Hello, Class of 2021!
My name is Jasmine Olivares, and I am the class correspondent for the Class of 2021. I am not a Maine native but have found campus to be a home away from home, and I am always excited to hear where classmates are as well as what they are doing. I invite you to share any news or events that you’d like your classmates to hear with me at jasmine.olivares@maine.edu or with the UMaine Alumni Association.
I graduated from the university with a bachelor’s in social work and have been working with high school students as an academic counselor since 2023. I came to Maine from Texas, and after the culture shock, settled into this state which I now call home. Currently, I am also pursuing graduate coursework in the hopes of eventually enrolling in a master’s program for program and project management.
Now, let’s begin with our first class column. As we celebrate the start of summer, we have some 2022 news to celebrate!
In 2022, Gadson “Gaddy” Lefft G began employment with the University of Maine as an assistant women’s basketball coach. Gaddy previously played for the university in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons as a forward. During this time, she was also an assistant student coach and assistant in the university’s compliance department.
Also in 2022, Shanna Scribner began employment with MedRhythms, a neurotherapeutic organization that works to help people with neurologic injury and disease, such as stroke survivors, to improve walking through the use of music. Shanna is an associate clinical operations engineer. Prior to this, Shanna was an intern with the organization in 2021.
Nolan Altvater has been employed with the Passamaquoddy tribe and Maine Coast Heritage Trust as the special projects cultural coordinator since 2023. Nolan is responsible for projects relating to cultural preservation at the Passamaquoddy tribe’s Cultural Heritage Museum, which also builds a relationship with Maine Coast Heritage Trust through their values of protecting the tribe’s homeland.
In August, the University of Maine’s Athletics and Counseling Center announced the hiring of former UMaine student-athlete Hailey Perkins ’23G as a student-athlete therapist. Hailey played for the university as a member of the softball team from 2017-2021, and in 2021 interned with the counseling center. Hailey hopes that her own experience as an athlete, and her understanding of the importance of mental health will further improve athlete health and wellness.
In November of 2023, it was announced that Jill Harper Walsh G would receive a promotion with the organization Haley Ward. Jill started with Haley Ward in 2020, and her new position as human resources director began early in 2024. This promotion has Jill playing a pivotal role in the leadership organization of Haley Ward.
Though there are plenty more updates to share, I will refrain from sharing them all this time. The Class of 2021 news is shared every summer and winter in the MAINE Alumni Magazine and online. Updates about the lives and careers of the Class of 2021 are always welcome, so be sure to reach out if you have something to share. Have a great summer, everyone!