2008 Hodgdon High School
$2500 Arnold Bushner – Northeast Bank Mainely Character Scholarship
“I have concern for others because of the life I went through. I care more about others than myself.” Alexandria Neher overcame long odds in her life. Before her adoption by John and Gail Nehrer of Cary Plantation, she was in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services for 10 years. Yet she always made an exceptional effort to care for her siblings and even her parents. For example, starting at age 10, she cared for her older sister’s child.
Alexandrea traveled to Washington to advocate for legislation to help adoptive parents with the costs of adoption. Her outside interests ranged from cheerleading to writing poems, one of which inspired a teacher to thank her for helping to deal with the death of a parent. Shealso found the time to volunteer for community events, such as the Linneus Haunted Hayride and the Veterans Day Breakfast.