Bridgton Academy commencement 2016
TODAY www.bridgtonacademy.org
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Bridgton Academy The Official Publication of Bridgton Academy Nick LeBel Jessica Priola Sarah Gaines Michelle Cross
Managing Editor Content Editor Writer, Contributor Writer, Contributor
Bridgton Academy Today is produced biannually as the official publication of Bridgton Academy, and is distributed to alumni, parents of alumni, and friends of the Academy. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out to us at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org..
The Year That Makes The Difference
WELCOME TO BA TODAY
Welcome to the Commencement Edition of Bridgton Academy Today, the newsletter of Bridgton Academy. These are exciting times here in North Bridgton! Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside the outstanding faculty and staff of Bridgton Academy. As President of the Board of Trustees, I see firsthand the passion and commitment these individuals put into their work. Bridgton Academy continues to improve our facilities and programs to help generations of young men achieve their goals and dreams. The recent completion of our new artificial turf athletic fields, the renovation of the Dr. Cyrus T. Hamlin STEM Center and many campus beautification improvements are shining examples of the progress Bridgton Academy has made in recent years. If you haven’t been back to campus to see for yourself, it is time! We’d love to see you! Bridgton Academy is about helping young men set positive goals, and providing them with the tools to achieve their dreams. Without your help, this would not be possible; the potential of so many young men may not be realized. On behalf of the Board of Trustees here at Bridgton Academy, I thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Because of your continued belief and support, we can make a difference in the lives of these young men year after year.
Two hundred and eight years and counting! Sincerely,
Kevin F. Jones ’81 President Board of Trustees
Homecoming 2016 is Right around the Corner!
HOMECOMING 2016
Mark your calendars! This year’s Homecoming festivities will kick off on Friday, September 30th, and run through Sunday, October 2nd. Alumni, parents, and friends of the Academy are invited to join us in celebrating all things Bridgton during this fun-filled fall weekend. Homecoming also signals the celebration of milestone reunion years! During Homecoming 2016, we will give extraspecial recognition to those alumni with graduation years ending in 1’s and 6’s. If you are a member of such a class, and would like more information on how you can help rally your fellow Wolverines to join you in celebrating your time “on the hill”, please contact Sarah Gaines at sgaines@bridgtonacademy.org or 207-647-3322 ext. 1213 in Bridgton’s Office of Alumni and Development. Not a graduate of a milestone reunion year? Don’t let that stop you from making your way to North Bridgton to celebrate! We hope to see as many of our alumni back on campus as possible – no matter the graduation year!
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M EET A WOLVERINE N T ,B A ICHOLAS
HIEME
RIDGTON
What prompted your decision to attend Bridgton Academy? Honestly, my motivator for attending Bridgton was similar to what I imagine drives many people onto the steep hills of North Bridgton. Unhappiness. I was unhappy with my prospects – academic and athletic – coming out of high school, and I wanted a chance to change them. I probably looked at every fifth year program east of the Rockies before deciding on Bridgton. Ultimately, it was my sense of the Academy’s ideology, which I would define as “self improvement but always with a support structure" that made my decision. What is one of your most memorable experiences at Bridgton? This is a tough one...One of my favorites involves Mr. Joe Daley ‘77, who was the Dean of Students at that time. The details will remain unshared, but suffice it to say, it is a memory that’s much funnier looking back on it than it actually was in the moment. My other two memories also involve the faculty at Bridgton. The first of these was the many hours I spent with Mr. Matthew Berk talking philosophy and hanging out with his family. He gave me my first book of philosophy, and even though I'm a mathematician now, I believe he passed on to me an insistence on careful consideration of problems, which is invaluable in life. The second was the entire spring leading up to the comedy play I was a part of with the great Mr. Phil Goepel ‘66 and some close friends (one of whose weddings I'm attending this year). I'll most likely never get a chance to do something like that again, so I hold it dear. It speaks highly of all the Bridgton faculty that some of my best memories there all involve them. How did your experience here prepare you for life after Bridgton? That is easy to answer! I learned that talent is worth something, but hard work is worth a whole lot more. I was born with a lot of advantages in this life, almost all of which I wasted before the age of 18, under the mistaken belief that talent takes care of the talented. Bridgton builds work ethic into your bones. Now, I work every day with people infinitely more talented than I am, but I'm confident I can keep up because of the work ethic I learned at Bridgton. What have you been doing over the past several years since graduating from Bridgton? Mainly working, learning, or a combination of the two. I got my B.S from Carnegie Mellon University in Statistics in 2013, my Master’s in Applied Math in 2014, and I'm currently working on my Ph.S.
CADEMY
CLASS OF 2009
in Computer Science at Maryland. I have published two papers in applied statistics and machine learning. During the summers, I've worked at some pretty cool places doing data analysis. In my free time, I usually like to relax with my long-term girlfriend, play video games, and write. I should hopefully be finishing my first work of fiction later this year. What is one of your “coolest" experiences so far in your current studies? Really, the coolest part of my current studies is the intellectual freedom I get. In my program at Maryland, I'm allowed almost free reign over the puzzles I get to solve and that is very cool to me. Two summers ago, I worked at NASA, where I was in the gravitational astrophysics group. I worked down the hall from Nobel prize winner John Mather, so every time I had lunch with the group or was in a group meeting, I got to hang out with the guy who confirmed the “Big Bang.” What message would you like to share with our recently graduated Class of 2016, along with the incoming Class of 2017? Even though I'm not so convinced that I have a message worth sharing, I'd first like to plead with all of the recent graduates to hold on for dear life to the lessons they learned at Bridgton. Time passes, memories fade, and new ones will take their place, but what you learned at Bridgton will serve you for life. Treat it with respect and care. Secondly, I'd like to remind these young men, as they go to colleges across the country, of something I'm guilty of ignoring far too often. Inside every person we interact with on a daily basis is another person with inner and outer lives just as vivid and real as our own. There may be pressure to take advantage of other people or treat them poorly. While that pressure is real and possibly difficult to combat, alumni who are armed with the lessons learned at Bridgton and the knowledge that those other people are as real as we are can overcome that pressure. If anyone would like to get in touch with me, please feel free to send me an email nick.thieme5@gmail.com. Lastly, Go Wolverines!
