AAI plans annual Night with the Stars
Connors will speak at gala
PRESQUE ISLE — Aroostook Aspirations Initiative will host their third annual Night with the Stars Gala this Saturday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Contributed photo/TS Photography
At last year’s Night with the Stars gala are past Gauvin Scholars and program founders Sandy and Ray Gauvin, from left, front row, Dustin Roy of Fort Kent, Andrew White of Washburn, Nicholas Belanger of Ashland, Grayden Hemphill of Presque Isle, Sandy Gauvin, Ray Gauvin, Stephanie Hammond of Easton, Jessica Baldwin of Presque Isle, Patrick Belanger of Fort Kent and Michael Ericson of Washburn. Middle row, Kerrigan Arnett of Easton, Shyanna Smith of Fort Fairfield, Elizabeth Knowles of Sherman, Sophie Ouellette of Fort Kent, Justine Napalapalai of Caribou, Tyra Michaud of Frenchville, Courtney Milliard of Blaine, Amber Hulstrunk of Houlton, Bailee Robichaud of Presque Isle, Stacy Landry of Washburn, Annie Sinclair of Limestone and Mariah Hebert of Madawaska. Back row, Wyatt Condon of Portage, Joshua Gilman of Easton, Kalie Ward of Easton, Drew Lajoie of Caribou, Stephanie Redman of Sherman, Brittany Harris of Ashland and Felisha Bouchard of Van Buren.
The evening is a celebration of the nonprofit organization’s current and past Gauvin Scholars, who are all students in Aroostook County colleges. It is a night where the scholars are the “stars” and receive support from their peers and Aroostook County business and community members. During the gala, newly inducted scholars will be introduced and will be given an opportunity to network and make connections with community, education and business leaders.
Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors will serve as the gala’s keynote speaker. Since becoming the leader of Maine’s largest and most diverse business association in 1994, Connors has overseen a variety of ventures including economic development initiatives, workforce development initiatives, advocacy efforts and other member services for the business community.
Connors, who was Presque Isle’s city manager for 12 years before entering state government and an Easton native, has received numerous awards for his leadership and service, including a Junior Achievement award from the Maine Business Hall Fame in 2014 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine in 2015.
Aroostook Aspirations Initiative will also present awards for Mentor of the Year, Innovative Educator and Business of the Year.
The Mentor of the Year award is presented to an individual who has positively impacted the lives of Aroostook County students. The newly inducted Gauvin Scholars nominate the person they believe has developed meaningful relationships with them, their peers and/or their community. This year’s Mentor of the Year award will be presented by the award sponsor, Cary Medical Center.
The Innovative Educator Award is presented to an Aroostook County educator who utilizes innovation in their classroom. The award recipient is nominated by a local administrator, peer or community member and is presented by the award sponsor, MMG Insurance.
The Business of the Year award is given to a business that reflects the mission and values of AAI through their support of the organization, leadership in the community and through workforce development. This year, Aroostook County chambers of commerce were asked to nominate businesses in their region for the award, and AAI’s board of directors will select the recipient and present the award.
At this year’s Night with the Stars Gala, the initiative will also present the first annual Road Back Home Award. This award will be presented to an individual who makes The County proud and whose actions demonstrate continuing dedication for Aroostook and its bright future.
For more information about Night with the Stars or the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, contact AAI at (207) 760-0558, info@gauvinfund.org or by visiting www.gauvinfund.org.
