Celebrating Student Achievements At HCTC's Annual Awards Ceremony

Hancock County Technical Center held their 16th Annual Awards at Ellsworth High School on Tuesday, May 26th

Here is the the prepared remarks by Bill Tracy, the Principal of HCTC along with the award winners. All the photos are at the end of the remarks.

Good evening, and welcome to our 16th annual Hancock County Technical Center Awards Ceremony. My name is Bill Tracy and I am the Director at HCTC. I am looking forward to recognizing our students and celebrating their impressive accomplishments tonight.

First, I want to take a moment to offer my gratitude to everyone who helped in preparing for this evening. Please hold your applause until the end.

EHS Principal Dan Clifford & Admin Team, who have graciously allowed us to use the auditorium during such a busy time of year.
Thanks to Josh Hendershott from ESD Maintenance & Custodial for setting up the stage.
Chris Duff in our IT department for prepping the sound and lighting and for live streaming tonight’s event.
Chris Popper for attending to take photos and for the continuous media coverage he provides for HCTC.
To our School Board and Administrative Team who continue to understand, support and believe in the opportunities that we provide our students at HCTC.
Administrative Assistant, Liz Conners and Student Services Coordinator, Hope High, who have been working countless hours in preparation of this evening.
Mrs. High will be on the stage tonight, keeping me organized and handing out awards.
Lastly, a HUGE thank you to our HCTC staff who have been there to guide, support, challenge and push these students every day. I am truly blessed to work with each and every one of you.

Our evening will be in two segments:

First, our Career and Technical Education awards
Second, we will be announcing a number of scholarships.

We recognize it’s a busy time of year and some students are unable to attend, but we will be sure to announce each recipient.

We will begin with the National Technical Honor Society: the announcement/induction of the new officers, Community eService Recognition and the Honorary Membership. Please welcome Mrs. Michelle Cote, Health Occupations instructor and NTHS advisor, to the stage.

NTHS

Announcement and Induction of New Officers (Michelle Cote)

NTHS Honorary Membership (Bill Reads)

NTHS Community Service Recognition (Bill Reads)

Good evening, everyone.

Tonight, it is an immense privilege to induct Mike Cummings as an Honorary Member of the National Technical Honor Society. Mike is the backbone of the transportation department at the Ellsworth School Department. For 32 incredible years, he has dedicated himself to our schools. He started in maintenance, transitioned to driving, and now serves as our Head Bus Driver. At HCTC, our students rely on a massive schedule of field trips, internships, and job placements. These schedules change constantly. Yet, no matter how chaotic the logistics get, Mike always adapts. He seamlessly meets our center's needs to ensure our students never miss out on these great, real-world opportunities. If a trip needs organizing, Mike handles it. If an unexpected hurdle arises, Mike makes things happen. His dedication to service runs deep. Before keeping our students safe, he served our country as a United States Marine. He also protected our local community as the former Fire Chief for the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department. Semper Fi, Chief, and thank you, Mike, for 32 years of unwavering service. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

MOLLY SMITH

There are people who talk about community spirit, and then there are people who simply embody it. Tonight, we are here to honor someone who doesn't just show up for our community—she captures its very heart and soul. That person is Molly Smith. If you have spent any time in Ellsworth over the last four years, you have undoubtedly crossed paths with Molly. She is, without a doubt, one of the most dedicated and hard-working individuals seen in her commitment to community service.

On any given day, she is effortlessly juggling the intense demands of cheering, managing her college classes, and holding down a job. Yet, despite that packed schedule, Molly has given endless hours of her time to serve the Ellsworth community. You will almost always see her around with a camera in her hand, capturing our community's most important moments. But let’s be clear: her gift to us isn't just about showing up and snapping a few photos. The real magic happens during the endless, unseen hours behind the scenes—the late nights spent editing and uploading, meticulously preserving the greatest memories of our lives.

