PORTLAND
Scholarship applications being accepted
Applications are being accepted for the 2022 Lila Grace Amirault Scholarships that are open to any Maine Catholic high school senior student.
The scholarship fund was established in 2013 by Patrick Amirault through the Catholic Foundation of Maine in memory of his late wife Lila and in honor of his Catholic education.
To view an application and scholarship requirements, go to portlanddiocese.org/sites/default/files/files/Amirault2022.pdf.
The deadline to submit applications is Feb. 18.
For more details, go to catholicfoundationmaine.org.
Jack McDevitt of Wells poses with his prize-winning rabbit, Hey Jude, that placed first nationwide in the youth division at the 98th Annual American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention in Louisville, Ky., last November. Photo courtesy Reg Bennett
WELLS
WJHS student’s rabbit receives high honor in national competition
Wells Junior High School seventh-grader Jack McDevitt’s interest in raising rabbits is tying in with his school studies, while winning him some awards at the national level.
McDevitt, a member of 4-H, also helps to raise pigs and goats at his family’s farm in Wells, but his area of interest is in raising show rabbits to be judged at events such as area fairs. He’s been raising rabbits for four years now, learning much about rabbit breeding and genetics.
Last November, McDevitt and his parents, Amylynn and Tom McDevitt, traveled to Kentucky along with five of his rabbits (of various breeds) to attend the 98th Annual American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention, held at the Kentucky Expo Center at Louisville. Jack’s rabbits were featured among 9,000 exhibiters and 16,000 thousand rabbits from around the nation and other countries, including Great Britain.
While three of Jack’s rabbits received various awards at the convention, one rabbit in particular, named Hey Jude, won the first place blue ribbon for “Best of Variety” among the white and ruby-eyed rabbits shown in the youth category of competition.
“It’s a very big deal,” said Jack. “So, the fact I have the best rabbit of its color in the country, for the youth members, is a great honor.”
Wells Junior High School science teacher Rebecca Carbin said that Jack has a genuine interest in science and a true knack for it too. “No matter what project or assignment (Jack) is tasked with, he puts forth a tremendous amount of effort, showcasing his proficiency and depth of understanding,” Carbin noted.
In the spring, Carbin’s students will cover the topics of genetics and heredity as part of their studies.
“Students will learn how you can follow and predict traits that get passed from parents to offspring,” said Carbin. “Jack has had firsthand experience with these topics through his work with his rabbits. I can’t wait for him to share his expertise.”
BRUNSWICK
Parish seeks donations for ‘Warm Thy Neighbor’ campaign
Parishioners and community members are being asked to pitch in to help local residents stay warm through during cold winter months through the “Warm Thy Neighbor” campaign, being held this Saturday and Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Church at 132 McKeen St. and at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant St.
The special collection will be held in the churches’ narthexes and via mailed-in donations to help those in need of assistance in paying their heating bills. Monetary donations via cash or checks can be left in the specially marked collection baskets following Mass. Checks should be made out to All Saints Parish with “Warm Thy Neighbor” in the subject line. Mailed checks should be sent to: All Saints Parish, 144 Lincoln St., Bath, ME 04530.
Donations will be forwarded to Tedford Housing where the delivery of fuel to those in need is organized.
For more details, call the parish office at 725-2624.
PORTLAND/ELLSWORTH
New scholarship will support LGBTQ+ youth, allies
A new scholarship at the Maine Community Foundation will support LGBTQ+ youth and allies in pursuit of post-secondary studies. The Parsons Scholarship Fund for LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies honors the late Betsy Parsons, a longtime Portland teacher and a fierce advocate of LGBTQ+ rights.
Parsons received several awards for her teaching and LGBTQ+ advocacy. In 2019, she was recognized with a legislative sentiment by the state Legislature for her leadership in making schools safe for students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Parsons Scholarship Fund for LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies provides support for LGBTQ+ graduating seniors and their allies (also graduating seniors) at Maine high schools in their pursuit of post-secondary study.
Maine graduating high-school seniors of any gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the scholarship, visit mainecf.org or contact Liz Fickett, MaineCF director of grants and scholarships, at lfickett@mainecf.org.
PORTLAND
Grant will help newly arrived immigrants
Catholic Charities Maine has received a $12,000 grant from the Invest in Maine Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support newly arriving immigrants who are resettling in Maine.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Maine Community Foundation for their longstanding support and for this funding, which comes at a crucial time for our Refugee and Immigration Services Program (RIS),” said Julie Allaire, chief strategy and business development officer at CCM. “As of fall 2021, we have been actively resettling new Mainers through the Afghan Placement and Assistance Program (APA). We are also working with Cuban and Haitian entrants, and many others.”
In 2021, CCM resettled 220 refugees and immigrants. This included 88 Afghans, 65 people from Haiti, and an additional 67 refugees and immigrants from other parts of the world.
To learn more, please visit ccmaine.org or call (800) 781-8550.
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