Two Dexter Regional High School students are the recipients of the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship for Fall 2026: Ella-marie Buschmann and Peyton Dodge.
Thomas College is offering two deserving Dexter Regional High School students a scholarship that covers 50% tuition, and 50% of housing/meal plan, for up to four years to a student pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time beginning in Fall 2026. This scholarship is thanks to the generosity of the Bill and Joan Alfond Family.
This initiative underscores the shared commitment between the Bill and Joan Alfond family and Thomas College to make higher education attainable for Maine students, transforming lives and strengthening the state’s future.
Ella-marie plans to study sports management at Thomas College and hopes to work in college or professional sports teams after college.
“This scholarship means a lot to me because it motivates me to continue to working hard and it also helps me recognize how much my hard work pays off and how others recognize it,” said Ella-marie. “I am interested in Thomas College because they have an amazing sports program and I love the campus. I feel like Thomas can really feel like home to me.”
Peyton plans to study forensic psychology and criminal justice. Her ultimate goal is to work for the FBI one day.
“I am very interested in Thomas because I love how it’s a small campus and just a smaller school in general, with that also comes a small student to staff ratio within the classroom so you really get to have that relationship with your professor and your peers which I personally find super important,” said Peyton.
“Receiving this scholarship will help me a great deal financially while I’m in college and even down the road in my future with student debt. This scholarship is also proof, for me personally, that hard work really does pay off,” she said.
Congrats Ella-marie and Peyton!
Learn more about the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship: