 Back in high school, I wanted to start a nonprofit organization to give back to others. Flash forward to my first term in the House of Representatives, and I made it a reality. What started out as a group to do everything from supporting homeless veterans to get back on their feet, providing arts grants to local classrooms, and hosting a community speaker series turned into a foundation for awarding college scholarships.
For the past 10 years, I’ve provided college scholarships to very deserving local students. Nearly $14,000 in scholarships have been awarded and 30 student scholars have been recognized through our Chenette Scholarship Fund.
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Three local high school students have been awarded a total of $1,500 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.
Over the past decade, the foundation has provided nearly $14,000 worth of college scholarships to 30 students at area high schools. “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we started awarding local college scholarships,” said Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner and scholarship founder. “Every year I continue to be impressed by the caliber of our scholars and their commitment to lifting up those around them. I’m proud to help encourage these young leaders along their journey towards service and success.” The foundation’s Leadership Scholarship is awarded each year to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle who demonstrate civic leadership along with a strong commitment to community service on and off campus. This year’s recipients are Sam Drummey, Charlotte LaSalle, and Samuel Coldwell.  ALFRED, Maine – Earlier this month, York County Commissioners proclaimed June as Pride Month in Maine’s second-most populous county. The proclamation is an acknowledgement that while society at large increasingly supports LGBTQ+ equality, the need for education and awareness remains vital to end discrimination and prejudice, the document states. Do such acknowledgements help? And are there resources for those in the community who are struggling? York County Commissioner Justin Chenette and Gia Drew, the executive director of Equality Maine, say yes, to both. “I’m proud to be part of a commission that stands up for treating others with respect and honoring our shared human experience,” said Chenette. “In York County, you have the freedom to live openly and authentically as your true self…. that doesn’t happen by accident. It takes using the platform we’ve been given by our constituents to speak up for what is right over what is easy. Proclamations have an ability to uplift a positive message of our collective values, raise awareness for support resources and causes, and give voice to marginalized communities. It can be a lifesaving statement when we have a government body recognize our LGBTQ neighbors as equals.”   Pictured left to right: Provost Joseph Szakas, Commissioner Justin Chenette, & Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations Erin Fogg. The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) awarded York County Commissioner Justin Chenette with a Distinguished Alumni Award during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Chenette was nominated by the UMA Saco Center for his community leadership and work in the communications field. Chenette, a 2021 graduate of UMA’s Post-Baccalaureate Public Administration program, made history as the youngest lawmaker in Maine and the youngest openly LGBTQ+ legislator elected in the entire country. He currently serves as a York County Commissioner and works as Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement at Sweetser, one of Maine’s largest and oldest mental health organizations. His career has been defined by breaking barriers and creating opportunity for others. He has authored and passed ethics reform legislation, founded a scholarship fund that has supported dozens of students over the past decade, and wrote a children’s book on civic engagement. Chenette has been recognized with several honors including being named to 40 Under 40 lists by Mainebiz and The Advocate magazine, earning a Harvard Kennedy School Fellowship, and receiving Presidential Volunteer Service Awards from two U.S. Presidents. “I’m a proud product of this institution and deeply appreciate this award in recognition of my passion for service to my community and state,” says Chenette. “We are so fortunate to host UMA in Saco. It’s a benefit to the entire region to have access to on-demand professional development and higher education for all ages.” |
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