Riverton Elementary School recognized aspirational program

Riverton Elementary School is one of 12 Maine elementary schools recognized by Maine College Circle and the Perloff Foundation for leadership in raising students’ aspirations. The nonprofits have supported such work in Maine elementary and middle schools since 1992.

Seven years ago, Riverton teamed up with cPort Credit Union and Maine College Circle to begin a program where third through fifth graders learn about college and how it can help them achieve their career goals. As part of the program, students write essays about the colleges that they want to attend and why. Students in each grade win college scholarships based on the essays.

“These schools, their parents and their communities stand out to us as leading the way in building aspirations,” said Bob Stuart, director of Maine College Circle.

Local students make deans’ lists

Choate Rosemary Hall

Thomas Danielewski

University of Maine Farmington

Laura Cowie, Cathryn Cunningham, Michael Diffin, Leanne Fasulo, Benjamin Frost, Lorraine Jabine, Casey Mull, Emily Rice and Christine Stevens.

University of Southern Maine

Paul Beaver, Nicholas Bennett, Natasa Bezbradica, Sydney Bourke, Deborah Boyajian, Ruth Brasier, Christopher Climo, Aaron Dallaire, Katie Dott, Theodore Fabian-Smith, Daniel Fargo, Jessica Farrington, Joseph Ferri, Heidi Gage, Wesley Gilbert, Tetiana Glebkivska, Joy Grandbois-Gallup, Jennifer Hall, Lorraine Harmon, Lida Holst, Samuel Howard, Jay Huber, Megan Hutcherson, Valerie Kazarian, Solange Kellermann, Christopher Kilfoil, Tara Laverdiere, Daniel Leaver, Abdirizak Mahamoud, Abby Martin, Margo McIntosh, James Melanson, Erika Mikulanecz, Arland Mornhinweg, Kelly Norris, Casey Olesen, Jennifer Pease, Jodi Peloquin, Colin Pershouse, Marybeth Pierce, Jules Purnell, Cara Ragucci, Galen Richmond, Philip Rotolo, Catherine Rust, Cecilia Smith, Leticia Smith, Jessica Snow, Mary Swann, Allison Taylor, Jason Tuttle, Richard Urban and Qamar Yousaf.