📰YORK COUNTY | Students Recognized with Leadership Scholarships

By Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner, Contributing Writer

May 11, 2026, Three local high school seniors have been named the 2026 recipients of the Chenette Leadership Scholarship, an award recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, civic engagement, and leadership.

This year’s scholars represent Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle High School. Each recipient was selected based on their proven track record of putting others first and their future aspirations to serve their communities.

“It is an honor to support these three remarkable young leaders as they transition to the next phase of their lives,” said York County Commissioner Justin Chenette, who started the scholarship. “From mentoring younger students to advocating for policy changes at the school board, these students embody the spirit of service that can give us all hope for our future.”

Thornton Academy: Jackson Howard

Jackson Howard is the 2026 leadership scholar for Thornton Academy. Howard is the Student Body President, founded the Communion of Christian Athletes, and is an active member of the Active Minds Club, which focuses on reducing mental health stigma. His history with public service began early; as a fifth grader at CK Burns School, he shadowed Chenette as a student page at the State House during his final Senate term.

Howard mentors eighth-grade students at Saco Middle School in leadership and stress management as part of his Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. He also serves as a Sunday school teacher and works as a lifeguard during the summer in Old Orchard Beach. This fall, Howard will attend Gordon College to play lacrosse while double majoring in Health Sciences and Theology, with the long-term goal of becoming a Pediatric Emergency Physician Associate.

Old Orchard Beach High School: Hannah Webber

Hannah Webber is the 2026 leadership scholar for Old Orchard Beach High School. A multi-year softball team captain and a former Student Council Class President, Webber has completed 359 hours of community service. Her experience includes attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a program focused on youth leadership development.

Webber’s community service work has been deeply personal, including a significant commitment to supporting a young girl with Down syndrome during summer camp and volunteering for local recreation department events, such as the Easter Extravaganza and Concerts in the Park. Webber will attend the University of Maine at Farmington to major in Early Childhood Special Education, aiming to work in a life-skills classroom supporting students who learn differently.

Bonny Eagle High School: Boston Nobile

Boston Nobile is the 2026 leadership scholar for Bonny Eagle High School. Nobile has held significant leadership roles, including serving as Student Council President and as a Student Representative to the MSAD#6 School Board. His dedication to civic engagement is further evidenced by his participation in the Maine Model UN, YMCA Youth in Government, and the National Honor Society.

Nobile has been instrumental in community initiatives, ranging from organizing food drives to activities that help to increase local voter participation. This fall, he heads to Washington, D.C., to attend George Washington University, where he plans to major in Political Science and eventually pursue a career in politics or civil service.

Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has awarded $15,500 in scholarships to over 30 students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle.