Maine Motif Issue 2, Vol. II (Winter, 2018) | Page 4

From the President
January 2018
Happy New Year to you,
2017 was a wonderful year of Centennial Celebration for MMEA. Six commissioned
pieces were premiered, membership was up and we have attained 501c3 status. On to
the next one hundred years!
As you peruse this issue, there are so many incredible teachers doing incredible things
in our state that are members of this organization. Congratulations to Kaitlyn Young,
Sedomocha Elementary and Middle School Music Teacher who is the 2018 Maine
Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to Marisa Weinstein who was the winner of the
George N. Parks Leadership Award. She and her family were flown to the Bands of
America Finals for the ceremony. Did you catch the ABC National News that featured
members of the South Portland HS Band playing for their bus driver during his last
chemo treatment at Mercy Hospital? The National News ran this story! The SPHS
Marching Band under the direction of Craig Skeffington shared their hearts with the
nation. It will give you goosebumps. Maybe you are a UMO alum and you read the
article about the incredible growth in the Marching Band Program. Kudos to Chris
White!
There is so much going on each and every day and so many talented and giving people in
our organization. Please reach out and gather with the other music teachers at festivals
and district me