Aroostook Aspirations Initiative Kicked off Today in Presque Isle

Aroostook County students will have a wonderful opportunity to persue their dreams, thanks to a new scholarship fund that has been created.

A first-of-its-kind, County-wide project will provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to pursue their dreams, and, in turn, support higher education institutions and bolster economic development efforts here in northern Maine.

The Aroostook Aspirations Initiative was publicly launched today, at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle, by project co-founders Raynold and Sandra Gauvin of Mapleton.  Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and many members of the community attended the event.

The effort involves five components all aimed at encouraging, supporting, and motivating young people to pursue higher education opportunities in Aroostook County.  The first is the Gauvin County Scholarship, which, beginning in the fall of 2014, will initially award a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior at each of the 16 high schools in Aroostook County.

Among the four other components of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative is an aspirational weekend for scholarship recipients that will explore areas such as funding, money management, leadership skills, and dealing with college issues.

Two other aspects of the project are internships and entrepreneurial training.  Gauvin County Scholars will be offered internship opportunities with County businesses and organizations.  Later in their college careers, the scholars will meet with successful area entrepreneurs and talk about what it takes to be a successful leader in northern Maine.

Efforts toward raising those funds were bolstered today as the Gauvins were presented a $10,000 surprise gift for the Initiative from Mary Smith.  Smith is a Presque Isle native, who now lives in California. She has donated several million dollars to her hometown in recent years, most notably to NMCC and the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library.

If you would like to donate, it can be mailed to: Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, 26 North Street, Box 138, Presque Isle, ME 04769.