Published in ACE Summer Newsletter.
School Champion of the Year: Honoring Gretchen McCloy's Dedication and Leadership
Behind every thriving ACE program is a school champion who ensures students are seen, supported, and fully empowered to succeed. This year, ACE of Maine is proud to recognize Gretchen McCloy of South Portland High School as our School Champion of the Year—a title she has more than earned through years of unwavering commitment, innovation, and advocacy.
Gretchen began her ACE journey over five years ago and quickly became an integral force in shaping the program across Southern Maine. From joining the curriculum committee in her first year to helping redesign key components of the student experience, she has kept student success at the heart of every decision. Her insight into school calendars and student needs has helped ACE align more closely with the realities of school life, making the program more accessible and effective.
Thanks to Gretchen’s initiative and her connection to the Community Coordinators Collaborative (C3), ACE of Maine has grown from serving a single school to 16 schools in just a few years. Her vision and coordination efforts have opened doors for hundreds of students across the region. Most recently, she helped pilot “ACE Lite,” a flexible, school-day version of the program at South Portland High School, making it easier for students with after-school obligations to participate fully.
From hosting our Final Presentation Night at South Portland High’s auditorium to checking in weekly with her students and guiding them through scholarships and internships, Gretchen does it all with passion and purpose. She truly sets the standard for what it means to be a school champion, and we are honored to recognize her outstanding leadership.
Divina Gomes-Jaque, South Portland HS
ACE Mentoring Program of Maine Scholarships – $4,000
Divina ~ “ACE taught me how buildings interact with their environment and inspired me to pursue licensure in architecture with an interior design edge.”
Ahmed Mohamed, South Portland HS
Rising Star Scholarships – $1,500
Ahmed ~“The ACE Mentor Program was the most profound extracurricular educational experience I had as a high school student. The opportunity to interact with professionals and get exposure to the industry was invaluable.”