State Honoree

Ian Pelletier, 18, of Deer Isle, Maine, a senior at Deer Isle-Stonington High School, raised $30,000 to construct a storage building for a local elementary school and performing arts center. When Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School and Reach Performing Arts Center were built in 2000, "there was little thought or funds put into storage," explained Ian. "The maintenance department had to store equipment like ladders, snowblowers and tools in a dilapidated shed." In addition, the sets and props for the arts center were kept in community members' garages and barns, making them difficult to access. Ian, who had enjoyed working at the center as an actor and lighting technician, decided to address the need for storage. "At first I thought the project was too big, but once I started, I never had regrets," he said.After getting approval from school, arts center, and city officials, Ian recruited an architect to design plans for a 24' by 36' two-story building. He then solicited bids from local contractors and building suppliers and began to raise funds. Ian sent a letter to more than 1,000 potential contributors, attracted attention from a local newspaper, and displayed a model of his proposed building at arts center performances. After donations started coming in, Ian recruited volunteers and hired contractors. At times, fund-raising slowed to a trickle and Ian had to renew his appeal for help. In the end, his perseverance paid off. Nineteen months after he had started, with the help of 345 donors and 70 volunteers, Ian's building was finished. "One of the most memorable parts of this project was looking out of the upstairs window and realizing that this building was standing because of the work I had initiated," said Ian. "The building felt so strong and sturdy, I knew it would still be standing after I die."