Everett Blair, Capital Area Technical Center’s 2021 Student of the Year. Contributed photo

AUGUSTA — Everett Blair of Whitefield is Capital Area Technical Center’s 2021 Student of the Year.

A senior from Erskine Academy in South China enrolled for the second year in the Law Enforcement Academy program, Blair will ship out in July for 10-week basic combat training with the U.S. Army National Guard. He will then attend an eight-week Advanced Individual Training (AIT) program in Mississippi.

When he returns from his training, he plans to attend the University of Maine at Machias to study wildlife biology, with the goal of becoming a Maine game warden.

Outside of school, he has been a volunteer coach for middle school basketball. He helps out a neighbor who has Parkinson’s disease by shoveling and splitting and stacking firewood.

This year, Blair placed first in the local SkillsUSA Law Enforcement competition. His other accomplishments this year have included attaining his first promotion in the United States Army National Guard to an E-2, becoming a Registered Maine Guide, selected captain of the Erskine Golf Team, named a two-time golf coach’s award pick, receiving the 2020 KVAC All-Academic Award, and being a two-year member of Erskine Academy’s National Honor Society and a member of the Erskine Academy baseball team.

His instructor, Peter Couture, said, “Everett exceeds the standards in class for professionalism, strong work ethic and integrity. He thrives on motivating others to excel in hands-on skills. He is always willing to assist and work with others that may struggle. Everett has proven himself as a leader amongst his peers. He is always willing to get outside his comfort zone by volunteering for hands on activities,” according to a news release from the center.

Blair said he is grateful for the opportunities the Law Enforcement Academy program at CATC has provided him.

“We are pushed every week with physical fitness, and we have guest speakers come in nearly every week to teach us the different roles in law enforcement. The law enforcement class has provided me with a lot of first-hand knowledge, and life skills that will help me reach my goals,”  Blair said. He also credits ride-along opportunities with Gardiner Police Department and the Maine State Police as helping him see what it’s like to work in the field.

Other student finalists for CATC Student of the Year included:

Taryn Crummett of Newcastle, who attends Cony High School in Augusta and is enrolled for the second year in the graphic design & printing program.

Landen Huff of Winthrop, who attends Winthrop High School and is enrolled for the second year in the computer technology program.

Stella Libby of Monmouth, who attends Monmouth Academy and is enrolled in the certified nursing assistant program.

Brady Lucas of Augusta, who attends Cony and is enrolled for the second year in the auto collision program.

Bethany Lyon of Vassalboro, who attends Cony and is enrolled in the certified nursing assistant program.

Mya Sirois of Monmouth, who attends Monmouth Academy and is enrolled in the certified nursing assistant program.

Capital Area Technical Center 2021 Student of the Year finalists, from left, are Brady Lucas, Taryn Crummett and Bethany Lyon. Contributed photo

Capital Area Technical Center’s 2021 Student of the Year finalists, from left, are Stella Libby, Mya Sirois, Everett Blair and Landen Huff. Contributed photo