University Times – Official site of the UMPI University Times

Why You Should Apply For UMPI Foundation Scholarships

Don’t pass up the chance of free money and help with school expenses

Do you worry about going into debt or not being able to afford school supplies? Sometimes
not having a lot of money can cut you off from experiences. At the University of Maine at
Presque Isle, they give you many opportunities to get “free money.” Even if you are not in debt,
there are scholarships that can still help with school supplies such as books. The UMPI
Foundation scholarships can be a good help to get money to help with school.
These scholarships have been helping students since 1972. Each scholarship is named after a
person to honor them or in their memory. All current students who will be attending UMPI the
following year in traditional onsite or online classes are eligible to apply. Students in the
YourPace program are not currently eligible. The scholarship application is very easy to access.
It is in a Google form. It should take only 15 minutes to complete. The deadline to apply is
Feb.1, 2023, 4:30 p.m. Normally two weeks before starting your next semester you get notified
through the mail if you have won any scholarships.
Many UMPI staff try to do as much as they can to provide scholarships for the students. Dr.
Deborah Roark, Executive Director, University Advancement & External Affairs, said, “It is free
money. Why wouldn’t you want to apply?”
When you are looking through the scholarships that apply to you in some way, such as your
major or where you live, you will find that there are so many scholarships that you are almost
guaranteed to get something. There are scholarships for everything, even red hair. Even the
smallest amount of money can help you.
Students even push one another to apply for scholarships. Cassie Morrell is a sophomore at
UMPI who works as an assistant in Deborah Roark’s office. Cassie has applied for multiple

scholarships during the two years she has attended. She said, “Ever since I started working here,
I push others to apply, too: like my roommate.” She is close with the people she encourages to
apply. She said, “I always say, ‘Girl you need to apply. I have a scan code right here.’”
Cassie and many other students at UMPI have benefited greatly from the foundation’s
scholarships and can help you just as much. This is your chance to take 15 minutes to apply. A
nice thing is that sometimes you get a renewable scholarship. Cassie said, “Making the dean’s list
helped me get a $4,000 scholarship that is renewable.” Being on the dean’s list is a plus when
applying for scholarships. But even if you are not on the dean’s list, you still have a good chance
of getting some money.

One Frightful Christmas

Mikey Bramble

With Christmas approaching, we are seeing a lot of it in the media. The part of media we think of the most is the movies. A good majority of Christmas movies are happy and heartwarming. Not everyone is into the cheerful, family-friendly movies for the holidays. Some people prefer to watch more Halloween-related movies. For those out there who prefer scary movies, there are options for you. The four great recommendations this season are “Krampus,” “Gremlins,, “A Christmas Horror Story” and “Dead End.”

Krampus (2015)- This Horror Comedy is about a dysfunctional family that comes together for Christmas. All gets terribly worse when one boy accidentally summons the Christmas demon known as Krampus. “Krampus” has a great blend of horror and comedy. There is the main bad guy, Krampus. He is the complete opposite of Santa Claus. Krampus torments a family with the help of evil toys.

Gremlins (1984)- A classic about a young man who gets a furry little creature for Christmas. But he must follow three simple rules: 1. Don’t get it wet. 2. Don’t feed it after midnight. 3. Keep it out of bright lights. “Gremlins” is another great horror comedy Christmas movie. This movie focuses on a bunch of tiny monsters. These monsters are more about making a mess than hurting anyone. The troubles in Kingston Falls all started when Billy accidentally broke the first two rules. Some notable names in this movie are Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Howie Mandel as Gizmo. “Gremlins” is one horror movie you can sit down and watch with the kids.

A Christmas Horror Story (2015)- This anthology film consists of four interwoven stories. One story is about some high school students investigating a homicide. The second is about a couple who notices their son acting strangely. The strange behavior starts when the family cuts down a Christmas tree in the forest. The third story sees a family stalked by Krampus. The fourth story is about Santa fighting zombie elves. “A Christmas Horror Story” is enjoyable because it forces the viewer to pay attention. Christmas time is not the only connection the four stories have. Each story has its own little twist.

