Today we donated the proceeds from 3rd Annual Bryan’s Ride to the Challenger Learning Center of Maine at an all-school assembly at the Troy Howard Middle School. Thank you so much to THMS Principal Alta Seekins, Admin. Asst. Carrie Robinson and all of the THMS staff for accommodating us to share this wonderful opportunity for children to experience what it is like to be an astronaut.
There are 32 spots for campers over each summer at the Challenger Center Astronaut Camp, and 15 of those spots were full scholarships this year from Totman Strong! We are so excited to announce that the 2024 Bryan’s Ride raised $7,500, which is $1,000 over last year’s donation, which means that 17 children will receive FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to this amazing program for next summer!
After the assembly, we had several students come up to us, clearly moved and some a bit teary-eyed, telling us they are very interested in the program and attending the camp.
Each student that receives a scholarship donates a book to the Bryan Totman Memorial Library section in the Ames School Library in Searsmont, where Bryan attended school. Scholarship recipients donated books to the growing library in Bryan’s honor and wrote heartfelt thank you notes, which are incredibly touching and make us realize the true impact of what we are doing.
Our hearts are full, and Bryan’s legacy lives on, offering opportunities to children, encouraging them to reach for the stars and accomplish anything they set their heart and mind on. I know he is proud of all of us and his community for making it all possible.
There is no way that we could do this without the help of this amazing community, the volunteers, donors, sponsors and all of you who attend, spread the word and support in so many additional ways.
If your child or a child you know is interested in one of the scholarships, the age group for the scholarships is entering 5th grade through 8th. Scholarship nominations generally open around January, so we will post the link as soon as we know it’s open. Children are nominated by a teacher or staff member, so if your child is interested in being nominated, let their teacher know.
THANK YOU ALL!!