News

Nineteen former high school students from midcoast Maine have recently graduated from their college degree programs, which were supported by a Worthington Scholarship.   More than half of the nineteen graduates were first generation college goers and most have obtained or are seeking full time career employment in Maine.   Five of the graduate’s positions are in the medical or health services field; one is in business management and four are applying to or attending graduate school.  One has a full- time position in cybersecurity out of state. Only one graduate due to health reasons is not currently seeking a position due to the Covid pandemic.  

2020 Worthington Scholarship Recipients Graduates – CONGRATULATIONS!! – are:
Central Maine Community College
Gabriella Fitzgerald, Accounting (Business)
Eastern Maine Community College
Samantha Leighton, Medical Radiography (Health Care)
Husson University
Charlotte Strong-Ames, Nursing (Health Care)
Keeli Wood, Marketing (Business)
Kennebec Valley Community College
Emily Batty, Radiology (Health Care)
Cassidy Benner, Medical Assisting (Health Care)
Kaileigh Ross , Medical Assisting (Health Care) 
Maine Maritime Academy
Andrew King, International Business and Logistics 
University of Maine Farmington
Sydney Gustafson, Rehabilitation (Health Care)  
Michaela Wright, Elementary Education
University of Maine Fort Kent
Jamie Brown, Nursing; Health Care 
University of Maine Orono
Mary Allen, Business Management 
Aiden Lammert, Computer Science 
Juliana Haynes, Marketing; Business 
Joshua Luttrell, Management and International Business
Hilary Merrifield, Biology, Pre-med 
Francis Pendleton, Pre-Dental; Health Care  
University of Southern Maine
Rebecca Boggs, Social Sciences
Washington County Community College
Domonick Jameson, Welding
In addition, one year of scholarship funds were provided to Matthew Ackley for a year of graduate studies at University of Maine Orono since he completed his four-year degree in three years. 
These scholarships over the 1 – 4 years of the students’ programs amount to approximately $220,000.   In 2020 the program has further expanded into Lincoln Hancock and Washington counties.   A total of approximately 464 students will receive scholarships this year; double the number who did in 2019.     For more information on the Worthington Scholarship Foundation please visit our website at:  www.worthingtonscholars.org or contact us at (207) 596-5800. 

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors has elected two new Board Members:  Laurie Lachance, President of Thomas College and Tony C. McKim, President and CEO of First National Bank.     In addition, Larry Barker, President and CEO at Machias Savings Bank has joined as an Advisory Board member.  Both McKim and Barker head Maine financial institutions that have partnered with the Worthington Foundation to increase accessibility to and information on the scholarship to students and parents in the communities they serve.  

Board member Laurie Lachance is Thomas College’s 5th President and the first female and alumna to lead the College in its 125-year history. Laurie has served as President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation and served three governors as the Maine State Economist.   A frequent author and speaker on leadership, education, and the economy of Maine, she holds an undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College, an MBA from Thomas College and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Laurie is a member of both Maine Women’s and Maine Business Hall of Fame and has been recognized by Maine Magazine as one of “the 50 Mainers Charting the State’s Future.”  Laurie chairs the Board of Educare Central Maine, is a Trustee of Foxcroft Academy, a Board member of Educate Maine, served on the New England Board of Higher Education’s Commission.  Thomas College is a partner college with the Worthington Scholarship Foundation. 

Board member Tony McKim leads First National Bank, the fourth largest Maine-based financial institution.  A long-time community volunteer, McKim serves as the Chair of the Maine Bankers Association and is an Executive Committee member of Friends of Traditional Banking, a nationwide grassroots organization; he is also a board member of the Ellsworth Business Development Corporation President of the Board of Harbor House, a community service organization.   In addition to board involvement, McKim is passionate about youth sports and has coached basketball and baseball at a variety of levels.  He co-founded an organization, Acadian Youth Sports, to promote youth sports in the Mount Desert Island and Trenton communities.

McKim is honored to be asked to join the board of the Worthington Foundation.  “I know first-hand how a college education can help our Maine youth achieve their dreams.  With scholarships and guidance, the Foundation can have a great impact on Maine’s future.”

Advisory Board member Larry Barker grew up in Down East Maine.  His connection to Machias Savings Bank, the fifth largest bank in Maine with a footprint spanning Portland to Caribou, goes back to his early days of raking blueberries for the Bank’s former CEO. He began his official career at the Bank in 1991, moving through various roles and promotions till he became CEO in 2012.   Personifying the legacy and spirit of Machias Savings Bank, Larry has a passion for community impact. He has served on Boards for organizations including the Sunrise County Economic Council, The Washington Hancock Community Agency and Washington Academy. He is also a board member of several banking associations.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine Machias and proudly resides with his family in Washington County. 

Laurie LaChance, President of Thomas College

Tony McKim, President, CEO, First National Bank

Larry Barker, President, CEO Machias Savings Bank

Sebastian Yattaw joined our staff on January 13 as Student Accounts and Office Manager. Please join us in welcoming our former scholar in his first professional position out of college. His role was made necessary by the foundation’s recent expansion.  

Key aspects of the Sebastian’s responsibilities will be implemention of our database, Worthington Connect, distributing funding to partner colleges, assisting in financial documentation and presentations and general office management. 

Sebastian was a Worthington Scholarship recipient upon graduation from Oceanside High School in 2013, while obtaining a B.S. in Business Administration in both Finance and Business Management at the University of Maine.   “I’ve always been so thankful for the support I received from the Worthington Scholarship – it definitely reduced the financial burden of attending college”, he stated.  

Yattaw is a lifelong resident of Owls Head and is pleased to remain in Maine, in “such as beautiful area, close to family and friends. I’m thankful that the Worthington Foundation is helping me yet again by providing me this career opportunity. I look forward to helping current and future Worthington Scholars.”

This week and next will see returning and new students beginning college throughout Maine.   In 2019 the number of graduating high school students receiving Worthington Scholarships increased by more than 30%, up from 84 in 2018 to 110 in 2019.   The amount the new students will receive while attending college will total approximately 1.5 million dollars.   Some of the scholars are graduates of three new partner high schools added in 2019: Belfast Area , Searsport District and Mt. View Regional.  They join Oceanside, Medomak Valley and Camden Hills Regional high schools as Worthington Foundation partners. 
In 2018-2019 the total amount awarded including current upperclass scholars was approximately $680,000 dollars.  This was the largest number and amount of Worthington Scholarships ever awarded.  
The award amount is four thousand dollars per year, renewable for the duration of the student’s 2, 3 or 4-year degree program.  Students who complete a 2-year degree program may apply for additional scholarship years at a 4 -year college or university.  The scholarship supports selected graduating seniors who are enrolling at any campus of the University of Maine or Maine Community College systems, Husson University, Thomas College, Maine Maritime Academy and Bates, Colby or Bowdoin Colleges. 
All Worthington scholars communicate periodically with a Worthington Scholarship Foundation mentor who assists them with the transition to college and is available to help with issues throughout their college career.   This program, which began in 2010, continues to evolve, and it is anticipated it will add an additional 17 high schools in 2020.
Congratulations to all.
The Worthington Scholars Class of 2019

