BHS students spread across the city during the third annual Community Service Day, supporting their community by working on several projects
COMMUNITY | Tiger PRIDE in Action: BHS students roll up their sleeves for Community Service Day
Author: Karen Garnett
A proud Biddeford alumna, Karen Garnett brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, graphic design, and development across the health care and education sectors. She currently serves as Communications Director for the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton School Departments, shining a spotlight on the achievements of our community’s schools, staff, and students.
Beyond the school walls, Karen is a Biddeford-Saco Rotarian, Notary Public, and Wedding Officiant. She enjoys home renovations, creating memories with her grandsons, and running her small business, Diverse Anecdote, LLC.
Biddeford Marching Arts named New England Champions
By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Biddeford’s Marching Arts program is celebrating a historic season, earning top honors across the region and solidifying its place among New England’s elite. At the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Finals, Biddeford High School’s BlackOut Percussion, Blizzard Winds, and Blaze Color Guard each captured first place, … Continue reading Biddeford Marching Arts named New England Champions
Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
[Contributed Story] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Among the 77 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 4, 2026, two of the four Biddeford teams placed in their divisions. Both the Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) Performance Team and the Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
De La Torre Recipient of MPA Principal’s Award for Biddeford High School
The standout student receives high praise from her teacher and other community members By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Biddeford High School (BHS) Senior Katarina De La Torre has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), is given annually to a senior … Continue reading De La Torre Recipient of MPA Principal’s Award for Biddeford High School
COMMUNITY | Honoring the legacy of Don Wilson
Editor's Note | The Biddeford Gazette was proud to make a modest donation to this effort. We strongly encourage our readers to also consider supporting this community project and honor the memory of one of Biddeford's greatest citizens. By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department For generations of students, athletes, and families in Biddeford, Don … Continue reading COMMUNITY | Honoring the legacy of Don Wilson
NEWS | Powering Down Costs: Biddeford High School Embraces Solar Energy
The new solar panels will help the school department reduce energy costs and improve efficiency By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department The Biddeford School Department has taken a significant step toward a more sustainable and cost-efficient future with the installation of a rooftop solar energy system at Biddeford High School (BHS). The project reflects … Continue reading NEWS | Powering Down Costs: Biddeford High School Embraces Solar Energy
BRCOT Students Earn Top Honors at SkillsUSA Challenge
[Contributed Story] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Six students from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) placed in the State SkillsUSA Competition on March 12 and 13, 2026, demonstrating exceptional technical skill, dedication, and career readiness across a range of high-demand fields. This year, twenty-eight BRCOT students competed against some of the most … Continue reading BRCOT Students Earn Top Honors at SkillsUSA Challenge
Biddeford author inspires young writers, artists at BIS
[CONTRIBUTED STORY] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department BIDDEFORD, Maine – Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) welcomed acclaimed author and illustrator Rebekah Lowell on the morning of March 19, 2026, where she led four engaging presentations for third and fourth grade students centered on storytelling, creativity, and art. Biddeford Intermediate School third grader Olivia Langill … Continue reading Biddeford author inspires young writers, artists at BIS
BHS Drama Club will present ‘Mean Girls’
By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Biddeford High School (BHS) Drama Club is proud to announce its upcoming production of Mean Girls: High School Version, a bold, high-energy musical that brings humor, heart, and sharp social commentary to the stage. Show times are Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, … Continue reading BHS Drama Club will present ‘Mean Girls’
BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer With the pressure of a Top Chef-style showdown—and none of the usual kitchen comforts—Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) Culinary and Hospitality students competed in the Maine ProStart State Invitational on February 24, 2026, placing second and third, respectively. Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s Culinary Arts students place second in … Continue reading BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
BHS art students earn statewide recognition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Two Biddeford High School students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland next month. Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and Sophomore … Continue reading BHS art students earn statewide recognition
Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Students from Biddeford and Saco schools showcased their spelling skills last month during their respective school Spelling Bees, earning top honors and advancing to the York County Spelling Bee on February 9, 2026, at Saco Middle School. Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public. Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
Biddeford Middle School presents ‘Moana JR.’
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, and Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her … Continue reading Biddeford Middle School presents ‘Moana JR.’
Rotary Club program brings holiday cheer to 200 local children
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer This holiday season, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club once again demonstrated the power of community through its annual Adopt-A-Family Program, ensuring that 200 local children experienced the joy of Christmas morning. Despite the growing need, Rotarians and their helpers remained undeterred—managing every aspect of the program, from shopping and wrapping … Continue reading Rotary Club program brings holiday cheer to 200 local children
Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Biddeford Adult Education’s First Teachers Family Literacy Program has been selected as one of only three programs in the entire nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the newly launched Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy, an initiative of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation aimed at addressing America’s growing … Continue reading Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant
Area students launch campaign to fight hunger
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Beginning today (Oct. 29) students across the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton school districts are joining forces to help fight hunger in their own backyards through a new initiative called “Spare Change Fills Plates.” The campaign comes at a critical time, as SNAP benefits end for many local families, impacting children … Continue reading Area students launch campaign to fight hunger
Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) held its Eighth Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two remarkable community members: longtime educator Joyce Tarpy and local photographer Maureen Grandmaison. The celebration, hosted at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford, raised over $20,000 for the Foundation, which provides resources outside the school budget … Continue reading Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 