored with a student-of-the-year award by the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine for her short film about how women are portrayed in media.