Meet the Scholars

$5000 Mainely Character
2025 Falmouth High School

I pride myself on my ability to make a difference!

2025 Biddeford High School
$5000 100 Men Who Care Southern Maine

The suffering of others bothers me.

$5000 Timothy and Claire Heard
2025 Bucksport High School

I believe every day is a new chance to be better than the day before.

$5000 Kathy and David Harrison
2025 Falmouth High School

My approach to leadership is rooted in empathy, listening to others’ needs, and fostering a sense of belonging.

$5000 Richard and Anne Cass
2025 Scarborough High School

I believe character is displayed more through actions than words

$5000 Maine Community Bank Charitable Foundation
2025 Edward Little High School

I recognize the value in every person, beyond surface level differences.

$5000 Kathy Crossen/Lynn Bailets
2025 Gray/New Gloucester High School

No matter how life goes, I will always be smiling.

$5000 Curtis and Loralie Mildner
2025 Biddeford High School

Despite hard days clouded with sorrow, I have been able to find the little girl who woke up every morning excited to go to school.

$5000 The Abner and Mildred Levine Family Foundation, represented by Ellen and Rick Miller
2025 Orono High School

I have a desire to see and understand people who are different from me.

$5000 Northern Light
2025 Bangor High School

Nobody’s ever going to get mad at you for being nice.

$5000 Kathy Lyon and Tim Glidden
2025 Oxford Hills High School

I believe in doing what’s right, even if no one is watching.

$5000 Eliot Marshall; Anonymous.
2025 Waynflete High School

I have seen firsthand how conversation and storytelling can forge bonds, bridge divides, and build compassion.

$5000 George Stewart, Mary Chris Semarow
2025 Mt. Blue High School

She is passionate about making a difference in the world rather than making money.

$5000 Gardner Real Estate
2025 Cony High School

Leadership is about listening to others, understanding their needs, and acting with empathy.

$5000 Abner and Mildred Levine Family Foundation – Represented by Ellen and Rick Miller
2024 Yarmouth High School 

For years, I only thought of my race as a fun fact, but recently, I’ve embraced my identity and incorporated it into all my pursuits.

$5000 Northern Light Health
2024 Hampden High School 

I strive to give those around me the courage and positivity to be the best version of themselves.

$5000 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
Foundation of Maine Community Bank
2024 Gray-New Gloucester High School 

In college I want to be an active change-maker advocating for underrepresented communities through initiatives, research and internships.

$5000 Timothy and Claire Heard
Sacopee Valley High School 

I am really proud of all the work I have done in the last few years, and I am excited to be going to college this fall.

$5000 Ed Gardner, Gardner Real Estate
2024 Sanford Adult Education

I want to see people thrive and I want to do for them.

$5000 Katharine Lyon and Tim Glidden

2024 Waynflete School

I need to be part of the solution and not the problem.

$2500 Kathy Crosson and Lynn Bailets
$2500 Anonymous
2024 Deering High School 

I need to be part of the solution and not the problem.

$5000 Doug and Lauren Sanford
2024 Belfast Area High School

Facing adversity in my childhood has taught me the significant impact that kindness can have on the world.

$5000 Anne and Richard Cass
2024 Windham High School

You can’t save them all, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

$5000 Curtis and Loralie Mildner
2024 Windham High School


“I actively champion equality and inclusion.”

$5000 David and Kathy Harrison
2024 Searsport District High School 

Concern means being concerned for others, not just thinking it’s all about me.

$5000 Mainely Character Scholarship
2024 Brunswick High School
You never know what you can accomplish when you face a fear!

$5000 Bristol Seafoods / Jocelyn and Peter Handy
2023 Yarmouth High School
I’ve learned to be a beacon for those around me.

$5000 Partners Bank / Reed & Reed
2023 Marshwood High School
Without good character we simply cannot be good humans.

$5000 David and Kathy Harrison
2023 Bangor High School

“The qualities that shape me speak louder than words.”

