We celebrated its thirteenth annual commencement and end of year ceremony on June 6th, 2023. Shaun Haskins, Cobscook Co-Director, opened the ceremony with a thank you to all who make the program possible, including Calais School Department, families, funders, staff, board members, volunteers, and students. Colby Soctomah-Lewey, Cobscook Board Co-Chair, offered a heartfelt congratulations and words to the graduating seniors, remarking that Cobscook can always be a homeplace to which they can return. 

Calais principal Heather Bowles and incoming superintendent Mary Anne Spearin were on hand to present the eight graduating seniors their diplomas. Those who earned diplomas were Claire Beisel, who will study environmental science at University of Maine Farmington; Madison Flynn, who will pursue a culinary degree at Johnson & Wales; Luis Gomez-Mitchell, Daisy Jo Jones, and Alan Lund, who plan to enroll in phlebotomy, outdoor recreation, and automotive programs respectively at Washington County Community College; Owen Leavitt, who will major in computer science at University of Maine; and b and Bella Telesmanick, who will take a gap year and work before pursuing post-secondary education down the road. 

Seniors Daisy Jo Jones and Owen Leavitt received special acknowledgement for receiving scholarships. Jones was awarded a Lubec American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship, and both Jones and Levitt were named as recipients of Worthington scholarships. Additionally, Leavitt was awarded a University of Maine honor cord and Early College Pathways certificate in acknowledgement of completing a semester’s worth of required general education college courses while in high school.

As part of the celebration, each student was recognized before all gathered for their accomplishments and with certificates of completion. This year, Cobscook served students from Marshfield, Machias, East Machias, Trescott, Lubec, and Pembroke. 

The program is accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. Interested students and caregivers can find program and application materials online at www.cobscookinstitute.org.