Foundation News

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: 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.