Bridgton Academy summer 2017
www.bridgtonacademy.org
congratul ations t o
t h e
class of 2017
Bridgton Academy The Official Publication of Bridgton Academy Nick LeBel Jessica Priola Michelle Cross Matt Gallery ‘09 Sarah Gaines
Managing Editor Content Editor Writer, Contributor Writer, Contributor Writer, Contributor
Bridgton Academy Today is produced biannually as the official magazine 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
FroM tHe HeaDMaSter
As my tenure at our Academy comes to a close, I remain more impressed than ever by the diversity of our community of faculty & staff, students, alumni, families, friends, and philanthropists who make up our extended family. Our divergent backgrounds, goals & dreams, and lives of influence are truly a blend for the ages. To that end, I remain as humbled today as I was nine years ago when I first stepped on campus to assume stewardship of our historic Academy. Back in 2008, as Merry and I and our family made our way to North Bridgton, Maine, visions of the achievements of BA’s most iconic Headmasters – Richard Sampson, Richard Goldsmith and Bob Walker – swirled about within my mind. From the very beginning, I understood that I had been gifted with an opportunity to lead an institution whose influence stretched across all communities, professions, and walks of life.
Inspired by former leaders and current faculty and staff alike, in my first official headmaster missive (penned in September ’08), I spoke to our goals: “We speak about and practice daily the importance of leadership and collaboration to achieve a whole that is greater than its individual parts. We honor the need for empathy and civility throughout the course of our daily lives.” Early on, our vision for how we would achieve our timeless mission – preparing young men for the competitive rigors of college and beyond – had not yet been fully formed. Nevertheless, from the very start, in principle, we surely foresaw the way forward for young men in the 21st century. Almost immediately, our young men – influenced by our teachers, coaches, advisors, and staff – began to discover and practice their own paths forward. Chris Counce ’14, of Scottsdale, AZ, shared with us during his year at BA, “So far this year, I have already made big progress. I have failed, I have learned, I have moved forward. …the true character of those who work here is immensely comforting. Of course, I would love to play college football, but more importantly, I want to learn how to have a positive impact on others – just like our faculty and staff do here at BA.” The question upon which every leadership tenure turns is, “Have we imbued our organization with men and women who believe in and practice our vision?” I believe we have. So does our accrediting organization, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Commendations from a NEASC committee who recently visited campus support my assertion: “…each Committee member, …departed campus with the sense that the Headmaster has effectively envisioned and led the faculty in a deliberate collective effort to provide the students with a constructive and ethical framework of what one Committee member called ‘Modern Masculinity’.” “While BA recognizes and celebrates the perhaps traditional views of masculinity, special measures have been taken by the Headmaster and the School to create an environment where mistakes can be made and forgiven, where a person’s sexual orientation is accepted, where gender differences are valued, and where basic kindness, respect, and courtesy are expected.” At the end of the day, while we certainly work to achieve our mission, I am also proud that our faculty and staff recognize, teach, and role model the appropriate way forward for our motivated, yet still very impressionable young men. As I take my leave, I remain confident that Bridgton Academy will continue to build “go givers,” young men who truly are “built for others,” …future leaders who will transform our communities, our states, nation, and, ultimately, our world in accordance with all of our hopes and dreams for respect, civility, peace, and prosperity. GO BA!
Graydon E. Vigneau, Jr., P’12 Headmaster
2 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
M eet a W olveriNe M eet A W o LverIne BRETT BUCKTOOTH CLASS
O F
2002
We recently had a chance to catch up with Bridgton alumnus, Brett Bucktooth ’02, who is currently in his eleventh year of professional lacrosse, playing forward for the New England Black Wolves. Brett is also a member of the Iroquois Nationals, helping them win silver medals at the 2011 and 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. After Bridgton Academy, Brett went on to Syracuse University where he helped the Orange to a National Championship in 2004 and received All-American recognition in both 2005 and 2006. Brett returned to campus this past winter to teach the Class of 2017 Lacrosse Team the game of box lacrosse. What prompted your decision to attend Bridgton Academy? My older brother Drew attended Bridgton in 2001, the year before I did. He said the extra year helped him to prepare academically. Also, I needed an extra year to develop my skills and strength to excel at the Division 1 level for lacrosse, which was my goal. Who was the most influential person during your time at Bridgton Academy and what was your most memorable experience? I had a very positive experience at Bridgton. The most influential people there for me were Coach Nutley and former faculty members Coach Printz (who was Head of Potter House and Head Coach of the Hockey Team), Mr. Hill, and Mrs. Chute. I don’t have a most memorable experience other than making lifelong friendships with a lot of the guys from the hockey and lacrosse teams. From orientation weekend (hiking and canoeing) to the morning workouts and Study Hall I enjoyed and made the most of each day while at Bridgton. One of my most memorable experiences though has to be going one-on-one with Coach Nutley in box lacrosse in the gym. We had an epic battle for an hour while one of our goalies was in net.
What have you been up to since leaving Bridgton Academy in 2002? I have been busy with lacrosse since I left campus. I remember getting back home and I played a lacrosse game the next day and it seems like it hasn’t stopped since then. I raised a son while graduating from Syracuse University and then moved onto eleven years of professional lacrosse. This is my last professional season and then I’m getting married! You had the chance to come back this year and teach the Class of 2017 Lacrosse Team box lacrosse, how was that experience? What was it like to be back at Bridgton? I have always wanted to get back to Bridgton. The Bridgton area is beautiful year round. The chance to be back with Coach Nutley and the new team is always something to look forward to. Each team and each person brings a different personality, challenges and potential to do great things. I had a good time meeting my former teachers, counselors, and the new staff. Seeing the buildings, classrooms, the dining hall, and the gym brought back so many great memories. What message would you like to share with our recently graduated Class of 2017, as well as future Wolverines? The friendships you form at Bridgton will last a lifetime. Be thankful for the opportunity you had while at Bridgton and continue the hard work into your next endeavor. For future Wolverines: The year at Bridgton Academy truly makes a difference. The experience will last a lifetime. Make the most of each day.
What are some of the life skills that you learned at Bridgton and still carry with you today? Probably the most important skill I learned while at Bridgton Academy was how to manage my academic schedule. Without that skill I wouldn’t have made it through Syracuse University. The staff at Bridgton Academy showed me that there are good people out there who are willing to work with you and for you. I am trying to pass on that compassion today.
