Southport Central School recently welcomed U.S. Army veteran and international speaker Travis Mills of the Travis Mills Foundation, a retreat for post-9/11 veterans and their families based in Mt. Vernon, Maine. Each year, students in grades 4-6 are tasked with researching and writing an essay on a charity of their choice and then presenting their findings to the rest of the school. The students then vote on which organization to support. The winner was sixth grader Duncan Scott, who was also behind last year’s donation to the Veterans Emergency Temporary Shelter (V.E.T.S.)

Southport students had the opportunity to visit the BRES library to meet an amazing author, Kentrell Martin. Kentrell has a series of picture books and chapter books that help students to learn American Sign Language through an engaging story. Kentrell taught us over 70 signs and gave us plenty of practice! He even tested our knowledge at the end and led students through having small conversations only in ASL. Thank you to BRES, Casey Martin and especially Kentrell Martin for this amazing learning experience.

Principal Lisa Clarke has been named Educator of the Year in the Boothbay Region 2024. The award, presented by the Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce, recognizes excellence in teaching practices that reflect the highest standards within and outside the classroom, the ability to inspire, promote and sustain the intellectual development of students and to guide them to become problem solvers and collaborative workers. Lisa’s passion for education and leadership inspire all of those around her.

When Garry Blackman found out that the sound system used by students at Southport Central School was failing, he offered to replace it. He mentioned the idea to his Knights of Pythias lodge members, and the idea to support the school got a green light. The idea of being helpful to others in the community is a well-intended and longstanding tradition for the lodge. The new sound equipment, which included huge speakers, new controller devices and a sophisticated mixing board, will be used for school activities and a talent show which is currently being planned.

About 100 people gathered at Southport Central School for the ribbon cutting, dedication ceremony, and grand opening of the new natural woodland playground in honor of Ramona Thompson Gaudette, the school’s cook for 57 years. “Ramona helped feed the island’s children with kindness, laughter, and love, and an occasional ice pack when needed. It’s our great privilege to dedicate the Ramona Gaudette Mud Kitchen in her honor."