Media Contact: Lindsey Goudreau, Marketing Communications Specialist (207) 443-8330 | lgoudreau@cityofbath.com
Bath, ME (June 17, 20201) - On Wednesday, May 26, the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute (Institute) hosted its sixth annual Year End Celebration. During the virtual event, the Institute graduated its fourth class of seniors—comprised of more than 150 young women from high schools in every Maine county, including four from Morse High School.
More than 750 students, mentors, and school contacts participate in the Institute’s program each year, which is a three-year progression through the themes: “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision” (12th grade). The evidence-based curriculum is designed to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills required to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities.
“Olympia’s Leaders,” as participants are called, engage in unique programming blending statewide events, experiential activities in small groups, individual development and reflections, and tailored connections with Maine’s business and community leaders.
The 2021 Year End Celebration included remarks from: the Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, former United States Senator and Founder of the Institute; Erin French, Owner of and Chef at The Lost Kitchen; Christina McAnuff, Executive Director of the Institute; and Craig Larrabee, President and CEO of Jobs for Maine Graduates.
In her final words to Olympia’s Leaders this school year, Senator Snowe shared, “Indeed, when we find ourselves outside of our comfort zone, that is where we discover the heights to which we can rise. And I certainly cannot think of a zone much less comforting for anyone than a global pandemic, so you should all be immensely proud of yourselves for rising above such unprecedented circumstances and making it to the end of this school year. It is always possible to distill triumph from adversity, but do not just take my word for it—all of you are the proof.”
At Morse High School, graduating Olympia’s Leaders included:
- Meghan Harper—who will be taking a gap year to work and travel (Italy, Kenya, China) before attending Johnson and Wales University
- Mary LaRochelle—who will be matriculating to Thomas College to study Criminal Justice and Psychology
- Dylan Phenix—who will be matriculating to St. Lawrence University
- Nina Powers—who will be matriculating to Emerson College to study Writing, Literature, and Publishing
The following accomplishments are of special note: Mary graduated with honors, was named Captain in two Varsity sports as a junior, and qualified for the KVAC All-Conference Second Team in a third sport.
Dylan graduated with honors. Nina graduated in the top ten percent of her class, was inducted into the National Honor Society, was elected President of Creative Writing Club, was Editor-In-Chief of the school literary magazine, and participated in Debate and Teen Library Council. Nina also published a novel, "Boy In Bloom," through the Telling Room's Young Emerging Author's Fellowship.
Principal Eric Varney congratulated Morse’s graduating Olympia’s Leaders, saying, “We are very proud of these young women. The Morse community has benefited from their work ethic, kindness, persistence, and passion, and those strengths will shine wherever they go.”
About the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute
The Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills required to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. The Institute was founded by Senator Olympia J. Snowe in 2015 to address the decreasing confidence levels of young women in Maine. For more information, visit http://www.snoweleadershipinstitute.org/.
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