3
Welcome to
North Bridgton,
Mr. & Mrs. Mooney
bridgton academy welcomes martin j. mooney as its 48 th head of school “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mr. Martin Mooney as Bridgton Academy’s next Head of School,” expressed Kevin Jones ‘81, President of the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. “The Board was unanimous in its support of the Search Committee’s recommendation of Martin, based on an exhaustive and highly competitive six-month search process. Martin brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served many roles in the classroom and on the athletic field during his twenty-five year run as a teacher, coach, and administrator. We look forward to working with and supporting Mr. Mooney as the next leader of Bridgton Academy.” With those words, Bridgton Academy will welcome the Class of 2018 under new leadership, as Martin Mooney assumes the role of Head of School, taking the reins from the retiring Graydon E. Vigneau, Jr., who had served in the role since 2008. We had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Mooney about his appointment, his first impressions of the Academy and its people, and his vision for the future of Bridgton Academy. Mr. Mooney earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his master’s degree from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. He comes to Bridgton Academy from the Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ, where he spent the last twenty years in a variety of educational and leadership roles, most recently as Dean of Students and Residential Life. At Peddie, he also served as Dean of the Faculty, Director of College Counseling, and English teacher, and has spent time as both a dorm parent and coach. In addition to his experience in the classroom, Mr. Mooney is also a longtime football and lacrosse coach, hearkening back to his own time as a football and lacrosse player at Dartmouth.
4 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
Tell us a bit about your background. MARTY MOONEY (MM): I was raised in Long Beach, NY where my father was a union ironworker, and my mother worked in the office of a retail chain. In my parents’ generation, very few, if any, relatives went to college. I am from a big New York Irish family and have thirty-two first cousins. I was lucky enough to be recruited by Dartmouth College to play football after high school. I majored in English there, and after graduation I worked in publishing in New York for about two years before taking my first school job, as Director of Publications at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. During my five years at The Hill, I worked in the Alumni and Development Office and also taught full time for a couple of years before moving into college counseling work. I married my wife, Dani, in 1992. Our first two children, Katherine (1995) and Megan (1996), were born in Pottstown. We moved to Peddie School in 1997, and our son Harry was born in 1999. DANI MOONEY (DM): I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and attended St. Joseph’s College there, majoring in English Literature. I worked in publishing in New York before joining Marty and the boarding school life at The Hill School. Once we arrived at Peddie, I held several positions, including teacher of postgraduate English, Director of Community Life and Student Activities, and Dorm Supervisor. My training as a CPR instructor and previous work with Disaster Services for the American Red Cross led to my decision to change careers, at which point I received a master’s degree in public health from Rutgers University.
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
Why do you think the mission of Bridgton Academy is important? MM: Young men today are facing significant challenges, and I believe any young man who invests himself in this unique community will be well prepared to meet those challenges. This experience will change that young man’s life. Though I would not choose one aspect as more important than another in our mission, I am drawn to the word “community” as I think about the impact we have on our students. We teach them about being independent, about personal accountability, to be sure, but I believe Bridgton excels at breaking through some of the barricades that young men build up around them. In this community, we acknowledge, value, and model our duty to others in our dorms, our classrooms, and our teams; our mission directs us not only to strive for excellence and intellectual vitality, but it also asks us to strive for caring, empathy, and trust – these are the qualities that make for both successful people and good men. How does it feel to be the incoming leader and steward of a school with such an established history? MM: It’s humbling in many ways to become part of such a long-standing community. That said, Bridgton isn’t a great place because it’s been around for so long; it’s been around for so long because it’s a great place and because of the hard work, dedication, and sense of purpose of the generations of people who have come before us. It’s an honor not just for me, but for anyone joining the community, to be part of that tradition. What do you see as some of your initial goals in your first few years on campus? MM: My immediate goal is to get to know – as quickly as I can – the heartbeat of the Bridgton experience. What is it like to be a student here? What is it like in the classroom? The rink, the fields, the court? What do our alumni say about their time here? At the same time, the school’s long term sustainability relies on our ability to tell our story and to enroll students appropriate for our mission. To meet those ends, I am going to work closely with the Institutional Advancement team to create a comprehensive enrollment management strategy. Bridgton occupies a unique niche, and I believe we have all the tools in place to enlarge our profile in the independent school market as well as to gain traction in communities across the country where they do not yet know the benefits of our program. One of the recommendations coming out of last year’s NEASC accreditation process was to initiate a comprehensive strategic plan for the school. This process would set out the school’s priorities over the next five to ten years, considering where best to put our resources not only in terms of enrollment, but also fundraising, program initiatives, staffing, and building projects. What excites you about working with a postgraduate population? MM: This is a group of students I’ve worked very closely with over the past twenty-five years, and I always go back to a phrase one of my colleagues shared with me many years ago: “PGs are a crash course in your mission.” Whether you are a postgraduate student or a faculty member working with PGs, you need to be laser focused on the mission and aware of the progress you are making. What’s exciting about working with the postgraduate is the urgency and the sense of purpose wrapped up in the year. Seeing the fruits of the students’ labor and walking with them as they learn how to navigate the academic and personal challenges of the year, this is rewarding stuff. What are your first impressions of Bridgton Academy? DM: From the first day I visited campus, I have been impressed by the dedication of the faculty and the degree to which they want Bridgton students to succeed. I had the pleasure of sitting in on several classes, and I was fascinated by the ways in which the teachers incorporated learning and life skills – note taking, identifying key concepts, and personal organization – into each lesson. This was done seamlessly and unobtrusively, in a way that the boys may have not actively noticed, but it impressed me. How would you describe our faculty? MM: In a conversation I had with a faculty member this winter, he said that Bridgton was a school “filled with young men trying to change their destinies.” As I’ve gotten to know more members of the faculty since then, each person I’ve met has expressed to me, in many different ways and in many different roles, this fundamental understanding of our students. Because of its unique mission, Bridgton attracts dedicated professionals who GET these young men, who want to work with them, and who find incredible rewards in helping them reach their goals.
