FORT FAIRFIELD JOURNAL

                                  Real.  Educational.  News.

 Fort Fairfield Journal     About Us     Contact Us    Advertising Rates      Subscribe       Distribution       Bible Reference     Our Library

Photography Service           Model Representation

Dirigere Christian Academy Starts Year with 40 Students

By:  David Deschesne, Editor

Fort Fairfield Journal, September 13, 2006, p. 14

   The Dirigere Christian Academy (DCA), based at the United Pentecostal Church on Currier Street, Fort Fairfield has commenced its 2006-2007 school year with forty students ranging from kindergarten through grade 12.

   “Dirigere is a cognate of our State motto, ‘Dirigo’,” explained DCA Chief Administrator, Pastor Rick Vincent.  “Dirigo means ‘to lead’ and that’s the type of attitude we want to instill in our students - to be leaders.”  “We want them to be the best in their field, whether it’s a doctor, lawyer, pastor or teacher.  We want them to lead by example with knowledge, wisdom and Godly principles.”

   While it is based at the United Pentecostal Church, DCA is not a school just for the church.

   “This is not a school for our church,” said Vincent,  “it’s a school for our community.”  “We aren’t in competition with public schools; we can’t compete with their facilities or all of the programs they offer.  But, we can provide things like prayer, faith and a Godly atmosphere that public schools are prohibited from providing.”  Students are not only from Fort Fairfield, but the surrounding communities of Mars Hill, Easton, Presque Isle and Caribou as well.  While many are members of the Pentecostal churches in their respective communities, some do belong to other Christian denominations.

  Every other Thursday begins with a short chapel service.

   “Today was the first chapel service of the school year.  The presence of the Lord moved in a beautiful way.  That doesn’t happen in a public school, but it can happen here.”

   After the morning prayer over the intercom, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the both the U.S. and Christian flags, students are asked if there are any special prayer requests before their school day begins.

    The DCA currently has one Maine certified teacher, Andrea Alley who serves as the Academy’s Dean of Academics.  The students’ day consists of working on their various subject modules along with lecture classes in Health, History, Literature, Math, English, Algebra and when needed, Trigonometry.   

   Mrs. Rosa Linda Parady is DCA’s Spanish teacher and provides that service to all grades K-12.  Mrs. Leilani Mortland is the schools’ piano teacher.  Vincent is a certified Education Technician. 

  “We just added a recent Northern Maine Community College graduate to our office staff.  Denise McManus will be our secretary.  She graduated with honors in Office Administration.”

   A small engine repair class will be taught to interested students at DCA this year by Winfield and JR Haley.

   DCA recently acquired two 20 and 22 passenger school buses to transport their students.  “The busses are all inspected and ready to go.  We just need to get them painted.”

   Students at the Dirigere Christian Academy are required to wear a modest school uniform of a polo shirt and skirts for the girls and polo shirt with dress slacks for the boys.  “We used to require a royal blue shirt in the past, but this year we opened it up to any color the student desires, as long as it’s a polo shirt and has the school logo embroidered on it.”  Cushman’s Embroidery in Presque Isle provides all the embroidery for the school.

   The thought of expanding to a larger building is currently on the minds of DCA administrators.  “A gentleman has approached us and made a generous offer to purchase a building for us.  We are looking into it and will be checking with the town on all of the appropriate regulations.”  “If the Lord is willing, we’ll have a new building before long.”