ALFRED
Foundation offering 10 higher education scholarships
The Maine Education Service (MES) Foundation is accepting online applications for the 2022 Richard H. Pierce Memorial Scholarship. Ten $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to Maine residents entering their first year of post-secondary education.
This scholarship was established in honor of MES Founder Dick Pierce who died in 2011.
The number and size of the scholarships are determined annually by the board of directors. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need, with the goal of assisting students who might not otherwise continue their post-secondary education without the financial assistance. Scholarships are awarded on a renewable basis for up to 4 years (depending on the grade level of the student). In order to receive the renewable awards, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Scholarship deadline is April 1.
For more details, go to mesfoundation.org/scholarships.html.

WELLS
High school students earn art awards
Eleven Wells High School art students won a combined total of 17 awards at the 2022 Maine Region Scholastic Art Awards, which is the first step for students aspiring to advance in the National Scholastics Art and Writing Awards contest.
The students won for their artwork submissions in varied categories, including ceramics and glass, comic art, digital art, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, drawing and illustration, and film and animation. The works were evaluated by a panel of judges and based on the criteria of originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal vision or voice.
The students winners and their categories include:
• Silver Key Awards: Evan Brouillard, jewelry; Anavi Curtiss, digital art, film & animation and comic art, plus two Honorable Mentions in comic art; Lauren Dunham, photography and Honorable Mention in photography; Lindsay Plourde, ceramics and glass; and Kambrie Thompson, painting.
• Honorable Mentions: Lily Heyland, photography; Elle Meffert, photography and digital art; Rosie Norton, sculpture; Savannah Ratliff, film and animation; El Richard, drawing and illustration; and Tanya Thakong, mixed media.
Brouillard and Ratliff are students of art teacher Meredith Radford. All others are students of  art teacher Emily Knight.
To view a selection of 2022 Gold and Silver Key winning artwork submitted by students from around the southern Maine, go to meca.edu/info-for/educators/maine-region-art-awards/2022-scholastics-gallery.

SOUTH BERWICK
Deadline announced for historical society dinner
Wednesday marks the registration deadline to attend the Old Berwick Historical Society’s 3rd annual “Colonial Tavern Dinner,” on March 27 at the Red Barn at Outlook Farm on Route 4.
The evening begins with a cash bar cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. and featuring a historically based, 18th century meal, featuring multiple dishes at each course served family-style. Complementing the meal will be beverages from Tributary Brewing Company and North Country Hard Cider.
Period dress is encouraged for interested guests; for others, dressy casual attire is requested. Masks are optional. Tickets must be purchased at oldberwick.org. Cost is $65 for members, $75 for non-members.
For more details, call executive director Cari Quater at 384-0000 or email director@oldberwick.org.

KENNEBUNK
Rotary donates to the Salvation Army
Kennebunk Rotary Club recently donated $3,100 to the Salvation Army.
The money was collected by the club during a weekend ringing of the Salvation Army kettle bell during the Winter Prelude celebration at Dock Square in December. Kennebunk Rotary Club has participated in the bell ringing for over 35 years.

BRUNSWICK
Rotary administrator named a fellow
Rotary Club of Brunswick Administrator Peggy Siegle was awarded an honorary Paul Harris Fellow recently for her sustained exceptional administrative support to the club.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation, Rotary International’s fund for supporting local and international projects.

AUBURN/SOUTH PORTLAND
Auburn woman to represent area in pageant
Auburn resident Amanda Shute will represent Maine in competing for the title of Mrs. Maine America on April 3 at the Doubletree Hotel in South Portland.
A committed community volunteer, Shute is an advocate for Women in Technology, a recent graduate of Northeastern University’s Master of Professional Studies in Informatics program, and a fraud risk and financial crime strategy leader. Shute hopes the pageant will allow her to make a statewide impact by educating people on cyber safety while providing women with career advice to break into the realm of technology.
Shute will compete in three categories for the Mrs. Maine title: personal interview, swimsuit and evening gown. Contestants for the Mrs. Maine America Pageant must be married and live in the city or county they represent. The winner will receive a prize package valued at $10,000 and go on to compete for the title of Mrs. America this November in Las Vegas.
Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to amandashuteinmaine@gmail.com.
More information on the contestants can be found at mrsmaine.net/mrs-contestants-2022.

WINDHAM
Equine therapy center elects officers
Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center recently elected officers and new board members for 2022.
New officers include: Casey Etter-Bobb, board president; Janis Childs, board vice president; Carissa Robb, board treasurer; and Lindsey Lombardo, board secretary.
Newly elected members include Tara Long of South Portland, a senior consultant with Kymanox, and Carrie Niederman of Portland, an equine veterinarian. They join fellow board members Shelby Poduch of Gray and Marisa Rossi of Casco in leading the nonprofit.
Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s (RTT) mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted services.
For more details, go to ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.

CAMDEN
Rotary offering grants to charities, nonprofits
West Bay Rotary is once again accepting grant requests to support local causes, having suspended last year’s grants due to COVID-19. Twice a year, the club provides financial support to organizations that work to improve the lives of people in Knox County and Lincolnville. Grants up to $1,500 are awarded for specific projects that will be completed within 12 months of receipt of donation.
The club accepts grant applications from charities and nonprofit organizations that promote the welfare of residents in one or more of the following focus areas: education and literacy; maternal and child health; peace and conflict prevention/resolution; disease prevention and treatment; water sanitation and hygiene; community and economic development; and environmental support.
The grant application process is competitive and all applications go through a rigorous review process. The deadline for this year’s applications is April 1, with grant awarded in June; and October 1st, with grants awarded in January. Organizations receiving a grant will be asked to make a brief presentation to rotary members.
For more details, go to westbayrotaryofmaine.org and click on the West Bay Rotary Charitable Foundation application link.

AUBURN
High school senior a National Merit finalist
Edward Little High School senior Simon Hall has been selected as a National Merit finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.
In September, Hall was recognized as a semifinalist due to his high PSAT scores. Semifinalists are the highest-scoring entrants in each state. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other specific requirements.
Hall plans to attend Middlebury College of Vermont in the fall. He is the son of Joseph Hall and Melissa Sundell of Auburn.

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