$5000 Doug and Lauren Sanford
2023 Erskine Academy
Mature beyond his years, his caring and concern extend to all around him.

$500 Kathy Crosson and Lynn Bailets
2023 Hampden Academy
I see things in Black and White. If someone is struggling, you help. You make commitments, you follow through.

$5000 The Gardner Group
2023 Calais High School
It is necessary to resist what is clearly hurtful and wrong.

$5000 Androscoggin Bank / Mainely Character Anonymous Donors
2023 Gardiner Area High School
I have come to learn that I feel the most fulfilled when others around me are thriving.

$500 Barbara Ross and Bill Carito
2023 Skowhegan Area High School
She delivers a message of kindness every day.

$5000 Maine Community Bank
2023 Falmouth High School
She makes the volunteer organizations and activities that she is involved in better.

$5000 Anne and Richard Cass
2023 Cheverus High School
The victory goes to the one who never quits.

$5000 Tim and Claire Heard
2023 Baxter Academy
She is a bright light that others flock to.

$5000 Market Decisions/ Curt and Loralie Mildner
2023 Mountain Valley High School
I have spent my high school years making a conscious effort to uphold the voices of those around me that are often silenced.

$5000 Northern Light Health
2023 Casco Bay High School
I’ve learned to be happy in others’ happiness.

$5000 Bristol Seafood
2022 Central High School
My sister taught me to be compassionate and humble.

$5000 Partners Bank/Anne Spaulding
2022 Sanford High School
I took on the biggest responsibility a high school student can have.

$5000 Timothy and Claire Heard
2022 John Bapst Memorial High School
Good character is a choice we make every day.

$5000 Kathy and David Harrison
2022 Lincoln Academy
It is often thought that adversity develops character. I can support that with my own experience.

$5000 Machias Savings Bank/Cass Family  
2022 Jonesport-Beal High School
This is just not fair.

$5000 Market Decisions Research
2022 Kent’s Hill High School
I am the voice of the students.

$5000 Northern Light Health
John 2022 Babst Memorial High School
Character is defined by everyday actions, most small and fleeting.

$5000 Bristol Seafood
2022 Yarmouth High School
Every day I strive to be the best person I can be.

$5000 100 Women Who Care
2022 George Stevens High School
I am determined to use my voice to make positive change.

$5000 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
2022 Westbrook High School
I transformed my silence into a powerful voice.

2021 Hodgon Middle/High School, Houlton
$5000 Scholarship Sponsored by 100+WomenWhoCare, Southern Maine
My character is a reflection of everything I have successfully gotten through.

2021 Scarborough High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Biddeford Mechanics Savings Bank Charitable Foundation
I find joy in making people smile

2021 George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Market Decisions Research
I know what it’s like to be on the other side of hatefulness

2021 Fryeburg Academy
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
I am not broken. I am not wrong. I am me.

2021 South Portland High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Androscoggin Savings Bank, Purdy Powers & Co and the Mainely Character Board Scholarship
I have the strength to get through difficult things, and that gives me hope.

2021 Thornton Academy/ Old Orchard Beach Alternative Education and Youth Program
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Saco Biddeford Savings Institution, Paquin & Carroll Insurance and the Mainely Character Board.
I will help lead my generation towards a kind, healthy, and environmentally friendly future.

2021 Waynflete School, Portland
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Northern Light Health
Whenever I didn’t have much, I had my character.

2021 Traip Academy
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Partners Bank
I don’t want to be in a tiny box. I want to bust out and try something new.

Waterville High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by David and Kathy Harrison
I confront challenges and deal with them.

2021 Kennebunk High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Rubb USA
I take steps every day to better myself.

2021Yarmouth High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by R.M. Davis
I could not walk away.

2021 Mount Desert High School
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Reed and Reed
I seek to lead in kindness and work hard to make the future brighter for all.

2021 George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Machias Savings Bank
I strive to align my actions with my convictions.

Colby Volkernick
2021 Mountain Valley High School, Rumford
$2500 Scholarship Sponsored by Northeast Bank
My life has been given in caring for others.

