Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts, recently announced the dean’s list for the Spring 2024 semester.
They are Cole Bazakas, Class of 2027, of Waterville, and Bella Wallingford, Class of 2026, of Oakland.
Olivia Varney
Olivia Varney, of Pittsfield, was selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants.
Varney graduated this spring from the Maine Central Institute High School, in Pittsfield, class of 2024.
Varney was inducted into the National Honor Society and Honor Society for Visual & Performing Arts, as being involved with the student council and Key Club. Outside of her school activities, she has devoted time to a variety of service organizations, including the Paul E. Bertrand Community Pool house revitalization project, Coats Disease, Husky Throw Down, and the Town of Pittsfield Recreation Department.
Varney plans to continue her post-secondary education at Husson University, in Bangor, pursuing a degree in nursing.
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship Committee convenes annually to award the prize to a local graduating senior with an exemplary record of citizenship and community service. Applicants are required to submit an essay on their community involvement, and finalists are interviewed by the Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship Committee.
“We are very pleased to award the 16th annual Ezhaya Scholarship to Olivia Varney,” said Kimberly Lindlof, president and CEO of Mid-Maine Chamber and coordinator of the scholarship. “The committee chose Olivia from an impressive group of accomplished applicants, because her dedication to service and leadership truly reflect Joe Ezhaya’s spirit and generosity.”
The scholarship is awarded by Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce in memory of Joseph Ezhaya, a dedicated community volunteer, and successful candidates share his interest in citizenship and involvement. Recipients must be graduating from a high school in mid-Maine and attending post-secondary school in New England. Awardees receive a $750 scholarship after successfully completing one semester with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. This amount will be awarded for up to four years, for a total of $3,000.
Atlanta, Ga. (Grassroots Newswire) July 3, 2024 – Two Career and technical students in central Maine were recognized at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships, held in Atlanta, on June 26-27. Students were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 115 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.
The following students were Skill Point Certificate recipients:
Christopher Pottle, from Winthrop, and a student at Capital Area Technical Center (Augusta), was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Cabinetmaking.
Mikayla Monaghan, from West Gardiner, and a student at Capital Area Technical Center (Augusta), was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Basic Health Care Skills.
The following local students were named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2024 semester, in Colchester, Vermont.
The Kennebec Performing Arts Company encourages the participation of young musicians in its groups. Student members entering grades 9-12 are eligible to apply for the $500 scholarship for tuition to a summer camp or music program of their choice.
Victoria Hahn is the daughter of Ken and Kamala Hahn, of Fairfield. She has just completed her freshman year at the Ecology Learning Center, in Unity. Victoria began playing violin at age four, continuing for nine years. Two years ago, she began playing French horn, which is now her exclusive focus. She studies under Brittany Genness and has participated in various ensembles, including Mid-Maine Youth Orchestra, KPAC, Kennebec Valley Music Educators Association Honors Band, and Maine All-State Band. Victoria has attended the summer Bay Chamber Envision Program, and Maine Summer Youth Music Camp at the University of Southern Maine, where she will return this summer using her KPAC scholarship.
Victoria is a member of the KPAC Wind Ensemble, joining two years ago to have the opportunity to play challenging music.
“I really enjoy the community because everyone is extremely friendly and supportive of me as a musician. People often talk about how difficult the French horn is, but honestly, that is one of the reasons I like it. It is challenging and annoyingly finicky.”
Isla Granholm is the daughter of Sven and Elise Granholm, of Topsham. A home-schooled student, Isla will be starting her senior year this fall. She has been singing all her life and became a member of the KPAC chorus in September 2023. She credits directors Chuck Milazzo and Jason Giacomazzo, accompanist Christina Misner Rao, and the alto section for their guidance and encouragement.
“The chance to sing together with people who have the same deep love and passion for music is such a wonderful thing, and some of the best moments of my life have been when we finally get the harmony right and our voices just soar together.”
Since 2020, Isla has studied piano under Linda Craig, performing her first recital in April 2024 at an advanced level. She will use the KPAC scholarship to attend the Csehy Summer School of Music, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, for two weeks this summer, where she will major in piano and participate in chamber choir and handbell ensembles.
Photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography
Mya Williams, Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, class president, graduated top 10 in her class. Mya has had a dream of being a teacher since she was little. Mya will be attending University of Maine at Farmington for education, and plans to come back to MSAD #49 to be a teacher and give back to the community that inspired her. She is an inspiration to the youth of our community, and helps to coach PAL youth in soccer. Mya is also the assistant director for the Summer PAL Program.
The Winslow Minors Orange baseball team, from left to right, Jackson Hernandez, Cedric Carey, Cooper Lindie, Logan Elwell, River Vigue, Maddox Maheu, Elliot Giroux, Xavier Roderick, Charles Holmes, Anthony Sproul, Landen Williams, Griffin Smith, Peter Small. Back, Coaches left to right Ben Carey, Justin Smith, and Tony Giroux. Not pictured, Erik Maheu. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
Winslow Minors Baseball Black Team: First row, left to right, Lynkin Willette, Sawyer Byrne, Colby Turmelle, Jude Poulin, Fenn Ouellette, and Jaxson Whitman. Second row, Andrew Harrington, Nathan Lecliar, Weston Young, Bronek Siviski, Bradley Schmidt, Nate Merrill, and Xavier Snell. Back, coaches Bruce Harrington, Taylor Byrne, Ryan Siviski, and David Snell. (photo by Mark Huard)
Waterville Purple Majors won over Messo Red Majors, 5-3, at Mini Fenway, in Oakland, on June 17. Front row, left to right, Evan Karter, Cooper McKenna, Landon Hart, Connor Jones, Kyle O’Brien, Avery McKenna, and Harrison Timmons. Second row, Mikeeridan Sheets, Stephen Dyer, Max Poulin, Nic Karagiannes, Maxwell Cornforth, William Owens, Joseph Alix, and Alex Pelotte. Back, Coach Jeremy Jones, Coach CJ McKenna, Coach Chris Hart. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Connecticut State University, in Willimantic, Connecticut, recently released its dean’s list for the spring 2024 semester, in which more than 1,200 students were recognized for maintaining high GPAs. Among them is full-time student Olivia Bourque, of Vassalboro, a junior who majors in health sciences.