For Boothbay Region High School senior Marinel “Ellie” Demmons, her brief time at the high school was a productive one. After moving to Boothbay Harbor last year from Skowhegan, the daughter of Lisa Carbone and Todd Demmons has excelled at science, joined the math team, been an active member of Gay Straight Transgender Alliance (GSTA), managed the wrestling squad, and is on the National Honor Society. Much to her chagrin, a broken foot kept her off the varsity tennis team this spring.

This fall, she will be taking her talents to the University of New England in Biddeford to begin a path toward becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist. Her inspiration came from an experience she had during her sophomore year at Skowhegan.

“We had a class called college and career prep. I learned I'd rather be a doctor than an engineer. I want to work with people one-on-one and specifically to help women with the miracle of life,” said Demmons.

In comparing the two school districts, her experience at BRHS was a stark contrast to her time in the Skowhegan area.

“My grade size there was around 255 my freshman year,” she said. “Here the whole school is around 255 people. It's a lot nicer to have one-on-one time with your teachers. The closeness and niceness, they are very understanding.”

Demmons singled out two teachers who made a difference in her education at BRHS: science teacher Sherrie Hersom and math teacher Ben Powell.

“Mrs. Hersom’s anatomy and physiology class was so important,” she said. “I was able to take two AP (advanced placement) calculus classes this year thanks to Mr. Powell.”

Earlier in the year, Demmons was diagnosed with a learning disability that affects her grammar usage and ability to read at a fast level. Despite and perhaps because of this, she continued to excel at science and especially math, placing first in a Mountain Valley Conference meet last year. She also finds inspiration through martial arts; a Zen-inducing comfort but also a protective skill.

“As a young woman, it's great to know I can defend myself,” said Demmons.

Her advice to undergraduates is simple: never stop learning and work hard. She will also miss the creature comforts a small town affords.

“Because of my learning disability, you'll always see me reading. Or I'm watching an educational video,” said Demmons. “Don't be afraid to put in the extra time and effort. You are here to further your education. I will miss being able to know everyone and being able to say hi to people on the street,” she said. “Biddeford is a lot bigger with more people. It's a little scary.”