NORWAY — Students at the Rowe Elementary School were told during a school-wide assembly Friday they should always challenge themselves and surround themselves with inspirational people as they aspire higher in life.

Amanda Huotari, the Celebration Barn’s artistic director since 2007, told hundreds of students at the school that her experience as a student at Guy E. Rowe led to her professional career.

She was invited to speak at the school’s Aspire Higher assembly Friday afternoon to talk about her career as part of the districtwide Aspire Higher celebration to encourage students to expand their learning beyond high school. 

Huotari told the students that 27 years ago, Rowe Elementary School did not have an Aspire Higher experience but community members were brought into the classroom to discuss their occupations and she was able to see a juggler.

“I learned to ride a unicycle in the hallways right outside your office,” she said.

Years later, she became the artistic director of the Paris-based Celebration Barn that brings in creative acts from around the world, including Michael Menes, a theatrical juggler who later wowed the students with a performance.

She left the students with important life lessons she has learned.

“Let your dreams take you to unexpected places,” she said.

A week of Aspire Higher activities at the elementary school ranging from STEM math night to the districtwide Aspire Higher parade on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Friday’s Aspire Higher Recognition assembly brought the 400-plus students a wide-ranging array of experiences to sample as they learned about the opportunities to aspire higher.

Representatives of the elementary school grades spoke about their aspirations and what they had learned during the week, including what it is like to be a firefighter and school principal, a pilot and other occupations.

The assembly concluded with the drawing and presentation of 2015 Aspire Higher Scholarships, which are provided through business donations and given out at each school in the district.

The winners were: Nevaeh Bailey, Sarah Johnson and Cameron Sherbinski, all Grade 4 students; Wyatt Senecal, a kindergarten student; and Grade 6 student Casey Southworth.

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