| Most of the news surrounding the nation's economy | | | | power machines. So far the Maine school has |
| has been shrouded in gloom and doom tones as | | | | received more than thirty admission applications for |
| companies announce massive layoffs and the stock | | | | the program and at least forty two students have |
| market keeps dropping. Businesses are having trouble | | | | signed up for the introductory class. |
| staying open and it looks like unemployment is at an | | | | More and more individuals are asking the Northern |
| all time high everywhere. Still the news out of Maine | | | | Maine Community College to extend its non-credit |
| isn't all bad. In fact there is one place that seems to | | | | programs as well. |
| be thriving in spite of all of the economic woe. | | | | Maine residents are letting themselves get bogged |
| Northern Maine Community College report that the | | | | down in difficulty. Instead of complaining and simply |
| student population has only increased as the | | | | cashing an unemployment check once a week, these |
| economy has gone down the tubes. Officials told the | | | | adults are using their time and money to educate |
| Bangor Daily News that the student population this | | | | themselves and make themselves more marketable |
| year is thirteen percent higher than the size of the | | | | to a twenty first century market. It is inspiring to see |
| student population last year. Spring Semester | | | | so many people who thought they were simply "one |
| admissions rose more than fourteen percent than the | | | | trick ponies" turn over new leaves and go in new |
| admissions last year. | | | | directions. The students themselves are proud and |
| This is exciting news to Tim Crowley and the other | | | | are excited to be in school and learning new things. |
| administrators over Northern Maine Community | | | | This is the kind of story that the rest of the nation |
| College. Crowley told the Bangor Daily News that a | | | | needs to see: people taking a hard situation and |
| lot of the new students are adults who have lost | | | | turning it around and making something positive |
| their jobs in manufacturing and mills who want to | | | | happen. Stories of woe and anguish pervade the |
| learn new skills and trades. These misplaced workers | | | | news. The rest of the country could stand to take a |
| are not getting discouraged. They are using their | | | | lesson from Maine and instead of whining and |
| newly found "free time" to start over-something that | | | | complaining about losing a job, standing up and saying |
| national news does not report often. | | | | "okay, what's next?" and learning something new. |
| Another factor in the rise in admissions is the new | | | | The residents of Maine are hardy folks-they have to |
| Wind Power Technology program being offered at | | | | be to deal with the cold winters-and they are proving |
| Northern Maine Community College. This is the first | | | | themselves to be optimistic and innovative as well. If |
| wind power tech program in all of New England and | | | | only everyone could be as inspiring as the residents |
| its focus is to train people to be technicians for wind | | | | of Maine! |