CARIBOU - Investors in the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) come in many forms, from large companies like Cary Medical Center, The Aroostook Medical Center and MMG Insurance to those with fewer employees like K-Pel Industrial Services, Lynox Welding Supply and WAGM-TV. Regional higher education investment comes from Northern Maine Community College and University of Maine Presque Isle and the public sector is represented by the Northern Maine Development Commission, but a recent donation from Ray and Sandy Gauvin marked something new in the history of APP.
"The investment was from the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative," said Sandy Gauvin. "Ray and I strongly support APP's efforts to boost the economy of Aroostook County, as that is also part of our mission. The mission of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative is to support the educational goals of the youth in our region and mobilize the future prosperity of Aroostook County. We realize that education is the great equalizer, and that given fair opportunity and access to post-secondary education, the future will be brighter for the young people of The County."
Bob Dorsey, President and CEO of APP stated, "Ray and Sandy are exceptional people, great role models and a super addition to the Partnership. They also have been very active members on our Education to Industry Tiger Team, which APP formed to address student retention and promote more job shadow and Internship opportunities for County students."
An overview of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative will be presented at the APP "Education to Industry" summit Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus Center.
As part of the initiative, one senior at each of Aroostook County's 16 high schools will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Preference will be given to disadvantaged students who are the first in their family to go to college. The Aroostook Aspirations Initiative will begin offering scholarships and training in the fall of 2014. However, as significant as the scholarships are the other aspects of the initiative. In the fall, "A Night with the Stars" will be held to celebrate and showcase the Gauvin Scholars. The following spring, there will be an Aroostook Aspirations Weekend, whereby the recipients will participate in seminars regarding college issues as well as the possibilities of future employment in The County. The weekend will culminate with a local service project. In addition, another weekend experience will be provided for those students who would like to become entrepreneurs and have their own businesses in Northern Maine.
"The Aroostook Partnership for Progress and the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative are strategic partners in working to stem the outmigration of our youth, give them a step up in receiving a post-secondary education, and help them realize their dreams of staying in The County to work, raise families and become an integral part of the fiber our economy," added Gauvin.
More information about the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative is available at www.gauvinfund.org. A registration link to the "Education to Industry" summit can be found at www.appme.org.