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A Mutual Investment:
Bridgton Internship Program Brings in Top-Notch Talent for Students, While Helping to Launch Careers
“I soon fell in love with the mission of the school, as well as the community that it offers.” -Tim Atwood
2015
2010
Since its inception nearly one decade ago, Bridgton Academy’s Internship Program has helped to launch the careers of dozens of young professionals. This increasingly robust program has also welcomed a number of Bridgton alumni back on campus to experience their school from another angle, contributing to the evolution of our centuries-old Academy.
knew what it was all about,” Mr. Atwood confesses. “I decided to apply for the teaching internship with the goal of simply getting classroom experience, but I soon fell in love with the mission of the school, as well as the community that it offers,” he explains. “In a short period of time as an intern, I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to earn a full-time position here,” he adds. “I really enjoy working with the age group Bridgton serves, and The roads our interns take to arrive at our program are seeing the students’ growth and development – from as unique as each individual we bring on board. While the minute they step on campus, through the time they a number of Academy interns are Bridgton alumni walk across the stage to shake Mr. Vigneau’s hand on themselves, many have no previous affiliation with the graduation day.” school. Regardless of how they find their way to North Bridgton, one thing is certain: the workload is heavy, but In his full-time capacity, Mr. Atwood serves as an English the payoff is invaluable. teacher, Focused Academic Coach, Assistant Baseball Coach, and the Dorm Parent of Cleaves Hall. Along For some, the decision to accept a one-year internship with these notable responsibilities, Mr. Atwood is also position with the Academy can be pinpointed as the now helping to spearhead the Academy’s internship transformative moment that goes on to shape the course program; paving the way for interested men and women of a young professional’s life. This is certainly true for Bridgton Academy English teacher, coach, and dorm to follow in his footsteps. “Our internship program is a great opportunity for young professionals to get their parent, Tim Atwood. feet wet in the academic or coaching world. The goal of Now in his seventh year at Bridgton – during which time he the program is to have these individuals continue to gain has gotten married and started a family of his own – Mr. valuable experience in their discipline, support their Atwood joined the Academy as an intern for the 2009– networking, and help them get opportunities for full2010 academic year. “Growing up in Southern Maine, time positions either at Bridgton or elsewhere,” informs I always knew of Bridgton Academy, but never really Mr. Atwood.
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Ian Edwards ‘10
2015
2010
the prep school or college level. “This internship has given me the opportunity to really coach and figure out what my strengths are, while being surrounded by a supportive group,” he says. Since first beginning his internship at the start of the 2014–15 academic year, Pat’s work with the Academy as an Assistant Lacrosse Coach and Admissions Intern has been able to give his resume a considerable boost in helping him to achieve his professional ambitions. Most recently, Pat accepted a fulltime position with the Academy as an Admission Counselor. Regardless of gender or past affiliation with the Academy, Bridgton’s internship program serves as an exceptional launching point for any ambitious, dedicated, and missiondriven individual. Later this summer, we look forward to welcoming the newest group of interns, whose career aspirations and appreciation for Bridgton’s mission are the formula for a mutually beneficial relationship.
One intern who is taking advantage of every component that this program has to offer is Bridgton alumnus, Ian Edwards ‘10. After his graduation from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Biology, Ian joined “the front lines” of Bridgton Academy for the 2015–16 academic year, where he serves as both a hockey and academic intern. Ian explains that many aspects of his current position at the Academy will be necessary in achieving his long term goals of going to medical school and becoming an ER physician. “As an intern, I wear a lot of hats,” says Ian. “I have to be so many places at once, both mentally and physically, and my interpersonal skills have to be second nature. All of these skills are a big part of being an ER doctor.” For Ian, the decision to apply for an internship position with the Academy stemmed in large part from a sense of stewardship. “I was happy with my experience here on all levels and wanted to give back, as well as build my resume,” Ian recalls. After seeing both sides of the coin (as a student and an employee), Ian admits that he now realizes the staff know “a lot more than the students think!” He always knew the faculty and staff on campus were supportive during his formative months here as a student, but also discloses that he only now understands how truly invested the staff is in seeing each student achieve his own definition of success. Ian’s sentiments about the Academy’s work environment and community are echoed by fellow Bridgton alumnus and second-year intern, Pat White ‘08. A graduate of Western New England College, Pat is eagerly working towards a career goal of coaching and teaching at
Pat White ‘08
2015 2007
Internship opportunities with Bridgton Academy are available throughout the academic year, and are offered in the following departments: teaching, marketing, admissions, fundraising, athletic training, and coaching. For more information on Bridgton Academy’s internship program, or to send your letter of interest and resume, please contact the Academy’s Director of Human Resources, Julie Knapp (jknapp@bridgtonacademy.org). 5
COMMENCEMENT 2016
Thirty-three weeks. As students arrive on campus at the start of each year, this may or may not seem like a long time but, as the year progresses, it often begins to feel like an eternity. For the young men who choose to attend Bridgton Academy, those thirty-three weeks are filled with a multitude of tasks ahead of them. Goals are set forth that they hope to achieve, the daily grind sets in, yet, before they know it, the year has come to a close. For the Bridgton Academy Class of 2016, Saturday, May 7th marked the finish line of their full and intense year at our campus “on the hill.” Although those thirty-three weeks were behind them, this final day was a reminder of everything that they had accomplished.
