Grace Clayton, York, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
Grace is a York High School senior who exemplifies strength and has made contributions in many areas, such as character, leadership, and service. As co-President of TIDALWAVES, a student drug awareness program, a three-sport varsity athlete, and a member of Young Women’s Leadership & Future Business Leaders of America, she willingly volunteers for any task at hand and follows through.  She volunteers her time working with younger students to build confidence and social skills, as well as helping to run youth sport programs.

Aiden, an upcoming graduate of York High School and Sanford Regional Technical School, aspires to become a master plumber. In his own words: “There is a demand for plumbers right now, that will only increase in the future as the population in Maine continues to grow.” Aiden is the captain of his hockey team, volunteer coach for youth leagues, and has donated time to senior citizen programming, community fundraising efforts, as well as “Toys for Tots” events.

Alex Dobson, South Portland, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
Alex, a senior at South Portland High School, is described as an “exceptionally thoughtful, intelligent, fun, and talented young man.” He volunteers at an elementary school with third grade students to support their reading, math, and overall interpersonal skills. In addition to being the captain of his football team, Alex has given time to South Portland Little League as an umpire, mentored youth athletes in football clinics, and volunteered with Rotary fundraisers and area soup kitchens.

Alyssa Conley, Windham, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
Alyssa is an upcoming graduate of Windham High School. She is a member of Unified Club tennis, field hockey, and basketball, as well as the Social Justice League, Spanish Honor Society, and National Honor Society. Her teacher writes, “Alyssa works to make both the school and community a more inclusive place. She never shies away from difficult tasks, always focusing wholeheartedly on meeting goals effectively.” In her own words, “There is this sense of accomplishment and worthiness that comes with helping others and it is something that I will always value and put first in my life.”

 

Mina Nicholson, Portland, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
Mina, a senior at Deering High School, is described as “a strong, confident, and considerate student with excellent organizational skills that allow her to be successful across the board.” She has lived in a few communities throughout her life and was quick to become integral at Deering. As a three-season athlete on the varsity cross country, swim, and tennis teams, she has demonstrated determination by overcoming family health challenges and volunteering to clean up vandalism for the benefit of the community.

Nathan Clive, Scarborough, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
Nathan, a senior at the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, strives to be a leader in the community. As an Eagle Scout, a student leader at his school, and participant in the Citizens Climate Lobby conference, he is dedicated to making a positive impact. For his service project, Nathan developed a tech-forward approach to playground safety at a local school, using QR codes to guide students in the practical use of equipment. In his own words, he is committed to “advocating for youth opportunities that foster civic engagement and continuing to lead by example.”

Rachelle Cloutier, Windham, ME – Community Service Ray Gagnon Scholarship – $1,000
An upcoming graduate of Windham High School, Rachelle says her parents “raised her to always give back to the community when possible.” Over her four years in high school, she has clocked over 100 hours of community service for a variety of causes such as The Polar Express, reading to children, participating in food drives, community events for Earth Day, and sharing her love of language by working with kindergarteners on Spanish language skills. Rachelle is a three-season athlete as well as a member of the National Honor Society and the Social Justice League.