PORTLAND – One hundred thirty Maine high school students have been chosen as 2004 Mitchell Scholars. With the selection of this year’s recipients, the Mitchell Institute has now supported more than 1,000 Maine students in their pursuit of higher education.

The Mitchell Institute annually provides scholarships to one student from every public high school in the state of Maine. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic potential, community service and financial need.

“Getting the Mitchell Scholarship makes an enormous difference,” said Cassie Cote, a 2000 Mitchell Scholar. “It’s so much more than just help with money. The Mitchell Institute programs have really strengthened my ties to Maine.”

During each year of their full-time enrollment toward a postsecondary degree, the Mitchell Institute provides scholarship recipients with $1,000 of financial assistance for a maximum amount of $4,000.

In addition to scholarship help, Mitchell Scholars gain access to Mitchell Institute support programs, which include community service projects, leadership and professional development, mentoring opportunities and summer employment fellowships. These programs connect and engage the Mitchell Scholars with their communities and their chosen career paths with a goal of encouraging graduates to remain in Maine after college. Mitchell Scholars also become a part of a longitudinal research study that will track their progress and evaluate the impact of the organization’s programming.

Since 2003, KeyBank has provided funding for 16 Mitchell Scholarships, one for each county in Maine, in the amount of $6,000 each – $1,500 each year. These awards are targeted to first-generation college students.

Area students receiving Mitchell Scholarships are:

Larry Sawyer III, Bucksport High School.

Joel Alex, John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor.

Kristina Awalt, Penobscot Valley High School, Howland.

Molly Balentine, Hampden Academy.

James Connolly, Central High School, Corinth.

Jessica Day, Schenck High School, East Millinocket.

Kaitlyn DeLuck, Hermon High School.

Laura Donley, Stearns High School, Millinocket.

Nikita Gagain, Old Town High School.

Andrew George, Bangor High School.

Ashlee Gifford, Lee Academy.

Heather Jones, Orono High School.

Rocky Leavitt, Nokomis High School, Newport.

Maria Potter, Dexter Regional High School.

Donald Pratt, Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln.

Emily Smith, Brewer High School.

Brian Sullivan, Katahdin High School.