The Mission is pleased to announce the 27 new Mission Scholarship award recipients from Hancock and Washington Counties. Representing 12 high schools in the Mission’s service area, the newest Mission Scholars include: 

• Karli Alley, Jonesport-Beals High School 

• Brendan Bragg, Washington Academy   

• Paidyn Cashman, Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School 

• Lucinda Clews, George Stevens Academy 

• Jean Dean, Shead High School 

• Naomi Eyerman, Washington Academy  

• Jackson Fisher, Sumner Memorial High School 

• Stella Gray, Deer Isle-Stonington High School 

• Jade Greenlaw, Washington Academy   

• Gracie Hartford, Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School 

• Natalie Jagels, Ellsworth High School 

• Kate McPhee, Calais High School 

• Samantha Mace, Mount Desert Island High School 

• Lilley Morse, George Stevens Academy 

• Maeve Palazzo, Bucksport High School 

• Emma Parker, Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School 

• Ruby Pereira, Bucksport High School 

• Maria Perconti, Mount Desert Island High School 

• Sarah Raven, Mount Desert Island High School  

• Naeveh Shoppee, Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School 

• Brynn Stephenson, Ellsworth High School 

• Saben Tenney, Sumner Memorial High School 

• Lily Therrien, Bucksport High School 

• Elayna Vanormer, Machias Memorial High School 

• Nora Vicaire, Machias Memorial High School 

• Zachary Wight, Ellsworth High School 

• Charles Willey, Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School 

“We are proud to help a wide range of students achieve their goals and look forward to seeing what they achieve over the coming years,” says the Mission’s EdGE Secondary and Post-Secondary Program Director Christy Oliveri. “They join an amazing group of Scholars who are currently studying at schools across the country.” 

These Mission Scholars join an existing 59 Scholars who renewed their applications for the coming academic year. For the 2025-2026 school year, $264,000 will be awarded to 86 college students. Mission Scholarships typically range in amount from $6,000 to $14,000 dispersed over four years, the period normally expected to complete a degree or certificate program. In 2024, 97% of Scholars continued their award and returned to school for an additional year of study.  

This year’s new Scholars plan to study at colleges including Boston University, Eastern Maine Community College, Endicott College, Husson University, Maine Maritime Academy, Northern Maine Community College, Southern Maine Community College, Smith College, Trinity College, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine Orono, University of Maine at Machias, University of New England, University of Southern Maine, Washington County Community College, Wellesley College, and Wheaton College.  

In addition to Mission Scholarships, Maine Seacoast Mission proudly partners with the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund to offer the transformative Davis Maine Scholarship. In its fifth year of supporting students, the Davis Maine Scholarship supports fully funded, four-year scholarships to select students each year. Davis Maine Scholars attend one of three partner schools, Clark University, University of New England, or Wheaton College. 

To learn more about Maine Seacoast Mission’s Scholarships, please visit  https://seacoastmission.org/downeast/scholarships/. 

Mike Driscoll started using the Mission’s food pantry a few months ago. He receives social security income, but with things gradually becoming more expensive, he turned to the Mission’s pantry. While Mike has lived in Cherryfield his whole life, he had never been there before. He is not alone in people turning to this resource. On average, 60 new households come to the pantry each month. This is on top of roughly 350 households who use the pantry on a regular basis. Downeast Director Jenny Jones shares many of these new patrons have always been able to squeak by but are now finding themselves food insecure. And these new patrons cover a wide range of people, from young families to older, single people like Mike.  

This is just one of the factors that drive people to utilize the pantry’s services. And the number of people needing help is not decreasing. It is not uncommon for a line to have formed outside the doors waiting for the pantry to open on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Food Pantry Coordinator Stacy Openshaw welcomes them in and has them sit at the tables in the cafe area. To make sure that the space never feels crowded, she has small groups of people shop at a time and asks others to wait until a person leaves. Some grab cups of coffee while they wait, and Stacy makes sure there are always fresh baked goods available.  

Many of the small touches Stacy has put in place at the pantry are to help make newcomers feel comfortable. Because many of them have never used a pantry before, they often do not know what to expect when they come through the doors. Stacy makes everyone feel welcome, because often as they get to know her and open up more, she can direct them to additional resources.  

Food Security staff has also noted an increase in the number of “transient” neighbors utilizing the pantries services. On average 27 households a month without a fixed address use the pantry. Often these are people staying with friends or family, and do not have a consistent place to go every day. If someone expresses a need, Stacy works to connect with them other local agencies including Downeast Community Partners, Healthy Acadia, and the Connection Initiative, if they need services the Mission does not offer.  

For many, a safe, friendly face means all the difference. When a neighbor walks in through the doors, they know they can get what they need without worry, and the Mission is working hard to assure this will always be the case. “The Mission always welcomes monetary donations that allows us to purchase goods.” Jenny says. “Donations of food to the pantry make a huge difference too. Both types of donations allow for a variety of products many of which are hard to source with the current food system.” 

Learn more about the Mission’s Food Security program and consider a donation to the Mission.  

