The Maine Society of Professional Engineers
Vernon T. Swain, P. E. / Robert E. Chute, P. E. Scholarship
The Maine Society of Professional Engineers awards TWO (2) scholarships for Graduating High School seniors each Spring.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS:
APPLICATION DATES: Please see the current-year forms in the folder linked below. Forms are typically available in December for the upcoming Spring award.
Applications will be accepted vis USPS mail only, with Postmark Deadline indicated on the forms (Typically mid-March)
Link to Forms on Google Drive folder
Applications must be in hard copy – Electronic applications will not be accepted.
Applications must be postmarked by the date listed on the current-year forms.
The application form and instructions can be downloaded above. Questions should be directed to Colin C. Hewett, P. E. at chewett@hwengineers.com.
List of Scholarship Recipients
2026
John Nicholas is from Yarmouth High School. He has committed to McGill University studying chemical engineering. In sports, he competed in cross country skiing and tennis all four years of high school. As a Junior, he job shadowed a biomedical engineer helping design personalized implants for prosthetics. As a senior he worked at Flatbread Company known for their woodfired pizzas. He took several AP courses culminating in AP English Lit, Calculus AB, Physics with lab, and Biology his senior year.
Alexander Donahue is from Mount Desert Island High School. He has committed to Dartmouth College studying mechanical engineering. In sports, he competed on the sailing team, diving team and golf. He was on the robotics team all through high school and was instrumental in keeping the club going. Throughout high school he worked at the family house boat storage rigging, cleaning, and delivering over 150 boats. In the summer, he operated his own lawn care business.
2025
Matthew Fagerlund is from Scarborough High School. He has committed to the University of Maine studying computer engineering. He competed on the High School Math team all four years of high school, and helped teach the younger students. He set up a Student IT helpdesk for laptop maintenance, and kiosk programming. He was the team captain on the Robotics team the last two years. He programmed a couple of apps: one for asset management for the local IT equipment redistributor and one as a study tool for the school’s foreign language department. In one of his recommendations, the Math Dept Chair stated “There is no doubt that Matthew is the most talented student I have ever encountered”.
Charles Lee Haskell is from Hampden Academy. He has committed to Michigan State University studying Mechanical Engineering. In sports, he competed in track/field, indoor track/field and golf. He was a member of the Yearbook Club designing the cover while in the 11th grade. He worked at Walmart while attending high school. In the summers, he worked at YMCA Leaders School and attended the UMaine Consider Engineering. He has a keen interest in digital media and hopes to obtain a Minor in it. On his recommendation, the instructor said “Charlie is extremely talented in the digital media arena.”
2024
Carli Frigon is from Forest Hills Consolidated School in Jackman. She has committed to the University of Maine studying mechanical engineering. She competed on the High School Math team all four years of high school, and as Captain of the team for two years. She competed in sports including Softball, Basketball, Cross Country and Golf. Her favorite sport is softball. Along with her numerous activities, her family owns a maple syrup business. She works countless hours supporting the family business. She was ranked #1 in her class, supplementing her studies online with Husson University, KVCC, University of Maine, and UMA.
Brynn Lilly is from Messalonskee High School in Oakland. She has committed to the University of Maine studying biomedical engineering. At the high school, she tutors math students. She also competed in sports with her favorite being swim team, she was the Captain her senior year. Additionally, she works as a life guard at the local YMCA year round. She also has very high SAT scores and a high grade point average. To supplement her course work, she took linear algebra and multi-variate calculus at Colby College.
2023
Henry John Poulin is from Bangor High School. He has committed to Georgia Institute of Technology studying computer and electrical engineering. He competed on the High School Math team all four years of high school. He competed in sports with Soccer being his favorite sport. Additionally, he volunteered to mentor 4th and 5th graders and coached a youth girls soccer team. His SAT scores and grade point average were very high.
Piper Williams is from Freeport High School. She will be attending the University of Connecticut studying mechanical engineering. She also was on the math team throughout high school. She competed in sports with her favorite being field hockey. Additionally, she worked at a local restaurant as a Runner and Hostess plus she coached, mentored and refereed youth lacrosse games. She also has very high SAT scores and a high grade point average.
2022
Lucas Nadeau is from Kennebunk High School. He has committed to the Northwestern University studying mechanical engineering. He is a three sport athlete competing in cross country, swimming, and track and field. Additionally, he worked at a local restaurant as a busboy. His SAT scores and grade point average were very high.
Jack Bonney is from Portland High School. He will be attending the University of Pittsburgh studying electrical engineering. He is a competitive swimmer winning the state relays in 2020 and 2022. He volunteered as a physics lab assistant. During school and in the summer he worked at local restaurants as a busser and dishwasher. He also has very high SAT scores and a high grade point average.
2021
Justin Pelletier is from Madawaska High School. He has committed to the University of Maine studying chemical engineering. He is a four sport athlete competing in cross country skiing, soccer, baseball and golf. Additionally, he worked at the local Shop N Save averaging 24 hours a week. He is the Student Council Vice President at his school. Finally, he is the Valedictorian of his school with the highest grade average of any of other applicants.
William Cassidy is from Edward Little High School in Auburn. He will be attending the University of Maine studying biomedical engineering. He is also is a fine athlete competing in ice hockey, baseball and golf. He is the Class Treasurer. During school, he worked as a land scaler and at a local golf course. He was active in the summer, coaching skating and baseball plus he volunteered at the local hospital escorting patients. Academically, he is ranked 1st out of 215 students.
2020
Joshua Chun is from Belfast Area High School. He has committed to the Northeastern University in an undeclared engineering major but he intends to study bioengineering. He is third in his class of 106 students and he scored very well on the SATs. Additionally, he is a fine athlete and musician competing in the Maine Class B finals in tennis and was 1st place in the Sr Division at the Biennial Pine Tree Piano Competition. Finally, he is active in in the Student Senate at his school.
