enlarge John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Godelieve Bamani, Portland High School, fled the Democratic Republic of Congo with her family under a death threat and wants to be a teacher.

enlarge Doug Jones/Staff Photographer

Lori Anne Esmiller of Westbrook made Maine Medical Center her “second home” as a volunteer.

enlarge Jack Milton/Staff Photographer

For Ari Kohorn of Brunswick, community service has been “a varsity sport,” says an adviser.

enlarge John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Tara Clark, at Casco Bay High School in Portland, has raised funds for people in Sudan and researched land mine usage.

enlarge Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Katie Takach of Cape Elizabeth has helped a Kenyan girl become a nurse and taught children in Guatemala City.

enlarge John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Samantha Burns, a Deering graduate, has found time to study piano when she’s not studying and volunteering.

enlarge Doug Jones/Staff Photographer

Macy Brown, a Deering graduate, helps kindergartners at Longfellow Elementary School, where she interned and volunteered.

enlarge Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Sam Ludwig, graduating from Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, recently built the Web site shown next to him for the Interact Club, one of his many volunteer projects.

enlarge Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Taylor Vaughan of Kennebunk has served as a mentor to Catholic and Protestant teenagers from Northern Ireland.

enlarge Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Jake Gallagher of Yarmouth has won scholarships for his work with Safe Passage to help impoverished children in Guatemala.

Visit our roundup

Complete graduation coverage of more than 30 area high school graduations, with lists of seniors, top graduates, award winners and photos.

 

 

Each year, the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram profiles outstanding graduates from high schools across southern Maine.

This year, we focus on graduates who have distinguished themselves through public service and who plan to continue giving back to the community.

The class of 2009 enters adulthood at a time when an economic recession, environmental concerns and global conflicts pose significant challenges. Many young people have been influenced by President Obama's call for help in solving problems that face the United States and the world through responsible, active citizenship.

The 10 graduates profiled in this issue include Godelieve Bamani, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo who taught French to kids at the Children's Museum of Maine and tutored fellow students at Portland High School.

There's Jake Gallagher, a Yarmouth High School student who traveled to Guatemala four times with a relief group to help disadvantaged children in that Central American country.

There's also Taylor Vaughan, a Kennebunk High School student whose work with the Maine Irish Children's Program helped promote positive relations between Protestant and Catholic youth in Northern Ireland.

Through public service, they and the seven other graduates profiled on our graduation page have already improved our world and given us positive examples.

And if they have their way, they'll continue to do so for many years to come.

THE GRADUATES' STORIES

Godelieve Bamani, Portland High School

Lori Anne Esmiller, Westbrook High School

Ari Kohorn, Brunswick High School

Tara Clark, Casco Bay High School

Katie Takach, Cape Elizabeth High School

Samantha Burns, Deering High School

Macy Brown, Deering High School; Portland Arts and Technology High School

Sam Ludwig, Mt. Ararat High School

Taylor Vaughan, Kennebunk High School

Jake Gallagher, Yarmouth High School