The MAPS Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is the creation of founder Louis Ladakakos. Its mission is to provide scholarships for Old Orchard Beach High School Seniors at their graduation. The acronym "MAPS" stands for the third letter in the surnames of four dedicated and revered educators from Old Orchard Beach: E. Emerson Cummings, Herbert R. Bean, Jerome A. LePelletier, and John McSweeney. MAPS has
evolved from Mr. Ladakakos' energies and vision. He initiated the "Breakaway Race", a course accredited by the U.S. Track and Field Association, in 1996. The monies realized from this race form the corpus of the monies for the scholarship. The Foundation consists of seven trustees who oversee the business of raising funds and awarding scholarships. They are: Ken Botting, Billy Corcoran, Peter Flaherty, Stuart Hogan, Bill Johnson, Louie Ladakakos and Roger Tousignant. The following scholarships are offered yearly to graduating Old Orchard Beach Seniors in the amount of $1,000 each:
Benjamin R. Grant Memorial Scholarship - Benjamin Grant was a junior high school math teacher in the O.O.B. School System for twenty-four and one half years. His teaching career came to a close with his unexpected death in 1983. Following his death, Ben’s co-teachers and friends felt it would be appropriate to honor his memory as a dedicated teacher by establishing a memorial trust fund bearing his name. This scholarship is managed by the MAPS Scholarship Foundation. Old Orchard Beach Educational Association - This scholarship is awarded in the name of the teaching staff of Old Orchard Beach to a student pursuing a career in education. John McSweeney Memorial Scholarship - John McSweeney was a Math and World Geography teacher at Old Orchard Beach High School from 1953 until his retirement in 1979. He was head basketball coach, track coach, assistant football coach and Athletic Director. The gymnasium at the high school (now the Loranger Middle School) was named for Mr. McSweeney in 1971. Following his teaching career, he served on the first Maine Lottery Commission and was elected to the State of Maine Legislature as a State Representative for several years. John’s students were like his extended family. He helped many of these students, financially and emotionally, through his counsel and guidance while in high school and following their graduation as adults. John died in 1995. Dale Blow Vocational Scholarship - Dale helped his Dad with the family business, Blow Brothers, when he was just a youngster and continued to grow the business with his own five sons. Today Blow Brothers operates in 2 states with over 130 employees. Dale believes that hard work along with a good education can help young people start their own family business and prosper in good times and bad. Armand "Blackie" St. Hilaire Memorial Scholarship - Blackie was the Director of Public Works for Old Orchard Beach. He was an employee of the town for 35 years up until his death in 1982. Due to the Great Depression years of the 1930’s Blackie left school in the 6th grade to help his family survive. He always stressed the importance of continuous education beyond high school. He felt that vocational education was a vital part of a thriving community. Charles A. Loranger Memorial Scholarship - Charlie spent most of his life in Old Orchard Beach. He was an all-sports athlete at Old Orchard Beach High School. He excelled as a student and graduated in 1945. Right after high school he enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers, returning to Maine to study education at the University of Maine. He came back to Old Orchard Beach High School as a teacher and an all-sports coach. He believed in hard work and was an advocate for higher education. He was a CCD teacher for St. Margaret's Parish , a mentor and tutor to young people of all ages in Old Orchard Beach. At the time of his death at age 40 in 1967, he was an active member of the OOB School Committee. After his death, the Town of Old Orchard Beach honored him by naming the then Junior High School in his memory. It is now the Loranger Middle School. At the dedication of the school it was said: "To Charles A. Loranger, Teacher, Coach, School Committee Chairman, Businessman and Community Leader we dedicate this school. Whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, in business or among his fellow citizens he was known for his patience, his kindness and his understanding. We were proud to have called him friend." Michael G. Schoonjans Scholarship - Michael Schoonjans was the manager of the Biddeford-Saco Board of Textile Workers (TWUA) and was instrumental in organizing several industrial unions in the area during his 20 years of head of the local TWUA from 1947 to 1967 when he retired. He also served on the State Labor Relations Board and the State Arbitration Board. Schoonjans was a member of the State Comprehensive Health Planning Council, the Governor’s State Employees Labor Relations Advisory Council, co-chair of Concerned Citizens for Better Government and was a member of the Governor’s Committee on Aging. He was a member of the Ross Community Center in Biddeford and of the York County Fish and Game Association. Schoonjans was instrumental in the creation of the Biddeford Vocational School. He passed away in 1983. Idle Sons of Rest Memorial Scholarship - ISOR (Idle Sons of Rest) is an organization of Old Orchard Beach High School graduates established during their high school days in 1953. At its 30th anniversary gathering the group agreed to give a Centennial gift to the community in the form of a memorial scholarship fund in the memory of its “adopted parents”, the late Amy and Clarence “Tac” Botting and its deceased members, Robert Fitzgerald class of 1953; Robert Collum, Walter McKenna and Robert F. Jenkins, class of 1954; Terrance H. Hackett, Roger P. Hanson, Donald F. Ketola, William J. McNally and Russell Wyman, class of 1955; Charles McKeen, Robert J. Rioux, Robert St.Ours and Brian M. Tierney, class of 1956; James H. Barnhart, Howard Bellevue, Robert Chamberlain, class of 1957; Chester L. Briggs, class of 1958; and Martin Blaney, class of 1961. Faith "Faye" Hogan Memorial Scholarship - Faye Hogan was a life long resident of Old Orchard Beach having graduated from the high school in 1960. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Faye was the friendly face behind the counter at Hogan's Variety Store which she and her husband George owned for 25 years. You could expect to see her at most sporting events supporting the many talented athletes in her family. Anyone who knew Faye would tell you that she was a kind, friendly, generous person with a big smile for everyone.
