Partners Bank awards scholarships: Seacoast education news

SEED selected as benefactor of charitable golf event 

DOVER — The Seacoast Educational Endowment for Dover, a nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting academic excellence in Dover, New Hampshire public schools, was selected as the sole benefactor of the Insurance Group of New England Charitable Golf Event held at the Ledges Golf Course, in York, Maine. The event raised $7,000 for SEED to fund future academic grants in the Dover School District.

SEED prepares Dover public school students for post-secondary education and career challenges by providing funding to Dover teachers to bring into the classroom innovative new tools and teaching techniques. SEED appeals to Dover educators to apply for SEED funding by submitting applications describing projects they would like to initiate. Applications are evaluated by a committee of SEED board members and advisors representing the larger Dover community. Grants are awarded twice a year.

IGNE member John Flynn of  Flynn Insurance nominated SEED and James Flynn was on hand to present the check to SEED. “We are grateful to be selected as the recipient of the golf event,” said Jason Gaskell, Treasurer of the SEED Board of Directors. “These funds will further our mission and help underwrite our fall grant period which is currently underway.”

Founded by Len Sevigney in 1997, the Insurance Group of New England was formed as a service company that allows small, independent agents to remain independent, yet gain access to the economies of scale found in the larger agencies. The group affords access to multiple insurance companies which translates to competitive pricing for its clients.

SEED is celebrating its tenth anniversary promoting the teaching and learning of 21st century skills to create a legacy of academic excellence in Dover public schools. To date, more than $275,000 has been granted to educators to purchase tools and curriculum. To learn more about SEED, please visit http://www.DoverSEED.org.

Partners Bank awards scholarships to 22 in Maine and New Hampshire

SANFORD, Maine—With the beginning of a new school year, Partners Bank announces it has once again stepped up to support the pursuit of higher education in our community. Last June, Partners Bank awarded a total of $24,000 in scholarships to 2022 graduating high school seniors in Maine and New Hampshire that have now begun their post-secondary educations.

A total of 22 students from Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Noble, Portsmouth, Sanford, Seaborn Regional, Wells and York High Schools and Sanford Regional Technical Center were selected by each school’s administration based on academic achievement and financial need to receive an award. Students were each awarded scholarships in the amounts of either $1,000 or $2,000.

Partners Bank President and CEO, Blaine Boudreau, met with five of the six recipients from Sanford schools in July to congratulate them on their awards. “It was great to meet some of our recipients and to learn more about their future endeavors,” Boudreau says. “We are proud to support these young individuals from our community as they pursue further education, and we look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the future.”

At the start of this month, students began their new chapters of education at schools that included Empire Beauty School, Husson University, University of Maine, University of New England, University of Saint Joseph, University of Southern Maine, and more.

NHED’s Mobile Access to Possibilities vehicle is back on the road

CONCORD — After a slight hiatus, the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Mobile Access to Possibilities recreational vehicle is once again traveling to schools and events throughout the state to promote Career and Technical Education opportunities.

MAPs, a 35-foot recreational vehicle, has been outfitted to provide New Hampshire students with experiential learning and a deeper understanding about CTE programing. The vehicle is equipped with modern technology such as drones, an air simulator, CPR manikins, a blood-drawing phlebotomy practice arm, cosmetology training heads and zSpace computers with virtual and augmented reality – all designed to introduce students to 3-D technology, welding, automotive, healthcare, machine shop programs and more.

Although the pandemic prevented MAPs from visiting schools in recent years, the vehicle is now back on the road and has met with students at three different events in recent weeks, including a trip to Litchfield Middle School where students in grades 5-8 participated in several activities to learn possible career pathways.

“This was a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experiences while planning for their future learning. It was great to see students explore the possibilities that CTE offers New Hampshire students,” said Robin Corbeil, a computer programing teacher for the Litchfield School District.

MAPs also attended New Hampshire Construction Career Days last month in New Boston, an event that exposes high school students to possible career paths in both the construction and transportation industries, while also offering hands-on exhibits. The MAPs vehicle was also spotted in Portsmouth recently for a Bring Back the Trades appreciation event, which has a mission to help support trade school students through various scholarships.

“The ‘possibilities’ in MAPs stands for all the promising opportunities for young people in New Hampshire to contribute to the economy of our state by working in exciting and rewarding careers,” said Jeffry Beard, deputy state director for career and technical education. “In order to make informed decisions about career education and training, parents, families and kids can hear about CTE, Learn Everywhere, NH Career Academy and other opportunities through MAPs events.”

To learn more about MAPs, or to request a visit to a school, business, organization, or event, contact Diane Lewis with NHED’s Bureau of Career Development at 603-271-3999 or diane.r.lewis@doe.nh.gov.

YCCC receives 2022 Institutional Award for Entrepreneuring Excellence

WELLS, Maine — York County Community College announced that it has received the Higher Education Innovation 2022 Institutional Award for Entrepreneuring Excellence. The award was presented to YCCC President, Dr. Michael Fischer at the 2022 HEI Presidents Conference which was held in Waco Texas. on October 11, 2022.

"It is an honor to accept the Higher Education Innovation Institutional Award for Entrepreneuring Excellence." said YCCC President, Michael Fischer "The award is a testament to the work our staff, faculty, and adjuncts are doing to reimagine higher education to better serve our students, businesses, and our community."

The 2022 conference theme was, "Reinventing and Reenergizing Higher Education in the Covid Age and Beyond," Now more than ever college leaders recognize the need to transform their institutions. As we begin to emerge from the darkest days of the pandemic and adjust to the "new normal," this conference focused on the truly entrepreneurial concepts and innovative practices that are being successfully implemented in our colleges and universities all across the nation.

"Because higher education is in crisis and so many colleges are closing or merging, new and radical transformation is required in order for colleges and universities to not only survive but thrive." said Dr. Mary Darden - President of HEI "Few colleges are able and/or willing to do the extreme work required. However, some do. YCCC has embraced entreprenuering and has successfully done the difficult work to not only sustain their institution in these difficult times but allowed it to thrive."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Local seniors awarded scholarships, SEED: Seacoast education news