LEWISTON – The Lewiston High School Music Association has announced the recipients of the 2008 Laure Champagne Memorial Scholarship.

Stephanye Doucette, daughter of Michael and Rachel Doucette of 21 Stewart St., was named the scholarship winner and received a $300 cash award. Michele Fortier, daughter of Bernard and Pauline Fortier of 29 Martin Dr., was chosen as runner-up. She received a $200 cash award.

A scholarship committee named Doucette and Fortier the recipients based on their essays, “What Music/Guard Means to Me.”

Fortier and Doucette were recognized recently at the annual Performing Arts Awards Night held at Lewiston High School.

The music association established the Champagne scholarship in 1996 in memory of Laure Champagne, a dedicated member of the LHS Marching Band who died at age 16 of cancer. The scholarship is open to any graduating senior who has participated in the band, vocal music, strings or color guard program during his/her high school career.

The association also awarded more than $4,800 in scholarships for music students at Lewiston High School. The scholarships may be used for any music-related activity, including music lessons, instrument repair or purchase or music camp.

Receiving scholarships were freshmen James Aldrich, Meghann Bilodeau, Justin Fortier and Jordan Handy; sophomore Ruth Choate; juniors Kiani Camire and Raymond Goulet; and seniors Michele Fortier, Rachel Larkin, Logan Lessard and Kimberly Roy.

The association is made up of parents and friends of music students at LHS. The organization’s purpose is to support the vocal and instrumental music programs at the high school with a focus on helping music students look and sound good.

Thanks largely to its weekly bingo operation at the Pleasant Street Bingo Hall, the organization over the years has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been used to support music programs and students at the high school.