Biddeford education foundation honors two community pillars

BIDDEFORD  – On Oct. 1, the Biddeford Education Foundation held its Fifth Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two generous community partners and longtime contributors to learning: Denise D’Entremont and Apex Youth Connection.

The dinner and silent auction raised over $12,500 for the foundation, which provides resources outside the school budget to enhance learning opportunities, assists students in need of food, clothing, and shelter, and supports teacher mini-grants to maximize opportunities for students Pre-K through Grade 12. 

“Together, Denise and the staff at Apex Youth Connection have made a significant impact on the youth throughout Biddeford,” said Superintendent Jeremy Ray. “Denise has been a one-of-a-kind champion for students while Apex Youth Connection mentored and expanded their growth through engaging programs. Denise and Apex are a reflection on the Foundation’s goals - to maximize opportunities for our students in Biddeford - and we are fortunate to have these pillars in our community.”

 D’Entremont began her career in Biddeford in 1973 as a special education teacher, eventually becoming a guidance counselor. She emphasizes the value of stability, positive coping skills, and mental health support in the relationship to a student’s academic success. D’Entremont served the Biddeford School District as an educator for 40 years, the Biddeford Education Foundation Board of Directors for four years, and continues to serve on special projects supporting district staff so they can better meet the needs of students.

Apex Youth Connection was the first organization to be recognized as a Pillar by the Foundation. As a partner with the Biddeford School District for over ten years, Apex Youth Connection provides afterschool service-learning programs for middle school students, community-based learning opportunities for high school students, and supports at-risk students to help ensure a level of stability they may lack in their daily lives. Most recently, the two organizations have collaborated to develop a grant-funded position that assists students who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and directly connects families with critical resources to remain in their community.