Million-dollar pledge to benefit FHS track

Fred Palmer, president of the Tri-Town Track and Field Project, announced that Nike has pledged a $1 million donation toward the construction of an outdoor, all-weather, eight-lane track and turf field planned for Freeport High School. The gift is contingent upon the Tri-Town Track and Field Project raising an additional $2.2 million.

The Tri-Town Track and Field Project is a nonprofit organization made up of members of the Durham, Freeport and Pownal communities, all of which are part of Regional School Unit 5. The organization was created by local residents after past efforts to build the track and field through a local bond issue were not successful.

The project board approached Nike with the idea to name the track for legendary marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson in December. Samuelson, a Freeport resident and Nike athlete, has been actively engaged in discussions about the proposed project as an honorary member of the fundraising group. The project board also intends to use Nike Grind, material made from Nike’s footwear manufacturing scrap, for the track and turf field infill.

“(Samuelson) is a true icon in the world of long-distance running. Joan is also a widely respected member of the Freeport community. In addition to her accomplishments in athletics, she has been an active leader in a wide variety of charitable activities throughout Maine,” Palmer said.

In 1984, Benoit Samuelson won the gold medal in the first women’s marathon at the Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles.

Freeport woman a program leader

Jill Baker, of Freeport, was one of more than 50 Susquehanna University students to participate in the school’s annual leadership program in January.

The LeaderShape Institute is a six-day seminar for college students, focusing on a range of activities and informational sessions that build community and inspire participants to be better campus leaders.

Baker is a 2015 graduate of Freeport High School and the daughter of Stephen Baker and Liz Andrews. She is majoring in communications.

Honors

Emma Caroline Tucker of Falmouth, a junior majoring in civil engineering, received the Richard and Gina Weniger Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Clarkson University.

Dean’s lists

Juniata College

Nicole Elizabeth Jordan, of North Yarmouth, a senior studying international studies with a secondary emphasis in French. Jordan is the daughter of Stewart and Nancy Jordan.

Skidmore College

Elizabeth Coughlin, of Falmouth, a member of the Class of 2019 and a business major.

State University of New York at New Paltz

Carlene Shaw, of Yarmouth

Susquehanna University

Jill Baker, of Freeport, a communications major in the Class of 2019. A 2015 graduate of Freeport High School, she is the daughter of Stephen Baker and Liz Andrews.

The College of Saint Rose

Alayna Frey, of Freeport

Tufts University

Justin Brogan, of Falmouth; Susannah Daggett, of Yarmouth; Katherine Harwood, of Yarmouth; Jessica Hoffman, of Cumberland Center; Jacob Isaacson, of Cumberland Center; Mia Lambert, of North Yarmouth; Helen Roberts, of Falmouth; Elizabeth Roche, of Yarmouth; Samantha Welch, of Falmouth; Joshua White, of Falmouth

University of Rhode Island

Ethan Michael Gage, of Yarmouth

Andrew Perfetti of Cumberland, a student at Mabel I. Wilson School, was an honorary page in the Maine Senate Jan. 21, as a guest of Sen. Cathy Breen.