Press Releases

MEIA Education Foundation Announces 9 Scholarship Awards

5/8/2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact information: Rauni Kew 207-602-8500 Greg Dugal, Executive Director Maine Innkeepers Association (207) 865-6100 Maine Innkeepers Association Education Foundation Announces 9 Maine Students Will Receive Scholarships at Eighth Annual Tees & Textbooks Event Freeport, ME – May 8, 2012 – The Maine Innkeepers Education Foundation, affiliated with the Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA) will present nine Maine students with hospitality scholarships at the eighth annual Tees & Textbooks event June 4th and 5th, , 2012, announced Greg Dugal, Executive Director at MEIA. The Scholarship Dinner will take place at the Senator Inn and SPA in Augusta, at 5:30pm on Monday June 4, followed by scholarship presentations and later, the comedy entertainment of Tony V. The 18th annual Maine Innkeepers Association Hospitality Golf classic will begin at 9:00AM Tuesday June 5th, at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club. 249 Maine students have been awarded over $157,800 since the scholarship program began in 1984. The program was designed to inspire Maine students pursuing hospitality careers. This year the following nine students will be presented with sponsored scholarships totally $8200: • Sierra Warner, of Northport. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL Charles Samelson Award ($1000 award) Sponsored by Dirigo Stitching and Harry Samelson. • Jordan Handy, of Lewiston. Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY Ed Langlois Award ($500 award) Sponsored by Sebasco Harbor Resort. • Laura Brown, of West Poland. Husson University, Bangor, ME Women in Hospitality Award ($2500 award) Sponsored by Nancy Gray, Maureen McQuade, Kathryn Weare, Jean Ginn Marvin and Marian Burns. • Alexander Proach, of Moody. University of New England, Biddeford, ME Maine Innkeepers Memorial Award in Memory of Ray Weymouth ($600 Award) Sponsored by Employees at the Best Western Waterville Plus Hotel. • Hailee Carter, of Otis. Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH Jedediah Scott Award ($1000 Award) Sponsored by Peter Daigle of Lafayette Hotels. • Lee Kitchen, of Rockport. New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier, VT Dennis Johnston Award ($500 Award) Sponsored by Colonial Surveying. • Darren Veilleux, of Winslow. Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI John “Jack” Gibbons Award ($600 Award) Sponsored by Fisherman’s Wharf. • Dylan Bouchard, of Greenville. University of Maine, Orono, ME Harold Nelson & Irving Small Award ($500 Award) Sponsored by Nelson & Small Inc • Belinda Place, of Morrill. Thomas College, Waterville, ME Ed and Fay Carpenter Award ($1000 Award) Sponsored by Friends and Family Members and Carrabasset Coffee. “Hospitality represents a great economic driver for the state, and offers Maine residents a variety of good career paths,” stated Dugal. “Members of our industry remain committed to offering support to these fine Maine students, and we hope many of them will remain in the state to pursue careers in hospitality, “said Dugal. Scholarship presentations will be made at 7:45 PM, at the Senator In and SPA after cocktails and dinner, sponsored by Sysco of Northern New England, Turner Barker Insurance and Daigle Commercial Properties. Tickets are available for $55 per person and all proceeds benefit the Maine Innkeeper’s Association Education Foundation, a 501c3 charity. For more information, please call Jennifer Parlin at 207-865-6100 or jennifer@maineinns.com. Scholarships are awarded after review by a selection committee who consider scholastic records, financial need, extracurricular activities and a desire to work in hospitality to Maine students enrolled at fully accredited schools with specialties in culinary arts or hotel administration. This includes hospitality schools in the State University System, private Universities or Colleges, and Maine Community College Systems. Non- hospitality awards may also be available to employees and their families or family members of innkeepers. About the Maine Innkeepers Association The Maine Innkeepers Association, a leading provider of tourism information to both Maine’s lodging industry and its visitors, represents nearly 700 B&Bs, camps, cottages, hotels, inns, motels and resorts across Maine, and their suppliers. Through communication, education, promotion and government affairs, the Association helps its members achieve prosperity and deliver a quality product to the consumer. Maine Innkeepers Association is located in Freeport, ME and can also be found at www.maineinns.com ###