What about your background do you think best prepares you to take the helm at Bridgton? MM: I’d say three things: 1. My length of time and experience working in boarding schools, in a variety of different roles. I’ve taught, coached, run dorms, and been an advisor; I’ve also taken on a number of leadership roles, including Director of College Counseling, Dean of the Faculty, and Dean of Students and Residential Life. 2. The above roles would serve me well at any school, but my work teaching a class exclusively for postgraduates, as well as being a postgraduate class advisor for many years, has also prepared me to better understand what the guys are looking for in the year and what they need to get there. 3. Finally, I went to large public high school in the 1980s, where I did fairly well, but when I got to college, it was a big challenge. There were all kinds of students surrounding me who had learned how to write a good paper, who had proper study habits, and who understood the vocabulary of higher education. I could have used a year at Bridgton to help me prepare for these challenges, and I always carry that perspective with me when I think about my work here. What excites you the most about your family’s new role at Bridgton? DM: Being fully immersed in boarding school life has greatly influenced our family for the better. We understand the sacrifices that families make when sending their children to boarding schools. Our children are in the same age range as Bridgton students. I look forward to meeting a new group of students when the school year starts. It will be interesting to learn more about the history of Bridgton, along with the everyday rhythms of the school. My years as a dorm parent in a freshmen boys’ dorm left me with an appreciation of the energy, the talent, and the creativity that can happen when boys live, study, and work together toward similar goals. This is a great opportunity for our family to join a new community in such a beautiful part of Maine. What do you like to do in your spare time? MM: Whenever I can get away, I like to fish, camp, and hike. I did about 400 miles of hiking last spring on the Appalachian Trail and out in the Yosemite backcountry. I don’t foresee too many long section hikes over the next few years, but I like the fact that I can do some salmon fishing and hike some nice peaks very close to campus I’ve also been a bagpiper in a band down in New Jersey for many years. Not sure if I’ll be able to pursue that interest as much at Bridgton, but the folks on campus are likely to know about it if I do! Marty and his wife, Dani, will officially arrive on the Bridgton Academy campus this July. Their eldest daughter, Katherine, is a graduate of Wheaton College. Megan Mooney will be a senior this year at Tufts University, and Harry Mooney will begin his freshman year at Skidmore College this fall. Bridgton Academy and our extended community offer a warm Wolverine welcome to the entire Mooney family!
5
coMMeNceMeNt 2017 On a beautiful Maine spring evening, nearly three hundred parents, relatives, and friends filled the Chalmers Ice Arena to officially kickoff a long-anticipated celebration: Commencement for the Bridgton Academy Class of 2017. In a metaphorical nod to the transformation we celebrated in our students, the venue for the weekend’s events – usually reserved for hockey games and practices – was likewise transformed into a space befitting of such a momentous occasion. As proud families and deserving students made their way to their tables that evening, there was a palpable sense of the hope and promise these soon-tobe-alumni would bring to our shared tomorrow. Only hours later, on Saturday, May 6th, these 136 young men made their way up the hill one final time as students before re-entering the Chalmers Ice Arena, where they would officially join the ranks of two centuries’ worth of alumni before them as they became the 209th class to graduate from Bridgton Academy. The two-hour-long ceremony was punctuated by the distribution of ten student awards, set aside specifically for commencement day, and special recognition of outgoing headmaster, Mr. Grady Vigneau. We are thrilled to congratulate the Class of 2017 on all of their accomplishments, and we wish them every success in their future endeavors. Stay in touch, Wolverines, and keep making us proud!
6 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
A WArDs G Iven F rIDAY n IGHt , M AY 5 tH Black Knight Rugby Award - Nicholas Gerard DeSimone Ski Team Award - Taylor James Davis Justin A. DeSorrento '96 Soccer Award - Daniel John Hennessey Corey Smith '88 Memorial Award - Robert Katrishen Planutis John D. Powers '91 Memorial Lacrosse Coaches’ Award Henry Thomas Brackbill John T. Fabello '34 Hockey Award - Ryan Joseph Galvin & Tanner Jackson McFarren Douglas R. Avery Award - Joseph Paul Webber Tom C. Austin Football Award - Liam Patrick Benjamin Alexander D. Harry, Jr. '58 Memorial Commencement Award Diavonte Imon Todd Sportsmanship Award - Robert Katrishen Planutis The Arthur P. Stebbins, Jr. '67 Award - Daniel Michael Lynch Edward F. Brown Fund Essay -William Gage Chenard Edward F. Brown Public Speaking Prize - Joseph Glenn Sieger Sylvester Spelling Prize - Cameron D. Waters Lee and Carol Noble Fine Arts Award - Michael Gary Gardner & Spencer Douglas Johnson Faculty Award - Nicholas Kyle Lepage, Kerry C. Raymond & Sidy Sissoko Phyllis B. Wakefield Class of '46 & '10 Award - Patrick Michael Conroy & Rashaad M. Pendleton Dianne C. Fabello Memorial Award - Stefan Vanness Porter Dennis O’ Brien '67 Award - Alexandre Jeanjean Howe Award - Michael Joseph Servetas Richard R. Marcella Award - Jalen Gil Martinez David DeFelice English Improvement Award - Daniel Michael Lynch Dr. William Holt Awards: • English - Henry Thomas Brackbill • Computer Science - Timothy Rye • Physical Science - Joseph Paul Webber • Mathematics - Joseph Glenn Sieger • Social Science - Michael Joseph Servetas Addie M. Chadbourne Award - Jackson Whitney Lesure, Joseph Glenn Sieger, and Joseph Paul Webber Athletic Director’s Award (highest cumulative team GPA) - Hockey
AWArDs GIven s AtUrDAY , MAY 6tH At coMMenceMent Annie R., Horace A., & Martha B. Flint Improvement Award Mason Dean LaPlante Electra H. Fickett Outstanding Citizenship Award Lachlan Sydney Longford Rowan Dr. Christopher Blanch '89 Award - Victor Kury Saade Russell A. Pitnof '34 Award - Daniel Michael Lynch Alumni Award - Brian John Quinn Captain Claude “Duke” Hough '54 Award - Henry Thomas Brackbill Leland S. Buck '42 Award - Westbrook Dwight Van Inwegen Charles H. Gould Award - Ryan Joseph Galvin and Joseph Paul Webber Headmaster’s Award - Seamus Wrenn Leary Edwin V. Spooner Award - Jackson Whitney Lesure Mission Achievement Book Scholarship - Patrick Michael Conroy, Taylor James Davis, Joshua Dunagan, Kade M. Kaminski, Mitchell Thomas McCabe
claSS oF 2017 MatriculatioN liSt Albright College American International College Assumption College Baylor University Bentley University Bishop’s University Bridgewater State University Bridgton Academy Bryant University Campbell University Cegep Champlain - St. Lawrence Cisco Junior College Colby College Concordia College Concordia University - Montreal Connecticut College Curry College Cypress College Dalhousie University Duquesne University Eastern Maine Community College Eastern Nazarene College
