AUBURN – Jenna Nelson became the eighth recipient of the Donald Gay Scholarship at Edward Little High School’s Class Night on May 31 in the auditorium. The award, for $3,000, will be made prior to Nelson’s sophomore year in college. She has been accepted at the University of Southern Maine’s College of Music for the fall.

Nelson’s high school resume more than meets the scholarship criteria requiring “significant contributions to the Edward Little music and/or arts programs.” She was a leader in the concert band as a trombonist, played piano and vibraphone in the jazz band, mallets, snare captain, Winter Drumline, snare, trombone in the marching band, chamber, concert and treble choirs. She was also a member of the National Honor Society her junior and senior years and has been active in the community.

Nelson said, “My aspirations are simple: I plan to be a music teacher, while still performing in the community and still composing. My plan: I will be attending the University of Southern Maine this fall in pursuit of a music education degree.

“I have seen the portrait of Mr. Donald Gay hanging in the EL bandroom and I have heard of the legacy he left as a teacher of the music program at our school. I want to someday be able to give something back to the Auburn community that I’ve taken through the experiences I’ve had.

“Being a part of the music here has meant so much to me, and I want to make sure that students in the future will be able to have the opportunities I’ve had, so that music will continue to be a part of the Auburn community.”

The scholarship honors former Edward Little music director Donald Gay, who led the high school band, choral and orchestral units to a dominant position in Maine and New England from 1944 to 1959.

At age 93, Gay resides with his wife, daughter and son-in-law in Linneus and maintains a continuing interest and involvement in music. Speaking of Nelson during a recent phone call, he commented, “She certainly fits the scholarship criteria, which requires an outstanding commitment to Edward Little’s music/arts programs.”

Since 2001, when the first scholarship was awarded, a total of $15,000 has been granted. Nelson will be the third winner to attend USM.

Financing of the scholarship fund originated with gifts and pledges from members of the EL Class of 1951 and since has been grown by additional ’51 donations as well as those of other classes from the Donald Gay era. A $60,000 grant from the Arthur and Doris Berry Foundation in 2005 further strengthened the fund’s ability to make more meaningful grants in the face of rising college costs.

Individual, corporate or foundation grants may be made by contacting any of the trustees: Malcolm Philbrook, Ralph “Woody” Hodgkins, Virginia Miller, Lois Case, Victor Gould, Alex Dechene, Robert Gardner or the Law Offices of Crockett Philbrook and Crouch, 178 Court St., Auburn 04210; 784-1587.