Local residents honored during superhero ceremony

By Allison Heidorn and  Clare Desrosiers, ASAP Coalition
Special to the Pioneer Times
    HOULTON — Houlton youth revealed the long awaited results of a survey last Saturday at Southside School in Houlton during a Community Conversation Event. Among many items discussed were how Houlton youth feel about their communities, drug and alcohol use and their futures. The message was one of hope and optimism along with some struggles youth currently are facing based on the survey taken October 2008. During the presentation, local community members, who were nominated and honored as Houlton heroes for their positive impact on youth in the area, were presented with superhero capes and awards. Among the award recipients were: Art and Mim Sloat, Eric Lincoln, Marie Carmichael, Stephen Nason, Conrad and Pam Prosser, and Brian and Theresa Griffin.
    Art and Mim Sloat have volunteered their time and talents to the St. Mary’s young adult group for many years. Their dedication and example have positively impacted the lives of many of the young adults at St. Mary's.
    Eric Lincoln was selected as superhero because of the time he donates each year to the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby, helping with pre-race day, race day, and clean-up activities. He also donates Houlton Farms Dairy products to numerous youth activities — from benefit suppers to classroom parties. He also sponsors Little League teams each year. Eric has a true interest in Houlton's youth and enjoys talking to kids and teens as well as their parents. He always has time to help someone out.
    Marie Carmichael is a superhero because of her work for the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department, where she has worked with the youth of Houlton for years. She is actively involved in all aspects of youth activities within the department. Marie also volunteers with the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby and all breast cancer fund-raisers and informational activities. She is a tremendous role model, exhibiting a positive attitude and creating activities which enable the youth to strive for excellence without compromising principles — and always with a smile! She is fair, kind, thoughtful, and willing to help with anything that is either child or community related.
    Stephen Nason was selected as a superhero for Houlton youth because of his service to the community as the Houlton Police Department’s DARE Officer. Since graduating from the DARE School in 2007, Officer Nason’s performance as a DARE Officer has been nothing less than exceptional. During this time he has given youth the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
LOCAL HEROES —  After a community survey nominated several residents as Houlton Heroes, they accepted their awards and hero capes designating them as “asset builders.” Present for the ceremony at Southside School were from left: Stephen Nason, Eric Lincoln, Mim Sloat and Art Sloat. Not present were: Marie Carmichael, Conrad and Pam Prosser, and Brian and Theresa Griffin.
    Conrad and Pam Prosser have been selected as superheroes because of the compassion they have shown as foster and adoptive parents in Houlton. Conrad is a kid-oriented super dad who is patient and kind.  Together Conrad and Pam have adopted 10 children over the last several years.
    When taking the children in, the Prossers take all siblings, never separating them. They provide unconditional love, support, discipline and a true family setting. They are real heroes, rescuing these children from a life of moving from home to home in the foster care system, fulfilling all foster children’s dreams of having a real home, a real mom and dad and, most of all, love and acceptance.
    Brian and Theresa Griffin are superheroes in Houlton because of the volunteer time they have spent developing and presenting a year-long curriculum — Theology of the Body — to the St. Mary's young adult group. The young adult participants were very positively impacted by their message and the concern and commitment to the youth that it demonstrated.
    Congratulations to all of these very deserving superheroes. Houlton residents should be proud of your community and all the wonderful individuals that make your town what it is!