HONORING A TRUE LEADER. On Dec. 6, students and staff at Coastal Ridge Elementary School joined school officials to honor former Principal Jane Stephenson by formally naming the school's library for her. Stephenson was hailed as champion for literacy by current CRES Principal Sean Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry Scipione, Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Maryann Minard, her colleagues and others - including many of her former students, like those pictured above, who currently attend the school and who have gone on to middle school. Stephenson spoke from the heart about her love for the school and community and for literacy and education as well as of her new passion now that she has retired: her two beautiful baby granddaughters. "I also look forward to when our grandchildren are old enough to bring them to Coastal Ridge," she told the crowd that gathered for the dedication and the reception to follow, adding, "This library belongs to the students of York. ... Their names also belong on that sign."
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders

PURE ENERGY. A York youngster was one of a half-dozen conservation-minded students from across the state who won top honors in the Annual Energy Savings Tip Contest, sponsored by Gov. John Baldacci's Office of Energy Independence and Security and the Maine Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program. Danielle Garry of York Middle School, seen here in Augusta with the governor and York Rep. Windol Weaver, was honored for her energy-saving idea, "Take the school bus to school if you can, then less people will use gas." She received an iPod Shuffle and a solar-powered charger. For more information on the effort, visit http://www.efficiencymaine.com/.
Courtesy photo