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| STORIES FROM OUR STUDENTS Volume 11, Issue 2, Spring 2017 |
Carrabec High School and Hermon High School:
Our Newest Partner Schools
We work with over 80 publicly funded schools all around Maine.
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Mason Raymond
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After NMCC Graduation:
All Set
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Caleb Cullen
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Mason Raymond (Presque Isle, 2015) and Caleb Cullen (Katahdin, 2015) will graduate in May from Northern Maine Community College, Mason in precision machining tech and Caleb in emergency medical services (EMS). Both have great plans. After Mason completed a summer internship with General Electric in Bangor, GE paid his tuition senior year and has a job for him when he graduates. Caleb took the EMT program at Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton and worked part time for Patten Ambulance. On graduating from NMCC, he'll work for Patten full time and for Crown Ambulance per diem, while he attends the University of Maine at Fort Kent for a BS in nursing.
As Honors students, these two have sage advice for how to succeed in college. "Set your goals high and keep them in focus," says Caleb. "Keep yourself busy, but remember, there's a balance between busy and burnout." Mason recommends using time wisely through good planning and working ahead. They agree that ECforME kept them on track and that doing an internship in the field you want is a tremendous help. "Prepare yourself as much as you can in high school," says Caleb. "You will have a much easier workload in college."
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Graduating Debt-Free!
Shallon Nadeau (South Portland, 2015) is a liberal studies major at Southern Maine Community College. She'll graduate in December and plans to transfer for a bachelor's degree. She's interested in social work and the medical field. She likes helping others solve problems and she's intrigued by how the human body works. She'll investigate both these interests in the months ahead.
Shallon chose SMCC because it was near home and because at SMCC core courses cost roughly a third less than the same courses at a four-year college. A good student in high school, she was awarded several college scholarships. Her scholarships mean that Shallon will graduate debt-free. "Early College for ME helped me do that!"
She credits Christopher Ike, ECforME Regional Director, for showing her the options and helping her plan her courses. "Most important," she adds, "he's always telling me what's next." Her chief advice to high school students is to start at community college. "You get the same education. Why pay three times as much?"
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The chair was a class project.
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How to ACE College:
Get Involved
Nicole Labbay (Mt. Ararat, 2015) has received many awards beyond our ECforME scholarship. In 2016 she became the first recipient of the Leon Gorman Endowed Scholarship, which meant full tuition to Central Maine Community College.
In 2017, she received the CMCC Education Foundation Scholarship.
A major in architectural and civil engineering tech (ACE), Nicole has put her skills to work. She oversaw the ACE computer lab, helped design a layout for office renovation, and created new fire safety/evacuation route signs. She has worked for CMCC admissions, financial aid, and student services, and has been a tour and orientation leader. Her ECforME Regional Director, Pauline Moreau, describes her as "reliable, flexible, and energetic: a go-to person with a can-do attitude."
For her ACE summer internship, Nicole designed high-end locker rooms for the Norway Savings Bank Arena. She graduates in May and will transfer to the University of Maine at Augusta for a bachelor's degree in applied science. She'll minor in history and American studies to pursue her interest in historical architecture.
"Get involved," she says. "Talk to people. The more people you know in college the better."
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The Perfect Fit
Daniel Levesque (Noble, 2015) is a digital media major at
York County Community College and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, honor society for the two-year college. A digital media major, he hopes to transfer to Savannah College of Art and Design for a bachelor's degree. Dan found college a lot different from high school. He spends most of his time on computers animating and modeling 3D objects. "I really like my degree program," he says. "Digital media with a concentration in animation is the perfect fit for me. Plus the professor, Mike Lee, is probably one of the best professors on campus."
Dan credits ECforME for helping him attend college. Through ECforME, he took a college course the spring semester of his senior year in high school. "Taking that course really prepared me for college by preparing me for the classroom environment and work load."
He continues: "Pick a degree that you know you will love or are interested in. If you do, college won't feel like a hassle. I really enjoy all of my classes and actually have fun learning new things every day."
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Automotive Dreaming
"My grandfather didn't think girls should do those kinds of things," says
Sadie Knight
(Mt. Blue, 2016), who also attended Foster Tech, where she was a star in the automotive course. She's now
majoring in automotive tech
at
Eastern Maine Community College
and has two work-study jobs: in EMCC's enrollment center and in a dorm as a resident assistant. Sadie likes college because she can tailor her education to her interests. Also, "You realize the value of your education when you are paying for it." Her advice to high school students is to "save your money, so when you get to college you are not always broke!"
She's the first in her family to go to college. On track to graduate in 2018, she's applying to two dealerships for her internship and hoping one will offer her a job. Her goal is to become the service manager.
"I've been around cars my whole life. My family has always been involved in racing." Watching her grandfather, Sadie wanted to fix things, as she saw him do. "One day I was trying to fix something and he told me I wouldn't be able to. This just made me more determined." She did fix it and in the process, "I discovered I was pretty darn good at it. Now he is my biggest fan and supports me 100 percent."
