James and Rachel Churchill, both of Chapman, have been recognized by the United States Achievement Academy for academic achievement as United States National Honor Student Award winners.
James, who attends Presque Isle Middle School, and Rachel, who attends Presque Isle High School, will appear in the United States Achievement Academy’s Official Yearbook, which is published nationally.
Rachel and James are the children of Jim and Cathy Churchill of Chapman. Their grandparents are Jean and James Churchill and Linda and Winston Browning, all of Presque Isle.
Hoffses named to St. Joseph’s dean’s list
STANDISH — Courtney Hoffses, of Mapleton, was named to the dean’s list at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine for the spring 2009 semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must attain an average of 3.5 or better. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a Catholic liberal arts college located on Sebago Lake in Standish. The college has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,000 students and offers 30 academic majors.
Portland — One hundred thirty Maine high school students have been chosen as 2009 Mitchell Scholars by the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute.
Local 2009 Mitchell Scholars include: Morgan Berube, Washburn District High School; Danielle Cropley, Central Aroostook High School; Sean Daniels, Easton High School; Dustin Graham, Presque Isle High School; Stephen Philbrook, Ashland Community High School; and Rose-Mary Williams, Fort Fairfield High School.
Founded by Sen. George Mitchell, the Mitchell Institute annually provides scholarships to one student from every public high school in Maine. The scholarships, averaging $5,000, are awarded on the basis of academic potential, community service and financial need.
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.
Mitchell Scholars demonstrate a remarkable college persistence rate of 95 percent, and a six-year college graduation rate that is 45 percent higher than the Maine average. Mitchell Scholars also become a part of an ongoing longitudinal research study that will track their progress and evaluate the impact of the organization’s programming.
Overall, 65 percent of Mitchell Scholars come from families where neither parent holds a four-year degree and 69 percent are from families whose household income is below the state median.
“These are students for whom the scholarship will make a real difference and who will, in turn, make a difference in their communities,” said Mitchell. “My family had few financial resources. Neither of my parents finished high school, but they believed in education. With their help and the help of others, I was able to go to college, and it changed my life. Maine’s young people deserve the same opportunity to succeed.”
For more information about the Mitchell Institute, visit www.mitchellinstitute.org.
Naomi L. Smith, of Mars Hill, was one of 509 seniors who graduated from Colby College on May 24, receiving a bachelor of arts degree at the outdoor commencement in Waterville. Smith was also named to the dean’s list for her outstanding academic achievement during spring 2009 semester.
Crystal graduates from Colby
Philip A. Crystal, of Mapleton, was one of 509 seniors who graduated from Colby College on May 24, receiving a bachelor of arts degree at the outdoor commencement in Waterville.
Crystal is the son of Lawrence Crystal and Clare Exner, of Mapleton. He majored in biology, with a concentration in cell and molecular biology/chemistry. His honors include cum laude, dean’s list and honors in biology. He is a graduate of Presque Isle High School.
Rattray makes URI dean’s list
Katelyn M. Rattray, of Presque Isle, qualified for the Spring 2009 dean’s list at The University of Rhode Island.
Students who have completed 12 or more credits during a semester for letter grades with at least a 3.30 quality point average, qualify for the dean’s list. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 credits with a 3.30 quality point average.
She is the daughter of Randy and Cindy Rattray of Presque Isle.
Michael J. Shaw, son of Sally-Jo and Doug Oliver, of Tilton, N.H., and Brian Shaw, of Bridgewater, recently received his master of science degree in physics from the University of Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2005, receiving a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
He has been employed by BAE Systems, Inc. in Nashua, N.H., since 2006. BAE Systems is a global defense contractor whose customers include all branches of the United States military. Shaw currently works as a laser physicist designing and developing state-of-the-art laser systems for all types of military applications. In 2006, upon entering the company, he was also selected as one of only 13 BAE employees, from a pool of over 300 applicants, to participate in the company’s Engineering Leadership Development Program.
Shaw is also the grandson of Clair and Joyce Sylvester, of Blaine.
Annaleise Smith, daughter of Russell and Cindy (Burnett) Smith, formerly of Mapleton, now residing in Millinocket, has been named to the dean’s list at EMCC in Bangor. She graduated from Stearns High School in 2008. She will be attending EMCC for two years and then transferring to another college. She is studying Business Management.
Arielle Smith, also the daughter of Russell and Cindy (Burnett) Smith, was been chosen as a delegate to Dirigo Girls State, which ran from June 20-26 at Husson College in Bangor. She will graduate from Stearns High School in June 2010.
They are the granddaughters of Francis and Barbara Burnett, of Presque Isle and Raymond and Ruth Smith, of Easton.
The family is very proud of them and wish to congratulate Annaleise and Arielle on their achievements.
BIDDEFORD — Troy Wilcox, UNE marine biology major, Class of 2011, has received the 2009 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
A native of Washburn, Wilcox chose marine biology because of his love for the ocean and all living creatures within it. He has always enjoyed fishing and hopes to make a difference by protecting the ecosystems within the ocean to ensure that future generations will have these same resources available to them. Wilcox worked for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries for the past two summers as a brook trout survey technician and is currently working for the Maine Department of Marine Resources studying alewives and Atlantic salmon.
Wilcox’s appointment began this May with a one-week orientation program at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. During the orientation, he met the NOAA administrator, senior program managers and scientists from NOAA’s organizations.
“I learned about the many different career opportunities available at NOAA at this orientation and how they could be a big part of my future goals. I am looking forward to making my final plans for next summer’s internship,” stated Wilcox.
This scholarship provides academic assistance for two academic years (September 2009 through May 2011) and a summer internship with NOAA in 2010.
Troy is the son of Don and Pam Wilcox of Washburn. His maternal grandparents are Chester and Arline Akerson of Woodland. Sterling Wilcox of Perham and late Clair Wilcox are Troy’s paternal grandparents.
Madelyn Carson, daughter of Cary Ann Carson and Glenn Carson, has been nominated by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and accepted into the Adventures of the Mind mentoring summit hosted in August by Princeton University.
Carson, a junior at Presque Isle High School, was selected for the all-expense paid educational opportunity based on her outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and her contributions to the performing arts. The program is sponsored by Student Achievement & Advocacy Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping promising, young students to maximize their potential. The four-day event will include Nobel Prize winners in physics, economics, and chemistry, as well as professors from Columbia University and Princeton University among others. Marissa Mayer, vice president of Google, will also participate in the summit.
FORT FAIRFIELD — Justin Pelkey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jody Pelkey, of Fort Fairfield, received a $5,500 scholarship from the Fort Fairfield High School Class of ’54 at graduation ceremonies earlier this month.
Pelkey plans to pursue a degree in journalism at the University of Maine at Orono. He was a four-year honors student and a member of the National Honor Society, and was active in community volunteer work. Frederick McGillan, a member of the Class of ’54, and Stacey McNamee, last year’s Class of ’54 scholarship recipient, presented the scholarship.
This annual renewable scholarship, managed by the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF), was first granted in 2004 to commemorate the 50th reunion of the Class of ’54. In 2008, the scholarship increased from $4,000 to $5,000; it is now $5,500.
“The cost of education is increasing,” noted Norm Stevenson of the Class of ’54, “and we want to help as much as we can.”
For information about how to contribute to this tax-exempt fund, call the Maine Community Foundation toll-free at 877-700-6800. A statewide organization, MaineCF has been working with donors and educators since 1983 to provide Maine students with access to educational opportunities. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org.
