The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Lisbon AVEC Students Met Senator Libby Mitchell‏

High school students from Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon, Oak Hill and Leavitt attended a political session with Senator Libby Mitchell on Wednesday, November 3.

Jacob Gladu a student at Leavitt High School, Senator Libby Mitchell, and Alisha Banville, Edward Little High student.

LHS students (l-r) Sarah Giraldo & Jordan Beauparlant

LHS students (l-r) Kyle Frazier & Jessiah Carlson

Photos by Paul Giggey

Lisbon – On Wednesday, November 4, Gifted and Talented Students Jordan Beauparlant, Jessiah Carlson, Kyle Frazier and Sarah Giraldo from Lisbon High School attended a politicial session at Lewiston Auburn College, accompanied by their teacher, Paul Giggey. Guest of honor, Democratic Senate President Libby Mitchell, held a question and answer session at the college for area school students, along with their teachers and advisors. Mitchell addressed major issues facing Mainers today, especially job creation and education.

Elizabeth (Libby) H. Mitchell was unanimously elected as Maine’s 113th Senate President on December 3, 2008. Mitchell has the distinct honor of being the first woman in America to serve as both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Senator Mitchell represents Senate District 24, which includes Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney and Vassalboro.
A resident of Vassalboro, Senator Mitchell was first elected to the Maine Legislature in 1974. Her legislative service includes nine terms in the House and three in the Senate. During her time in the legislature she has been a tireless advocate for education; successfully championing legislation to improve Maine’s K-12 and higher education systems and sponsoring first in the nation legislation that used state funding to expand the Head Start program.
On opening day of the 124th Legislature, President Mitchell set a tone for the session by calling on everyone, regardless of party, to work together to increase opportunity for Maine people by creating jobs, expanding access to health care, improving the quality of our education system, and moving the state towards energy sustainability.

In addition to serving her community in the Legislature, Libby has served three terms on the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen. She also serves on the board of Maine General Health, Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, New England Board of Higher Education and Jobs for Maine Graduates. She served seven years on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, chairing the board for four years. She has also served on the board of Kennebec Health Association, Home Resources of Maine, Kennebec Valley Medical Center, Oak Grove-Coburn School and as director of the Maine Homeless Coalition.

Libby and her husband Jim live in Vassalboro. They are the proud parents of four children (J. Elizabeth, Will, Charlie and Emily) and six grandchildren.

Students were provided the opportunity to attend the session thanks to The Androscoggin Valley Regional Program for the Gifted and Talented. The program was developed in 1986 in response to the needs of the gifted and talented high school systems in the Androscoggin Valley Education Collaborative (AVEC). The schools consist of Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon, Oak Hill and Leavitt.