Wolverine Tracks

IMPROVING CHALMERS ICE ARENA

Chalmers Ice Arena is pleased to announce that it has received a significant grant from the Kendal C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation. The grant is supporting exciting upgrades, including a new state-of-the-art skate sharpener and locker room bathroom renovation, ensuring that the arena remains a resource for the Lakes Region and Bridgton Academy communities. Once the rehabilitation is completed, we hope to welcome more local skaters and as many hockey events as possible to the arena.

FACULTY AND STAFF UPDATES

We’re pleased to share some exciting faculty and staff news! The Academy has recently filled three integral positions: Head Football Coach, Academic Dean, and Assistant Head of School. a keen eye for spotting talent and has recruited players from across the country.

Bridgton has a new Dean of Academics, Jamie Izaryk. Jamie’s tenure with the Academy has spanned 10 years, first as a college counselor, and most recently as Director of College Counseling. In 2020, she was honored with the Andrew F. Staub ’04 Faculty Professional Development Award in recognition of caring and committed work in advising students. Head of School Martin Mooney remarked of her appointment, “Throughout her time at Bridgton, Jamie has been a model of steadfast, empathetic leadership; she is guided by her keen sense of what is right and what is in the best educational and developmental interests of our young men.” While Jamie will now direct all aspects of Bridgton’s academic programming, she will also continue her oversight of the College Counseling Depart-

Following a nationwide search, Matthew Dugan has been named Bridgton’s next head football coach. Matt brings an impressive breadth of experience to North Bridgton, as a position coach, recruiter, and offensive coordinator at Colby College, where he spent seven seasons. A four-year player at Springfield College, Matt was named an Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection on the offensive line. He would go on to earn his master’s degree and coach as a graduate assistant for the Pride. Prior to his time at Colby, Dugan also held coaching positions at Springfield College and Maine Maritime Academy. In addition to his deep expertise in the coaching realm, Matt has ment and will work with a small group of students in that capacity this year.

Dave Lepage has been appointed Assistant Head of School. In this role, he will provide oversight of student life, strategic initiatives, professional development, and all operational aspects at Bridgton. Dave will also work closely with the Dean of Academics on programming and student needs. He has been with the Academy since 1997, serving in a variety of key roles: STEM teacher, assistant hockey coach, dorm parent, and as Director of Technology. He is also the proud parent of two Bridgton alumni: Nick Lepage ’17 and Cameron Lepage ’21. From 2019-2022, Dave also served as the James “Jake” Laferriere Chair for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of his ability to inspire students, exceptional leadership skills, commitment to pedagogical innovation, strong sense of justice, and his reverence for learning. Mr. Mooney expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, “Dave’s willingness to innovate and embrace change, coupled with his approachability and connections with colleagues will go a long way toward helping this community move forward in the post-COVID era.”

Update Us! Do you have a new address or updated contact information? Have you gotten married or welcomed a new addition to your family? Maybe you are celebrating a professional achievement, a new job, or retirement? Whatever your news is, the Alumni Office at Bridgton Academy would like to know! Submit your latest update through our website form, or email alumni@ bridgtonacademy.org. Any updates received between now and the next edition of Bridgton Academy Today will be entered into a drawing for some new Bridgton gear!

From left to right: Sam Bonder, Ryan Peters, Max Toscani CHAPEL SPEAKERS

As the fourth quarter drew to a close, three students volunteered to address the class in Chapel: Sam Bonder, Ryan Peters, and Max Toscani. While the topics were varied, all of these students’ stories shared common themes: resilience, bravery, and strength.

Sam Bonder gave the first remarkable speech on the importance of mental health advocacy among men and checking on your friends. He took the opportunity to urge anyone in the community who is having dark or depressive thoughts to reach out, be it to a friend, teacher, or staff member. He ended the speech by offering to be a safe person to talk to for anyone who may be struggling or feeling alone.

Ryan Peters was the next student to take the podium, addressing his peers about the importance of perseverance, which brought him to Bridgton and will take him to Curry College in the fall. Since coming to Bridgton, Ryan has done a bit of self-reflection and offered encouragement to his fellow Wolverines, “No matter what you have, a physical difference or a mental disorder, you are not bound to any diagnosis or anyone else’s thoughts. If you persevere and never give up, you are capable of anything. You are so much greater than you think you are, so much stronger than you know.”

