Merrill named as a recipient of WLBZ Channel 2’s ‘Teens Who Care’ award

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Whether he is preparing and serving food at the annual Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast, working to help ensure for a happy Halloween at the Shiretown Homecoming Committee’s annual October event, being busy at assorted tasks throughout Homecoming in August and having a hand in countless other endeavors, Foxcroft Academy freshman Mason Merrill has spent countless hours volunteering in his community.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    CARING GREATLY ABOUT HIS COMMUNITY — Foxcroft Academy freshman Mason Merrill, pictured with his mother Sheila Bragg, father Hayden Merrill and younger brother Carter Merrill, was recently chosen as a recipient of WLBZ Channel 2’s Teens Who Care award. From a young age Merrill has been volunteering in events across the community, such as the Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast, Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming, Maine Whoopie Pie Festival and many more. Merrill learned of the honor during a surprise ceremony at school on Oct. 10.

    For all his efforts Merrill has been named a recipient of WLBZ Channel 2’s Teens Who Care award. Merrill received the news of his honor during a surprise announcement as part of a school ceremony on the morning of Oct. 10, with his parents, younger brother, two grandparents, those who nominated him for the award and members of the Homecoming Committee and Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis all present to recognize him.
    “I do it just to stay active and to help out — I like to help out,” Merrill said after the assembly, admitting he was very surprised to be recognized for his volunteer work. “Most of it’s fun and it gives me something to do.”
    Merrill said he has been volunteering in the community for most of his life, saying he has been helping at the Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast since he was 4 or 5.
    After several announcements and other presentations during one of Foxcroft Academy’s otherwise regular all-school assemblies, Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Sherry French stepped to the podium. She said everyone was present “to celebrate and present an award to an outstanding young man at Foxcroft Academy.”

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    COME ON DOWN — Receiving a standing ovation from the assembled Foxcroft Academy student body and faculty during a presentation on Oct. 10 is freshman Mason Merrill. In a surprise during an assembly, Merrill was announced as a recipient of a WLBZ Channel 2 Teens Who Care award for the countless hours he has spent volunteering in the community.

    French said the award is from WLBZ Channel 2’s Teens Who Care program, recognizing young adults across Maine who volunteer their time and talents in the service of others. French, one of several individuals who has worked with Merrill in the past and nominated him for the honor, said she was overwhelmed to receive a call from the television station saying Merrill had won the award and the accompanying $2,000 college scholarship.
    “This young man works relentlessly and with many, many hours he will have no problem getting the (community service) hours needed for graduation,” French said, prolonging the naming of Merrill as the Teens Who Care recipient. Going into specifics of his service to the community. French said during the spring’s inaugural Piscataquis Heritage Hot Air Balloon Festival Merrill was busy driving senior citizens around the airport in a golf cart, selling T-shirts, picking up trash and helping out where ever he could —Merrill said at this point he realized French was talking about him.
    “When the Whoopie Pie Festival rolls around he’s there again,” French said, saying Merrill volunteers at the Center Theatre and is always busy during the Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast in March at the fire station.
    “The Kiwanis can always count on him,” French said. “Homecoming wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t see this student. The haunted house, he’s all over that.” She said Merrill has always assisted at the Homecoming Committee’s SeDoMoCha craft fair and she learned recently that he gave of his time to walk the farm animals during the Piscataquis Valley Fair.
    “This kid is just everywhere, we couldn’t be more proud of him in our community,” French said, announcing Mason Merrill as the student she has been talking about. A visibly surprised Merrill then rose from his spot in the bleachers to come down to the floor as those in attendance rose from their seats to give him a standing ovation.
    Head of School Arnold Shorey presented Merrill with a Certificate of Appreciation from the school in recognition of the Teens Who Care honor. French said the actual award will be presented by WLBZ at an awards night for Merrill and the other honor recipients. The television station will run a segment on Merrill and the others in the future, with promos scheduled to start being aired later in the month.
    “He is a true teen who cares,” French said.
    “We’re very, very proud of him and happy for his mom and family, and he’s just a great example for all,” Shorey said after the ceremony. “I see a young man who is a role model for all of us to follow in giving back to our community.”