The eighth annual Pillars of Pride event is just around the corner, and the Biddeford Education Foundation is honoring two very special people.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the foundation will honor former educator Joyce Tarpy and photographer Maureen Grandmaison, both of whom have made a positive impact on the community.

The event is an opportunity for the foundation and the school department to recognize people like Tarpy and Grandmaison who have been strong contributors to the Biddeford school system, said Shelley Kane, president of the foundation.

“It’s about honoring people who make the time and effort to make our schools a better place,” Kane said.

As an educator, Tarpy spent much of her 35-year career working in special education in Biddeford schools. She is also known to mentor class advisors, help with graduation, and support each and every student.

“Our students just adore her,” Kane said. “Any time you have someone who has worked with you for that long, they make an impact.”

Local photographer Grandmaison may not be an educator, but she is still a big part of the Biddeford school community, Kane said.

Grandmaison photographs almost every Biddeford home sports game and theater performance, donating much of her time to the students in athletic and arts programs.

But Grandmaison’s generosity extends beyond capturing photos.

If a student and their family can not afford to purchase a photo, Grandmaison is known to give the photo for free. She also donates any photo the school system wants at no cost.

“She’s just very generous and very caring,” Kane said. “She’s very giving, and she’s someone who has made a huge impact on our kids.”

Both Grandmaison and Tarpy represent the “very best” of what it means to serve the Biddeford community, Superintendent Jeremy Ray said.

“Joyce has guided countless students with care and compassion throughout her career, and Maureen has given her time and talents to preserve memories that strengthen our school pride,” Ray said.

Beyond honoring two special women, the Pillars of Pride event also raises money that the Biddeford Education Foundation can use to help students in need and fund teacher projects.

Each year, the foundation purchases jackets, snow pants, boots, hats and mittens for each school so that any student in need has access to warm clothing.

The foundation also provides rent relief for families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. If a student’s family is homeless, the foundation will pay the first month’s rent so the family can get back on their feet.

“We have so many students who are either housing or food insecure in Biddeford,” Kane said. “Being able to help our students and their families is an amazing opportunity.”

According to Ray, approximately 64% of Biddeford students are considered economically disadvantaged.

“If kids don’t have food, appropriate clothing, and they don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night, they’re not going to come to school,” Kane said. “Being able to provide those things helps kids want to come to school.”

The foundation also helps to fund teacher mini-grants that enrich classroom learning.

Last year, Biddeford Middle School students experienced the “Whale of a Day” project, where they had the opportunity to explore a giant inflatable baleen whale, giving them a memorable, hands-on lesson about marine ecosystems.

A mini-grant also recently helped Biddeford High School implement a unified bocce program to promote social inclusion among students with and without disabilities.

Taking place at the Lincoln Hotel in downtown Biddeford, the Pillars of Pride event will help Biddeford schools to fund more projects like these, all while honoring two important individuals.

“Maureen and Joyce’s contributions go far beyond the classroom or camera lens,” Ray said. “Our staff and students are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals supporting them.”