SEARSPORT — Eight graduating seniors at Searsport District High School were inaugural recipients of Worthington scholarships. These awards are aimed at helping good students with financial need to obtain a college degree with little or no debt. 

Founders Beverly and David Worthington and Program Director Jay McIntire attended the Searsport awards to demonstrate to each student their personal involvement and interest in each student’s academic success.

Mikaela Alley, Maxwell Webster, Chari Guzman and Daccariah Sargent (Husson University); George Dakin (Thomas College); Joshua Golder and Kion Tupper (UMO); and Madison Young (USM) each received four-year, $4,000 annually renewable scholarships. 

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit that each year awards combined approximately 70 college scholarships at Oceanside, Medomak and Camden, this year added Searsport, Belfast, and Mt. View. 

One hundred and forty students are slated to receive scholarships this year.   

Current criteria include that the students plan to attend a Maine college, (see list on the Worthington website) have a B average for a 4-year college; a C average for a community college, and an estimated family contribution of $15,000 or less. 

Students demonstrating both merit and financial need are encouraged to apply. The total amount to be distributed this year is $680,000.

The foundation also provides a mentoring component, various events, career planning and intern placements. 

For more information, visit www.worthingtonscholars.org or contact Kerry Hadley or Jay McIntire at (207) 596-5800.