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Two Degrees for Early Childhood
Nichola Scott
has a passion for working with children that began with a babysitting course when she was 12. During high school (Calais, 2015) she took early childhood courses at St. Croix Regional Technical Center and earned six college credits before entering college. In May, she'll have her associate degree from
WCCC was her choice because it had the degree program she wanted and she could commute. In the fall, she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in early childhood at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Nicki is grateful for
her ECforME Regional Coordinator, Mary-Ann Urquhart. "Mary-Ann always kept a close eye on me to make sure I was doing what I needed to." To new college students, Nicki says, "Keep on working toward what you want, even if it's hard. Don't be afraid to ask for help!"
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Finding Her Path
In May 2018
Jamie Gronwald
will have an associate degree from
Kennebec Valley Community College
in medical assisting. While in high school (Maranacook, 2015), Jamie worked two jobs: at a restaurant and doing home health care. She took the CNA course at Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta and thought she wanted to study nursing in college. After her first year at KVCC, she chose medical assisting instead.
College was "a big transition," she says, yet she made Honors last semester. "College teaches you to manage your own time and balance your responsibilities." While she likes the small class size and the one-on-one time with instructors, "The best part of college is that I am meeting people who have the same interests." She credits
Pauline Stevens,
ECforME Regional Director, for helping her "figure out what Accuplacer scores I needed, how to fill out [college] applications, how to sign up for classes, and all the requirements for the medical assisting program.
"Take your grades seriously," she adds. "It's easy to get behind."
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*Honors Two or More Semesters
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Phi Theta Kappa
Honor Society for the Two-Year College
Spencer Diou-Cass (CATC/Maranacook'16) Electrical Tech KV
Stefanie Johansen (Richmond'16) General Science-Health Occupations KV
Daniel Levesque* (Noble'15) Digital Media YC
Brianna Mello (UTC/Home-Schooled'16) Business Management EM
Emily Ouellette (Spruce Mountain'16) General Science-Health Occupations KV
High Honors
Ruby Cote (Edward Little'15) General Studies CM
Abdullahi Daud (Lewiston'16) General Studies CM
Patrick Dexler* (Lisbon'15) Management Information Systems CM
Nicholas Labun* (Messalonskee'15) Building Construction Tech EM
Michael Libby (Scarborough'16) Automotive Technology-Ford Asset CM
Andrew Loisel (LRTC/Lewiston'16) Building Construction Tech CM
Ekoko Louise* (Lewiston'15) General Studies CM
Camryn Lyons (Mattanawcook Academy'16) Medical Radiography Tech EM
Jennifer McGuire (Kennebunk'15) Liberal Studies YC
Marianne Ouellette* (LRTC/Lewiston'15) Early Childhood Education CM
Codey Prock* (MCST/Medomak Valley'15) Precision Machining Tech CM
Brianna Rockwell (UTC/Brewer'16) Business Management EM
Rhys Simpson* (Mt. Blue'15) Automotive Tech CM
Alexander Spiller (Windham'16) Architectural-Civil Engineering Tech CM
Jordanna Sprague (NPT Region 3/Mattanawcook Academy'16) Fire Science Tech EM
Carley Ware (Poland'16) Early Childhood Education CM
Aiden Watson (CATC/Hall-Dale'16) Liberal Studies CM
Honors
Dana Abdulhay (Biddeford'16) Medical Assisting SM
Kiana Acevedo* (Portland'15) Early Childhood Education SM
Karli Adams (Sacopee Valley'16) Liberal Studies SM
Avery Anderson (HCTC/Ellsworth'16) Culinary Arts SM
Danielle Anderson (Bonny Eagle'15) Digital Media YC
Angela Athearn (Massabesic'15) Early Childhood Education SM
Tyler Ayotte (Presque Isle'16) Residential Construction NM
Cody Beaudoin (CATC/Erskine Academy'16) Precision Machining Tech KV
Ryanne Berry (Scarborough'15) Criminal Justice SM
Michelle Birmingham* (Katahdin'15) Early Childhood Education EM
Nathaniel Blanchard (Bangor'15) Computer Systems Tech EM
Kristin Boardman (Hampden Academy'16) Liberal Studies EM
Hannah Bourgoin (Messalonskee'16) Liberal Studies KV
Ethan Bradstreet* (Central Aroostook'15) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Emily Buckner (Mattanawcook Academy'16) Medical Assistant EM
Jenny Cobb (Old Orchard Beach'16) Criminal Justice SM
Connor Craig* (Lisbon'15) Liberal Studies SM
