PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Often youngsters don’t get the recognition for the good things they do — for their school, community or friends. The Aroostook Teen Halo awards, presented on May 4 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, aimed to highlight the positive and found 12 very deserving people or groups to honor.
Allison Heidorn is the developmental asset manager for Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention. She, along with many corporate and civic partners, developed the Halo Award recognition program. Halo stands for helping and leading others.
“It is clear to see that young people are changing their communities for the better,” said Heidorn. “Too often we only hear about the negative choices youth are making. It is time to start honoring those that are rising above the pressures that surround them and making a difference.”
The first Halo award winner of the evening was Joshua Kovach of Caribou. Kovach was recognized for his many contributions to community. He serves as chairperson for the CADET Youth Commission. CADET stands for Community Alcohol and Drug Education Team. The senior was also been involved in Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp and is on the National Honor Society.
Marissa Drake of Houlton was honored as an energetic self-starter. She is a Sunday school teacher, a senior high youth leader, a student-mentor and a National Honors candidate. She also is a regular volunteer for Adopt a Block of Aroostook.
Caribou High School’s Emmanuel Bouchard was another Halo recipient. Bouchard was honored for being an enthusiastic volunteer. He has spent more than 400 hours helping out at the Halfway Home Pet Rescue in Caribou and also volunteers at the Caribou Public Library.
Mikayla Fitzpatrick of Houlton Junior/Senior High School was chosen for her anti-bullying efforts. She began an anti-bullying group to spread awareness of this serious issue and its harmful effects on the victims. Fitzpatrick named the group FFAB (Friends and Family Against Bullying). FFAB meets to brainstorm ideas, make anti bullying posters to display in the halls of their school and hope to raise enough money to bring a guest speaker to their school.
Presque Isle High School’s David Cyr IV was honored for his dedication to the Boy Scouts, volunteering at the local nursing home and animal shelter and overcoming a learning disability to help better educate people about AHD, ADD and Asperger’s syndrome.
Samuel Robinson of Presque Isle Middle School was presented a Halo award as well. He is described as a kind, courageous and thoughtful young man. He often helps his Mom’s elderly clients out to their cars and even picks them apples from his families’ trees for pies and applesauce. He also overcame bullying to help others in the fight against bullying.
Caribou High School Senior Demarre Doody-Corriveau has been a busy volunteer in Caribou. She received the award for a lengthy list of achievements. Demarre has served on many committees for fund-raising events like Cary Medical Center’s Seniority Program (for more than 10 years), the Children’s Discovery Museum Chocolate Festival and the Veteran’s Cemetery flower committee.
Sophie Brickman of Fort Kent also was honored as an individual making a difference in her community.
Four groups also received Halo awards — the Developmental Asset Team at Caribou Middle School, the Central Aroostook High School Trust Team, the Cyber Boys at Caribou Middle School and Youth Voices at Fort Kent High School.
The Developmental Asset Team members are Nic Sleeper, Noah Heidorn, Meg Boone, Noah Cousins, Conner Spencer, Connor Plourde, Kate Finnemore, Maura Freme, Kelsey Kiehn, Taitem Lindsey, Makayla Paddleford, Anna Soderberg, Megan Theriault, Ben Ezzy, Chathu Karunasiri, Caleb Hunter and David Hunter. The Developmental Asset Team, according to school officials, is very well respected by everyone because they “walk the talk” by being role models for the asset-rich message they promote. Their ability to collaborate with each other and adults is exceptional and a model for students and adults alike.
The Central Aroostook Trust Team received Halo awards for representing in every respect, the values and tenants that all youth should aspire to. The team is a youth advocacy group that includes teen from ages 14-18 from Central Aroostook High School. The focus of the group is to implement programs or activities to reduce tobacco use, underage drinking and binge drinking. They promote good nutrition and physical activity. Members of the team are Ross Grass, Whitney Peavy, Spencer Stetson, Kennedy Day, Stephanie Dame, Emily Pickance, Sarah Grass, Bryce McClay and Shannon Scully.
The Cyber Boys — Chathu Karunasiri, Ben Ezzy, David Hunter and Caleb Hunter — are from Caribou Middle School. The group formed in 2011 and decided through a great deal of research and discussion that their overall goal was to look at the health issues that affect their peers and to take action that would have a positive impact. They decided to tackle the nutritional value and appeal of the school lunch menu. Working directly with their peers and the food service director, they have been able to make a positive impact in their school community.
