LIVERMORE — The next two student representatives to serve on the Regional School Unit 73 board of directors will be decided by the Spruce Mountain High School student body.
The board has two student representative positions. Ava Coates and Dan Wilson had filled them prior to graduating in June.
Directors at their meeting Thursday night, Oct. 12, unanimously voted to send the names of Violet Bellerose, Skylar Condon and Avery Ryder for students to decide which two will take the vacancies.
Chair Robert Staples said he would talk with TJ Plourde, principal at the high school Friday and looked forward to the result of the vote. The two receiving the most votes will serve on the board.
Spruce Mountain High School juniors from left Avery Ryder, Violet Bellerose and Skylar Condon are seen Thursday night, Oct. 12, at Spruce Mountain Primary School in Livermore. They are seeking positions as student representatives to the Regional School Unit 73 board of directors, which only has two seats for students on the board. The high school student body will decide with the two receiving the most votes getting seats. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
“All three of you did a great job,” he noted to a round of applause.
The three students are juniors from Jay. During a break in the meeting, they were asked about their interest in serving on the board.
Bellerose said she wanted to learn more about how things work in the district and to have more experience working with adults.
“It is important for younger voices to be heard because some day we are going to be the adults who make decisions,” she stated. “I want to make sure school stays sustainable, that there is equality among students and different adults.”
Condon wanted to be part of making a positive change. She heard about the student representative position from a previous one.
“I feel it is important to be a representative, be able to talk to everybody and figure out the best solution,” she noted.
Ryder said she wants to be part of the community.
“I think everybody deserves to be able to say what they want to say,” she stated. “Even if you are younger, you should have an opportunity. I also learned about the student rep by talking with one of the former ones. I had never heard of it before high school. A goal I have is to talk to younger kids, even primary school kids. I want them to hear about it.”
The three were honor roll students last year. They are part of the Blue Crew FIRST Robotics Competition 6153 team at Mt. Blue High School. Spruce Mountain students were invited to join that team in 2022 after their advisor retired in 2020.
Bellerose and Condon are part of Envirothon at Spruce and are enrolled in the Advanced Placement environmental science class.
Condon is a member of the cross country, Nordic skiing and track teams while Ryder is on the cross country and track teams. She is involved with drama’s one act play program.
Bellerose is not active in sports but is an Olympia leader with the Olympia Snowe Institute. Her career goal is to become either an environmental scientist or marine biologist.
Condon plans to attend college but hasn’t decided on a major yet.
Ryder envisions a future involving flipping houses or something in real estate.
In other business, Brittany Doucette of Livermore was hired as school nurse for Spruce Mountain Middle School. Previously she had worked at Androscoggin Home Health, Farmington Family Practice and Franklin Memorial Hospital, Superintendent Scott Albert noted.
In her administrative report Transportation Director Norma Jackman spoke of the Trunk or Treat scheduled for 4-6 p.m., Sunday Oct. 29, at the bus garage located at 15 School Bus Lane. JMG [Jobs for Maine’s Graduates] students will be assisting, she noted.
The last day to drop off candy donations at the garage is Friday, Oct. 27, Jackman said.
Bus monitors are needed as there is only one at the moment and a couple of road closures are still being dealt with, she added.
Director Phoebe Pike thanked Jackman for the work she does and always being supportive of her team. “You truly are a treasure,” she stated.
“I couldn’t do it without [the team],” Jackman responded.
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