STORIES FROM OUR STUDENTS       

Volume 10, Issue 2, Spring 2016      

Our Mission    
 To encourage and empower Maine students who need additional support as they transition from high school to college and to connect them to the academic, personal, and financial resources they need for success in and beyond community college.
Easton High School, Gray-New Gloucester High School, Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center: All Have Joined Early College for ME.

These three schools bring our total to 80 participating partners. Our partner schools are all around Maine and now include six technical centers and regions. All our schools are publicly funded, and most are in rural areas. To see the complete list, click here. We serve as many students in these schools as possible. We start with students in their junior year of high school: students who can do college-level work and who will benefit from extra help with college and financial aid applications and how to be a college student. Those who receive our scholarship attend one of our seven Maine community colleges and continue to have our support for up to four semesters. Highlighted below are a few of our scholarship recipients.
 

Being Organized Works
 
Bayley Caouette (Buckfield High School, 2014) had planned to start at a university. One week before classes began, she decided instead to enroll at Central Maine Community College. "I realized that I could get the same amount of education and the same quality right at CMCC." She would be able to commute, too, and knew she'd have the continued support of Early College for ME. "This program has helped me mature and be the best college student I can be," she says. She's earned High Honors every semester and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for the two-year college. In May, on completion of her associate degree in general studies, she will enter CMCC's nursing program.
     Bayley is "beyond thankful" for ECforME. "I was able to balance two jobs, full-time school, and be on the college's soccer team. I was able to balance all of these things because of the organizational skills this program has taught me." She adds, "The ECforME program has changed my life, and I'm so proud of the person I've become because of it."
Degree Planned?Check 

Stephen Hoyt (Mt. Ararat, 2014), who's made Honors all three semesters, graduates in May with an associate degree in residential and commercial construction from Southern Maine Community College.
    Stephen got ahead by taking college English in high school and was glad he did. Planning his degree program with his ECforME Regional Director, Stephen learned he needed not 12, but 15 (at least) credits per semester to graduate in two years. So to stay on  track, he took physics as a summer course.
    To Stephen, the first few weeks of college were "terrifying." Then he began to explore and find all that SMCC offers. "I really appreciated the many places I could sit down uninterrupted and study. The environment at SMCC is very inviting for studying." After graduation, he'll go to work full-time at Port Builders LLC in Freeport.
    "Stay on schedule," he advises. "Try to make all of your classes. You would be amazed at what you would miss in one class. Use your planner, stay organized, and do all of your homework. Once you get behind, it is really hard to get caught up."   

Full Steam Ahead!

Sarah Engel (Marshwood High School, 2015) worked through severe depression and anxiety growing up, yet she's found her path and found college "vastly different" from high school. She started at York County Community College last fall, having already completed 15 college credits during high school. She's working full time and paying for college on her own.
    Sarah is passionate about YCCC and knows other students who feel the same. "We all want to be here, and that makes a world of difference." Her first-semester 3.7 GPA earned her entry into Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for the two-year college. Next year, with her associate degree in business administration, she plans to continue for a bachelor's degree and eventually earn a master's degree. Meanwhile, she enjoys being involved at YCCC. The campus food pantry, which she helped to launch, made an immediate difference in the community. To Sarah, "What you put in, you will get out. If you put forth the time and effort, you will have a wonderful, fulfilling college experience! College is by no means cheap," she continues, "so be sure to get your money's worth!" As the first in her family to go to college, she is grateful for all the help from her Early College for ME Regional Director navigating both college "and life."

Smart Strategy

Zachary Douin had no plans to attend college after graduation from Messalonskee High School in 2015. That is, until he was nominated for the Early College for ME scholarship. Then, in the middle of his senior year, he did a complete turnaround, deciding to apply to Kennebec Valley Community College for energy services technology (EST). Waitlisted for his program choice, he hedged his bets and enrolled in general science, knowing that he could at least get his core (required) courses out of the way. His strategy paid off. He begins EST next fall, and with tutoring help from TRiO, he ended his first semester with a grade point average of 3.4. He's working hard to maintain an Honors GPA. As he sees it, "Now is the time to put in the effort and work hard. Don't wait till the last minute and struggle." His high school guidance counselor, Keith Derosby, says of Zach, "ECforME gave him incentive. He's a fantastic young man and I was fortunate to watch him mature into the young adult he is today."
College is Serious Business

In May 2017, Jaycie MacArthur (Woodland High School, 2015) will become the first in her family to graduate from college. A business management major at Washington County Community College, she made Dean's List her first semester while working at a local restaurant and as a work-study student in WCCC's financial aid office. Jaycie started at WCCC because she wanted a smaller, affordable school close to home. She plans to transfer for a bachelor's degree in business.    
    She likes the freedom of college and knows that with more freedom comes more responsibility. "Unlike high school, college is your choice," she says. "Succeeding makes you want to do more and better next time."

