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A program of the Maine Community College System
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"[ECforME] made the process of transitioning from high school to college life so much easier and stress-free."
Caleb Gordon (Caribou'14)
Wind Power Tech NMCC
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Our Colleges
Central Maine
Community College
Auburn
Eastern Maine Community College Bangor
Kennebec Valley Community College Fairfield/Hinckley
Northern Maine Community College Presque Isle
Southern Maine Community College South Portland/Brunswick
Washington County Community College Calais
York County Community College Wells
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"I could not have asked for a better experience."
Jenna Perkins (Lawrence'14) General Science-Health Occupations KVCC
"The support was the best part, because I knew I had a place to go if I was having trouble or had questions!"
Kelly Normand (Sanford'14) Liberal Studies YCCC
"The [ECforME] scholarship gave me motivation to do well
in school."
Connor Churchill (Fort Fairfield'14) Hospitality-Tourism Management EMCC
"I would not be feeling
as successful with my Accuplacer or with college, if I was not in
this program."
Hope Godin (Oxford Hills'14) General Studies CMCC
"[ECforME] is definitely
a stress reliever."
Dayna White (Hampden Academy'13) Human Services WCCC
"[ECforME] gave me the push, motivation, and hope I needed."
Sharon Schwartz (Mt. Blue'14) General Studies CMCC
"[ECforME] walked me through everything I would have no clue
how to do."
Ryan Todte (Mt. Ararat'14) Computer Tech SMCC
"[ECforME] helped a lot with my confidence."
Adelee Fleming (Bangor'14) Liberal Studies EMCC
"Now I know that [college] is not as hard as I thought it would be." Sydney Terison (Freeport'14) Liberal Studies SMCC
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| Spring 2015 Volume 9, Issue 2
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All in the Family
for KVCC Grad
Alphonso "AJ" Dixon III, shown here with his grandfather and his father, for whom he's named, is a 2012 graduate of Skowhegan Area High School and a 2014 graduate, on Dean's List all four semesters, of Kennebec Valley Community College, with an associate degree in business administration-marketing/management. For six years, he's worked in his dad's restaurant in Norridgewock, Fonzo's Pizza. He's his father's manager, business partner, and cook, and plans to help keep the business successful. He started cooking when he was five. "Cooking has always been in the family," he says. His father, Al Dixon, taught him to cook, and his grandfather, Buster Dixon, who had a restaurant in Madison, taught them both the restaurant business. At college, Dixon gained confidence in his management skills, but "the best part about KVCC was the money I saved. It's great to actually be able to afford your education!" He thanks his regional director, Pauline Stevens, for helping him stay organized. "I could not have succeeded without ECforME supporting me every step of the way." His father agrees: "This program has done a lot for him. [ECforME staff] supported him through challenges at college. He always appreciated them, and I do too."
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 WCCC Student Sees Her Future in Photographs Stephanie Bennett (Washington Academy, 2013) is glad she went on to college. If it weren't for her ECforME regional coordinator, Mary-Ann Urquhart, she might not have. "Before meeting with Mary-Ann, I wasn't even sure I wanted to go to college." Now at Washington County Community College, she's in Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society for the Two-Year College) and the Student Senate. In May she'll have her associate degree in business management. For her, flexibility was the biggest difference between high school and college. Not only can she arrange her own schedule, she sees her college instructors as "real people," who understand that college students have many, often competing, responsibilities. Stephanie advises new college students to "do the best you can. You can't please everyone, so don't try. Making yourself happy is goal #1." In her free time, she runs her business, Stephanie Bennett Photography. Someday, she hopes to open a photography studio in Maine, preferably Down East.
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 At SMCC,
3+1 = a Bachelor's Degree
Mitchell Crockett (Bonny Eagle High School, 2013) chose Southern Maine Community College "because it was cheaper in the long run, and I wanted to stay local so I could still work. I knew I was going to get the same education as someone going to a four-year college." He's a business administration major in the 3-plus-1 transfer program with Saint Joseph's College. After three years at SMCC and a fourth at Saint Joseph's, he'll have a bachelor's in business management. He wants to head a hospital oncology, pediatrics, or cardiology department and eventually open a nursing home. For Crockett, time management is the key to college success. "You have to make sure you're on top of everything and making every class, because you're responsible for your actions and education!" ECforME "is worth being part of," he continues, because Christopher Ike, regional director, and Nicole Merryman, Chris's assistant, are "awesome. And you get a scholarship for each semester!" |
 Race to the Top for YCCC Student "I chose York County Community College as a financially smart way to complete two years of my college career," says Katelyn Seavey (Sanford High School, 2014). "I can focus more on my school work and less on social issues." Her 3.93 GPA put her on Dean's List her first semester. Seavey plans to graduate from YCCC in health studies, earn a bachelor's in pre-med, then go to medical school. Says Caitlin McGurty, regional director, "She's exceptionally motivated. She uses every resource available at YCCC to make sure she gets the most out of her experience here." For Seavey, "Caitlin is the first person I go to when I need advice for my education. She has always pointed me in the right direction." Seavey is active in the Student Senate, which she began working with the summer before college. She also tutors in a variety of subjects through YCCC's North*Star program. She advises new students "to get help when needed, and remember that every move you make determines your future." Seavey is a first-generation college student. Now that her mom is back in college, it may be a race to see who graduates first.
