MDI Historical Society intern, Chebacco author, and lifelong MDI resident, Sabrina Calas. shared a presentation and led a discussion about her research into how MDI schools teach civics. This talk took place on April 23, 2026, at the Jesup Memorial Library.

What does the future of democracy look like on Mount Desert Island? While national trends show a decline in youth civic participation, Sabrina Calas’ research, conducted during her internship with the MDI Historical Society, uncovers a different story. Drawing from her article in the 2026 Chebacco, Sabrina explored how we teach citizenship within MDIRSS AOS 91 and beyond. Through interviews with local educators and officials, she highlighted the ways our students are spearheading community initiatives with maturity and drive.