PORTLAND — Sen. George J. Mitchell announced the selection of this year’s Mitchell Scholars and shared news of an increase to the scholarships from $5,000 to $6,000 per student.

“Every year I look forward to announcing the naming of the new Mitchell Scholars – one from every public high school in Maine,” said Mitchell. “These are hard-working students from hard-working families, and it is our great pleasure to help them achieve their college dreams.”

Senator Mitchell went on to say, “It is especially exciting to announce that the Board of Directors of the Institute recently approved an increase in the value of the scholarships we award. Beginning with the students just selected, the Mitchell Scholarships will be $6,000. We know that college costs are rising even as family resources are diminishing. This decision to increase the scholarship signals our commitment to Maine’s students, and to the future of this great state.”

One hundred twenty-nine Maine high school students have been chosen as the 2011 Mitchell Scholars by the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute.

Since 2003, KeyBank has provided funding for sixteen Mitchell Scholarships, one for each county in Maine. The KeyBank Mitchell Scholarships are targeted to first-generation college students. The Mitchell Institute has also named the recipients of the Unum – Stephen B. Center Diversity Leadership Awards. These five annual awards seek to encourage those who inspire others to value differences and end discrimination.

For more information about the Mitchell Institute, please visit www.mitchellinstitute.org

Androscoggin County

Luis Pernia-Rovayo, Edward Little High School; Lucas Witham, Leavitt Area High School; Russ Caligiuri Jr., Lewiston High School; Bailey Keating, Lisbon High School (KeyBank Mitchell Scholar); Nicholas Mitchell, Livermore Falls High School; Sara Lacroix, Oak Hill High School; and Tyler Myers, Poland Regional High School.

Cumberland County

Tabitha Waite, Brunswick High School; Tanika Gorham, Gray-New Gloucester High School (Unum – Stephen B. Center Diversity Leadership Award); and Jennifer Cobb, Lake Region High School.

Franklin County

Rose LeBlanc, Jay High School; Wren Tooker, Mount Abram High School (KeyBank Mitchell Scholar); Gwendolyn Beacham, Mount Blue High School; and Sierra Marchacos, Rangeley High School.

Kennebec County

Kara Witherill, Maranacook Community High School; Stephani Knaus-Tucker, Monmouth Academy; and Kelsey Nason, Winthrop High School.

Oxford County

Samantha Jones, Buckfield High School (KeyBank Mitchell Scholar); Hannah Knight, Dirigo High School; Aubrie Howard, Fryeburg Academy; Megean Bourgeois, Mountain Valley High School; Zane Duffany, Oxford Hills High School; Zachary Fyler, Sacopee Valley High School; and Elek Pew, Telstar High School.

Sagadahoc County

Randi London, Mt. Ararat High School.