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The Mingo Club, of Bailey Island, is dedicated to supporting the future of Harpswell’s young people. The club gives grants of $1,000 to high school seniors in Harpswell to allow them to pursue successful careers through postsecondary education or training, including the cost of obtaining licenses. The 2026 winners were Savannah Gates and Julianna Allen.
Gates graduated from Mt. Ararat High School in June after pursuing her interest in nursing at Region 10 Technical High School in Brunswick. She is an outstanding scholar and athlete who has volunteered with the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department and the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. She is an Eagle Scout, and to earn the distinction, she undertook a project to remove invasive species from the west side of the Devil’s Back Trail Area on Orr’s Island.
While working toward her certificate to be a nursing assistant, she spent hours participating in clinics at local nursing homes, where she loved taking care of the patients. Once she graduates from the University of Maine School of Nursing, she hopes to expand healthcare access to rural areas in Maine.
Gates said her advice to high school seniors is to step out of your comfort zone, because “opportunities come from the most unexpected places.”
Julianna Allen also graduated from Mt. Ararat High School in June, having earned honors or high honors for all four years. She was a highly successful athlete, serving as varsity captain for both basketball and soccer in her senior year. She was a Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist in 2026 and received the Outstanding Senior Award for soccer.
Allen’s involvement in community affairs is also impressive. She has volunteered with a local soccer camp and the Strong Girls United organization, participated in several Harpswell cleanup days, and mentored younger athletes every summer.
Through athletics, she said, she has learned “the impact physical therapy can have on an individual, guiding them to regain strength and confidence.” This sparked her interest in healthcare. She is pursuing a degree in exercise science at the University of New England, hoping to eventually earn a doctorate in physical therapy.
Allen’s advice to high school seniors is to enjoy every second and cherish your friends. Although she has truly enjoyed making new friends, she treasures the special relationships she established during high school.
