Scholarships at The River Fund Maine
The River Fund Maine is committed to investing in the future of our community by supporting local students in achieving their educational and career goals. Through our scholarship programs, we help remove financial barriers and create pathways to meaningful, rewarding careers.
Why Scholarships Matter?
A high-impact scholarship can change the trajectory of a student’s life. As our workforce becomes more global, connected, and skills-based, the demand for educated and trade-trained workers continues to grow.
However, students from moderate- to low-income households often face the greatest challenges. While many have the talent and drive to pursue higher education, financial barriers can prevent them from completing their degrees or training.
Scholarships help bridge this gap, making it possible for students to focus on their education without the burden of overwhelming debt.
Our Approach
Since 2020, The River Fund Maine has supported local students pursuing:
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Trade and technical certifications
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Associate degrees
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Four-year college degrees (BA/BS)
Our goal is simple: help students build a path to a fulfilling career, not just a job.
We place a strong emphasis on:
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Skilled trades and technical careers
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Entrepreneurship and leadership in our region
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Supporting first-generation and local students
All scholarship recipients live in and attend schools within the SAD 44 or RSU 10 school districts.
Scholarship Programs
Trade Scholarships
The River Fund Maine Trade Scholarships provide up to $10,000 per year to support students pursuing careers in the trades or technical fields.
These scholarships can be used for:
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Tuition
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Room and board
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Tools and supplies
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Apprenticeship-related costs
Who should apply:
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Students entering trade or technical programs with hands-on training
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Students attending community college as a pathway to a four-year degree
Each year, two local students are selected as River Fund Maine Trade Scholars.
College Scholarships
The River Fund Maine continues to support college scholars selected between 2020–2024, helping them complete their four-year degrees in their chosen fields of study.
Named Scholarships
Jason York Trade Scholarship
Established in 2024, this scholarship honors Jason York, a lifelong tradesman known for his dedication to his craft and his community.
It provides financial support for tuition, tools, and training, and is funded through contributions from the community, the York and Pelletier families, Clean Cut Painting, and the Morris Family Charitable Fund.
Kevin P. Schiller Trade Scholarship
Created in memory of Kevin P. Schiller (1972–2025), this scholarship reflects his passion for mentorship and his belief in expanding access to education.
It supports students pursuing careers in trades, technical fields, or higher education, continuing his legacy of helping young people reach their full potential.
Morris Family Trade Scholarship
Established by Cuyler and Cindy Morris, this scholarship supports students in Western Maine pursuing careers in the trades.
It is open to graduating seniors from:
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Telstar High School
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Mountain Valley High School
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Gould Academy
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Buckfield Jr.-Sr. High School
This scholarship promotes hands-on, job-specific training and helps address the growing need for skilled workers in both the local and national economy.
Please Support a Scholarship!
By supporting The River Fund Maine scholarships, you are:
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Expanding access to education
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Supporting local youth
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Strengthening the regional workforce
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Creating long-term economic opportunity
Together, we are building a future where every student has the chance to succeed.
MEET OUR SCHOLARS
Chase Duguay
2025 Jason Trade Scholar
Chase, a senior at Mountain Valley High School, has been awarded a TRFM Trade Scholarship in recognition of his exceptional character, academic achievement, and commitment to the skilled trades. A consistent honor roll student throughout all four years of high school, Chase has demonstrated both excellence in the classroom and dedication to his future career.
Chase participates in an Extended Learning Opportunity through his school, where he trains with Community Energy as a plumbing trainee. This hands-on experience has solidified his passion for the field and prepared him for his next step: pursuing a degree in Plumbing and Heating Technology at Central Maine Community College.
Described by his teacher as someone whose “character has never taken a day off,” Chase is known for his humility, maturity, and relentless work ethic. He approaches life with a quiet determination, never expecting anything to be handed to him, and always earning his success through hard work. Chase truly embodies the spirit of the Jason York Scholarship, and his future in the trades is exceptionally bright.
Chase Duguay is excited to receive this well-deserved recognition. He looks forward to using the scholarship to help pay for tools, room and board, and other training costs at Central Maine Community College. His goal is to pursue a career that challenges him and allows him to continue learning. Additionally, he wants to become a licensed plumber and eventually create his own business.
