Catherine McAuley graduate, and reigning Miss Maine, Julia Furtado, received the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award for her work in community service, physical fitness, and talent last weekend during the preliminary round of the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. The McAuley community could not be more proud of this 2009 graduate, and we wish her the best in all of her future work, both here in the state and abroad.  Click on the links below to see more of Miss Furtado’s extremely noteworthy accomplishments.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Miss-Maine-2011-crowned.html?searchterm=Julia+Furtado

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Miss-Maine-wins-royal-award-during-pageant-prelim.html?searchterm=Julia+Furtado

http://www.pressherald.com/news/miss-maine-honored-for-triple-excellence_2012-01-14.html?searchterm=Julia+Furtado

Anna Gervais ~ Class of 2012

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award

Anna Gervais was selected by the staff and the Class of 2012 for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award.  A DAR Good Citizen must have the qualities of dependability (which includes truthfulness, loyalty, and punctuality), service (which includes cooperation, courtesy, and consideration of others), leadership (which includes personality, self-control, and the ability to assume responsibility), and patriotism (which includes unselfish interest in family, school, community and nation) to an outstanding degree.  Anna will also participate in the DAR scholarship contest.  Good luck, Anna!

Molly Miller ~ Class of 2013

CMHS Goalie, Soccer

First Team All Conference – Soccer

Congratulations to Molly Miller, who has been selected as First Team All Conference for soccer.  This acknowledgment is voted on from the other coaches in our conference.  She’s also listed in www.sportsinme.com that shows her as # 2 in Class A for saves made this past season.  Although it is still early, Molly has received interest from Division I Siena College, along with several other colleges.  Click on the link below for an interview with Molly as the Athlete/Player of the year!  Great job, Molly!

http://www.theforecaster.net/content/p-sportsfallaofymcauley-120711

Hannah Calkin ~ Class of 2014

Actress, Portland Stage production of The Snow Queen

Hannah Calkin auditioned and received a part in Portland Stage Company’s premiere holiday production of The Snow Queen, a folk tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. As part of the ensemble cast, Hannah had many small roles, such as a townsperson, a flower, a robber, an attendant in a princess court, and an angel.  Hannah, McAuley is proud of your achievement!

Mary McManus ~ Class of 2014

McAuley Ambassador to the Maine Youth Leadership Program

May 2012 – USM campus in Gorham

Motivating Maine’s Future Leaders. That’s what Maine Youth Leadership is all about. Since 1980, Maine Youth Leadership (MYL) has worked with Maine youth to seek out, recognize and develop their leadership skills. Their goal is to motivate Maine’s future leaders and create a network of civic-minded students who will better their communities through volunteering. The programs encourage and assist students at critical times in their quest for self- identification and development and we provide give-and-take discussions with thought leaders and role models from across Maine society.

Each year, high school sophomores from all parts of Maine are invited to participate in the four-day Motivate ME Seminar held at the University of Southern Maine campus in Gorham.  Congratulations to Mary on her nomination as the Ambassador to Maine Youth Leadership!

Heather Chapman ~ Class of 2014

CMHS Ambassador to HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar

June 2012 – UNE Campus, Biddeford Maine

HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) is the nation’s foremost youth leadership development organization. Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.  HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the US.

The HOBY Leadership Seminar focuses on providing outstanding high school students with an amazing opportunity to learn how to lead and make a difference.  The U.S. State HOBY Leadership Seminars are designed for high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them in becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, workplace and community.  Congratulations to Heather on her selection as the McAuley HOBY Ambassador!

Cristina Leake, a Catherine McAuley High School senior, was recently selected as one of the winners of the 2011 Bill of Rights Scholarship Essay Contest, sponsored by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL). She will receive her award in August at NFWL’s 73^rd Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, where she will meet local and national legislators.

Below is a brief excerpt from Miss Leake’s winning essay entitled, “Social Media: For Better and For Worse”:

“…Until the mid1950s the only way to view an event of widespread importance was to personally attend said event.  Involvement meant dedication.  Involvement had value.  June 1, 1853 Elizabeth Cady Stanton delivered Temperance and Women’s Rights in Rochester, New York.  Due to the time period, her speech lacked all media coverage above press.  This absence placed an invisible limitation on her dispatch; however, those who attended experienced genuine passion.   In the past those bold enough would shout their approval or disapproval.  They would hoist signs above their heads, branding the sky with their opinions.  Today such demonstrations are meaningless.  The simplicity and anonymity creates an environment that promotes rashness.  A moment of fury can in seconds turn into an impulsive rude comment and though disrespectful it is protected under the First Amendment.  The casualness by which media can be accessed today dismisses the true privilege and power with which it should be associated”.  

The McAuley community is very proud of this poised, articulate young woman! Congratulations, Cristina!

Congratulations to the McAuley Limelighters on their stellar performance of Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree at this year’s One-Act Drama Competition.  The play, which takes places in Johannesburg, South Africa during the apartheid period, was beautifully acted by the Limelighters, garnering them a first-place finish overall.

According to one judge:  “At the risk of indulging in hyperbole, this was perhaps the single most compelling high school production I have seen in over 25 years of adjudicating festivals.  Beautifully conceived and staged, your vision is remarkable and acted with a maturity and grace and professionalism. . . You took us to South Africa, showed us the struggle, love, hate, and battle for freedom, and back to love of country; love prevailed. . . You touched my heart and the tears came.”

We wish the Limelighters well as they head to the Class B State Competition at Rockland High School March 25 & 26.  Break a leg, ladies!

Congratulations to senior Elizabeth McGarvey, who will be displaying two pieces of work at Portland’s City Hall as part of the First Friday Art Walk festivities (March 4).  Elizabeth’s work will be featured in the State of Maine Room, in the teen and youth section.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, so be sure to come and support Elizabeth’s artistic endeavors!

Congratulations to members of the McAuley Limelighters for their participation in the Young Playwrights Festival at Bonny Eagle High School last Saturday.

Victoria Hugo-Vidal ’10 is credited for creating the play, Fools’ Gold, which was cast and directed by Amy Richard ’10.  The Limelighters performed with a group of twelve local schools from Bath and Freeport who embrace student work.

Kudos to these McAuley students for sharing their creative talents with the McAuley community…and beyond.