SACS receives planning grant

    DYER BROOK — Southern Aroostook Community School was recently awarded a five-month $5,000 planning grant by the MELMAC Education Foundation. This grant is followed by an application for a four-year implementation grant worth $40,000.     One initiative of the MELMAC Education Foundation, “Connect Aspirations to a Plan,” is to award grants supporting college access programs in Maine. These college access programs seek to increase the number of Maine high school graduates who aspire to enroll, and then attend post-secondary study. The goal is to increase the number of Maine high school students who enroll in higher education the fall immediately following their high school graduation. Since 2003 the MELMAC Education Foundation has worked with 52 of the 146 public and private Maine high schools with hopes for more with this new round of grants.
    One of the required yearly activities of the grant is to take all sophomores on a college visit. Research shows that students who visit a college campus are more likely to enroll and stay enrolled in college.
    “We felt it would be in the best interest of our students and families to use some of the grant funds to take a big college trip. This trip will allow them (students) an opportunity to visit a variety of college campuses around the State and New Hampshire,” the College Access Program Coordinator Jessica Walker stated,
    On March 11 and 12, 37 sophomores, three juniors, and nine chaperones made the trek to the following college campuses: Thomas College and Colby College in Waterville, Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, and University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.
    “Watching students broaden their horizons was a thrill. Even better has been coming home and hearing them talk about it,” Alternative Education teacher and chaperone Kate Schulz stated.
    When students were asked what their favorite college campus was and why, Nick Tarr said, “I really enjoyed Colby College and the University of New Hampshire. The labs and the science department at Colby looked awesome! I liked the larger size of the University of New Hampshire, also.”
    Gregory Ryan, chairman of the school board committee at Southern Aroostook Community School, was a chaperone on the trip and commented, “The trip was great and the kids were excellent. I personally learned a lot at each of the colleges regarding curriculum.”
    Since their return, Charlotte Durr, guidance counselor, has seen an increase in the number of students talking about post-secondary plans.
    “I am impressed with the attention that students gave to each college campus and to the impact that the trip has had on higher interest in colleges and their expectations upon our return,” said Durr.
    Anyone with questions regarding the trip can contact Jess Walker at 757-8206 or visit www.melmacfoundations.org for information regarding the MELMAC Foundation or the Connect Aspirations to a Plan Initiative.
    Editor’s Note: This story was supplied by the SACS Journalism class.