11/08/2025
🧑🏻🚀 We’re so excited to share that we donated the proceeds today! The 4th Annual Bryan’s Ride was another huge success — we raised even more than last year! 🚀
This year’s donation of $8,500 was presented to Kirsten Hibbard, Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center of Maine . We raised an extra $1,000 over last year’s total again — enough to send 20 children to Astronaut Camp next summer on full scholarships! Out of 32 available spots, 20 will be funded by Bryan’s Ride!
That brings total donations from Totman Strong to the Challenger Learning Center to $25,000 to date, for a total of 57 FULL TUITION scholarships in memory of Bryan!
Each year, the scholarship students choose a book to donate to the Bryan Totman Memorial Library at the Ames School in Searsmont, where Bryan went to school. This summer, they added even more wonderful titles, along with heartfelt thank-you notes that remind us just how much this program means. We also received 17 more donated books during the ride — the library is really growing!
We were once again welcomed by the staff and students at Troy A Howard Middle School for an all-school assembly. A huge thank you to Principal Alta Seekins, Admin Assistant Carrie Robinson, and the entire THMS team for making it possible to share this amazing opportunity for kids to dream big and explore what it’s like to be an astronaut.
Every year after our presentation, kids come up to tell us about Bryan — how he impacted them or someone they know - sometimes poignant and sometimes hilarious (IYKYK 😄). Some parents or grandparents will stop us when we are out in the community to share stories about attending the Challenger Camp through a scholarship and how unforgettable the experience was for their child. Those moments truly fill our hearts.
Bryan’s spirit continues to shine brightly through his legacy — encouraging so many kids to reach for the stars, believe in themselves, and dream big. We know he is so proud of all of us and his community.💙
We couldn’t do any of this without our amazing community — every amazing volunteer, donor, sponsor, and participant who helps make it happen. A special thanks goes to the Belfast Police and Fire Departments for their outstanding support every year.
If your child — or a child you know — would like to be considered for a scholarship, they must be entering 5th through 8th grade. Nominations usually open in January, and we’ll share the link once it’s live. Students are nominated by a teacher or school staff member, so if your child is interested, be sure to let their teacher know.
🧑🏻🚀THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! 🚀