As Commencement day dawned, many students excitedly made their way up the hill. Although most of them were tired from their last night on campus, it was a night that they will likely remember as one being filled with bittersweet memories (including midnight swims, a massive “suburbs cookout” and a Cleaves Hall dance party). Their tiredness was trumped by the anticipation filling the day. The activities taking place prior to the Commencement ceremony often pass by in a blur: packing up the last belongings in dorm rooms, rushing up the hill to get a boutonniere pinned on, and gathering on the hill just below the Goldsmith Dining Hall for a class photograph.
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Suddenly, these soon-to-be graduates find themselves lining up outside the newly christened Chalmers Ice Arena. All of the Commencement details rehearsed earlier in the week are now playing out, and the official ceremony is about to take place. The swells of the bagpipe playing the processional lead Bridgton’s faculty into the arena, immediately followed by the 157 members of the Class of 2016 who made it through the thirty-three weeks of rigorous work at Bridgton Academy. The moment that seemed so very far away in August was now official: they completed what they had set forth to do. Although many details of the Commencement ceremony do not vary from one year to the next, the meaningfulness of each ceremony is created in the elements that do change, making each year’s celebration of the current class unique in its own way. Elements such as this year’s Class Speaker, Olivier Roy. This Quebec native completed not one, but two years of education at Bridgton Academy. When Oli arrived in North Bridgton in the fall of 2014, his understanding of the English language was a far second to that of French, yet, two years later, this Class Speaker conveyed his message to fellow classmates, devotedly sharing how much Bridgton feels like family. One of two students earning the highest GPA amongst the Class of 2016, David Giribaldi delivered his meaningful words to his classmates. Co-valedictorian, Anton Gulko, originally from Ukraine, followed David with his memorable Valedictory Address. Other special elements included Kevin Jones ’81 delivering the Board Address for the first time in his newly-begun tenure as President of the Board of Trustees. Mrs. Courtney Doughty received the Andrew F. Staub ’04 Faculty Professional Development Award – the first-ever (of five total recipients) to be named to this award after only one year of teaching at Bridgton. Thirty-three weeks. Enough time for each student to achieve even the smallest goal, or a host of larger goals. Every one of those achievements was recognized as Class of 2016 graduates proudly made their way across the stage to receive diplomas, acknowledging that they had completed “The Year That Makes The Difference” at Bridgton Academy. Congratulations to the Class of 2016, and best of luck as you begin another new chapter in your lives! CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLASS OF 2016 MATRICULATION LIST
American International College Assumption College Australian Institute of Fitness Babson College Boston University Bridgewater State University Bridgton Academy Bryant University Castleton University Central Connecticut State University Chipola Junior College Clark University Coastal Carolina University Concordia University – Montreal Connecticut College Curry College Daniel Webster College Eastern Connecticut State University Elmira College Emmanuel College Endicott College Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (Brazil) Fort Hays State University Gannon University
Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Guilford College Gymnázium Nad Štolou (CZ) High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Ithaca College Keene State College La Salle University Lake Forest College Lasell College Lynn University Maine Maritime Academy Marist College Massachusetts Maritime Academy Merrimack College Miami-Dade College Monroe College Nichols College Pace University, Westchester Campus Plymouth State University Providence College Purchase College, State University of New York
Quinnipiac University Robert Morris University Roger Williams University Sacred Heart University Saint Joseph’s College ME Saint Michael’s College Salve Regina University Sierra Nevada College Southern Connecticut State University Southern Vermont College Springfield College Stevens Institute of Technology Stonehill College Syracuse University The College of Saint Rose The University of Alabama The University of Scranton The University of Tampa Université de Sherbrooke University of Hartford University of Maine University of Maine at Farmington University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth University of Massachusetts, Lowell University of New Hampshire
University of Oklahoma University of Rhode Island University of Southern Maine University of Technology Sydney University of Wisconsin, Superior Valencia College Wagner College Wentworth Institute of Technology Western New England University Western Oregon University Wheaton College MA Wheeling Jesuit University Williston State College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester State University Xavier University
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COMMENCEMENT SNAPSHOTS 2016
As Class of 2016 students eagerly awaited the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7th, their final week on campus was filled with several fun and memorable activities. Corey Smith ’88 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: Sixteen teams competed in this year’s Corey Smith 3-on-3 Tournament, played in memory of Corey Smith ‘88. The rivalry on the court was rather intense, but the talents of only one basketball trio came out on top. In the end, Mr. Trevor Coston and twin brothers Phyllip & River Thomas were the three who took the championship in this year’s highly competitive 3-on-3 tournament. Sylvester Spelling Bee: Can you spell “hootenanny”? This year’s Spelling Bee featured many challenging words such as this. Corey Smith Champs True to the amazing style that only he possesses, the annual Bee was hosted by Mr. Whit Lesure, a veteran Philip Thomas, Trevor Coston, River Thomas Bridgton teacher and the Head basketball coach. Thirteen students who were brave enough to test their spelling skills entertained and awed students and faculty alike during the final Chapel of the year. It all came down to Ben Rees and Tyler Piechota, who battled back and forth on several words before Tyler emerged the top speller in the 2016 Sylvester Spelling Bee. Congratulations, Tyler! Edward F. Brown Public Speaking Contest: The Brown Public Speaking prize was initiated by the will of Edward F. Brown, who graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1860, and would go on to earn degrees from Yale University and Columbia Law School. Mr. Brown eventually became a trustee of Bridgton Academy, serving for 23 years. Over 100 years later, Edward’s Public Speaking Contest is still alive and well at the Academy. Several students this May fearlessly presented their speeches in front of the student body and a panel of judges at Chapel. During Friday evening’s Commencement Awards Dinner, Ryan Ruhlin was announced as the winner of this year’s Edward F. Brown Public Speaking Contest. Edward F. Brown Essay Contest: Brown Public Speaking Contest Winner In the same spirit as the Public Speaking Contest, students were offered the opportunity to show off their Ryan Ruhlin writing skills in the Essay Contest, also made possible by the will of the late Edward F. Brown. Participants were given the question, “If by putting words to our emotions they are somehow compromised and diminished, how do we tell those we care about our truest feelings?” Five writers creatively expressed their thoughts in response to this question, with the winning essay named on Friday evening of Commencement weekend. Congratulations to Michael Sypniewski for his award-winning essay!
