Eight students receive NewPage mill engineering scholarships

RUMFORD – Eight seniors from five local-area high schools have been awarded a total of $16,000 in NewPage Rumford Mill Engineering Scholarships.

Applicants were selected based on acceptance into an engineering program in power, electrical, mechanical, chemical or pulp and paper at a 4-year accredited university or college of choice, a written essay, “Why I Chose to Pursue a Career in Engineering,” as well as their community service, leadership, and extra-curricular participation throughout their high school career.

The Rumford Mill is pleased to announce the following high school graduates have been selected to receive $2,000 in scholarship funding:

Kara Zadakis, Telstar Regional High School, daughter of Joseph and Robin Zadakis, will attend the University of Maine at Orono. Kara became interested in engineering in high school while learning the aspects of chemistry and physics, enabling her to build and create through experimentation. Kara established herself as the class valedictorian and was actively engaged in supporting her class as its co-president. As a member of the National Honor Society, she helped raise funds for the Romanian Children’s Relief Fund and for homeless shelters. She was a member of the Freshman Awareness Committee and enjoyed mentoring students at Woodstock Elementary School. Kara was a member of Telstar’s Future Business Leaders of America Club and co-directed several drama performances.

Jordan Theriault, Mountain Valley High School, son of Valarie Theriault and Peter Theriault, will attend the University of Maine at Orono to study mechanical engineering. Jordan is also the recipient of a UMO Pulp and Paper Scholarship, awarded by the Maine Pulp & Paper Association. Being able to create more efficient and effective designs and always facing new challenges entices him to pursue the field of engineering. His community service includes over 5 years with the Trek Across Maine, both as a rider and as a rest stop volunteer, a weekly nursing home volunteer visitor as a member of the National Honor Society, and as a snowboard instructor at Black Mountain of Maine. Jordan was captain of the soccer, cross country ski, and lacrosse teams his senior year, and especially enjoyed sharing his love of each sport with participating exchange students.

Carl Zurhorst, Mountain Valley High School, son of Craig and Mary Zurhorst, will attend the George Washington University, in Washington, DC where he will study mechanical engineering. Carl was introduced to engineering at the higher level while attending the Consider Engineering camp held at UMO last summer, where his interest in building and creating models and inventing devices since childhood confirmed engineering would be his career of choice. Active as senior class president, Carl was also a member of the National Honor Society, counselor for youth through the River Valley Rotary Interact, and actively fundraised in support of Black Mountain of Maine. A very diverse individual, Carl participated on the soccer, nordic and alpine ski teams and spring musicals annually, bringing home honors both individually and as a team member. His life long interest and commitment to music, dance, and theatre at Mountain Valley and with the Boston City Dance Troupe has led him to various competitions and community performance opportunities both locally, professionally, and abroad.

Nicholas Crutchfield, Dirigo High School, son of Dave & Kathy Crutchfield, will study power engineering at Maine Martime Academy. A life long journey of trying to improve mechanical devices to be better, faster, stronger, and more reliable helped Nicholas decide engineering was in his future. His leadership skills were practiced on the athletic fields for track, baseball, basketball and football, where he was captain of the offensive team, leading his team to a State championship in 2009. His talent on the football field earned him position as a Fitzpatrick Finalist and as McDonald’s All-star Team Player of the Tournament. He extended his ability to lead into his community, independently choosing to be a Big Brother to a child with special needs. Nick was involved with NHS events that served the elderly and the Red Cross, and enjoys volunteering for Dixfield’s annual Haunted Walk.

Eli Dolloff, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, son of Mark & Barbara Dolloff, will study electrical engineering at Old Dominion University in Virginia. Eli’s interest in engineering began with creating with Legos whatever held his interest and broadened through computer technology and pre-engineering courses later on. Eli was an active member in the Key Club, an organization dedicated to serving others and with Area Youth Sports programs as a mentor and referee. His leadership skills in the classroom helped his team earn gold at the Skills USA State competition and the opportunity to compete nationally in the category of mecha-tronics this summer. Athletically he enjoyed baseball, basketball and was a leader on the sports field as captain of the 2009 football team. Eli owns and operates a DJ business and an internet web design business and has volunteered his services to various school fundraising events.

Kelton Cullenberg, Mt. Blue High School, son of Arvid & Kelley Cullenberg, will attend the University of Maine at Orono for mechanical engineering. His interest in engineering is inspired by math and science courses throughout his school career and the desire to create and develop ideas that could positively impact someone’s life. Kelton has extensive interests in music and athletics. He has performed at Disney World as part of the Mt. Blue Voices as well as at the State House, enjoys being a member of the schools spring musicals and the Mt. Blue Curtain Risers as an improv entertainer. As captain of the cross country running team, nordic ski team, and track and field team, he led his team to conference and State championships. As volunteer, he was the events coordinator for the National Honor Society, helped clear cross country trails, raise cancer awareness, and worked with youth for the Farmington Recreational department as a coach/mentor.

Jared Foster, Mt. Blue High School, son of Vicki and Peter Foster, will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York to study mechanical engineering. The choice to pursue a career involving mechanical engineering has been a life long journey for Jared – beginning as a youth competing in Lego robotic competitions, and later, while taking pre-engineering courses in high school. Jared looks forward to improving the efficiency of systems involving machinery and robotics. Jared has captained the soccer, alpine ski, and outdoor track teams, and is a three time state championship in skiing and was selected to KVAC all conference teams in all three sports. He volunteers his time with the Town of Farmington annual haunted house, tutoring elementary students, and judging at Lego competitions. He is a member of the cello orchestra and enjoys constructing 3D art work.

Nicholas Hart, Mt. Blue High School, son of Neil & Kellee Hart, will attend the University of Maine at Orono for chemical engineering. Bill Nye, Spiderman, Peter Parker, and his middle school teachers got Nicholas hooked on science, honors chemistry intrigued him further, and while attending the UMO Consider Engineering camp last summer, Nicholas confirmed he would purse chemical engineering as a career choice. Nicholas enjoys sharing his time with the area youth as a coach and role model of both basketball and soccer for the Farmington Recreational Department. As a member of the National Honor Society he volunteered at Special Olympic events and assisted with acclimating Freshman students at the high school. He cofounded the Mt. Blue Curtain Risers film crew and, athletically, was a member of the soccer and track teams.