Culture

Patti’s June 22 “Inside New Gloucester” Column

Elisabeth Seliga of New Gloucester, delivers a commencement address June 7 at the Augusta Civic Center for graduates of Maine Connections Academy, a statewide online tuition-free high school. She achieved the double distinction of being class salutatorian and a 2018 recipient of the Mitchell Scholarship.

Class of 2018 standout

Elisabeth Seliga is no ordinary student. And Maine Connections Academy is no ordinary school. For the past three years, the New Gloucester student has been enrolled at this online, tuition-free high school that allows her to take classes from anywhere there is an internet connection.

MCA held its fourth commencement at the Augusta Civic Center on June 7. Seliga was among the 51 graduates from all across Maine, many of whom had never met each other before. She was celebrated not only as a graduating senior but also as the class salutatorian and a 2018 recipient of the Mitchell Scholarship.

As a recipient of the Mitchell Scholarship, Elisabeth joins a select company of students. The Mitchell Institute awards scholarships each year to graduating students from Maine’s public high schools. The 2018 recipients of the Mitchell Scholarship, representing more than 130 high schools from every community in Maine, each will receive an award of $9,500.

Seliga joined MCA in 2015 and has enjoyed the innovative online curriculum. Through ninth grade, she was a student in the Gray-New Gloucester school system. Looking for a new experience, she enrolled at MCA, and has thrived there ever since. Seliga has continued her cheerleading at G-NG High School, whose team this year took second place at the regionals and fifth in the Maine State Cheerleading Championships.

For Patti Mikkelsen’s complete column in the Lakes Region Weekly, go to http://news.keepmecurrent.com/inside-new-gloucester-145/