The Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs/Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs jointly sponsored a statewide scholarship contest focused on raising awareness of elder abuse in Maine. Students applying for the scholarship were asked to respond to the following question: What is elder abuse and what does it mean to you?

Essays were received from nearly all of Maine’s 16 counties. The winner in each county was eligible to compete for the statewide award. The winner and runner up in the statewide contest will be announced on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

If you want to learn more about how you can help prevent elder abuse or you need help stopping abuse visit www.elderabuseprevention.info.

The entries from Oxford and Androscoggin counties follow, below.