Dead End (2003)- On Christmas Eve, Frank Harrington and his family are going to visit his in-laws. On the way there, Frank decides to take a shortcut. This shortcut was a terrible idea on Frank’s part. The shortcut turns into a never-ending road. The Harrington family encounter a mysterious woman and a car with an unseen driver. This movie could be enjoyed by people who love suspense. Throughout the film you will wonder about the woman and driver. It is a mystery as to whether the Harrington family will get out of the forest. “Dead End” is a Rated R film.

There are more than these for Christmas horror films. These are just a small handful of what is out there.

Feeling Welcome as a Commuter at UMPI

Some students travel from different states or countries to attend UMPI. Others could travel everyday.

Have you ever rolled out of bed at 7:55, frantically looked for something to wear, run out the door with your shoes untied and still made it to your 8 class on time? For some college students this may seem like a regular thing. But average commuter students wouldn’t make it past their driveways.

For many college students, making the decision to live on or off campus involves multiple factors. Some people might assume that the cost is the only one. The cost of college for everyone is dependent on what major you are going for, how long you will be in school and whether financial aid covers most of the cost. The news is filled with information about debt and the struggle that many people have paying off their student loans. Students must learn how to make better financial decisions earlier than ever.

Mackenzie Tracy, a first-year student from Caribou, “chose UMPI because it’s close and affordable,” making it a better choice for her than going away to college. Not only is it affordable, but Mackenzie feels a sense of security in her own home and community.

Ellen Billings, a college first-year student from Mars Hill, also made the decision to commute to UMPI instead of living in the dorm at UMaine Orono. She prefers the sense of security she has by living in her own home and how familiar her community is to her. “Having my own private space, being close to home and friends is the reason I choose to commute.”

But for many commuters, the decision is based on comfort, convenience, anxiety and fear about campus life. Students who have lived close to UMPI all their lives are more likely to commute from home to school. They know their community and they feel more comfortable being at home rather than in a dorm with someone they have never met.

There is a downside to commuting, however. Commuter students may get all the comfort they need. But there is still something missing from being in college. When you commute, you go to school, go to classes and then go home. This leaves not much time to socialize. But socializing is a huge part of the college experience: meeting new people creates another form of community if you interact with the people on campus.

Mackenzie feels as though living on campus is the only way she would be able to socialize. “It would be easier if I lived on campus. I feel kind of closed off from other students.” Since she does not live on campus, she feels there is no way to connect with others.

But there are many ways to get yourself out there. UMPI tries to help students feel involved by having many different activities to pick from that suit you best. There are events going on around campus constantly. There is a commuter’s lounge located in Folsom Hall on campus. And joining a club is also a great way to communicate with others. Finding time can be hard. But once you start including yourself, it won’t be difficult to find your own community here at UMPI.

Hallmark Magic Brought to Your Home.

Hallmark Magic is the core to Christmas traditions.

Many people have holiday traditions they do every year. For some, it is watching the classic Hallmark movies. The classic storyline to each movie is alike while giving you a different magical story every time. But why do we watch them and never get bored? Some people say that they are overrated because they all have the same storyline. But what Hallmark movies are truly about is love for Christmas and never having a bad ending. Each movie has a special place in people’s hearts. They bring Christmas magic right to your home.

One of the best things about Hallmark movies is that there are multiple types. They range from Royalty to Hotel magic. One of the top-ranked Hallmark movies, “A Royal Christmas,” focuses on a woman who falls in love with a prince. This genre of Hallmark movies usually starts with the women trying to find out the secrets of the prince. There are many Hallmark movies like this. They all focus on the royal and citizens doing the unexpected on Christmas.

There are many types of baking-based Hallmark movies. They often base them on competition or even something you would not expect. An example is the classic “A Gingerbread Romance,” one of the many movies that focuses on the competitive part of baking. The best thing about baking-related Hallmark movies is it is a different type of competition. Sometimes they do not even focus fully on the baking aspect of the movie. The normal storyline is still there. Most of the time there is some type of suspense by making you think there is no chance they will be together. But somehow they find their way back.