Nineteen graduating seniors were the first recipients at Belfast Area High School of Worthington scholarships recently.   The Foundation, which previously made awards at Oceanside, Medomak and Camden Hills High Schools, has continued an expansion into Waldo County in 2019 by adding Belfast, Mt. View and Searsport High Schools.   The goal of the scholarship is to help good students with financial need minimize debt as they obtain a college degree.
The Worthington Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit that this year will award 108 high school graduates attending college approximately one million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000.00) in college funds.
Founders Beverly and David Worthington and Program Director Jay McIntire attended the Belfast awards ceremony to demonstrate to each student their personal involvement and interest in their ability to further their education. The foundation also provides a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements.   
Scholarship criteria is: – attend a Maine college, (see list on our website) have a B average for a 4 -year college; a C average for community college attendance, and an estimated family contribution (FAFSA) of $15,000 or less.  Students demonstrating both merit and financial need are encouraged to apply. 
Belfast’s 2019 Worthington Scholars are:  
(Back row,  Pictured, L – R):
Kyle Brown, Wilder Magruder, Jed Salvatore, Sam Davis,Wyatt Ford, Julianne Smith, Cassidy Jackson, Matthew Kelley, Cameron Johnson, Karagen Stone, Elizabeth Maguire, Mackenzie Thomas
Front row (L-R):
Grady Doolan, Jillian Clapp, Cassie Armstrong-Hopkins, Lauren Blood, Madison Martz, Audrey Richdale, Morgan Suderly
The scholarships total $16,000 for each four-year college attendee; and for community college, covers cost of tuition and fees minus any other aid provided.   Fourteen Belfast students received four year scholarships and five received scholarships to attend Community Colleges. 
Congratulations all!!

Nineteen graduating seniors at Camden Hills Regional High School were recipients of Worthington Scholarships that help academically sound students with financial need minimize debt while pursuing a college degree.   Combined with past scholarships awarded at Camden Hills beginning in 2016, a total of approximately $600,000 has been received by Camden Hills students.

Receiving four- year college scholarships at the recent awards night were Ileana Adams, Grace Blackwell, Ethan Ford, August Gray, Meghan Keizer, Courtney King, Jacob Knowlton, Devon Lammert, Aspen Laurita-Spanglet, Maggie Maxwell, Isabella Merrill, Abby Milner, Macy Pushaw, Justin Secotte and Lileas Wallace.    Each will receive $4,000 annually; renewable for four years.

Kaitlin Blackwell, Alyson Glaser, Michael McGeady and Alexys Schaeffer were awarded community college scholarships; ensuring that all tuition and fees are covered to any Maine community college for 1 – 3 years, depending on the program of study chosen.

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit currently awarding scholarships at Medomak, Oceanside, Camden, Searsport, Belfast and Mt. View High Schools.  108 newly graduated high school students will receive scholarships this year, joining 129 upperclassmen currently receiving scholarships.  In 2020 the program will expand into Washington, Hancock and Lincoln Counties and begin providing scholarships to an additional twenty-three high schools.

Executive Director Rick Bedigian and College Mentor Kerry Hadley attended the ceremony and made the presentations.   

Current criteria include that the students plan to attend a Maine college, (have a B average for a 4 -year college; a C average for a community college, and an estimated family contribution of $15,000 or less.  Students demonstrating both merit and financial need are encouraged to apply. The foundation also provides a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements.   
For more information, please visit our website at www.worthingtonscholars.org or call (207) 596-5800.   

Eleven graduating seniors were the first recipients at Mt. View Regional High School of Worthington scholarships recently.   The Foundation, which previously made awards at Oceanside, Medomak and Camden Hills High Schools, has continued an expansion into Waldo County in 2019 by adding Belfast, Mt. View and Searsport High Schools.   The goal of the scholarship is to assist good students with financial need minimize college debt.   

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit that this year will award 108 high school graduates attending college approximately one million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000.00) in college funds.

Founders Beverly and David Worthington and Program Director Jay McIntire attended the Mt. View awards ceremony to demonstrate to each student their personal involvement and interest in their ability to further their education. The foundation also provides a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements.   

(Pictured, L – R). Connor Mayhew, Alex Fountain, Jackson Martin, Logan Pooler, Brooke Shaw, Brenna Vines, Payton Pomeroy, Miranda Smith, Etienne Desrosiers, Amy-Kate Spaulding and Lindsey Penney. Scholarship criteria is: – attend a Maine college , (see list on our website) have a B average for a 4 year college; a C average for community college attendance, and an estimated family contribution (FAFSA) of $15,000 or less.  Students demonstrating both merit and financial need are encouraged to apply. 
Mt View’s 2019 Worthington Scholars are:  
(Pictured, L – R). Connor Mayhew, Alex Fountain, Jackson Martin, Logan Pooler, Brooke Shaw, Brenna Vines, Payton Pomeroy, Miranda Smith, Etienne Desrosiers, Amy-Kate Spaulding and Lindsey Penney.    
Congratulations all!!
For more information, please visit our website at www.worthingtonscholars.org or call (207) 596-5800.

