homecoming weekend

It was a stunning fall weekend for Homecoming on the Hill! Hundreds of alumni, parents, and friends joined us for athletic contests, (a lot of) food, golf, reminiscing and camaraderie, and so much more!

Parents and guardians took advantage of the opportunity to meet with their students’ teachers and to hear about their academic progress. They also had the chance to learn about the college counseling process during an information session hosted by Dean of Academics Jamie Izaryk. The alumni who chose to relax in the Alumni VIP Tent had the best seat in the house for the athletic events and sharing memories. Alumni were also in attendance during the 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where they showed support of their Bridgton brothers who were being honored that evening. There truly was something for everyone—from the Family Fun Zone to the reception at Bridgton Highlands Country Club, and we were delighted to host so many Wolverines and their families on campus.

Regardless of whether you were able to join us, be sure to check out the photos from this fun-filled weekend by scanning the QR code.

We look forward to celebrating Homecoming 2023, tentatively scheduled for September 29 – October 1, 2023!

In addition to welcoming alumni and families, this year we will honor milestone reunions ending in 3s and 8s.

The Class Of 2023 Gives Back

In early December, several members of the Class of 2023 took a break from their studies, athletics, and other commitments to get out in the community and make a difference during the holiday season. Over the course of two days, approximately 40 Wolverines (and a few faculty members) gave of their time at the Harrison Food Bank, which is located just a few miles from campus. The food bank serves those in need from across the Lakes Region and western Maine by helping them to stock their pantries and refrigerators with healthy, nutritious foods at no charge. Bridgton students joined an enthusiastic group of volunteers, helping to prepare items for distribution by organizing the staging area, making room for deliveries from partner organizations, as well as participating in distribution efforts. Thank you to the students who volunteered their time and to the food bank for their crucial service to our community!

The Show Goes On

If you’re looking for a new podcast subscription, look no further! The Show was started by recent graduates, Dan Sarmiento ’22 and Joe Norris ’22 to help bring a younger, fresher perspective to baseball in America. Some of the first episodes were recorded on Bridgton Academy’s campus and the podcast has gained considerable traction, with nearly 30,000 subscribers and garnering an impressive number of views (one of the most popular episodes has been viewed more than 300,000 times).

Since leaving the Academy, The Show has taken Sarmiento to several collegiate and MLB games across the country, giving him the opportunity to interview players such as the Astros’ Lance McCullers. The podcast has since caught ESPN’s attention and the network invited Dan to visit its campus in Connecticut. Following that trip, ESPN sent him to Philadelphia to create content for the 2022 World Series!

If you haven’t given the podcast a listen yet, you’re missing out on some great content! You can check it out on YouTube (c/@dsarm) and Instragram (@dsarm).

We’re excited to see where The Show will take Dan next!

Preparing For Life After Bridgton

On September 28, the Academy was delighted to host admissions representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities as a part of Bridgton’s annual College Fair. Institutions of higher education from across the state, country, and even abroad converged on campus to help our students make educated decisions when considering the path they could take following their time here at the Academy. The students were highly engaged, with many speaking with multiple representatives, getting answers to some of their most pressing questions about the application process and matriculation. The admissions representatives were impressed by our Wolverines, with several noting how mature and prepared they were. We are grateful to all the schools—from both near and far—who spent time on campus with us to help our students prepare for life beyond Bridgton.

Baseball Brings Championship Home

Congratulations to the baseball team on its winning performance in the Showcase League Championship! This is the first time that the team has earned this title and was the perfect way for the boys to finish off the fall season. It was an impressive day for the Wolverines, highlighted by the pitching staff. Dan Nineve (Plainville, MA) was outstanding, escaping a bases-loaded jam with back-to-back strikeouts to leave the tying run at third base and help the Wolverines advance to the finals with a 3-2 victory. In the 2-1 championship-game victory, Gabe White (Essex Junction, VT) was dominant on the mound, eventually exiting the game with a 2-1 lead and handing the ball off to Noah Grant (Brownfield, ME), who threw a perfect seventh inning and earned the save. The team achieved its first major collective goal by winning the Showcase League and is now focused on the off-season strength and conditioning program before ramping back up for the spring season.

fresh takes on 1808 staff perspectives