MILLINOCKET, Maine — First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, has awarded five Maine high school seniors with college scholarships totaling $32,000. On June 14, company officials celebrated with the students and their families at a special dinner in their honor at River Driver’s restaurant in Millinocket. Two of the five winners, Logan Good and Isaac LaJoie, are college-bound seniors from Presque Isle High School and live near First Wind’s Mars Hill wind project.
“First Wind is proud to invest in these two outstanding Presque Isle students,” said Carol Grant, the company’s senior vice president of external affairs. “Isaac and Logan represent the next generation of leaders in energy and the sciences, and we are honored to play this role in their academic journeys.”
Good was awarded a $3,000 scholarship and will be attending the University of Maine as a mechanical engineering major. LaJoie, who plans to study engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was awarded a cumulative $20,000 scholarship ($5,000-a-year, renewable for four years). He was chosen as a standout applicant from a competitive pool of students from First Wind host communities across the country.
In 2012, First Wind awarded 15 such scholarships across the country. In addition, First Wind provides one cumulative $20,000 scholarship. Students must display strong potential for a successful post-secondary experience, as well as interest in pursuing studies focused on the environment, energy or the sciences.
“Announcing these awards is always a pleasure, but even more so this year as our largest-yet group is full of young people from so many of the communities across Maine that host our operations,” said Grant, noting that First Wind owns and operates four projects in Maine and is building or developing two others.
Good played varsity soccer and basketball, served as the captain for track and field, and was named All-Aroostook athlete and an All-Conference sprinter. He is a volunteer for the Special Olympics and came in second place at the Maine Wind Blade Challenge.
President of the National Honors Society and Student Council, LaJoie was the captain of varsity soccer, hockey and baseball and became the sixth member of the PIHS hockey team’s 100-point club this past winter. He enjoys golfing and playing guitar. LaJoie is also the recipient of the MPA Principal’s Award.
