NORTH BERWICK

Sean Ashburn, a junior, and Jen England, a Reading Workshop educator, both of Noble High School in North Berwick, have been selected to participate in the Bezos Scholars Program at the Aspen Institute. Ashburn and England are among 12 students and 12 educators selected from public high schools across the U.S. and received expense-paid scholarships to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colo., from June 30 to July 6.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Loranger Middle School eighth-grade students recently completed a project to educate the public about storm water pollution and prevention. Students stenciled artwork to mark storm drains and handed out fliers detailing ways that others can help ensure the cleanliness of water supplies, which run directly into the ocean.

For more information, go to www.thinkbluemaine.org.

BUXTON

Deidre Lopez, a junior at Bonny Eagle High School and a student in the hospitality program at Portland Arts and Technology High School, has been selected as one of 27 outstanding career and technical education students from Maine.

SANFORD

Willard School Grade 6 students recently presented projects they've been working on since January for a "Turn Beauty Inside Out Program."

The program, headed by Caring Unlimited program co-coordinator Jennifer Clapp, asks girls to notice the role culture and media play in creating stereotypes. Barbara Noone, a sixth-grade teacher and a Maine State Teacher of the Year finalist, plans to carry on the work next year.

For more information, call Jill Barkley at 490-3227, ext. 107.

HOLLIS

Hollis Elementary students had an assembly featuring a slide show of student environmental efforts as part of a recent Green Day celebration.

Teacher Jen Pinkham presented the slide show. Students Amber Anderson and Rhiannon Johnson read aloud a list of "10 Things I Can Do to Help My World." Hollis resident and recycling advocate Bob Fournier challenged a few students to test their knowledge of recyclable items.

WELLS

Four Wells Elementary School students were honored recently for creating the top T-shirt designs for the 2009 Colors Day. Fourth-graders Alyssa Loukola, Lauren Dewey, Travis Kay and Wesley Moody were recognized for their artistic efforts before the entire student body. Lauren's design was voted best overall to represent the event, which celebrates the school's core values through the giving of awards and a variety of games and activities.

The T-shirts will be handed out to 524 students on Colors Day on Friday. Funding for the purchase of the shirts was courtesy of the school's Parent Teacher Student Association and area businesses.

SOUTH BERWICK

Sophie Towle, a fifth-grade student at Marshwood Great Works School in South Berwick, has been selected as the 2009 Maine Distinguished Student by board members of Maine Educators of the Gifted and Talented.

The daughter of Fred and Trish Towle, she will be honored at the Maine Gifted and Talented Conference in November. She will receive a plaque and a cash award for herself and her school.