Maine Seacoast Mission is thrilled to announce the inaugural Davis Maine Scholarship receiving full, four-year scholarships have selected their colleges. Through the generosity of Andrew Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund these six students from Washington County and eastern Hancock County have earned the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies with full, four-year scholarships at one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA).
The Davis Maine Scholarship was created to ensure more students who are among the first from their families to attend college and are from rural Washington County and eastern Hancock County can pursue and complete undergraduate degrees untethered by financial burden. The Mission credits these students’ success to their perseverance, family support, guidance from high school mentors, and funding provided by Andrew Davis and The Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund.
Mission President John Zavodny said, “Each one of these deserving young people have already had an inspiring educational journey. The Mission is proud to be a part of supporting them on the next important leg. Our partnership with Mr. Davis and the Fund is grounded by a shared belief in Downeast youth.” The inaugural Class of 2022 Davis Maine Scholars include:
Mya Abbott of Franklin, the daughter of Chris and April Abbott, completed her education at Sumner Memorial High School this spring.
Mya has enrolled at Wheaton College in Massachusetts for the 2022-2023 school year.
This past spring, she shared her aspirations with us. Watch her interview to learn more about Mya.
Lisett Anderson of Harrington is the daughter of Rachel Vincellette.
Lisett graduated Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School this past June and has enrolled at the University of New England to continue her studies.
In May, we interviewed this young Scholar. Watch her video to learn what drives her.
Rachel Colby of Gouldsboro graduated from Sumner Memorial High School in June of this year.
She is the daughter of Jason and Laura Colby and has chosen to attend the University of New England this fall.
In Rachel’s interview, she graciously shares her hopes and aspirations for her future.
Emilee Hutchins of Winter Harbor. The daughter of Jeff and Tracey Hutchins, she graduated from Sumner Memorial High School in June.
She will attend the University of New England this fall alongside Mali Smith, Rachel Colby, and Lisett Anderson.
At her high school in April, Emilee shared her hopes for the future as well as gratitude for becoming a Davis Maine Scholar. Watch her interview to learn more.
Ana Rosa Valencia Jungo of Sullivan is the daughter of Elio Valencia Guzman and Rosalba Jungo Zavala.
After graduating from Sumner Memorial High School this spring, she will attend Wheaton College in fall 2022.
Ana interviewed with us this spring to share what motivates her. View her video to learn more about her incredible journey and her collegiate aspirations.
Mali Smith of Columbia Falls, daughter of Jason and Kimberly Smith, graduated from Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School this June.
She will attend University of New England in the fall.
In between classes this past April, Mali shared her excitement about being selected as a Davis Maine Scholar. View her interview to learn more about Mali.
In addition to the extraordinary financial support they receive, Davis Maine scholars benefit from program guidance and opportunities to ensure their successful transition to college, persistence through college and completion of their undergraduate degrees in four years.
In celebrating the Scholars, Davis Maine Scholarship Director Christina Griffith said, “Ana, Mya, Lisett, Mali, Emilee, Rachel – your story is a muscle. Use it, tend it and it will carry you far and always safely home again. And as our first Davis Maine Scholars, know that your footsteps already matter for those coming up behind you. Your courage to persist toward your 2026 college graduation will unquestionably inspire their own.”
Maine Seacoast Mission congratulates its Class of 2022 high school graduates and Davis Maine Scholars, their families, and their communities. To learn more about the program as well as the incredible partnership between the Mission and the Shelby Cullom Davis Fund, please visit the Davis Maine Scholarship web page.