FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2026
Contact: Sanford Regional Technical Center | Sanford, Maine
SRTC Recognizes 14 Outstanding Student of the Year Nominees
SANFORD, Maine — Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) is proud to announce 14 exceptional nominees for its most prestigious honor — the SRTC Student of the Year. Each year, SRTC selects one outstanding student from its nearly 800 enrollees to represent the center alongside Students of the Year from all 27 Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools across Maine, honored each year by the Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education.
This year's nominees represent 14 programs spanning health care, the trades, technology, business, agriculture, and the arts. Each was selected by their program instructor as someone who embodies the spirit of career and technical education — hard-working, purpose-driven, and ready to make a mark on their chosen field.
2025–2026 SRTC Student of the Year Nominees
Heidi Smith | Baking and Pastry | Homeschool
Silver medal winner in Wedding Cake Design at SkillsUSA Maine
Rowan Berounsky-Porter | Emergency Medical Technician | Marshwood
SkillsUSA competitor; aspires to a career as a firefighter and EMT
Zoe Davidson | Health Occupations | Massabesic
Plans to pursue a healthcare career after college
Whitney Borenstein | Health Occupations | Massabesic
Plans to attend nursing and/or medical school
Sofia Sharood | Sports Medicine | Kennebunk
Bronze medal at SkillsUSA Maine. Plans to study osteopathic medicine and athletic training
Esme Gori | Academy of Business | Marshwood
Bronze medalist at SkillsUSA Maine. Plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in business
Connor Grogg | Engineering & Robotics | Marshwood
Plans to study mechanical engineering and robotics at WPI
Gianni Carreria | Automotive Technology | Massabesic
Will join Weirs GMC full-time as a service technician after high school
Mair Clarke | Digital Design | York
SkillsUSA Maine gold medalist. Plans to attend Temple University for Design and Illustration
Braeden Landry | Video Production | Sanford
Gold medal winner in Digital Cinema Production at SkillsUSA Maine
Alex Janousek | Precision Manufacturing | Sanford
Plans to pursue a degree in engineering and precision manufacturing
Gabriel Hatfield | Engineering & Architectural Design | Wells
Plans to study engineering and pursue internships in the field
Rowan Rhodes | Agricultural Enterprise & Environmental Systems | Traip Academy
Plans to attend a four-year college for forestry or agriculture
Conner Wilcox | Electrical Wiring | Homeschool
SkillsUSA officer and gold medal winner; working toward his Master Electrician's license
"Every one of these students is a standout — not just in their program, but as a person," said SRTC Director Matt Petermann. "Selecting a single Student of the Year is never easy when the room is this full of talent. We are incredibly proud of each of these nominees and everything they represent for our programs and our community."
About Sanford Regional Technical Center
SRTC is a career and technical education center, serving nearly 800 students across 25 programs from eight sending schools. SRTC prepares students for college, career, and life through hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences.