commencement 2018
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Cleaves Hall Bridgton Academy’s Most Legendary Building Receives a 21st-Century Upgrade
Congratulations to the Class of 2018 | BA TODAY - COMMENCEMENT 2018
A Wolverine in Hollywood 30 Years of Corey Smith 3-on-3 /BridgtonAcademy1808
Bridgton Academy
The Official Publication of Bridgton Academy Managing Editor Nick LeBel Content Editor Jessica Priola Writer, Contributor Michelle Cross Writer, Contributor Sarah Gaines Writer, Contributor Ryan McLellan
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
From the Head of School
Dear Friends, Head Football Coach Rick Marcella came to me in March and asked me about reviving School Service Day, an old BA tradition, during which we give the students a day off from classes in exchange for a few hours in the morning sweeping up all the sand, salt, and detritus from the winter storms. I wasn’t sure, at first. I wondered how the day would go, how many of our young men would fully engage in the project, and whether our students get a return on the investment of this time. What I witnessed that morning, however, blew me away. The whole community came together on that April day, brooms and rakes in hand, with the first true spring-like day of the year. By the end of the morning, we moved literally tons of sand and debris, put a shine on campus in preparation for Commencement Weekend, had a big lunch, and then spent the afternoon playing dorm softball.
We like to say that Bridgton Academy is The Year that Makes The Difference. For me, this experience last April really defined that important phrase. The difference is a faculty invested in students and willing to work side by side with them, and the difference is giving young men every opportunity to surpass our expectations. Best wishes for a wonderful summer,
Martin Mooney
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WILLIAM HUMPHREYS ‘64 TALKS ABOUT HIS SON IAN, CLASS OF 2018 BY WILLIAM HUMPHREYS '64 If you do the math, you will realize that my ’64 classmates could have had their grandchildren already graduate from Bridgton Academy by this time. So … I was a late starter; let’s just leave it at that for now.
Matt Nutley, visit us that summer. By November, there was absolutely no resistance offered when I suggested Ian and I drive up to Bridgton for a visit.
In the years since my 1964 graduation from Bridgton Academy, I have been back to the Chapel on two occasions to address the student body, never thinking for a moment that I would eventually have a son enroll at my alma mater in North Bridgton.
It Takes a Village … The trip was a success, and Ian was excited about the whole concept of Bridgton Academy, never wavering from that point forward. This took all the stress and deliberation of the college selection procedure off the table but presented us with the next obstacle, which was, "How are we going pay for this?"
In fact, it wasn’t until recently that I stopped having my once-a-year dreams (i.e., nightmares) that I was stuck back at BA for a mandatory study hall. I was the last Humphreys in my family capable of carrying on the name, and I was just about out of time at age 54 when my son, Ian, was born. As the early school years clicked by, we could tell Ian was an intelligent kid, one with great athletic skills who showed no signs of ADD, which had been a major problem for me while I was growing up. He had good study habits up until somewhere around 7th grade and even brought home "Honors" once. This was a bit alarming because, when I was his age, I already had my own desk in the principal’s office. One reassuring thing about Ian’s good attitude and grades was that he would probably have some great college options available to him after high school. My wife, Sara, and I were— and still are—not in the right income bracket to support him much financially. It was, therefore, a relief to know that Ian was on track to go directly to the college of his choice, with some scholarship money to help. Suddenly, however, this all began to change. When Ian turned thirteen he did not exactly ease into becoming a teenager—it was an instant transformation which made the fivedecade gap in our age difference painfully obvious. Throw a cell phone and a girlfriend into the mix and Dad was in for a rough ride for the high school years. Most of you know where I’m going with this. At this point in their lives, it really doesn’t matter how much older the Dad is. He is "Dad," and that alone is cause for some serious communication issues. Flash forward four years to the fall of Ian’s senior year when the college selection process began—a process that was just too overwhelming for all of us. Fortunately, I had managed to introduce the concept of attending Bridgton Academy to Ian during his junior year and had head lacrosse coach,
This is where my "late starter" lifestyle was coming back to bite me, but I was not about to let my lack of financial planning deny my kid the one thing he really wanted to do, and the one chance he would have to mature in all aspects of his life, with the proper guidance and support, moving on as a transformed young man ready for his next steps. I can remember sitting down with Ian to talk with him about the new career I would be taking on as a truck driver. I was well past the age where corporate America was hiring, and we still needed health benefits for Ian to play sports. We all make sacrifices for our kids, so re-inventing myself as a truck driver was necessary. But we still needed help to make Bridgton Academy a reality for our son. So we let our extended family and friends know what we were up against, and with their and the Academy’s help, we figured out a way to get it done. Being on campus for Homecoming and Commencement Weekends recently brought back some great memories of the classes I took and the games my classmates and I played both on and off the field. The flashbacks to my days at BA were so far removed from the current setting and support system that I had to pause before telling Ian and his friends my stories from back in the day—but tell them I did. What a treat to meet one of the star soccer players (from Egypt no less) in Ian’s dorm room and say, "Ian didn’t tell you that I was co-captain of the soccer team in 1964 and we won the state championship?!" Sara and I also got a chance to sit in on some of Ian’s classes and meet privately with his teachers, each of whom is totally invested in Ian’s success. It may have taken some sacrifice, and it certainly took some help, but knowing that my kid was happy, and successful in the same dorm that I was in 54 years ago is just so reassuring and priceless as I get behind the wheel at 4 a.m. for the start of another long day.