Another of many favorites is a story based on a hotel. There are many kinds of Hallmark movies that are based on this as well. Each movie starts in a different hotel. But some things are different such as whom they fall in love with and where. The Hallmark movie “Christmas at the Plaza” tells a story that is everyone’s favorite. Each of these movies brings the viewers the unthinkable. While few people would think they would fall in love when going to a hotel for Christmas, Hallmark makes it possible. These movies give you a sense of Christmas Magic.

While all Hallmark movies have the same storyline, they still bring Joy to people who watch. Overall, the best thing about Hallmark movies is that they bring comfort, the love of Christmas and sometimes the unexpected. For all these reasons, we continue to go back and watch the most loved Hallmark movies. And many get excited for the new Hallmark movies coming out in the following years.

Looking for Free College Money?

Mikey Bramble, Jr.

One of the best ways to get college money is through scholarships. Why are scholarships so great? The first reason is because of how easy they are to get. UMPI offers about 50 to 55 scholarships. Any student can apply using the QR code seen on the fliers around campus. You can also apply on the UMPI website. There are also multiple other websites that can give you scholarships.

Some scholarships based on certain majors. You can get others based on your GPA. Not all scholarships are academic based. Ms. Laurie Boucher said, “ A young woman got a scholarship for having blonde hair and blue eyes.” She also mentioned that a student got a scholarship through a DMV. Students can get multiple scholarships as well.

Scholarships can help you out financially. They can be used to help lessen student debt. Jonathan Guimond, an UMPI student, gave some insight into scholarships. Guimond mentioned that scholarship money is your money. He said, “It’s your money to do what you want.” That means you can put this money toward school or other things you want. Guimond also said, “You can have it set up that the money goes into your bank account”.

When applying for scholarships, remember to answer all questions. This will better your chances of getting scholarships. When applying, put down any volunteer work you have done. Students living on campus can also use the campus address when applying. Scholarship applications are due February 1, 2023, at 4:30pm.

The list of other websites you can use to apply for scholarships are:

www.Mainecf.org

www.fastweb.com

www.famemaine.com

www.mesfoundation.org

www.collegeboard.org

www.scholarships.com

www.chegg.com/scholarships

www.igrad.com/schools/UMPI

For any questions feel free to contact:

Student Financial Services

Email: UMPI-financialaid@maine.edu

Phone: (207) 768-9510

They will be open every day during winter break. They will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Jonathan Guimond

jonathan.r.guimond@maine.edu

An Orange for the Holidays

There are many special traditions that bring people together during the holiday season. The significance of it has followed our families and communities for centuries. With so many amazing ways to celebrate the season, it is up to us all to share our traditions that have been passed down to us with our kin.

In the form of a children’s book, Patricia Polacco reminds many people about Christmas in the U.S. during the Great Depression. During this time, people struggled. But they still found ways to celebrate. This started the tradition of the Christmas orange. “The oranges are the highlight of Christmas for the children,” Patricia wrote.

Patricia’s book, “An Orange for Frankie,” is based on a real family. The main character –Frankie – is the youngest of nine children. “Frankie was the heart of the household – especially at Christmas. That was when the whole family came together to celebrate and gather boughs of greens to put on the mantel. Then they placed apples, dried flowers, cookies, and nuts in the green, and finally, as the crowning touch, the oranges. Nine of them! One for each of the children born to the Stowell clan,” Patricia wrote.

Frankie is Patricia’s great uncle, and the Christmas orange is her family tradition. “Every time I peel an orange and inhale the scent of it and feel the mist that sprays from its skin, I think of a very special Christmas and a flaxen-haired boy who lived many years before I was ever born. That boy was Frankie, my grandmother’s youngest brother,” she wrote.

In the story, Frankie accidentally loses his orange. He is devastated and reminded of the lengths his father went to in order to get the fruit for them. “Pa has driven a several day trip with the horse and buggy to get supplies and the prized Christmas oranges for the mantelpiece,” Patricia wrote.