Megan Fuller is from Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft. She will be attending the University of Maine studying mechanical engineering. She is also is a fine athlete competing in Field Hockey helping her team winning the State championship in 2019. Additionally, she is a vocalist placing 3rd place in the State Vocal Jazz Festival in 2019. Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society. She made high honors all four years of high school and has all “A’s” on her transcript.
2019
Sam Davis is from Belfast Area High School. He has committed to the University of Maine studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in aeronautical engineering. He is a fine athlete competing in soccer and baseball and is active in his school leadership. During high school he was Vice President and President of the Student Senate. He worked in the summer as a painter and carpenter. He is extremely hard working and an exceptional student. Scholastically, he is number one in his school of 120 students.
Alex Farkas is from Cony High School in Augusta. He will be attending University of Pennsylvania studying chemical and biomolecular engineering. He also is a fine athlete competing in Cross Country, Track and Field and swimming. He is a musician and worked summers by street performing playing guitar and singing for tips. Academically, he is also strong placing third in a class of 153.
2018
Anya Chase is from Wells High School. Anya will be studying biological engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She was on the math team all 4 years of high school. She is a gifted athlete winning numerous awards in softball and basketball and intends to play softball at MIT. She placed 2nd in her class of 129.
Corinne Saucier is from Old Town High School. Corinne will be studying biomedical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is a three-sport athlete playing varsity basketball, softball and field hockey. She won numerous awards in basketball. She would like to return to Maine to work, ideally at Jackson Lab. She also placed 2nd in her class of 97.
Nicole Whipkey is from Deering High School in Portland. Nicole will be an undeclared engineering major at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is also a three-sport varsity athlete competing in cross country, swimming and outdoor track. She was the top high school cross country runner. She was the valedictorian of a class of 243 and during her commencement speech she recognized her classmates for their achievements.
2017
Matthew Ingram is from Winthrop High School. He has committed to the University of Maine studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in aeronautical engineering. He is a fine athlete winning numerous awards in football, hockey and baseball. He was the quarterback of the football team going undefeated during the regular season. He is extremely hard working and an exceptional student. Reviewing his transcripts, all of his grades are A plus earning him valedictorian status!
William Davidson is from Washington Academy in Machias. He will be attending Vanderbilt University studying mechanical engineering. He is a well rounded individual. For instance, he participated in soccer, baseball, Acapella, chess club, and Latin club. He was the highest point contributor for the math team all four years. Academically, he is also number one in his class!
2016
Elizaveta Maslak is from MSSM. She has committed to Dartmouth College studying biomedical engineering, but has been wait listed at a couple more universities. She may go to another university, depending on if a slot opens up. She has diverse interests including art and sports and is a certified Zumba instructor. She was accepted in the Keller Bloom program at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science and interned at Jackson Labs. Finally, she immigrated from Russia a little over 5 years ago.
Ethan Peters is from Yarmouth High School. He will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying civil engineering. He is a well rounded individual. For instance, he participated in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and soccer. He is also an Eagle Scout. Finally, he is on the Vex robotics team as a programmer and their team attended the World Championships on two occasions. He has a passion for computer programming.
2015
Julia Ginder is from Cape Elizabeth High School. She will be attending MIT studying chemical engineering. She is well rounded with strong leadership and communication skills. She is a musician and an athlete and intends to play field hockey at MIT.
Tyler Moore is from Hampden Academy. He will be attending Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute studying chemical or mechanical engineering. He is also well rounded with strong leadership and communication skills. He was a captain for four high school varsity sports teams as well as the co-founder of the High School science club. He volunteers every day to tutor writing to students needing assistance.
2014
Zechariah Palmeter is from Bangor Christian Schools. He will be attending the University of Maine studying Mechanical Engineering. He is well rounded with a very optimistic view point and an engaging personality. He is an athlete, Eagle Scout, and was a Research Assistant at UMaine.
Erik Taylor i from Spruce Mountain High School. He will be attending MIT studying Biomedical engineering. He is well rounded with strong leadership and communication skills. He is an athlete, Eagle Scout, and participated on the robotics team.
2013
Paul Rudnicki is from Bangor High School. He will be attending the University of Notre Dame studying Chemical Engineering.
Shreyas Joshi is from Falmouth High School. He will be attending Princeton studying aerospace engineering.
2012
Eric Laplante is from Van Buren District Secondary School. Eric will be studying mechanical engineering at the University of Maine at Orono.
Niyati Desai is from Edward Little High School in Auburn. Niyati will be studying electrical and computer engineering at RPI – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute –
2011
Dacie Manion from Old Town High School. Attending MIT, Mechanical Engineering (most likely)
Ryan Fish from Maranacook High School in Readfield, Attending MIT, Mechanical Engineering
2010
Benjamin Snowden of Falmouth High School. He will be attending Duke University studying biomedical engineering.
Greg Reinhold of South Portland High School. He will be attending the University of Connecticut studying computer and electrical engineering.
2009
Kathryn Porter of Bangor High School, Attending University of Maine, Chemical Engineering
Erin Mills Brewer of High School Attending Princeton University, Mechanical Engineering
2008
David Slovenski, Brunswick High School, Attending Princeton University, Studying Mechanical Engineering.
Kathleen DeMarco, Catherine McAuley High School in Portland, Attending the University of Notre Dame, Studying Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on aerospace design.
2007
Hannah Breton, Greenville
Bryan Ertz, Yarmouth
2006
David Hunter, Mount View High School in Thorndike
Leah Lamont, Wiscasset High School