Washington County Community College Names Kolaiah Spooner 2025 Student of the Year

CALAIS, ME – Washington County Community College (WCCC) is proud to announce that Kolaiah Spooner, a student in the Criminal Justice Conservation Law program, has been named the 2025 Student of the Year honoring her outstanding academic performance, leadership, resilience, service, and determination.

Kolaiah chose WCCC because of its ideal location, her dual Canadian and US citizenship, and the college’s renowned Criminal Justice Conservation Law program, which includes outdoor leadership trips and hands-on wilderness first aid training. She enjoys actively contributing to the campus trail system and serving as a role model, encouraging her brother and other students to attend WCCC in the future.

Kolaiah has excelled academically, earning consistent recognition on both the President’s and Dean’s lists. Known among her peers for her exemplary study habits, she regularly utilized the resources of TRIO and the Teaching and Learning Center of Excellence (TLCE), serving as an inspiration to her fellow students.
Wayde Carter, Program Instructor for Criminal Justice Conservation Law at WCCC, praised Kolaiah, stating, “Kolaiah is a top student in the criminal justice program with a career 3.96 GPA. She is a natural leader and is always willing to help in and outside the classroom. Her ability to see others who are struggling and offer help to them is impressive. She represents the program very well.”

An influential leader within the Criminal Justice program, Kolaiah notably participated as a student leader during a trip to Rhode Island for the New England Division of the International Association of Identification (NEDIAI) conference for two consecutive years, demonstrating outstanding planning skills and professionalism. She managed the trip’s logistics, including arranging meals, scheduling training seminars, and ensuring student preparedness. Her natural leadership was noted and praised by professionals in the criminal justice field. Additionally, she has been a leader in the construction and planning of walking trails behind the college. Her leadership qualities were further evident during her impactful summer internship at the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge, where her supervisor commended her strong work ethic and leadership abilities.

Committed to campus and community engagement, Kolaiah has actively contributed through roles such as TRIO participant and grant recipient, Phi Theta Kappa member, Seed Upon the Grass participant, Fishing Derby participant, EXPLORE participant, and volunteer at her church’s youth group. As a TRIO tutor, her welcoming nature, organizational skills, and enthusiastic teaching style significantly enhanced her peers’ learning experiences.

Dr. Tyler Stoldt, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services, remarked on the significance of the award, stating, “Kolaiah’s leadership and dedication have positively transformed our campus community. Her commitment and service exemplify what this award represents, and she sets a standard of excellence for all students at WCCC.”

Kolaiah’s journey has not been without challenges. As a first-generation college student and dual citizen, she overcame substantial financial barriers and navigated the complexities of transitioning to college life after two gap years post-high school graduation, a rare feat accomplished by less than 1% of her peers. Her resilience has made her a powerful role model.
Expressing her aspirations, Kolaiah once remarked, “How amazing it is that I can make a living protecting my favorite things, people, and nature! All while working in the great outdoors!” She plans to attend Park Ranger School this summer, furthering her goals to become a park ranger, clearly reflecting her unwavering dedication to advocacy for people and nature.

Washington County Community College celebrates Kolaiah’s exceptional accomplishments and proudly acknowledges her as a leader and role model for students, faculty, and the community, embodying the college’s mission and vision for student excellence. President Susan Mingo stated “Kolaiah’s outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence reflects the highest standards of scholarship. She is an inspiration to her peers and the entire WCCC community. WCCC is proud of her many accomplishments and we look forward to recognizing her at our statewide celebration”.

Kolaiah will be recognized for this distinguished honor on April 23rd with an in-person ceremony at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell beginning at 10:30a.m. followed by a tea at the Blaine House.