Sanford High School recently held its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at the Performing Arts Center, celebrating student achievements and recognizing graduates as they prepare for life after high school. The event was welcomed by JMG Leadership Council President Lulu Morris and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by student Essence Veilleux-Camara, followed by an opening statement from Izzy Mitchell. Vice President Tiffany Mitchell reflected on first joining the program in seventh grade, crediting JMG with giving her the confidence and interview skills to earn a spot in the early childhood SRTC program. "I could not imagine myself standing in front of all of you now more confident about myself and what I want to do for a career," she said. Students Fiona Zachko and Brooklyn Skaltsis recognized the many community volunteers and guest speakers who visited the JMG classroom throughout the year, while Landon Stone, Lucien Curry, and Michael Rodriguez highlighted a busy year of community service that included volunteering at Special Olympics events, distributing holiday toys locally, and field trips to three college campuses and Maine Health's medical simulation lab in Portland. Social studies teacher Mr. O'Brien delivered the keynote address, speaking on the theme of independence and encouraging students to keep pushing forward through life's challenges. Lacey Kimball, who introduced him, described O'Brien as someone who "always checks in on us about school and outside of school to make sure we're doing okay." Lulu Morris and Izzy Mitchell recognized students who earned digital badges through Maine's Career Exploration Model, a framework through which students demonstrate mastery in self-awareness and job attainment skills. Certificates of completion were also awarded to multi-year participants, with several students recognized for involvement stretching back to middle school. Underclassmen speaker Leah Lagueux honored JMG teacher Ms. Gifford ahead of the senior spotlights. "She doesn't just teach lessons from a textbook. She teaches us how to succeed in the real world," Lagueux said. "What makes her truly special is the way she connects with her students. Because of that, our classroom feels like a safe space where we can be ourselves, ask questions, and grow." Each graduating senior was recognized by JMG teacher Cheryl Gifford alongside a team of underclassmen readers, with seniors sharing their favorite JMG memories and future plans spanning fields from cosmetology and graphic design to criminal justice, social work, and the Coast Guard. Lulu Morris delivered the senior speaker address, reflecting on four years in the program. "She guided me through creating my very first resume, helped me apply for my first job, and encouraged me to enroll in the SRTC program," Morris said of Ms. Gifford. "But beyond all those accomplishments, what mattered even more was that she helped me believe in myself."

Sanford High Schools Holds Annual JMG Closing Ceremony

Sanford School Department

May 20, 2026

Sanford High School recently held its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at the Performing Arts Center, celebrating student achievements and recognizing graduates as they prepare for life after high school.

The event was welcomed by JMG Leadership Council President Lulu Morris and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by student Essence Veilleux-Camara, followed by an opening statement from Izzy Mitchell.

Vice President Tiffany Mitchell reflected on first joining the program in seventh grade, crediting JMG with giving her the confidence and interview skills to earn a spot in the early childhood SRTC program. "I could not imagine myself standing in front of all of you now more confident about myself and what I want to do for a career," she said.

Students Fiona Zachko and Brooklyn Skaltsis recognized the many community volunteers and guest speakers who visited the JMG classroom throughout the year, while Landon Stone, Lucien Curry, and Michael Rodriguez highlighted a busy year of community service that included volunteering at Special Olympics events, distributing holiday toys locally, and field trips to three college campuses and Maine Health's medical simulation lab in Portland.

Social studies teacher Mr. O'Brien delivered the keynote address, speaking on the theme of independence and encouraging students to keep pushing forward through life's challenges. Lacey Kimball, who introduced him, described O'Brien as someone who "always checks in on us about school and outside of school to make sure we're doing okay."

Lulu Morris and Izzy Mitchell recognized students who earned digital badges through Maine's Career Exploration Model, a framework through which students demonstrate mastery in self-awareness and job attainment skills. Certificates of completion were also awarded to multi-year participants, with several students recognized for involvement stretching back to middle school.

Underclassmen speaker Leah Lagueux honored JMG teacher Ms. Gifford ahead of the senior spotlights. "She doesn't just teach lessons from a textbook. She teaches us how to succeed in the real world," Lagueux said. "What makes her truly special is the way she connects with her students. Because of that, our classroom feels like a safe space where we can be ourselves, ask questions, and grow."

Each graduating senior was recognized by JMG teacher Cheryl Gifford alongside a team of underclassmen readers, with seniors sharing their favorite JMG memories and future plans spanning fields from cosmetology and graphic design to criminal justice, social work, and the Coast Guard.

Lulu Morris delivered the senior speaker address, reflecting on four years in the program. "She guided me through creating my very first resume, helped me apply for my first job, and encouraged me to enroll in the SRTC program," Morris said of Ms. Gifford. "But beyond all those accomplishments, what mattered even more was that she helped me believe in myself."