Paris had many talents; growing giant pumpkins since childhood was one of them. Giant pumpkin production was a family affair. Paris nurtured the pumpkins, alongside her father, Edwin Pierpont, to achieve the record for the State of Maine for the largest pumpkin ever grown. Paris credited the commitment and dedication it takes to grow giant pumpkins, along with her appreciation of medical care professionals during an ankle injury, to build a foundation for her true passion of becoming an EMT and nurse.

According to Paris, her focus for entering the field of nursing was to make a career of healing, “so I can take a bad situation and turn it into good, for others.” She set her determination to achieve in motion by transferring to Medomak Valley High School, to be in position for the EMT program at the Mid-Coast School of Technology, in Rockland.

The Paris Pierpont Scholarship has been created in memory of, and in tribute to an extraordinary person, whose dedicated interest, determination, and commitment to service to her community contributed to her goal of becoming an Emergency Medical Services professional.

She was the total package: she was smart, she was a friend to everyone she met, her family ties were strong, she knew where she was going, and, naturally, she was beautiful, inside and out. Most importantly, young Paris Pierpont was a community leader—not by design, but by example. While her sudden and untimely death in her senior year of high school, in 2021, has left its lasting feeling of loss throughout her widespread community, her message of positivity has etched its lasting impression for those she touched. As Paris gave to so many, the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta is helping the goals of Paris Pierpont to be reached by others.

Paris grew up in Jefferson, defined by her bubbly, spitfire spirit, her positive outlook, her continuous smile, the belief that joy wins over sorrow, and her endless caring gestures. Her lifelong friendships remained solid to the end. Allison Bennett, a close friend of Paris since kindergarten, insisted, “Paris wouldn’t have wanted me to be sad by her death; Paris would have wanted everyone to continue to laugh and joke even with our loss, because that’s the type of positive person she was. Paris would make everyone laugh no matter how they were feeling.”

Paris demonstrated her “can-do” attitude in her love for team sports, especially basketball. She enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly competition with her peers, and always pushed herself and others to succeed. According to her mother, Bobbie Pierpont, “If there was a loose ball, you could be assured Paris would be on the floor trying to regain possession!”

The Paris Pierpont Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2022 in memory of Paris Pierpont

Paris Pierpont was a rising senior at Medomak High School.

While Paris had many talents, growing giant pumpkins since childhood was one of them. Growing giant pumpkins was a family affair.

The commitment and dedication it takes to grow giant pumpkins helped her to build a foundation for her true passion of becoming an EMT.