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DUNK ‘EM! For the past three years, the student body has been challenged to take part in the “Five Year Giving Challenge,” as set forth by one of Bridgton Academy’s trustees, Mrs. Mary Ames P’10. This challenge has encouraged them to make a one-time donation of $25 during their year here on campus, with two added benefits for each gift made: the donation will be credited to them over the next five years while they are attending college, and each $25 gift will also be matched dollar for dollar by Mrs. Ames. The main goal of the “Five Year Challenge” is to get the students in the mindset of being philanthropic. In an effort to encourage students’ participation in this year’s giving challenge, an added incentive was introduced. Entertainment for the day before Commencement was now to include a dunk tank: students could purchase pitches aimed at those faculty members who volunteered to be at the mercy of the soon-to-be graduates. Despite the sun and warm temperatures provided by Mother Nature that day, the water in the tank was icy, and students were eager to be successful in their throwing attempts. The amusing nature of this adventure provided a number of highlights: from Headmaster Grady Vigneau’s dunk tank attire of his traditional jacket, hat, and bowtie, to Coach Aaron Izaryk’s baseball players dumping buckets of ice into the already frigid waters. This memorable fundraising opportunity was a success, and hopefully a tradition to be repeated in future years. A very special thank you to all of the faculty who helped to make the enjoyment of the dunk tank a reality!
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Th e I m a g e s
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of 2016
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“A Letter to a Future Wolverine”
FROM JACK POTTENGER ‘16
“The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds – even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.” When I first arrived at Bridgton Academy, My dad turned to me as we pulled into the parking lot and exclaimed, “Here! Are you excited?” I nonchalantly rolled my eyes and responded “For prison? Yeah, psyched.” I walked through the gates with my head down, attempting to draw as little attention to myself as possible. When I finally brought my head up, I looked around and noticed a familiar theme. Almost every parent and sibling were grinning from ear to ear, yet all the 18-year-old boys were not. The uncertainty and sheer discomfort on their faces gave me the confidence to take a deep breath and begin the journey. Each day was harder than the next. Minutes seemed like seconds, and hours like minutes. The itinerary appeared to be the same every day: wake up, breakfast, athletic practice, information session. Lunch, athletic practice, information session. Dinner, chapel presentation, sleep. Repeat. That first week at Bridgton was not only a test of physical endurance, but of mental endurance as well. I missed my family, friends, and most of all, home. As the week was coming to a close, I dreaded the upcoming first day of classes. Throughout high school I rarely did my homework, and was never even encouraged to do so by my teachers. The second I entered each classroom; I knew that this was not the case. From class to class, the spirit and encouragement with which the faculty spoke and taught shook me to my core. “This must be some kind of a show they are putting on,” I thought to myself, “no way do they stay this enthusiastic for too long.” I was wrong again. For the first time, I began enjoying the days and looking forward to the next, instead of dreading it. The faces that seemed so new just a few weeks ago, started to look a little more familiar. Bridgton Academy was beginning to feel like a family. As winter rolled around, additional challenges surfaced. The hill was more daunting than ever, and the weather wasn’t exactly ideal. Every time I wanted to sleep through my 8 o’clock class, and stay in the warmth of my bed, I thought of the effort Mr. Miller put into the lesson, who most likely didn’t sleep well due to the late night disturbance of his young boys. And when I considered zoning out during English class, I was reminded of Mr. McLellan’s passion, and enthusiasm. There was no way I was going to miss what he had to say. I started to see the faculty and staff less as statuesque superiors, and instead as real, emotional, and empathetic people. Mrs. Macdonald’s endearing and loving spirit. Mr. Chris Webb’s seemingly constant bubbly, and charismatic nature. And, whenever I had a question from the math homework, Mr. Ryan Webb was always there to help, even if it was the middle of the night. All these people were giving everything they had for us students to succeed. This realization was invigorating, and urged me to reciprocate the effort and reach my full potential. The drawback of Bridgton, is that in reality, once our relationships are truly formed, the year is nearing its end. However, there is hidden beauty within. We are given an important life lesson: life is what you make of it in that moment. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now. I wish I had reached out to my peers and teachers earlier in the year, and appreciated the fortunate situation I was in. So, that is my message to you. It’s 10:40 P.M on Friday, April 29th. I sit here at my desk in Holt Hall writing this letter to you. I can picture myself walking beyond the gates on May 7th with a very different perspective from when I first walked in. Whether they know it or not, Bridgton Academy has changed my life.
