LEWISTON – Attorney Thomas P. Peters II, as representative of the trustees, is accepting applications for the Alice Austin and Mary Schuman Scholarship Fund.

The trust, in its sixth year, was established in memory of Alice Austin and Mary Schuman, two sisters born in Leeds. They recognized that a fundamental component of good education is highly trained and motivated teachers who encourage their students to excel and to reach their full potential.

The scholarship fund is intended to assist students from the Lewiston-Auburn-Greene area pursuing studies in the field of education. The fund intends to follow the student through his or her four years of college so long as he or she remains committed to teaching and continues in good academic standing as determined by the fund trustees.

The scholarship is expected to be in the range of $2,000 a year. Applicants applying for the first time must meet the following criteria:

A graduating student for Lewiston, Edward Little, St. Dominic Regional or Leavitt Area High School class of 2004.

Three letters of recommendation that address the following: student’s character, academic ability, community service, work history, moral character and financial need. Only one letter may be from an individual in the academic field.

A copy of the student’s transcript for all high school years, attested as accurate and correct by a high school principal or superintendent.

An essay written by the student titled, “Why I Want to be a Teacher.” The essay should be typed, double-spaced on 8 1/2 by 11 paper and not exceed three pages.

A picture of the student taken in the year of graduation.

A signed release (provided in the application packet) allowing for the student’s name and picture to be released by the trustee as a recipient of the Alice Austin and Mary Schuman Scholarship Fund.

Applications have been forwarded to the following high schools for distribution: Lewiston High School, Edward Little High School, St. Dominic Regional High School and Leavitt Area High School. Applicants should see their principals or guidance department for a packet. Deadline for receipt of completed applications is March 30.

Applications are to be forwarded to Alice Austin and Mary Schuman Scholarship Fund, c/o Thomas P. Peters II, Esq. trustee representative, 937 Main St., Lewiston, ME 04240-5154.