Student of the Year Banquet 2019

Each year, SRTC selects a Student of the year, chosen from among the seniors and program completers.  Students are nominated by SRTC staff members, they complete an application process including an essay and an interview, and the selection committee completes the daunting task of choosing just one nominee to represent SRTC at the state level at the annual Student of the Year banquet for the Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education.  Each year, the nominees are outstanding. Not to take anything away from the Student of the Year, but we often say that we would prefer to not have to choose one, because these students are all remarkable.  This year’s nominees are:

Jessica Clark is a senior from Massabesic HS in the Culinary Arts program.  She has been accepted to Johnson and Wales University and Southern Maine Community College for Culinary Arts.  As described by her instructor, Chef John Couture, “Jess strives to make everything ‘perfect.’” She asks questions, checks and double checks to insure that her final product is as good as it can be.  She is her own harshest critic if she thinks she has fallen below her standard of quality.”

Eric Estabrook is a senior from Massabesic HS in the Video Production program.  Eric plans to start his college experience at Southern Maine Community College in the Media Communications program.  According to Eric’s instructor, Mr. James Harmon, “Eric has won contests judged by his teacher, his classmates and staff and earned a silver medal at Skills USA.  He is a champion in class and always submits among the best projects in class.”

Emily Fletcher is a senior in the Emergency Medical Services program.  Emily is home schooled and also completed the Law Enforcement program last year, where she currently serves as a teacher aide.  In the words of Emily’s instructor, Paramedic Wendy Elliott, “Emily is dedicated to performing the EMS skills to the best of her ability.  She shows the concern and compassion needed in EMS.” After high school, Emily plans to attend Maine Medical Center’s School of Surgical Technology.

Lindsay Hill is a senior in the Landscaping and Horticulture program and attends Kennebunk High School.  She plans to attend the Southern Maine Community College Horticulture program in the fall and work at Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk, where she currently interns.  SRTC Landscaping and Horticulture instructor, Mrs. Katie Hoagland speaks highly of Lindsay, indicating that she “…does not settle unless her work is of very high quality and she demands quality of those around her that brings everyone along with her. She has great attention to detail and also has strong discipline of herself to do the best she can in all things.”

Winter Whitten is a senior from Massabesic HS in the Engineering Applications with Robotics program.  He plans to attend the University of Maine to study Engineering in the fall. In the words of his instructor, Mr. Brent Sirois, “Winter has an expectation of excellence while remaining calm, focused and supportive of others.  He could easily work in a professional setting and be the model of a quality employee.”

Our Student of the Year for 2019 is Jalion McLean, who is a senior from Marshwood HS in the Engineering and Architectural Design program.  Her instructor, Mr. Russ Clark, speaks of Jalion’s talent and motivation for her chosen field of architecture, but is also quick to point out that “…while she is so engaged with her own studies, she will not hesitate to stop and help others. She does so happily.” Jalion has taken full advantage of all that SRTC and CTE has to offer students. She has served as the Skills USA Chapter President at SRTC and on the Skills state officer team as the Southern Region Vice President.  Her involvement in Skills also included competition, where she took bronze medals in Prepared Speech and Architectural Drafting over the past two years.  For the Architectural Drafting competition, Jalion actually conducted 5 weeks of self-study to learn the related 3D Architectural program. Upon graduation, she will have earned 21.5 college credits through dual enrollment at York County Community College.  Jalion is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society at SRTC. At Marshwood High School, Jalion is involved in theater, garden club, civil rights committee and Student Government.  Jalion plans to study Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In the photos, 

Jalion McLean, SRTC Student of the Year, is honored at the Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE) banquet.  Pictured from left to right are Maine Deputy Commissioner of Education, Dan Chuhta, Jalion McLean, and MACTE Executive Director, Don Cannan. 

SRTC Student of the Year Nominees.  Pictured from left to right are Eric Estabrook, Winter Whitten, Jessica Clark, Emily Fletcher, Jalion McLean and Lindsay Hill.