Brewer baseball coach David Morris was one of seven educators statewide honored in Augusta recently for their efforts in helping to meet the needs of children and at-risk youth in their communities.
Morris, an alternative education teacher with the ALPHA program in the Brewer school department, was among those recognized by the state Advisory Committee on Truancy, Dropout and Alternative Education.
According to a release from the state Department of Education, “recipients were chosen because of their impact on young people whose lives might have turned out quite differently if not for the caring and intervention of these individuals. The awardees have worked to create caring, respectful and safe learning environments for students while supporting them academically to attain the Maine Learning Results standards.
Local school district dropout prevention committees submitted nominations to the advisory committee, which advises Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron on what causes students to be truant or to drop out, and methods to address the issues.
According to the nomination submitted on behalf of Morris, “The success and excellence emanating [from] the ALPHA program is due to the leadership of David Morris. Morris has perspective and the understanding necessary to motivate these young teens. He is incredibly caring and literally saves these young people from [being] non-productive citizens, or in some cases, [living] destructive lives. Every June, graduating seniors are required to write essays reflecting on their school experience and their future plans. To a student Morris is cited as their main reason for returning to school. Two years ago one senior thanked Morris for letting him return to “alt ed” several times. He understood that it took time to realize the importance of a high school diploma and despite his many poor choices Morris was always there to lend a hand offering his unwavering support and encouragement.”
Others honored during a Blaine House ceremony attended by Gendron, Gov. John E. Baldacci and Jonathan Ross, past-chair of the Truancy, Dropout, and Alternative Education advisory committee, were David A. Hopkins, a civic leader and past administrator for MSAD 6, based in Standish; Lillie Hanlon, administrative assis-tant to the director of the Real School in Windham; Sophie Payson, a social worker for the Portland High School Alternative Program; Nathan T. Larlee, an alternative education teacher in the Zenith Program at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport; Keith Morang, a special education teacher at Monmouth Academy; and William E. “Bill” Davis, founder of the Institute for the Study of Students at Risk at the University of Maine.
Bernard wins Gatorade honor
Chris Bernard, a senior pitcher from Scarborough, has been named the 2009 Maine Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.
Bernard, a 6-foot-1 righthander who is headed to the University of Maine this fall, currently leads the Southern Maine Activities Association in several offensive and pitching categories while he has helped the Red Storm to a 10-4 record and a top-three spot in Western Maine Class A entering this week’s play.
According to the most recent Southern Maine Activities Association statistics, Bernard leads the conference in batting average (.559), slugging percentage (1.176), on-base percentage (.674), RBI (19), doubles (nine), and total bases (40),.
On the mound, he is 6-1 with an 0.37 earned run average and 51 strikeouts compared to just six walks. He has allowed just two earned runs in 38 innings, and has held opposing batters to a combined .156 batting average.
Bernard joins Kyle Stilphen of Gardiner (2008), Jarrett Lukas of Old Town (2007), Joe Fessenden of Portland (2006), Ryan Flaherty of Deering of Portland (2005), and Mark Rogers of Mount Ararat of Topsham (2003-04) as the most recent Maine Gatorade Player of the Year honorees.
