Aroostook Aspirations Initiative just completed an exciting few weeks. In late May and early June the two-year-old organization awarded 22 students the prestigious Gauvin Scholar title.
The Aroostook students chosen as Gauvin Scholars are often first generation college students, who display excellence in character and decision-making, have a commitment to their community and a commitment to life in Aroostook County. Executive Director April Flagg said the growth of the program was an unexpected joy and credits AAI’s business partners.
“Last year we were able to offer 16 awards, and this year we were able to offer 22. The ability to offer more students this incredible opportunity is primarily because of the support we received from our business community. Pineland Farms, Katahdin Trust, The Aroostook Medical Center, Machias Savings, the Bangor Daily News, and WAGM are some of our leading partners. These incredible businesses, and many others in our community, have stepped up and stated loud and clear, ‘We support the college dreams of County kids,’” Flagg said.
Katahdin Trust Company believes strongly in the necessity of the work AAI does.
“Katahdin Trust relies heavily on a well-educated workforce to be successful. Our involvement with the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative is an investment in our youth, our local economy, and our company’s future,” Jon Prescott, president and CEO of the bank, said. “We look forward to getting to know Kerrigan Arnett, our Gauvin Scholar, and seeing how this scholarship helps her achieve her dreams and begin her career path as a business major at UMPI. We wish each of the Gauvin Scholars the best of luck and are grateful for the efforts of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative.”
The support from the Aroostook businesses and private community is key for the continued growth of the program. Sandy Gauvin, president and co-founder of the organization believes that AAI is an important piece of the solution in Aroostook.
“By investing dollars into the education of our young people, we are investing in the future of Aroostook. There are many great causes to support here, but we need to address the issues underlying those problems in order to solve them,” Gauvain said. “Ensuring that our kids get a quality education will not only help make those problems disappear, it will bolster the work force and The County’s economy. We need to teach our young people valuable skills so they can fill current and future jobs, make a good wage, and live and raise families in Aroostook County. All of that begins with education.”
Gauvin Scholars receive a comprehensive program based on mentoring, networking, and critical connections to the employment world. They attend weekend retreats, have regular check in meetings, and experience peer support networks that help them as they move through their postsecondary experience. In addition to all of these incredible benefits, Scholars also receive a $1000 scholarship to any Aroostook County University or College.
The 2015 Gauvin Scholars include: from Ashland District School, Brittany Harris, who will major in nursing at UMFK, and Wyatt Condon, who will focus on computer applications at UMFK; from Washburn District High School, Michael Ericson, who will major in wind power at NMCC, and Stacy Landry, who has chosen early childhood education at NMCC.
Also, Caribou High School’s Drew Lajoie and Justine Napalapalai both selected NMCC. Drew’s major is business administration and Justine will join the nursing program. Easton High School had three Gauvin Scholars this year who selected UMPI for the fall, Kerrigan Arnett will major in business, Kaylie Ward will begin her work in pre-med with a major in biology, and Joshua Gilman will major in graphic arts. Annie Sinclair, from Limestone High School, will also be joining the student rolls at UMPI and will major in social work.
In the north, both of Fort Kent Community High School’s students will travel south for the start of their postsecondary careers. Dustin Roy will attend NMCC to major in hydraulics and Sophie Ouellette will start UMPI in the fall as undeclared. Wisdom High School’s Tyra Michaud will study business at UMFK, and Van Buren High School’s Felecia Bouchard will begin her pre-med studies at UMFK with a focus in biology.
Courtney Milliard, from Central Aroostook High School, will head to UMPI as well and major in education. Presque Isle High School has three Gauvin Scholars — Grayden Hemphill will attend NMCC and major in electrical maintenance and construction, Jessica Baldwin will head north to UMFK to major in nursing, and Bailee Robichaud is headed north to UMFK to major in social sciences.
Houlton High School’s Amber Hulstrunk will begin her postsecondary career at UMPI as undeclared. Hodgdon High School’s Kaitlyn Barton will attend UMPI and major in social work. Katahdin’s Stephanie Redman will attend UMFK and major in nursing while Southern Aroostook Community High School grad Jessica Nye will join her southern neighbors at UMPI and major in business.
AAI is focused on stemming the outward migration of Aroostook’s young people by sharing the opportunity for success in Aroostook. Their mission is to encourage more Aroostook students to seek out postsecondary training and to increase the degree attainment levels by supporting Aroostook students selected as Gauvin Scholars as they attend college here in the County.
