Index

for the Year 2002!!
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Amidst hanging sparkling stars & hundreds of blue, gold, and silver balloons, Lewiston Middle School was filled on the evening of May 20th with supporters of Lewiston youth (ages 12-18) who were nominated as a 2002 Lewiston Shining Star.


The ten Shining Star finalists taking center stage.


Shining Star Nominees for 2002

Originated in 1998, the program is an effort to annually recognize young people who are positively impacting/contributing to the community. All 28 youth nominated were recognized through a PowerPoint presentation, and 10 youth were announced as the 2002 Lewiston Shining Stars.

“Community spirit and pride were certainly in the air, as we had a glimpse at the leaders of tomorrow. These 28 young people not only make our community shine but clearly are an inspiration and a source of much joy for all who know them,” noted Community Relations Coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier.

Those chosen as the 2002 Stars were:
Back Row L-R: Nate Seguin, LHS Senior; Heather Bilodeau, LHS Freshman; Sarah Styons, LHS Senior; Aimee Arsenault, LHS Junior; Heather Reynolds, 5th grade student at Montello School; Christian Snyder, LHS Freshman.
Front Row L-R: Andrew Girouard, St. Dom’s Junior; Brandon Dubois, 8th grade student at Lewiston Middle School; Ryan Maher, LHS Senior; and Ethyn Brodeur, LHS Junior.

This year’s judges were Lewiston’s Community Relations Coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier; President of the Androscoggin County United Way Charles Johnson; and Executive Director of Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care Estelle Rubinstein.

The 2002 Stars received a “Shining Star” certificate and lapel pin from the City of Lewiston, as well as donated gifts from Fitness World; Sam’s Italian Sandwich; Marco’s Restaurant; GM Pollack & Sons; L.L. Bean; United Kingfield Bank; Councilor Norm Rousseau; and the Lewiston Recreation Department.

The ten 2002 Stars’ names were also entered into an on-site grand prize drawing for a computer system donated by Platz Associates and a one-year Oxford Networks subscription for free Internet service. The name was drawn by Council President Renee Bernier, and the evening’s winner was Ethyn Brodeur. (Interestingly, it was Ethyn’s parents 24th wedding anniversary, and an excited mom said this “made her night.”)

Councilor Bernier adds, “The evening was an uplifting experience for all in attendance. We had the opportunity to unite as a community to salute our greatest resource, our children.”

The other 18 nominees received “In Celebration of Who You Are” certificates and a “Bravo” lapel pin from the City of Lewiston. Those nominees were: Kristin Acker, Nicholas Beauchesne, Rebekah Choate, Diana Cloutier, Stephanie Deschenes, Matt Fillion, Daniel S. Grant, Katie M. Grant, Nicole E. Grant, Amanda Kyajohnian, Christopher Leet, Matt Levasseur, Amanda Lynn Marquis, Seth Morton, Jacob Parakilas, Joseph Poirier, Jennifer Robustelli, and Dominick Ward-Pistone.

The evening was facilitated by Community Relations Coordinator/Program Developer Dottie Perham-Whittier.

Other highlights of the evening included:

The National Anthem sung by Lewiston High School Sophomore Alison Traynor. 

The commendation of the nominees by Mayor Laurier T. Raymond, Jr.

Some very special entertainment provided by 13-year-old national/international recording artist Danielle Nicole Blevins.

A special guest appearance by a first-year 1998 Shining Star Melissa Bleakney who shared from the heart as to how the Shining Star nomination made a positive difference in her life and “where she is now” (now a sophomore at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts).

There was also a congratulatory receiving line consisting of Mayor Raymond, members of the Lewiston City Council, and the Assistant City Administrator.

A pictorial nomination board of all nominees is now on display at Lewiston City Hall.

Thank You For Encouraging The Youth Of Our Community!

The 2002 Shining Star Board depicting all 28 nominees
will be displayed at the 27 Pine St. entrance of the  Lewiston City Building.

The 10 Selected Shining Stars for the year 2002 were:

Ethyn Brodeur - LHS Junior

  • Described as having “a higher character than anybody should at his age.”

  • Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ethyn mentors an “at-risk” elementary age student and has never missed a meeting with his “little.”

  • Ethyn’s presence in the “little’s” life has motivated him to attend school on a more regular basis.

  • Due to his knowledge of sports and love for children, he has volunteered in a local chiropractic office working with young athletes in a clinic-like atmosphere. He’s also participated in a Make a Wish Foundation fundraiser.

Heather Reynolds - 5th Grader-Montello School

  • Always has something nice to say to her classmates.

  • Assists other students in her class who are having difficulties. In addition, “she is responsible for her younger sister who is in the first grade at Montello; she looks out for her; and makes sure she gets on the bus . . .”

  • Heather is self-motivated. She comes to school with a plan each day & follows through with it.

  • Highest contributor in her class fundraiser for a donation to the Bruce Roberts Fund for underprivileged children.

