Whitefield and Chelsea Students Receive Maine Diplomas

Despite disruptions to their education, Brandy Mansfield and William Grondin graduate in Blaine House ceremony

July 10, 2009

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education awarded the third and fourth Maine Department of Education Diplomas on Thursday to Brandy Mansfield of Whitefield and William Grondin of Chelsea. Both students have had interruptions to their education, but were able to complete their studies and receive a diploma through a new process created by law in 2007. Education Commissioner Sue Gendron presented the diplomas in a Blaine House ceremony.

Mansfield has earned 21.6 credits and her major strength is language arts. She won a scholarship from the Freemasons to attend Capilo Institute for Cosmetology. She plans to work as a cosmetologist and in the future she would like to attend school for Massage Therapy. She thanked her mother for not allowing her to quit school in the 10th grade; now she understands why.

Grondin has found an interest in a career tech program and will be looking for work in the plumbing trade in his community. Grondin plans to live and work in the town he grew up in and give back to the community.

Under Public Law 451, which created the Maine Department of Education Diploma, the Department can issue a diploma to students who have experienced educational disruption, due to hospitalization, homelessness, or incarceration or other causes. Students must demonstrate that they meet the content standards of the Maine Learning Results. The diploma is intended for students who meet the necessary requirements, but are not able to meet the graduation requirements of their local school system because of the disruption.

“Key adults – whether parents, alternative education teachers, or others – can make a significant difference in the lives of children and can help them reach their goals, even when the students themselves cannot envision those goals,” Gendron said. She praised Mansfield and Grondin for sticking with it and working to receive their diploma.

Also present for the ceremony was Frank Boynton, superintendent of schools for the Whitefield, Chelsea and surrounding areas, which includes the School Union 132 Secondary School, an alternative program to help students like Mansfield and Grondin receive a diploma. An alternative education teacher from the program also attended.

Both students spoke briefly and thanked their teachers at the alternative education program.

For more information about Public Law 451 and the Maine Diploma, visit:

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/lom/LOM123rd/PUBLIC451.asp

Downloadable photos from the event can be found here: http://www.maine.gov/education/news/images/

David Connerty-Marin | Director of Communications | Maine Department of Education | 207-624-6880

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Whitefield and Chelsea Students Receive Maine Diplomas