Snowe celebrates graduation of more than 150 Maine girls from her leadership institute

PORTLAND – The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, founded by former U. S. Sen. Olympia J Snowe, has graduated its Class of 2026 — consisting of 156 young women from across Maine’s 16 counties.

Area graduates are Amara Driscoll and Kaitlynn McMahon of Penquis Valley High School and Bella Buehne, Molly Goodwin, Ava Goulette, Brookelynn Hunt and Sadie-Mae Kelley of Piscataquis Community High School.

The Institute is designed to raise the confidence, aspirations and leadership skills of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed to be leaders in their lives, families, careers and communities.

Studies have shown that girls experience a greater decline in confidence during adolescence than boys do, and they are less likely to enjoy taking the lead or assume leadership roles. The program is working to close that gender gap at schools in every region of our state.

“Olympia’s Leaders,” as participants are called, complete a three-year progression through the themes: “My Values” (10^th grade), “My Voice” (11^th grade) and “My Vision” (12^th grade) — and can earn a series of digital badges and three college credits at no cost to them, their families or their schools. 

Each Olympia’s Leader is supported by two women volunteers, called “Olympia’s Leaders Advisors”, who deliver the curriculum while serving as mentors and role models. More than 800 students, mentors and school contacts participate annually.

At two Year End Celebrations — held at the University of Maine on May 18 and the University of Southern Maine on May 19 — the Institute celebrated a year of achievement for all students, graduated its senior class, and announced exclusive or partnered scholarships.

In addition to remarks from Snowe and Institute staff, speakers included:

Mary Mahoney-O’Neil, Ed.D. — OLA of Piscataquis ’25 and director of Maine NEW Leadership and director of the Maine Government Summer Internship Program at UMaine

Vicki Gordan — OLA of Oxford Hills ’20 ’23 ’28 and former senior vice president, chief auditor at Unum

Leslie Tremberth — OLA of Oxford Hills ’23 ’28 and owner of Leslie Tremberth Coaching & Consulting

Ruth Griffith—Olympia’s Leader of Piscataquis ’22, UMaine Honors College valedictorian ’26, Alum Council chair and risk analyst at TD Bank in New York City

Mikayla Reynolds — Olympia’s Leader of Winslow ’19, UMaine Honors College salutatorian ’23, Maine Business School MBA ’25 and lead peer coach, community engagement coordinator at UMaine TRIO Student Support Services

MacKenzie Dawe — Olympia’s Leader of Skowhegan ’25 and UMaine ’29

Caroline Sheets — Olympia’s Leader of Oxford Hills ’23 and Colby College ’27

Jiaying Carmen Zhong — Olympia’s Leader of Oxford Hills ’23 and Princeton University ’27

Mallory Kennison — Olympia’s Leader of Oxford Hills ’23 and Wellesley College ’27

Tori Luz — Olympia’s Leader of Oxford Hills ’23 and Stonehill College ’27

Brooke Douglass — Olympia’s Leader of Spruce Mountain ‘26

Emma Bard — Olympia’s Leader of Presque Isle ’26

In her address to Olympia’s Leaders, Snowe shared, “You have grown — not only in skill but also in confidence, in purpose and in the courage to use your voice. I hope you recognize what you have gained: conviction, capability and community. And I hope you know this: you do not leave this Institute behind when the year ends. You carry it with you, and it can always help carry you forward too.”

The Institute recognized the graduating class of Olympia’s Leaders by celebrating each senior with a graduation cord, commemorative pin, certificate of completion, invitation to the Alum Network, individual photo with Snowe and a letter they wrote to themselves at the start of the program.

Nine Olympia’s Leaders received scholarships exclusively for Institute participants. 

In addition, 39 Olympia’s Leaders were named Worthington Scholars, 11 were named Mitchell Scholars and six were named CIEE Global Navigators.

To date, Olympia’s Leaders have been awarded more than $4.7 million in scholarships from the organization or its partners.

Of the Class of 2026 graduates: 100% are graduating from high school; 96% are matriculating to higher education; 4% are moving on to specialized training for trades, directly into the workforce, founding their own business or taking a gap term for financial confidence; 65% will remain in Maine for their next steps; and 65% will be pursuing careers in STEM. This statistic is significant because it demonstrates that Olympia’s Leaders interested in STEM now have the confidence to pursue historically male-dominated fields.

Data from the Class of 2025 indicates that Olympia’s Leaders believe the program has made a difference in their lives and showed that: 99% are ready to open their mind to new ideas or approaches; 97% understand their own values, strengths, and passions; 97% can communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully; 96% can build and maintain a network of support; 95% can work with and appreciate diverse people; 95% feel confident in themselves; 95% are willing to tackle challenges, stand up for their values, and take responsibility; 94% feel capable of leading others; and 91% feel able to mentor, guide, and support others.

The Institute proudly partners with the following schools: Bangor, Belfast Area, Biddeford, Boothbay Region, Calais, Camden Hills Regional, Cony, Edward Little, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lawrence, Leavitt Area, Lewiston, Lincoln Academy, Lisbon, Medomak Valley, Morse, Mount Ararat, Mount Blue, Mount Desert Island, Mountain Valley, Mount View, Narraguagus, Nokomis Regional, Oak Hill, Oceanside, Oxford Hills Comprehensive, Penquis Valley, Piscataquis Community, Poland Regional, Portland, Presque Isle, Sacopee Valley, Skowhegan Area, Spruce Mountain, Thornton Academy, Westbrook, and Winslow High Schools.

The Year End Celebrations were generously supported by volunteers from the following Corporate Partners: Bangor Savings Bank, Franklin Savings Bank, InterMed, Means Wealth Management, Norway Savings Bank, Saco and Biddeford Savings Bank and Unum.

The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills required to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. The Institute was founded by Senator Olympia J. Snowe in 2015 to address the decreasing confidence levels of young women in Maine. For more information, visit snoweleadershipinstitute.org.