-Jack
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FACULTY PROFILE
RYAN MCLELLAN In this spring 2016 edition of BA Today, we are proud to recognize Bridgton Academy English teacher, Ryan McLellan.
Entering his third year at the Academy, Mr. McLellan has emerged as a campus favorite among both students and staff, and his myriad talents outside the classroom have become the focus of much admiration and inspiration. Along with teaching composition, poetry, and short story classes, Mr. McLellan also offers our students thought-provoking courses such as Cormac McCarthy and the American West, and Upstarts, Punks, and Protesters: Counter-Culture Literature. An accomplished performance poet, Mr. McLellan is the author of four published collections of poetry and is the recipient of the 2009 and 2010 Esther Buffler Poetry-in-Schools Fellowship. His many professional and career accomplishments include spending a number of years presenting workshops and slam poetry demonstrations at high schools around New England. Ryan is a poetry slam champion and was a member of the 2009 “Slam Free or Die” poetry team, as well as the 2010 “Port Veritas Slam Team”. What first prompted your interest in teaching at the Academy? Before I came here, I was teaching on an island/lobstering village fifteen miles off the coast of Maine. I wanted to get back onto the mainland, and had heard about Bridgton from some peers and colleagues, which prompted me to immediately pounce on the opportunity to apply for an open position. One of the first things that drew my attention was the “postgraduate” aspect. Coming from a career in the public school system, where you are able to watch students grow over four years, I was extremely intrigued and challenged by the idea of only having one year to build a rapport and work with students before they move on. What do you find most inspiring - and most challenging - about your work with Bridgton Academy students? Many students come to Bridgton because they’re looking for a chance to “fix” something about themselves; they want to right a wrong, correct a mistake, accept a challenge, prepare themselves for living on their own, etc. I’ve always had a tremendous respect for people who are able to identify a shortcoming and work hard to fix it. I’m inspired by the work ethic our students have, both in the classroom and on the athletic field, as well as their desire to get as much out of our program as possible. The most challenging part of teaching here is the “one-year” aspect; sometimes it takes a while to get to know a student and see him reach his full potential, and it’s tough to measure that when you only know the student for 33 weeks. Sometimes you have to wait until a student leaves Bridgton to truly discover what he learned here. What does “The Year That Makes The Difference” mean to you? Well, I’ve seen different emphases on different words in that sentence since I started teaching here, so the English teacher in me wants to break down each one and discuss how each emphasis can change the meaning of the sentence, but I won’t bore you, our readers, with that.... We are all presented with opportunities, chances, and choices; some choose the easy route while others want to be challenged. When a student comes to Bridgton, he should come prepared to work harder than he ever has before and, if he makes it through the year, then he should be prepared to come out a stronger, smarter, and more mature young man. In our increasingly competitive world, the opportunity to attend Bridgton and get a “leg up” on that competition is valuable, and certainly not something our students take lightly. They want to be the best they can be and prepare themselves for the real world, and our programs allow them every possible opportunity to do that. Please tell us about one of your favorite memories during your time at BA thus far. Yikes...that’s kind of like asking me what my favorite album of all time is, or which breath I took this morning was the best! I’ve seen students realize their talents, dreams, and goals. I’ve seen students, for the first time, identify and recognize how they learn. I’ve seen students believe they can do something, even if they’ve been told they can’t throughout their entire academic career. I’ve seen students’ eyes light up when receiving their first ever “A” on an essay. I’ve seen students help their peers through incredibly difficult moments, pick them up when they’re down, and form friendships that will last them a lifetime. I’ve seen my colleagues push themselves beyond what is expected of them and become role models, mentors, and coaches instead of just teachers. I’ve seen myself go from an educator who preferred to just teach my classes and go home, to someone with a vested interest in what goes on out outside of the classroom and around our campus. I’ve seen students come here as boys and leave here as men. I’ve seen just how much a community of supportive people can improve your life and I continue to see this more and more every day. When you’re not busy keeping up with everything you do at Bridgton, what can you be found doing? Hanging with my fiancé, our two cats, and our dog. Writing poetry. Singing in my band. Touring (poetry and/or music). Reading. Writing. Revising. Editing. Publishing...and repeating.
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My students know I am here, a rotting industry, And yet they choose to work alone as I bite my
“OFFICE HOURS” BY
RYAN MCLELLAN
fingernails and sip this decayed coffee. They say they are afraid to ask for help, as I am afraid to ask anything of someone I love. Instead, they prefer to suffer in silence and I cannot blame them. I just wish I had someone to talk to, a paper to help with, criticism to offer, but I can't force them to ask. I can only provide my services in this empty room with a motion sensor light that, just now, switched off and left me in the dark, left me waving at phantoms, coaxing the light.
