Gonzalez honored with ‘Youth Who Inspire’ award

By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Ravawna “Roe” Gonzalez, who graduated June 10 from Presque Isle High School, was one of five young people in the state recently honored at the 2011 Keeping Maine’s Children Connected award ceremony held at the Blaine House in Augusta.
    Gonzalez has confronted many challenges in her life including working outside of high school to help support herself and her family. Despite these challenges, she has learned to be a strong advocate for herself and has remained dedicated to her educational program and even received a promotion at her job which helped to cover the increase in the cost of living.
    In addition to receiving a “Youth Who Inspire” award from Maine First Lady Ann LePage, Gonzalez received a $200 scholarship to be used toward her post-secondary education.
    Gonzalez has been accepted into the criminal justice program at Husson University.
    “Roe is a hardworking student who has clear aspirations for herself,” said Mary Warren, school counselor at PIHS. “We’re very proud of her here at PIHS. She has overcome difficult circumstances to better herself and I’m happy we were able to help her achieve that vision.”
    She is the granddaughter of Charlotte Rogers and the late Alfred Rogers of Ludlow.