You Won't Believe What This Tech School Revealed While Crafting a 10-Foot Acadian Sculpture!

FRENCHVILLE, Maine — In a striking blend of artistry and engineering, students at the St. John Valley Technology Center are creating a 20-foot Acadian star that will serve as a welcoming landmark for visitors to Madawaska, Maine, during the upcoming Acadian Festival this summer. As sparks flew and metal ground down, the welding students, led by their instructor Tony Paradis, embarked on one of their most ambitious projects to date, using materials sourced from the former international bridge that once connected Madawaska to Edmundston, New Brunswick.

The Acadian star is deeply symbolic, representing both the unique culture of the Acadian people and their historical ties to France. The star's design features five points that symbolize a figure with open arms, crafted to welcome Acadians to the United States. Dan Cayer, a Grand Isle artist and the project's designer, explained that the inner star signifies the Acadians now residing in the United States, effectively merging the region's history with its contemporary identity.

“The star is an open-armed object from the United States, welcoming the Acadians to the United States,” said Dan Cayer.

The star's significance dates back to 1884, when a French flag featuring a star was displayed at the second Acadian National Convention in Prince Edward Island. Cayer, who was born in Edmundston, expressed a personal connection to the project, recalling that he was just days old when his parents carried him across the bridge into the U.S. Since then, he has crossed it countless times, witnessing the intertwining of lives across the border.

As of now, the five points of the star have been completed, and most of the remaining work involves welding those parts together. The star, excluding its base and columns, weighs approximately 3,300 pounds, with the final installation projected to weigh close to three tons, as noted by Kevin Lavoie, the technology center director. He expressed confidence in the students' efforts: “I feel confident that we’re going to successfully give Madawaska what they’re intending to receive.”

Drew Levesque, a senior involved in the project, shared his excitement about working alongside classmates and professionals to make this monumental piece come to life. The students have faced challenges typical of real-world projects, such as limited materials from the old bridge. They learned to adapt their skills and think critically while working under a deadline, providing them with invaluable experience.

“There’s gaps, so we took plates to fill the gaps, and then welded the plates to the star,” said Levesque. “We have all the points set, and now we’ve just got to make the pentagon for the middle, and then put it together.”

In addition to honing practical welding skills, the project fosters a sense of unity and pride among the students. Lavoie emphasized that working on such a large-scale project instills a sense of achievement and encourages students to contribute to their community. “It shows that they can take on a project and work for a bigger entity, for the schools or the communities, or the Acadian Council, and make something really tangible to look forward to,” he said.

As the project nears completion, Levesque anticipates the moment when he drives by and sees the finished Acadian star standing tall in his hometown. “I can’t wait to see it in my hometown,” he remarked, encapsulating the sentiment of pride and connection that this project represents not just for him, but for the entire community.

As the students put the final touches on this monumental star, it becomes a striking reminder of the interconnectedness of history, culture, and community, inviting all who enter Madawaska to reflect on the rich tapestry of Acadian heritage.