AUBURN — Lamey-Wellehan has provided a four-year scholarship annually for over 20 years. The Maine Difference Scholarship is awarded to a Maine student committed to Maine’s economy and/or environment as their chosen area of study at a Maine college or university.

The scholarship, which was recognized by FAME as a winner of the “2013 Education at Work for Maine” award, is a means of moving Maine in the right direction.

This year, instead of one Maine student, Lamey Wellehan is funding three. Scholarship winners receive $1,000 toward their education, renewable for up to four years.

“We are no longer spending money to buy one-time use paper or plastic bags,” said Jim Wellehan, company president. “We can use that money to help our young people committed to making Maine the best it can be. Maine consumers currently use some $8 million worth of plastic and paper POS packaging, and support the stores purchase of these one use items economically.” Jim asks, “Wouldn’t we all be better off if we used that money to educate our young people?”

This year’s winners are Fadumo Musse, a Lewiston High School student from Lewiston who will study chemical engineering and economics at the University of Maine in Orono; Blake Dyer from Sebec, a Foxcroft Academy student who will study biochemistry at the University of Maine in Orono; and Brigitte Parady from Trenton, who attended Mount Desert Island High School, and will study civil engineering at the University of Maine in Orono.

Each brought unique circumstances, hard work and a great desire to make Maine a better place. The variety of strong applicants was incredible, and there were many more needs that could be met by this scholarship, even when expanded. This year, the exceptional group of finalists was awarded a $100 Lamey-Wellehan gift card to get them off on the right foot.