Thirty students in grades three through six in Canaan Elementary, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary, Millstream Elementary and Skowhegan Area Middle schools received scholarships at the Somerset Future of Maine Scholarship ceremony April 24 at Skowhegan Area High School.

They were recognized by family and friends as well as community members and sponsors who presented the certificates, according to a news release from Maine School Administrative District 54.

The Somerset Future of Maine program promotes aspirations for young people. Students wrote an essay about what they are interested in now that would make a good career.  They researched what colleges or programs they would like to attend and some courses they would need to pursue that career. Scholarships may be used to further educational goals to pursue their career of interest.

Sponsors of the program are Franklin Savings Bank, Central Maine Power, Friends of Canaan, Somerset Economic Development Corporation, Skowhegan Rotary Club, Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce, Gayne Management Services, Dead River Company, Maine College Circle and other friends of the community.