Max Toscani spoke on “appreciation and why you should appreciate those who care about you before they’re gone.” At four years of age, he was adopted by Lisa, a single mother who would raise him alone. Tragically, she passed away from lung cancer in 2019. Max noted that he deeply regrets comparing her to other mothers who didn’t have to work as much, rather than just appreciating who she was. In closing he remarked, “Comparison is the thief of happiness, and it stole all the happiness I could have had with her. I try to appreciate everything I have; I recommend you guys do as well. You never truly know someone’s worth until they are gone for good. Accept rather than expect because expectations are easily disappointed.”

From left to right: A. Soehren ’22, E. Mestieri ’71, J. Stevens ’05, N. Clark ’96, M. Burgess ’88 SOEHREN ’22 HONORED BY NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION On May 22, Atticus Soehren ’22 was honored by the Howard Vandersea Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF) with one of their 2022 Scholar-Athlete awards. The NFF recognizes student-athletes who embody excellence and integrity on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Atticus’s performance as a Wolverine distinguished him as a worthy honoree, earning the Faculty Award and the Dr. William Holt Award for Mathematics at this year’s Commencement in addition to this honor from the NFF. Congratulations Atticus! FACULTY RECOGNIZED AT 214TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

The Academy was pleased to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our faculty and staff during Commencement. The Cole-Dyer Award was created to honor the legacies of longtime Bridgton employees Betty Dyer and Sue Dyer Cole. It is given to two employees (one member of the teaching faculty and one in an administrative role) who consistently display a high degree of professionalism, passion for their work, desire for excellence, loyalty to the school, and a personal and professional commitment to those with whom they worked. This year’s winners were Paris Horne ’07 and Joe Hemmings. Paris’s influence is felt all across campus as a Focused Academic Coach, Dorm Director, and assistant basketball coach. Joe’s work as Director of Enrollment Management ensures that the Academy maintains a robust student body of exceptional young men.

The Ray T. McDonald Jr. Award is presented annually by the Board of Trustees in recognition for distinguished service by a trustee or Academy employee. This year, the honor was presented by retired Bridgton legend Peter Gately to his long-time colleague Head Football Coach Rick Marcella who is stepping down from his position after more than three decades of tireless service to the school.

The Andrew F. Staub ’04 Faculty Professional Development Award goes to a faculty member and an advisor or coach who embody the mission of Bridgton Academy, including, but not limited to, the mastering of his or her discipline, fostering and developing academic courage in his or her students, and a genuine concern for the well-being of the young men entrusted to his or her care. The winners are selected from a pool of student-nominated candidates. This year’s recipients are English teacher Jon Day ’10 and Athletic Trainer Mia Bergmann. Jon and Mia form deep bonds with the students under their care and the support they provide on a daily basis is invaluable.

The James “Jake” Laferriere Matt Burgess (left) and Dave Lepage (right) Chair for Excellence in Teaching is awarded on a triennial basis to a faculty member who embodies the very qualities that Jake possessed as a faculty leader at Bridgton Academy. The Laferriere Chair is given to a faculty member whose classroom teaching consistently demonstrates excellence, the ability to inspire students, exceptional leadership skills, a commitment to pedagogical innovation, a strong sense of justice, and a reverence for learning. Dave Lepage, the outgoing Laferriere Chair, presented the award to Matt Burgess ’88. As an alumnus and longtime science teacher, Matt shows unwavering dedication to his craft and to Bridgton’s students and we are all excited to see him take the reins as our next James “Jake” Laferriere Chair for Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to Bridgton’s awards, this year had a twist: Bridgton’s Director of Operations, Joe Daley ’77, was stunned to be called up to the stage by Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio ’89 during Tuesday’s award ceremony to be given the Endicott College Graduate Sport Leadership Award. Joe was selected for this honor in recognition of his dedication to promoting ethical behavior in the realm of sport management as a guest lecturer in Dr. D’Onofrio’s classes.

attention ReadeRs: Is there a story you’d like to read in an upcoming edition of Bridgton Academy Today? Or perhaps, you’d like to write a feature for us? If so, please email mbarker@ bridgtonacdemy.org with your ideas.