Worthington Scholars - September 22, 2016

 

Beverly Worthington

Worthington Scholars

Oceanside High School Scholarships

 

Beverly and her husband David are interested in the economic situation in Rockland.

They decided that they wanted to sharpen their focus on something that they can follow, track & achieve

 

Oceanside program started with 10 students and grew from there.

At first we were trying to manage the funds on their own and it didn’t work.

 

Our focus is to help students who go to Maine colleges and will eventually come back to this community.

 

Recently had an event - the Knox County Community Conversation – many ideas.  Many people were from different organizations.

 

All agreed that they want a community that attracts and keeps young people.

The greatest strength of Knox County community – here are many adult mentors

We have a lot to offer to companies in lifestyle for employees

 

We see low student aspirations in the community – they cannot see what their futures have to offer

 

1. Focus on job opportunities

2.We need to develop scholarship and mentorship programs right in this community

3.Have existing organizations that are already doing so much in the community.

 

Rotary is the resource that is going to help this program

 

We have expanded the scholarship – Maine Community Foundation handles the administrative part of the program. 

 

A & B students they can attend any college UMaine, community colleges, Thomas, Husson, Maine Maritime.  We’ve worked out a plan that the more expensive schools offer a decreased tuition at the same level of UMaine for Worthington Scholars.

 

Before they receive the scholarship – they must complete a financial literacy course taught by New Ventures Maine.  3 modules – all students (and their parents) are invited to attend.  Teach them how to budget for college.  What will their post college debt be and how will their job help them to pay that off?

 

Mentor (paid by the fund) begins interacting with the students in their senior year – when they accept the scholarship; they are required to check in with her on an ongoing basis.  They are expected to serve as mentors to younger students.

 

Our retention rate for 76 students is 100%.

 

Actively beginning to develop a strong alumni group. 

Maine Community Foundation – Oceanside offered to every graduating senior (up to $16,000).

If you’re a senior C student – you can attend any community college or URock.  Worthington Scholars will get mentoring at URock to help them get going.

 

Next year – expand amount that we give to Camden students.  It is need and merit based.  Go to Medomack Valley and the Islands – this will give us a critical mass of students who can bond and be the future community leaders.

 

Set up an endowment to ensure meeting the obligations in case of Dave and Beverly’s death.

GOAL - 250 student scholarship recipients

 

Setting up a 501C3 – that charity will cover the mentoring services for the community.  They can fund it for a few years, but they are going to need community leaders to be board member and leaders of this new organization.

 

One of the things that the students have to do is write an essay.  The change in the students from when they receive the gift to when they begin to experience school is significant. 

 

Q&A

Unity College – why isn’t unity isn’t in the mix?  No one told us about Unity. 

How many technical schools v. colleges – Haven’t interacted with the technical schools.

If an A or B student you can get a community college scholarship.