4 students receive scholarships for community service

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.”

Elise MacNair, of Old Orchard Beach, is the 2023 recipient at Old Orchard Beach High School. She has been class president all 4 years of high school. She was also an active Interact Club Member all 4 years, volunteering at various community causes. Elise founded The Flock and served as a Yellow Tulip Project Ambassador, both of which seek to smash the stigma around mental health. On the court, Elise is a Class C State Champion for Girls Basketball and scored 1,000 career points this season. She will be attending Bowdoin College this Fall.

Cole Cochrane, of Saco, is one of two recipients at Thornton Academy. Cole has volunteered in the community and attended political functions since middle school. He co-founded Maine Youth Action, which has played important roles in setting climate and environmental priorities with various groups across the state. Cole frequently testifies in the Legislature and even contributes ideas for bills for our local legislative delegation. This is in addition to his on-campus activities of Debate Team and Model UN. You might have seen him at his family’s business Elevate Café in OOB or his own entrepreneurial venture called Lemon Rush. He will be attending Harvard College this Fall with concentrations in government and economics.

Ben Moore, of Saco, is one of two recipients at Thornton Academy. Ben has been heavily involved in the scouting program, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He loves volunteering at various environmental causes and organizations. He supports efforts at Maine Youth Action and helps advocate for policies at the state level. You may recognize him as someone who frequently dishes up some delicious ice cream at the Saco Scoop. Ben will be attending the University of Southern Maine and is planning to double major in Environmental Science & Public Policy and GIS.

Luke Plummer, of Buxton, is the recipient at Bonny Eagle. Luke has been active in scouting and volunteering in the community since 1st grade and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project he helped restore the old Eliza Libby School playground. He was in the National Honor Society, student council, and continues to serve on the Town of Buxton Budget Committee. Luke plans to attend the University of Southern Maine majoring in Economics. Interest in entrepreneurship runs deep for Luke as his family has run generations of businesses in the area including Plummer’s Hardware and Plummer’s Shop’n Save.
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All four students will graduate in June.  

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