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PORTLAND — Graduating seniors from Poland High School and Gould Academy were among five students who won scholarships in June from Mainely Character, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that recognizes and rewards Maine students who demonstrate extraordinary character.
More than 300 seniors from high schools across Maine applied for a scholarship awarded by Mainely Character and its partnering sponsors. Applicants provide personal stories that demonstrate the four aspects of character: Integrity, Concern, Responsibility, and Courage. Applications are panel-reviewed, and selections are made following a personal interview and reference checks.
Students from Bucksport High School, Cheverus High School, Poland Regional High School, Thornton Academy and Gould Academy received a combined $12,500 in scholarships underwritten by local businesses R.M. Davis, Machias Savings Bank, Biddeford Savings Bank and Market Decisions Research:
* Sarah Low, Bucksport High School, $5,000 Mainely Character Scholarship sponsored by R.M. Davis, Inc.
* Richard Joyce, Cheverus High School, of Portland, $2,500 Mainely Character Scholarship sponsored by Machias Savings Bank
* Madeleine Tiner, Poland Regional High School, $2,500 Mainely Character Scholarship sponsored by Biddeford Savings Bank
* Abigail Pomerleau, Thornton Academy,of Saco, $1,250 Mainely Character Scholarship sponsored by Market Decisions Research
* Madeline Williams, Gould Academy, of Bethel, $1,2500 Mainely Character Scholarship sponsored by Market Decisions Research
“Each year we are amazed and delighted by the stories of character from among Maine’s graduating seniors. This year is no exception,” said Curtis Mildner, President of Market Decisions Research and Chair of the Mainely Character board of directors. “Although we now have four ongoing corporate scholarship sponsors, there are many more seniors also deserve to be recognized.”
Tiner suffered from mental illness and depression for years, according to Mainely Characer. She missed the first semester of her freshman year for a serious but very effective treatment. Starting school was difficult, and she was bullied by peers. At first, she wanted to defend herself and fight back, but found the strength to be kind instead.bShe found her passion when she began volunteering in the Life Skills classroom. She has continued to volunteer every other day. She also completed a 160-hour internship in an elementary school special education classroom and plans to become a special education teacher.
Madeleine pulls from her own struggles to help others. She is both teacher and friend to her students. She takes them out to dinner and the mall. She volunteers for Special Olympics and Unified Basketball, a sports program for special needs teens. Last year she hosted a Halloween party at her home for her friends and the life skills students. For some, this was their first chance to attend a typical high school party. She will study at the University of Maine Farmington.
Williams takes her love of the environment very seriously and acts on it. After she watched her brother shoot a squirrel, she decided to stop eating red meat. This caused some friction at family gatherings where she was urged to “eat a burger.” At Gould Academy, she organized a group of vegetarian/vegan students to speak to the cook staff about healthy meatless options.
This passion, as well as her eagerness to learn, has made her an activist. When she read a book about reducing single use plastics, she set her sights on a bag ban for her town. She realized this was an ambitious decision but was determined to succeed. She presented an ordinance to the town manager and selectmen. When she met with representatives of local businesses, many were resistant. Some talked over her and one called her “an oblivious little girl.” She met intimidation with facts about non-degradable plastics, learning from their perspectives. She left feeling more confident and is still fighting for the bag ban. She plans a career as an environmental activist. She will be in a pre-law program at the University of Maine in the fall.
Mainely Character was founded to recognize and reward graduating seniors who demonstrate extraordinary character. Since 2001, Mainely Character has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships. Scholarship awardees are selected based on their demonstration of courage, integrity, responsibility, and concern for others. Learn more at www.mainelycharacter.org/
PHOTO: Madeleine Tiner, left, a graduate of Poland Regional High School, and Madeline Williams, right, a graduate of Gould Academy in Bethel. The pair of 2019 graduates won Mainely Character scholarships. (Submitted photos)