Cody Monto
2025 Jason Trade Scholar
Cody, a senior at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, has been awarded a TRFM Trade Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the skilled trades and his commitment to building a career in plumbing. A student at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Cody is currently working as a plumbing apprentice with JW Plumbing while actively participating in the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Through an Extended Learning Opportunity focused on Plumbing, Heating, and Ventilation, as well as an Individualized Career Exploration English course, Cody is combining hands-on experience with academic reflection to deepen his understanding of the field.
Cody plans to continue his education at the MEMA Technical Education Center in Brunswick, ME, where he will be taking classes in Propane (tank setting), Outside Piping and Appliance Connection and Service. His long-term goal is to start his own plumbing business, and this scholarship will help him take the next step toward that dream. Known by his mentors as a hard-working and committed young man, Cody is well on his way to a successful future in the trades.
Cody’s dedication to learning, his strong work ethic, and his commitment to excellence made him a standout candidate for the scholarship. “My varied experiences with Cody have shown that he’s a goal setter, is focused and hard-working, and applies much of his learning to real life situations. For example, this is Cody’s third year in the CTE program; his second year he was awarded ‘Student of the Year,’ and this year he took Second Place in the 14th Annual Tech Challenge,” said one of his high school teachers.
Cody Monto is excited to receive this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to using the scholarship to pay for his classes at MEMA Technical Education Center while being able to continue to work. Additionally, this scholarship will allow him to continue to save for the business that he plans on starting.
Emma Koch
2024 Jason Trade Scholar
Emma Koch is the first recipient of the esteemed Jason York Trade Scholarship, honoring the legacy of the late skilled painter Jason York. Emma, a 2024 graduate of Mountain Valley High School and Region 9 School of Applied Technology from Rumford, Maine, has demonstrated remarkable dedication and talent in welding. She shared, “I started participating in the welding program during my junior year just to try it out. After a month, I fell in love with it and realized I had a knack for the intricate aspects of welding." This scholarship will provide her with financial support for her trade education, allowing her to further develop her skills and pursue her dream of starting a business that specializes in customized metalwork.
The scholarship is funded by generous contributions from the community as well the York and Pelletier families, Clean Cut Painting and the Morris Family Charitable Fund “This scholarship is a testament to Jason’s passion for the trades and his commitment to helping young people succeed,” said Michael Pelletier of Clean Cut Painting, Jason’s brother and the seed donor of this scholarship. “We are proud to honor Jason’s memory by supporting a scholarship that helps talented students like Emma pursue a career in the trades.”
Emma’s dedication to learning, her strong work ethic, and her commitment to excellence made her a standout candidate for the scholarship.“We are incredibly impressed with Emma’s enthusiasm to learn and succeed in the trade of welding,” said Heidi Godomsky, Executive Director of The River Fund Maine. Emma expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am extremely blessed and honored to be receiving the first Jason York Trade Scholarship from The River Fund Maine. The welding and business programs at CMCC will help prepare me to accomplish my ambition of starting my own business for customized welded home decor and hardware."
Kyra Rose-Espinoza
2024 TRFM Scholar
Kyra Rose-Espinoza is a senior at Telstar High School. Kyra ranks #3 in her class and is a National Honor Student. Kyra was a standout in both field hockey and basketball, receiving MVC All-Academic Recognition for both sports during her senior year. Kyra may be a familiar face to many as she is the assistant baker at the Gemini Bakery in Bethel, Maine - a position she has held since her junior year. Kyra will attend Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. She will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. Given the exploding dining scene in Providence, Kyra is excited to be positioned in Providence while pursuing an education in culinary arts.
“As the principal of Telstar High School, I am excited for and proud of our very own Kyra Rose-Espinoza being named as the River Fund Scholar for 2024! Kyra is not only one of our top academic students but also an all-star field hockey player and an aspiring chef. This award is a testament to her hard work and dedication in all her endeavors.
Kyra's exceptional talents and commitment to excellence have consistently distinguished her amongst her peers. Her ability to excel both in the classroom and on the field is truly commendable. Her passion for culinary arts has added a unique flavor to her impressive list of accomplishments.
Receiving the River Fund Scholarship is a significant milestone. It will greatly assist Kyra in the pursuit of her dreams. The support from River Fund Maine will enable her to attend Johnson and Wales, where she can continue to hone her culinary skills and further her education in a field she is deeply passionate about.” says John Eliot.
