It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love is for all the magnificent sponsors of the 2021 President’s Scholarship Celebration (PSC) on Wednesday, July 14.
This inspiring event recognizes and honor students in the Mission’s educational programs and the people, the entities, who inspire them. The PSC is an opportunity to present Mission scholarships and the Mission lanyard to our 2021 Mission Scholars. We also recognize a student Trailblazer, and a Mission Guide who demonstrated advocacy and support for educational opportunity.
In sum, the 2021 PSC is a celebration of the accomplishments and potential of our young adults. We are continually grateful to the business people who make this celebration possible.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Shelby Young.
Shelby, a Mission scholar who just graduated from Simmons University, has been a mentor to younger kids in our Journey program, and was part of the interview team for the Davis Maine Scholars program.
Christina Griffith, Mission Director of Student Pathways said, “This spring, when seeking a Mission Scholar to join our inaugural Davis Maine Scholarship interview committee, Shelby came immediately to mind. Her kind presence, thoughtful questions, and invaluable insights as a first-generation college student were essential throughout our interview process.
“If her impressive professional paths find her wanting to engage further with our students, we will always welcome her. Humbly, beautifully, Shelby exemplifies strength, spirit and service. We are inspired and grateful,” said Director Christina Griffith.
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.
NORTHEAST HARBOR — Through Zoom screens, socially distanced driveway visits, and the U.S. Postal Service, our Student Pathways Team continues facilitating creative and meaningful connection with students during our ongoing, necessary, pandemic separation.
When we do engage, our Mission Scholars and Journey and College Exploration and Engagement students are impressive and inspiring in their resilience and perseverance. We will continue providing academic and personal mentoring in the months ahead, and look forward, whenever helpful, to connecting with students’ families.
Recent Pathways highlights include:
Sending monthly project materials to all Journey students including a recent STEM inspired toothpick-and-gumdrops holiday project.
College Exploration and Engagement Zoom information sessions with our Davis Scholarship partner colleges.
Our high school juniors met admissions colleagues and students/alums from University of New England, Wheaton College and Clark University.
Mission Scholars participated in Zoom group check-in sessions and enjoyed receiving Mission hoodies for their holidays.
The Student Pathways Team also recently launched a new mentoring initiative linking Mission Scholars with Journey students. Visit the Mission’s social media pages for updates.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love is from our Student Pathways Team to their colleagues at Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School in Harrington for their invaluable collaboration and support with Pathways programs serving middle, high school and college students.
We have had a longstanding partnership with Narraguagus through our former GearUp Program and our Mission Scholarship Program. Recently, we have also partnered through our Journey Program and College Exploration and Engagement Program.
Thank you Maria Frankland, Mary Gordon, Sue Dow, Caroline Foote, Robin Newman, Michele Birkenshaw, Todd Emerson and MaryEllen Day for your encouragement, guidance, and welcoming spirit.
We have missed seeing you as much during this Covid period, but we remain grateful for the opportunity to partner with you on behalf of the students (like Lisett shown here) and communities in which we both believe.