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CommenCemenT 2018
Commencement is a celebration of the accomplishments of our young men as well as the investment
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of our staff in stewarding our students through the Bridgton Academy experience. If you haven’t seen a Bridgton Academy commencement, it’s tough to explain or understand—it’s a phenomenally emotional, rewarding, and transformative event."
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a wards g iVen F riday , m ay 4 Th Black Knight Rugby Award - Jeffrey David Wheeler Golf Improvement Award - Max Harrison Lindzon Justin A. DeSorrento '96 Soccer Award - Luke Thomas Fuller Corey Smith '88 Memorial Award - Chuka Vitalis Bradley Mekkam John D. Powers '91 Memorial Lacrosse Coaches’ Award Christopher Wilder Dorain John T. Fabello '34 Hockey Award - Jackson John Dobek Douglas R. Avery Award - Trevor LaBonte Tom C. Austin Football Award - Collin Jon Walter Krauth Alexander D. Harry, Jr. '58 Memorial Commencement Award Curtis Andre Taylor, Jr. Sportsmanship Award - Thomas Matthew Marhoffer The Arthur P. Stebbins, Jr. '67 Award - Daniel Robert Ferrarini Edward F. Brown Fund Essay Prize - Collin Jon Walter Krauth Edward F. Brown Fund Public Speaking Prize - Benjamin E. Johnson Sylvester Spelling Prize - Collin Jon Walter Krauth Lee & Carol Noble Fine Arts Award - Edward Larkin Upton and Isaac Lewis Blake Faculty Award - Brendan A. Cullura, Christopher Wilder Dorain, Harrison Shorey Joslin, Jack Henry Burton Moore, and Jordan Anthony Rose-Wheatley Phyllis B. Wakefield Class of '46 & '10 Award Jackson Michael Everett Sawyer Dianne C. Fabello Memorial Award - Jadyn Michael Coutte Dennis O’ Brien '67 Award - Isaac Lewis Blake and Luke Thomas Fuller Howe Award - Kolton Stephen Vining Richard R. Marcella Award - Benjamin Spiker David DeFelice '67 English Improvement Award - Javier M. Duran and Matthew Stephen Kalof
Dr. William Holt Awards: • English - Isaac Lewis Blake • Computer Science - Kolton Stephen Vining • Physical Science - Hassan A. Higgins • Mathematics - Mathieu Doucet • Social Science - Michael Joseph Servetas Addie M. Chadbourne Award - Collin Jon Walter Krauth Athletic Director’s Award (highest cumulative team GPA) - Baseball Mission Achievement Book Scholarship - Austin Amira Brown, Jordan Anthony Rose-Wheatley, Thomas Matthew Marhoffer, and Chuka Vitalis Bradley Mekkam
a wards g iVen s aTUrday , m ay 5 Th Annie R., Horace A., & Martha B. Flint Improvement Award Austin Amira Brown Electra H. Fickett Outstanding Citizenship Award William Duncan Martin Dr. Christopher Blanch '89 Award William Martin Devine Russell A. Pitnof '34 Award Nicholas Anderson Dorain Alumni Award - Emmett Peoples Captain Claude “Duke” Hough '54 Award - Brody Mercer Dupuis Leland S. Buck '42 Award - Thomas Matthew Marhoffer Charles H. Gould Award - Chuka Vitalis Bradley Mekkam Headmaster’s Award - Jeffrey David Wheeler Edwin V. Spooner Award - Collin Jon Walter Krauth
CLASS OF 2018 MATRICULATION LIST Adelphi University Alvernia University American International College Anna Maria College Arizona State University Assumption College Bates College Belmont Abbey College Bentley University Bishop’s University Bridgton Academy Case Western Reserve University Castleton University Central Michigan University Centre College Clarkson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Curry College Dean College East Carolina University Endicott College
Florida Atlantic University Framingham State University Franklin Pierce University Gonzaga University Heidelberg University High Point University Iowa State University Junior Hockey Keene State College Lewis & Clark College Lyndon State College Maryville College Massachusetts Maritime Academy Menlo College Merrimack College Mitchell College Mount St. Mary’s University Nichols College Norwich University Ohio University Plymouth State University Regis College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island College Roger Williams University Sacred Heart University Saginaw Valley State University Saint Anselm College Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Saint Michael’s College Salem State University Salve Regina University Seton Hall University Skidmore College Southern Connecticut State University Stonehill College SUNY College at Brockport The University of Arizona The University of Tampa Union College United States Navy Université de Sherbrooke University of Delaware
University of Denver University of Hartford University of Maine University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth University of New England University of New Haven University of Rhode Island University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point USP - Universidade de São Paulo Utica College Washington State University West Virginia University Wheaton College Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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CommenCemenT 2018
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" t means celebrating the students’ achievements, with great pride, on this momentous day. And, at the same time, it reminds you to feel grateful to have gotten to know some very fine young men with bright futures."
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Commencement is a bittersweet occasion. On the one hand, we are so proud and excited about the growth and
development that the students have undergone AND excited about their futures. On the other hand, we have to say goodbye to these mature, self-confident, great young men … and that is hard. We are so excited for what the future holds for them—and we want to be there to witness those exciting moments—but we know for many of them, commencement will be the last time we will see them."
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Commencement is a symbol of a transition to greater things. Our
students prepare to go out and apply the skills they’ve acquired here in their next great adventure."
Commencement
is the culmination of a transformative year of self-discoveries that prepares our students for their journey ahead."
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cleaves hall reinventing history BY MICHELLE CROSS
In June 1907, the trustees voted to erect a dormitory … the cornerstone was laid a year later and the building was occupied in the fall of 1909. It was called ‘modern’ in every respect—was heated by steam, and had a bath and toilet room on every floor. An urgent need had now been supplied… The trustees named the dormitory “Henry B. Cleaves Hall” (Stevens, The History of Bridgton Academy).
Over 100 years later, this historic facility is now known as “Cleaves Hall” or simply, “Cleaves.” With its iconic front façade, its balconied three stories overlooking the village of North Bridgton, and a cozy and welcoming common room, Cleaves Hall remains one of the most beloved dormitories on the campus of Bridgton Academy. Aside from the memorable structural features, the walls of this legendary building hold over a century’s worth of stories (and secrets!)—countless memories that accompany the student experience at Bridgton have been created here. Since the original opening of Cleaves, well over 3,000 Bridgton students, along with many faculty members and their families, have fondly called this dormitory their home. For a number of years, the residence hall housed the Academy’s female boarding students. By the early 1960s, however, the building would become the “home away from home” for hundreds of young men when Bridgton shifted its mission to serve an all-male, mostly postgraduate, student body. However, the wear and tear on this century-old facility finally reached a place where its future needed to be decided. Repairs made here and there would no longer be enough if Cleaves Hall were to continue being used as a dormitory. The “urgent need” of a new dormitory that was first met when Cleaves was constructed had now shifted to an urgent need for the building to undergo a comprehensive renovation. While the “bones” of Cleaves Hall are structurally sound, the renovations needed in order to properly and safely bring this dormitory into the twenty-first century were extensive. In January, work on Cleaves officially commenced: the interior was demolished to the studs, and all major systems (mechanical, insulation,
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electrical, and plumbing) have been removed. Progress on upgrading this building is made daily, and the Academy is hopeful that it can accomplish its intended completion date of August this year. On the exterior of Cleaves, the tar-andgravel roof system will be replaced, as will all windows and doors. The existing vinyl siding and wood trim will remain, and all wood elements will be upgraded as required, keeping in line with the building’s updated appearance while maintaining the classic and timeless look of this dormitory. It will truly be the home-away-from-home that has come to be loved by so many—just “reinvented” for a new generation of Bridgton students. Although Bridgton Academy now has seven dormitories in which our young men reside each year, Cleaves Hall carries with it a certain level of pride that oftentimes is unrivaled by the other dorms. Teacher, coach, and alumnus, Matt Burgess ’88, served as a dorm head in Cleaves for half a decade. In pondering those years, Matt accurately captures the unique pride and sense of brotherhood shared by those who have called Cleaves home: As I reflect on my time living in Cleaves, I smile and nod with the wisdom of a person who maybe knows more than he should. The legends of Cleaves Hall are taller than her three-story porches and embellished with many layers of paint. There may have been a wild night here, a king there, and a few early mornings, but the reality is, Cleaves Hall doesn’t build character; it reveals it. The residents who lived in Cleaves from the fall of 2001 through the spring 2006, and many others before and after, know that statement to be true. The pride and ownership taken by the residents of Cleaves Hall can only be described as 'brotherly.' We may get after one another without remorse or sympathy, but if any one else poked fun at Cleaves, we defended her and her residents with pride, enthusiasm, and our entire beings. As exciting as a newly renovated facility can be, there can also be mixed emotions when it comes to saying goodbye to that which has remained unchanged for so long—something that is woven into the fabric of our esteemed Academy and the memories that accompany it. Rob Eldredge ’14, a Wolverine who fills with pride at the mention of Cleaves, shared his sentiments about what is taking place: “I loved living in Cleaves during my year at Bridgton. Although part of me is sad that it has to be changed from the way it was, it will still be great for all of the new Wolverines.” Necessity. Excitement. Pride. Progress. There are so many things wrapped together in the reinvention of Cleaves Hall. In walking past on any given day recently, this venerable building is beginning to show the first signs of new life. Along with the sounds of hammers pounding and saws cutting is the sound of promise of what’s to come: the promise that the urgent need met when Cleaves was first constructed will once again be provided to Wolverines for years to come.
A picture of the "new" Cleaves Hall, in a copy of The Stranger from the 1920s
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the COREY
SMITH
memorial 3-on-3 tournament
BY SARAH GAINES
Thirty years ago, on a Friday afternoon in April, Corey Smith ’88, did what so many soon-to-be graduates before and after him have done: he headed home to cool his heels and spend some time with family and friends before returning to North Bridgton for the final stretch of his year at the Academy. No one could have predicted, however, that this journey would turn tragic, with the life of this promising student-athlete cut short, leaving communities in Bridgton and Corey’s hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts, reeling and wondering what could have been. “When we attended the funeral, the place was packed.... The BA boys all looked at each other, thinking what a huge loss it was—one that reached far beyond our BA lives,” explains ’88 classmate and teammate, Scott Bell. “Corey was a neat kid,” says Rick Marcella, who was Corey’s dorm parent in Cleaves Hall and is currently the Academy’s head football coach. “He was a quiet leader, and once you made a connection with him, it would be a bond that would not break.” Scott echoed this sentiment, sharing, “When you earned his respect … you were a brother for life.” As the student body, faculty, and staff tried to pick up the pieces, Coach Marcella spearheaded a community effort to raise the funds for Corey’s family as they faced staggering medical bills. This led to the creation of the “Corey Smith 3-on3 Tournament”—a Bridgton Academy finals-week tradition that continues to this day. The inaugural tournament also allowed Corey’s classmates to join forces to pay tribute to their fallen friend. “We were angry; we were sad; we were hurting, but it brought us together and we got after it to honor him,” recalls
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Scott. “Everyone came together … guys who had no business on a basketball court put on their shoes and played—all to honor Smitty.” Though it no longer serves as a fundraiser, this spirited tournament has become an essential part of the Bridgton Academy experience for three decades of students. The event allows the memory of Corey, and his reputation as a team-oriented student-athlete, to carry on to a new generation of soonto-be Bridgton Academy alumni. “He was a team guy, and it was important to him that guys played together,” Scott explains. Indeed, much like the first tourney in 1988, this annual basketball challenge remains a community-wide event, with many unlikely pairings between students and the faculty or staff members they recruit as part of their team. “The spirit of the initial tournament lives on,” says Coach Marcella. “It speaks to Corey’s own competitive spirit and the camaraderie that is nurtured by community involvement. It is a proud tradition that serves as reminder of how fortunate we all are to be here,” he concludes. In the thirty years since the Corey Smith 3-on-3 Tournament began, much has changed in our world— even in our little corner in North Bridgton. But for the last two weeks of a student’s Bridgton journey, time seems to stand still as our community comes together to continue this thirty-year tradition—an incredible testament to Corey’s legacy and the enduring spirit of what it means to be a Wolverine. “Smitty is one of the BA guys you don’t want to forget,” says Scott. “He was on track to do exactly what Bridgton intends for all of us.”
The Inaugural Champs Scott Stoyanoff Dave Pignone Todd Kean
Corey Smith '88
2018 Champs Chuka Mekkam Justin Rake '09 Javier Duran 11
bridgton academy’s
2018 HALL OF FAME inductees impart important messages
BY RYAN McLELLAN
L to R: David Nolan '80, Brett Bucktooth '02, James Ashley '64, Peter Gately, Stephen Baldassare '92, Todd Boudreau '88
At Chalmers Ice Arena on Sunday, April 29th, students from the Class of 2018 joined Bridgton Academy faculty and staff, our board of trustees, and many alumni, former teachers, and advisors as they came together to honor the eight members of the 2018 Hall of Fame Class. For students, the ceremony serves as a final formal dinner with their advisor and takes place less than one week before they, too, can count themselves among the long and prestigious list of Bridgton alumni. As a handful of students greeted Hall of Fame inductees and guided them and their guests into the arena, a table set up next to the entranceway displayed plaques with the names of past Hall of Fame inductees engraved in brass, inviting the evening’s honorees to stop by the table with their family members, spouses, and children, to look over the names and find their own as they joined this exclusive list. James Ashley '64, was introduced as the first inductee of the evening. He spoke with eloquence and humor, and regaled the audience with several tales of things he “did and did not do” while a Wolverine. He emphatically stated he “did not put a pillow between the bell of the Chapel and the wall,” that he had nothing to do with “three young ladies snowshoeing to the Outing Club cabin one evening in the middle of winter,” and certainly was never a part of a “water fight with a fire hose, and therefore could not have flooded Cleaves Hall with it.” He then recognized two instructors, Charles Sherman and Freeman Whitney, who both played important roles during his year at Bridgton. Sherman helped him raise his SAT score in math by 120 points, and Whitney (who told the boys “I’m going to be an S.O.B. this year”) helped Ashley “get all [his] commas in the right place and use a semicolon properly.” Ashley closed his remarks by saying, “I would not have received the education I got at Boston University, that led me to where I am today, without the skills that Bridgton gave me.” He concluded with a pumped fist and a loud “GO, BA!” as he left the podium. Stephen Baldassare '92, was in a tough-act-to-follow situation but moved the crowd with stories of dedication and gratitude. The 20-year veteran of law enforcement spoke of “all the great coaches I’ve had who inspired me to keep going.” He began 12 | BA TODAY - COMMENCEMENT 2018
