BANGOR, MAINE (May 22, 2018) – The Tramuto Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by Ogunquit resident Donato Tramuto, announced today that it has granted two outstanding Bangor High School graduates with four-year scholarships to help further their college education.

Presenting the scholarship awards were Foundation Board member Dr. Mary Jane England and Donato Tramuto.

Joseph “Jack” Cutting and Lydia M. Caron, members of the Bangor High School Class of 2018, received the Tramuto Foundation scholarships at the May 16th BHS Academic Awards ceremony.

Each year the Tramuto Foundation provides a $20,000 scholarship to a member of the senior class who has succeeded in the face of adversity to achieve personal excellence. Students are chosen based on their ability, efforts and the determination they have shown to contend with or overcome the challenges they have faced. Scholarship, community service, school activities, character, leadership qualities and demonstrated financial need are also considered.

The Foundation will present the third scholarship on June 7th at the Wells-Ogunquit High School Scholarship Awards event.

“Each of these students has experienced ‘bulldozer moments’ in their lives – serious, significant challenges that they have overcome and used as transformational opportunities to achieve personal success,” Tramuto said, referring to the book he published in 2016, Life’s Bulldozer Moments, How Adversity Can Lead to Success in Life and Business. “We’re proud to support these bright young people and look forward to watching all they will accomplish in their years ahead.”

Cutting will attend Tufts University in Boston, MA, where he will study Biochemical Engineering and political science. An Eagle Scout and captain of the swim team, Cutting is known as a compassionate, kind and confident member of the community. Since his freshman year, he has volunteered on the Matinicus Island Recycling Committee and has received numerous awards for academic excellence and citizenship. He is a former member of the Bangor High lacrosse and tennis teams and has served in leadership roles on the Student Council, Class Council and Spanish Club and Math Team. Cutting lives in Bangor and is the son of Carol Cutting.

Caron will attend the University of Maine, where she will major in Biology. She hopes to attend medical school upon graduation and is interested in becoming a geneticist. She is a member of the National Honor Society, an award-winning musician, and soloist in the Jazz Choir. She is a member of the tennis team and a former swimmer and a participant in the Key Club and Civil Rights Team. While excelling in academics, Caron has given back to her community as a regular volunteer with the Anah Shrine Festival of Trees. Caron lives in Glenburn and is the daughter of Becky and Gene Caron.