Five graduating seniors from Maine high schools will each receive $3,000 scholarships from the First Wind Scholars Program
Officials with First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, recently announced that five students from Maine high schools will be awarded scholarships through the company’s signature First Wind Scholars program. The 2014 recipients were selected from a large pool of applicants and represented project host communities at our operating and construction projects in Maine. First Wind is marking the fifth year of its successful community program and will commit a total of $68,000 nationwide this year alone.
The First Wind Scholars program offers one-time, $3,000 college scholarships to high school seniors in communities where the company has a project in operation or construction. In addition, one $5,000 scholarship, renewable for four years, is awarded to a stand-out applicant from the competitive pool. Students must display strong potential for a successful post-secondary experience, as well as interest in pursuing studies focused on the environment, energy or the sciences
“All of us at First Wind are very proud to recognize these students. We look forward to seeing the future innovation and advancements made by this year’s scholarship recipients in the fields of energy, science and technology,” said Carol Grant, senior vice president of external affairs for First Wind. “As we continue to foster and develop a more sustainable future, we are happy to give back to the host communities where we have developed renewable energy projects. We are pleased that the First Wind Scholars program has been so successful during its first five years.”
First Wind owns and operates five projects in Maine: the 60 MW Rollins Wind project, situated in the towns of Lincoln, Burlington, Lee and Winn; the combined 83 MW Stetson Wind I & II projects, both near Danforth; the 42 MW Mars Hill Wind project in Mars Hill; and the 34 MW Bull Hill Wind project in Hancock County. The company also recently began construction on the 148 MW Oakfield Wind project in Aroostook County.
Honorees include Brayden Beardsley of Surry, a graduate of Ellsworth High School, will attend Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., as a mechanical engineering major; and Trysten Pelkey of Lincoln, who attended Mattanawcook Academy, and has enrolled at the University of Maine at Orono, with plans to study computer science.
Mataya Hartin
Aroostook County high school seniors awarded scholarships from the First Wind Scholars program are:
• Mataya Hartin of Crystal, a graduate of the Southern Aroostook Community School, who will attend the UMO, where she will major in nursing. She lives near the Oakfield wind project that is currently under construction. During her time at Southern Aroostook, Mataya played varsity soccer, basketball and softball, was on the National Honor Society and was the Aroostook Scholar Athlete; 
Courtney Jurson
• Courtney Jurson, a resident of Hodgdon and student at Hodgdon High School, will attend UMO as a communication sciences major. She also lives near the Oakfield wind project. Courtney participated in soccer and basketball while at Hodgdon High School, was on the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony award; and
• Hunter Turner of Easton, a graduate of Easton Jr./Sr. High School, will study mechanical engineering at UMO. Hunter resides near the Mars Hill wind project. Hunter was the recipient of the Maine Principals Award, salutatorian, participated in basketball and was on the Division II Champions volleyball team.
