The Worthington Scholarship Foundation (WSF), whose mission is to support post-secondary education in Knox County, is pleased to announce the addition of Troy Curtis as its first Executive Director. Mr. Curtis has more than 20 years of experience within the community nonprofit field, most recently as CEO of Penobscot Bay YMCA since 2005, and has a strong history of developing partnerships with schools, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. He holds a BS degree from UMaine Presque Isle and a MS-Executive Master's Program from Springfield College.

David Worthington, Board Chair said, "with our scholarship and mentoring approaching an advanced stage in Knox County, Maine, we need a leader with both the vision to build a support structure around our scholars as well as to begin the process of exporting this model to other Maine communities." Curtis said, "I am honored to have been selected to lead an organization committed to the premise of making college education available and affordable to everyone in our community. My skills and experience have led me to this stage of my career where I believe I can play a key role in making improvements in educational opportunities for students in the state of Maine."

In addition to new leadership, WSF has also hired two full-time program staff to forward the Foundation's mission. WSF's Program Director, Caitlin Clark, will lead the program's mentoring support. Clark, a Rockland District High School graduate, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and a Master of Higher Education from Harvard University. Under her leadership, the mentoring activities have resulted in improved retention for Worthington Scholars, and she has greatly expanded the services the Foundation provides to the students. As part of the Program Director role, Clark will also oversee WSF's new Assistant Program Director, Anna Young. Young is a 2015 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Most recently, Young served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Trekkers, a youth mentoring non-profit in Thomaston, Maine.

Worthington Scholarships were first awarded in 2010 to graduates of Oceanside East High School, and now the scholarships are also awarded at Camden Hills Regional High School and Medomak Valley High School. There are currently 122 Worthington Scholars attending colleges in Maine, and the goal of the Foundation is to increase the number of recipients each year. Worthington Scholarship recipients may attend: any campus of the University of Maine system or Maine community college system, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, or Thomas College. The current award amount is $4,000.00 per year for each Scholar.

Future goals for the Foundation are to strengthen academic achievements and aspirations for the at-risk student population, provide more comprehensive mentoring and professional development programs, and to expand the program into the mid-coast region. According to Beverly Worthington, Board Secretary, "We are excited to have these extremely dedicated and talented people in the Foundation. We have been delighted that the faculties in the 3 high schools we are now serving have been extremely supportive of our presence on their campuses, working together to make a difference in the lives of our students."