Elon University Florida State University Fordham University Framingham State University Franklin Pierce University High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Husson University Ithaca College Keene State College Lasell College Le Moyne College Marist College Marshall University Massachusetts Maritime Academy Massasoit Community College Merrimack College Monroe College Mount St. Mary’s University New York University Niagara College
Nichols College Northern Arizona University Northern Wyoming CC Sheridan Campus Norwich University Pace University Plymouth State University Post University Queens University of Charlotte Roger Williams University Sacred Heart University Saint Joseph’s College - ME Saint Michael’s College Salve Regina University Southern Connecticut State University Southern New Hampshire University Springfield College Suffolk University United States Air Force University of Bath University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Connecticut University of Connecticut Avery Point University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maine University of Maine at Farmington University of Massachusetts, Lowell University of New England University of New Hampshire University of New Haven Wentworth Institute of Technology Western Connecticut State University Western New England University Wheaton College - MA Whittier College Xavier University
7
COMMENCEMENT 2017
8 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
“Up Early” - A Po e m Fo r T h e
B A Class of ‘17 by Ryan McLellan Go play the game that you learned from the morning -N.D. There are certain mornings at the top of our hill that flood the senses, trigger memories, and leave one wondering how they got so lucky. For me, this happens roughly three times a week and, when not busied by the bustle of the semester, I stroll from car to classroom and, upon arrival at my desk, I look up facts about the wolverine as research for this new poem. I have learned it remains mysterious, not known to settle in a single spot for long periods of time, and scientists have unanswered questions about the habits of the animal outlaws, the elusive and intentionally solitary beasts. They do not want to be studied or captured; when the place they are living no longer provides the resources it needs to survive, the nomadic creature moves on. One may imagine it on the run from it’s past, a wanderer of the woodland, but I think it might just be a metaphor for you, dear Wolverines, a comparison this poet would be remiss to not mention, you resilient yet hard-todefine young men soon to move on, you who took what you needed from this place and now head off to pastures yet to bloom, you who refuse to be pinned down or penned up, you who fascinate us but remain a tough case study, even for the practiced veterans. On those mornings, the light leaps from Long Lake
so beautifully that it can leave one without breath, staggered by the sun and stuck listening to finches and chickadees hop in the bushes. These pauses left
you still rolled out of bed and walked to the top. The real mornings on this hill were the ones that made you create your own beauty, the days you had to hide
me still and silent, filled my tank with closed-eye deep-breath pre-coffee still-sleepy moments, and got me out of bed on bad days. Because there are -
the fire inside for fear that one stray raindrop may snuff it out. Though we rightfully take pride in our gripes about the climb, we know it’s in our blood.
and will be - plenty of days that make us question if we still have the fire we set out with, if we can revive the flame before it goes out, or if we ever
There is a wild wolverine out there that was fitted with a tracking device near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming that walked five hundred miles
had it at all; mornings when it’s so gray and heavy it feels like carrying a rain-soaked mattress on your back and the lake looks like nothing more than a
in a two-month span and, though he may have us beat, we damn well know we walked the miles necessary to our survival while we were here.
black mass in the distance, a suspicious blotch on the x-ray of the world, and sometimes the only thing that helps on those days is to remember that, when a wolverine takes a step, its paw spreads to twice its size to make it easier to walk on snow and, though it wasn’t always snow we slogged through,
We know that, even on the quietest mornings, perhaps the Saturday of the first open weekend of a new semester, there’s a hum that gently quakes this campus, and the collective energy from those who live on this hill provide the rhythm, the heartbeat, and the life for a small-town-inside-a-small-town that takes its deepest breath every August and holds it, as tightly as it can, until the first week of May.
we got our fair share and, if you’ll look down, you may notice your feet are twice as large as they were when you walked in and, when you leave, you’ll have left doublewide footprints for the next class to match. Those were the real mornings, Wolverines; when no one saw you climb the hill or said Hello as you passed. The days with no tour groups or freshly planted flowers, no birds, no sun, no way to believe there was something at the crest waiting for you but
9
our future
is BRIGHT
Bridgton Academy Names Recipients of 1808 Bright Futures Endowment Created two years ago through the generosity of several donors, Bridgton Academy’s 1808 Bright Futures Endowment provides annual professional development funds to teaching faculty to be used for discipline-specific training or advanced degree work that can also serve as a resource for the greater Bridgton Academy community. After thoughtful deliberations by a selection committee comprised of their peers, two members of Bridgton’s faculty were chosen to evenly split this year’s Bridgton Academy 1808 Bright Futures Endowment draw: STEM teacher, Mrs. Beth Chagrasulis, will be using her allocation of the funds to launch the Academy’s first-ever “Scientist in Residence” program. Mrs. Chagrasulis intends STEM Teacher Beth Chagrasulis to work with her students to conduct DNA bar-coding research on bumblebees in Maine. The main goals of this project are to document the diversity, distribution, and abundance of various species of bumble bees in Maine while adding to the limited amount of data that is currently available on these creatures. For students, this project would demonstrate what it truly means to be a “citizen scientist” by allowing them to see how ordinary people can make contributions to the scientific world by adding incredibly valuable data to the global scientific effort. English teacher Ryan McLellan will study at the prestigious Stonecoast Writers’ Conference, a highly-selective program that features intensive workshops and critiques by acclaimed writers. By attending this challenging conference, Mr. McLellan will be proving to students that he, too, strives to be the very best he can be—a trait we encourage all of our students to aspire to on a daily basis. As Mr. McLellan mentioned: “If I am not striving to be better, how can I expect my students to do the same?” We congratulate the recipients of this year’s 1808 Bright Futures Endowment and wish them the very best in their continued professional endeavors.
