SKOWHEGAN — In partnership with the nonprofit Maine College Circle and its Future of Maine Initiative, several area organizations award $100 Somerset Future of Maine Scholarships to recognize the aspirations and effort of t young students.
The number of scholarships given, which are for third to sixth-graders, depends on donations for them to local schools. Winners of the $100 scholarships are recognized at a community ceremony each year.
Since 2012, 278 College Aspirations scholarships have been awarded to students at the Margaret Chase Smith School, Bloomfield Elementary, Canaan Elementary, Mill Stream School and Skowhegan Area Middle School.
The Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce, Somerset Economic Development Corporation, Franklin Savings Bank, the Margaret Chase Smith Library Center and other community leaders and educators are committed to supporting early aspirations among area community youth to build a brighter future, and are seeking donations for the scholarships.
The goal is not to make more students continue their education beyond high school; it is to develop more students who want to continue their education beyond high school. The Somerset Future of Maine Scholarship is meant too inform and inspire early aspirations and to help empower the youth of rural Maine to build a brighter future for themselves and for their communities.
The number of $100 scholarships depends on the financial support raised locally in each school district along with the number of quality essays submitted by students.
Every dollar raised locally goes directly to the local Somerset scholarship fund. Essays are reviewed by local teachers, administrators and community members.
Contributions can be made to the Somerset Future of Maine Scholarship Fund and mailed or dropped off at the following Skowhegan locations — Franklin Savings Bank, Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce and Somerset Economic Development Corporation or online at mainecollegecircle.org
Businesses and organizations wanting more information about the program may contact Jason S. Gayne, chamber president and CEO, at 207-474-3621 or 207-431-2396 or by emailing exdir@skowheganareachamber.com.
