PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A liberal studies student from Limestone got the surprise of his life just before the fall semester started at Northern Maine Community College.
Jason Sprague, a second-year student, was chosen in a raffle to win free tuition for a year. Better still, Jason’s mother, Linda Harvey, purchased the tickets and kept it a secret.
The drawing for The Alumni & Friends Organization free-tuition raffle took place one week before the first day of classes.
“She called me and said, ‘You’re not going to believe this, but you’ve won free tuition at NMCC this year,”’ explained Sprague. “I asked if she was kidding because sometimes we like to pull each other’s leg, but she sounded serious.”
After the win, Linda teased Jason several times that he owes her money for the cost of the tickets she bought — money well spent. Sprague intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating from NMCC, and he’s helping to pay for his education. He says this gift will motivate him to work even harder in his studies.
Both he and his mother are very grateful for the prize, which is worth more than $2,000.
The proceeds from the sale of the tickets go to the Alumni & Friends Organization, which pays for half of the tuition cost while the college pays for the other half. The winner is entitled to 12 free credits per semester.
The second-place winner in the raffle was auto collision repair student Leigh Buck of Presque Isle. He won a $250 gift certificate to the NMCC bookstore.
His award was also a surprise, because Trade and Technical Occupations Chair Pam Buck purchased the ticket.
Buck makes a habit of buying raffle tickets for her students, and she’s extremely lucky. Just two years ago her ticket was chosen as the tuition-free winner.
