Maine Seacoast Mission Awards $158,000 in 2021 Scholarships

Maine Seacoast Mission Awards $158,000 in 2021 Scholarships

Kaitlin Beal from Sumner High School is the 2021 Angus MacDonald Scholarship recipient.

NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Continuing a tradition that started more than 100 years ago, Maine Seacoast Mission welcomes 23 new Mission Scholars for year 2021. The Mission this year awarded $49,000 in new scholarships and $109,000 in renewed scholarships.

Mission Scholarships Director Terri Rodick said, “Our 2021 scholarship awardees are from 14 high schools in Washington and Hancock Counties and the islands we serve.”

The 2021 Mission scholars were resilient and able to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve their college aspirations. During the scholars’ interviews with the Mission, they told stories of deeper connections with teachers, guidance counselors, and community members supporting them throughout the year.

“Mission scholars are pursuing degrees in science, early childhood education, construction, fashion design, social justice, art, and education. One student is a first-generation American working to create fashion and clothing that illustrates the American Dream and diverse fabric of America. Another is a local student focused on building his Washington County community through repairing homes and building sustainable housing,” explained Mission Downeast Director Melvin D. Adams III, Ed.D.

“The beauty of the Mission scholarship program is the importance of supporting college aspirations — where youth can create change and ask us to think deeply about our community through fashion, teach future generations, and discover life-saving medications,” Director Adams said.

Among the Mission’s several scholarships, its Angus MacDonald Scholarship provides an award of $14,000 over four years to an exceptional high school graduate who has demonstrated superior academic achievement, leadership skills, integrity, and commitment to the community. This year’s Angus MacDonald Scholarship recipient is Sumner High School student Kaitlin Beal from Gouldsboro, ME.

Congratulations to all our 2021 Mission scholars.

Learn more about Maine Seacoast Mission’s Scholarships Program.

Thank you Thursday for Paul Bennett

Thank you Thursday for Paul Bennett

It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Paul Bennett at Downeast Thunder Creations. Mr. Bennett describes himself on his Facebook page this way: “Engineer, Designer, Fabricator, and Maker [who] creates many items from a variety of materials at Downeast Thunder Farm in Milbridge, Maine.”

Mission Development Associate Anna Silver said, “I was first referred to Paul as someone who might help us create wooden awards for the Mission’s President’s Scholarship Celebration. He told me he was fan of the Mission and would be happy to help.

“After making the awards, Paul had a creative suggestion about making key fobs out of leftover mahogany from the Sunbeam refit,” Anna continued. Then, “He made me a lovely, completely unsolicited, office sign.

“While Paul and I have never met, he has been extremely good to the Mission. I encourage people to take a look at Paul’s work on his website,” Anna said. The Mission appreciates the many talented local business people who help us in so many ways.

This is what community looks like.

On the web: https://www.downeastthunder.com/

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