The Mission will accept applications for the Davis Maine Scholarship Monday, March 31 through Sunday, April 13, 2025. Davis Maine Scholars, who are first-generation college students from Washington and eastern Hancock Counties, are chosen during the Spring of their junior year. Through a partnership with Andrew Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, the Davis Maine Scholarship ensures these students can complete an undergraduate degree without financial burden. 

Davis Maine Scholars receive a full cost of attendance, four-year scholarship at one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA). These colleges were selected based on their commitment to supporting first-generation students including those from rural communities. As high school seniors, Scholars participate in cohort workshops, college visits, and guided transition to college. Scholars also receive consistent mentoring and support from Mission staff and other Scholars throughout all four years of college. In the fall, there will be 20 Davis Maine Scholars attending college, and the first group of Scholars will be graduating from college in 2026. 

“Through our work, the Mission supports Downeast students in the pursuit of higher education,” says EdGE Secondary and Post-Secondary Director Christy Oliveri. “The Davis Maine Scholarship is an amazing opportunity for these students to pursue their dreams without worrying about student loans. The Scholarship provides additional support through college preparation and planning while students are still in high school.” 

To apply, juniors must attend school in Washington County or at Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA, and be a first-generation college student to qualify. Please visit our website to submit an application. Applicants submit an application, personal essay, family letter, recommendation letter, and an official high school transcript.  

Every fall, a request goes out to the residents of Maine’s unbridged islands, asking them to send in their prose, photographs, poetry, and paintings to The Island Reader. Then, in the spring, the editors go through the submissions helping put together the final issue which will be published in June. The work of school children is highlighted alongside that of fishermen, retirees, and published artists.  

Kendra Chubbuck, Isle au Haut 

 How did you decide to be an editor for The Island Reader?  

I was asked if I wanted to be an editor, and I jumped at the chance. I love reading and writing and everything about the creative process. I’m also a lifetime learner as I’m always attending workshops and classes. 

 What is your favorite part of being an editor?  

Collaborating with the other editors and organizing The Island Reader. The discussions we have deciding on the front cover and how the setup of The Island Reader comes together are quite a process and we all have a say. Gary [Rainford, Editor-in-Chief] does a wonderful job collecting and organizing the work to get it into book form for us. We couldn’t do it without his expertise. 

Kimberly Peabody, Matinicus  

When and how did you decide to be an editor for The Island Reader?  

The Island Reader needed an additional editor, and I was approached. It is an honor to collaborate with the group of editors we have. I am a writer and love photography and art, so participating in the making of The Island Reader is a good way to feed that part of me that I don’t always allow time for myself. 

What is your favorite part of being an editor?  

My favorite part of being an editor is learning about other islands through the submitted pieces. The Island Reader showcases a variety of genres and levels of experience. When you pick up a copy, you are visiting each unbridged island through the contributor’s art. 

Gary Rainford, Editor-in-Chief, Swan’s Island  

How did you decide to be an editor for The Island Reader? 

In 2008, I was a contributor to The Island Reader. The following year, because I was asked, I became an editor on Volume IV. Since then, I’ve formatted the covers and typeset each anthology. 

What is your favorite part of being an editor? 

My favorite part is working with island artists and being part of a unique, creative, and ongoing conversation about art. 

Join the Mission for fun, family–friendly activities on Saturdays this spring. After a great winter of ice skating and other outdoor recreation, the momentum continues with programs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting on Saturday, April 19. There will also be activities during April vacation from Monday, April 21 to Friday, April 25.  

Each week, there will be different things to do including outdoor games, a trail-based scavenger hunt, fairy house making, hiking, as well as indoor activities including STEM projects, crafts, and board games. Snacks and lunch will also be provided. During April vacation there will be different outdoor and indoor activities all week long. 

Activities are free and family-friendly and happen rain or shine. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. For questions about events that week, call (207) 546-4466. Learn more about the Community Engagement program based on the Downeast Campus at https://seacoastmission.org/downeast/community-engagement/.  

The Mission is partnering with Fishing Partnership Support Services to offer two CPR and First Aid Courses for fishermen on Great Cranberry Island on Tuesday, April 15, and on Isle au Haut on Thursday, April 17. Running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., these classes are specifically for commercial fishermen and provide an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certification.  

Fishing Partnership covers how to provide the skills used to assess and treat injured or ill crew members while at sea. During the day, attendees will learn basic life-saving skills including providing CPR and assessing and treating injuries as well as skills helpful for an emergency at sea. This includes treating marine bites stings, reducing hypothermia, how to identify medical and cardiac emergencies, and prep a person for transport. Sunbeam Nurse Simone Babineaux shares “I wanted to bring this training to island fisherman because fishing is among the deadliest professions in the country. This training could save lives, as accidents can happen quickly to anyone.”  

These classes are free, and each group of fishermen or boat will receive a free duffle bag of first aid equipment for their vessel. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. The class on Great Cranberry is open to fishermen on Islesford and Great Cranberry and then will be opened to others if space allows. The class on Isle au Haut is open to fishermen on Isle au Haut and Stonington. In addition to becoming Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certified, the course also meets Coast Guard requirements for certification.  

Registration for these classes is required. To register contact Julia Messersmith at jmessersmith@fishingpartnership.org or call (774) 840-9418. 

To learn more about the Island Health program visit our website.