UMaine Valedictorian, Salutatorian both from Hancock County
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — Two women from Hancock County will cap exceptional performances as University of Maine students when they are honored as the Class of 2004 valedictorian and salutatorian at UMaine’s May 8 commencement ceremony.
Brittney Lee Astbury of East Orland is the Class of 2004 valedictorian. She will graduate with degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and in Elementary Education, along with an interdisciplinary concentration in disability studies. Amy Elizabeth Mickel of Sorrento, a Kinesiology and Physical Education major, is the class salutatorian.
“Brittney and Amy are truly deserving of this special recognition,” says UMaine President Peter Hoff. “They have been oustanding students and outstanding members of our community. They represent the very best in UMaine students, and we look forward to honoring them on Saturday.”
Before enrolling at UMaine, Astbury graduated from Evangel Baptist Academy in Bucksport. She is a member of three honor societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta and the Golden Key Honor Society. Her interests include reading, gardening, cooking, writing and music. She recently completed a children’s book, “Ty the Turtle,” about traumatic brain injury. A project for a disability studies course, the book was written and produced in a universally accessible format.
Astbury plans to attend graduate school at UMaine beginning in the fall, to pursue a master’s degree in the Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her professional goal is to become a speech-language pathologist practicing in Maine.
“I desire to work with individuals or with small groups to enhance the communication abilities of children and adults,” she says. “My ultimate goal in life is to help others.”
She says that her UMaine professors have been a positive force in her development, as a student and as a person.
“My teachers have really motivated me to learn all I can while in school, then put that knowledge to work when I enter the workforce,” Astbury says. “I am sure that many of these individuals are unaware of the influence they have had upon my learning experiences and my future aspirations. I am very thankful for the role each professor has played in my life.”
Astbury is the daughter of Rozina Astubry and the late Bradley Astbury of East Orland.
Mickel graduated as valedictorian of the Sumner Memorial High School Class of 2000. In addition to her classroom work at UMaine, she has been involved in the Student Alumni Association and the UMaine Tennis Club. She is a member of four honor societies: Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Lambda Delta and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Mickel’s interests include working with children, sailing, kayaking, gardening and being active in the outdoors. She aspires to become a physical education teacher somewhere near Sorrento. After a few years of teaching, she would like to get a master’s degree.
Like Astbury, Mickel says that her UMaine professors have been “terrific and very helpful.” She singles our her adviser, Prof. Glenn Reif.
“He has been an outstanding mentor, and has spent countless hours helping me to become the very best physical education teacher that I can be,” she says. “Prof. Reif took the time to make a connection with me right from day one, helping me to feel very at home in the Kinesiology and Physical Education Department.”
Mickel’s father and stepmother, John and Sandra Mickel, and her mother, Diane Kovacs, all live in Sorrento.
UMaine’s May 8 graduation will be the 202nd in the institution’s history. With approximately 1,900 members, the Class of 2004 will be the largest graduating class UMaine has ever had. The featured speaker will be Michele Montas, a highly respected broadcast journalist and Haitian human rights activist who graduated from UMaine in 1968. The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Morse Field at Harold Alfond Sports Stadium, weather permitting. In the event of rain, two separate ceremonies will be held in Alfond Sports Arena. Astbury and Mickel will sit on the stage during commencement, and will be recognized for their achievements.