PORTLAND – A St. Dominic Academy scholar who plans to check psychology and a Cheverus Excessive College scholar who’s eying a profession in medication are this yr’s winners of the Lila Grace Sullivan Amirault Scholarships, every receiving $5,000 to place towards faculty tuition.
“It’s very thrilling. It’s superior,” mentioned Michael Moseley, a senior at Cheverus Excessive College in Portland.
“It’s simply an enormous burden off my shoulders and likewise my dad and mom’ shoulders,” mentioned Patrick Manson, a senior at St/ Dominic Academy in Auburn.
The Lila Grace Sullivan Amirault Scholarship Fund was established with the Catholic Basis of Maine in 2013 by Patrick Amirault, now deceased. Amirault wished to create an enduring tribute to his spouse, Lila, and to point out his gratitude for the care and training he obtained at a Catholic college in Massachusetts, the place he grew up as one in all 9 youngsters in a poor household. To be eligible for the scholarship, a Catholic highschool senior have to be accepted at an accredited faculty or college and should plan on working whereas in faculty.
Lecturers and counselors at St. Dom’s and Cheverus say this yr’s winners are well-deserving.
“A accountable younger man, Patrick is considerate, caring, and has proven on numerous events a willingness to assist others. He doesn’t hesitate,” mentioned Anne Pontbriand, a theology trainer at St. Dom’s.
“Michael is a mannequin citizen. He’s respectful, type, and courteous,” mentioned Paul Johnson, a arithmetic trainer at Cheverus. “He’s the proper mixture of scholar and citizen – as well-rounded as they arrive.”
Each college students have been energetic members of their college and native communities. Each are avid swimmers and lifeguards. Each volunteered at church Trip Bible Faculties. And each are members of their college Key Golf equipment, with Patrick serving as vice-president of the one at St. Dom’s. The Key Golf equipment have interaction in numerous charitable actions, most particularly turkey drives at Thanksgiving.
“I did the turkey drive every year, which is superior, particularly once you’re a senior, since you get to deliver the turkeys to individuals,” mentioned Michael.
“It was a really cool factor to do and was very eye-opening, too, simply seeing individuals from totally different walks of life who don’t have the identical privileges that I do however are nonetheless capable of finding hope,” mentioned Patrick.
Patrick, who has attended St. Dom’s since pre-kindergarten, additionally performed the title function on this yr’s Drama Membership manufacturing of “Aladdin,” took on the a part of Jesus a couple of years in the past within the college’s Lenten presentation of the Residing Stations of the Cross, and is among the college’s assistant chaplains, serving to to arrange the altar servers for college Lots and to plan retreats.
“We do a whole lot of retreats, and people have at all times been a favourite factor of mine to do, as a result of I do know nearly everybody within the college,” he mentioned. “I do know everyone, so it’s superior to go on the retreats and see how everybody has grown. It’s only a actually cool factor to observe the scholars bond, watch them be taught.”
Michael says he has additionally loved the retreats at Cheverus and, like Patrick, helped plan his college’s freshman retreat.
“As a result of I appreciated the freshman retreat a lot after I did it, I wished to guide it,” he mentioned. “I feel it’s only a good expertise, attending to know individuals, after which, the reflective time is sweet as properly, as a result of it type of forces you to be reflective, quite than making an attempt to do it once you’re going by means of your day.”
Michael additionally performs the piano, together with at All Saints Church in Ogunquit, and he’s learning the organ, having gained a scholarship from the Younger Organist Collaborative. He additionally has served as a greeter at church, has helped out at Knights of Columbus occasions and on the free Matthew 25:35 meals placed on month-to-month in Sanford by youth ministry members, and has volunteered at York Hospital.
Michael plans to attend Loyola College Maryland within the fall and to pursue a profession in medication, though he’s unsure which discipline but.
“Medical doctors and nurses are fueled by a vast thirst to assist individuals, which I’ve heard Jesus proclaim ever Sunday for the previous 18 years,” he mentioned.
Wanting to assist individuals fighting psychological sickness, Patrick plans to pursue a level in psychology at St. Michael’s School in Vermont.
“I really feel referred to as to assist these fighting psychological sickness. Greater than ever, persons are coping with inescapable ache rising from their minds and hearts. I need to be a counselor for these individuals,” he mentioned. “I consider my deep empathy, compassion, and robust work ethic will finally lead me to this aim.”
Because of the Amirault Scholarship Fund, each younger males are a little bit nearer to carrying out their objectives.If you want to be taught extra about how one can create an enduring legacy just like the one left by Patrick Amirault, please contact Elizabeth Badger, government director of the Catholic Basis of Maine, at [email protected] or 207-321-7820. You can too go to www.catholicfoundationmaine.
