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STORIES FROM OUR STUDENTS
Volume 10, Issue 2, Spring 2016
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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.
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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
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Maine Community College System | Early College for ME
Maine Community College System
323 State Street | Augusta, ME 04330
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