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Photo caption: Oceanside High School Seniors who participated in Oceanside Scholar Day this October. 

Rockland, ME—The 2nd annual Oceanside Scholar Day took place at Oceanside High School (OHS) on October 11, 2017. The event started last year with the intention of providing time during the school day for seniors to consider their post-secondary options, and to make more students eligible for the Worthington Scholarship. The event has since grown to include more diverse session choices, allowing flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests. OHS faculty and staff coordinated and planned the event in conjunction with the Worthington Scholarship Foundation.

As part of the event, all seniors completed a financial literacy requirement, putting them on the road to eligibility for the $4,000/year Worthington Scholarship next fall. The financial literacy sessions outline post-secondary options including: 4-year colleges, 2-year colleges, certificate programs, military service, apprenticeships and working for companies with internal advancement and training.  In addition, financial literacy is intended to provide students with the tools to understand how to make a financially savvy choice for their further education, by decoding the complexities of financial aid and financial aid packages. 

Students were able to choose two additional sessions outside of financial literacy, including sessions devoted to assistance with college applications, college essay brainstorming and editing, and help filing forms for financial aid (FAFSA). Informational sessions were also available on topics including community college in Maine, selective college admission, career exploration, and on-the-spot college acceptance. Local employers Back Cove Yachts, Maine Health, Boston Financial and The First sent representatives to serve on an Employer Panel so that students could learn about how to set themselves apart in the hiring process and make themselves eligible for promotion once hired. Recruiters from the Navy, National Guard, Army and Marines were on hand to talk to students about military careers. 

Every Oceanside senior who completed the event became eligible to have one application fee to a Worthington-eligible college or university paid for by the Worthington Scholarship Foundation. Students also enjoyed gift cards donated by Dunkin Donuts in Rockland and Rotary Pizza for lunch. 

For more information about the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, please contact Program Director Caitlin Clark (caitlin@worthingtonscholars.org) or Assistant Program Director Anna Young. (anna@worthingtonscholars.org)

Photo Caption: Worthington Scholarship Foundation Staff, from L to R: Troy Curtis, Caitlin Clark and Anna Young

Rockland, ME—The Worthington Scholarship Foundation (WSF), whose mission is to support post-secondary education in Knox County, is pleased to announce the addition of Troy Curtis as its first Executive Director.  Mr. Curtis has more than 20 years of experience within the community nonprofit field, most recently as CEO of Penobscot Bay YMCA since 2005, and has a strong history of developing partnerships with schools, municipalities and nonprofit organizations.  He holds a BS degree from UMaine Presque Isle and a MS-Executive Master’s Program from Springfield College.  

David Worthington, Board Chair said, “with our scholarship and mentoring approaching an advanced stage in Knox County, Maine, we need a leader with both the vision to build a support structure around our scholars as well as to begin the process of exporting this model to other Maine communities.”  Curtis said, “I am honored to have been selected to lead an organization committed to the premise of making college education available and affordable to everyone in our community.  My skills and experience have led me to this stage of my career where I believe I can play a key role in making improvements in educational opportunities for students in the state of Maine.” 

In addition to new leadership, WSF has also hired two full-time program staff to forward the Foundation’s mission. WSF’s Program Director, Caitlin Clark, will lead the program’s mentoring support. Clark, a Rockland District High School graduate, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and a Master of Higher Education from Harvard University. Under her leadership, the mentoring activities have resulted in improved retention for Worthington Scholars, and she has greatly expanded the services the Foundation provides to the students. As part of the Program Director role, Clark will also oversee WSF’s new Assistant Program Director, Anna Young. Young is a 2015 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Most recently, Young served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Trekkers, a youth mentoring non-profit in Thomaston, Maine.  

Worthington Scholarships were first awarded in 2010 to graduates of Oceanside East High School, and now the scholarships are also awarded at Camden Hills Regional High School and Medomak Valley High School.  There are currently 122 Worthington Scholars attending colleges in Maine, and the goal of the Foundation is to increase the number of recipients each year. Worthington Scholarship recipients may attend: any campus of the University of Maine system or Maine community college system, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, or Thomas College.  The current award amount is $4,000.00 per year for each Scholar. 

Future goals for the Foundation are to strengthen academic achievements and aspirations for the at-risk student population, provide more comprehensive mentoring and professional development programs, and to expand the program into the mid-coast region.  According to Beverly Worthington, Board Secretary, “We are excited to have these extremely dedicated and talented people in the Foundation.  We have been delighted that the faculties in the 3 high schools we are now serving have been extremely supportive of our presence on their campuses, working together to make a difference in the lives of our students.” 