Newly appointed Worthington Scholars with founders Beverly and David Worthington during a joy filled graduation and awards ceremony.At a joyous, fun filled, celebratory graduation and special awards ceremony held at Medomak Valley High School Wednesday night, twenty five graduates received up to $16,000 scholarships apiece from the Worthington Scholarship Foundation.  The goal of the scholarship is to assist good students with financial need obtain a college degree minimize college debt.  
Those twenty-five graduates are: Emily Grinnell, Ethan Gould, Jordan Hays, Jaden Abruseze, Elizabeth Flanagan, Emma Hooper, Ashley Holmes, Alec Coughlin, Catherine Sheldmerdine, Kaysee Leary, Hattie Watmough, Greyson Clark, Aubrey Schaeffer, Tyler Lee, Madelyn White, Elias Miller, Logan Butler, Kelsey Berry, Peter Alexander, Alden Mclain, Mikayla Wallace, Emily Wotton, Leah Wilcox, Kaysee Leary and Aidan Janes-Risteen.
The nonprofit this year will award 108 midcoast area high school graduates attending college approximately one million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000.00) in college funds.
Founders Beverly and David Worthington and College Mentor and Communications Director Kerry attended the ceremony to demonstrate to each student their personal involvement and interest in their ability to further their education.  The foundation also provides a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements.   
Scholarship criteria is: 
– attend a Maine college, (see list on our website) 
-have a B average for a 4 -year college; a C average for community college attendance, 
-have an estimated family contribution (by FAFSA) of $15,000 or less.  
Congratulations to all of the graduates and to Medomak Valley High School students, staff and teachers for creating such a positive and supportive educational environment.
For more information, please visit our website at www.worthingtonscholars.orgor call (207) 596-5800.

Twenty-seven graduating seniors at Oceanside High School were recipients of Worthington Scholarships that help academically sound students with financial need obtain a college degree with little or no debt.  Combined with past scholarships awarded at Oceanside beginning in 2010, a total of two million five hundred eighty-five thousand dollars has been awarded to Oceanside students from the Foundation.   CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OCEANSIDE GRADUATES!!

Receiving four- year college scholarships at the recent awards night were Amos Anderson, Igli Bixhaku, Laura Boutin, Zachariah Cody, Thomas Coombs, Jacob Curtis, Jason Davis, Sara Dorr, Wesley Dunkle, Alex Fogarty, Morgan Heal, Jack Lombardo, Alexander Mahar, Tamra Miller, Annaliese Poisson, Anthony Radzimirski, Trevor Reed, Sebastian Sanfilippo, Cole Stevens, Uriah Thongsophaphone, Abigail Veilleux and Dylan Whitamore.    Each will receive $4,000 annually; renewable for four years.

Domonick Jameson, Sean Krejsa, Mckaylee Morris, Benjamin Ripley and Matthew Shaw were awarded community college scholarships; ensuring that all tuition and fees are covered to any Maine community college for 1-3 years, dependent on chosen program.

Our nonprofit currently awards scholarships at Medomak, Oceanside, Camden, Searsport, Belfast and Mt. View High Schools.  Approximately 108 newly graduated high school students will receive scholarships this year, joining 129 upperclassmen currently receiving scholarships.  In 2020 the program will expand into Washington, Hancock and Lincoln Counties and begin providing scholarships to an additional twenty-three high schools.

Founders Beverly and David Worthington, Director Donald Pietrowski and newly graduated Worthington Scholar and past Oceanside student Rachel Johnson made the presentations.   
Current criteria include that the students plan to attend a Maine college, (have a B average for a 4 -year college; a C average for a community college, and an estimated family contribution of $15,000 or less.  Students demonstrating both merit and financial need are encouraged to apply. We also provide a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements to our scholars.