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 Front-Loading Means Getting Ahead at NMCC
"Hard work does pay off," says Michael deMontigny at Northern Maine Community College. He's a senior in the diesel hydraulics (DH) program and a high achiever: Dean's List three semesters, Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society for the Two-Year College), DH and OSHA certifications. deMontigny grew up in Frenchville, attended St. John Valley Technology Center, and graduated from Wisdom High School in 2013. He'll have his associate degree in May, "thanks to ECforME and Ruth White [regional director] pushing me." He took college courses in high school, over the summer, and during college breaks, all to lighten his semester load. "Ruth White encouraged me every step of the way," he says. With only two courses to graduation, he's able to work 40 hours a week at Frank Martin Sons in Fort Kent, getting on-the-job experience in his field. His advice: "Don't be afraid to push hard early on in school, because the reward is great. In the end, when you are a senior with a light load compared to most students stuck with 24 credits, you will be very happy that you gave it your all in your first year."
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 Third One's the Charm at CMCC Accalia Jackson is a second-year student at Central Maine Community College. She attended Lewiston Regional Technical Center and graduated from Lewiston High School in 2013, planning to work full-time and attend college part-time. Just before the start of her first semester, her regional director, Pauline Moreau, offered her a $2,000 ECforME scholarship if she attended full-time. Jackson agreed. She chose accounting first, then switched to business administration-management, then switched to early childhood education. That was the charm. "Her grades improved," reports Moreau, "though she works at Pat's Pizza and T.D. Bank, volunteers at Geiger Elementary School, and does her early childhood practicum at the same Head Start that she herself attended. All this with 18 credits." Jackson found it "difficult being undecided," yet she persisted. "Now," adds Moreau, "she has new energy and enthusiasm for learning and her future." Jackson advises, "If you start in a major and it isn't working, be patient and open to figuring out what to do." She's figuring out whether to open a 24-hour day care center in the Lewiston-Auburn area. If she does, her knowledge of accounting and business practices will give her an advantage.
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EMCC Student Likes the People and the Program
Madison Porter (Bucksport High School, 2013) knew she loved children but wasn't sure about college. Eastern Maine Community College appealed to her as a small, affordable, two-year college that offered early childhood education. She'll have her associate degree in May, having earned President's Honors (4.0 GPA) for three semesters and membership in Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society for the Two-Year College). Accepted by the University of Maine, the University of Maine at Farmington, and Thomas College, she hasn't yet decided where to transfer. Says her regional director, Hope Holyoke, "It's been a pleasure watching Madison's confidence grow. I know she'll continue to be successful in her bachelor's program." ECforME, says Porter, is "excellent. I love having an advisor I can rely on and meet with throughout the year to make sure I'm on track." Her advice to new college students is to "stay positive and meet new people. It's as simple as leaving your dorm room door open to say hi to the people who walk by." For Porter, the people are the best part of college. "I've met people from all over Maine and even other states. This is the time of life to enjoy. It's important to make it the best you can. Always be open to new experiences, and don't forget to smile."
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ECforME 1st- and 2nd-Year College Students
FALL 2014 HONORS LIST
*Honors 2 or More Semesters
High Honors
Bayley Caouette (Buckfield'14) General Studies CM
Benjamin Chamberlain* (UTC/Hampden Academy'13) EMS Tech EM
John Cushing (Shead'14) Residential-Commercial Electricity, Building
Construction WC
Hope Godin (Oxford Hills'14) General Studies CM
Tyler Knight (Windham'14) Liberal Studies CM
Brooke Leger (LRTC/Lewiston'14) Accounting CM
Katelynn Perkins (Presque Isle'14) Early Childhood Education NM
Christopher Poisson (LRTC/Edward Little'14) Building Construction
CM