Photo caption: Top – First Year Female Worthington Scholars, Bottom – First Year Male Worthington Scholars
Photo credit: Lindsay Kay Photography 

Rockland, ME—On Sunday, August 6th, recipients of the Worthington Scholarship gathered at the Samoset Resort for the second annual Send-off Event. First-year students who are preparing to begin college were invited to bring two guests, and were seated at tables with other Worthington Scholars from their college or university. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the new Scholars as they embark on their college careers, introduce students and families to the Worthington Scholars program, and provide an opportunity for both students and parents to receive advice on navigating the upcoming transition. Worthington Scholar Kaleb Robinson, a junior at the University of Maine, addressed the crowd. He encouraged first year students to push themselves to explore new opportunities and relationships. He also encouraged students to remain connected to those who have supported them thus far: teachers, coaches, mentors, parents and friends, as they will continue to be important sources of advice and encouragement. 

This year, college success professionals from Husson University, the University of Maine and University College Rockland were on hand to offer advice to students and facilitate discussion groups for current and incoming scholars. Parents were invited to hear presentations from the Finance Authority of Maine and the Maine Educational Opportunity Center. Guests from Camden Hills and Oceanside High Schools were present, as well as members of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees. The Worthington Scholarship began with Oceanside’s class of 2010 and the mentoring and support programs are in their third year.  The program seeks to help students with the adjustment to college life and academics, offer support to parents and families, and cultivate a focus on career exploration, professional skill acquisition and professional development. 

The Worthington Scholarship is available to seniors at Oceanside, Camden Hills and now Medomak Valley High Schools. In order to be eligible to apply for 4 years of scholarship support, students must have an 85 average or above and be enrolling at any of the University of Maine System universities, any Maine Community College, Husson University, Maine Maritime Academy and Thomas College. A second option is available for students with a C average (76-84): they are eligible for two years of scholarship support and may enroll at any of the Maine Community Colleges, or matriculate into a 2 year program at University College Rockland. The scholarship amount has increased over the years and is now $4,000 per year for all recipients.  

Photo Caption: Oceanside High School Class of 2017 Worthington Scholars 

Rockland, ME—The Worthington Scholarship, available to graduating seniors at Oceanside High School and Camden Hills Regional High School, was awarded to 58 students during Scholarship Nights held at each high school in early June. This is the largest number of recipients the scholarship has experienced, and they will join 65 students currently enrolled in college. Oceanside awarded the scholarship to 39 seniors, and Camden Hills recognized 19 seniors. These 58 students and their families will be honored at a send-off event, to be held on August 6 at the Samoset Resort.

The Worthington Scholarship supports graduating seniors who are enrolling at any branch of the University of Maine or Maine Community College systems, Husson University, Thomas College, or Maine Maritime Academy. The award amount is $4,000 per year, renewable for the duration of the student’s 2- or 4-year degree program. All students must complete a financial literacy course before receiving funds and are expected to communicate periodically with the Worthington Scholars Mentor, Caitlin Clark. Clark will assist students with the transition to college and be available to help students with issues that arise throughout their college and career development. The Worthington Scholars program continues to evolve and grow, and the scholarship will be expanded to include Medomak Valley High School in the ’17/’18 school year. This scholarship is administered by Maine Community Foundation.

Photo caption: Worthington Scholars in attendance at the first Send-off Dinner on August 5th

Rockland, ME—On Friday, August 5th, recipients of the Worthington Scholarship gathered at the Samoset Resort for an inaugural Send-off Dinner. First-year students who are preparing to begin college were invited to bring two guests, and were seated at tables with current Worthington Scholars from their college or university. The purpose of the dinner was to celebrate the new Scholars as they embark on their college careers, introduce students and families to the Worthington Scholars program, and provide an opportunity for older students to offer words of advice to first year students. As Rebecca Boggs, a first year student headed to USM said, ” The dinner was an incredible experience, especially because we got to meet new people that also received the Worthington Scholarship!

Guests from Camden Hills and Oceanside High Schools were present, as well as from University College Rockland, New Ventures Maine and Maine Community Foundation. David and Beverly Worthington hosted the event, and spoke to the assembled crowd about their own educational and professional journeys and their belief that all Worthington Scholars can achieve great success with hard work and perseverance. Cherie Galyean, Director of Educational Initiatives for Maine Community Foundation (MCF), gave students and parents essential information about MCF’s role in the administration of the scholarship. Caitlin Clark, Worthington Scholars Mentor, spoke to students about the importance of treating their studies like a full-time job, and building both a professional and personal network. The Worthington Scholarship began with Oceanside’s class of 2010 and the mentoring program is in its second year.  The mentoring program seeks to help students with the adjustment to college life and academics, connect students and families to each other, and cultivate a focus on career exploration, professional skill acquisition and professional development.

The Worthington Scholarship is available to seniors at both Oceanside and Camden Hills High Schools. In order to be eligible to apply for 4 years of scholarship support, students must have an 85 average or above and be enrolling at any of the University of Maine System universities, any Maine Community College, Husson University, Maine Maritime Academy, and starting with the class of 2017, Thomas College. A second option is available for students with a C average (76-84): they are eligible for two years of scholarship support and may enroll at any of the Maine Community Colleges, or matriculate into a 2 year program at University College Rockland. The scholarship amount has increased over the years and is now $4,000 per year for all recipients.