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Student Life Awards Recognize Outstanding Leaders and Community Members at 17th Annual Banquet

Posted on: April 10, 2018

CASTINE, Maine—At a banquet held on Wednesday, April 4, the Maine Maritime Academy Student Life Awards Committee recognized outstanding members of the MMA and Castine community whose contributions include various service projects, athletics, employment and volunteer programs, and other co-curricular activities.

For the 17th annual banquet and awards ceremony, the Student Life Awards Committee, made up of MMA staff and faculty, accepted nominations from the entire MMA community and selected the top five nominees in each category. These top nominees were recognized during the ceremony before the one overall awardee from each category was announced as the winner.

The following awards and award winners were announced at the ceremony:

  • Award for Athletic Leadership is awarded to a student athlete who has contributed to both campus life and demonstrated leadership within their club or varsity sport. Winner: Makayla Lewis of Purcellville, Virginia. Additional nominees: Rachel Bunker, Amanda Holewiak, Zachary Kinsmen, and Avae Traina.
  • Award for Outstanding Contribution to Residential Life is presented to a student who has made significant contributions to the community and experience of students living in residence halls. Winner: Christopher Moore of Anchorage, Alaska. Additional nominees: Harrison Clark, Chase Davidson, Avae Traina, and Justin Waceken.
  • Emerging Leader Award recognizes two first-year students who have emerged as leaders and who can be expected to contribute significantly to the campus community and the welfare of their fellow students during their time at the Academy. Winners (2): Rachel Bunker of Ellsworth, ME, and Bryant Peterson of Portland, ME. Additional nominees: Sarah Gilmore, Keith Jordon, and Niko Racioppi.
  • Outstanding Regimental Collaboration Award recognizes the positive contributions the Regiment of Midshipmen makes to the campus community. It is awarded to an individual member of the student body who has led with integrity while collaborating with the Regiment of Midshipmen to make significant contributions to the greater campus community. Winner: Ashley Elder of Windham, ME. Additional nominees: Austin Gamache, Justin Kretzmer, Matthew Link, and Trenton Lloyd-Rees.
  • Non-Traditional Student Impact Award is presented to a non-traditional student who has used their life experiences to make a significant impact in the campus community including, but not limited to, campus life, academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Winner: Edison Ma of West Hartford, CT. Additional nominees: Bryon Fogg, James Gillway, Samuel Paquette, and Jennifer Wright.
  • Social Entrepreneurship Award recognizes a student, or group of students, who have pursued an idea with the potential to enhance community or to address a pervasive community Winner: Chase Davidson, Lynnfield, MA. Additional nominees: The Shelter Drive, The Transformation Project, William Schmidt, and the Women’s Volleyball Collection for Puerto Rico.
  • Student Employee of the Year Award recognizes a work-study student or student worker who has demonstrated a high quality of work, leadership skills, and impact on the Winner: Mckenzie Slauenwhite of Carmel, ME. Additional nominees: Matthew Cook, Liam Pitchford, Caiden Smith, and Thomas White.
  • Student Government Leadership Award recognizes a student affiliated with the Student Government Association who has shown immense integrity and perseverance in striving to improve student life and Winner: Corey McCoy of Cranberry Township, PA. Additional nominees: Ashley Elder, Oliver Higgins, Austin Wheeler, and Anastasia Wright.
  • Mariner Pride is a community-wide nomination that honors an organization, event, or activity that enhances Mariner Pride by bringing people together and helping to strengthen the campus community. Winner: the Outdoor Adventure Club, represented by their president, Rachel Borisko of Atkinson, NH, and Club Advisor, Bryan Wolf. Additional nominees: the Campus Activities Board, and the NROTC Leadership Challenge Weekend.
  • The Sarah F. Hudson Unsung Mariner award is a student-nominated award given to a faculty or staff member for demonstrating outstanding community service and support of student life. Winner: Ryan King.
  • Phyllis Tenney Community Service and Leadership Award is presented to the student who has displayed outstanding dedication and loyalty to MMA, commitment and service to the Castine community, exemplary leadership skills, and has also achieved great success academically and socially at MMA. Winner: Brendan Newcomb of Holden, ME. Additional nominees: Patrick Larsen and Corey McCoy.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. The job placement rate for MMA graduates is approximately 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as the Brookings Institution, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.