Sanford Middle School held its annual JMG (Jobs for Maine's Graduates) Closing Ceremony on Wednesday, May 29th, in the cafeteria. The event celebrated students' hard work and achievements in the JMG program over the past year.
SMS students Emma Beers, Renee Dee, Madilyn Dulle, and Kalyssa Allen welcomed the guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The evening continued with a potluck dinner, which allowed students, families, and staff to mingle.
Students Matthew Bourassa and Leah Lageux delivered the opening remarks before Sophia Randall introduced the guest speaker, SMS teacher Sara Crabtree.
Gianna Garneau, Gemma Sigouin, and Zander Smith then presented Staff Appreciation Awards to recognize the dedication of JMG leaders and mentors.
A highlight of the night was when several students took the stage to give speeches reflecting on their personal journeys and growth through the JMG program. Summer Patch, Jon Brien, Sophia Randall, Zoey Voll, Isabella Burns, and Ziva Green captivated the audience by discussing overcoming struggles, developing new skills, and thriving in ways they never imagined.
JMG Specialist Tara Houle also recognized numerous students for exemplifying the program's core values through actions like thinking outside the box, showing compassion, and displaying professionalism in the classroom.
Houle also shared a video to the audience, recapping the program's school year. You can watch the video at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPPIcHZ48GI