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Ribbon cutting dedicates Mt. Blue Campus

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Former Superintendent Michael Cormier awaits Superintendent Thomas Ward, far right, to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the Mt. Blue Campus. To the left of Cormier is School Board Chair Mark Prentiss and to the right is Facility and Maintenance Director David Leavitt. To the far left is Principal Monique Poulin and to the far right is Foster Technology Center Glenn Kapiloff. The 10 students, ranging from high school to elementary, represent different communities in or around Mt. Blue RSD.
Former Superintendent Michael Cormier awaits Superintendent Thomas Ward, far right, to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the Mt. Blue Campus. To the left of Cormier is School Board Chair Mark Prentiss and to the right is Facility and Maintenance Director David Leavitt. To the far left is Principal Monique Poulin and to the far right is Foster Technology Center Glenn Kapiloff. The 10 students, ranging from high school to elementary, represent different communities in or around Mt. Blue RSD.
Former Superintendent Michael Cormer shakes hands with current Superintendent Thomas Ward.
Former Superintendent Michael Cormer shakes hands with current Superintendent Thomas Ward.

FARMINGTON – Attendees applauded early and often Thursday evening, as the Mt. Blue Campus was dedicated with a series of musical performances, ribbon cuttings and, of course, a long list of thank-yous.

Superintendent Thomas Ward served as master of ceremonies, recognizing the contributions of donors, contractors and district officials for their efforts relating to the $64.7 million expansion and renovation construction project.

“We have so many people to thank for such a magnificent facility,” Ward said.

Contractors included Wright-Ryan Construction and Portland Design Team, as well as a number of other companies, including local E.L. Vining and Son. Attendees were given an enormous list of legacy campaign donors, but Ward singled out the contributions of the Gould family, for donating funds for the tennis courts, Franklin Savings Bank for providing funds for the concession stand, the Vinings for donating funds for the competition field turf and the weight room and the Bjorn family for donating money for the auditorium.

Among the many school district officials who received recognition was David Leavitt, director of facilities and maintenance, Principal Monique Poulin, Director Glenn Kapiloff at the Foster Technology Center and former Superintendent Michael Cormier, who received a standing ovation from the audience.

“It’s been an honor to have worked here and been a part of this,” Cormier said.

Two ribbon cuttings were the features of the evening, with school officials helping ten students hold a ribbon for Cormier and Ward to cut and officially dedicate the Mt. Blue Campus. A second ribbon cutting was held for the Bjorn Auditorium, with Richard Bjorn cutting a ribbon held by members of the Bjorn family.

Musical entertainment was provided by the Mt. Blue Voices, the Chamber Singers, the Jazz Band and the Franklin County Fiddlers.

 

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The Mt. Blue Chamber Singers, led by Carol Shumway, were one of four musical performances by local groups. The piano, a 107-year-old Steinway Grand, was refurbished thanks to donated funds.
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Prior to the ceremony, guests toured the school with National Honors Society/Student Council member guides.
Attendees included educators, school board members, local and state officials and residents.
Attendees included educators, school board members, local and state officials and residents.
A second ribbon cutting was held for the Bjorn Auditorium, a significant portion of which was funded through a donation by the Bjorn Family, who was on the stage during the ceremony.
A second ribbon cutting was held for the Bjorn Auditorium, a significant portion of which was funded through a donation by the Bjorn Family, who was on the stage during the ceremony.
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10 Comments

  1. It would be nice if the general public had a chance to view the new school. I never saw anything in advance about this event or any other.

  2. Its been posted downtown on signs and in papers…..I suppose its someone’s fault that you are unaware of community events! Really? This is actually the 2nd open house for a tour at the school.

  3. Wow Momster that was harsh – not all of us work or are able to get to the downtown area – I as well have not seen anything about this happening !

  4. The ceremony and tours were posted multiple times in the Bulldog, and Sun Journal.

    The first public tours were announced weeks prior to the homecoming weekend, and were given on the Friday of the homecoming game. The media coverage then referred to the upcoming ribbon cutting and tours for Thursday, Nov 14.

    Sorry you missed it.

  5. Actually, this event was highly advertised for months in local papers and within articles here on the Daily Bulldog. This marked the 3rd time of tours as well. I am sure if you contacted someone in the administration they would be glad to set you up with a tour of this magnificent facility.

  6. I don’t live in the district as was well informed this was happening. Don’t blame anyone but yourself that you didn’t know about this.

  7. I’ve read “wilton’s” post several times…I guess the blame y’all speak of must be inferred. I didn’t see anything either, and I’m not blaming anyone. All I thought was “Dang, I missed it”. Well informed is unlikely, but reading the paper daily is more like it. I don’t read it every day, so therefore must have missed the announcement. It is a beautiful school, I hope they have another open house maybe at holiday time. Holster your ire folks, it was just a comment.

  8. Here are some more opportunities for anyone who’s interested. These are the upcoming concerts, but I’m sure a tour could be scheduled if you called ahead.

    https://dailybulldog.com/arts/mbrsd-announces-concert-season/

    MBRSD announces concert season
    Posted by Administrator • November 15, 2013 •
    FARMINGTON – The Mt. Blue Regional School District music department is pleased and excited to announce the coming concert season in our area schools. These concerts are the culmination of the first trimester of the academic year and feature student musicians in grades four through twelve in concert bands, choruses and orchestras.

    Beginning the concert series on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 at 7 PM will be the Mt. Blue High School band and chorus under the direction of Karen Beacham and Carol Shumway. This concert will be the first music concert presented in the new Mt. Blue Campus Bjorn Auditorium.

    On Wednesday, Dec. 4 the Cascade Brook School bands and orchestras will perform in the Mt. Blue Middle School gym at 7 PM. These student musicians are under the direction of Graybert Beacham, Karen Beacham and Nancy Beacham.

    Thursday, Dec. 5 the Mt. Blue Middle and Mt. Blue High School orchestras will present their concert at 7 PM in the Bjorn Auditorium on the Mt. Blue Campus. This concert will be directed by Steven Muise.

    On Tuesday, Dec. 10 the student musicians at the Academy Hill School will present the bands, choruses and orchestra under the direction of Lindsay Burke, Darryl Pike and Steven Muise. The concert will begin at 7 PM in the school gym.

    The Mt. Blue Middle School band and chorus concert will be performed on Wednesday, Dec. 11 under the direction of Lindsay Burke and Darryl Pike. The concert begins at 7 PM in the Mt. Blue Middle School gym.

    On Thursday, December 12 at 7 PM the student musicians from the Cape Cod Hill School will perform under the direction of Karen Beacham, Nancy Beacham and Lindsay Burke.

    Also on Thursday, Dec. 12 the Cascade Brook School choruses will perform at the Cascade Brook School under the direction of Mark Phillips. The concert begins at 7PM in the school cafetorium.

    In the event of inclement weather, snow dates for these concerts will be rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 18 or Thursday, Dec. 19 in the respective school.

    All concerts are free, open to the public and all concerts begin at 7 PM. For further information, please contact your area school’s music teacher or Carol Shumway, Mt. Blue Regional School District Music Department Chairperson, at 778-3561.

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