10 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
Humanities Teacher Ryan McLellan
@BridgtonAcademy
GATER
LOVE LOVE for the
MORE MORE
Every year during Commencement, one member of the Bridgton Academy community is chosen as the recipient of the Ray T. McDonald Service Award. Choosing this year's honoree was an easy process, but ironing out the details of presenting the award proved to be a bit more challenging. The individual who had been chosen was not going to be on campus for Commencement, and there really was not another person who was nearly as deserving of the award. Since the recipient of this year's Ray T. McDonald Service Award is a retired teacher, one who has devoted nearly four decades of service to Bridgton Academy, and one who has truly left his mark on so many of the students he has taught, it was determined that there was no better time to present his award than during the end-of-the-year Academic Awards Chapel. And so, with just a little bit of creativity in getting him to come to Chapel just this once, he agreed to be here to share in the special day with students. With little fanfare, as one might expect, Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce that the 2017 Ray T. McDonald Service Award recipient is none other than Mr. Peter Gately. Just as the title of the award alludes, it is given to one who has meritoriously served at Bridgton Academy. And to embellish the award just a little, that would include with great spirit and zest. Those who who have ever sat in a classroom under his instruction, or who have been blessed enough to work with him, know that there is perhaps no individual more deserving of such an honor. Congratulations, Mr. Gately!
11
BRIDGTON ACADEMY AMBASSADORS Over the years, we have heard countless people say, “If there is anything I can do to help Bridgton Academy, just let me know.” Consequently, we decided to formalize a program around that statement to engage volunteers on behalf of Bridgton. This past year, we officially launched the Bridgton Academy Ambassador Program. The purpose of the Bridgton Academy Ambassador Program is to utilize our many talented and loyal alumni, family, and friends throughout the country to help spread the word about Bridgton and share their Bridgton Academy story with students and families who might benefit from our mission and program. The early stages of the Ambassador Program have been promising, and we are excited to continue to build upon this foundation going forward.
representing the academy
To date, Bridgton Ambassadors have already done quite a bit to help bolster the Academy’s recruitment efforts. These volunteers have visited high schools in their area, spoken with local sports teams, and met with prospective families to discuss the many benefits afforded by studying at Bridgton Academy. The stories our alumni tell about their time in North Bridgton, Maine – and the impact their year at Bridgton Academy had on their lives – are invaluable to helping us attract future Wolverines. Another initiative that we are excited to announce is our letter program. In an effort to connect Ambassadors with students, we have asked them to write personalized letters to those young men who have already been accepted to Bridgton Academy for the upcoming academic year. These letters are meant to both congratulate these students as well as offer them advice, words of encouragement, and wisdom that only an alumnus can provide. We look forward to expanding the Ambassador Program going forward and thank all of those who have helped thus far and who continue to help spread the word about Bridgton Academy. If you are interested in learning more about the Ambassador Program and how you may be able to get involved, please contact Matt Gallery ’09, Manager of Bridgton Ambassadors, at mgallery@bridgtonacademy.org. 12 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
WANTED: C O N TAC T
I N F O R M AT I O N !
With close to 9,000 living alumni spanning the globe, it can be tough to keep track of every new address, cell phone number, and email! The best way to hear updates and receive important information from Bridgton Academy is via email. If you have not been receiving emails from Bridgton, then we most likely do not have a correct email address on file for you. We are diligently working to update the contact information we have on file for our alumni. To support this effort, we kindly ask all alumni reading this to take a minute to fill out our “Update Us” online form online at goo.gl/XXO5Bh, or you can simply email your information to us at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org .
Enter our Contact Information Update Sweepstakes! Every alumnus who submits updated contact information between now and Homecoming Weekend will be enterd to win a $100 Bridgton Academy Wolverine Store Gift Card!
*Please know that Bridgton Academy policy prohibits us from selling or otherwise sharing your information with third partie.*
HOMECOMING 2017 Celebrating Tradition and Change at Bridgton Academy
Celebrate all-things Bridgton during Homecoming Weekend, September 29 – October 1, 2017. Planning is already underway for a number of Homecoming events and activities, including an alumni lacrosse game and a variety of athletic competitions and tailgates. For our alumni, the annual alumni brunch and a Songo River Queen cruise will offer opportunities to catch up with classmates and fellow Wolverine alumni, while current parents will have the chance to meet with teachers and advisors and have their questions answered during our College Counseling Q&A session. Alumni and parents are invited to sit in on classes as well! This year’s Homecoming will also mark incoming Head of School Marty Mooney’s inaugural “State of the School” address. During Homecoming 2017 Bridgton Academy will be paying special tribute to those graduating classes with years ending in a 7 or 2 who will be celebrating milestone reunion years. If you are a member of such a class, we encourage you to reach out to Sarah Gaines (sgaines@bridgtonacademy.org / 207-647-3322 ext. 1213) in Bridgton’s Office of Institutional Advancement to see how you can help rally your class to make your landmark reunion-year one to remember! Not celebrating a reunion this year? We still want to hear from you! Whether 2017 marks your first year away from Bridgton or your seventy-first year since your graduation, we hope that you will be able to attend this fun-filled event and encourage your fellow classmates to join you in North Bridgton that weekend as well. P.S. Fall in Maine is always a beautiful sight—and this is not a secret! Area accommodations fill up very quickly this time of year. While specific details surrounding Homecoming Weekend will not become available until later this summer, we highly recommend that reservations for accommodations be made as soon as possible! Please visit our website (under the “Admissions” tab) for more information about travel to North Bridgton and local lodging options. We hope to see you this fall! 13
HUMBLe
In
FAMe
A Closer Look at Bridgton Academy’s Hall of Fame
Bridgton Academy’s 2017 Hall of Fame Class L to R: Terence McDonough 1985, Lt. Commander Mitch McGuffie 1999, Capt. Claude “Duke” Hough 1954 (posthumous), Douglas Hoak 1972, Rachel Rice Deans 1939, David Higgins III 1976, P ‘08 ‘10 ‘12, Kevin Hancock, Christopher Whitney 1982 Perhaps the complete opposite of what many esteemed members of Bridgton Academy’s Hall of Fame have sought is fame. And yet, many of them have indeed achieved a level of success synonymous with it, whether that success be personal, professional, intellectual, or on some other level. Success that has come as a result of hard work and dedication is nearly always accompanied by some degree of humbleness. Nearly fifteen years ago, Bridgton Academy’s Hall of Fame was created as a special way to honor the achievements of some of our historic Academy’s greatest alumni, friends, and supporters. Since the first induction ceremony in 2003, nearly 200 individuals who are affiliated with Bridgton have been inducted. This impressive list includes entrepreneurs and business professionals, college professors, military leaders, professional athletes, and physicians, to name just a few. It even includes three Bridgton Academy athletic teams who experienced exceptional seasons during their year here. Yet what is it that makes these men, women, and teams stand out? Is it simply their chosen profession, a particular set of accomplishments, or something more that goes above and beyond? Coach Tom Austin, a veteran faculty member at Bridgton Academy and Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee reflects on this question: “For our alumni who are 14 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
