Mitchell Institute 30th Anniversary Gala Celebrates 30 Years of Supporting Maine Students The evening also showcased the voices of Mitchell Scholars across generations. Emcees Christina Lemieux, a 1995 Scholar from Washington Academy, and Andy Estrada, a 2008 Scholar from Hall-Dale High School, reflected on how the Mitchell Scholarship helped shape their careers and lifelong commitments to service. Keynote speaker Deklin Fitzgerald, a 2022 Scholar from Oceanside High School and current senior at the University of Southern Maine, shared a moving story about perseverance and the lifeline of support he found in the Mitchell community. His remarks captured the resilience and aspiration that define the Scholar experience.
As President and CEO, Jared Cash noted, “We are proof of what happens when a powerful vision endures. For thirty years, this has been a place where aspirations take root and grow into something bigger than any one of us.”
Senator George J. Mitchell also addressed attendees by video, inspiring the audience with a reflection on the kindness that changed the course of his own life. He shared the story of a local businessman who, though he hardly knew him, helped him gain admission to Bowdoin College and set him on the path that would shape his future. “You can be that community for these young people,” Mitchell said. His story has long shaped the guiding tenet of the Institute’s mission: “No student should be guaranteed success, but every student should have a fair chance to succeed—to go as high and as far as their talent, willingness to work, and willingness to take risks will carry them.”
The Mitchell Institute’s 30th Anniversary Gala underscored how powerfully that vision has grown—and why it remains essential to Maine’s future. See additional coverage from WMTW: “The Mitchell Institute celebrates 30 years of supporting Maine students.”
More photos from the Gala are available courtesy of Doug Hitchcox, Rene Roy, Lauren Benton, and Brewster Burns.
The mission behind every milestone
For 30 years, the Mitchell Institute has helped Maine students overcome barriers to higher education. By providing financial support, personal guidance, and a lifelong network, the Institute empowers Mitchell Scholars to graduate, build meaningful careers, and strengthen Maine’s communities and workforce through their success and leadership. Learn more.