BELFAST — Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) announces four Waldo County scholarship recipients for the 2024/2025 school year.

The four scholarships of up to $2,000 each, went to Waldo County high school seniors pursuing secondary education with a preference given to students studying in fields related to building trades, education, early childhood education, child development, social work or human services.

“Our goal is to increase equitable access to educational opportunities, while bolstering the future workforce in fields where nonprofits like Waldo CAP need educated and skilled workforce to support our mission and improve our communities,” said WCAP President and CEO Donna Kelley, in a news release.

This year’s scholarship winners include:

Sophia Birocco intends to pursue studies in Early Childhood Education in the fall. She graduated from Belfast Area High School and says she has a passion for working with children and teaching. She has worked as a camp counselor and lifeguard for the Waldo County YMCA. She played softball and tennis and was on the swim team for her high school and has participated in community beautification projects in both Belfast and Bangor.

Nevyn Harvey will attend the University of Maine in Farmington in the fall, majoring in Secondary Education. She graduated from Belfast Area High School. She has worked with her dad painting, assisted neighbors with gardening and yard projects, and as a kitchen assistant at Magnolia Assisted Living. She participated in numerous clubs and organizations in her school, as well as being a member of the National Honors Society and one of five girls selected to participate in Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. She played tennis and was on the cheer team at BAHS. Nevyn also has been a tutor and a mentor for her peers and assisted with various community events.

Jayden Langlois plans to study nursing in the fall. She is a graduate of Belfast Area High School and has worked locally in the hospitality industry at the Homeport Tavern and Bell the Cat. Jayden is a member of the National Honors Society and has participated in the Can We? Project and Maine Youth Action Network. She was part of an After School Marine Biology group and participated in an occupational internship with the school district’s occupational therapists. In her community, Jayden has assisted at events such as Breakfast with Santa at the Shrine Club and as event set-up at school functions.

Emily Mello plans to pursue education as a radiology technician at Kennebec Valley Community College. She graduated from Searsport District High School where she participated in student council and was on the prom committee. She has worked in the community offering car detailing and Door Dashing, and also on a lobster boat as a sternman, and as a sales associate at Out on a Whimsy. Emily played basketball and soccer for her high school and participated in numerous community events including volunteering at a nursing care facility. She also volunteered on projects involving physical and environmental improvements in the community.

The scholarships are disbursed in $1,000 increments for two semesters during the student’s first year of college. Recipients must submit a transcript of a completed first semester where the student demonstrates a GPA of 2.5 or better for WCAP to release the first disbursement and for the student to remain eligible for a second disbursement after successful completion of their next semester.

Eligibility for the scholarship includes academic components as well as residency requirements. Additionally, students applying for the scholarship are expected to demonstrate involvement in their high school and community.

“We are specifically looking for community-minded individuals with leadership qualities,” said Kelley. “Involvement in their high school and communities, shows a commitment to people and community, and that is what Waldo CAP is all about. It is important we foster the development of those qualities in students from diverse backgrounds who are our potential future leaders in the community.”

For more information about WCAP’s scholarship opportunities, please contact Waldo Community Action Partners 207-338-6809 by email at info@waldocap.org. Scholarship applications open up each spring for the following school year.

About WCAP: Waldo Community Action Partners is a charitable, educational, 501(c)(3) private non-profit organization located in Belfast, Maine. It is designed to utilize and mobilize public and private resources to assist low-income Waldo County residents in the alleviation of poverty and address its underlying causes. For additional information, please visit www.waldocap.org.