WELLS — Ethan Towne, of North Berwick, a second-year York County Community College student has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for study during the current academic year.

A 2015 graduate of Seacoast Christian School, Ethan earned his certificate in precision machining operations in May of 2016 and is now enrolled in YCCC’s Precision Machining Technology program and will graduate with his associate’s degree in May 2017.  He hopes to work as a machinist locally.

“I was so surprised and honored to find out that I had received the MEREDA scholarship.   I am so fortunate that my effort has been recognized and that I can put this award towards continuing my education in an associate’s degree. I want to thank everyone who was kind enough to contribute towards this scholarship and invest in my future.”

Ethan is one of 14 Maine community college students to receive a generous scholarship from MEREDA. This is the third year that the organization has provided the scholarship.

To qualify, students must be a Maine resident, have financial need, and be enrolled as a second-year student in a building trades, architecture, construction, engineering or business program at a Maine community college.

The funds for the scholarships were raised through MEREDA’s annual “Strikes for Scholars” bowl-a-thon in May. The association’s goal is to raise enough each year to fund at least one scholarship at each of Maine’s community colleges and support Maine students as they prepare for careers in areas of study that promote MEREDA’s mission of responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout the state.

This year, enough funds were raised to provide scholarships to two students at each of the seven Maine community colleges.

“MEREDA has identified workforce development as critically important to the future of real estate development. The building trades and professions provide high paying lifelong opportunities for our residents,” said Paul Peck of Drummond & Drummond, LLP and MEREDA president. “We are pleased to help these deserving students achieve their goals and our members look forward to the contributions they will make to our industry.”