UMPI senior Monica Hewitt is an exemplary individual
This issue’s Student Spotlight features UMPI senior Monica Hewitt. Monica is majoring in Professional Communication and Journalism. She is from Caribou, Maine, where she was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. She is also a writer for the University Times, having written for the campus newspaper since her freshman year. Furthermore, Monica works as a pharmacy technician at Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy in Caribou. She has worked there for six years. In fact, recently Monica was named Employee of the Month at Hannaford, an honor that comes with a complimentary jacket and her picture on the wall.
Dianna Poulin, an UMPI freshman who has known Monica for about 16 years, said, “Monica is a very kind person who is deeply rooted in her Catholic faith and very devoted to everything she does.”
Monica chose to attend UMPI because it is close to her home, allowing her to commute from Caribou, and because UMPI has a Professional Communication and Journalism program, led by Dr. Jacqui Lowman. Monica has made the Dean’s List all of her semesters at UMPI. Some of her favorite classes have been Business Communication with Dr. Lowman (Dr. J), Editing with Dr. Lowman, Lifelong Wellness with Coach Alan Gordon, Creative Writing with Professor Zuras and the Great Directors Series with Professor Zuras.
Of Monica, Professor Zuras said, “Monica has a quick wit and a keen interest in looking beneath the surface of film topics at hand. In addition, Monica always reads her fellow students’ work carefully enough to give thoughtful critique and does so with measured enthusiasm.”
Monica’s future plans are not solidified, but she is hoping to stay in Aroostook County for the foreseeable future. For fun, she enjoys watching movies, listening to music, exercising and being outdoors and reading. Her favorite movies are “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Hunger Games” trilogy, “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Captain America.” Her favorite musicians are Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, George Michael and Maroon 5. She likes hiking the Nordic Heritage Center trails, swimming at her grandparents’ property on Long Lake and running on the treadmill and lifting weights at Gentile Hall on the UMPI campus. She delights in reading young adult fiction, with her favorite book being “The Hunger Games” trilogy.
Some of Monica’s favorite memories throughout her time at UMPI include the University Times end-of-semester potlucks, presenting at University Day (she has presented with a group on BEYOND LIMITS Appalachian Trail Adventure and on Friends of Baxter State Park) and doing a Facebook Live event with others introducing BEYOND LIMITS, an organization founded by Dr. Lowman that helps people undertake and overcome challenges in a supportive environment. When she graduates and leaves UMPI, Monica says she will miss Dr. J and Saint, Dr. J’s dog.
Monica, in addition to being a strong student, is an upstanding person. She treats others with politeness and kindness. Her role model is her grandfather, from whom she learned the importance of not giving up on goals and of trusting your family. In the past Monica has volunteered with the Good Samaritan thrift shop in Caribou. Monica’s dream vacation is a trip to Australia and New Zealand. If she could meet any celebrity, she would meet Keith Urban. She is actually going to attend one of Keith Urban’s upcoming concerts in August, at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor.
Monica is a commendable UMPI student and an exemplary person. The AmeriCorner agrees and congratulates Monica on her achievements. UMPI is lucky to have her on campus.
