Longing for a Maine That Makes Us Proud

Why Can’t We Be Known for Our Heart, Not Our Headlines?

Once again, Maine finds itself in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A Waterville Senior High School teacher, JoAnna St. Germain, has made headlines by publicly calling on the U.S. Secret Service to assassinate President Donald Trump, comparing him to Adolf Hitler and warning of another Holocaust if he isn’t stopped. Even after her statements sparked outrage and an investigation, she doubled down, showing no remorse for her violent rhetoric. Around the same time, Maine made waves again when a biological male won two state titles in the girls’ division, reigniting debates over fairness in sports and drawing scrutiny to our state’s policies.

As a Mainer who loves this state and its people, I can’t help but feel disheartened. These stories paint us as a hotbed of radicalism, a place where extreme views and divisive actions overshadow the hardworking, honest, and caring communities I know Maine to be. I long for the day when Maine makes national news for something that fills us all with pride—something that showcases the best of who we are, not the worst.

I dream of headlines celebrating Maine’s resilience, like our lobstermen and women who brave the elements to sustain a centuries-old industry, or our small-town volunteers who rally to help neighbors after a storm. I want to see stories about our educators inspiring the next generation with creativity and compassion, not calling for violence. I envision news that highlights our youth excelling in ways that unite us—perhaps a girls’ sports team winning a state championship through grit and teamwork, free from the controversies that fuel division.

Maine has so much to offer: breathtaking landscapes, tight-knit communities, and a spirit of independence that should make us a beacon of what’s good in America. Instead, we’re becoming known for radical stances that alienate us from one another and from the rest of the country. The teacher’s comments don’t reflect the values of most Mainers I know, who would rather sit down for an honest conversation than resort to such extremism. And while the debate over sports and gender is complex, I ache for a time when our kids can compete in an environment that feels fair and focused on their growth, not on national culture wars.

I’m tired of cringing when I see Maine in the news, bracing for another story that makes us look like we’ve lost our way. I want to be proud of my home. I want the world to see the Maine I love—one where people come together, not to tear others down, but to build a future we can all believe in. Let’s work toward a day when Maine’s name in the headlines brings a smile to our faces, not a sigh of frustration.

Chuck Ellis

Chair, CCRC

“The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph” George Washington