Seven Maine community college students were honored for their academic success and campus and community involvement on Wednesday at a ceremony at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell. The event was hosted by the Maine Community College System (MCCS) Board of Trustees. 

The 2026 MCCS Students of the Year are:

• Kelson Custodio, Westbrook, Central Maine Community College
• Eleanora Haines, Orrington, Eastern Maine Community College
• Jasmine Sanders, Augusta, Kennebec Valley Community College
• Joshua Scheff, Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College
• Kamryn “Kamy” Dube, Winthrop, Southern Maine Community College
• Kendall Wood-Coffin, Machiasport, Washington County Community College
• Casey Rand, Wells, York County Community College 

The students being honored were selected by faculty and staff at the colleges. 

In addition to being recognized as Students of the Year, each received a John and Jana Lapoint Leadership Award in the amount of $1,000. 

According to a news release, Mr. Lapoint was president of UF Strainrite in Lewiston and a trustee of the Maine Community College System. After his death in 1995, his widow, Jana Lapoint, served on the Board from 1995 to 2006 and helped establish the fund for the annual awards. 

Maine’s seven community colleges are the smart and affordable choice for lifelong learning in Maine, with the lowest tuition and fees in New England. The colleges serve more than 33,000 people a year, through two-year associate degree and one-year certificate programs, short-term workforce training, early college programs, advanced certificates, and other learning opportunities.