Bank foundation grants $33,000 in local scholarships

FARMINGTON – Franklin Savings Bank’s Community Development Foundation has awarded $33,000 college scholarships to 12 students.

The scholarships are generally $3,000 each, although Madison Area Memorial High School opted to split the scholarship into two this year. The bank awards the scholarships each year to students from 10 local schools. New this year is a scholarship for Telstar Regional high School.

Franklin County’s 2015 Franklin Scholars are:

• Spruce Mountain High School: Dylan Smith of Livermore Falls, son of Jennifer and Michael Smith. He plans to major in accounting at Thomas College.

• Mt. Blue High School: Victoria Newbill, of Wilton, daughter of Melissa Canty and Crosby Newbill. She plans to major in accounting at Bryant University.

• Mt. Blue High School: Zoe Manning, of Wilton, daughter of Brandi and Laurence Manning. She plans to major in business at Thomas College.

• Rangeley Lakes Regional School: Valerie Roy, of Rangeley, daughter of Isabelle Roy-Lessard and Sebastien Lessard. She plans to major in international studies with minor in marketing or business at Bishop’s University.

• Mt. Abram High School: Draegan Tooker, of Kingfield, son of Sebastian and Mary Tooker. He plans to major in business at the University of Southern Maine.

2015 Franklin Scholars from western Maine are:

• Telstar Regional High School: Anne Elizabeth Cushman of Bryant Pond, daughter of Nancy and Matt Cushman. She plans to major in business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
• Mountain Valley High School: Leah Perry, of Mexico, daughter of Diane and Michael Perry. She plans to major in business management and audio engineering at the University of New Haven.
• Skowhegan High School: Courtney L. Ireland, of Norridgewock, daughter of Catherine Obert and Russell Ireland. She plans to major in accounting at Thomas College.
• Carrabec High School: Adam Poulin, of New Portland, son of Jethro Poulin and Robin Norwood. He plans to major in marketing at Bates College.
• Dirigo High School: Kaine Hutchins, of Dixfield, son of Roy and Michele Hutchins. He plans to major in finance and economics at the University of Maine.
• Madison Area Memorial High School: Jack Money, of Madison, son of Shari Hanover and Christopher Money. He plans to major in business at Champlain College.
• Madison Area Memorial High School: Tristan Emery, of Madison, son of Troy and Kelly Emery. He plans to major in business at Thomas College.

“We are pleased to be able to help this great group of young people. They’ve worked very hard to achieve many great things while in high school. It’s our pleasure to help them pursue their goals for higher education. I’m confident they will continue to succeed,” said Peter Judkins, president and CEO at Franklin Savings Bank.

Scholarships from the Franklin Savings Bank Community Development Foundation were awarded to students who plan to attend a four-year college with studies concentrating in accounting, finance, marketing, management, computer sciences or other business related courses. The graduating seniors were selected as Franklin Scholars based largely on high academic achievement, which alone represented 70 percent of the criteria for scholarship selection. The remaining 30 percent was based on community citizenship, participation in extra-curricular activities, such as athletics, band, school clubs or drama, and financial need.

The bank’s Community Development Foundation grants the scholarships to the schools, which select the student and administer the scholarship.

Franklin Savings Bank’s Community Development Foundation was created in 2000 to support community, economic and educational needs within the communities served by Franklin Savings Bank. To date, the foundation has awarded $542,000 to more than 236 students and is one of the most generous scholarships available in the area.