Hawks Nest

by Nannette M. Mills
    Hodgdon High School is excited to announce it is one of 12 schools that achieved Adequate Yearly Progress status. This status is based on a combination of previous AYP status and meeting academic, test participation and attendance and graduation targets.  Students, staff, and community members are working extremely hard to increase academic rigor at Hodgdon High School and our cooperative efforts have definitely paid off. 
    We have many new teachers at Hodgdon High School this year, and are proud to introduce two Hodgdon High School alumni in the mix. Desiree Ellis is a 2006 graduate of Hodgdon High School.  She attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2010.  Desiree was a long-term substitute and completed her student teaching at Hodgdon High School before being hired as the Jobs For Maine Graduates Teacher. Miss Ellis coordinates and participates in many community events and service projects for our district. 
    Seth Dorr graduated from Hodgdon High School in 2007 and received a degree in Physical Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  Seth played baseball and soccer at U.M.P.I. and graduated in the spring of 2011. Mr. Dorr is well-known for his school spirit and energetic personality. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Dorr as the Physical Education Teacher at HHS.
    Imagine living in Arizona for twenty years and suddenly thinking you want to enjoy the snow instead of the sand. That is exactly what Susan Lannon, our new science teacher, decided to do! Mrs. Lannon is married and has six children and two grandchildren. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a major in microbiology and chemistry. She loves to cross country ski and ice skate, so we hope she enjoys her first winter in Maine!
    Linda Garcia is a new member of the English Dept., but not entirely new to Maine.  Although born in Brownsville, Texas, the southernmost town in the United States on the Mexican border, Linda spent her early years in Maine and Connecticut.  Returning to South Texas and her dad’s native roots, Linda received an Associate of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and two Master of Arts degrees in several universities in Texas.  Linda has taught English thirty-four years at the high school and collegiate level.   She exclaimed, “ … this year, Northern Maine has become my true home and my Doberman’s also…”
    Shawna Lyons is also a new member of the English Dept. at HHS.  She graduated from Southern Aroostook in 1999 and attended the University of Vermont, studying English and Creative Writing.  Shawna transferred to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and studied abroad in London, England for six months studying Literature and Linguistics.  She has a B.A. in English and a B.S. degree in Secondary Education. She is currently teaching grade nine and is the new Literacy Specialist.
    Who is to take on the Herculean task of guiding all the new and not so new faces in our high school this year? Mrs. Mary Harbison. Mrs. Harbison has been employed in MSAD # 70 since 1999 as Assistant Principal at Mill Pond School as well as the 504 Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, and Athletic Administrator. Mrs. Harbison received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Fitchburg State College and completed her Master’s Degree program from Bridgewater State College. She even spent some time as an administrator in a residential program for children and adults with disabilities and as a licensed social worker.
    We are so excited for all the positive changes taking place at Hodgdon High School this year.  For more information go to our webpage at www.msad70.org.