AUBURN — Sophia Mailhot, 2017 Edward Little graduate, has been awarded the Donald M. Gay Scholarship annually presented by the EL Class of 1951 to an Edward Little senior who has made outstanding contributions to the school’s arts programs during her/his four-year high school career

Mailhot’s scholarship application explained, “In my time at Edward Little, I found myself summing up my years in three words ‘sing, paint, act’. I have donated as much time as possible to becoming involved in every art form at this school, and it has turned me into the woman I am today. I will be attending Suffolk University in Boston in the fall, majoring in psychology.”

Mailhot academically ranked seventh of 218 graduates. Among her many achievements, she was a member of the National Honor Society in her junior and senior years; a Bates College Senior Scholar; Drama Club president, University of Rochester Young Leader’s Award; Dennis Sweetser Science Award; Speech and Debate Team vice president; four-year Chamber Chorus; Visual and Performing Arts Program.

The Donald M. Gay Scholarship started at a planning meeting for the EL Class of 1951’s 50th reunion. It was voted to establish a scholarship in Gay’s name in honor of his extensive and successful tenure as EL music director in the 1940s and ‘50s. During that time the Edward Little marching bands and choruses were ranked with the best of New England high schools.

Class fundraising resulted in an initial total of $30,000, allowing a $2,000 award to be made in the spring of 2001. Since that time 18 scholarship awards have been made totaling $72,500. The 2017 award was for $7,500 to Mailhot and will be honored at the beginning of her sophomore year.

Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the fund may do so by contacting the Donald M. Gay Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 397, Auburn, ME 04212 Attn: Diane Nadeau, 207-784-3226.

2017 Don Gay Scholarship winner Sophia K. Mailhot, right, is pictured with her mother, Kathleen Marsh.