The BMA fund granted scholarships to the following students in 2024 for a total of $16,500.00
Dylan Griffin
Dylan was a friend and Bluewave teammate of Blain’s. He is playing basketball at the University of Maine Farmington. He is pursuing a major in Physical Education and a minor in coaching. It was a great surprise for him to see Blain’s little cousin Elyse wearing a #9 shirt at Saco Youth Camp, where Griffin is a counselor. Griffin is repeat recipient, this time he wrote an essay on how important playing sports and being on a team is to him.
Lauren Jackson
Lauren went to Deering, a couple years younger than Blain, she of course new of Blain, as everyone did. Lauren wrote an essay about the three concepts that are a major part of what being on a team means to her, learning to work well with others, trusting your teammates and being part of community. Lauren is attending Southern New Hampshire University with a major in Early Childhood Development.
Mpore Semuhoza
Mpore was a fellow DHS Class of 2021 teammate of Blain’s, as well as one of Blain’s great friends. Mpore is currently playing basketball and studying Digital Media at Great Bay Community College. Mpore is a repeat recipient, and this year wrote an essay about what playing a sport means to him. Specifically, his favorite sport basketball, where he got to know and love Blain. Mpore also played football with Blain. He knows Blain will “kick his A**” for not playing football but, he will continue to play basketball as long as he can, so he “can still get the championship” for Blain.
Aalliya Ferreira
Aalliyah is another repeat recipient. She continues to do a great job studying Psychology at UMO earning all As & Bs. She was a great friend to Blain and continues to be in touch, coming out each year on the anniversary of Blain’s passing. Aalliyah is playing volleyball in college and wrote a great essay on how being on a team sport has taught her structure and accountability and has found forever friends on her team. Update: Aalliyah graduated UMO Class of 2025, here degree of psychology and a minor in exercise science. She will be going on to John Hopkins University for a masters in health science.
Dominic DiMillo
Dominic is attending University of Southern Maine, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in tourism & hospitality. He has currently worked his way up to bartender at the family restaurant and is paying his own way to college. He writes an essay of what playing a sport meant to him and how that created the bond between himself and Blain. Playing on a team is about “building forever lasting relationships”. Dominic will forever remember Blain as he has a tattoo, “Beema”, on his forearm.
James Opio
James, otherwise known as “Opio” is studying business at the Husson University. He writes his essay about his best friend Blain and the sports they played together, basketball and football. Opio was Blain’s quarterback and he talks about how he loved to hand him the ball and watch him run. Opio is still playing football at Husson. He continues to pursue the football dream in memory of Blain, his friend, “with an amazing soul”.
DeShawn Lamour
DeShawn has written a lengthy essay about what being on a team sport means to him. He got talked into going to Deering to build the team, which was important to himself and his friends. Playing the game of football has given him “the confidence to thrive”. He was a leader on and off the field, just like Blain. DeShawn was a player at Ram Camp, when Blain was a counselor. He is the first in his family to attend college. He is attending Plymouth State University, where he will be studying to become a social worker. He is on the track and field team, competing in shot put and discus.