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The Chenette Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit foundation that provides college scholarships to students at area high schools to empower the next generation of civic minded leaders.
Since 2015, we’ve provided over $12,000 worth of scholarships to 26 students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle. There is no greater gift, than to give someone the opportunity to better their lives through education.
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About Our Leadership Scholarship
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Our Leadership Scholarship, is awarded to graduating seniors from Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and/or Bonny Eagle who have demonstrated a passion for helping others, strong leadership skills, and have worked to improve the community in addition to the school’s campus.
$500 will be awarded to the student(s) who best represents the goal of the scholarship; to encourage and assist the next generation of community leaders in achieving their educational objectives. High school guidance offices are involved in the selection process. |
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2024 Saco Scholar
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Tyler MacVane of Saco is this year’s recipient of the Chenette Leadership Scholarship at Thornton Academy. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College this Fall. 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 project spoke to his values, building picnic tables for community members to enjoy. Tyler takes the time to appreciate the service of others like being a part of efforts like Honor Flight Maine, Wreaths Across America, and placing American flags at Laurel Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. It’s not just his own personal achievements that make Tyler so special, but more importantly the impact he has on those around him. He is someone whose kindness, positivity, and sense of humor is contagious. He makes others want to be the best version of themselves. Tyler's passion for helping others is his authentic form of expression. This will take him far in life.
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2023 - Cole Cochrane
Cole Cochrane is one of this year’s Chenette Leadership Scholarship recipients at Thornton Academy. I’ve known Cole since he was in middle school when he volunteered with me in the community and attended political functions. It’s great seeing someone at such a young age having a strong passion for and interest in advocacy and policy. Cole 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 to introduce and help pass. 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.
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2023 - Ben Moore
Ben Moore is our other Chenette Leadership Scholarship recipient this year 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. Ben also interned with me in the community. 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.
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2022 - Lilly DesRoberts
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2022 - Will Barry
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Will Barry and Lilly DesRoberts, both of Saco, are the 2022 recipients at Thornton Academy.
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.
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.
2021 - Olivia Hand
Olivia Hand of Saco is our 2021 recipient of the Spirit of Service Scholarship. While a student at TA, Hand volunteered with a local food pantry, assisted with various community events as a member of the National Honor Society, was an Honorary Senate page, and served as the Varsity Volleyball Captain. She even earned the Presidential Service Award for Community Service. Hand will attend Stonehill College this Fall.
2019 - Noah Poulin, Natalie Ben-Ami, & Ashley Gonzalez
Three recent Thornton Academy graduates have been awarded the 2019 Spirit of Service Scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund. Noah Poulin, Natalie Ben-Ami, and Ashley Gonzalez were each selected to receive a $500 college scholarship because of their leadership in school and service in the community. From left to right: Sen. Justin Chenette 09', Noah Poulin 19', Natalie Ben-Ami 19', & Ashley Gonzalez 19'
2016 - Janelle Poitras
Janelle Poitras is our 2016 recipient of the Justin Chenette Spirit of Service Scholarship. Janelle's work on campus and in the community with various nonprofit causes is worthy of this recognition and more. She plans to study business at Stonehill College in Massachusetts starting this Fall.
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2020 - Brady Forbes
Brady Forbes is our 2020 recipient of the Spirit of Service Scholarship. He is a Thornton Academy senior. Forbes plans to attend Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire to study criminal justice and law enforcement on a path to become a police officer. Forbes’ father is in the state police and both of his brothers are local police officers. At Thornton, Forbes played numerous sports including Football and Hockey and volunteered in the community via the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, Salvation Army, and numerous civic activities on campus.
2017 - Shania Rodriguez
Shania Rodriguez is the 2017 Saco recipient of our Justin Chenette Spirit of Service Scholarship. Shania is truly inspiring from her passion for helping others in the community to caring for her mom who is going through cancer treatment. She will be attending Southern Maine Community College in the fall on her way to becoming a nurse. I have no doubt that Shania will do wonderful things in the future. A life of giving back. Let's all have her mom in our hearts and prayers on her difficult road ahead. Shania's light and grace no doubt helps immensely.
2015 - Christina Scenna
Christina Scenna of the Thornton Academy class of 2015, received the first Justin Chenette Spirit of Service Scholarship. Christina plans to attend Saint Michael's College in Vermont to study sociology this fall.
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2024 OOB Scholar
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Derrick Webber is our 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.
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2023 - Elise MacNair
Elise MacNair is our Chenette Leadership Scholarship recipient at Old Orchard Beach High School this year! Elise is someone who sets the bar high not only for herself, but also inspires those around her. She has been class president all 4 years of high school, which speaks to the respect her peers have for her. 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, which both 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.
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2022 - Santino Perrone
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.
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2021 - Garrett Dupee
Garrett Duppe is our Future Entrepreneur Scholarship recipient at Old Orchard Beach High School. While a student at OOB High, Garrett was on a fundraising committee for Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital juvenile diabetes fund, volunteered with Saco Bay Rotary and the Ride for Autism, was a member of the National Technical Honor Society, as well as coached and announced various youth sports. He even earned a full semester of college credits by completing a small business management certificate from York County Community College. Garrett will attend Thomas College this Fall to obtain degrees in business administration. He hopes to own a small business in the future.
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2019 - Cierra Albert
Cierra Albert is the 2019 recipient of a leadership scholarship from the Chenette Scholarship Fund provided by Sen. Justin Chenette. She was selected for her service on campus and in the community. Cierra was a student representative on the local school board in addition to being class president for several years. She graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in June and plans to attend St. John’s University in New York City to major in International Relations.
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2018 - Dylan Boudreau
Dylan Boudreau plans on majoring in Business Finance at the University of Maine at Orono. After he has experience he said that he wants to come back to our community and open a business.
2016 - Brandon Saucier
Brandon Saucier of Old Orchard Beach is our 2016 recipient of the Future Entrepreneur Scholarship.Brandon's passion for small business runs in his blood. When he isn't at school, Brandon works at his family-owned hotel in OOB, the Ocean Walk Hotel. He plans to study business as a major starting this Fall.
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2017 - Kayla White
Kayla White is 2017 OOB recipient of our Justin Chenette Spirit of Service Scholarship. He is a recent graduate of OOB High School. She completed almost 300 hours of community service before graduation. True epitome of why we started the Spirit of Service Scholarship. She is off to do great things down at Fisher College in Boston where she is majoring in Criminal Justice.
2015 - Rebecca Greenlee
Rebecca Greenlee of the Old Orchard Beach High School class of 2015, has received a scholarship aimed at keeping young business-minded professionals in the area.
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2024 Hollis/Buxton Scholar
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Congrats to Gregory Brunk of Buxton for being awarded this year’s Chenette Leadership Scholarship! Gregory recently graduated from Bonny Eagle. 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.
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2023 - Luke Plummer
Luke Plummer is our Chenette Leadership Scholarship recipient at Bonny Eagle this year! 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. This young man is going places!
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2022 - Michael Gervais
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.
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Past Other Scholars
Austin Dutremble was our Biddeford recipient. Austin was not just an all-star athlete, but really cares for those around him and devoted time to give back to others. He attended the University of New England.
Help us fund more scholarships like this!
Make checks out to Chenette Scholarship Fund and mail to P.O. Box 315, Saco, ME 04072.
All donations are tax deductible as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