    Her advice to new students is, "Take college seriously. Don't fall behind. Find better ways to do what you are struggling with." Early College for ME "helped tremendously," she adds. "It made college a more welcoming environment and prepared me for what was to come."


Automotive Turned
the Key 


"Early College for ME has been a major support in my college career," says Jamey Lessard, soon to be the first in his family to graduate from college. He graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2014, and in May, he'll have an associate degree in automotive technology from Northern Maine Community College.
    Lessard, who struggled in high school, has earned Honors in college, doing what he loves to do and doing it with self-confidence and determination. He held a work-study job at NMCC last summer and has volunteered for college open house and job fair events. He'll come back to NMCC in the fall to complete a certificate in structural welding, a valuable addition to his skill set. For new college students, he has words to live by: "Don't procrastinate. Work hard. Keep a positive attitude."

First Maine, Then Boston

AnnMarie Hannon (Lawrence High School, 2014) is in her second-year at Eastern Maine Community College taking culinary arts. No longer the quiet and shy student who came to EMCC orientation, she's "blossomed," says her Early College for ME Regional Director. "I was very shy at first," says AnnMarie, "but when I started to meet with [ECforME] and started getting involved in clubs and activities, I saw this campus becoming more like my home, and I started to feel like I'm in the right place." She's a student ambassador, treasurer of the Student Senate, and goes to most college events. AnnMarie has overcome many obstacles, the hardest of which came at the end of her first semester, losing her father after a long illness. Her church and campus activities helped. Also, "I really enjoy all of my culinary arts classes! They are just so captivating, and I learn new things every day." AnnMarie will graduate in May. Eventually she wants to work in Boston as head chef at a high-end restaurant. "Push yourself and never give up on your dreams," she says. "It will be hard, but looking back, you'll see how far you've come."

FALL 2015 HONORS LIST
*Honors 2 or More Semesters
ECforME 1st- and 2nd-Year College Students
 
High Honors
Bayley Caouette* (Buckfield'14) General Studies CM
Patrick Dexler (Lisbon'15) Management Information Systems CM
Nicholaus Fortin (LRTC/Leavitt'14) Criminal Justice CM
Tyler Knight* (Windham'14) General Studies CM
Nicole Latulippe (Edward Little'14) General Studies CM
Brooke Leger* (LRTC/Lewiston'14) Accounting CM
Christopher Poisson* (LRTC/Edward Little'14) Building Construction Tech CM
Codey Prock (MCST/Medomak Valley'15) Precision Machining Tech CM
Staci Remillard (Buckfield'15) Early Childhood Education CM
Katelyn Seavey* (Sanford'14) Liberal Studies YC
Rhys Simpson (Mt. Blue'15) Automotive Tech CM
Rebecca-Lynn Tuttle (Telstar'15) General Studies CM
Dakota Verrill (Telstar'14) Graphic Communications CM
 
