United Way of Addison County (UWAC) fosters community service in all community members, but especially in our youth in Addison County. In that spirit, UWAC honors a local high school senior through the UWAC Youth Volunteer Scholarship Award. On behalf of a generous donor, one student is chosen annually for the award, recognizing a high school senior who has volunteered in their community and is interested in advancing their education. This award comes with a $3,000 scholarship for the Addison County student to be used for post-graduation education.
The 2024 UWAC Youth Volunteer Scholarship Award recipient is Mackenzie Flint of Waltham. Kenzie is a member of the Vergennes LEOS Club, an affiliation of the Vergennes Lions Club, which strives to give back to the community. Through her participation with the LEOS, Kenzie has participated in various community service projects, including assistance following 2023’s floods, building an outdoor owl rehab space, reading with elementary school students, and planting so many gardens it is hard to count! One of her biggest projects with LEOS included providing a new playground space for the John Graham Shelter in Vergennes.
Cookie Steponaitis, a Mentor for the Vergennes LEOS Club, calls Mackenzie Flint “a wonder”! “Mackenzie has learned not only to envision change but how to take the sometimes-cumbersome steps needed to bring all parties to the table. She has met with town leaders, gotten permits, discussed funding options with other civic groups, and engaged members of her senior class and the local career center to participate in the cleaning and building process. Mackenzie completed her goals of securing the donation of a children’s playground, a mural, a raised garden bed, and a barbeque grill for the John Graham Shelter,” said Cookie.
After graduating from Vergennes Union High School, Kenzie plans to attend the University of New England-Biddeford to major in Environmental Science. From the Board and Staff at United Way of Addison County, congratulations, Kenzie! Thank you for your service to Addison County!
