RUMFORD – PACE Local 1-900, the labor union that represents most of the hourly workers in the MeadWestvaco paper mill in Rumford, announces the scholarship program is paying off by allowing the group to present 23 local students with awards to help them further their education in the 2003/2004 school year.

To qualify, the student must be a dependent of a PACE Local 900 member in good standing, or a dependent of a retiree of PACE or UPIU Local 900. Dependents may also include stepchildren and children of one’s significant other who have lived in the same household for a minimum of at least two years.

The student must fill out a short application, relate a little about themselves and their intended enrollment at a college or technical school and write an essay. The student names are removed from the essays, numbered and sent to John Hanson, director of the Bureau of Education in Orono, for grading. When the local receives the returned essays from Hanson and his staff, we match the names back to the numbered essays to determine the winners.

The first place winner of this year’s scholarship award of $1,000 is Alison Kerr, 2003 graduate of Dirigo High School. She is the daughter of Mark Kerr who works in North End Finishing. She plans to attend Bentley Collect in the fall and will major in accounting.

Second place, winning a scholarship of $800, is Cory Stearns, a 2002 graduate of Mountain Valley High School, who is now attending the University of Maine in Orono majoring in wildlife ecology. His father is Daniel Stearns of the maintenance department.

Kristen Allen won the third place award of $700. Kristen is a 2002 graduate of Mountain Valley High School and is now attending the University of Maine in Farmington majoring in early childhood education. Her father is James Allen who works in maintenance.

The remaining 20 applicants, listed in no particular order, will each receive a $500 award for their essay efforts.

Brittany DeMillo graduated from Jay High School with the class of 2003. She plans to attend the University of Southern Maine and her course of study will be business administration. She is the daughter of Antonio DeMillo who works in the pulp mill.

Dustin Frost, son of Kevin Averill from the E&I Department, graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2003. He will be attending the Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., and will be studying air traffic control.

Andrew Dion is a 2002 graduate from Livermore Falls High School. Andrew, the son of David Dion, maintenance, is now attending Maine Maritime Academy studying marine systems engineering.

Gregory Gallant, son of Daniel Gallant, No. 12 Paper Machine, is a 2003 graduate of Mountain Valley High School. His plans are to attend the University of Maine at Orono in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

Also a 2003 graduate of Mountain Valley is Asha Doiron, daughter of Randall Doiron of R15. She will be attending Elmira College in the fall and will be majoring in internal affairs.

Craig Milledge is a graduate of Mountain Valley in 2003 and plans to attend the University of Maine at Orono and studying physical education. Craig’s father is William Milledge from the north end paper machines.

Melissa McPherson is another graduate of Mountain Valley High School in the class of 2003. She is the step-daughter of Roger Richard who works in the North End Finishing Department. She plans to attend the University of Maine in Orono and is undecided at this time what her major study will be. She is interested in natural sciences, forestry and agriculture.

Andrew Labrecque graduated from Mountain Valley High School in 2003. He is the son of Richard Labrecque, maintenance, and will continue his studies at the Sandiego Golf Academy of the Carolinas. He will study professional golf and business management.

Rachel Labrecque is a graduate of 2002 from Mountain Valley and is the daughter of Richard Labrecque. She is attending the University of Maine at Farmington and is majoring in early childhood education.

Katie Chambers is a 2002 graduate of Mountain Valley High School and is studying at Southern Maine Technical College majoring in liberal studies. Her father is Tim Chambers of the maintenance department.

Craig Fergola is also a graduate of 2002 from Mountain Valley. He is the son of David Fergola who works maintenance. He is attending the University of Maine in Orono and is undecided on his major.

Also graduates of Mountain Valley class of 2002 are Trevor and Travis Parent. They are sons of Edgar Parent who works at ETP Utilities. Trevor is attending Norwich University majoring in physical education with minors in biology and coaching. His brother, Travis, is also doing his studies at Norwich University majoring in sports medicine with a minor in biology.

Jill Waterhouse a graduate of Mountain Valley High School, class of 2002, is attending the University of Maine at Orono studying business administration with a concentration in finance. She is the daughter of Joseph Waterhouse in the Utilities/Lime Kiln Department.

Joshua Waterhouse, son of Joseph Waterhouse, graduated from Mountain Valley in 2001. He is attending the University of New Hampshire-Durham majoring in business administration.

Monique Crawford is a graduate of Dirigo High School, class of 2003. She will be attending Susquehanna University and is undecided on a major course of study. Her father is Robert Crawford who works in the pulp mill.

Samantha Averill, graduate from Dirigo High School in 2003, plans on attending Southern Maine Technical College and will major in early childhood education. She is the daughter of Gregory Averill in the maintenance department.

Jada Carter, graduate of Dirigo High School in 2003, is sponsored by Wayne Hewitt, maintenance. Her plans are to attend the University of Maine at Orono and will major in biology.

Nicole Donahue, daughter of Richard Donahue of North End Finishing, is a member of the alumni class of 2001 of Dirigo High School. She is attending the University of Maine in Orono and is majoring in nursing.