Dear Editor:

As we begin the 2014-2015 school year, I would like to draw attention the role our business community has played in partnering with our school system to implement a successful work-study mentorship program for seniors.

Hodgdon Yachts is an outstanding example of this partnership as noted in the Lincoln County News last week when Scott Alley was pictured with Gov. Paul LePage explaining the composite program that he began working in as a work-study student. Since then, four other students have taken advantage of that program offered by Hodgdon Yachts and have either gone on to post-graduate work or training in related fields. Other students have been hired full time or for summer work. Student choices drive the placements while the expertise of local mentors teach and model workplace ethics and specialized knowledge.

Our administrators and school board have supported this program as students keep daily journals, write six self-reflective summaries, build portfolios, and present projects on their experiences. The Boothbay Register often prints articles written by students reflecting on their work.

This year, along with Hodgdon Yachts, students will be in classrooms at both schools, Aura, Good ‘N You, Hawke Motors, Boothbay Region Boatyard, U.S. Coast Guard station, and Knickerbocker Group, to name a few. All will be applying their 12 years experience exploring and learning in a new environment.

Joyce Sirois, Coordinator
Boothbay Region High School