Sanford High School

Daily Announcements

December 23, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/23/2025 White Day We wish you a wonderful Holiday Break!! The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secur...

Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Health Occupations program move from classroom learning labs to real hospital floors, developing both the technical skills and compassionate caregiving approach needed to become Certified Nursing Assistants. The one-year course provides a rigorous foundation for students interested in healthcare careers. The curriculum satisfies requirements to become registered Certified Nursing Assistants in Maine upon successful completion and passing the Registry exam. Students learn to care for patients and residents in long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation settings, covering anatomy system by system along with common medical conditions. Beyond the technical training, instructors Shawnda Williams and Kelly Romagnoli emphasize what Williams calls the "Art" of caring – teaching students to provide respectful, dignified care to people during some of their most stressful moments. "We take great pride in developing these students into the health care professionals we would like to have care for us and our own family members and loved ones," Romagnoli said. "It is a joy to watch. I also enjoy watching them blossom and become the professionals we would like to work with on our team." Students begin by developing proficiency in the classroom learning lab, mastering basic safety and caregiving skills. Once they demonstrate readiness, they practice and perfect skills like hygiene, feeding, bathing, skin care, and assisting with patient mobility at Summer Commons and Pinnacle Health and Rehab in Sanford. Students complete a minimum of 40 hours of direct care under the instructors' supervision and the nursing teams at these facilities. For Bella Garneau, a junior at Sanford High School, the program has been a long-anticipated opportunity. "I had been interested in taking this program since I took the Exploratory class in 9th grade," Garneau said. "One of my favorite parts is working with the facility residents, in particular demonstrating the skill of empathy. I can't wait to work as a CNA next year and into college where I will study Nursing." Upon successful completion of course requirements and passing the Registry exam, students are certified on the Maine State CNA Registry. They also receive certification in American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed Training. Williams brings over twenty-five years of nursing experience to the program, having recently earned her Master's degree. Her diverse background includes roles in Med Surg, Pediatrics, ICU, home care, hospice, long-term care, Trauma, ER, cath lab, school nursing, urgent care, and primary care. She continues to practice as a nurse practitioner, maintaining a small practice to stay connected to patient care at the highest level of her training. "Becoming a CTE instructor has brought all of these nursing experiences full circle," Williams said. Training 64 students annually has proven incredibly rewarding, especially when last year's students achieved a 100% pass rate on the CNA registry exam. Even more meaningful was an unsolicited card the program received from a facility in Kittery thanking them for their excellent employees: four students who graduated from the Health Occupations program last year. The majority of students enrolled plan to pursue nursing or medicine in the future, making CNA certification the first step in their journey as healthcare providers. Summer Commons and Pinnacle Health and Rehab have been essential partners, providing clinical hours, student CNA positions, unit helper roles, and mock interview skills training that support student success.

SRTC Program Highlight: Health Occupations

December 22, 2025

Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Health Occupations program move from classroom learning labs to real hospital floors, developing both the technical skills and comp...

Daily Announcements

December 22, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/22/2025 Red Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone ...

Sanford High School Presents "Sounds of the Season"

December 19, 2025

The Performing Arts Center was packed on Thursday, December 11, as Sanford High School students presented "Sounds of the Season," their annual winter celebration of music. The eve...

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December 19, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/19/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

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December 18, 2025

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December 17, 2025

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Sanford High School JMG Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Toys for Tots

Sanford High School and Middle School JMG Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Toys for Tots

December 17, 2025

On December 11th and 12th, Sanford Middle School and Sanford High School JMG students had the opportunity to volunteer with Toys for Tots, bringing the spirit of giving to life in...

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December 16, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/16/2025 Red Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone ...

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December 15, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/15/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

