Avery Arena and Samuella Spurr were the recipients of the Gorham Times Scholarships as a result of their time spent as interns for the paper. Both graduates began interning in the fall of 2015.

Leslie Dupuis, Editor, said, “Avery was a tremendous asset to the paper. She contributed her time to numerous articles, including a front page recap of her own graduation ceremony.” Of Spurr, Dupuis added, “Elle drew upon her love of the arts when covering topics such as the new Gorham mural as well as the recent Molded by the Flow production at USM.”

The Martha T. Harris Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Avery Arena and Hannah Benson. Harris, a life-long Gorham resident, as well as a founding member of the Gorham Times, died unexpectedly in 2013 from complications during chemotherapy. The scholarship was established to honor GHS seniors who emulate qualities of Harris’.

Her daughter, Jennifer Banks, recounted that Harris was “passionate about Gorham news being read and shared. She was always an advocate and a voice for this town that she loved.”

Avery Arena was chosen not only for her volunteerism, but also for her “strong nature and her very big goals which have shone through at GHS,” said Banks. Of Hannah Benson, Banks shared that Harris would love Benson’s “passion for people, for challenges, for thinking outside the box and for her presence on stage.” The Gorham Times wishes these graduates much success in their future endeavors.