Travis Cropley (NPT Region 3/Mattanawcook Academy'16) Welding Tech EM
Haley Cuddy* (Forest Hills'15) Liberal Studies CM
Caleb Cullen* (Katahdin'15) Emergency Medical Services NM
Taya Damboise* (Caribou'15) Early Childhood Education NM
Daniel DeLong (Wiscasset'15) Network Security-Computer Forensics CM
Dustin DeMerchant (Caribou'16) Mechanical Technology-Passenger Vehicle Services WC
Isaac deMontigny* (SJVTC/Wisdom'15) Automotive Tech NM
Timothy Derau (Bonny Eagle'16) Liberal Studies SM
Jessica Doyon (Bonny Eagle'16) Early Childhood Education SM
Emily Drake-Michaud* (CATC/Cony'15) Liberal Studies SM
Brandon Drew* (Katahdin'15) Liberal Studies EM
Jake Dumond (SJVTC/Madawaska'15) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Jacob Edman (Messalonskee'16) Electrical Lineworker Tech KV
Emma Fay (Mt. Ararat'15) Nursing SM
William Fecteau (Lewiston'16) Culinary Arts SM
Brian Fournier (Presque Isle'15) Pipe Welding EM
Kevin Gard (Marshwood'16) Precision Machining YC
Kimberly Graham (Traip Academy'16) Early Childhood Education YC
Hailey Greene (Cony'16) General Science-Health Occupations KV
Jamie Gronwald (CATC/Maranacook'15) Medical Assisting KV
Brady Hawkins* (NPT Region 3/Mattanawcook Academy'15) Precision Metals Mfg NM
Paige Hesseltine (Mattanawcook Academy'16) Education EM
Kathleen Hinerman (Ellsworth'15) Medical Office Tech EM
Rylee Jackson* (Skowhegan'15) Business Administration-Marketing-Management KV
Conner Keithley (Kennebunk'16) Liberal Studies SM
Corey Kilton* (Freeport'15) Early Childhood Education SM
Allie Kimball (Nokomis'16) Education EM
Danielle Kotow (Winthrop'16) Liberal Studies SM
Nicole Labbay* (Mt. Ararat'15) Architectural-Civil Engineering Tech CM
Staycen Lamarre* (Mt. Ararat'15) Liberal Studies SM
Tam Le (Kennebunk'16) Precision Machining YC
Jaime Lemery* (Old Town'15) Surgical Tech EM
Andrew Lessard (Presque Isle'16) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Amber Lewis (Foxcroft Academy'15) Early Childhood Education SM
Madyson Ljunggren (Bonny Eagle'16) Architectural-Engineering Design SM
Jaycie MacArthur* (Woodland'15) Business Management WC
Luke Malloy (Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial'16) Fine Woodworking-Cabinetmaking EM
Fartun Maow (South Portland'16) Liberal Studies SM
Adriana McAllister (Spruce Mountain'16) Human Services CM
Jeffrey McKenzie (SATC/Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial'16) General Science-Trades-
Technology KV
Kayla McLeish* (UTC/Hermon'15) Medical Radiography Tech EM
Everett McNally (LRTC/Lewiston'16) Engineering SM
Samantha Mott-Titus (Wiscasset'16) Nursing SM
Jeremy Nason* (STVTC/Madawaska'15) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Denasia Peavey* (Winslow'15) Education-Early Childhood Education KV
Nicholas Powers (Presque Isle'16) Diesel Hydraulics Tech NM
Tristan Quick* (Lawrence'15) Computer Electronics NM
Mason Raymond* (Presque Isle'15) Precision Metals Mfg NM
Gwenevere Reed (Marshwood'16) Liberal Studies SM
Caitlin Reynolds (Calais'16) Nutrition-Dietetics SM
Courtney Robarge (LRTC/Leavitt'15) Criminal Justice CM
Kyle Robinson (Lawrence'16) Diesel Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Casey Rouleau* (MCST/Camden Hills'15) Pipe Welding EM
Chloe Russell (Brewer'16) Liberal Studies EM
Lakeisha St. John (Caribou'16) Automotive Body Repair NM
Jasmine St. Peter (Hodgdon'16) Medical Assisting NM
Victoria Sanders (TCTC/Home-Schooled'16) Liberal Studies EM
Taylor Scott (South Portland'15) Liberal Studies SM
James Shackley (Bonny Eagle'16) Network Security-Computer Forensics CM
Lucie Simpson (Presque Isle'16) Liberal Studies NM
Baxter Smith (Old Town'16) Refrigeration, Air Conditioning-Heating Tech EM
Colton Spear* (MCST/Medomak Valley'15) Diesel, Truck-Heavy Equipment EM
Gabrielle Spencer (Old Town'16) Liberal Studies EM
Courtney Stevens (Katahdin'16) Liberal Studies EM
Cody Strout (TCTC/Foxcroft Academy'16) Precision Metals Mfg NM
Amanda Terry (Noble'16) Education YC
Makala Thibodeau (South Portland'16) Liberal Studies SM
Tyler Veilleux (Hall-Dale'16) Applied Electronics-Computer Tech KV
Caitlyn Verreault (Nokomis'16) Business Management EM
Draven Walker* (Lisbon'15) Liberal Studies SM
Olivia White (South Portland'16) Liberal Studies SM
Brianna Williams (Messalonskee'16) Nutrition-Dietetics SM
Noah Withee (Lewiston'16) Computer Tech CM
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Maine Community College System | Early College for ME
Maine Community College System
323 State Street | Augusta, ME 04330
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