SCARBOROUGH — Alexis Beaucaire of Greene has been named Maine Connections Academy’s May STAR Student of the Month. STAR students are academy scholars who are recognized for embodying the school’s values and spirit both in and out of the virtual classroom.
Beaucaire, a grade 12 student, has always felt connected to veteran-related causes. She comes from a Gold Star Family, a designation for family members of a service member who died while serving their country. Her grandfather’s brother, Thomas McMahon, was killed in action during the Vietnam War in 1969. McMahon was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, according to a news release from the academy.
As a result, Beaucaire’s grandfather became involved in Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that distributes veterans’ wreaths for placement on graves in military cemeteries, and that mission of supporting and appreciating veterans has since been passed down to her.
“Our generation needs to know about them. We need to remember our veterans,” said Beaucaire.
Last December she was part of the Wreaths Across America convoy with her grandfather, aunt and twin sister. The convoy, over three miles long, traveled from eastern Maine to Washington, D.C. The week-long trip culminated with Beaucaire laying a wreath on the grave of President John F. Kennedy’s son, John Jr.
“Being young and being able to do that, it’s special,” Beaucaire said as she reflected on the experience.
She began attending the academy during her sophomore year. She enjoys English and has had the opportunity to take history, government and business classes that closely aligned with her college interests.
Beaucaire credits her advisor with providing flexible deadlines to help her balance her schoolwork during the Wreaths Across America trip, allowing her to focus on the experience.
She will graduate from the academy in June. She’s headed to the University of Maine, where she plans to major in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine. She’s especially fond of horses and is looking forward to joining the equestrian club at the university.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less