Seven graduate in first SAD 41 Carleton Project class

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    LAGRANGE — In the inaugural year of the Carleton Project in SAD 41, seven students graduated from the program which strives to create an environment in which pupils are nurtured and encouraged to change notions about success and failure in education and are able to accomplish their own educational goals within the classroom as well as creating building blocks to ensure success beyond high school.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    CLASS OF 2014 — Seven students make up the inaugural class of the SAD 41 Carleton Project, and the pupils were recognized during a May 22 ceremony at the Marion C. Cook School in LaGrange. From left are Cody Dunham, Kenny Tarnoczy, Cody Andrick, Anna Rideout, Dana Sherwood, Lexi Coover and Justiss Brown.

    The seven students were recognized during a ceremony on the evening of May 22 at the Marion C. Cook School, a day before they will join other Carleton Project students in Maine at a commencement in Houlton. The seven SAD 41 graduates of the program are Cody Andrick, Justiss Brown, Lexi Coover, Cody Dunham, Anna Rideout, Dana Sherwood and Kenny Tarnoczy.
    During her welcoming remarks to the students and their family members and friends in attendance, SAD 41 Assistant Superintendent Stacy Shorey said by taking part in the Carleton Project the seven pupils “are opening new doors” for the future.
    Carleton Project teacher Kara Taheny said she is very proud of each of the seven graduates. “I have really seen them grow as people,” she said. “It’s really what you make of it,” Taheny said about what the students can do after graduating from the Carleton Project.
    Ella Lyford, Carleton Project support staff, said she knew all of the students when they attended the Penquis Valley School. “They chose to be here, they are not forced to be here and again I’m so thankful for a program like this in the district,” she said.
    “I’m very proud of each  and every one of these students, and as they leave here they take a piece of my heart with them,” Lyford said.
    “I’m very proud of all seven that are graduating from the Carleton Project this year,” the program’s student ambassador Gabe Ruffin said. “It sounds cliché but I’m proud of you as a fellow student and colleague that you have put in the work to graduate this year.”
    SAD 41 Superintendent Michael Wright then explained how during the previous school year district officials were looking at a realignment plan and agreed that having a second opportunity in secondary education for students would be a great opportunity for SAD 41. “To be honest, I never thought we would have seven people graduating in the first year,” he said.
    “I, as the other speakers have said, wish you all great success,” Wright concluded, before thanking both Taheny and Lyford and the school board for supporting the formation of the Carleton Project.