Madison Porter* (Bucksport'13) Early Childhood Education EM
Honors
Lyssa Agreste* (Biddeford'13) Liberal Studies YC
Dakota Allen (Waterville'14) Liberal Studies KV
Marisa Allen (Waterville'14) Liberal Studies KV
Brooke Anderson (Bonny Eagle'14) Liberal Studies SM
Nicholas Barnes* (Shead'13) Heating Tech WC
Joshua Beaudoin (Sanford'14) Automotive Tech SM
Samantha Beaulieu (Portland'14) General Studies SM
Alexander Benner (MCST/Medomak Valley'14) Diesel, Truck-Heavy
Equipment EM
Stephanie Bennett (Washington Academy'13) Business Mgmt WC
William Blackwell (York'14) Liberal Studies YC
Catherine Bonner (York'14) Liberal Studies SM
Alex Boucher* (CATC/Cony'13) Automotive Tech-Ford Asset CM
Chelsey Boulay (Spruce Mountain'14) Culinary Arts SM
Brielle Boutilier (Houlton'14) Liberal Studies NM
Kayla Braley (Nokomis'14) General Science-Health Occupations KV
Blake Brannigan (Bonny Eagle'14) Business Administration SM
Lauren Buzzell* (Bangor'13) Business Mgmt EM
Connor Churchill (Fort Fairfield'14) Hospitality-Tourism Mgmt EM
Eliza Clark* (MCST/Camden Hills'13) Automotive Body Repair,
Structural Welding NM
Cassandra Crawford (Wiscasset'14) Liberal Studies EM
Mitchell Crockett* (Bonny Eagle'13) Business Administration SM
Kelsey Cushman (Gorham'14) Liberal Studies SM
Gabrielle Cyr* (Brewer'13) Education EM
Michael deMontigny* (SJVTC/Wisdom'13) Diesel Hydraulics NM
Brett Doughty (UTC/Old Town'14) Energy Services-Technology KV
Travis Doughty (UTC/Old Town'14) Fine Woodwork-Cabinet Making
EM
Bradley Dwinal (Mt. Blue'14) Welding Tech WC
Riley Erskine (South Portland'13) Liberal Studies SM
Derek Fickett* (Edward Little'13) Refrigeration, Air Conditioning-
Heating EM
Fallon Francazio (Brewer'14) Liberal Studies EM
Caleb Gordon (Caribou'14) Wind Power Tech NM
Kami Guiggey (Katahdin'14) Liberal Studies EM
Jordan Hachey (Winslow'14) Communications-New Media SM
Shannon Hand* (UTC/Brewer'13) Culinary Arts EM
Matthew Haney (Messalonskee'13) Precision Machining CM
Kathryn Heath (CATC/Gardiner'14) Liberal Studies SM
Sean Hennessy* (UTC/Orono'13) Liberal Studies EM
Rajel Hippler (Messalonskee'14) Early Childhood Education EM
Ain Holmes* (UTC/Home-Schooled'13) Electrical-Automation Tech EM
Stephen Hoyt (Mt. Ararat'14) Construction-Residential/Commercial
SM
Hannah Hubbard (Skowhegan'14) Liberal Studies EM
Alisa Hurd (Windham'14) Liberal Studies SM
Tyler Hurlburt (Woodland'14) Mechanical Tech-Passenger Vehicle
Service WC
Miranda Hussey* (Wells'13) Digital Media YC
Amanda Huston (Mattanawcook Academy'14) Business Mgmt EM
Kelsey Kramer (Mt. Ararat'13) General Studies CM
Abigail LaPlante (Cony'14) Communications-New Media SM
Zackary Leo (Mount View'14) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Jacob Levesque (SJVTC/Madawaska'14) Automotive Tech WC
Lucas Levesque (Forest Hills'14) Liberal Studies EM
Laura Martin (UTC/Old Town'14) Culinary Arts SM
Emily McAfee (Houlton'14) Early Childhood Education NM
Allissa McDougal (Presque Isle'13) Liberal Studies EM
Ramon Michaud (CATC/Hall-Dale'14) Computer Tech SM
Samantha Mills (Oxford Hills'13) Business Administration-Mgmt CM
Gabriel Morin (UTC/Old Town'14) Fine Woodwork-Cabinet Making
EM
Ian Nason (MCST/Camden Hills'13) Precision Machining CM
Kelly Normand (Sanford'14) Liberal Studies YC
Crystal Norwood* (Ellsworth'13) Liberal Studies EM
Collin Patterson (Caribou'14) Automotive Body Repair NM
Noah Pelletier (Edward Little'14) General Studies CM
Ashley Poland (Boothbay'14) Early Childhood Education EM
Danielle Prive (Sanford'14) General Studies SM
Desiraie Rediker (Fort Fairfield'14) Liberal Studies NM
Ineliz Rijo* (Marshwood'13) Architectural Drafting-Design YC
Katelyn Seavey (Sanford'14) Health Studies YC
Ezra Shepherd (Lawrence'14) Biological Sciences KV
Cody Shirley* (Woodland'13) Criminal Justice (CMCC satellite) WC
Dallas Shores (Messalonskee'14) Applied Electronics-Computer Tech
KV
Abigial Smith* (Freeport'13) Sustainable Agriculture KV
Charlotte Southard* (Woodland'13) Business Mgmt WC
Emily Stanley (Mt. Abram'14) Business Administration-Mgmt CM
Cassandra Stone (CATC/Erskine Academy'14) General Science-Health
Occupations KV
Melissa Taylor (Sacopee Valley'14) General Studies SM
Chelsea Thyng (Messalonskee'13) Medical Assisting KV
Chris Trembly* (Messalonskee'13) Electrical Tech KV
Jennifer Wakefield (Telstar'14) Fire Science SM
Ashley Watters (South Portland'14) Liberal Studies SM
Alexander Wharton (Bangor'14) EMS Tech EM
Dayna White* (Hampden Academy'13) Human Services WC
Dylan York (MCST/Lincoln Academy'14) Criminal Justice SM
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