Maine Developmental Disabilities Council Inclusion Awards

The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council honored high school students, educators and Senator Angus S. King (I) during the third annual Inclusion Awards held on April 25, 2018 at the Maine Statehouse Hall of Flags.

​Students from 20 Maine high schools submitted essays and/or works of creative expression. Essayists responded to the ​following ​questions, “What does the full inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities mean to you? What are your experiences/observations around the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in your school, community, etc.? How would you improve inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities?​ ​Creative expression submissions addressed full community inclusion for everyone, including individuals with developmental disabilities.

​2018 Inclusion Award Honorees:

Senator Angus King was honored with the 2018 Policymaker Award. (Photo at right: Nancy Cronin, Maine DD Council Executive Director, presents the 2018 Policymaker Award to Scott Wilkinson, regional representative for Senator Angus King​.​

Hodgdon High School and Freeport High School were recognized for school participation in the Inclusion Awards competition.​

Tom Wells of Cony High School and Michelle Birkenshaw of Narraguagus High School were honored with Teacher Awards.​

Caleb Richardson of Cony High School was awarded first place in the Essay ​Award.

Sophia DeSchiffart of Narraguagus High School was awarded first place in the Creative Expression Award for “Changing the Way We See” (pictured above)​.

Award presenters included Jan Breton, Director of Special Services, Maine Department of Education; State Senator Joyce Maker; and State Representative Richard Farnsworth.