LEWISTON — The LA Metro Chamber of Commerce recently announced its scholarship recipients for the 2018-19 academic year.
For the past 20 years, the LA Metro Chamber has given scholarships to local graduating seniors planning to continue their studies at either an accredited college or university, as well as a certificate program. The chamber has also given the Member Employee Scholarship to adult learners who attend school while working.
This year’s high school recipients were announced at the June membership breakfast held at Poland Spring Resort on June 13.
The recipients are Ryan Theriault, from Edward Little High School; Sadie Waterman, from Oak Hill High School; Hunter Steele from Lewiston High School; Catarina Bifulco, from Leavitt Area High School; Abigail Castonguay from St. Dominic Academy; Joshua Landry, from Poland Regional High School; Riley Leeman, from Lisbon High School. The students were selected by their guidance offices for good academic achievement, positive involvement in the community, a good record of extracurricular school involvement and time management skills fostered through part-time employment, and continuing their education in the state of Maine.
This year’s Member Employee Scholarship recipient is Laura LaBelle, staff accountant at the city of Lewiston. LaBelle said in her essay, “Not long ago I did not think it would be possible for me to be an employee of the city of Lewiston or have the opportunity to obtain a college degree.” She has overcome many challenges, but is determined to succeed in her role at the city of Lewiston and as a college student, the chamber said.
The chamber raises the money for scholarships through the Annual Chip Morrison Scholarship Scramble. This year’s scholarship scramble will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Fox Ridge Golf Course in Auburn. The money raised from the scholarship scramble help improve the education of the local workforce. Opportunities to support the scholarship scramble are still available.
The Chamber’s scholarship program aligns with the Maine Spark initiative, a 10-year commitment from Maine’s most influential education and business leaders to work together to ensure that Maine’s workforce is productive and competitive. MaineSpark is powered by a coalition of organizations — schools and universities, nonprofits and foundations, government agencies and businesses — with a common goal: by 2025, 60% of Mainers will hold education and workforce credentials that position Maine and its families for success.
LA Metro Chamber President Rebecca Swanson Conrad said, “We are pleased to align our scholarship program with Maine Spark’s goal to connect people with the education, training, jobs, programs and resources needed to thrive in Maine’s robust and changing economy aspirations.”
