MACHIAS — The University of Maine at Machias, the regional campus of the University of Maine, has named Rachel D’Alessandro, a double major in marine biology and integrative biology from Wassaic, New York, the 2026 valedictorian, and Kalli Sternberg, a rural education major from Machias, Maine, the 2026 salutatorian.

“Rachel and Kalli are exceptional students who have achieved great things not only in the classroom, but across campus and our community,” said UMaine Machias Dean Megan Walsh. 

D’Alessandro works as a phlebotomist, and plans to enter a medical lab technician program. Immersing herself in health sciences during her undergraduate career, she attended a week-long course at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, during spring break in 2025.

“I plan to use my experience and the degrees I am receiving at UMaine Machias to continue and further my career in the medical field,” D’Alessandro said. 

With a passion for the outdoors, D’Alessandro worked for Project SHARE, an organization dedicated to Atlantic Salmon conservation, in the summer of 2023 and 2025. She participated in several Outing Club events, including a hike at Tunk Mountain, a canoe paddle at Six Mile Lake and a ski trip at Big Rock Mountain, where she learned how to snowboard.

“I also enjoyed regular events on campus like intramurals, bingo, paint and sips, terrarium building and all kinds of other events,” she said. 

Deeply connected to her hometown, Sternberg, who also pursued a concentration in elementary education and a minor in creative writing, recently completed her student teaching at Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias. Sternberg worked under Caitlyn Roy, who was her own teacher in fifth grade. While studying at UMaine Machias, she earned her Wilderness First Responder license during one of her courses. 

“I hope to give back to my Washington County community by teaching locally!” Sternberg said. “Eventually, I plan to pursue a master's degree in the educational space and perhaps earn a graduate Certificate in Outdoor Education and Leadership.” 

She volunteers with Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), the only non profit organization in Maine that offers support for students as they transition from middle school to high school, through high school graduation and onto post-secondary education. By partnering with Maine’s middle and high schools, community colleges and the University of Maine System, JMG promotes degree attainment and pathways to careers.

Sternberg is also the student representative for the UMaine Machias Curriculum Committee, which is responsible for developing recommendations to add, drop or restructure academic programs and individual courses. 

Recently, she met with the Maine Department of Education to discuss UMaine Machias’ Rural Education program. 

“I enjoy being a student ambassador and  talking to prospective students about the program!” she said.  

About the University of Maine: As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.