Luke Labbe, president of PeoplesChoice Credit Union, presented five scholarships to deserving students. From left are Labbe, Jacob Bastarache, Jordan Magiera, Jija Young, Rylee Sawyer, and Taylor Stimpson. SUBMITTED PHOTO

BIDDEFORD — At a recent Member Meeting attended by more than 250 people at the Biddeford High School Theater, PeoplesChoice President Luke Labbe presented five “Maine Merits” scholarships to area high school and college students.

“We are honored to offer support to our younger members as they take the next steps toward success. Congratulations to these five students whom we felt exemplified the Credit Union’s ideology,” Labbe said.

The Maine Merits Scholarship program promotes five key values: Volunteerism, Community, Entrepreneurship, Business Growth and Craftsmanship.

Scholarship recipients include:

• Rylee Sawyer, a $2,000 Ray Gagnon Volunteerism Scholarship presented to a high school senior who in some unique and significant way contributed to his/her school or community through volunteerism. Sawyer is from Parsonsfield and is a senior at Sacopee Valley High School. She has worked diligently in service to others, volunteering countless hours to organize fundraisers, stage charity events and assist with operations in the goal to ending hunger in Maine. She will attend University of Maine Farmington in the fall.

• Taylor Stimpson, a $1,000 Southern Maine Business Growth Scholarship presented to a college student who demonstrated a dedication to future Maine business. Stimpson is from Buxton and is an early childhood education student at SMCC and is seeking to develop an education-based childcare program for infants to toddlers in Southern Maine.

• Jija Young, a $1,000 University of New England Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship presented to a student at the University of New England, involved in development, research and business solutions. Young is from Biddeford and is a senior at UNE. She has focused her efforts on business finance and its application to tackling the problem of Maine’s labor shortage with a nonprofit approach to mentorship and assistance to those looking to overcome obstacles in entering the workforce.

• Jordan Magiera, a $1,000 Community Leadership Scholarship presented to a Maine college-bound high school senior who has demonstrated a dedication to community leadership. Magiera is a senior at Lake Region High School and is looking to continue her passion for volunteerism and service as a junior firefighter and community organizer.

• Jacob Bastarache, a $1,000 Technical and Trade Scholarship presented to a Southern Maine student pursuing further training in a technical field. Bastarache is a senior at York High School and has set his sights on owning and managing his own boatyard in the future. His concentration on maritime mechanics will serve him well at his upcoming time studying at the Landing Boat School in Arundel.