What makes Molly truly special is the spirit behind her work. She pours her energy into helping raise money for school groups and supporting others, and she does it all with pure joy. She expects absolutely nothing in return. That rare, selfless leadership has been on full display at Hancock County Technical Center. As the co-president of HCTC NTHS, Molly’s primary goal has always been to make every single experience deeply meaningful for everyone involved. Her dedication extended far beyond our local hallways, taking her to three separate SkillsUSA conferences. There, she freely gave up weeks of her time, taking thousands of pictures to document the achievements of her peers, driven entirely by her passion to serve. Molly, you have given us your time, your talent, and your unwavering commitment. Tonight, we want to say a massive thank you. Your presence has shaped HCTC and SkillsUSA, and to say we will miss you next year is a massive understatement. Thank you for everything, Molly!

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Up next, we will recognize two students who are receiving Project Lead the Way Honor Stoles

Biomedical Honors Stoles

The “Project Lead The Way” Biomedical Science honor stole signifies honor-level achievement in two years of Biomedical Science. Students who have earned this stole have maintained a 3.4 GPA or better for two years, have good attendance, and have earned a "Distinguished" in national testing both years, representing the top 10-15%.

A Senior from BHS: Lindsey Carrier
A Senior from MDIHS: Holden Hanson

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Perfect Attendance

Each year it is a privilege to honor students who have attained perfect attendance for the school year. We work with sending schools to double check attendance numbers, but if we made a mistake and missed a student please see me after the event and we will rectify it. These students were present every day of the 2025-2026 school year. Please help me congratulate the following students:

A Sophomore from EHS, in the Criminal Justice program: Kaden Fountaine
A Junior from EHS, in the Multimedia Program: Chase Lawrence
A Senior from BHS, in the Multimedia Program: Chloe Norwood
A Junior from EHS, in the Automotive Program: Hunter Winslow

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Bridge Academy (1st and 2nd Year Students)

We continue to be fortunate to receive an Early College grant, which brings students from all over Hancock County to Ellsworth High School and HCTC to be a part of the Bridge Academy cohort. These students spend half a day in an HCTC program and half a day at Ellsworth High School taking UMaine System and EMCC college courses in Math, Science, English and Social Studies. These courses allow students to receive both high school and college credits, with some students earning up to 30 college credits before graduation!

The following students are part of our Junior Bridge Academy Cohort:

In Cybersecurity, from Deer Isle Stonington HS: Arihanna Betts
In Biomedical, from Deer Isle Stonington HS: Kennith Cobb
In Health Occupations, from Bucksport HS: Katie Curtis
In Health Occupations, from Ellsworth HS: Belle Fronczak
In Biomedical, from Bucksport HS: Anastasia Gomm
In Health Occupations, from Bucksport HS: Rowen Jergenson
In Biomedical, from Ellsworth HS: Peyton Nelson
In Health Occupations, from Ellsworth HS: Grace Robinson

The following are our graduating Bridge Academy Students:

In Biomedical Science, from DISHS: Natalie Jones
In Biomedical Science, from DISHS: Sierra Larrabee
In Health Occupations, from EHS: Molly Smith
In Biomedical Science, from DISHS: Megan Wendell

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Program Awards

Each year, we are honored to present three awards that instructors choose in each program area.

The first award is the Small Plaque, given to a student with outstanding academic achievement and character. This student is in the first year of a program and will be continuing on into the second year of the program next year.

The next award is the Large Plaque, recognizing a second year student who has completed a two year program and has outstanding academic achievement and character. This student has plans to continue in their field after high school.

And finally, the Program Dedication award is given to a student who has shown outstanding commitment to both their program and to their trade. Their passion for the program goes above and beyond.

First up, I would like to invite Automotive Technology Instructor Richard Jamison to the stage.

Small Plaque: Junior at BHS, Grant Veilleux
Large Plaque: Senior at SMHS, Noor Medarwash
Program Dedication: Senior at EHS, Braden Fenton

Biomedical Science Instructor Sarah Petroulis.

