14 Scholarships were awarded at out 2017 annual meeting.
Senior, Wyatt Alexander, son of Brett and Jennifer Alexander is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This is a young man who at the early age of 4 learned what it means to put the pedal to the metal and turn left. Since then he’s been on the fast track for a career in motorsports. He admits that becoming a top-notch NASCAR driver is very difficult, but has his sights set on changing the sport from the inside out by developing innovative designs such as the flying brick, bump stops, splitters, and the HANS device to name a few. On behalf of the association, congratulation and all the best #96.
Senior, James Scillia, son of Gary and Debra Scillia is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Maine. Here is a young man who has a vision and deep passion to enhance and change the dietetic processes not only in our country, but on a global perspective. His vision encompasses individual diet habits to impacting the food industry from processing to products that are healthier and more environmentally friendly while remaining affordable to all in our global society. On behalf of the association, congratulations and all wish you all the best.
Senior, Jillian Dow, daughter of Bryan and Stephanie Dow is awarded the George Ray scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to pursue a degree in marine biology at the University of California at San Diego. The experience of being a crew member of the Island Cruses in Bass Harbor and running a nature cruise vessel was the inspiration Jillian needed to spark her passion for all things wonderful in the ocean. She intends to learn all she can about the ecological management and conservation of marine biomes and bring this knowledge back to Maine to the community she knows and loves. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best.
Senior, Braedyn Wescott, son of Sean and Sean Wescott is awarded the Leah Allen scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to pursue a degree in accounting & business management. Here is a young man who is grateful for his upbringing and the grounding his family gave him which has given him a humble perspective on life and how best to pursue happiness. Braedyn, we believe these values will serve you well as you pursue your degree and life’s ambitions. There is no more fitting of an award than the Leah Allen named scholarship who exemplified service to community and to the association she loved so dearly. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best.
Senior, Hayden Sattler, son of Jason and Julie Sattler Alexander is awarded the Patricia & Paul Firlotte scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to pursue a degree in Marine Systems Engineering at the Maine Maritime Academy. Here’s another young person who was inspired by being around and on the ocean operating a lobster boat. This is hard work which Hayden has met head on and is what drives his philosophy, “if you work hard to achieve your future aspirations, they will come in time.” We believe they will for you Hayden as you pursue your future in engineering. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish all the best.
Senior, Ashley Hudson, daughter of Warren and Tracy Dowling is awarded the Shirley & X Povich and Rotary scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to pursue a degree in Pre-Veterinary studies at X. Here’s a young lady who didn’t want to follow the crowd in the primary grades of being a cowboy of princess, but set her sights on the unknowns of scientific discovery through a career in veterinarian medicine. Here’s another young person who wants to better the world through scientific discovery. This type of vision gives us hope for the future and we are glad to be a part of it with this scholarship. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best.
Senior, Sierra Sargent, daughter of Todd Sargent is awarded the Tracy Family scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Maine. Sierra is one of those fortunate students who benefited from the extraordinary opportunities offered at the Hancock County Technical Center where she learned about the nuts and bolts of a career in the healthcare industry. Then there is the influence that counts the most, family. She shared how it was influence that ignited the passion and compassion to help those in need. Sierra these to qualities will take your far in any field and we are grateful to be a part of your journey to becoming a nurse practitioner. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!
Alum, Mikala Skinner, class of 2006, is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a Masters in International Educational Development. She earned a BA in English at George Washington University and immediately put that knowledge to work teaching English to kindergarteners in South Korea, then to university students in Turkey. Her other accomplishments include working with low-income first generation college students in Massachusetts and currently help refugee teachers in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. She has seen first-hand the effects of the Syrian war on the faces of her students and all they want is an education. These experiences are what drives Mikala to purse her passion of delivering the education her student deserve. Oh behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you continue success!
ALUM, Alexandra Rydlizky, class of 2014 is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to her pursuit of a degree in Dance and Art Management at State University New York, Purchase College Conservatory. Alexandra has literally danced her way through college and even abroad at the Taipei National University of the Arts in Taiwan. Her skills and passion for dance led to her selection to work on a choreographic project for the Purchase Dance Company. Her goal once graduating college is to share her love of dance by performing with companies, teaching, and choreographing. Oh behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you continued success!
ALUM, Charles Libby, class of 2016, son of Christopher and Mary-Katsiaficas Libby is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in health science with a track for a pre-vet career at Husson University. Charles is another one of our alums who was inspired by the experience offered by a local business, the Schoodic Animal Hospital. It was this experience and his innate love for animals that solidified his career path. Charles’ goal is to work with both companion animals and livestock which is important to many in Maine. There is a great need for veterinaries in this area and it’s always good to hear we have alums pursing this profession. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!
ALUM, Haley Lawrence, class of 2015 is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in marketing at the University of Maine. Haley is one of our many accomplished athletes during her high school career who was recruited by the University of Maine to run professionally in their division one program. Discipline is the key to success for any collegiate athlete and Haley displayed that quality when she received the prestigious scholar athlete award for her accomplishments in the classroom as well as on the field of competition. Haley has a passion for marketing because as she stated in her letter, it provides the opportunity to communicate ideas. We hope Haley will consider helping us out with marketing while pursuing your career. Our pay is low, but the rewards are great as we help students pursue their dreams. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!
ALUM, Kaitlyn Kinney, class of 2014 is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in elementary education at the University of Maine. Kaitlyn is currently a junior at Farmington. She is a student athlete leading the soccer for the university as captain and getting some hands-on experience in the classroom working with kindergarteners. Her desire to return to this area to teach in the primary grades. I’m sure you won’t have any difficulty doing that with your drive, passion for kids and the ability to dream big—you will do achieve it. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!
ALUM, Lukas Firestone, class of 2016, son of George and Maria Firestone is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in visual and digital arts at the American International College. Lukas’ dream is to be an advertiser and creator for a sports or music agency. His passion is taking pictures, editing and producing videos, and creating art using a variety of digital tools. The association could use some skills like this to advance our mission of providing scholarships to those pursing their life’s passion. Again, the pay is low, but the rewards are great. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!
ALUM, Carli Carter, class of 2015, daughter of Clifford and Lisa Carter is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in computer science at Thomas College. Carli is another one of those students who doesn’t have much time to sleep with all the courses, jobs, and campus responsibilities while maintaining one of the highest GPAs of all the applicants. Carli’s goal is to intern with The State of Maine’s Office of information and Technology then once graduated to work for a government agency such as the National Security Agency or Central Intelligence Agency. These are high, but achievable goals with the qualities Carli exhibits on a semester by semester basis. On behalf of the association, congratulations and we wish you all the best!