Lewiston School Committee OKs LRTC trip to Wasabi Bowl; honors firefighting instructor

The Lewiston School Committee on Dec. 15 unanimously approved a request from the Lewiston Regional Technical Center to take a group of students to Fenway Park on Dec. 27 to attend the Wasabi Bowl and recognize instructor Daniel Thompson.

Rob Callahan, director of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center, said Thompson was nominated by peers and selected as a Wasabi Bowl educator honoree and that the recognition includes a program award that will support LRTC. "He is being recognized...and we would like to bring some students to see that happen," Callahan said. The committee heard a short presentation about Thompson’s hands-on teaching and student testimonials about his mentorship.

Thompson described the vocational program’s learning-by-doing approach and emphasized professional values for first responders: "As a firefighter, you're going into people's homes, and we have to have that trust," he said, illustrating the life‑and‑death responsibilities students prepare for in his class.

Committee members heard logistical details: students would meet at the school, travel by van to Portland and take a train to Boston, be chaperoned, and attend the one‑day event with tickets and a meal paid by the program. Callahan said the award connected to the honor includes approximately $5,000 directed to the program plus $500 to cover taxes.

Member Megan Heard moved to approve the field trip; a colleague seconded and the chair recorded the motion as approved unanimously. Thompson thanked the committee.

The field trip is scheduled for Dec. 27; the program said there will be no cost to participating students.