In addition to Chenette, this year’s honorees included Mary Gibson ’07, a nationally recognized archivist and advocate for Indigenous cultural preservation. Gibson, who graduated summa cum laude from UMA’s Information and Library Science program, is the founder and Executive Director of the Noowuh Knowledge Center in Elko, Nevada. A proud member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, she has dedicated her career to protecting and promoting Newe language, culture and history. Her work spans archiving, education and advocacy – from preserving collections of tribal history to representing her community at the United Nations and testifying on Native land and water rights. She also serves on advisory boards for the National Science Foundation and Great Basin Resource Watch, and she frequently mentors youth and educators through outreach and cultural programming.

The award is described as: '...a celebration of those who inspire others through their leadership, who use their talents to serve their communities, and who truly embody UMA’s mission in action. This year's honorees remind us that success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you lift others along the way.’

UMA President Jenifer Cushman praised both alumni for their contributions to their communities and for embodying the university’s mission. “Justin and Mary represent the transformative power of education and the lasting impact UMA graduates have across the state, the nation and the world,” Cushman said. “We are proud to honor their achievements and leadership.”

York County Commissioner Justin Chenette has been named Maine County Commissioner of the Month for May 2025 in honor of his public service by Spirit of America Foundation’s Maine Chapter.
 
Justin was elected commissioner in 2022 and served a term as the Commission’s Vice Chair. As the first Millennial and openly LGBTQ+ individual ever elected to the York County Commission, Chenette led the effort to pass the first ever Pride Proclamation in the county’s history.
 
On the Commission, he played a pivotal role in historic investments for substance use recovery and first responder training by committing funds and directing the start of construction for two state-of-the-art centers using ARPA money. He also supported efforts for the county to operationalize a regional dredge to protect coastal communities.
 
“The work we do at the county level is meaningful and impactful,” says Chenette. “I share this recognition with my fellow commissioners in our efforts to ensure county level government provides real leadership on big issues like coastal erosion, homelessness, substance use recovery, and public safety.”​
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Aside from the Commission, Chenette serves as a state appointee on Maine’s Right to Know Advisory Committee, is an executive committee member of the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission, and visits youth groups to promote civics education.
 
Justin created the Chenette Scholarship Fund, which has awarded nearly 30 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors over the past decade who have demonstrated civic minded leadership in their communities.
 
He previously served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 2012-2016 and of the Maine Senate from 2016-2020, representing the Saco area. At age 17, he became the first student member of the Maine Board of Education. 
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Maine Spirit of America is a chapter of Spirit of America Foundation, an organization promoting community service. For more info, visit https://spiritofamerica.website.

WMTW Channel 8: Maine residents who visited Rome before Pope Francis' death find news 'hard to process'

​It was a trip of a lifetime for Justin Chenette and his husband, Eduard. The Chenettes did a two-week bus tour in Italy and found themselves in the middle of Rome's St. Peter's Square.

​"Just to be in Vatican City for Holy Week and Easter Weekend, it was just a surreal feeling," Chenette said.

Chenette and his husband have plenty of pictures from their tour of Italy. Little did they know last weekend how special this trip would be.

They spent part of Holy Week in Rome. Good Friday and the Saturday before Easter.

"We were seeing all of the setup to the pope's arrival for Easter Sunday, and as a result, there were a ton of people, you could not move in that Basilica. You could not move in Vatican City. I mean, it was wall-to-wall people. I can only imagine what it was like on Easter itself," Chenette said. "It was just a beautiful experience to be able to go up into the Vatican dome."

​They flew home on Saturday night, and it wasn't until Monday morning, when they were jet-lagged back in Maine, that they heard the news about the pope's passing.

"It was hard to process because we were just there. We had just witnessed art, history, architecture, that feeling of something grander than yourself, and then to be hit with the news that the pope passed away, it was just hard to believe," Chenette said. "His goal was to make it through Easter, and he did."
Chenette said his memories of Rome will last a lifetime.

"It's a big deal. To be a part of that, even in a small way, to be in Vatican City and in the Vatican that weekend. It's something I will never forget," he said.

Mainebiz has named York County Commissioner Justin Chenette to their 40 Under 40 list, which highlights the next generation of leaders. 
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This is the third year the outlet has published a list of individuals they deem as Maine’s ‘up-and-comers who are changing Maine and the economy for the better.’ 

“My purpose-driven adventures spanning media, government, nonprofit management, and communications have all led me to this moment to make the biggest impact in my community and for our state,” says Chenette. “This helps fuel the next chapter of my story.”

Chenette accepted the award at a ceremony at Brick South on Thompson’s Point last month, where they recognized his efforts professionally at Sweetser, as their Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, and his years in public service.

Chenette was elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 21, the Maine Senate at age 25, and to the York County Commission at age 31, each time becoming the youngest or the only openly LGBTQ+ individual to serve. He began his career as the first student member on the Maine State Board of Education at age 17, after being appointed by Governor Baldacci.
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One of the questions Mainebiz asked in their profile was where does Chenette see himself at age 60. His response? “I hope to be giving back in a way that’s impactful, purpose-driven, and meaningfully improves the lives of others. Service is in my blood. It’s a part of who I am.”

Profiles of award recipients are available online at Mainebiz.biz. See Chenette's profile below.​

Three area high school students have been awarded a total of $1,500 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The foundation’s Leadership Scholarship is awarded each year to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle who exemplify qualities of community leadership and civic engagement. This year’s recipients are Tyler MacVane, Derrick Webber, and Gregory Brunk.

​“Their passion for helping others is truly their authentic form of self-expression,” said Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner and founder of the scholarship. “No matter their chosen path in life, their futures will involve making a difference and improving the quality of life of those around them.”