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bridgton
The
of
ac ademy
Sometimes when people think about Bridgton Academy, they think first about the boys. It’s no wonder: since 1960, Bridgton Academy has focused solely on the education of young men. That being said, women are thoroughly ingrained into the fabric and future of our beloved institution and, on a daily basis, women work to shape the mission and vision of our school. In recognition of the important role that women play at our all-male Academy, Bridgton Academy is excited to announce the launch of our first-ever Women of Bridgton Giving Society, established in the spring of 2016. Spearheaded by Director of Institutional Advancement, Jessica Priola, the Women of Bridgton Giving Society will honor and recognize all women who give $100.00 and above with annual Society membership. “For the past ten years at Bridgton Academy I have applied my energy and effort to a mission and a program that I believe in wholeheartedly,” states Mrs. Priola. “I have sometimes been posed the question as to why, as a woman, I would want to lead the fundraising and friendraising charge for an all-boys school. What I have come to learn and appreciate throughout my years at Bridgton, is that our mission transcends gender. We work with boys, and by helping boys, we create young men who will become the leaders, fathers, husbands, and caring citizens of tomorrow’s world. While our alumni have an amazing – and critical – philanthropic impact on our Academy, we cannot ignore the tremendous role of our female constituents...thus the creation of the Women of Bridgton Giving Society! I want to recognize
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that the women of Bridgton are just as much of a catalyst for change at our Academy as are their male counterparts.” Recent philanthropy at Bridgton Academy buoys the importance of women’s support. Over the past decade, the largest single donations to the Academy have been implemented by mothers of Bridgton graduates; representing the lion’s share of major gifts to the school in recent years. These women, as a cohort, have empowered the Academy to operate from a position of greater strength, and have created an undeniable and positive impact. “Every mother who makes the decision to entrust her child to us shapes Bridgton today, and every woman who chooses to further support the Academy has a tremendous impact on our future,” summarizes Mrs. Priola. “From our proud female alumnae, to the mothers of our students, to the women who dedicate themselves to leading and shaping our Academy as employees – we are an impetus for growth here at Bridgton. The Women of Bridgton Giving Society is a giving circle designed to recognize and celebrate all that we do, and pool our giving for an even greater impact.” Mrs. Priola hopes that the Women of Bridgton Giving Society will garner over one hundred members in its first year, and continue to grow from there. To learn more about the Society or to get involved, you may contact Jessica by emailing jpriola@bridgtonacademy.org.
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Professional development has never looked so good for Bridgton Academy faculty! As of 2016, Bridgton Academy is pleased to host three faculty professional development funds within our endowment, each of which offers unique opportunities to both recognize and reward our hardworking teachers. “These three funds represent an incredible gift not only to our faculty, but to the greater Academy community,” stated Dean of Academics, Binaca Macdonald. “Anytime teachers are able to participate in professional development, whether they’re veterans or brand new, their craft is enhanced. When teachers return from a powerful class or workshop, their enthusiasm is palpable and that spreads to others. It only takes a small flame to start a big fire! That the Academy and donors so generously support these endeavors is greatly appreciated.”
A TEACHING
TRIFECTA
The James “Jake” Laferriere Chair for Excellence in Teaching:
The Laferriere Chair is a three-year faculty chair that was established by Andrew Barr ‘99 and his parents, Edward and Nancy, close to a decade ago. Past Laferriere Chair holders have included notable Bridgton faculty Mr. Peter Gately, Mrs. Beth Chagrasulis, and the recently-retired Mr. Peter Horne. The Laferriere Chair provides a faculty salary stipend, as well as significant funds to implement professional development programming for both the chairholder as well as the faculty at large. At Commencement this May, the fourth-ever Laferriere Chair holder was announced. Mr. Travis Dube (below, left) accepted his award with excitement and honor, as students, staff, and assembled guests recognized him with a standing ovation. “I am humbled by the award,” remarked Mr. Dube following Commencement. “As the newest Laferriere Chair, I walk in the footsteps of giants like Mr. Gately and Mrs. Chagrasulis. I hope to use this award to better facilitate the sharing of hard-earned institutional knowledge among a greater number of faculty. This would include an “Idea Vault” filled with our best lessons, analogies and effective practices. The more we share, the better we are, and this will be the basis of some of the ideas I explore as the Laferriere Chair.” Congratulations, Mr. Dube!
The 1808 Bright Futures Endowment:
New this year, The 1808 Bright Futures Endowment was created as a result of a challenge gift set forth by the Barr Family, and achieved by three additional Academy donors. This endowment will annually provide professional development funds for teaching faculty for the purpose of discipline-specific training or advanced degree work. For 2016, two teachers have been chosen as the recipients of this noble award: Mr. Tim Atwood and Mr. Matt Burgess ‘88. Mr. Atwood will be using his funding towards furthering his education, pursuing his Master’s in Education at St. Joseph’s College. “It is an honor to be one of the inaugural recipients of the 1808 Bright Futures Award,” said Mr. Atwood. “I have had the dream to pursue a Master’s Degree for several years, and with the support of Bridgton Academy and the Barr family, I will be able to turn this dream into something that will benefit not only me personally, but the Academy as well.” A 1988 alumnus of the school, Mr. Burgess returned to Bridgton this year as both a teacher and the Assistant Football Coach. He currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology classes, and will apply his funding towards on-site training for the Academy’s newly acquired Vernier Lab equipment.