his remarks by complimenting how good the arena looked, decorated for the occasion, and said it was “hard to believe it doubles as a hockey rink.” Stephen recounted when he and his teammates, for one particular practice, “had to shovel off a rink-sized area of the lake in order for the team to practice out there!” He expressed how he felt honored to be inducted alongside Peter Gately, who wrote a letter to Baldassare after he graduated from college with the simple inscription: "Always a Baldy fan." He then spoke of lasting relationships and traditions that he has held dear since his time as a Wolverine. “I still use that with my own players,” he said, referring to Gately’s way of speaking about teams, players, and students. Baldassare closed his remarks by speaking to the Class of 2018. He told them that he’d realized the last time he was on this campus was the day he graduated and cautioned them, “before you know it, you’re going to wake up and it’s going to be 26 years later. You have to enjoy it while you’re here.” A big presence on the Bridgton campus over the last few years— speaking at numerous Chapel and classroom events since 2015—Todd Boudreau '88, was introduced as the next Hall of Fame inductee. Boudreau immediately thanked Mr. Tom Austin and Mr. Joe Daley, joking that “our conversations weren’t always positive, but they were important.” He reflected on Coach Rick Marcella’s influence during his early days as a Bridgton football player, helping him out on the first day of practice “when [I] lined up at the wrong position.” He spoke to and about Mr. Matt Burgess, who was a classmate with Boudreau, and said that he was one of the first and longest-lasting connections he’d had with the Academy. Boudreau closed his remarks by asking the graduating students, “Who’s driving your life?” He challenged them to have tough conversations, form relationships that are “purely positive,” and reminded them “if I can do it, any of you guys can, so go do it.” Wearing traditional patterns of the Oneida Nation’s Turtle Clan along with his white boutonniere, Brett Bucktooth '02, spoke next and emphasized the importance of prioritizing goals while remarking on the successes in his life that he attributes to lessons learned at Bridgton. An NCAA champion and All-World /BridgtonAcademy1808
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midfielder, Bucktooth’s accomplishments are stellar. He admitted, “I still get butterflies whenever I come to Bridgton” and thanked The Creator for giving him the gift of the sport of lacrosse. “In my family, lacrosse is seen as a gift from a higher being,” he explained, and relayed his philosophy of competition: “Good mind. Play tough, play fair, and never dishonor yourself.” He then credited the Academy with giving him the skills he needed to succeed academically at Syracuse University, where he “wouldn’t have been able to play at that level without Bridgton.” Brett closed his remarks by relaying more important messages to the Class of 2018, saying they should put “family first, work or school second, and athletics third … my work was my education, and the work I put in here truly was the year that made the difference.” The next inductee introduced is perhaps one of our most famous modern-day graduates. Victor Cruz '05 was regrettably unable to attend the dinner but sent a video statement in which he spoke about how Bridgton “always believed in me and always pushed me in the right directions.” Mr. Marcella, who coached Victor when he donned the Wolverine uniform, accepted the award on Cruz’s behalf and spoke about how a successful Bridgton graduate “leaves behind a group of adults who become fans for life.” Coach Marcella went on to state that he was proud that Cruz was the consummate teammate and “didn’t turn into a ‘me-first’ guy” while he was a part of our football team. One legendary inductee in attendance was Peter Gately. Gately (a.k.a. “Gater”) has a nearly 40-year career at the Academy, and his Hall of Fame induction speech will likely be remembered for at least that long. Delivering remarks with his recognizable humor and usual catch phrases, Mr. Gately challenged the audience to analyze some “scientific data” that he presented to prove his connection to Bridgton Academy was a long-time, and possibly even cosmic, process. His first piece of evidence was to state that Bridgton is in Cumberland County, Maine, and he had attended Cumberland Hill Elementary School, in Cumberland, Rhode Island. He then asked the audience if they were familiar with the term “PG-13,” either in the context of a film rating or in regard to how people refer to our students (“postgraduate, year 13”), after which he pulled a 1950’s Rhode Island license plate (from the family car of his childhood) from beneath the podium. On it was “PG-13” and, in the cadence that we have all come to expect from Gater, he said,
“I don’t know what to tell ya,” explaining that these pieces of evidence were clear indicators that he was, indeed, destined to be a part of the Bridgton Academy history. In an answer to his most frequently asked question, “What made you stay for 39 years?”, Gater’s reply was simple: “I could make an impact.” Alexander Harry '58 was the sole posthumous inductee into this year’s Hall of Fame class. Although it has been many years since his life was tragically cut short in an aviation accident during his service to our country, Al is a Wolverine who has continued to challenge and inspire incoming students. His name and story now live on in the form of the Alexander D. Harry, Jr. '58 Scholarship Fund and the Alexander D. Harry, Jr. '58 Memorial Commencement Award, created in his memory by some of his ’58 classmates— an incredible testament to Alexander’s reputation as an outstanding individual. In the absence of his widow, Maryann Morris, Mr. Rick Marcella accepted the award on her behalf. In his remarks, the long-time BA football coach discussed the importance of Alexander’s namesake award and scholarship, recognizing how the legacy of this incredible alumnus continues to leave an enduring impact on his Bridgton Academy family. David F. Nolan '80, had the difficult task of being the final inductee in a long evening of impressive speeches, but Nolan did not disappoint. In his remarks, Nolan chose not to dwell on his accomplishments; rather, he spoke directly to the Class of 2018. He shared stories of his time as a student, and joked of how he knew Mr. Austin, “of whom everyone here has spoken so warmly...” as “The Enforcer” when he was a Wolverine. He then joked that it was likely because he “always had a guilty conscience” whenever Mr. Austin was around. Nolan thanked his mother, who passed away in 2010, and said that he never would have gone to Bridgton without her guidance and support. He stressed the importance of family, and reminded the graduating students that they are now “invested in this institution.” Nolan closed his remarks, and can fittingly close out this article, with some profound words for the Class of 2018 and an important message for all in attendance at the 2018 Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: “So many people spend their lives just waiting for things to be over. If you take advantage of your time, you’ll be successful. Live your life actively, meet your standards, and you’ll be surprised with what you can achieve.”
