Davis Maine Scholars visiting partner college campuses.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — First-generation, college-bound students from Washington County will have an opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies with full scholarships through a new partnership. Starting with the Class of 2023, students in Bowdoin College’s Upward Bound Program are eligible to apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship. This is a full four-year scholarship to one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA).
Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program supports Maine students from low-income backgrounds, including those attending Washington County’s eight high schools as they progress through high school and plan their post-secondary futures. The Washington County high schools included are:
Calais High School
East Grand High School
Jonesport-Beals High School
Machias Memorial High School
Narraguagus High School
Shead High School
Washington Academy
Woodland Senior High School
Since 2015 Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program has supported over 200 Washington County students, with 89% entering college the fall after their high school graduation.
In announcing this partnership, Davis Maine Scholarship Director Christina Griffith said, “This partnership was seeded three years ago through Maine Seacoast Mission’s collaborative work with Narraguagus High School. I am thrilled eligible Bowdoin Upward Bound participants will join Narraguagus and Sumner High School students in applying for this life-changing opportunity. Collaborative partnership is foundational to the Davis Maine Scholarship program and Upward Bound has a record of exemplary student support. This new partnership elevates and deepens our shared belief in, and commitment to, increasing higher education access and success for Downeast students.”
Bowdoin College’s Upward Bound Director Bridget Mullen said, “Whenever trusted organizations aligned in mission can strengthen services and increase opportunities, it’s a big win. With deep roots in Washington County, Upward Bound and Maine Seacoast Mission have demonstrated longstanding commitment to area students. This support from the Davis Maine Scholarship and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund makes it possible to provide greater student support after they’ve completed high school and while they’re in college. I’ve been working with Upward Bound in Washington County schools for over 30 years and I couldn’t be happier or more excited for our students.”
Our inaugural cohort of Davis Maine Scholars enters college in Fall 2022.
Maine Seacoast Mission has been committed to the people of Maine’s outer islands and Downeast coastal communities since our founding in 1905. Our mission: Rooted in a history of compassionate service and mutual trust, Maine Seacoast Mission seeks to strengthen coastal and island communities by educating youth, supporting families, and promoting good health.
For more information on the Davis Maine Scholarship, please visit here.
ADDISON, ME — Mission Family and Community Resource Coordinator Stephanie Moores brings us intriguing news from D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, ME.
“We have started a student of the month award at the D.W. Merritt EdGE program. William Roberts, pictured here, is our October recipient. William is always the first to offer help to the staff and students. He is a wonderful role model for all,” said Stephanie.
Well done, William. And thank you, Stephanie. We look forward to hearing about future students of the month.
Davis Scholars Emilee, Ana Rosa, and Rachel on the Wheaton College campus.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — November 8th marks the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor students who will be the first members of their families to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. The day falls on the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is sponsored by two organizations: The Center for First Generation Student Success is a national research and advocacy organization. The Council for Opportunity in Education is a national advocacy organization that expands higher education opportunity for historically under-served students.
For decades, Maine Seacoast Mission has demonstrated support for students transitioning to and through college. Each year, we work with, learn from, and celebrate many Washington County and Eastern Hancock County first-gen students through our Mission Scholarship program and – beginning this year – our Davis Maine Scholarship program.
The Center for First Generation Student Success research on first-gen college students shows that nationally, in their first year of college, while 65 percent of first-gen students engage financial aid services, when it come to accessing other vital support services:
14% access health services 55% access academic advising 30% access additional academic support services such as tutoring 16% access career services
This data underscores the importance of the mentoring we provide, beginning early with EdGE, Journey, and island education initiatives, through college and career initiatives with our high school and college students. Helping students find their voices, advocate for themselves, and access opportunities and resources is vital for their college success and hopeful futures.
Congratulations, Mission first-gen students and families! We see you, believe in you, and are with you this day and all days!
The Mission is launching our Christmas Program 2021. We invite you to help us put presents under trees for individuals and families unable to do it alone.
Each year at Christmas time, through the kindness of our donors, the Mission provides holiday gifts to children, families, the elderly, and nursing home residents. Spreading Christmas cheer is one of the Mission’s oldest traditions.
It began more than 100 years ago with gifts wrapped with red string and white paper to island residents and lighthouse keepers. Today our Christmas program includes mainland families and individuals along the Downeast coast in rural Washington County.
Please complete this form to enroll your child or children in the Mission’s Christmas Program. We have limited slots this year for parents to come to the Elves Workshop in person to choose gifts for their children.
If you would like to give a gift, or help the Mission give gifts, you can do so online or through traditional mail.
Items ordered online from the Mission’s new Amazon Christmas List will be shipped directly to the Mission. You can also download a PDF version of our traditional Christmas Wish List for 2021, pick a gift from the Wish List, and mail your gift to the address given.
Roasted celery root chips (left) and jicama fries (right)
CHERRYFIELD, ME — This is a photo of “welcome veggies” from the Mission food pantry. The sender, who asks to remain unidentified, said, “You can be assured these are tasty and healthy. It’s fun to try new veggies.”
What vegetables are we looking at in this photo? How were they prepared for eating?
The chef said the veggie on the “left is roasted celery root chips and on the right are jicama fries.” Jicama is a root vegetable originally from Mexico. As with celery root, jicama is similar to turnip, and often used as a potato substitute.
The veggies pictured were “oven roasted at 425 degrees for 35 minutes or more.” The chef continued, “I prep the veggies by peeling and slicing. Toss into a dry rub mixture of cornstarch, corn meal, dry seasonings – or whatever spices you like. Tajin chili spice is my ‘go to.’
“Place prepped veggies on an olive oiled sheet pan, rotate and stir halfway thru cooking. You are looking for golden edges. The jicama tends to stay firm, yet great for dipping. A welcome change from potato,” said the chef.
Great to know. And thank you for sharing.
Learn more about the Mission food pantry and other food related services and programs.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Thank you, Stephanie Moores, for these Halloween prep photos of EdGE students at D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, ME painting pumpkins and engineering bone bridges. Perhaps the EdGE student who made the card shown here for EdGE staff captured the essence of how EdGE impacts everyone who takes part in the program.