The Andrew F. Staub ‘04 Faculty Professional Development Fund:
First awarded in 2011, the Andrew F. Staub ‘04 Faculty Professional Development Fund is an annual award which recognizes recipients who demonstrate excellence in their teaching profession. Made possible by Andrew Staub ‘04 and his parents, Robert and Christine, the Andrew F. Staub ‘04 Faculty Professional Development Fund begins with teacher nominations provided by the student body. This year, each and every member of the Bridgton faculty received a nomination for the award, a compliment to our entire crew of dedicated classroom teachers. The recipient, who is chosen by a committee of faculty and students, receives a financial award to apply towards a faculty professional development program of his or her choosing. This year’s award recipient, Mrs. Courtney Doughty (above, right), was also announced at Commencement on May 7th. “I am sure that everyone could see my surprise when I received this award at graduation – my bright red face was probably a dead giveaway! I am so very grateful and humbled by this recognition. It’s truly the students that make this job so special. I feel lucky to be surrounded by promising young men that can make me laugh and at the same time, keep me on my toes. Also, I’m incredibly thankful and appreciative to have the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated faculty and staff. Each day I’m inspired to be a better teacher than I was the day before.”
To learn more about Bridgton Academy’s endowment and our awards, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (207) 647-3322, or email alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.
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MEET THE CLASS OF 2016 “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain A lifelong lover of quotes, the double sport student-athlete featured in this installment of Meet the Class of 2016, reports that he draws special inspiration from this stirring line from Mark Twain as he continues his “search for purpose”, while leaving a legacy of impressive accomplishments in his wake. We are proud to introduce one of Bridgton Academy’s newest alumni, Austin Ralph ’16. How did you first hear about Bridgton Academy and what prompted your decision to attend? Since my goal was to go to a service academy, but my academic and athletic accomplishments in high school weren’t quite “there”, my father suggested I consider attending a prep school after high school. Being from Texas, I had heard of prep schools, but never really knew much about them. I eventually found one in another state, and this school shared my highlight film with Bridgton Academy. I decided to participate in Bridgton’s baseball tournament in Worcester, Massachusetts last summer. After meeting some of my fellow classmates, as well as Bridgton coaches and staff at this event, I made the decision to confirm my enrollment here. You played both football and baseball this year – how did you manage to keep such a high GPA, and what other activities have you participated in during your year here? While at Bridgton, I’ve learned proper time management. This skill has certainly helped me this year, and I know it will help me continue to be a successful student-athlete in college. I knew back in August that I had one year to turn myself around academically and athletically. I now know that I need to do what it takes to prioritize and make time for academics. Sometimes I have to spend extra time on my course work after study hall, or make sure to squeeze in time for my assignments during the day, in-between classes and practices. I now understand that I have to take every opportunity to perform well in the classroom. Besides football and baseball, I also participated in ice fishing, a pumpkin carving contest, the Dorm Wars dodgeball tournament, juggling, and community service with Coach Meserve. I also took advantage of the open art studio time that Mr. Miller offers.
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What has been your favorite “Bridgton moment”? Definitely the dodgeball tournament (pictured, right). We only lost one game. We ended up winning the championship which was pretty emotional and intense. Go Cleaves Hall! What has been the most difficult challenge during your year at Bridgton? Keeping my grades up. I was in an academic slump during my senior year of high school, and was a huge procrastinator. Bridgton offers a lot of opportunities. Learning how to take those opportunities - and use them the right way - was my biggest challenge. What are your plans after Bridgton? I recently was recommended to go to the United States Air Force Preparatory School, so I will likely choose to go there. If not, then I will go to Mass Maritime to play football and baseball. If I choose the Air Force, however, I will just stick to baseball. What was your inspiration to seek out a service academy? Basically, my entire family serves in the military, but no one has attended a service academy. I think it would be great to be the first person in my family to do this. What advice would you offer to members of the incoming Class of 2017? It is going to sound cliché, but just don’t give up. You may be sore, but go to practice. You may be tired, but go to study hall. Get ready for all of the ups and downs – there will be lots of them. Life is going to come at you hard, and Bridgton prepares you for this. Let them prepare you. If you could go back and do the year over again, what would you do differently? Pack lighter. I brought way too much stuff. I came back second semester with half of what I brought, and that was all I needed. P.S. Winter = brutal (Insert awkward facial expression.) What are your plans this summer, and before you enter the service academy? I am from Texas, and this summer I will be spending time on my friend’s ranch. I also work at B.O.N.A. Foundation Summer Camp – where I attended as a youth – and am now a program coordinator.
