Deering senior ready to speak it ‘Out Loud’

Iman Omar, a senior at Deering High School, will compete in the state Poetry Out Loud competition March 20 at Gracie Theater in Bangor. Iman was one of five students competing in the Feb. 13 Southern Maine Regional Poetry Out Loud competition who advanced to the state contest.

Omar won Deering’s Poetry Out Loud competition and competed against 20 other students at the regional competition in Biddeford. Omar recited “The Song of the Smoke,” by W.E.B. Du Bois, “On Monsieur’s Departure,” by Queen Elizabeth I and “a song in the front yard,” by Gwendolyn Brooks.

The Maine competition will air live on Maine Public Radio. The winner advances to the national Poetry Out Loud competition

Cheverus senior selected for elite honor

Cheverus High School senior and Gorham resident Ian Lawson has been selected for recognition by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The invitation only program annually honors approximately 3,000 graduating high school seniors nationwide. Lawson is one of 47 Maine students receiving an invitation this year.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964 by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. 

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to
Washington, D.C., in June and the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.