inducted, the value of their Bridgton Academy experience has defined their life’s journey, whether that be fifteen or fifty years removed from Bridgton.” Mr. Austin continues in his thoughts, “Those who are friends of the Academy make it possible for us to maintain an institution that has a remarkable impact on the lives of its students, meriting cause to also be inducted.” The Hall of Fame is divided into six categories, allowing for a varied range of achievements for each inductee. Contributors are those who have distinguished themselves as an outstanding leader or contributor in their field of expertise. The Student/Athlete category recognizes those who participated in varsity athletics at Bridgton Academy, and have gone on to be celebrated in competition beyond Bridgton. Those who have made significant contributions to academics or athletics, as well as the Bridgton Academy community, are honored in the Faculty/Coach category. The Family classification provides for multiple members of one family who have offered extraordinary service to the Academy. As a way to recognize Bridgton teams who have established a benchmark by which other teams may be measured, the Team category was added in 2010. Just a few years ago, in 2014, the Humanitarian category was also added, proudly acknowledging the service of volunteers, philanthropists, and individuals who have not only assisted others and their communities, but also embody the Bridgton Academy values of empathy, caring, civility, and respect. Humble. No matter which distinction inductees are chosen for, it is their humbleness along the path of their life’s journey that has, indeed, enabled them to achieve fame in their own right as well as provide a model of living from which we can all draw inspiration. Their success is something our entire Bridgton Academy community feels privileged to recognize and celebrate, and we remain incredibly proud of the accomplishments each contributor, athlete, faculty member and coach, family, team, and humanitarian has achieved. We are honored to have inducted this year’s group of individuals into our newest Hall of Fame class and count them among your Academy’s most distinguished alumni and friends.
Margie Hough Howard (daughter of Claude “Duke” Hough) with Duke’s Bridgton Academy Letter Sweater
15
16 6 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
Faculty Profile
trevor coston
Casually known as “TC” by members of the student body, our selection for this issue’s faculty profile has earned a reputation as an approachable mentor who is invested in the long-term growth and development of his students. Humble and genuine, and seemingly never seen without his trademark smile, this man embraces the lifelong impact his guidance has on the young men he works with in his role as an assistant football coach and college counselor. We are thrilled to introduce you to Trevor Coston. Please describe your road to North Bridgton. I arrived at BA after a long journey pursuing my NFL career. I bounced around from state to state for a while; eventually I wanted to settle down and have some stability. With this in mind, I reached out to a wonderful mentor of mine, Jack Cosgrove (the former head football coach at my alma mater, the University of Maine). He had called me at one point earlier on and said that he thought I would be a great coach, but I was going to Canada at the time to play for the Calgary Stampeders. Midway through the season, however, is when that urge for stability really took hold of me. When Jack and I spoke again, he let me know that BA was looking for a football coach as an intern position. I put in my retirement papers for Calgary and flew back to NY soon afterwards. My plan was to stay at BA only for half a year (i.e., the football season) and then head to U. Maine for a coaching position there. There must be something in the North Bridgton water, though, because I am now wrapping up my second year here, and I wouldn’t want it any other way! What drove your decision to seek out a permanent opportunity at Bridgton? I like the idea of not only being a coach, but also being able to have an impact on a variety of levels. I know how important education is, especially since I didn’t have the greatest grades leaving high school. One of my favorite quotes is “be the person you needed when you were growing up.” That sticks with me. I like the idea of being somebody of importance to a student who may need me, like I needed someone. What do you find most inspiring – and most challenging – about your work with BA students? For me, the most inspiring part of my work here is being able to change how a student views the world and give him hope. This also makes up some of the more challenging aspects I face in this position in the sense that I also want to help students understand the benefits of making sacrifices in order to reach long-term goals. Getting students to understand the importance of the “big picture” (long-term goals versus short-term wants) is a critical piece to their year here and often a challenging one to tackle. What does “The Year That Makes The Difference” mean to you? I don’t really look at it as the year that makes the difference. When I work with a student, it is for the long haul. I keep in touch with all of my students after they graduate. For me, the year is just the start, but then I stay on them; I’ll check in with these alumni every day. My students know that we have a lifelong bond and, if they need anything, they can rely on me. What advice would you offer to our newly-graduated students? What advice would you offer incoming students? For those members of the Class of 2017, I would tell them that it’s only the beginning. There is a lot that is going to happen in their lives, and they need to remember to take the skills that they learned at Bridgton with them. I would also let them know that they are going to experience a lot of ups and downs. During such times, it is important to not get too high or too low. For incoming students, I urge them to remember why they came here. They chose to attend Bridgton for a reason; they must not forget that. This will be especially important to remember when they start to become comfortable here and feel the temptation to revert to their old ways. I strongly encourage incoming students to write down their goals before they get here and keep a journal. I would also suggest that they ask themselves what they want out of this year, and let their answers help guide them. If
If you could have dinner with someone – living or dead – who would it be and what would be the main topic of conversation? Can I pick three people? (Yes, Trevor – you can!) I would like my mother, Stokely Carmichael, and Neon Deion all seated at a table with me at the same time. It would be an open-ended conversation, but each question I ask would be a how, and this would hopefully spark ideas that would help fuel my own inspiration. (E.g., How did my mother manage everything she did as a single mother?; How did Stokely Carmichael persist as a civil rights activist in the face of such strong adversity?; How did Neon Deion have so much confidence to just trust in his abilities at any given time?)
17
a fond farewell HONORING THE TENURE OF GRADY VIGNEAU, BRIDGTON ACADEMY’S 47TH HEADMASTER
MANY, their first impressions of Bridgton Academy’s 47th headmaster could be a testament to the man himself’s ninth rule of success: “Gentlemen, dress for success… every day is an interview.” Clad in his ever-present bow tie and suit, and often donning one of his signature fedoras, Graydon E. Vigneau, Jr., P ’12, has dedicated himself to the students, mission, vision, and program of Bridgton Academy for the past nine years. His steadfast devotion to the “PG year” has helped our centuries-old Academy navigate the choppy waters of uncertainty, while simultaneously ushering our campus into the twentyfirst century.
Dedicated (adj.): devoted to a cause, ideal, or purpose.
