BAR HARBOR, ME — It is an example of how the Mission watches and listens to our communities and responds creatively. That’s how Maine Seacoast Mission President John Zavodny described the Mission’s island Middle to High School Transition Program. Led by Mission Island Outreach Director and Chaplain Douglas Cornman, the annual Transition Program retreat helps students living on unbridged Maine islands prepare for their transition to mainland high schools.
“Every summer, a group of resilient young teens scattered across eight unbridged islands off Maine’s coast are faced with the reality that..they are about to trade the island life they know for a life utterly foreign to them. Nearly all these island students will be boarding on the mainland during high school…with relatives or family friends,” said President Zavodny.
Director Douglas Cornman agrees. “Transitioning into the first year of high school can be intimidating and stressful. The Transition Program retreat offers a place where students can ask questions and have discussions about the transition. A lot of preparation and attention goes into making sure the students attending this three-day, two-night event, feel the safety and comfort needed to open up and engage in the process,” said Cornman.
Island students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade can take part in the retreat. One way Douglas keeps things fresh is by changing retreat venues each year from Camden, to Belfast, to Bar Harbor.
This year, January 17-19, St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church‘s Parish Hall, Bar Harbor, was home base for the Transition Program retreat. Eight students from six islands, along with their parents or chaperone, took part. Douglas was joined by Mission’s Director of Student Pathways Christina Griffith in co-leading the retreat. According to Douglas, Christina used her expertise mostly working with the parents on their thoughts, concerns, and excitement.
Douglas also had help working with the students from Mission EdGE Outreach Coordinator Matthew Cole, Executive Director Nicole Cardano of Theater Today based in Seal Cove, and assorted staff and students from public and private high schools.
This year’s Transition Program retreat helped students and their parents with problem solving, skill building, communication and social skills development, and alleviating anxiety during social interaction. There was also plenty of time for meet-and-greet, game playing, and swimming.
Director Cornman said Sunday’s scheduled retreat activities were “very condensed” because an impending storm sent students boating back early to their home islands. Beforehand, Douglas had each student write a letter to themselves. He will hold onto the letters for a year before mailing them back to the students. This exercise gives the students a chance to reflect on how their thoughts and feelings regarding high school change from one year to the next.
“Yes, we had snow, winds, high seas, had boat cancellations, resilient island kids, parents, and chaperones. And, yes, we had a fantastic fun-filled weekend,” said Douglas.
BAR HARBOR, ME — May 23, 2019 the Mission christened their new boat Moonbeam, an interim wood boat to be used while the Sunbeam V was out of the water having its routine major refit.
Sunbeam Captain Mike Johnson is overseeing the Sunbeam refit. Sunbeam Engineer Storey King, a licensed boat captain, switched hats and served as Moonbeam Captain.
Now, Moonbeam is also out of the water for the winter months. Storey King is getting the boat ready for next season.
Here is Storey’s Moonbeam update with photos:
Moonbeam was hauled out of the water just before the new year. She is safe and sound undercover and undergoing typical maintenance for a wood boat.
Upon inspection, Moonbeam has a few issues to deal with, but nothing unexpected. There is a significant cavitation (pitting) on the propeller surface. We know the cause and it will be corrected.
Also a leaking rudder stuffing box has been removed, and will be repaired.
Sand and paint, and Moonbeam will be ready for spring.
Front Street Shipyard carpenters Kirk Ryder and Peter Lewis. (Photo courtesy Mike Johnson)
BELFAST, ME — Front Street Shipyard carpenters Kirk Ryder (left) and Peter Lewis (right) are responsible for much of the reconstruction of the Sunbeam V pilothouse.
Marine carpentry is challenging. Hardly anything is square or level. Multiple compound angles would baffle even the most handy of us. Not only are these carpenters skilled, but they are quick with a joke and personable on the job.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Thank You, Sigma Kappa for More Than a Century of Impacting Our Communities
Since 1918, Sigma Kappa Sorority has helped Maine Seacoast Mission communities many times, in many ways. From funding scholarships, to ensuring families have Christmas presents, to hands-on volunteer work in the Mission’s Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Thank you, Sigma Kappa for showing us what it means to live with heart.
Mission college exploration and engagement students who will graduate from high school in 2022.
Our newest group of Mission Scholarship recipients — all of whom are 2019 high school graduates.
BAR HARBOR, ME — In 2017, The Council for Opportunity in Education designated November 8t h as a day to celebrate first-generation college students. By first-generation (“first gen”), we mean students who will be the first members of their families to graduate from a four-year college.
November 8 was selected as the date for the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Higher Education Act (“HEA”) emerged out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Much like other hallmark legislation of that era such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, HEA was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low income backgrounds.
In addition to creating federal grants and loan programs to help students finance their educations, the legislation made key investments in institutions of higher education. Additionally, HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for post-secondary access, retention and completion for low income, potential first-generation college graduates.
62% of our Maine Seacoast Mission Scholarship recipients are first gen.
100% of our college exploration and engagement program students are first gen.
Today and every day, we honor you, your families and communities and celebrate your courage and perseverance as you journey to and through college!
BAR HARBOR, ME — These two photos are of the ‘Sunbeam V’s’ below waterline area.
The first photo shows the beginning stages of “blooming rust” in a below waterline area of the bilge.
The second photo is a wider angle shot of the same area after Front Street Shipyard has done its magic. This is the primary reason for the Sunbeam re-fit: catching this corrosion before it becomes a structural problem. Doing this will extend the service life of Sunbeam V considerably.
