Senator welcomes 2008 Mitchell Scholars to Orono brunch

  ORONO, Maine – On Sunday, Aug. 10, Sen. George Mitchell hosted a brunch for the 2008 class of Mitchell Scholars and their families at the Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine at Orono.
Mitchell, who was recently named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine, was the keynote speaker for the event. Also in attendance were members of the Mitchell Institute Board of Directors, university and college leaders, and other supporters.
Since 1995, the Mitchell Institute has awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to more than 1,500 Maine high school graduates.
Each year, one graduating senior from every Maine public high school is chosen to receive a Mitchell Scholarship. These annual scholarships, which average $5,000 each, are awarded on the basis of academic potential, community service, and financial need. Recipients must be residents of Maine who will be entering their first year of a two- or four-year accredited college or university.
“I am often asked what element of my career has been the most personally fulfilling,” said the Senator. “Many expect me to answer that it is a certain piece of legislation from my time in the Senate, or perhaps some work internationally. But in truth, what is most meaningful to me is the creation of this scholarship program.
“Besides my family, it is the most important thing in my life,” he said. “This annual brunch with the Mitchell Scholars is one of the highlights of my summer. I always look forward to the opportunity to meet these commendable young men and women, and to congratulate them and express my pride in their achievements.”
Sixty-three percent of the new class of Mitchell Scholars come from families with less than $5,000 available from their own resources to contribute to the student’s college education, and 61 percent of the Mitchell Scholars selected in 2008 come from families where neither parent holds a four-year college degree.
Since 2003, KeyBank has provided funding for 16 Mitchell Scholarships (one for each county in Maine) in the amount of $6,000 each. These awards are targeted to first-generation college students. Unum also underwrites five Mitchell Scholarships, which are given as Unum – Stephen B. Center Diversity Leadership Awards. These awards seek to encourage those who inspire others to value differences and end discrimination.
In addition to scholarship help, Mitchell Scholars gain access to Mitchell Institute support programs, which include community service projects, leadership and professional development, mentoring opportunities, and summer employment fellowships. These programs connect and engage the Mitchell Scholars with their communities and their chosen career paths with a goal of encouraging graduates to remain in Maine after college. The Mitchell Institute believes that the exceptionally high 95 percent college persistence rate among Mitchell Scholars is due in part to these support programs.
The work of the Mitchell Institute also includes an ongoing research component. A long-term study of the Mitchell Scholars began in 2000 to gauge the effectiveness of the scholarship and support programs, and to learn more about the Scholars’ college and career experiences.
Additional information about the Mitchell Institute is available at www.mitchellinstitute.org.
The 2008 Mitchell Scholars in Aroostook County are Alex Bird, Washburn District High School; Mark Boucher, Madawaska High School; Parker Brown, Houlton High School; Kaci Caron, Fort Kent Community High School; Kara Cushman, Central Aroostook High School; Otis Edgecomb, Fort Fairfield High School; Kylie Kennedy, Southern Aroostook Community School; Alexander Martin, Van Buren District Secondary School; Sheridan McCordic, Hodgdon High School*; Samantha Paradis, Wisdom High School; Amanda Pelletier, Caribou High School; Jacquelyn Raymond, Ashland Community High School; Addison Rossignol, Limestone Community High School; Jake Rottersman, Maine School of Science and Math; Keisha Ward, Presque Isle High School; and Molly White, Easton High School.
(Editor’s note: * denotes KeyBank Mitchell Scholars).