DISCOVER MORE
Cave Botka
2023 TRFM Scholar
Cave Botka, a graduate of Telstar High School, was awarded The River Fund Maine’s 2023 annual scholarship. Throughout their high school career, Cave was highly involved in a variety of extracurricular activities while also shining in the classroom. They achieved the status of Valedictorian all four years of high school, were selected for the National Honors Society in their junior and senior years, and accumulated multiple other acknowledgements over the years for academic excellence. Yet, what is most special about Cave is their engagement with their community. Born and raised in Bethel, Maine, Cave is vocal about prioritizing their outreach to the community that has given them so much. In the past few years, Janna has volunteered at food pantries, helped out at the community garden, participated in local clean ups, and delivered food for seniors. In their junior year, Cave became a certified nursing assistant and began working at the Norway Center for Health and Rehabilitation caring for elderly residents of the home.
Cave plans to attend Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island to study Chemistry and continue to explore their passion for the ocean and its wildlife. There, they also hope to continue to exercise their creativity through creative writing, a subject they have both enjoyed and excelled at throughout their time at Telstar High School. Congratulations to Cave on their many accomplishments, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavors in Rhode Island and beyond!
Bailey Fraser
2022 TRFM Scholar
Bailey is a Telstar High School Senior, who serves as Co-President of the Class of 2022, Student Council, and Interact. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Bailey plans to enroll in the University of New Hampshire to pursue a degree in communications and the creative arts. Bailey ‘s commitment to the larger community was evidenced by her leadership in honoring two local teachers who found themselves fighting a battle with breast cancer. Leading from the heart, Bailey organized each homeroom at Telstar to sign and write words of encouragement to each teacher. But Bailey didn’t stop with words of encouragement. Being part of the solution, Bailey started a “Pink Shirt” fundraising campaign at Telstar in their honor, and raised funds for The Dempsey Center Cancer Support & Services in Lewiston, Maine.
"Bailey is the perfect example of a well-rounded student and human being. She is always smiling, constantly thinks of others and how she can help and works hard to achieve her goals. We as a school community are so excited that Bailey has been selected as The River Fund Maine scholar this year, she is so deserving and will be a great representative for the fund and our community. Bailey is a leader, but always remains humble at the same time. Bailey is an active participant in our drama department and spends countless hours at Toe Tappin Jazz dancing in her spare time, all while holding a part time job at the Good Food Store in Bethel, Maine. We all wish her nothing but the best next year and beyond!” says Telstar Principal, Mark Kenney.
DYLAN GREENBERG
2021 TRFM Scholar
We are pleased to announce Dylan Thayer Greenberg of Hanover, Maine as the newest recipient of The River Fund Maine Scholarship. Dylan is a Gould Academy senior and will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology in its five-year Engineering Program. Dylan will focus on either cybersecurity or space exploration.
“Dylan is incredibly curious and intellectually tenacious. He is interested in many subjects, and once he becomes engaged with a subject or an idea, he can exhibit incredible persistence about discovering and learning as much as possible about that subject,” says Maggie Davis, Associate Director of College Counseling at Gould Academy. Dylan has exhibited this determination in learning and discovery by working with Gould Academy’s REMUS (Remote Environmental Monitoring Units) Program to pilot remote controlled vehicles with a live camera feed and sensors through Sunday River Resort’s snowmaking system, helping identify blockages and ensuring water intake pipes operate at maximum efficiency.
"Dylan is a bright, humble, curious, and creative individual. We are beyond thrilled for Dylan to receive this recognition and scholarship from The River Fund Maine, and are not surprised, as he is deserving of this award in every regard,” says Tao Smith, Head of School at Gould Academy. Dylan loves the outdoors, and enjoys rock climbing, whitewater and flatwater canoeing, and is an excellent Nordic skier.
LUCI ROTHWELL
2020 TRFM Scholar
Luci Rothwell of Bryant Pond, Maine is The River Fund Maine’s inaugural Scholar. A student leader, athlete and honors graduate of Telstar High School, she is currently enrolled in Husson University’s Five-Year Accelerated Program in Occupational Therapy where she has earned President’s List Honors. Luci’s educational aspirations reflect her Telstar junior year opportunity—shadowing an occupational therapist at Rumford Hospital—and her deep commitment to her local community. Ultimately, Luci plans to return to Western Maine to work in OT at a local hospital.
“Luci Rothwell has been the perfect example of a student athlete leader and friend in her time at Telstar not only to her peers, but the younger students in our district as well,” says Mark Kenney, Telstar principal. “She is a committed and dedicated student who is going to continue to do great things as she heads off to Husson University. I am very proud of her and wish her nothing but the best.”