FOR
Facing an imminent recession and an increasingly competitive educational marketplace, Headmaster Vigneau began his tenure at Bridgton Academy in the summer of 2008. “The many opportunities that lie ahead for our great institution are exciting to consider,” Mr. Vigneau said upon his appointment to the position. Indeed, under his leadership, numerous opportunities were seized that would see Bridgton Academy transform into the community we know it as today: one which has thoughtfully and purposefully bridged modernity while maintaining its historical integrity. With “Mr. V” (as students know him best) at the helm, Bridgton Academy saw the completion of major renovations to seventeen out of the Academy’s twenty-nine buildings, including the Dr. Cyrus T. Hamlin STEM Center. Headmaster Vigneau also achieved a widely-shared vision to create a student union space on campus by leading the charge in renovating the former North Bridgton Congregational Church into what is now known as the Wolverine Den. To complement these structural overhauls, Headmaster Vigneau pushed forward with his vision to nurture the Academy’s natural beauty through the addition of walkways, professional landscaping, and inspiring signs – all of which have helped to bolster the Academy’s appeal to inquiring students and their families. The crowning achievement of Headmaster Vigneau’s campus beautification efforts, however, was the installation of the first phase of Bridgton’s Rise, Sons of Bridgton (RSB) fundraising initiative. Spearheaded by Headmaster Vigneau, the RSB campaign is the Academy’s most ambitious fundraising project in the school’s history. After prioritizing updates to the academic experience for Bridgton Academy students, Headmaster Vigneau next set his sights on ensuring that the Academy’s athletic program received its due attention as well. With an understanding that the modernization of BA’s athletic facilities could better position the Academy to remain competitive – a critical piece in the best of economies, let alone a recession – Mr. V. successfully led fundraising efforts that resulted in the installation of the Academy’s all-weather turf field and baseball complex in the summer of 2015. 18 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
As the primary manager of Bridgton Academy, Headmaster Vigneau prided himself on the professional team he built, which saw a number of senior leaders internally cultivated and promoted under his leadership. The tremendous emphasis he placed on having the Academy operate by way of a team approach helped to further nurture the community-centered foundation of the Academy’s vision. Beyond the commendable and tangible successes he achieved during his tenure, however, it is perhaps Headmaster Vigneau’s unseen accomplishments which will serve as the highlight of his legacy. A relentless champion of Bridgton Academy students, Mr. V. never wavered in his intention to hold our young men to the highest standards of accountability, always offering nuggets of wisdom and the promise that a bright future is within reach, no matter the circumstance. Mr. Vigneau led each class of students with equal parts caring and consistency, helping to change the trajectory of the lives of over 1,400 young men. There is perhaps no better testament to this than the relationships he has not only maintained, but continued to strengthen with nine years-worth of Bridgton Academy alumni and families. Of the many investments made in Bridgton Academy under his leadership, Headmaster Vigneau’s greatest investment is that which he has shown toward the students in his charge. Indeed, his genuine belief in the greatness that lies within each young man who attends Bridgton Academy has been his constant inspiration and motivation, and the catalyst for the many accomplishments he has achieved during his tenure. As we bid farewell to our leader of nearly a decade, we offer our sincere gratitude for his passion and dedication, which has helped us to further our mission and breadth and continue our trend as the leader in all-male postgraduate education during this— our third century – and beyond. “Bridgton Academy will be forever grateful for the impact Headmaster Vigneau had on this campus and its students throughout his nine years as head of school,” says Kevin Jones ’81, President of the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. “Mr. Vigneau will be remembered for his tireless efforts to bring our facilities into the 21st century as well as the extraordinary impact he had on the students who came through the Academy during his tenure.” Our enti re Bridgton Academy community extends its sincerest gratitude to Grady and his wife, Merry, for the amazing legacy of stewardship and strength that they leave on our historic Academy. We wish Grady and the Vigneau family only the very best as they embark on their next journey!
19
Meet tHe claSS oF 2017 Home is El Salvador, how has it been living so far from home? At the beginning, it was hard being so far away from my parents and siblings, but after awhile you get used to the distance. Being away from home has helped me realize how much the people here at Bridgton Academy care about me. I look at it like a car race. When you are in a race you have a team, you are in the car ready to go and you will be the one doing the driving, but you have your team there to support you, telling you that you can do it and helping you along the way.
As we near the end of the year, how has Bridgton Academy made a difference for you? First of all, one thing is that it has helped with my time management skills and my organizational skills. It has also taught me not to be nervous in situations where normally I would be nervous. However, most importantly it has taught me that if I put my effort into something, a change will happen. I have realized that I can achieve things even when people say I cannot achieve those things. Now, I really trust in myself to achieve what I want. At times it may be hard to trust in myself, but I know that I can do it.
What would you tell someone in the incoming Class of 2018 at Everybody knows me. At Bridgton you are a name, and not a Bridgton Academy? number. This sense of community has made it a lot easier to be so First, take advantage of everything here. Take advantage of your far from home. teachers and your advisor. Realize that the people here are here to help you. You will learn from you errors and you will find that the What was it like first arriving at Bridgton Academy? people here are willing to help you get past your errors. Well, when I first arrived at Bridgton Academy I was extremely motivated because I knew that this was going to be The Year That Makes The Difference, like the slogan says. I knew this was a Also, to enjoy your time here because it is only one year and it goes different place than home, but I felt a sense of community the very by really fast. Even when it is hard, try to enjoy it. first day. Due to my ight, I arrived to campus a day before the rest of the students. The faculty welcomed me and I knew this was going What has it been like living in Maine? to be a special place. I knew that Bridgton Academy would help me It has been an amazing experience! I will not lie, at the beginning to achieve my goals. I thought I would freeze, but it has been an amazing experience. I learned how to ski, I went beaver trapping with Mr. Austin, I learned How did you hear about Bridgton Academy? We were looking for a school that would help improve my English, how to deal with the cold and take advantage of all of the winter and while we were searching Bridgton Academy appeared, and we activities that I cannot do in my country of El Salvador. realized that it was a great option. We knew it would be the year the makes the difference. I hate to keep saying the slogan, but it What is your favorite memory from the year? really has been a year that has changed my life. I have tons of great memories, but one that sticks out is going beaver trapping with Coach Austin. He is a legend here, and going What have you enjoyed most about your time at BA? I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone here at Bridgton beaver trapping was definitely something that I never thought that I Academy – all of the faculty members, all of the students, and would do. It was an amazing experience. everyone in the community. It has been amazing to get to know all of these people and build relationships with them. What will you miss about BA? The people. The faculty. Like I said, getting to know everyone here has been one of the best parts about my year at Bridgton. It has been amazing to live and work with all these people that care so much about you.
