Sanford Springvale News

15/07/2025

14/07/2025

Updated Post: Local Students Honored at SkillsUSA Event Sanford Regional Technical Center student Myles Seckler celebrates after capturing the gold medal in the Technical Drafting competition at SkillsUSA Nationals.

Photo: Sanford Regional Technical Center

By: Sam Bonsey, Sanford Schools Communication Coordinator

Sanford Regional Technical Center student Myles Seckler from Traip Academy earned the high school gold medal in Technical Drafting at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships, held June 25-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. His top finish came during the nations’ largest showcase of career and technical education, drawing over 6500 students from across the country to compete in 114 hands-on events evaluated by more than 1200 industry experts.

Seckler’s victory capped a strong national showing for SRTC. Six of his teammates earned prestigious Skill Point Certificates, which signify industry-validated workplace readiness. Recognized were Booker Sylvain of Lebanon (CNC Programming), Matthew Melvin of Sanford (Related Technical Math), Rielly Glidden of Rollinsford (Firefighting). A Crime Scene Investigation team of Harmonee Shaw, Macie Tardif, and Elaina Gagnon worked together to earn their certificate. The certificates are awarded to students who either medal or meet benchmark scores set by industry professionals and are valuable additions to any employment portfolio.

Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit and workforce development organization serving over 442,000 students and educators in 130 career areas. The annual competition covers more than 1.7 million square feet-equivalent to 31 football fields-and aims to close the skills gap by preparing students for high-demand technical careers.

Sanford Regional Technical Center provides 22 Career and Technical Education programs for students from 8 York County high schools. To learn more, go to https://buff.ly/BmCNOkr (https://buff.ly/BmCNOkr) https://buff.ly/Eu3lW4C

14/07/2025

New Post: Homeownership is Within Reach – Apply Now Press Release

Habitat for Humanity York County is pleased to announce a new homeownership opportunity for a 2–3 bedroom home located in Sanford. The home will be on Butler Street in Sanford, near the post office and close to local amenities. Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications for this opportunity until August 8. Income-eligible individuals and families that currently live or work in York County and are interested in becoming homeowners are encouraged to apply. The current income minimum is $55,000 with eligibility determined based on household size.

Habitat for Humanity York County homebuyers purchase their homes through an affordable mortgage. Monthly mortgage payments will not exceed 30% of their household income. The Butler St. home is scheduled to be built in 2026. Homebuyers are selected prior to construction, as they are required to contribute 200–400 hours of sweat equity. Sweat equity is time spent volunteering with Habitat for Humanity York County.

This opportunity reflects Habitat for Humanity York County’s continued commitment to supporting local households in their pursuit of safe, stable, and affordable homeownership opportunities. Construction on the Butler St. home will begin after Habitat for Humanity finishes a 4-home subdivision on Beaver Hill Road in Springvale.

How to Apply

To view the application requirements and download an application visit: buff.ly/8Z7u51I (http://buff.ly/8Z7u51I). Printed applications are also available for pickup at the Kennebunk ReStore, located at 123 York Street in Kennebunk. For more information or assistance with the application process, please contact Habitat for Humanity York County at [email protected].

Commitment to Fair Housing

Habitat for Humanity York County is committed to the principles of equal housing opportunity. The selection of future homebuyers is conducted in a manner that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or familial status. All applicant information is treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of determining program eligibility. https://buff.ly/R5hfunO

13/07/2025

New Post: School Notes Diana Allen, life and environmental sciences teacher at Sanford Middle School

Photo: Sanford School Department

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

SMS teacher embarks on expedition of a lifetime: Diana Allen, a Sanford Middle School life and environmental sciences teacher, set off on July 6 for a seven-day expedition to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica as an Earthwatch teacher fellow. On this expedition, Allen will participate in hands-on research with pollinator preservation, which she plans to bring back to her middle school science classroom. Students and colleagues alike will benefit from her field experiences with Earthwatch, as she hopes to create pollinator gardens with her students.

While in Costa Rica, Allen will examine the crucial role pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds play in healthy ecosystems. She hopes to support researchers in a one-of-a-kind field experience collecting and identifying pollinators; planting trees to increase biodiversity; and observing and counting pollinators. This research could prove critical. More than three quarters of the crops we rely on require pollination, so threats to pollinators from climate change, pesticides, and habitat loss can be detrimental to humans.

St. Thomas School seeks to fill available teaching positions: St. Thomas School is seeking Catholic teachers to instruct students for the coming school year. Current openings are for elementary school teachers (two positions), middle school math teacher, part-time art teacher, Pre-K ed-techs, and afternoon staff and substitutes for the Extended Day Program. FMI, email Principal Madigan at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

It’s time to sign up for fall sports: Sanford-Springvale Youth Athletic Association (SSYAA) has opened up registration for fall sports. School-age kids may choose from field hockey (for Kindergarten through Grade 6), flag football (for Grades 1 and 2), football (for Grades 3 to 8), and cheerleading (for Kindergarten through Grade 8). The last day to register is July 31. FMI, and to sign up, go here (https://buff.ly/ZjUrw1G).

Calling all wiffle ballers: The organizers of Sanford Christian Academy’s (SCA) inaugural Wiffle Ball Tournament, to be held on Saturday, July 26, at 9 am, are seeking wiffle ball teams to participate. Players should be age 11 to adult. All proceeds from the event will support the SCA basketball team. FMI, email Caleb Raines at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Area residents named to UNE Dean’s List: The University of New England recently released its Dean’s List for the spring semester 2025. Named to the list from Sanford are Colby Bartlett, Richard Bond, Hannah Brown, Connor Curcio, Owen Harding, Callie Huppe and Samantha Ryea, and from Springvale are Jaylyn Bartolome, Ailey Mann and Sarah Shaw. Dean’s List students have attained a grade point average of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0 at the end of the semester. https://buff.ly/EJnEX7p