Small: Junior at MDIHS, Kyomi Bierce
Large: Senior at DISHS, Sierra Larrabee
Program Dedication: Senior at BHS, Stella Williams

Business Leadership and Hospitality Instructor Tara Mason.

Small Plaque: Junior at MDIHS, Emery Bench
Large Plaque: Senior at SMHS, Ashlynne Horn
Program Dedication: Junior at SMHS, Abbi Billings

Carpentry Instructor Kit Rivers

Small Plaque: Sophomore at SMHS, Cole Fellis
Large Plaque: Senior at MDIHS, Tyler Alley
Program Dedication: Senior at MDIHS, Rowan Preston-Schreck

Criminal Justice Instructor Allen Smith

Small Plaque: Sophomore at EHS, Kaden Fountaine
Large Plaque: Junior at MDIHS, Lucas Kidder
Program Dedication: Senior at EHS, Ryan Gross

Culinary Arts Instructor Camille Frost

Small Plaque: Sophomore at SMHS, Brooklyn Moore
Large Plaque: Senior at BHS, Ali Seeds
Program Dedication: Senior at DISHS, Gabby Teague

Cybersecurity Instructor Markus Ford

Small Plaque: Junior at DISHS, Arihanna Betts
Large Plaque: Junior at EHS, Lucas Alteri
Program Dedication: Graduating Junior at EHS, Sage Alvelo

Diesel Technology Instructor Andrew Trowbridge

Small Plaque: Junior at BHS, Levi Stratton
Large Plaque: Senior at MDIHS, Alessandro Robledo
Program Dedication: Senior at MDIHS, Donny Craig

Education & Human Services Instructor Alicia Grindle

Small Plaque: Sophomore at EHS, Kiera Crawford
Large Plaque: Senior at BHS, Bri Ames
Program Dedication: Junior at BHS, Camielle Hardie

Health Occupations Instructor Michelle Cote

Small Plaque: Junior at BHS, Rowan Jergenson
Large Plaque: Senior at SMHS, Bekah Perry-Lind
Program Dedication: Senior at EHS, Jenna Moon

Multimedia Design Instructor Jamie Anderson

Small Plaque: Sophomore at REACH, Charlotte Varney
Large Plaque: Senior at MDIHS, Bos Lisy
Program Dedication: Senior at BHS, Chloe Norwood

Welding Technology Instructor Bill Mixer

Small Plaque: Junior at BHS, Hunter Pomeroy
Large Plaque: Senior at BHS, Noah Erickson
Program Dedication: Senior at DISHS, Callie Shahan

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Top Drawer Award

Each year we choose a “Top Drawer” Award. This is given to a student who exudes the types of characteristics that best personify career and technical education. This student is not only at the top of their class and program area but they are also an incredible person. They invested in our school by dedicating themselves to their program and demonstrating, on a daily basis, the characteristics that we want our top career and technical education students to possess. These students also plan to pursue their program areas beyond graduation.

Our recipient this year will be attending Maine Maritime Academy to major in Vessel Operations and Technologies. Please help me congratulate a Senior from EHS in our Diesel Technology program: Lily Alley.

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MACTE Student of the Year

The Final award of the evening is the MACTE Student of the Year Award. This award is given annually to one student at each Career and Technical Center across the state. The award winner must meet the following criteria:

completed a program
have strong attendance
display exemplary behavior
show outstanding academic achievement
model excellence in their program area.

This year’s award winner completed three years in our Culinary Arts program, a senior from EHS who will be attending the Culinary Institute of America to study Baking and Pastry Arts: Anthony Kimball

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Scholarships

We have several significant scholarships to award this evening. I want to say thank you to our generous donors whose contributions support our students in chasing their dreams. Tonight, we announce just under $60,000 in scholarships; A round of applause for all those who make the decision to help our students, financially.

