News

“L’homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux.’  Translated  “The man who knows two languages is worth two” This is the pledge of the French Honor Society.  It was recited on May 22^nd by three Junior French IV Honor students: Laura Duran, Katherine Fecteau and Macauley Kenney  who were inducted into the McAuley Chapter # 526.  The ceremonies opening remarks were given by Sister Francis Clare, Foreign Language Department Chair and the greeting was given by Tatjana Schneider a French IV Honor student. McAuley Senior Michelle Paquette followed with an explanation of the membership requirements. Junior Laura Duran discussed the purpose of the honorary club entitled “Objet de la Société.”  The objectof this organization is to stimulate interest in the study of French, to promote higher standards of scholarship, to reward high scholastic attainment, to create enthusiasm for an understanding of French culture and civilization, to promote and perpetuate Franco-American friendship, and to reward efforts towards furthering Franco-American solidarity.The ceremony included receiving of red ribbons the symbol of the society and the lighting of the customary candles, “La Course du Flambeau,”  also known as the transmission of the torch which used to take place in Ancient Greece.  For this solemn occasion, the elect line up an equal distance from the other. The first one in line transmits it to a second, who transmits it to a third.  Thus from hand to hand each member keeps the flame alive passing with this torch their enthusiasm for the French language with the motto: “L’homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux.”  McAuley High School principal, Sister Edward Mary, presented the membership certificates and pins of the Society to the inductees.  Sister Edward Mary also presented a certificate of Honor to Tatjana Schneider, a junior, and a special award presentation from the Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) to senior, Michelle Paquette. The French National Honor Society is under the supervision of Sister Francis Clare, French teacher and Moderator of the French Club. After the official program, refreshments were served as faculty, parents and friends congratulated the new members.

Portland— Graduation exercises for Catherine McAuley High School will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 25th at Merrill Auditorium. Most Reverend Richard J. Malone Th.D, Bishop of Portland will confer diplomas, assisted by Dr. MaryAnn Pour Previti, President and Sister Edward Mary Kelleher, R.S.M., the school principal.

Mistress of ceremonies will be class president, Nellie Honan. Amelia Smith, Salutatorian, will make introductory remarks. Katharine M. McCarthy, Esq.a 1996 CMHS Graduate and Associate of Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios, LLD will be the guest speaker. The graduates will perform several musical selections, including “America the Beautiful” by Bates and Ward, “One Moment in Time” by Hammond and Bettis, and the school Alma Mater by Joseph Milliken. Rebecca Weidler, Valedictorian, will make concluding remarks.

Receiving honor awards for academic excellence at the ceremony will be:

• Rebecca B. Weidler, Valedictorian
• Amelia M. Smith, Salutatorian
• Rebecca L. Campbell
• Erin L. McKenna
• Nellie F. Honan
• Nicole M. Rainville
• Hannah R. Johnson
• Monike S. Santana
• Emily LaFond
• Michelle S. Twomey

Rebecca Boyd Weidler is the daughter of Richard and Janet Weidler of Portland.

Accomplishments and Activities: Valedictorian, National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar, Belk Scholarship at Davidson College, National Honor Society, Kodak Young Leaders Award, Maine Principal’s Award, Phi Betta Kappa Association Award, College of the Holy Cross Book Award, Princeton University Book Award, One Act Competition All Festival Cast, “We the People” State Champions, Tri- President of Drama Club, Cast Captain, Co- Captain Mock Trial, Co- President Civil Rights Team, Student Ambassador, Varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse.

Future Plans: Davidson College

Amelia M. Smith is the daughter of Mark and Jane Smith of Kennebunk.

Accomplishments and Activities: Salutatorian, Harvard Book Award, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award for University of Rochester, DAR Good Citizen Award, National Honor Society, Drama Club Tri- President and Co-Crew Chief , Book Club, Newspaper, and Martial Arts.

Future Plans: Maine Maritime Academy Studying: Marine Biology

Emily Lafond is the daughter of Peter and Michelle Lafond of Falmouth.

Accomplishments and Activities: National Merit Commended Scholar, Dartmouth Book Award, Kodak Young Leaders’ Award and Scholarship, National Honor Society, Breadloaf Young Writers’ Conference, Debate Achievement Award, Varsity Lacrosse, Blunt Youth Radio, Debate, Model United Nations, and “We the People” State Champions.

Future Plans: Dartmouth College

Erin McKenna is the daughter of Michael and Sharon McKenna of Portland.

Accomplishments and Activities: Smith College Book Award, National Honor Society, Academic Excellence Award in All Areas, Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, Math Team Tri- Captain, Co-Senior Editor of the Mercian Yearbook, “We the People” State Champions, National Society of High School Scholars, Key Club Officer, Science Club, Field Hockey, and Student Ambassador.

Future Plans: Boston College Studying: Economics

Rebecca Campbell is the daughter of Dana and Erica Campbell of South Portland.

