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PORTLAND — Madison Leslie, a senior at St. Dominic Academy in Auburn, and Rachael Haskell, a senior at Cheverus High School in Portland, are the recipients of the 2018 Lila Grace Sullivan Amirault Scholarship.
On behalf of The Catholic Foundation of Maine, Bishop Robert P. Deeley presented the awards March 16 in Portland.
The scholarship fund, which helps Maine Catholic high school students with college tuition costs, was established in 2013 by the late Patrick Amirault, in memory of his wife. Amirault, who grew up as one of nine children in a poor family in Malden, Mass., created the fund to show his appreciation for the care and quality education he received at a Catholic school there.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be accepted at an accredited college or university and must plan to work while attending college. Each recipient will receive $4,500.
“I remember opening the award letter when it arrived. It was such an exciting moment,” said Leslie. “I am honored and blessed to have been awarded this scholarship. It is an enormous blessing as it helps pay such a large amount of my first year of college.”
Leslie will attend Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., where she intends to major in media and communications and minor in political science and music. An outstanding athlete, she will play lacrosse in college while pursuing her dream job of being a sportscaster. She also will explore another of her passions — singing.
“I know that there were many worthy candidates and to be chosen is truly an honor,” said Haskell. “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the kindness behind it.”
One of seven children, Haskell appreciates the gift of family, including her second family — a community of friends and teachers at Cheverus. Like Leslie, she is a member of the National Honor Society; she has a gift for performing (as a member of the Cheverus Drama Society) and is driven by her faith. Haskell considered becoming a doctor so she could serve with Doctors Without Borders, but realized she didn’t have a passion for science. Still considering several outstanding colleges, she plans to study psychology with aspirations to become a child therapist.
“I’ve always wanted to do something to help people because that is something really taught in Catholicism. You’re interdependent with everyone else, your destiny is locked with everyone else’s, and you are meant to help other people,” said Haskell.
The Amirault Scholarship Endowment was established through the Catholic Foundation of Maine. For more information, contact Elizabeth Badger, executive director, at 207-321-7820 or elizabeth.badger@portlanddiocese.org.
PHOTO: Maddy Leslie (Submitted photo)
