Four York County students awarded leadership scholarships

Santino Perrone of Old Orchard Beach receives a scholarship from Justin Chenette. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Community Reports•

SACO/OOB – Four area students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in leadership scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The mission of scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders.

Santino Perrone, of Old Orchard Beach, is their 2022 recipient at Old Orchard Beach High School. Perrone served as class president all four years of high school. He was involved in Track, a mental health awareness group, and volunteered with local community and political groups. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College to major in Communications and New Media.

Will Barry and Lilly DesRoberts, both of Saco, are the 2022 recipients at Thornton Academy.

Will Barry, right receives a scholarship from Justin Chenette. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Barry has logged over 300 hours of community service with his Troop 310, including a focus on food insecurity in the area. He became an Eagle Scout this year, with his project centering around properly retiring American flags with the VFW Post & Elks Lodge. This fall Barry will be attending the University of Maine Orono, majoring in Civil Engineering.

Lilly DesRoberts, left, receives a scholarship from Justin Chenette. SUBMITTED PHOTO

DesRoberts was the Student Council Senior Class President and spent four years volunteering on campus and in the community through the student council. She is also in the National Honors Society and was Editor-in-Chief of the Thornton Academy Tripod among her involvement with other groups. DesRoberts is going to Salve Regina University and will be majoring in biochemistry with a pre-dental track.

Michael Gervais, right, receives a scholarship from Justin Chenette. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Michael Gervais of Buxton is the 2022 recipient at Bonny Eagle. This the first year the nonprofit offered a scholarship at Bonny Eagle. Gervais was heavily involved on campus as part of the Key Club and Natural Helpers. In his free time, he likes to provide landscaping for the elderly. He will be majoring in Math at the University of Southern Maine on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming an educator.

“All of these future leaders have a passion for helping others in need,” said Justin Chenette, the nonprofit’s founder & executive director. “Their staunch determination to succeed and commitment to service will serve them well in the next chapter of their leadership journey.”

All four students graduated last month. Learn more about the Chenette Scholarship Fund at www.ChenetteScholarships.org.