VASSALBORO — A new Game Warden assigned to Appleton is one of 13 graduates of the Advanced Warden School, May 9, at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Matthew Norcia and the others are headed into the field, and have been assigned districts throughout the state.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso was one of the featured speakers at the graduation, and urged the graduates to “Endeavor to uphold the standards of excellence set before you, persevere where others may falter, treat people with fairness, honesty, compassion and respect, and I have no doubt that not only will you uphold the excellence of this agency, you will be on your way creating new standards for others to aspire.”

Joining Commissioner Camuso as speakers during the ceremony were Maine Warden Service Colonel Dan Scott, Advanced Warden Service Academy Cadre Josh Polland, Game Warden Mark Hutcheson, Passamauoddy Game Warden Chief Bill Nicholas and class speaker Game Warden Matthew Tenan.

These wardens just completed a 12-week academy that focused on subject matter specific to the Warden Service, including search and rescue, fish and wildlife laws and regulations, boating, fishing, hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling and others. This 12-week course is in addition to the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program required of Maine law enforcement officers. Game Warden Joshua Polland was the lead cadre for the Advanced Warden School and the cadre staff included Game Wardens Kale O’Leary, Megan Orchard, and Chad Robertson as well.

The 13 new game wardens, and their assigned district are listed below:

Maine Game Wardens

Joshua Theriault: Strong

Matthew Tenan: Lubec

Melinda Rugg: Rumford

Matthew Norcia: Appleton

Isaiah Dyer: Belgrade

Avery Boucher: Farmington

Kevin Richards: Patten

William Gormely: Millinockett

Nick Bartholomew: St. Zack

Joshua Lugdon: Springfield

Passamaquoddy Tribal Wardens

Cole Nicholas

Joe Socobasin

Bobby Brennan