Thirteen Sanford Regional Technical Center's students were celebrated during a breakfast hosted by the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club. The event, held in SRTC's café, featured a meal prepared and provided by students in the culinary arts program. The breakfast honored nominees for SRTC's Student of the Year award, giving Rotary members the opportunity to meet these students.
SRTC Director Matthew Petermann introduced each nominee with personalized comments from their instructors. "Our Student of the Year is honored with the 26 other Students of the Year from the other career and technical education centers around the state," Petermann explained. "So there's only 27 that get recognized in the state of Maine by MACS." Students from programs including Health Occupations, EMT, Firefighting, Precision Manufacturing, Engineering, and Cosmetology were represented among the nominees.
The breakfast showcased impressive student accomplishments, including SkillsUSA competitors like Brianna Keller, who placed 22nd nationally in video production and helped raise nearly $20,000 for SRTC students to attend competitions in Atlanta. The event also featured Brian Graffam, a local SkillsUSA officer dressed in the organization's distinctive red suit, who shared his personal growth through the program. "Skills USA is the nation's number one workforce development in students," Graffam explained. "Sanford's helping us get to where we want to be in life, but Skills USA is putting in our necklace. It's boosting us beyond what we ever could learn."
Sanford High School was well represented among the nominees. Natalie Green, a senior in the EMT program, exemplified the impact of SRTC's programs. As Petermann shared, "Natalie was quiet and shy when she entered the program. Natalie's story is a true story of growth and change." Green earned her Firefighter I & II certification and has already secured a job with the Gorham Fire Department. Connor Rice, another Sanford High School senior, was recognized for his exceptional drive in the Academy of Business program, described by his instructor Susan Lamoreau as "one of the most driven and hardworking students" she's had the pleasure of working with. Connor plans to pursue a degree in business with a focus on music after graduation.
Among those honored was Devenny Brickett, a junior in the Health Occupations program, who was ultimately named the 2025 SRTC Student of the Year. Brickett's journey toward earning her CNA license has been marked by "exceptional punctuality, compassionate kindness, and impressive time management skills," distinguishing her with both technical proficiency and genuine care for others. Brickett, will join recipients from Maine's 26 other Career and Technical Education centers at a statewide recognition ceremony
Each student received special recognition from the Rotary Club, including cinema passes and tickets to a Sanford Mainers game.