Tyler MacVane of Saco is this year’s recipient at Thornton Academy. Tyler received this award recognizing his efforts volunteering in the community with various causes and working his way to become an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout involved building picnic tables for community members to enjoy. Tyler takes the time to appreciate the service of others through efforts like Honor Flight Maine, Wreaths Across America, and placing American flags at Laurel Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College this Fall.
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Derrick Webber is the scholarship recipient this year from Old Orchard Beach High School. Impressively, Derrick completed at least 130 hours of community service over his time in school for various causes, including volunteering with the school’s Interact club. He has helped out at community events organized by the town’s recreation department, and he participated in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs where students develop skills as a leader. All while being an all-star athlete on the field and on the court. Derrick will be attending Maine Maritime Academy for Power Engineering Technology this August. 

Gregory Brunk of Buxton is Bonny Eagle High School’s scholarship recipient. This recognizes his efforts volunteering through his church and youth group as well as his commitment to his studies with a 4.0 grade point average. He also excelled in sports, placing 3rd in the state championship for wrestling. Gregory will be attending Maine Maritime Academy later this summer for marine engineering, with hopes of applying his knowledge to working on various ships.
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Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has provided over $12,000 worth of college scholarship awards to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle. Learn more about the scholarship at www.ChenetteScholarships.org. 

SACO AREA – Four area high school students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The mission of their Leadership Scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders through service. Since 2015, the foundation has fundraised and awarded over $10,000 worth of scholarships. This year’s recipients are Elise MacNair, Cole Cochrane, Ben Moore, and Luke Plummer.

“I am constantly in awe and so very proud of our scholars,” said Justin Chenette, the foundation’s founder & executive director. “This group isn’t waiting around to make their mark. These young leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to giving back and will continue inspiring others as they chart new ways of taking up the mantle of leadership.”

SACO/OOB – Four area students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in leadership scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.
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The mission of scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders. 

​Santino Perrone, of Old Orchard Beach, is their 2022 recipient at OOB High School. Santino served as class president all 4 years of school. He was involved in Track, a mental health awareness group, and volunteered with local community and political groups. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College to major in Communications and New Media. 

Will Barry and Lilly DesRoberts, both of Saco, are the 2022 recipients at Thornton Academy.
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Will has logged over 300 hours of community service with his Troop 310, including a focus on food insecurity in the area. Will became an Eagle Scout this year, with his project centering around properly retiring American flags with the VFW Post & Elks Lodge. This Fall he will be attending the University of Maine Orono, majoring in Civil Engineering.

​Lilly was the Student Council Senior Class President and spent 4 years volunteering on campus and in the community through the Student Council. She is also in National Honors Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Thornton Academy Tripod among other groups. She is going to Salve Regina University and will be majoring in biochemistry with a pre-dental track.

​Michael Gervais of Buxton is the 2022 recipient at Bonny Eagle. This the first year the nonprofit offered a scholarship at Bonny Eagle. Michael was heavily involved on campus as part of the Key Club and Natural Helpers. In his free time, he likes to provide landscaping for the elderly. Michael will be majoring in Math at the University of Southern Maine on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming an educator. 

“All of these future leaders have a passion for helping others in need,” said Justin Chenette, the nonprofit’s founder & executive director. “Their staunch determination to succeed and commitment to service will serve them well in the next chapter of their leadership journey.”
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All four students graduated last month.

Learn more about the Chenette Scholarship Fund at www.ChenetteScholarships.org. 

Here was little old us, Saco, Maine, competing on a national stage. When the business manager, Ry Russell, approached me as Saco’s State Representative to get involved and help organize, of course I said yes, but I was also nervous so much rested on this. If we weren’t successful, the business would likely go under and be sold. It was the thing that motivated us the most, fueled us to push as hard as we could to get every corner of Maine and any person touched by the drive-in to vote.
 
We heard stories from all over including other parts of the country who vacationed in OOB or surrounding areas just how much the Saco Drive-In meant to them and their families. My own grandmother told me stories of how the drive-in was a low-cost option for entertainment. You could pile all the kiddos in the car and still pay the same rate. Can’t beat that.   
 
Ultimately, against all odds, we won! It felt like our community and our state won the lottery. I felt renewed hope that through the power of community organizing, we were able to do something not many thought possible. We achieved something special that was literally a beacon of positivity and escape for so many. Americana was saved.
 
We thought at the time this would surely keep the drive-in around for decades and even generations to come. Others would surely get to experience what we’ve all experienced growing up; a sense of family, friendship, and community. To be transported back to a simpler time. So much more than simply watching a movie, it was about experiencing it with those you loved; a giant tailgate party before the swarm of mosquitoes carried you off to the concession stand.
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The Saco Drive-In is the oldest drive-in theater in Maine and is believed to be the country’s second oldest drive-in. More than 80 years this has been a part of our community. The reason this closure is such devastating news for our area is because this is such a cultural gem and connection to our past that we’re not going to have going forward. To not have that iconic sign along Route 1 is going to be hard to swallow for a lot of folks. It’s a piece of our identity as Saco. It’s as quintessential Saco as Rapid Rays or the old mills.
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People feel that they’re a part of the Saco Drive-In because of how much they’ve grown up with it. We all feel that we own a piece of that place in some odd way.

While I hope this turned out differently, I’m not sure much can really be done at this point. The owners are allowed to sell to whoever they want to, but I would hope something could be done with the digital projector that we all fought so hard to get and the iconic sign that is part of our history. Maybe the trailer dealership who bought the land could recognize this special connection to our community and work with us to preserve it somehow or pass it off to someone willing to revitalize it elsewhere.
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The Saco Drive-In isn’t just another business, it’s a part of us and our memories will live on in nostalgic glee.
 
Justin Chenette is former state senator and candidate for county commissioner.