PRESQUE ISLE — Having grown from the first nine Gauvin Scholars in 2014, Aroostook Aspirations Initiative could potentially grant 50 scholarships next year.
For years before founding AAI in 2013, Ray and Sandy Gauvin provided scholarships from 2000-2010 to serve more than 100 scholars. They wanted to make a larger impact on Aroostook County and its youth.
“When we began our original scholarship in 2000, we had no idea the scope it would eventually encompass,” said Sandy Gauvin, president and co-founder of AAI. “We went from providing scholarships to graduating seniors in one high school to serving students throughout the County.”
AAI’s mission is to support the educational and career goals of the youth of Aroostook County, and to mobilize the future prosperity of The County. Students selected as Gauvin Scholars receive scholarships, but there is more: They receive guidance, trainings, and professional development support through their college careers in Aroostook County.
“It is amazing to see the support that Aroostook Aspirations has received as we’ve matured over the last three years. As we began our planning in 2011, the initiative seemed to take on a life of its own,” said Ray Gauvin, AAI co-founder. “We began with nine scholars in 2014, and now we are looking at the possibility of having about 50 scholars for 2017.”
AAI Executive Director Kristen Wells said she is thrilled to pursue the larger goal. “When I saw how many applications we receive each year, and how few of those students we were able to accept, I knew we needed to do more,” she said. “Still, I never expected to get to as many as 50 scholarships so quickly. We put the pieces in place to prepare for this increase throughout 2016 and now I can’t wait to meet our 2017 Gauvin Scholars.”
The initiative received nonprofit status in 2012, and the first group of Gauvin Scholars graduated this spring.
“AAI has made astonishing progress toward their mission goal of producing a deliberate, ongoing yearly supply of Aroostook County-raised and trained college graduates to meet our ongoing skilled labor shortage up here in northern Maine,” said Scott Smith, AAI board of directors vice president.
“The very concept, and subsequent and outstanding efforts of AAI, have been both bold and big in terms of their vision, passion and results, but most importantly have been meaningful in the lives of the young people who have continued their education here in The County, and whose families, communities and our economic vitality are the beneficiaries,” said board member Jason Parent.
To learn more, visit gauvinfund.org, follow them on Facebook or Twitter or email info@gauvinfund.org.
