Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 23 : Winter 2015 | Page 37

is to achieve thousands of hours of service throughout Aroostook every year. We have to ensure that our children understand how important service is. We have to show them.” And not only did the event help communities, but the students had a great time while learning. Olivia Langner, a 6th grader at FFMHS, told Scott Johnson from The Star Herald, “For some reason, I actually do like cleaning, and I like helping others out, so the Blockhouse Museum seemed like a good place to volunteer… There’s a lot of neat things like a bobsled, even though I don’t know how they would have ridden it. It doesn’t look like anything we have today.” FFMHS freshman Kaley Norsworthy echoed that sentiment. She explained, “I chose the blockhouse because I was interested in what was inside, as well as helping out the community…. There’s a lot of clothing here from quite a while back; I was very interested in that. I’ve always been fascinated with that stuff like ‘Little House on the Prairie’, so I would actually quite enjoy going back and living then.” Sounds like a hands-on history lesson to me. FFMHS 9th grader Hunter St. Pierre told Johnson that, “I definitely want to be involved in the Serve-A-Thon next year. I had lots of fun with my sister and the adults; it was a good time. It’s always good to be part of your community. You’re never too young to give back.” Another lesson well-learned. Aroostook Aspirations provides mentorship and engagement with students to ensure their successful journey through college. Although students are chosen by a committee of local educators, business people, and citizens to receive a $1,000 scholarship annually, renewable the second year, that is just the entrance into a program that helps these young people navigate through their college years in The County and gain employment right here in Northern Maine. WINTER 2015 35