Embark Scholarship: The Maine Community College System and the Embark program will help each Embark Scholarship student matriculate in a program of study at one of the seven Maine community colleges. This scholarship is $500 per semester, up to $1000 for a one-year program and $2000 for a two-year program, for a maximum of four semesters. We are pleased to announce our winners this evening:

Early Childhood Education Senior from Deer Isle Stonington High School who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College for Early Childhood Education: Alexa Hatch

Culinary Arts Senior from Deer Isle Stonington High School who will be attending Southern Maine Community College for Culinary Arts: Gabrielle Teague

Health Occupations Senior from Deer Isle High School who will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College for Nursing: Megan Wendell

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Maine Blue Collar Scholarship: Business leaders in Maine have collaborated to create the Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation as an incentive to individuals to pursue a career in the trades. Scholarships range from $500 - $2500.00. Their mission is to remove barriers for motivated individuals pursuing a career in the trades. They are proud to empower young adults to find a rewarding and lucrative career in the trades. We would like to welcome Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Board Member Evan Chambers to the stage to help present the awards.

We are pleased to announce that a $1500.00 award is being given to an Ellsworth High School Senior who attended the Culinary Arts program. He is attending the Culinary Institute of America, majoring in Baking and Pastry Arts and he received his at the MACTE Student of the Year banquet: Anthony Kimball

We are pleased to announce that a $1500.00 award is being given to a Bucksport High School Senior who attended the Culinary Arts program. She is attending Eastern Maine County Community College in the fall, majoring in Culinary Arts: Ali Seeds.

We are pleased to announce that a $2500.00 award is being given to an Ellsworth High School Senior who attended the Automotive program. He is attending Maine Maritime Academy in the fall, majoring in Marine Engineering Operations: Jovin Pesek.

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Cole Merchant Memorial Scholarship 1 @ $500, 1 @ $250, 1 alumni $250 scholarship

I would like to invite members of Cole’s family up to help us present this award. These scholarships are given in memory of Cole who was a member of our Automotive Technology program. He excelled in his time here at HCTC, taking advantage of every opportunity afforded to him in his program and as a member of the student body. Cole believed that people should laugh more, worry less and be epic! We are hopeful that our students could use this advice in their daily lives.

The recipient of a $500 scholarship is a student from Ellsworth High School who has been part of our Automotive program, who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College to study Automotive Technology: Lily Michaud

The recipient of a $250 scholarship is a student from Mount Desert Island HS who has been part of our Biomedical Science Program and will be attending Wentworth Institute of Technology to study Biological Engineering: Annabelle Dwyer

The recipient of a $250 Alumni scholarship is a graduate from Sumner Memorial HS who was in our Automotive Technology Program. He will be attending Eastern Maine Community College to study Automotive Technology: Jayvyn Preble

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Rotary Club Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Ellsworth acknowledges and respects students who choose to engage in technical education. They recognize the vital role these students play and the positive impact they have on their community. The club is pleased to offer six seniors enrolled at HCTC a scholarship in the amount of $1000.

I would like to invite Rotary Member Gene Pellerano to the stage to help present the scholarships.

The first scholarship is given in honor of William Gardella who was a Maine Judicial Marshal for 18 years at the Hancock County Court in Ellsworth, ME. The main criteria for this scholarship is that the recipient must be studying Law Enforcement after high school.

The recipient is a Criminal Justice Senior from Ellsworth HS: Ryan Gross.

The next four scholarships are the Rotary Club General Excellence scholarships. This year’s recipients are:

Diesel Technology Senior from Ellsworth HS who will be attending Maine Maritime Academy for Vessel Operations and Technology: Lily Alley
Diesel Technology Senior from Deer Isle Stonington High School who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College for Diesel Technology: Oliver Peasley
Automotive Technology Senior from Ellsworth HS who will be attending Maine Maritime Academy for Marine Engineering Operations: Jovin Pesek
Health Occupations Senior from Bucksport HS who will be attending the University of New England for Nursing: Victoria Foster

Last year, the Rotary Club approached us about adding to their already generous number of scholarships with the idea that they wanted to support students who were required to purchase tools to help them complete their training. They saw this as a potential roadblock for students and stepped up to provide a new scholarship that will help cover the cost of purchasing necessary tools for their trade. Tonight we award two HCTC Equipment Scholarships in the amount of $500 each.

