LAMOINE — The second annual Jina Haslam Memorial Scholarship was awarded April 25 at the 2012 Scholarship Recognition held at Alfond Arena at the University of Maine Orono.

Bethany VanGorder, a Tremont resident and graduate of Mount Desert Island High School, was one recipient. She was also presented an award for the college-wide highest-ranking sophomore and had previously received this award as a first-year student. The second recipient was Lily McLaughlin.

In 2010, funds for this scholarship were presented to the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences to be awarded to a future veterinary student. Before her tragic death in June 2005, Jina Haslam, a recent graduate of Lamoine Consolidated School, had aspirations to attend MDI High School and to become a vet. Fund raising began in earnest that year with the intention of building a new, badly needed gym at the school.

Due to many setbacks, this goal was unattainable and the Jina Gym Committee voted to use the funds for extensive improvements of the existing gym. A dedication in September 2010, concluded in the naming of “The Jina Gym.” Part of the remaining funds were given to various causes and the balance donated to the University of Maine to establish this scholarship.

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