Honors
Kiana Acevedo (Portland'15) Early Childhood Education SM
Dakota Allen* (Waterville'14) Liberal Studies KV
Aaron Audet (Lawrence'14) Applied Electronics-Computer Tech KV
Joshiah Audet (Bonny Eagle'15) Electrical Lineworker Tech KV
Nicholas Bazinet (Bangor'14) Criminal Justice EM
Joshua Beaudoin* (Sanford'14) Automotive Tech SM
Alexander Benner* (MCST/Medomak Valley'14) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Michelle Birmingham (Katahdin'15) Early Childhood Education EM
Chelsey Boulay* (Spruce Mountain'14) Culinary Arts SM
Ethan Bradstreet (Central Aroostook'15) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Emma Bridges (Kennebunk'15) Baking-Pastry YC
Mathew Bridges (Bonny Eagle'15) Liberal Studies SM
Matthew Brown (Caribou'15) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Mariah Bryant (Messalonskee'14) Medical Assisting KV
Nicole Chipi (York'15) Physical Fitness Specialist CM
Nicholas Clark (Lawrence'15) Electrical Lineworker Tech KV
Haley Cuddy (Forest Hills'15) Liberal Studies SM
Caleb Cullen (Katahdin'15) Emergency Medical Services NM
Rachel Cutler (Greely'14) Liberal Studies SM
Taya Damboise (Caribou'15) Early Childhood Education NM
Meghan Darcy (Falmouth'15) Liberal Studies SM
Isaac deMontigny (SJVTC/Wisdom'15) Automotive Tech NM
Travis Doughty* (UTC/Old Town'14) Fine Woodwork-Cabinet Making EM
Emily Drake-Michaud (CATC/Cony'15) Nursing SM
Brandon Drew (Katahdin'15) Liberal Studies EM
Baylee Dugal (Lawrence'14) Education-Autism Spectrum Disorder Studies KV
Nicolas Dunn (LRTC/Lewiston'15) Pre-Engineering SM
Sean Dyer* (Lewiston'14) Criminal Justice SM
Meghan Ellingwood (Old Town'15) Liberal Studies EM
Sarah Engel (Marshwood'15) Business Administration YC
Aaron Erickson* (Gorham'14) Criminal Justice SM
Paige Ford (Biddeford'15) Liberal Studies YC
Nicki Fowlie (MCST/Camden Hills'15) Fire Science Tech SM
Fallon Francazio* (Brewer'14) Liberal Studies EM
Evan Garbati Stanichuk (Waterville'15) Applied Electronics-Computer Tech KV
Caleb Gordon* (Caribou'14) Wind Power Tech NM
Kyle Gray (UTC/Hermon'15) Electricians Tech EM
Travis Guerrette (SJVTC/Wisdom'15) Structural Welding NM
Nicole Hanson (Woodland'15) Liberal Studies EM
Brady Hawkins (NPT Region 3/Mattanawcook Academy'15) Precision Metals Mfg NM
Emma Hennessy (UTC/Orono'15) Liberal Studies EM
Chad Hinkley (LRTC/Lewiston'14) Criminal Justice CM
Jocelyn Hoyt (Forest Hills'14) Business Administration-Marketing/Mgmt KV
Stephen Hoyt* (Mt. Ararat'14) Construction Tech-Residential/Commercial SM
Alisa Hurd* (Windham'14) Liberal Studies SM
Tyler Hurlburt* (Woodland'14) Mechanical Tech-Passenger Vehicle Services WC
Amanda Huston* (Mattanawcook Academy'14) Business Mgmt EM
Corey Kilton (Freeport'15) Early Childhood Education SM
John Knowles (CATC/Erskine Academy'15) Energy Services-Tech KV
Nicole Labbay (Mt. Ararat'15) Architectural-Civil Engineering CM
Nicholas Labun (Messalonskee'15) Building Construction Tech EM
Staycen Lamarre (Mt. Ararat'15) Liberal Studies SM
Jocelyn Lane (HCTC/Ellsworth'14) Hospitality-Tourism Mgmt EM
Abigail LaPlante* (Cony'14) Communications-New Media SM
Jaime Lemery (Old Town'15) Liberal Studies EM
Jamey Lessard* (Presque Isle'14) Automotive Tech NM
Kylee Loucks (Lawrence'15) Liberal Studies KV
Ekoko Louise (Lewiston'15) General Studies CM
Jaycie MacArthur (Woodland'15) Business Mgmt WC
Kayli Malenfant* (Presque Isle'14) Liberal Studies NM
Michelle Martin (Lisbon'15) Liberal Studies SM
Scott McCrossin (Caribou'15) Precision Machining Tech CM
Kayla McLeish (UTC/Hermon'15) Medical Radiography Tech EM
Ramon Michaud* (CATC/Hall-Dale'14) Computer Tech SM
Allison Mitchell (Skowhegan'15) Liberal Studies KV
Gabriel Morin* (UTC/Old Town'14) Fine Woodwork-Cabinet Making EM
Jade Morlock (Greely'15) Liberal Studies SM
Thomas Noble-Gonzalez (Kennebunk'15) Precision Welding Tech SM
Nicole O'Donnell (TCTC/Home-Schooled'15) Liberal Studies EM
Syerra Oliver (Forest Hills'14) Criminal Justice CM
Marianne Ouellette (LRTC/Lewiston'15) Early Childhood Education CM
Collin Patterson* (Caribou'14) Automotive Body Repair NM
Mitchell Pelletier (SJVTC/Fort Kent'15) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Noah Pelletier* (Edward Little'14) Medical Assisting CM
Katelynn Perkins* (Presque Isle'14) Early Childhood Education NM
Taylor Pinkham (Boothbay'15) Computer Tech SM
Ashley Poland* (Boothbay'14) Early Childhood Education EM
Abigail Poulin (Lawrence'14) Hospitality-Tourism Mgmt EM
Tristan Quick (Lawrence'15) Computer Electronics NM
Desiraie Rediker* (Fort Fairfield'14) Liberal Studies NM
Tabatha Ross (Messalonskee'15) Liberal Studies KV
Briana Rossignol (Caribou'14) Medical Assisting NM
Dustin Roy (SJVTC/Fort Kent'15) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Jared Sensenig* (LRTC/Leavitt'14) Automotive Tech-Ford Asset CM
Andrew Skillings (Scarborough'15) Liberal Studies SM
Sierra Smedberg (Lawrence'15) Liberal Studies KV
Colton Spear (MCST/Medomak Valley'15) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Rebecca Stacey-Outten (Edward Little'15) General Studies CM
Cassandra Stone* (CATC/Erskine Academy'14) General Science-Health Occupations KV
Rachel Sucy (Bucksport'15) Liberal Studies EM
Alvin Tardif (SJVTC/Wisdom'15) Precision Metals Mfg NM
Ryan Todte (Mt. Ararat'14) Computer Tech SM
Ashley Watters* (South Portland'14) Liberal Studies SM
Quintin West (Forest Hills'15) Precision Machining Tech CM

Maine Community College System | Early College for ME

  
Maine Community College System
323 State Street | Augusta, ME 04330