We are pleased to announce that the second $500.00 Equipment Scholarship is being given to a Mount Desert Island High School Senior who attended both the Business Leadership and Hospitality and Automotive programs. He is attending Eastern Maine Community College, majoring in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating: Aiden Brent
We are pleased to announce that the first $500.00 Equipment Scholarship is being given to a Sumner Memorial High School Senior who attended the Health Occupations program. She is attending the University of Maine in the fall, majoring in Nursing: Bekah Perry- Lind

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Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Scholarship

I would like to invite to the stage Jackie Sinclair, Bar Harbor Banking and Trust’s Branch Relationship Manager in Ellsworth to help present these scholarships. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is pleased to award scholarships to students graduating from the class of 2026 who have been enrolled in programs at Hancock County Technical Center. Bar Harbor Bank and Trust created the Career & Technical Education Scholarship Awards for deserving students who met the application criteria and had immediate plans to further their education beyond high school.

This scholarship is for $1000.00 and is renewable for an additional $1000.00 in the fall of 2027 with successful completion of your first year of college or your technical program.

Tonight, we are honored to recognize three students who are receiving this award.

Business Leadership and Hospitality student from Sumner Memorial HS, who will be attending Husson University for Psychology: Ashlynne Horn
Biomedical Science student from Deer Isle Stonington HS, who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College for Medical Radiography, Sierra Larrabee
Carpentry student from Ellsworth HS, who will be attending the University of Maine for Pre-Engineering, Joseph McNeill, Jr.

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Tyler Grandmaison Scholarship

We continue to celebrate a strong partnership between Maine’s Career and Technical Education and the MELMAC Education Foundation. We have the opportunity to award a $2,000 scholarship to a senior to be used in their second semester of study at any post-secondary institution.

The award recipient must meet the following criteria:

Be a solid school citizen.
Make a difference in the lives of others in their community.
Make a positive contribution to the school environment.
Exhibit a commitment to public service.
Demonstrate strong academic progress in their program area.
Have the potential to make a difference in the world.

We are pleased to award this scholarship to a Business Leadership & Hospitality student, from SMHS, who will be attending Husson University to study Psychology: Ashlynne Horn

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Franklin Savings Bank:

Please help me welcome Brittaney Shults, Ellsworth Branch Supervisor from Franklin Savings Bank to present this scholarship.

Franklin Savings Bank Community Development Foundation was established in 2000 as a charitable organization to make grants/contributions to organizations and individuals within the communities served by Franklin Savings Bank. Franklin Savings Bank is offering scholarships to seniors from local technical schools, who will be entering 2 or 4 year accredited certification programs or pursuing a degree from technical vocational schools, colleges, or universities. The criteria are: high academic achievement in a desired tech program, community citizenship, participation in extracurricular activities including athletics, band, drama, language club, etc, and financial need.

Receiving the $3,000 Scholarship this year is a Business Leadership and Hospitality Student who will be attending University of Maine majoring in Business and Finance: Joey Bennett

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Jordan Rene’ Merchant Memorial Scholarship

The Jordan René Merchant Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to selected graduating seniors with post-secondary plans to attend a trade/vocational program.

Receiving the first $1,000 scholarship is a Diesel Technology student from Sumner Memorial High School who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College for Diesel Technology: Senric Hanna
Receiving the 2nd $1,000 scholarship is a Diesel Technology student from Deer Isle Stonington High School who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College for Diesel Technology: Oliver Peasley

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Culinary Scholarships

I would like to invite Culinary Arts Instructor, Camille Frost to the stage to award three Janet Day White Memorial Fund Culinary Scholarships.

Senior from EHS, Anthony Kimball
Senior from BHS, Ali Seeds
Senior from DISHS, Gaby Teague

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Hancock County Technical Center Scholarship

This $1000 scholarship is given to a senior matriculating into a 2 or 4 year accredited certification program or pursuing a degree from a technical school, college, or university that is aligned to their program of study at Hancock County Technical Center. The student must have good attendance, outstanding academic achievement and have excelled in their program area.

