PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook Aspirations Initiative held its annual LAUNCH Scholar Success Program recently at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Many Aroostook County business leaders presented on topics ranging from college survival and college goals to stress management and learning styles in order to prepare scholars for collegiate success.
The LAUNCH program was created for first year college students and is designed to anticipate the needs of young adults in their early post-secondary academic years. Workshops such as financial planning and time management serve to give them skills they can use in college and beyond. They also attended a speed networking workshop which introduced the scholars to leaders in their chosen fields as well as other fields that are critical to the economy in Aroostook County.
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- Aroostook Aspirations Initiative recently hosted a Scholar Success event at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, to help prepare the students for success in college and the workplace. From left are Benjamin Ruest, Grady Mckeough, Johnathan Hardy, Dylan Jurson, Jordan Labbe, Kylie Vining, Mykayla Bresset, Samantha White, Karoline Dillenbeck, Kassandra Farley, Kassandra Nelson, Elizabeth Collins, Abigail Dionne and Kelsey Sewell. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
“The LAUNCH Scholar Success Program was created to give our scholars the tools they need to get a quality college education right here in Aroostook County while keeping their college debt low,” said Sandy Gauvin, president and co-founder of Aroostook Aspirations Initiative. “Our scholars are motivated, hardworking young adults and we want to help them succeed.”
Kylie Vining, a 2019 Gauvin Scholar, said the Gauvin Scholarship has made college more affordable for her and that the weekend’s events were a “great preparation in terms of what to expect at college.”
Another new scholar, Samantha White, said she believes AAI will help her acquire skills and friendships that will last a lifetime.
The 2019 Gauvin Scholars will meet again at the Night with the Stars Fundraising Gala on Thursday, Sept. 12. They will also participate in the second year ADVANCE program in 2020, which features tips on résumé writing, interview preparation and further networking, which will assist them in the business world once they finish their degree programs.
Aroostook Aspirations Initiative is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, training, networking and internship opportunities for seniors graduating in Aroostook County and who wish to attend college and work in The County.
For more information, contact the program coordinator at 768-9418 or rachael@gauvinfund.org, or visit www.gauvinfund.org.
