Kimberly Gordon is a senior at the University of Maine in Orono, majoring in environmental science/natural resource management. She is a 2012 graduate of Boothbay Region High School who gives credit to her family, friends and teachers along the way for the help that they have given her to reach her lofty goals.

“My concentration is in natural resource management, sustainability and environmental policy. Growing up in Maine, and especially Boothbay, I always felt a strong connection with the outdoors and always found myself wanting to learn more,” Gordon said.

Gordon pays tribute to oceanography teacher Lauren Graham at BRHS, who spurred her on from curiosity to ambition, leading her to where she is today.

She also spoke well of two other former teachers.

“Mr. (I.J.) Pinkham was one of the best teachers that I have had to this day. He inspired me to always try my hardest and to never think that you are incapable of something; because it is difficult for you, doesn’t mean you should give up on it.”

“Former music teacher Meredith Duke always believed in me, I am forever grateful for her positive personality and lasting support. I am very lucky to have grown up in an area with such an active community, surrounded by people that are always rooting for you,” Gordon said.

Being raised in rural coastal Maine on the Boothbay peninsula, Gordon discovered her love for the outdoors. She is grateful to be among others at college who have her sense of responsibility to protect nature and choose to make it their career. Gordon knows that her work in this field has great meaning and hopes to work with others of like mind to create and manage land use for everyone.

As core requirements, Gordon has taken classes in anthropology, forestry, chemistry, wildlife ecology, Native American studies, philosophy and music, as well as others. Other concentrations in this field are ecosystem ecology (aquatic, forests and marine), natural history and soil science.

Gordon is happy with her school choice with its many campus activities such as music concerts and Maine Day, where students spend a day doing community service. There are over 200 student organizations on campus including clubs and sports. The professors are very diverse and for Gordon, as she gets further into her program, she especially enjoys the professors teaching in her field of study.

Currently Gordon is looking for an internship for summer. She is hoping to travel. She isn’t exactly sure what she would like to do specifically with her education. 

“My big dream is to go to Alaska and live for a while. I am also looking into Montana, Washington and Colorado. Eventually I want to come back to Maine and find a job that I truly love. I hope that I can come back to Maine and work as an environmental consultant or maybe work on environmental legislation,” Gordon said.

BRSAF General Fund

Kimberly Gordon received funds from the General Fund of the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund to help with her tuition expenses in her college experience which is an important component of the BRSAF. Each year in the fall the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund board gathers to send fund requests to residents and visitors alike. Each year this board, through the public's generous donations, hopes to meet the unmet needs of our local student’s college expenses. The students and the board greatly appreciate contributions received. Helping with the challenges ahead of providing local students with college, trade school and post graduate studies is one of the most rewarding community endeavors and makes a tremendous impact on so many lives. For more information on providing named scholarships and contributions, please go to; www.boothbayharborstudentaidfund.org.