We are excited to announce the winners of the second annual Distinguished Alumni Awards!
We will hand out awards at Spring for Teachers, a celebration of Portland Public Schools teachers, on Wednesday, May 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Bunker Brewing. Get your tickets now!
Meet the winners of the second annual Distinguished Alumni Awards:
Renee Fay-LeBlanc (Portland High School, class of 1992)
Renee has dedicated her life to helping others. She is the Chief Medical Officer at Greater Portland Health. She is also chair of the board of Avesta Housing, a trustee at Williston Immanuel United Church, a member of the Maine Board of Medical Licensure and a board member at Maine Medical Center.
She is also a proud mom to two sons, one a PHS graduate and one a junior at PHS.
Noor Al Dulaimi (Portland Adult Education, class of 2017)
Noor came to Maine with a B.S. from the University of Baghdad and decided to earn not only a U.S. high school diploma but also to enter Portland Adult Education’s College Transitions program and complete a Medical Office Certificate with the goal of becoming a nurse.
She passed her board exams, was accepted as a new grad RN in the Emergency Department at Maine Medical Center, and managed it all while parenting three children and working as an ED Tech at MMC.
Sydney Kucine (Casco Bay High School, class of 2013)
Sydney is a lyric soprano who has captivated audiences around the world. She studied under the famed soprano Deborah Voigt and then under Deborah’s own master teacher, Ruth Falcon. Sydney performed at Carnegie Hall, a lifelong dream, in 2022.
She lives in New York with her partner and is currently learning the part of Juliette for the French opera Roméo et Juliette.
Heather Sawyer (Deering High School, class of 1995)
Heather is a science educator at Deering High School and has earned accolades from her colleagues for her continual support of the students, and administration there. She is a known problem-solver who is deeply committed to DHS’s educational legacy.
You’re invited to meet Renee, Noor, Sydney, and Heather at this year’s Spring for Teachers! The event is a benefit for the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, which works to make Portland Public Schools even better.