20 | BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
victor kury
21
BACK IN THE SADDLE Head Football Coach Rick Marcella makes his triumphant return to North Bridgton
Bridgton Academy is excited to announce the return of Rick Marcella as Head Football Coach. Coach Marcella, who coached at the Academy for 26 seasons from 1986 to 2012, returns after five years away from North Bridgton. A Waterbury, CT native, Marcella has built a legendary career and résumé in New England football. Beginning with a standout career as a defensive back at the University of New Haven, followed by earning his masters degree at Central Connecticut State, Marcella began his coaching career with stints as an assistant at Central Connecticut State, then SUNY Albany. Marcella comes back to Bridgton after a year at Nauset Regional High School on Cape Cod and four seasons as Head Football Coach at New Hampton School, where he led the Huskies to a 30-5 overall record during his time there. “I’m excited to be home,” said Marcella. “Home with my wife, Liz, and home at Bridgton Academy. I am passionate about the mission of the school, and I’m looking forward to doing what I know and love. After seeing the positive changes that have taken place at Bridgton – the turf field, for example – as well as the excitement generated by the academic and administrative leadership, this is a great time to be coming home.” Marcella began his initial tenure at Bridgton Academy in 1986, taking the helm as Head Football Coach in 1990. He continued the football program’s tradition of creating opportunities for dozens of students to play football at the collegiate level, including NFL star Victor Cruz '05. Marcella oversaw the nationally recognized postgraduate football program and its players on the gridiron, from recruitment to college placement. His network of relationships grew throughout New England and the greater United States, culminating in his development of Bridgton’s postseason recruiting showcase. Continuing after his departure in 2012, last season’s showcase saw nearly 50 college coaches scouting Wolverine football players. “First and foremost, Rick Marcella is a teacher who has helped to change the lives of so many of his students, players, and colleagues,” stated Bridgton Academy Head of School, Martin Mooney. “His rich history with the school, combined with his deep football knowledge and passion for the game, makes Rick the perfect coach to lead our football program. We’re very fortunate to have him back with us at Bridgton Academy, and I look forward to working with him this summer.” Marcella officially returns upon completion of the school year at New Hampton School, and will hit the ground running recruiting students for the 2018 Class, as well as connecting with students who have already committed. With Marcella returning to a coaching staff that includes Matt Burgess '88, Joe Daley '77, Travis Dube, Matt Gallery '09, and Trevor Coston, the Bridgton Academy coaching staff now has an unbroken line of 31 years of uninterrupted experience at the Academy.
22
| BA TODAY SUMMER 2017
/BridgtonAcademy1808
@BridgtonAcademy
C
n
n
a
ddit a w i e
o
onsidered one of the Academy’s original buildings, Bridgton’s Twitchell Memorial Chapel has stood the test of time for nearly 140 years. Weekly school-wide assemblies in the Chapel are as much a part of the Bridgton Academy experience as academics and athletics, and are a memory shared by nearly a century and a half worth of Wolverines. It was, therefore, especially exciting when donors passionate about this historic building worked with the Academy to identify improvements to the Chapel that would help honor this space and provide some much-needed upgrades. “Twitchell Memorial Chapel is a historic jewel on our campus,” says Director of Institutional Advancement, Jessica Priola. “As such, we were thrilled to have several donors step forward who were interested in helping the Academy revitalize this space. Some of our buildings date back to the 1800’s, and it requires steady work and upkeep to protect these ‘grandparents’ on our campus. These donors are doing a great deal to honor one of those grand-dames, and the Twitchell Memorial Chapel looks great as a result!” Recent donor-driven renovations in the Chapel have included fresh interior painting, the installation of new foyer carpeting, the replacement of the entryway sign (now created and inspired by an alumnus), the addition of interior ceiling fans, and the replacement of all main sanctuary windows. All of this work has been done in an effort to preserve and enhance the historic look of this classic building.
T O
AT IMEL S CL A To complement these renovations, Bridgton STEM and arts instructor, ES Mr. Gabe Miller, was commissioned to create a glass mosaic that would
C I SS
serve as a lovely focal point in the Chapel’s interior.
A Michigan native, Mr. Miller located an experienced craftsman from that state who used a water jet to cut two sets of the lettering for the project from large sheets of glass. Meanwhile, back at the Academy, George Antonio, P '07, cut the wooden backing of the mosaic. From there, Mr. Miller fused the two sets of letters together in a special glass kiln. Originally planned as just a black and white piece, Mr. Miller made a last-minute decision to include color within the torch and flame which appear on the Academy’s seal. Perhaps most exciting about this project, however, is the student collaboration. Class of 2017 students, Victor Kury, Patrick Webler, Justin Dunham, and Taylor Davis all helped to complete the project by filling in the background and adding grout. Now officially completed, the mosaic was installed on the Chapel’s back wall, facing the stage, earlier this spring. “Every improvement to Chapel has made a big difference,” concludes Mrs. Priola. “The mosaic that Mr. Miller worked on with the students looks amazing and will certainly add color and life to a space that is so important for our community.” We would like to extend a special thank you to the donors who helped make these renovations possible, as well as to Mr. Miller and the participating members of the Class of 2017 for such a wonderful new piece.
23
Bridgton Academy PO Box 292 North Bridgton, ME 04057
/BridgtonAcademy1808 @BridgtonAcademy
NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID
DIG IN
youtube.com/BAwolverine1808 search “Bridgton Academy Alumni”
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 online version of BA Today – accessible on our home page. Please feel free to contact us any time at 207.647.3322. To sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, email alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.
Know a future Wolverine? Contact BA Admissions at admissions@bridgtonacademy.org
The Bridgton Fund So much of what Bridgton Academy can accomplish is dependent on the support of our alumni, parents and friends. We ask a lot of our students and, in turn, we’ve set a high bar for our fundraising goals to support them. It’s more than a monetary figure; it’s insurance for the future of our Academy and The Year That Makes The Difference for so many young men. Please consider investing in Bridgton Academy to help us be able to Create Opportunity for future generations of Wolverines. 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!