Voting underway in UScellular’s annual Black History Month Art Contest

Public voting is now open in UScellular’s fourth annual Black History Month Art Contest held in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. For the first time, voting is available online, and the southern Maine community can visit UScellular’s Art Contest to vote for their favorite piece of original art.

In January, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine members created artwork in recognition of influential Black people from around the globe, including historical figures, world leaders, athletes and celebrities. The 10 finalists were chosen by representatives from the Boys & Girls Club based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. Voting will remain open through Feb. 28, and anyone 18 or older can vote once for their favorite.

The public can vote for their favorite artwork at UScellular and click on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine link. The top three winners will be announced in March; prizes include gift cards ranging from $100 for third place to $250 for first place.

“We are excited to be celebrating Black History Month with our members and are so appreciative to once again have UScellular celebrating with us,” said Brian Elowe, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. “The annual art contest encourages our young members to express themselves in meaningful and intentional ways as they reflect on elements of Black history that are significant in their lives.”

Maine DOE launches 2021 Read to ME Challenge

The Maine Department of Education announced the kickoff of the sixth annual Read to ME Challenge, which runs for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2.

The challenge promotes children’s literacy by reading aloud to one or more children for at least 15 minutes a day. Part of the challenge is capturing the moment via a photo or video and then posting it on social media (with the hashtag #ReadtoME and tag the Maine DOE at @mdoenews on Twitter and @MaineDepartmentofEducation1 on Facebook).

Some of the first set of videos are from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine. The kick-off started with a reading done by Portland’s Gerald E. Talbot Community School fifth grade student Hamdi Abdullahi reading, “Creepy Carrots” by Aaron Reynolds.

Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story.

Applications open for student position on state board of education

The Maine State Board of Education is seeking applications for its newest student member.

Applications are being accepted until March 1 from sophomores in Maine’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and York counties, and part of Kennebec County. Application materials are available on the State Board of Education web page. The board has also emailed and mailed application materials to all 1st Congressional District high school principals and school counselors. Completed applications should be mailed to: Mary Becker, Maine State Board of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

Semifinalists will be interviewed in March, after which three finalists will be chosen. The selected student will be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Maine Senate.