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The School BY NICK LEBEL
&
The Mountain
Over its 210-year history, Bridgton Academy has been responsible for a few firsts in the state of Maine, and introducing skiing to the Western Maine Mountains is one of them. With Pleasant Mountain sitting a mere eleven miles from the campus, maybe it was inevitable! As early as December 1935, plans were in place for a ski trail to be constructed on Pleasant Mountain (better known to today’s students as Shawnee Peak Ski Area), with Civilian Conservation Corps workers and Bridgton Academy students taking on the task of clearing the trail. One of the champions of the project was Harold H. Sampson, Bridgton Academy Headmaster. Sampson had a lifelong love of the outdoors and placed heavy emphasis on the Academy to embrace the natural attractions found on and around campus, including holding an annual Winter Carnival. Beginning in 1931, and featuring Bridgton Academy competing against several local schools, the Carnival eventually expanded away from the Bridgton Academy campus, holding events on Pleasant Mountain and the surrounding highlands. One of Mr. Sampson’s lasting legacies is that of encouraging Bridgton’s students to get outside and experience the natural beauty of winter in Maine—preferably with some hickory boards strapped to their feet! In the fall of 1935, The Bridgton News reported that “An ‘expert’ ski trail is to be built on the northeast side of Pleasant Mountain, to be known as the ‘Cohechee Trail’. Harold H. Sampson This will start at the top of the Mountain and will come down into the fields in West Bridgton. The trail will overlook Moose Pond and the White Mountains and will be for the use of those well versed in the art of skiing, only.” From that first trail, an institution was born, and skiing took off in the Western Maine mountains, bolstered by the efforts of the Bridgton Academy students who helped cut the trail and the current generation of BA students who continue to visit Shawnee Peak.
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PHOTO CREDIT JOHN KUMITIS
A cabin was built on Pleasant Mountain to accommodate the slope that skiers had been using—without a rope tow—and plans were created to install one for the 1937–38 winter, as “no ski slope is really complete without one.” So, on a slope that was leased out by the Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, the oldest continually operating ski area in Maine was born. As for the Cohechee Trail? After several years of use, it was renamed the “Wayshego Trail,” and then around World War II was renamed to a more familiar title still in use today: “Jack Spratt.” From that one trail sprouted more and more terrain, forming a legacy and history that has turned into Shawnee Peak, the third largest ski area in the entire state of Maine. Throughout Sampson’s 24-year tenure as Headmaster at the Academy, winter sports were his passion. As President of the Maine Winter Sports Federation, Sampson was instrumental in pushing skiing forward in the minds of Mainers. According to an October 1937 article in The Bridgton News, “He urge(s) all communities which have facilities to offer with comfortable quarters to advertise this fact, believing that there will be a great influx of skiers to such communities ‘Not only will there be more people on skis,’ says Mr. Sampson, ‘but those who have been skiing for several years are looking for more slopes to conquer.’” By 1939, he continued to champion winter sports in Western Maine. He encouraged the town to spend money on ski equipment and clothing, as well as additional food, buses, and taxi hires to accommodate the increased visitor traffic sure to result from the booming popularity of winter sports in the region. In addition to helping construct the ski trail on Pleasant Mountain, Bridgton Academy students were among the first to adopt Pleasant Mountain as their Bridgton “home away from home” under the watchful eye of Sampson. Even today, Bridgton Academy’s students enjoy free skiing for their entire year at the Academy in partnership with Shawnee Peak, and the Academy transports eager students to the mountain four days a week after classes. Staff and students alike have taken up ski touring as well, rising before the sun and climbing up Shawnee Peak on touring gear, taking part in the growing ritual of “Dawn Patrol.” As the relationship between Bridgton Academy and Shawnee Peak nears a century, think of Mr. Sampson and his indelible contributions to the school and the mountain as you make your next turns on Shawnee Peak! 15
