Head of the class

Hundreds of seniors in the area are enjoying their final week of high school while anxiously waiting graduation day. This pivotal day marks the end of a long chapter in their lives and is also a celebration of all they have accomplished and what lies ahead.

Alyson Schadler, daughter of John and Lisa Schadler, has a lot to celebrate. She has earned the title of valedictorian of the Class of 2009 at Poland Regional High School, a designation given to the student with the highest grades in the class. I have had the great pleasure of knowing Alyson for years, and this is a well-deserved achievement.

Alyson has accomplished much more than the highest GPA in her class. She has spent her life learning and experiencing as much as possible and giving back to the community in many ways. She has served on the school’s class council, most recently as secretary, and has also been a member of the teen-helping-teen mentor group, Natural Helpers. She has played several sports including basketball, cheerleading, soccer, and track and field and has found a real love for dancing. She has also performed in drama productions and plays many instruments.

One of her most admirable accomplishments has been her dedication to Camp Sunshine, Casco’s retreat center for terminally ill children and their families. She has volunteered hundreds of hours at the camp over the past several years, trying to make a difference in the lives of children. She has worked at the front desk, organized the Turkey Trot, participated in several Pumpkin Festivals, and taught dance lessons to the children and their families.

In the fall, Alyson plans to attend Saint Joseph’s College to work toward earning a BA in early elementary education with plans to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Her goal is to work with disabled children and children with terminal and life-threatening disease. With her endless spirit and energy, I have no doubt she will accomplish all she dreams of doing. Congratulations, Aly!

Excelling in equine

And speaking of achievements, Raymond’s Taylor Duncanson, a senior at Windham High School, has recently been named an American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship recipient. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, references and participation in equine-related activities. She also is the recipient of the 2009 Sam Walton Community Scholarship, which is funded by the Wal-Mart Foundation and given to the top deserving students out of thousands of applicants; and the Genevieve C. Geeve Scholarship, which is awarded to top students entering college to study equine-related fields.

Taylor has been involved for four years in the Maine Quarter Horse Youth Association. She is currently its president. She has also been involved with local 4H groups, is an equine competitor, a member of the Windham High School varsity field hockey team, and a member and vice president of her high school Varsity Club. She also volunteers in local community service events. She is the daughter of Rick and Lisa Duncanson and will be attending Centenary College this fall, where she will be majoring in equine studies.

Plant sale

It’s that time of year again, and here’s your opportunity to embellish your gardens for a very low price. The Raymond Village Library’s annual plant sale will be held Saturday, June 13, from 7 a.m. until noon. There will be perennials, ground covers, herbs, flowering shrubs, bedding plants, annuals and houseplants. In addition, this year there will be vegetable and herb seedlings to help you grow your own organic food. This is always a popular event, so be sure to come early for the best selection.

This event would not be possible without the many generous donations from local gardeners. It is true that the heartiest plants come from already established gardens, and the library appreciates those clippings. For those who wish to donate plants to the sale, please bring them to the library on Friday, June 12, between 4 and 7 p.m. so they can be priced and arranged. For more information, call Susan at 655-1010.

Authentic Classes

The House by the Side of the Road, located at 266 Webbs Mills Road, is offering two unique classes. Learn to prepare authentic vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine on Tuesdays, with the first class being held June 16 from 10 a.m. until noon. This class costs $25 and is limited to six students per class.

Also, learn how to create handmade mosaics for your home or for a unique gift. Ongoing classes will be held Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. and will begin Tuesday, June 23. The fee is $80 per four-session workshop and is limited to 8 students per workshop.

For more information or to register for either of these classes, call Jerry Mayfield at 201-312-7224 or email archana_mayfield@yahoo.com or jerrybrother108@yahoo.com.

Town Meeting and elections

Mark your calendars for this year’s annual Town Meeting, which will be held Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. at the Jordan Small Middle School. Copies of the warrant articles can be found on the town’s Web site at raymondmaine.org. Municipal elections will be held Tuesday, June 9, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The School Budget Validation Referendum will also be held on June 9. There will be only one question on the validation ballot. A “Yes” vote will indicate approval of the school budget and a “No” vote will send the entire budget back to the School Board for revision and this process will be repeated until a budget is validated at a referendum election. Please take the time to vote.

Alyson Schadler of Raymond was recently named the 2009 Poland Regional High School Valedictorian.