Accomplishments and Activities: National Honor Society, St. Michael’s Book Award, Key Club, Ethical Leadership Institute, and Math Team.

Future Plans: St. Michael’s College

Monike Santana is the daughter of Attos and Orminia Santana of South Portland.

Accomplishments and Activities: United States Youth Senate Program Scholarship Winner, National Honors Society, State Drama Festival Choreography and Acting Award, Most Valuable Defensive Player Field Hockey, Field Hockey Captain, Key Club, Spanish Club, Caritas, Chilean Exchange Program and Student Ambassador.

Future Plans: Johns Hopkins University Studying: Neuroscience

Nicole Rainville is the daughter of Charles and Anne Rainville of Falmouth.

Accomplishments and Activities: St. Lawrence University Award, National Honor Society, District II Band Excellence, District II 1^st Chair, All State Band, “We the People” State Champions, Italian Heritage Community Concert Band, Mock Trial and Tennis.

Future Plans: Colby College Studying: Biology

Hannah Johnson is the daughter of Rob and Cary Johnson of Cumberland.

Accomplishments and Activities: Williams College Book Award, Rotary Student Service Award, Peace Action of Maine: Peace Maker of 2008, National Honor Society, Co-President Civil Rights Team, Vice President Spanish Club, “We the People” State Champions, Member of Blunt Youth Radio Project and Ethical Leadership Institute.

Future Plans: Prescott College, Arizona

Nellie Honan is the daughter of Dan and Margaret Honan of Falmouth.

Accomplishments and Activities: Springfield College Book Award, National Honors Society, Most Improved SMAA Senior Indoor Track, Senior Class President, Team Captain Cross Country, Team Captain Indoor Track, Team Captain Outdoor Track, Key Club, Math Team, Varsity Club, Science Club, and Student Ambassador.

Future Plans: Loyola College of Maryland Studying: Business

Michelle Susan Twomey is the daughter of Dennis and Kimberly Twomey of Limington.

Accomplishments and Activities: National Honor Society, Wheelock College Alumni Book Award, District Chorus, Catholic Youth Ministry of Maine: Timothy Award, Indoor Track Outstanding Achievement Award, Key Club Secretary, President PACS Team, Catholic Youth Communications Council, “We the People” State Champions, Jazz Choir, Spanish Club, and Campus Ministry.

Future Plans: St. Thomas University Studying: Liberal Arts - Catholic Studies

The University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Tsongas Industrial History Center announced that it has selected Nancy A. Ponzetti from Catherine McAuley High School, Portland, Maine to participate in a prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities “Landmarks of American History and Culture” teacher workshop entitled “Inventing America - Lowell and the Industrial Revolution.” Mrs. Ponzetti was selected from an applicant group of nearly 200 teachers from around the United States. This workshop is part of NEH’s “We the People” project, which promotes the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture through the exploration of significant events and themes in American history.

Mrs. Ponzetti will join more than forty other teachers from thirty-two different states in an intensive, week-long workshop at Lowell National Historical Park and the Tsongas Industrial History Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. Through scholarly presentations and on-site investigations of the canals, mills, and worker housing in America’s first large-scale planned industrial city, as well as through field studies of Old Sturbridge Village, Walden Pond, and Concord, MA museums, workshop participants will explore the far-reaching economic and social changes brought about by industrialization. Teachers will use primary sources provided throughout the workshop to develop lesson plans that can be incorporated into their school’s curriculum. Participants will receive a stipend to cover housing and meals, with travel assistance available on a case-by-case basis.

“I am very pleased to be selected to participate in this national workshop. It will enable me to identify teaching materials I can use with my students to engage them in understanding how the Industrial Revolution laid the foundation for the United States to become a powerful nation and to better understand today’s global textile economy as well”.

Congratulations Mrs. Ponzetti!

Congratulations to freshmen A.J. Berks for winning first place in the Portland Public Library poetry contest. A.J. will read her winning poem at a reception and will be featured in a poetry anthology. Great job A.J.!!

Mr. John Hunt the winner of May’s Calendar Raffle

Ms. Candy Anderson-Ek the winner of April’s Calendar Raffle.

Mrs. Ann Sesto Gribbin CHS ‘59 the winner of March’s Calendar Raffle.

Elizabeth Beriau CMHS ‘98 Married Jean-Paul Jacquet on July 14, 2007. They are expecting their first child, a boy, in June of 2008.

Anthony and Alisha Langway Hinse CMHS ‘00 are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Isabella Grace Hinse born on September 18, 2007.

Katrina Nowak CMHS ‘00 Married Gregory Dusek August 4, 2007 at St. Anne’s Shrine in Isle LaMotte, Vermont.

Christine Anne Beaulieu CMHS ‘03 is engaged to Matthew Somma. An August 1, 2009 Wedding is planned at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

In 2007 Pearl Cohen Gerber SJA ‘33 welcomed her 15th Great Grandchild, Isaac Kerry Gerber