KNOX and WALDO COUNTIES — Eleven recent high school graduates from Knox and Waldo Counties have been named 2025 Mitchell Scholars by the Mitchell Institute.

"The 2025 Scholars join more than 3,800 past recipients who have been unlocking their potential, having successful college experiences and contributing to the vitality of their communities since 1995," said the Institute, in a news release.

Students receive a $10,000 scholarship award, along with ongoing personal and professional support to ensure they find success in their journey throughout college and beyond.

These students include:

• Morgan Donelly – Belfast Area High School
• Lucinda O’Brien - Camden Hills Regional High School
• Katherine Mitchell – Ecology Learning Center
• Gabe Holmes – Islesboro Central School
• Arianna Bradeen – Mount View High School
• Maya Labelle – North Haven Community School
• James Mercer – Oceanside High School
• Lily Stackpole – Oceanside High School
• Nevaeh Bradstreet – Searsport District High School
• Bay Nadeau – Searsport District High School
• Chad Lazaro – Vinalhaven School

 “Senator Mitchell realized a bold vision when he created the Mitchell Institute, to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education,” said Jared Cash, CEO. “In our 30th year, his vision is more important than ever before. We're proud to support these remarkable young people as they begin journeys that will benefit Maine for generations to come.”

Each year the Mitchell Institute receives more than 1,600 applications and is tasked with choosing at least one student from every public school in the state. Scholars are chosen with a balanced view of their financial needs, academic achievement, and community impact. This year marks the largest class in Mitchell’s thirty-year history, with 200 Scholars in total. But this year was unique in more ways than just the numbers.

“Every part of the Mitchell community had a hand in choosing who made up the incoming class,” said Casey Near, Scholarship Director. “I was joined by our Access Ambassadors to help promote the Mitchell Institute on visits to high schools, and Alumni were able to read applications for the first time ever, along with the staff and board to help select recipients.”

The benefits of this unique program can be proven through its statistics: Scholars graduate college at a rate 30% higher than the national average; 81% are working in career-related jobs; 29% report they hold a master’s degree; 10% hold either a doctorate, JD, or an MBA; and 71% say access to the Mitchell Board, Donors, and Alumni network have had a positive impact on their careers.

The Mitchell Institute unlocks the potential of Maine college students so that they can find success in college and contribute to the vitality of their communities. The organization awards $2 million in college scholarship funds every year to students from public high schools in every community in Maine. What separates the Mitchell Institute from traditional scholarship organizations is the broader array of support programs that it provides to students. This combination of personal, professional and financial support makes college degrees more attainable for Mitchell Scholars, who graduate at a rate 30% higher than the national average. Mitchell Scholars are also more likely than their peers to stay in Maine or return to the state after college. Founded by Senator George J. Mitchell, the Mitchell Institute’s core mission is to improve the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education. The Mitchell Institute strengthens Maine communities by providing a path to success in college and beyond.For more information about the Mitchell Institute, please visit www.mitchellinstitute.org.