LIMESTONE — Camden’s Greyson Orne, presently a junior at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone, has been confirmed by the Maine State Senate as a student trustee member of the Maine State Board of Education after being appointed to the seat in mid-January by Governor Janet Mills.

The process of becoming the Governor’s student nominee to sit on the board begins in February of the year prior to one’s nomination and appointment to the board, according to Freedom resident Wilson Hess, the chair of the Maine State Board of Education. 

An aspiring pilot, Orne, who eyes studying at either the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, or West Point with a future as an officer in the military, was among more than two dozen candidates vying for the nomination over the spring and into the summer of 2020. 

With no legislative sessions in the fall, Orne was unable to be confirmed to his position. 

Determined to make an impact on the future of the Maine’s educational system, though, Orne volunteered to participate in state board of education meetings as a member of the general public. 

Despite being unable to participate in the formal role of being a sitting board member, Hess noted Orne was very proactive and a good contributor to the board’s meetings as he awaited his confirmation. 

“I was motivated to seek an appointment with the board because I believe that there are not enough resources directed towards students at both the upper and lower ends of the academic spectrum,” Orne said in an email following his confirmation. “As a student at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, I have had the privilege of meeting students from around the state and have listened to their experiences at past schools.”

Orne noted many of his peers at MSSM attend the Magnet school due to a lack of advanced programs at their local public schools. In his confirmation hearing with the educational committee, Orne, himself, noted he opted to attend MSSM to reap the benefits of its plethora of rigorous academic opportunities.

“I believe that not including these programs is a disservice to some of Maine's best students who may not have the opportunity to attend schools outside of their district and discourages Maine students from staying in the state for college or careers,” he said. 

Orne credits his time as a student in the Camden-Rockport school system and at MSSM for providing him a sufficient perspective on how the quality of education could — and should — be, even in rural communities. 

“Attending these schools has given me a unique perspective on the possibilities of what our education system could look like, even in rural environments like Limestone, where I currently attend school, he said. “Additionally, programs like the YMCA's Youth in Government have introduced me to students across the state, from Kennebunk to Presque Isle, and their views on how the state could improve our public education.” 

During his education committee hearing on his nomination to the board, he received high praise from a member of the Mills administration who was made a statement during the hearing on behalf of Governor Janet Mills. 

“It is because of his motivation, dedication and determination in his studies, in representing his peers that makes him an ideal nominee,” said Melissa O’Neal-Lowell, Director of Boards and Commissions for the Mills Administration. 

As a student member of the board, he will be required to actively participate during monthly State Board of Education meetings and be familiar with agenda items and Maine education statutes. 

“We are also required to be an active advocate for Maine education and reach out to students in the district we represent to better advocate for student concerns,” he noted. 

Being familiar with the complex education laws and statues was highlighted by Orne as likely being the most challenging aspect of being a student board member, though he noted the other board members are incredibly kind and he has quickly learned they are each willing to assist him or provide mentorship. (In addition to Hess of Freedom, the Midcoast is represented on the board by John Bird of Rockland and Martha Harris of Winterport.) 

The most rewarding part of being a student board member, Orne says, will be making an impact on the future of the Maine educational system. 

“In my eyes, the most rewarding part of this position is the privilege of representing students from across Maine's second congressional district and knowing that I can be an active, positive force towards education in this great state,” he said.