School and Administration Extend Heartfelt Thanks to the Generous Community and Donors Who Fuel Graduate Success
DYER BROOK, Maine — In front of a packed gymnasium filled with proud families, friends, and faculty, the Southern Aroostook Community High School Class of 2026 celebrated a deeply memorable graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12th. Highlighting the evening’s festivities was the announcement of an incredible $290,000+ in scholarship awards presented to this year's graduating seniors.
The immense total reflects the deep investment the local community puts into its youth. Southern Aroostook Community School administration and the Class of 2026 wish to extend their profound gratitude to all of the donors including the area businesses, civic groups, alumni, individual families, and memorial funds whose tireless fundraising efforts and generosity made these awards possible.
Replacing the energy and dedication of this graduating class won't be easy. We are incredibly grateful to our community for stepping up to ensure their next chapters are well-supported.
The individual scholarship recipients for the Class of 2026 include:
Richard Chambers: Fair Trade Tire Company Scholarship, The Slice Restaurant Scholarship.
Bryce Bates: Worthington Scholarship, David Ryan Memorial, Brent DuBois Memorial, Jarrica Rose Emery Memorial, Site Flight LLC, York's of Houlton, Malcolm & Priscilla Palmer Memorial, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Dillan Bishop: The Aroostook League Scholarship, MELMAC Scholarship, The Elaine Small Family Scholarship, Kevin Hunt Memorial, Jerry's Foodstore & AG Grocers, VaJoWa Scholarship, Island Falls Alumni Scholarship, Malcolm & Priscilla Palmer Memorial, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Serenity Campbell: Malcolm & Priscilla Palmer Memorial, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Tabitha Dicosomo: Dr. Ronald Blum Scholarship, Oakfield Baptist Church Scholarship, and the Bartlett Family Scholarship.
Ariana Given: Worthington Scholarship, Pete Porter Memorial Award, The Fred and Marion Warman Scholarship, Island Falls Alumni Scholarship, Katahdin Trust Company Scholarship, Leslie McNelly Memorial, Onward Energy Scholarship, and the Toby Collier Memorial.
Annie Harthorne: Worthington Scholarship, Ricker College Scholarship, Onward Energy Scholarship, Maryann Sprague Edwards Scholarship, Katahdin Federal Credit Union Scholarship, Ruby Haskell Memorial, Charlotte Durr Memorial, Kelly Green Memorial, Myrna Sprague Memorial, Kirby Living Trust Scholarship, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Keomi Jones-Tarr: Worthington Scholarship, Anonymous Scholarship, Malcolm & Priscilla Palmer Memorial Scholarship, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Daniel Kuindersma: Aroostook Principals' Assoc. Scholarship, Onward Energy Scholarship, Dead River Company Scholarship, Elaine Small Family Scholarship, F. A. Peabody Company Scholarship, Island Falls Lakes Assoc. Scholarship, Houlton Regional Hospital Scholarship, Anonymous Scholarship, and a SACS Scholarship Program Award.
Connor Lane: Worthington Foundation Scholarship, The Slice Restaurant Scholarship, Karen and Gary Stairs Scholarship, Island Falls Alumni Scholarship, Rachel Daniels Memorial, Malcolm & Priscilla Palmer Memorial, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Kason Lawlor: Worthington Scholarship, RSU 50 Assoc. Scholarship, Phil Sherman Memorial, Arthur Briggs Memorial, Scotty Nevers Memorial, Paul F. Sherman Memorial, Toby Collier Memorial, Larry & Phyllis Greenlaw Memorial, Oakfield Alumni Scholarship, Sally Cyr Memorial, Maine Blue Collar Scholarship, and Site Flight LLC Award.
Isabella Martinez: George Mitchell Scholarship, Onward Energy Scholarship, Community Living Assoc. Award, and the Curry Giving Fund.
Barrett Mathers: Onward Energy Scholarship, Pete Porter Memorial, Maine Blue Collar Scholarship, Northern Maine Community College Scholarship, Bates Fuel Scholarship, Site Flight LLC Award, Katahdin Federal Credit Union Scholarship, Paula & Perry Lilley Scholarship, Island Falls Alumni Scholarship, Arthur & Jacob Shur Memorial, and a SACS Scholarship Award.
Hannah McGary: Worthington Scholarship, Onward Energy Scholarship, Fred & Marion Warman Scholarship, AYBL Scholarship, Brent DuBois Memorial, Scotty Nevers Memorial, Diane Desmond Memorial, Edwards Family Memorial, Audrey Benn Memorial, Site Flight LLC Scholarship, Charlotte Durr Memorial, Houlton Rotary Scholarship, Ruby Haskell Memorial Scholarship, The Bridge to Hope Scholarship, and a SACS Scholarship Program Award.
Ally Shields: Worthington Scholarship, Pete Porter Memorial Award, Scotty Nevers Memorial, Brent DuBois Memorial, Onward Energy Scholarship, Lotus & Leaf LLC, RSU 50 Scholarship, Oakfield Alumni Scholarship, Houlton Regional Hospital Award, Paula and Perry Lilley Scholarship, Patric J. Sherman Award, Kirby Living Trust Scholarship, and a SACS Scholarship Program Award.
Ashlyn B. York: Maine Sheriff's Association Scholarship, RSU 50 Assoc. Award, Island Falls Fishing Derby Scholarship, Katahdin Federal Credit Union Scholarship, The Powers Family Trust, and the SACS Scholarship Program Award.
The faculty and staff of Southern Aroostook Community School congratulate all the recipients and extend a final thank you to the community members whose contributions directly pave the way for these future leaders.