Despite Frankie’s despair, his holiday is not ruined. The orange is symbolic because it represents our ability to share what we have. During Frankie’s Christmas, he gets surprised with eight loose segments of orange tied together to form a whole fruit. All of his siblings took a segment from their own oranges to surprise their brother.

An illustration by Patricia Polacco of the Stowell family on Christmas morning.

‘One of Those People’

The Impact of Aaron Marston

By Ricky Goupille

It’s difficult to put into words the effect Aaron Marston had on everyone he encountered. But if words don’t suffice, perhaps an enormous crowd of blue and gold can help.

The UMPI crowd at the October 29th playoff game at Husson University. Photo by Edie Shea

On Oct. 29, 2022, the University of Maine at Presque Isle Women’s Soccer team competed in a playoff game against in-state rival Husson University. But the events of that day and that week preceding the game extend far beyond the game of soccer. The UMPI women’s team took the field that day for the first time without their beloved coach, Aaron Marston.

Aaron tragically and very suddenly passed away 10 days prior to this game. “It was about as difficult a situation as anybody can imagine,” UMPI President Raymond Rice said. In the hours following the tragedy, the UMPI community showed an enormous amount of support for everyone affected by it. “Our student athletes were there for one another, and it shows the great culture we’ve built. You can’t help but be proud of the group we have here,” Athletic Director Dan Kane said.

Coach Marston took over the program in 2019. He had built the team from the ground up. His first recruiting class, now seniors, took the field that day with their hearts broken. “We knew it was going to be the hardest thing any of us have ever done,” senior Captain Monica McLaughlin said.

But behind the women who were playing in their coach’s honor was an overwhelming crowd who made the two-and-a-half-hour’s drive to Bangor to support the team. “I would guess there was probably 500 people there, and we had probably two thirds of them,” Dan Kane said.

On Husson’s home field, UMPI had the crowd.

Throughout the game, the UMPI players battled through all the emotions. “The whole team’s hearts were aching for Aaron. We felt like we were missing something throughout the entire game,” Monica McLaughlin said. The Owls fought with the best team in the conference, trailing by one goal at the halfway point. “When we ran across the field during halftime to warm up for the second half and we heard everyone cheering for us, it brought tears to every single one of our eyes,” McLaughlin said.

UMPI continued to compete but trailed 2-0 late in the game. With their season nearing its end, senior defender Kassandra Nelson hit a great free kick. Freshman Camryn Ala was able to get a touch on it and score for UMPI to bring them within one goal. In that moment, the crowd went into a frenzy. “When they scored with a couple minutes to go, the place just erupted,” Dan Kane said. “We were all just overwhelmed by the cheers coming from our fans. After we scored, I think every single one of us was crying,” McLaughlin said.

The Owls celebrate after Camryn Ala scores in the 87th minute to pull UMPI within 1.

From sorrow in the days and weeks after Aaron Marston’s passing, to complete joy following Ala’s goal. Although UMPI didn’t end up winning the game, the joy in the moments after they scored shows the outpouring of support during a time of tragedy.

The community’s support, however, is a direct product of the man Aaron Marston was.

Pages: 12

Honoring the Hearts That Make Up Aroostook

Remember when…

For homecoming, the University of Maine at Presque Isle held activities for students and community members to come together to celebrate our love for the county. One special three-part event on Wednesday, Sept. 21, captured the heart of Aroostook through the written words of active community supporters who were guest speakers for the evening. All guest speakers spoke of their admiration for the county and the work of guest speaker Ray Gauvin.

Ray is a Vietnam War veteran and author of a new memoir. “As did many of my fellow Vietnam veterans, I fought more than one war. My assignment in Saigon. The aftermath of Agent Orange. And finally, there was ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,’” Ray said. Ray was diagnosed with severe and chronic PTSD. Only PTSD was not the first recognized title. “It wasn’t until Vietnam and its aftermath that the term and its understanding turned into what we know today as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” he said. In the Civil War, it was called a Soldier’s Heart. In World War I it changed to the name Shell Shock. And then to Combat Detained in World War II. “Out of all those terms, only Soldier’s Heart would remind us of the human beings who fought for their country. That is where I got the name of the memoir, ‘A Soldier’s Heart: The 3 Wars of Vietnam,’” Ray said.