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aMANDA mILLER We are excited to feature Mrs. Amanda Miller, LCSW; School Counselor, Focused Academic Coach, and leader of the Diversity Club in this edition of Meet the Faculty. Although Mrs. Miller will be entering her third year as member of our faculty, her commitment to today’s Wolverines began six years ago. We invite you to learn more about this fascinating individual and her current roles “on the hill.” When did you first arrive on campus? I moved into Walker Hall in late August, 2012. I was the Walker “dorm mom” for four years and have fond memories of “the Walker guys” playing outside with my two young boys, decorating the dorm, and bringing my kids up to the field to cheer for games. Students called me “Mama Miller” and were so grateful when I would bring over freshbaked goodies to the common room. The students became like my adopted sons and would do anything to help me or my kids out. What do you find most challenging—and inspiring—about your work with Bridgton Academy students? An intense challenge is working with students who are in the grips of substance dependency and relapse during the year. It is heavy to see their potential and then witness a backslide. I am most inspired by students who seek me out for advice on how to help a classmate. The openness students have with one another about the adversity they have overcome is also deeply moving and helps them support others who are feeling overwhelmed by similar challenges. I feel truly honored to sit with students when they first see flickers of their bright light within as they work through depression, anxiety, grief, or trauma. Please share a few words about your favorite BA memory thus far. I enjoyed seeing students support one another at the karaoke contest organized by Travis Dube, and I always laugh out loud at the annual spelling bee officiated by Coach Lesure. This year, a huge highlight was when the basketball team won the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. In all my years of being at BA however, I was most deeply moved during the Brown Public Speaking contest in 2017, especially by Omar Seck’s bold and poetic speech about how he and his family confronted racism. What does “The Year That Makes The Difference” mean to you? I think the difference is what BA offers. Students are provided with a tight-knit community that offers a 24/7 opportunity to maximize their contact with passionate teaching faculty, coaches, and staff who will support them to clarify their life values and goals. Students who embrace the intentional structure and create a daily routine that balances fun with wellness and hard work improve their confidence to take on the challenges of college and life beyond. When you’re not busy keeping up with everything you do at BA, what can you be found doing? I am a busy mom of two boys, Finn (8) and Auggie (6). We enjoy soccer, skiing, bike-riding, swimming, dancing, and hiking. In the summer my family spends a month teaching at Hidden Valley Camp, an international arts-based camp where my husband and I got married. I have a passion for local farm-to-table dining and creating potluck feasts with friends and family.
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CASEY HENDERSHOT
Bridgton Academy Class of 1989 In this edition of Meet a Wolverine, we catch up with a man who has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest directors and has appeared in Thor, Avatar, Jumanji, and The Walking Dead. We proudly present to you Casey Hendershot—actor, stuntman, and Bridgton Academy 1989 alumnus.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR “ROAD TO BRIDGTON.” My high school basketball coach, Mr. Brennan, first suggested Bridgton to me. He knew I needed to get my grades up so that I could get accepted to college. When he first showed me a brochure, my reaction was something along the lines of, “Wait … there are no girls at this school?!” We checked it out, and I remember thinking it was beautiful. I knew I needed to bust my butt because of how much my parents paid to send me to Bridgton, and I don’t know if I ever felt as determined to do well as I did during my year there. It was really an “unusually good” year. As a side note, I’d like to share that I have yet to run as much in my life as I did with Bridgton’s Coach Hancock! PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY SINCE BRIDGTON. I went to University of South Carolina Aiken and had every intention of sean Bean (l) and Casey hendershoT '89 transferring—that’s where electives came in and helped steer the way. At first, I took a music appreciation course—I lasted two days. I swapped it for a theater class that offered extra credit to go to auditions, so I started trying out for stuff because I thought it would be easy points. I got cast as the lead role in Our Town. I “caught the bug,” as they say, stayed involved, and decided to pursue acting as a career. After college, I got my first pro job in summer stock in West Virginia, which I did for three years. I became a theater major and after graduation went on to travel and live in West Virginia, Florida, New York City, Utah, Los Angeles, Japan, New Orleans, and Atlanta. During my time in Los Angeles and Japan I became involved with a live-action stunt show, which was my first step into stunt work. I was also living in Los Angeles when Burt Reynolds reached out and asked me to serve as his assistant, which I did for about five years. It was a great experience that took me from California to London, New Orleans, and Vancouver and allowed me to network—something that is extremely important in this business.
