The Maine Classic Car Museum proudly announces that two students have been awarded a national scholarship from the RPM Foundation to further their automotive education. Max Flynn, age 17 and a junior at Greely High School in Cumberland and Cotton Schlaver, age 16, and a junior at Biddeford High School, are among seven scholarships granted by RPM to students nationwide to underwrite their participation in The Great Race 2024, the nation’s oldest and largest classic car rally.
“We are thrilled that our students will be navigators in the country’s most prestigious vintage race, and it’s an incredible opportunity for our young people to collaborate with other students from high schools and universities around the country,” said Maine Classic Car Museum president, Gene Prentice.
“At the RPM Foundation, our mission is to accelerate the growth of the next generation of automotive enthusiasts and professionals, and our education grant to the Maine Classic Car Museum gives two promising and talented Maine high school students a once-in-a-life time learning opportunity,” says Nick Ellis, Executive Director of the RPM Foundation, based in Tacoma, Washington.
Flynn has been with the Museum since eighth grade, earned academic credit with a school-sponsored internship, and now works part-time as a museum docent. Schlaver joined the Museum last year as a docent, welcoming visitors from around the world and giving tours of over 40 classic cars on exhibition.
Each year since 1983, the Great Race attracts hundreds of classic car drivers and navigators to an 8-day competitive controlled-speed endurance rally on public roadways. For 2024, the race begins June 22 in Owensboro, Kentucky. Over the next week, teams will travel 2300 miles across 13 states, ending on June 30 in Gardiner, Maine.
“We’re honored to have the only student team from Maine in this year’s rally, and we’re hoping we’ll have many supporters at the finish line on June 30 to welcome our students home,” said Tim Stentiford of Kennebunk, the Team Advisor and driver.
“It’s an incredible honor and I’m very appreciative of everyone who has helped us in winning this scholarship,” said Schlaver. “I can’t wait for the experience of connecting with other students from across the nation,” he added.
“I’m excited to be spending over a week in one of the classic cars I work with,” said Flynn. “I get to put what I learn in the classroom and at the Museum to the test when we hit the road.”
Flynn’s mother agrees. “Max has found a real home at the Museum, and his experience has definitely shaped his career goals,” says Emily Flynn, a teacher at Gray New Gloucester Middle and High Schools. “He’s learned technical skills, teamwork, and networking,” she added.
Since 2011, Motorland and the Maine Classic Car Museum has sponsored dozens of student internships with students from Kennebunk High School, Biddeford High School, Greely High School, and Yarmouth High School, among others. The Museum also offers career and technical education field trips for students from various educational programs, including Kennebunk High School Alternative Education and, most recently, Noble High School. “We’re committed to continuing our community outreach and creating learning and employment opportunities for Maine students interested in technical trades,” said Prentice.
The Maine Classic Car Museum is located at 2564 Portland Road, US Route 1, in Arundel, Maine. The Museum’s winter hours are Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, check out mainecarmuseum.com
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Photo Caption: Max Flynn (left) of Cumberland’s Greely High School and Cotton Schlaver (right) of Biddeford High School sit behind the wheel of a 1961 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, where the two will act as navigators in the national Great Race 2024, thanks to a scholarship from the RPM Foundation of Tacoma.