Andrew Girouard - St. Dom’s Junior

  • Accomplished musician, having performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the White Nights Festival and the Director of the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra. Earlier this month, he also served as the accompanist for the St. Dom’s Drama Club production of Godspell.

  • Extremely family oriented & helps both grandmothers with any chores they need done.

  • Demonstrates great care & patience towards his special needs older sister to include attendance at her Special Olympics events.

  • Volunteers to assist with St. Peter’s Church suppers & has worked at our community’s Festival de Joie & the LA Balloon Festival.

Heather Bilodeau - LHS Freshman

  • Described as “honest, dependable, and has a tremendous amount of respect for her parents, teachers, and people of authority.”

  • Has served as a People to People Student Ambassador during a 7-country, 23-day European journey.

  • Received an L & A Veterans Council Award for an essay she wrote on “Freedom.”

  • Extremely active in her church, to include youth group activities; performing special music during services; and participating in worship services held at the Auburn Home for the Aged.

Nate Seguin - LHS Senior

  • Described as a “fine young man” by a co-worker at Dexter Shoe.

  • Faced a health concern & regarded it as a positive and not a negative by remaining determined to excel at what he is able to do.

  • Speaks of his family with love & pride and greatly enjoys being a big brother to his three-year-old sister.

  • Described as having “reached a maturity level that some of us never reach,” with a great attitude focused on his “glass” never being half empty but always half full!

Aimee Arsenault - LHS Junior

  • Demonstrates beyond the call of duty maturity and responsibility in assisting her mom with the household & caring for her younger brother, all while maintaining outstanding grades in school.

  • Aimee has a very strong work ethic. She has worked for Sam’s Italian for 18 months & refuses to miss work even if she’s not feeling well.

  • Has made education her priority & is determined not to miss a day of school.

  • Described as a young lady with “high aspirations,” when Aimee experiences a challenge, her response is to “work harder at getting ahead.”

Brandon Dubois - 8th Grader - LMS

  • Brandon’s infectious smile is with him at the beginning of the school day & is still there when he leaves. Throughout the day, he also demonstrates a great attitude.

  • He plays the trumpet in the middle school band & was chosen to participate in the Carl Dinow Workshop held at school this year.

  • Brandon assists his family by working at the “family store.”

  • Described as “thoughtful, considerate, and hardworking, and he finds the good in everyone.”

Christian Snyder - LHS Freshman

  • With a snowplow approaching & a grandmother with laryngitis yelling to her grandson, Christian observed a five-year-old playing in the street. Christian ran down the street, threw the child onto a snow embankment, and covered him with his body to keep him safe!

  • Christian’s response, “I didn’t even think about it; I just wanted to save Jacob from being hurt.”

  • For his act of courage, the child’s grandmother touts Christian as a “real hero.”

Ryan Maher - LHS Senior

  • Ryan “WON” a courageous battle with cancer after being diagnosed at age 14. “He never lost courage or hope even when the outlook was very bleak. He entered LHS shortly after his treatments ended . . . and he has made the most of his high school experience.”

  • He has been a counselor at the Bates College All Sports Camp; works part-time for Bates’ Dining Services; & is an exemplary Editor in Chief of his high school yearbook.

  • He has lent his name & story to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Walk to encourage others to have hope. This spring, he will be volunteering as a team captain for Relay for Life fundraisers and walkers.

  • Ryan is also a member of the Maine Children’s Cancer Program Teen Support Group and is an alumnus of the Island of Hope Outward Bound Program.

Sarah Styons - LHS Senior

  • As part of Sarah’s completion of a Girl Scouts Gold Award, she formed & has led the “Kids Rock” Club at The Renaissance House, a group home for 7-11 year olds who have been sexually or physically abused or neglected. Kids Rock enables young people to make crafts, play games, sing songs, and plan for a monthly community service project.

  • Sarah encourages the children to “address the issues of self-achievement and confidence . . .”

  • She befriended a 94-year-old deaf gentleman through a Key Club Project and has decided on her own to keep the relationship going.

  • She also works with Big Brothers Big Sisters; helps with local Girl Scout troops; and is a regular volunteer at church.

Others nominated were:

  • Kristin Acker, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Nicholas Beauchesne, Lewiston High School, Sophomore

  • Rebekah Choate, Lewiston Middle School, 8th Grade

  • Diana Cloutier, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Stephanie Deschenes, Lewiston High School, Junior

  • Matt Fillion, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Daniel S. Grant, Lewiston High School, Sophomore

  • Katie M. Grant, Lewiston Middle School, 8th Grade

  • Nicole E. Grant, Lewiston Middle School, 8th Grade

  • Amanda Kyajohnian, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Christopher Leet, Lewiston High School, Junior

  • Matt Levasseur, Lewiston Middle School, 7th Grade

  • Amanda Lynn Marquis, Lewiston High School, Junior

  • Seth Morton, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Jacob Parakilas, Lewiston High School, Senior

  • Joseph Poirier, Lewiston High School, Junior

  • Jennifer Robustelli, Lewiston High School, Junior

  • Dominick Ward-Pistone, Lewiston High School, Senior