2020-21 Student of the Year
This year’s student of the year for the Plant Sciences program is Brandon Dubie. Brandon began our program during his sophomore year in the Agricultural Science block and has continued to take every class offered in our program as well as 2 dual enrollment classes. He also became very involved with FFA and was even a state officer this year. As part of his FFA journey, Brandon completed 2 proficiency awards and earned his Chapter and State Degrees. Brandon plans to join the military and after serving his country hopes to become a licensed forester.
Kaitlyn Hurley has been selected as the early childhood program’s student of the year. Her dedication to this program has been second to none, and she has been an absolute pleasure to have in class. Instead of working downtown during harvest break, Kaitlyn was a constant presence in our classroom, volunteering her time daily to assist the ACAP staff with their Early Head Start children. While school was in session, Kaitlyn regularly came to class early and assisted with tasks to create a smooth start to her peers’ day. A reserved young lady by nature, Kaitlyn encouraged others to be their best, always offering a helping hand, and her quiet, unassuming manner drew friends to her with ease. Academically, Kaitlyn has excelled, turning in her assignments on time and each one exceeded all expectations. Her work will live on in our program to serve as examples of excellence for future students. This fall, Kaitlyn will attend Colby College with plans to major in psychology. Best wishes, Kaitlyn, for continued success in all your endeavors!
Noah Rooney, a junior from Presque Isle High School, has been chosen as the Farm Mechanics student of the year. Everyone gets along great with Noah and with his friendly personality, how could you not? He comes to class with a smile on his face and is ready to work. He is to be commended for his work ethic and reliability. With Noah’s superb dedication as a first-year student in the program, Mr. Espling looks forward to see what he will accomplish next year. It is exciting to announce that Noah is the only student in PIRCTC with perfect attendance, which is especially hard this year with the pandemic. Congratulations, Noah! We look forward to seeing you next year!
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Drafting & Engineering Technology student of the year is Conner Michaud. To say that selecting this student of the year was difficult would be a vast understatement. There are so many that are worthy of receiving this distinction. If it were only possible to choose more than one! Connor is a second-year student. He will tell you that he has wanted to be in Mr. Harper’s class since the 8th grade. Conner’s determination, work ethic, and academic performance have been exceptional resulting in his being awarded a 4-year Pulp & Paper scholarship to the University of Maine worth a total of $24,000.00 to go towards his education to become a Mechanical engineer. Conner has completed quite a few challenging live-work projects including reverse engineering and prototyping a magneto impulse coupling, brake drums, and foundry patterns for a client in the Netherlands and a spokeless bicycle among other things. He has also successfully completed two dual enrollments through the University of Maine College of Engineering: MEE120, CIE101 as well as PMT112 through NMCC. Conner arrives every day (usually early) ready and eager to work and has put in a lot of time working on our projects at home. We are very proud of Conner and his accomplishments. Conner is truly a student that we will miss as he moves on to follow his dream.
Mr. Blanchard and Mrs. Nunez are honored to select Izabelle Higgins as the Business Department’s student of the year. Izzy’s stellar academic performance only speaks to a small part of the outstanding student she is. In every class, she pays attention, does her work (and does it well), treats others with kindness, and sets a good example for her classmates. Izzy is motivated, kind, and diligent in her studies – all while being involved in many extra-curricular activities. Izzy is a member of the National Honor’s Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Maine FFA Association, 4-H, and on the Presque Isle High School Ski Team. If you can’t find Izzy attending school functions or out on the ski slopes, it is certain she is at the barn. She’s extremely passionate about horses and it has been aspiring to be able to witness her admiration and dedication to this industry. She expresses great interest to continue pursuing this passion, by further learning about the equine business and being a part of a college team through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. It is clear that Izabelle Higgins is an exemplary student. We wish her nothing but the best as she attends the University of Kentucky this fall for college. Although we’re sad she is leaving, we can’t wait to see what great things the future holds for her. Congratulations, Izabelle!
Emily Collins, a senior from Caribou High School, has been selected as the cosmetology program’s student of the year for the second time. While this is highly unusual, it illustrates Emily’s character, drive, and determination to succeed. Due to COVID, both school years have been challenging beyond anything we’ve ever known, and Emily could have caved, could have thrown her hands up in the air and given up hope. Instead, she did the opposite, kept her focus on maintaining her own high standards of excellence and pressed on with grace. From theory work, classroom projects, and written exams, to learning and honing skills like fingerwaves, Marcel thermal styling, skin care, and acrylic nails, Emily Collins has demonstrated tenacity at every turn. In her own unassuming way, she has quietly, purposefully excelled while accumulating clock hours that will be applied to her state licensing requirements. With plans to continue her cosmetology studies at Empire Beauty School beginning this June, we are thrilled to know Emily Collins is the future of cosmetology. Best wishes for continued success!
Chance Bragan has been chosen as student of the year for the Building Trades program. Chance has been a student at PIRCTC for three years completing AgriScience, Building Trades I and II, and lab aid. Chance is an active member in SkillsUSA and holds five gold medals. Outside of school, Chance works at the Presque Isle Recreation Center and volunteers for Nan’s closet picking up and delivering furniture for people in need. Chance continually goes above and beyond and has shown great leadership skills. Chance’s accomplishments include earning his Eagle Scout, Marshalltown Outstanding Student Award, and Bon Tool Certificate of Achievement. Congratulations Chance!
The Natural Resources student of the year is a young lady who has made tremendous gains throughout her 3 years in the AgriScience department. As a sophomore, she was very quiet and somewhat withdrawn. She has now developed into a true leader and a role model for her peers. She is a motivated student and has shown a keen interest in FFA. She has maintained honor roll grades throughout this difficult school year and has also led her FFA chapter in positive, innovative directions as this year’s chapter president. She earned her State Degree, as well as being named Outstanding Chapter Officer of the year. She competed in the FFA State Convention and placed first in Veterinary Science and Dairy Cattle Evaluation and second in Horse Evaluation. She earned a proficiency award this year for her work in Outdoor Recreation and earned one last year in the area of Equine Science. She has competed at the National FFA Convention in Horse Evaluation. This semester, she serves in the role of CTE office aide. In addition to all her school and FFA involvement, she also holds down a job at a therapeutic equestrian center. The truly exceptional Natural Resources student of the year is Rheanna Ortman.
