MARS HILL and FORT KENT, Maine — Aroostook Aspirations Initiative’s Gauvin Scholar program aims to educate youth and retain them for jobs in The County.
“Staying in Aroostook County is important to me because most of my family is here. I’m a very family-oriented person and don’t know what I would do without my family and friends,” said Courtney Milliard, 2015 Pineland Farms Gauvin Scholar.
Milliard is a graduate of Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School and is currently wrapping up her second year of college at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK). She is majoring in elementary education.
“Some of my career goals for now are to get my Ed Tech II license, get summer work and work-study jobs to help pay for my education,” said Milliard.
Aside from her studies, she is also a residential assistant at UMFK and is the Student Senate secretary.
Having a strong work ethic is something that Aroostook Aspirations Initiative’s executive director, Kristen Wells, said is motivating to see in potential and current Gauvin Scholars.
“Courtney is a great example of a student who knows that it takes hard work and dedication to succeed in education and in community involvement. Courtney gets involved on campus and with community service,” said Wells. “Courtney’s family has had such an influence on her growing up and instilled a work ethic in her that now benefits her in her educational and personal development.”
“Being a Gauvin Scholar helped me get in touch with the community,” said Milliard. “We did community service and I met tons of people by doing that. Also, it helped me get in touch with people about potential jobs in the area.”
