Meet the Scholars

Thornton Academy
$5000 Paine Family Foundation

“I know how disorienting it can be when adjusting to a new language and culture”

Presque Isle High School
$5000 Bristol Seafood

“I believe character is shown through daily actions; being respectful, working hard even when no one is watching, and choosing kindness in moments where frustration would be easier.”

Lewiston High School
$5000 Kathy Crosson and Lynn Ballets

“I cherish community because I know what it feels like to need one”

2026 Scarborough High School
$5000 100+ Women Who Care of Southern Maine

“I remain a dedicated student and person in my community that strives to make the world a better place for not only myself, but for everyone around me.”

2026 George Stevens Academy
$5000 Katherine Lyon and Tim Glidden

“A determined spirit can inspire change wherever it may end up”

2026 Waterville High School
$5000 Ed Gardner, Gardner Real Estate Group

“I believe that character is not something we are born with, but something we build choice by choice, day by day.”

2026 Central High School
Abner and Mildred Levine Family Foundation

“Empathy and character are what allow us to build meaningful connections and support one another.”

2026 Monmouth Academy
$5000 Eliot Marshall and Anonymous 

“My goal in life is to help people feel understood and less alone, and I aim to share those stories through film, with the help of a college education.”

2026 Oceanside High School 
Richard and Anne Cass 

“The greatest lesson I have learned through my experiences is that leading is helping others to see what it means to truly be inclusive and working with them to make that happen for me and others like me in the future.”

2026 Brunswick High School
$5000 Timothy and Claire Heard

“Moral integrity is a guiding principle in my life”

2026 Freeport High School
$5000 Mary Chris Semrow and George Stewart

“I think it is easy to forget that kindness is free, especially in times of abundant judgment and hate.”

2026 Gardiner High School  
$5000 Curtis and Loralie Mildner 

“Character is important because it shows who you are as a person. Character for me is being kind and open-minded”

2026 Westbrook High School 
$5000 Biddeford, Gorham, and Mechanics Savings Foundation

“I learned that responsibility is not just about completing an assigned role, but advocating for positive change when something feels wrong.”

2026 Scarborough High School
$5000 Partners Bank and Anonymous Donor

“Integrity, I have learned, is speaking truths that matter, even when they challenge the ‘normal’.”

$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