Alumni Spotlight: Kait Burke

Kait was recently named Girl Scouts of Maine Volunteer of the Month. We wanted to congratulate her and share about her time here at UMaine Machias that led to the life she has now.

Home Town: Fairfield, ME

Graduation Year: 2011

Major: Interdisciplinary Fine Arts

Please tell us a little about what you are doing now.

While I’m a stay home parent now, I fill many of my hours with being a Girl Scout troop leader and volunteer. This year I volunteered to help train other leaders in camping skills so they can bring their own troops outside, became archery certified, became low ropes course trained, organized sister-troop overnights, brought my own troop camping a few times and I have an Lego Derby event I organized coming up in mid-November. I’m proud of my troop scouts and want them to experience so much while in Girl Scouts so I fill my calendar with activities with them or to better my leader skills.

What is the most valuable thing you learned while at UMaine Machias?

My sisterhood with KAK taught me how to be an aware leader for others, how to volunteer and give my time to others, and it helped my self-confidence immensely. These are all skills I use now to be the best GS leader and GSME volunteer I can.

What advice to you have for current students?

Trying new things often leads to creating friendships that will stay with you through life.

How did your time at UMaine Machias prepare you for what you are doing now?

I did not have self-confidence when graduating high school, attending UMM and joining KAK truly helped me become the person, volunteer, and leader I am now. I will stand up for myself and others and always encourage my girls to do the same.

How has UMaine Machias made a positive impact on your life?

Learning aside, I am happily married to the guy I met freshman year and we have a great little family. I always stay in contact with many of my UMM friends both Greek and not. I don’t use my degree currently but the connections I made have lasted 17 years and going.