This year’s HCTC Scholarship goes to a senior from Sumner Memorial High School who will be attending the University of Maine for Nursing: Bekah Perry-Lind

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Bruce M. Sawyer Family Vocational Award for $1000

The award goes to an Ellsworth High School graduate who has completed a vocational course of study at Hancock County Technical Center. The student has demonstrated progressive growth in skills, knowledge, character, maturity, and responsibility in the workplace. The award will be provided at the completion of at least one semester in a post secondary education program.

The recipient is a Health Occupations Senior from Ellsworth High School who will attend Husson University for Marketing Communications: Molly Smith

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Jaxson Marston Memorial Award

I would like to invite Jody King to the stage to help award this scholarship.

This scholarship honors the life and passion of Jaxson Marston, a man who found his purpose in both the woods and the ocean. From a young age, Jaxson pursued his love of hunting and the sea, driven by his family legacy. Jaxson was an avid hunter and made a living on the ocean from a young age. His family was also a priority; Jaxson’s lifelong dream was to have his lobster license and own a boat to provide for his family. This scholarship supports a student with aspiration to carry out their dreams, by starting or continuing lobster fishing, Marine Patrol, Maine guide, Taxidermist, warden Service, or any vocational school program

His family is proud to offer a $1,000 award to a student who like Jaxson, dreams big, works hard, and who will carry their family values forward. They strive to work on the ocean or in the woods or simply work with their hands by having a vocational degree to provide for themselves and their families to carry on the same work ethic and dreams Jaxson had.

The award is going to an SMHS Senior, who will be attending Eastern Maine Community College to study Diesel Technology: Senric Hanna

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At this time I would like to invite Dolly Sullivan, Keely Sullivan and two Silvernail Scholars, Sabrina Newenham and Mercedes Taungatu’a to the stage to present the Silvernail Scholarship.

Congratulations to the Hancock County Technical Center Class of 2025 and to the families and educators who supported you along your journey.

I am proud to be representing the Silvernail Foundation and family to present two $20,000 scholarships to two outstanding HCTC graduates.

This is the third year of the Silvernail Scholars program and we appreciate the work of the school personnel who nominated all the well-deserving students across Hancock County.

A little bit about the Silvernail Foundation.

Founders, Andy and Shelby Silvernail were raised in Bucksport in Hancock County. They were blessed to have mentors, friends, and family that helped them achieve their dreams of building a close family, creating deep relationships, and helping build a better community through values-based leadership. They have invested in Hancock County for more than three decades to pay forward and help others achieve their dreams. They created the Silvernail Foundation to ensure that these investments continue for decades to come.

The Silvernail Foundation believes in helping young people achieve their dreams through equitable access to education and health. The Silvernail Scholarships are awarded annually to up to 10 high school students in Hancock County each year.
Each graduating senior will get a post-secondary education award worth up to $20,000 for their studies. Additionally, each recipient will be invited to a yearly symposium on values-based leadership and how to create prosperous, dependable communities.
The scholarship and leadership program is designed to build skills and prepare students for post-secondary education, thereby removing education barriers for Hancock County students.

These scholarships are evidence of the Silvernail’s commitment to empowering Maine students. Moreover, these scholarships recognize the accomplishments and potential of the recipients. These two students will also be recognized at their respective high schools during their awards ceremony.

I am pleased to announce the 2026 Silvernail Scholar from HCTC is:

Our recipient this year will be attending Maine Maritime Academy to major in Vessel Operations and Technologies. Please help me congratulate a 3rd year Senior from EHS in our Diesel Technology program: Lily Alley.

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Before we go, I want to thank our parents, guardians and family members who have helped shape these students. They would not be who they are without your continued support. We are so grateful that we have had the opportunity to have them as members of our HCTC family.

I want to thank you all for attending. To close out our evening, please give a hand to our amazing students!

Here are the photos from the night