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tHE rENaISsANcE
The revival of art at Bridgton Academy
Tucked away on the campus of Bridgton Academy is a place that perhaps some people are unaware even exists. This treasure trove, unassumingly positioned in the basement of one of the Academy’s most historic buildings, has become an oasis for those who choose to step foot inside. This amazing space is none other than Bridgton’s very own Art Studio, which, over the past few years, has contributed to the renaissance of the art program at Bridgton Academy. In the words of Elijah Campbell ’16, one of the Academy’s newest alumni, “The Art Studio creates an environment unlike any other. In this place, I don’t have to worry about the pressures of deadlines and late work, but can feel free to relax and allow my imagination to run wild. This sanctuary allows me to think outside the box.” The arts have long played a role in the development of students at Bridgton Academy. Throughout its 208-year history, young men and women have participated in glee clubs, orchestras, drama groups, “dance bands”, camera clubs and art clubs – just to name a few. These programs, however, existed long ago and, in recent years, the focus seemed to “organically” shift away from intentional art programs offered by the Academy. Although various art projects have been offered on an ad hoc basis over the last decade or so – including Nantucket basket weaving under the direction of Merry Vigneau - it wasn’t until the arrival of Mr. Gabe Miller, back in 2012, that this coveted space beneath the Academy’s Twitchell Chapel became the catalyst for the rebirth of a formalized fine arts program at the Academy. Originally hired that summer as a science teacher, dorm head, and assistant soccer coach, Mr. Miller – an accomplished artist in his own right – discovered the Academy’s “best kept secret location” during his first year on campus, and knew immediately that the space offered an opportunity to challenge our students to tap into their creative potential. “After my first year at Bridgton, I was really intrigued with a phrase in our Mission Statement that spoke to the idea of creating a diverse on-campus experience for our students,” explains Mr. Miller. His excitement took wing when he picked up some furniture at yard sales in the weeks that followed, and talked Mr. Dave Lepage, Director of Technology, into helping him equip the space with speakers and a large flat screen television. In the four years since Mr. Miller set his sights on launching a dedicated art program at the Academy, the number of opportunities for students to use the Art Studio has grown exponentially. Not only can students now use the studio and its supplies in their afternoon free time and in the evenings after study hall, the Academy has now also begun to offer two art classes each academic year for students: Three-Dimensional Art during the first semester and Two-Dimensional Design in the second semester. In his quest to pique the interest of all young men who study at Bridgton Academy, Mr. Miller strives to “offer a wide variety of mediums for our students to explore.” One that has proven to be a favorite amongst students is woodcarving. This “soup to nuts” project begins with a trek into the woods to cut down a tree from which the students will begin their masterpiece. The result is a hand-carved block of wood, depicting anything from a face to a landscape. Other projects include cellophane sculptures, which are life-sized replicas of our students; spray paint art; “throwing” on the pottery wheel, mask making; and “light boxes” constructed from wood and LED lights. Mr. Miller and the students who participate in Bridgton’s Art Program are not the only people excited about the art revival that is taking place on our centuries-old campus. Along with the continued growth of the program has also come the eagerness of Bridgton supporters to contribute to its further advancement. Investments in Bridgton’s arts-related offerings have helped fund the purchase of a top-quality slab roller, and have made it possible for the in-house kiln to once again be fired; allowing students to enjoy – and use – the pieces that they create. Along with realizing their artistic potential, students involved in Bridgton’s art program are also afforded the opportunity to gain exposure by showcasing their works at Gallery 302; a “Maine Artists Cooperative” located in downtown Bridgton. During this month-long exhibit, student artwork is displayed alongside pieces created by accomplished artists in the region; offering our young men a glimpse of the opportunities available to them as budding artists.
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Perhaps the most meaningful result of this rebirth of Bridgton Academy’s art program, however, is the true impact it has on so many of the students who have now chosen to explore art in their own lives. Harrison Engstrom, another Class of 2016 graduate, expresses this in his own words: “I came to Bridgton Academy purely focused on baseball, with the goal of trying to play in college the following year. I had no idea what to expect with my classes, and certainly not in art, because I had never taken an art class before. After one class with Mr. Miller in the studio, it seemed to be a whole new world for me; separate from everything and everyone else at Bridgton. The class gave me an opportunity to explore my ideas and creativity, which was a great getaway from all the schedules and rules I have to follow. In the beginning of the year, I got a chance to do all types of 3-D projects, like clay sculptures, wire sculptures and woodcarvings. I would often go in after hours and either work on projects already in progress, or just start a new one. I even brought some of my teammates down at night and taught them how to use a pottery wheel! In the second semester, I was fortunate enough to continue with the art class, enjoying it more and more. It gave me my own experience at Bridgton that many cannot say they have had. Mr. Miller always pushed me to try new techniques and projects that ultimately showed me that I have a natural art ability. I couldn’t have been more thankful for what he has helped me to discover, and how this class really made my year the best it could have been. While I achieved my goal of going to play baseball next year in college, I also found a new passion in art that I will continue to pursue.” Mr. Miller’s goals for Bridgton Academy’s Art Program have only continued to expand. While he remains pleased with the progress that has already taken place, he continues to look forward to the next phase of revitalizing this significant component in the education of Bridgton students. Future aspirations are to see more art around campus, and to work with teachers to look for ways – even small – to integrate the arts into their curriculum. We thank Mr. Miller for spearheading what has truly been an art renaissance here on our campus, and we hope you enjoy a few samples of pieces created by our young men.
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To find out more about what’s going on at Bridgton Academy, including event calendars, sports schedules, profiles and more, visit www.bridgtonacademy.org. Alumni Class Notes are also available via the website - just visit www.bridgtonacademy.org and click under “Alumni | Giving” . Please feel free to contact us any time at 207.647.3322. To sign up for our biweekly e-newsletter, email alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.
Know a future Wolverine? Contact BA Admissions at admissions@bridgtonacademy.org
We Need Your Support! The Fiscal Year for 2017 has just begun! July 1 marked the official beginning of fiscal year 2017 at the Academy. We ask a lot of our students and, in turn, we’ve set a high bar for our fundraising goals to support them. Please consider investing in Bridgton Academy by June 30th to help us reach our $500,000 Bridgton Fund goal. To make a gift, visit our online giving page at www.bridgtonacademy.org. Your gift can also be mailed to the Office of Institutional Advancement, PO Box 292, North Bridgton, ME 04057.
Thank you for your support!