AUGUSTA – Rep. Elaine Makas (D-Lewiston) recently announced the first recipient of the Daniel Cunningham Memorial Scholarship, which was presented to a student during Class Night at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

The scholarship was established in honor of Sgt. Daniel F. Cunningham Jr., a 1988 graduate of the school, who died in Iraq in April 2003 while serving in the U.S. Army.

“It is a wonderful thing to see the community coming together, both to pay tribute to the memory our own local hero,” said Makas, “and to acknowledge the accomplishments and share in the future of another shining star. The Cunningham family has done something truly remarkable – they have transformed their grief and loss into a gift of hope.”

Nancy Cunningham, Sgt. Cunningham’s mother, and Kevin Cunningham, his brother, both Lewiston residents, presented the scholarship to Rachel Holden, a South Paris resident.

Holden graduated in the top 5 percent of her class. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the math team and was involved in community service during her high school years. Holden will attend the University of Maine in Orono in the fall as a liberal arts major.

Holden said the scholarship came as “a complete surprise,” and she considered it “a huge honor to be presented this award.”

Holden and the Cunninghams were given a standing ovation by the graduating students and their families and friends.

When asked later to describe the event, Holden said, “There simply aren’t words to explain how amazing it was.”

Makas joined in the ceremony at the request of the Cunningham family. During the last legislative session, Makas presented the Cunninghams with a sentiment co-sponsored by the Maine Legislature, honoring Sgt. Cunningham and the family.