Kathryn Olmstead, the first speaker of the event, is a former journalist and editor for the Aroostook Republican and for “Echoes Magazine.” Although she had grown up elsewhere, Kathryn’s career at the Aroostook Republican and her curiosity as to why many people choose to return to the county led her to Presque Isle to write the recurring column “They Came Back.”

“Each story was different. But several common themes emerged in the interviews. People came back to Aroostook County for the pace of life, the beauty, the nature and most of all the people,” Kathryn said.

“The workforce is shrinking and the future of this place is at risk. It must be nurtured and that is why we are here today. Ray’s fantastic idea for keeping the best of Aroostook young people right here was the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative program, which prepares them for a future and gives them reasons and opportunities to stay here in a place they call home,” Kathryn said.

Pages: 12

Final Editor’s Letter

Dear folks,

I hope that you’re all doing well and enjoying the sort-of spring weather. Spring semester always goes by so fast, which is both a good and emotional thing. For underclassman, there is stress but a sense of excitement because the finish line is so close. For graduating seniors, the only way I can describe the way I’m feeling is like I’m holding my breath. I feel like if I blink, I might miss all the small moments between now and May 7th.

What a ride being editor has been. I have done some reflecting on my time as editor and come to the biggest conclusion: I will miss this. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to write to you all every semester for the past three years. Not only has this been a great outlet for me as a writer, but also as a leader, as I have grown and stretched to reach many goals.

I have nothing but high hopes for the future of University Times and look forward to seeing future content.

Until we cross paths again,

Abi Davis

Big Dill on Campus

Our Million Dollar Greenhouse

Our campus has a very special building. Although most people on campus might have heard of it, they probably don’t know much about it. The Zillman Family Greenhouse is a one-million-dollar project. It was completed and dedicated in September of 2019 as a part of UMPI’s homecoming.

Tending the Zillman Family Greenhouse from left-to-right: Lindsay Pelletier, Larry Feinstein, Tori Raeihle. Not pictured: Wyatt Braun.

The greenhouse has two separated growing areas. This makes growing different types of plants much easier. In the winter, the temperature inside the greenhouse is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, it gets up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. A few years ago, Dr. Larry Feinstein worked with the USDA for a project on oats and barley in the greenhouse on campus!

The greenhouse grows lots of vegetables. Right now, they have romaine lettuce, spinach, spring greens, tri-color green beans, peas and carrots. They also have seedlings started for some other fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, green peppers, tomatoes and cantaloupe. When you step inside, you can see rows of blue, one-gallon buckets filled with plants bearing fresh produce ready to be eaten.

Besides Dr. Feinstein, there are also a few students who pitch in with the work. Lindsay Pelletier helps with the picking and weighing of the produce. She also reaches out to college students or local families who might be struggling with food insecurity. “Many college students struggle with food insecurity,” Lindsay said. “Eating locally grown produce is tasty and good for you.”

Freshman Wyatt Braun is working on an experiment in the greenhouse. He is using a fungus called Mycorrhizae fungi to test if the relationship of the plants and fungi will be beneficial and help the plants produce more food. So far, the fungus seems to be doing its job.

Freshman Tori Raeihle helps with the gathering, weighing and distribution of the vegetables as well. “I send out emails to students to help them coordinate times for them to come and pick up veggies that they want. I’m also trying to include recipes that are easy for in the dorms and yummy for students to make. So be on the lookout!”

The Zillman Family Greenhouse has lots to offer to students around campus. It is a beautiful spot on campus, although highly overlooked. If you have a chance, stop by and give it a look around. If you’d like to pick up vegetables, contact Tori Raeihle at victoria.raeihle@maine.edu or Larry Feinstein at larry.feinstein@maine.edu.