This online version is an abridged compilation of the printed version of Fort Fairfield Journal, available in stores, now.  Pick up a copy, or subscribe for all the local & national news, FFMHS sports, obituaries, FFPD police log and more.

 

Fort Fairfield Journal Home Page

Selected Editorials from the Editor

Suns & Shields Christian Inspirational Writings by Rachelle Hamlin

Selected editorials from Dr. Katherine Albrecht, Ed. D.

_______________________________

The Roberts Trap is Sprung

By:  Bill Dunne
www.americanthinker.com
One of the most overlooked aspects of the year just ended is the vindication of Chief Justice John Roberts -- a vindication that showed up as the national catastrophe known as ObamaCare got rolling.  Roberts may have also doomed Hillary Clinton's chance to live in the White House again... click here to read whole editorial

 

FFHS Graduation Held Last Sunday

 

A graduation highlights video can be viewed online at:  www.wffjtv.com

 

By:  David Deschesne

Fort Fairfield Journal, June 10, 2015

 

   Twenty-nine seniors graduated from Fort Fairfield High School on Sunday afternoon, June 7.  Class President, Marisa Clark delivered the opening address.  She described the class of 2015 as one that she feels has developed familial ties over the years in school.  “Though some have moved away and we have gained some new kids, in the end we are still the class of 2015, a class who has become so incredibly close, to me they are like family,” said Clark.  “Our parents have always wondered what their child will do with their lives.  The most important thing to remember, however, is that our future remains in our own hands, it is not going to be handed to us, instead it is what we want to make it.”

   Clark introduced her best friend since kindergarten, Kendra Ireland as class Salutatorian.

    Kendra expounded on the simple philosophy of interconnectedness as the key to success and acknowledged the Clark family as part of the reason for her own, personal success.  “I've learned two important lessons:  it's entirely up to you to steer your life in the direction you wish to go and usually it's best not to burn bridges; people matter, connections matter.  Strong ties with others will lead you to a life of happiness and purpose,” she said.  “My parents raised me to be a person who strives for excellence and is determined to become a better person, student and worker than yesterday.  Without the Clark family, I would not be where I am today.  Those who know them understand their selfless and giving nature.  With them I have gained a second family, memories and valuable lessons that I will hold for the rest of my life.  Marisa has become more of a sister to me than a best friend.  We've been through milestones, heartbreaks, successes, failures and everything in between together.”

   She also reflected on how family ties are not always necessarily demarcated by blood lines.  “Family isn't always blood; it's the people who accept you for who you are and stand by you in difficult times.”

   Robbie Watson then gave a speech as the class valedictorian.  Robbie has been very active in school both in academics as well as athletics.  “Beyond academics, we've learned how to communicate and cooperate with each other effectively.  We learned to be team players by helping each other in school and in sports.  We have a very athletic class and our senior year has been a great year for sports.  Winning the Eastern Maine boys basketball championship really brought our class and the school together,” said Watson.  “However, we are not only an athletic class but an intelligent class.  If you look at where our education is taking us you will see that we have people who are going to study business, sciences, engineering, medical subjects, English, electrical construction and more.  We also have a few graduates entering the military.”

   Watson advised his classmates to pursue their own dreams, not the dreams of others.  “Don't choose a major or career path because others say you should, but really choose what you would love doing for your entire career.  Be passionate about what you choose to do with your life.”

   Colonel Bob Dorsey (USAF-Retired) delivered the Commencement address.  He stressed the need to be able to think independently and communicate as the keys to success in life.  “The last twelve years have given you the basics and hopefully you've learned three things in these years that I think are very important.  The first is learning how to learn; more importantly, how you learn because we all learn differently.  Some can learn by reading it, some by doing it, some have to be shown and some have to actually fail in order to learn.”

    “The second key thing is learning how to think.  This is the information age.  Employers know that you can Google a subject and get pretty smart on it in a few minutes.  It's not what you know, it's what you do with that information that counts.  They're looking for folks that can solve problems, create a better, faster, more efficient way to get something done or come up with a totally new idea that hasn't been done before.  They want folks that can think under pressure.”

   “The third key thing to learn is how to communicate with co-workers, friends, family and even your adversaries.  I'll give you a hint: it's not with your thumbs.”

   Scholarships totaling $135,000 were awarded to various graduates; $61,000 from the local community and $74,000 from County and State sources.

   The top ten students of the class were also recognized (listed here in alphabetical order by last name): Caleb Daigle, Kimberly Gill, Melissa Hotham, Kendra Ireland, Megan Jellison, Megan Kennedy, Sarah Owens, Robert Watson, Steven Wentworth and Paige Worcester.

   To view a graduation highlights video click here.

 

 

FFHS Class of 2015 Scholarship Recipients

Gemimar Babin:  Ryan R. Clark, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver

Hunter Beaulieu:  V.F.W. Paul Lockhart Auxiliary, Scott Giberson Memorial

Kasidie Chapman:  Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, FF K of C, FF Alumni Assoc.

Marisa Clark:  William G. Mortensen Sports, FF Teacher's Assoc., FF Alumni Assoc.

Caleb Daigle:  Class of 1954, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, Frontier Fish & Game Club, FF Lion's Club, V.F.W. Paul Lockhart Auxiliary, FFMHS Student Council, FF Alumni Assoc., FF Athletic Booster Club

Melanie Guimond: Beta Sigma Phi-Preceptor Gamma, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, FF Alumni Assoc.

Melissa Hotham: Beta Sigma Phi-Preceptor Gamma, Philip & Margaret Orser Memorial, FF Educational Fund, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, FF Alumni Assoc., Robert Doughty Memorial

Kendara Ireland:  FF Snowmobile Club, Gilbert & Dorothea Thibeau Memorial, Richard & Phyllis Lord, County Federal Credit Union, FF Rotary Club, Taylor (Teddy) Tompkins Memorial, FF Alumni Assoc.

Megan Jellison:  Robert Doughty Memorial

Megan Kennedy:  Main Street, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, FF K of C, FF Alumni Assoc.

Toni Libby:  Lewis H. Kriger Memorial, FF Volunteer Fire Department

Sarah Owens:  Ricker College Endowment, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, U. Maine, FF Rotary Club, FF Lions Club, FF Alumni Assoc.

Kalena Pearce:  MELMAC Education Foundation, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, FF Lions Club

Griffin Robles:  U. Maine

Johnny Theriault: Ryan R. Clark Memorial, Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, FF Lions Club

Robert Watson:  Keith Clark Memorial, U. Maine, Senator George J. Mitchell, FF Alumni Assoc., FF Athletic Booster Club, Maine Sport Legend

Steven Wentworth:  Phyllis Fisher Gulliver, U. Maine, FFMHS Staff Jeans, FFMHS Student Council

Paige Worcester: FF Rifle & Pistol Club, George A. James Memorial, Frontier Fish & Game Club, Pat Q. Dorsey Memorial, Arthur & Alberta Cyr Memorial, Abby Ladner Memorial, FF Alumni Assoc.

Brandon York: Early College for ME

 

Find more about Weather in Fort Fairfield, ME
Click for weather forecast

 

______________________________

 

Town and Country Advertising, from Scottsdale, Arizona is selling special events and holiday advertising packages in Fort Fairfield Journal.  To be included in these special feature ads, call 1-800-342-5299 or

e-mail: tgcorp@cox.net 

__________________________