2020 Bangor High School
100+ Women Who Care Scholarship $5000
“ I am not afraid to speak out for what I value.”

2020 Maranacook Community High School
Market Decisions Scholarship $2500
“I have a passion for helping people.”

2020 Cape Elizabeth High School
Biddeford Savings Bank Character $2500
“I choose to be a positive influence for others.”

2020 Katahdin High School
Machias Savings Bank Scholarship $2500
“I’ve learned the importance of sticking up for myself.”

2020 Freeport High School
R. M. Davis, Inc. Scholarship $2500
“I have discovered what it means to be authentic.”

2019 Bucksport High School
$5,000 R.M. Davis Scholarship
“Despite many obstacles, she will be the first in her family to go to college.”

2019 Cheverus High School
$2500 Machias Savings Bank Scholarship
“He strives to be an uplifter in everything he does.”

2019 Poland Regional High School
$2500 Biddeford Savings Bank Scholarship
“Facing health issues and bullying she could have given up. Instead she found her passion – helping others.”

2019 Thornton Academy
$1250 Market Decisions Research Scholarship
“She learned to be resiliant in the face of adversity.”

2019 Gould Academy
$1250 Market Decisions Research Scholarship
“She unites like-minded people to improve the environment.”

2018 Narraguagus Middle/High School
$5000 R.M. Davis Scholarship
“She found that true character includes the ability to change and grow.“

2018 Casco Bay High School for Expeditionary Learning
$2500 Machias Savings Bank
“In response to the suicide of two friends, she founded a suicide prevention program, Yellow Tulip.”

2018 Gardiner High School
$2500 Market Decisions Research Scholarship
“Poetry and determination helped her overcome major family challenges.”

2018 Portland High School
$2500 Biddeford Savings Bank Scholarship
“She builds bridges between Islamic and American cultures.”

2018 Belfast Area High School
$1000 Mainely Character Scholarship “He is making his community a better place, one neighbor at a time.”

2017 Morse High School
$5,000 R.M. Davis, Inc. Mainely Character Scholarship

2017 Scarborough High School
$2500 Market Decisions Research Mainely Character Scholarship 

2017 Washington Academy
$2500 Mainely Character Scholarship

2017 Yarmouth High School
$1000 Mainely Character Scholarship

2016 Old Town High School
$2500 Market Decisions Research Mainely Character Scholarship

2016 Marina MacKinnon, Brunswick High School
$1000 Mainely Character Scholarship

2016 Auburn Adult Education Edward Little High School
$5000 R. M. Davis, Inc. Mainely Character Scholarship

2016 Erskine Academy
$1000 Mainely Character Scholarship

2015 South Portland High School
$5,000 R.M. Davis, Inc. Mainely Character scholarship

2015 Maine School of Science and Mathematics
$2,500 Market Decisions Mainely Character Scholarship

2015 Belfast Area High School
$2,500 Mainely Character Scholarship

2015 Sanford High School
$2500 Mainely Character Scholarship

2014 Mountain Valley High School
$5,000 R.M. Davis, Inc. Mainely Character scholarship

2014 Sanford High School
$2,500 Market Decisions Research Mainely Character Scholarship

2014 Bangor Christian School,
$2500 Northeast Bank, Mainely Character Scholarship

2013 Oceanside High School
$5000 RM Davis, Mainely Character Scholarship

2013 Cape Elizabeth High School
$2500 Arnold Bushner – Northeast Bank Mainely Character Scholarship

2013 Freeport High School
$2500 Market Decisions Mainely Character Scholarship

2013 Old Orchard Beach High School
$1000 Mainely Character Scholarship

2012 Windham High School,
$5,000 R.M. Davis, Inc.Mainely Character Scholarship

2012 South Portland High School,
$2500 Market Decisions Research Mainely Character Scholarship

2012 Yarmouth High School
$2,500 Arnold Bushner – Northeast Bank Mainely Character Scholarship