When Anderson White, Spencer Jourdain, and Duncan Blanchard walk into Rubb USA in Sanford, they're not just students anymore. They're welders, fabricators, and professionals learning their trade alongside seasoned workers. For these three Sanford Regional Technical Center students, the transition from classroom to factory floor has been about more than earning a paycheck. It's been about discovering what they're capable of. White was the first to make the leap, landing his position at Rubb last spring after interviews with Nate Bedell, Derek Gauvreau, and Eric Glidden. By June, he was spending his summer fabricating legs and roofs for the metal buildings the company manufactures. Jourdain and Blanchard followed about a month and a half ago, joining their classmate from Adam Hartford's welding program on the factory floor. "It definitely helped a lot," Jourdain said about having familiar faces around. "I think the first couple days I was really nervous, but Anderson was there helping me out. And everyone at Rubb was wicked nice and always showing you what to do." The three students work Monday through Wednesday, though their schedules vary. Blanchard, a senior at RSU 21 with senior release privileges, can arrive as early as 7 a.m., while Jourdain and White, both Sanford High School students, typically start after their morning classes. Their days alternate between cutting tubing in the saw shop, drilling ventilation holes, jigging pieces together, or spending full days welding. For Blanchard, the learning curve has been steep but rewarding. "Come the first year, I already knew about half the stuff I do right now," he said. "Between Adam Hartford and Rubb, I've learned a tremendous amount of things that I will definitely be using in the future." White's journey required strategic planning from his freshman year to complete two full SRTC programs—precision manufacturing and welding. "I knocked out a lot of credits. I was able to do two of my math credits and two of my English credits, including the extra one that I needed outside of the core," he explained. Perhaps most valuable are the life lessons the students are absorbing. Blanchard recalls advice from a coworker: "There's no such thing as a mistake if it does not leave the doors." The philosophy has helped him, who admits to being hard on himself. "I'm a pretty harsh guy on myself for making mistakes. But then I kind of realize everyone does it." Jourdain has learned about continuous growth. "Anyone can weld, but not everyone can read the blueprints," he said. "As long as you never stop learning, you'll always be growing." Derek Gauvreau, Rubb's director of manufacturing, has been impressed with what the students bring to the job. "It has been a distinct pleasure to work with these young men and see them so excited to learn about the work we do here at Rubb," Gauvreau said. "They arrived with a strong work ethic and a clear desire to understand every aspect of our building systems. It is refreshing to see that kind of drive, and we are proud to have them on the team." The students credit Hartford, who brings 15-20 years of welding experience and a background as a diesel mechanic, for preparing them. "He's always showing people how to do things differently and overcome hard obstacles," Jourdain said. Hartford has been working to build a partnership with Rubb for several years. "Rubb Building Solutions has been amazing to work with for student internships," Hartford said. "A few years ago, we started working with them to get kids there to start into a career, and they have set the standard for what we hope all our internships look like. Derek Gauvreau and Nate Bedell are really great with the students who intern with them. They are welcoming and understanding that the students are learning and help them gain knowledge, skills, and confidence in their shop setting." As they look toward graduation, the three see different paths forward. Blanchard plans to join the Army to gain additional skills before returning to welding. "It's one of the best things that's ever happened to me in my work life," he said. "I absolutely love it there." Jourdain wants to stay at Rubb for several years before eventually opening his own business doing rust repair and light fabrication. White plans to continue building his career at Rubb, where the company has been supportive of young workers finding their way.

Sanford Students Gain Experience at Rubb USA Manufacturing

December 11, 2025

When Anderson White, Spencer Jourdain, and Duncan Blanchard walk into Rubb USA in Sanford, they're not just students anymore. They're welders, fabricators, and professionals lear...

Daily Announcements

December 11, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/11/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

Daily Announcements

December 10, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/10/2025 Red Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone ...

Sanford High School welcomed student-athletes and athletic administrators from the Southern Maine Activities Association for the SMAA Leadership Summit on Tuesday, December 9. The event, themed "Be the ONE: on the courts, fields, mats and life!," challenged students from all SMAA schools to rethink success, prioritize mental health, and develop authentic leadership skills. This marks the sixth consecutive year Sanford High School has hosted the summit. Reese Beaudoin, Miranda Payeur, Gabe Phillips, Austin Kittredge, Colin Demers, Claire Pordon, Andrew Boissonneault, Lyla Fiandaca, Mattea Peters, Jaslinn Johnson, and Isaac Pelletier represented Sanford High School. For Pelletier, the summit offered a chance to develop skills he's still working to understand. "I was just super excited to learn," Pelletier said. "I mean, I'm a leader, but I'm still really young, and I don't really know too much about it, so I was just excited to be able to learn what it actually means to lead and go after goals." Pelletier found keynote speaker Andrew Marotta's presentation particularly impactful. "He had a lot of energy, and I liked that," Pelletier said. "I had a lot of fun with that too. He was interacting with everyone." Marotta, an educator and former basketball referee from Port Jervis, New York, emphasized that success isn't about natural talent – it's about strategy and persistence. "It's not a talent game, kids. It's a strategy game," Marotta told the assembled student-athletes. "Winners have found out the right strategy." He offered practical advice on goal-setting and time management, recommending students use timers and schedule specific tasks in time slots rather than creating vague to-do lists. "Don't wait for the motivation to start, just start doing it and you're going to get the motivation," Marotta said. Mental performance coach Emma Burke addressed mental health challenges in competitive sports, defining mental health as "a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and realize their abilities." In interactive sessions, students identified struggles specific to athletes, including performance anxiety, fear of disappointing teammates and coaches, and identity issues. Burke, who works with athletes throughout Maine, also addressed why many hesitate to seek help. "Fear of judgment, that's like number one, right?" Burke explained. Other barriers include not wanting to show weakness, fear of burdening others, and concerns about being treated differently by coaches and parents. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that leadership extends beyond athletic performance. Marotta encouraged students to consider how they treat everyone around them, from teammates to custodians and cafeteria staff. "It doesn't take anything to be kind to other people," he said. The summit featured breakout sessions with Marotta, Burke, and Meghan Hamilton of Stride Mental Performance LLC. Ten student-athletes from each SMAA school attended the day-long session, which included breakfast and lunch.

Sanford High School Hosts SMAA Leadership Summit

December 9, 2025

Sanford High School welcomed student-athletes and athletic administrators from the Southern Maine Activities Association for the SMAA Leadership Summit on Tuesday, December 9. The...

Daily Announcements

December 9, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/09/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

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December 8, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/08/2025 Red Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone ...

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December 5, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/05/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

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December 4, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/04/2025 Red Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone ...

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December 3, 2025

SHS Daily Announcements 12/03/2025 White Day The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someon...

Sanford High School Inducts Five Into Athletics Hall of Honor

December 3, 2025

Sanford High School inducted five new members into its Athletics Hall of Honor on Saturday, November 29, during a ceremony at the Performing Arts Center that recognized decades of...