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Casey as a walker in "The Walking dead" Image ©AMC Networks
HOW DID YOUR TIME AT BRIDGTON HELP PREPARE YOU FOR THE SUCCESS YOU ENJOY TODAY? My experience at Bridgton marked the first time in my academic life that I really applied myself. Prior to BA, I didn’t have the “get it done at all costs” attitude. Bridgton taught me the value of education, and the instructors showed us the importance of doing well and following through. In short, I learned that I could actually do what I set my mind to, which is something I have applied to my life ever since. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ROLES TO DATE? I performed the stunts for the final fight scene in Avatar, which allowed me to work very closely with director James Cameron. In fact, just he and I and one other person worked alongside each other for one week. It was extraordinary. I also enjoyed being in Thor and performing the fight scene at the end of Get Hard, working with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart. Other memorable roles include my lead in Black Site Delta and my performance in the Middle Eastern bazaar fight scene in Jumanji. My work in Westworld is also memorable, and I have appeared in five episodes. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR YOUNGEST ALUMNI BROTHERS—THE CLASS OF 2018? WHAT WORDS WOULD YOU OFFER TO THE CLASS OF 2019? To the recent graduates: Take the bull (i.e., life) by the horns. Do not hesitate. There are times when I felt like I wasn’t going “gung-ho” at something, and it has always been to my detriment. If you feel pulled to a certain thing in life, go for it. Catch that spark and follow through with it. For the incoming students: Your year at BA will go fast. You are going to have relationships with guys from all over the country—maybe the world—and it is such a great experience, especially with how close everyone becomes. Take the relationships in this short time and cherish them. Also, take advantage of what BA offers, including its isolation. Work your butt off—it’s what you’re there for.
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BY RYAN M McLELLAN LELLAN
During the fall, from atop Avery Tower, I announce names and downs during our home football games. Watching the pre-game rituals fills an observer with an inescapable “New-England-in-thefall” feeling, an electric nostalgia one only finds in certain places. I also get a unique perspective of the team from that tower. There were moments that made me see just how important a role our students play in this campus community and how, sometimes, our student leaders don’t just step up when we ask them to do it; they do it when we need them to. Jadyn Coutte, BA Class of '18, was one of those students. He is one of the young men I got to see from a different vantage point this year, and a proud legacy student who understands the importance of tradition, community, and family.
JADYN COUTTE
His father, Glendel Coutte, was a member of the Bridgton Academy Class of ‘93,
and Jadyn credits his Dad for guiding him through his school selection process. He says that knowing his father had already gone through the Wolverine experience, and the fact that his father had a unique ability to describe what that experience would be like, helped him make his decision to carry on the family tradition by attending Bridgton Academy. “It’s pretty cool being known as a legacy student,” shares Jadyn. “It is definitely a testament to the amount of success that is proven to come from the Academy when alumni choose to encourage their sons to attend here, and this certainly helped me make my own decision about enrolling at Bridgton.” Jadyn also came to Bridgton because he knew there were some things he could do better. He wanted to increase his skills as an athlete, explaining “you can always improve,” and he put all he could into the pre-season training and testing as the season approached. Jadyn also wanted to focus more on his academics and says, “focusing on school and becoming a stronger student pushed me to come here.” Jadyn points out that his teachers at Bridgton helped him realize “I’m much smarter than I thought.” He set clear goals, worked hard to meet them, and came in with his sights set on “being disciplined on the field and in the classroom.” Jadyn has, indeed, risen to those challenges with the help of our faculty and staff. “I definitely am thankful that my coaches and teachers pushed me to be the best athlete and student I can be,” he shares. Jadyn’s near-perfect GPA and stellar comments from his teachers indicate some incredible progress toward reaching his full potential. “The teachers here definitely push you to see it,” Jadyn says. “I was never a strong math student in high school and [since becoming a Wolverine] math has become one of my strongest subjects,” he continues. “I can honestly say that this year in the classroom has been very eye opening for me.” He points to the skills-based education that Bridgton offers, explaining, “I’ve definitely learned new skills here, athletically and academically. I am thankful that my coaches and teachers pushed me to become a better athlete and student.” Jadyn also had tremendous success on the football field. He shares that the high point of his season was the fourth game. "I was the team leader in tackles, which is commonly unheard of by a defensive lineman. That momentum carried to the end of the season where I racked up four sacks in a single game.” Jadyn credits the football program for helping him push himself in ways he never had before, as well as the high level of gameplay
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expected from a Wolverine. “Playing here, at this level of competition, is so much more challenging than high school,” he says. “Playing all the different divisions of football here pushes players to be better and shows what they’re made of. Football at Bridgton is more than just the games; it’s a brotherhood and a bond developed with coaches that I will most definitely hold on to for the rest of my life.” Jadyn is the kind of student who understands and appreciates the unity and camaraderie that a small boarding school creates. “When we had beaten UNE on a walk-off field goal by Dario … the amount of happiness it brought to everyone, including me, was a moment I wouldn’t change, ever,” he says. “Having the support we did was awesome, and seeing how proud everyone was of the game we played really made me feel great.” He noticed it elsewhere, too, saying, “other prep schools have so many people; you’d be lucky if your teacher remembers your name. What sets Bridgton apart from the other prep and boarding schools I visited is how down-to-earth everyone is, and how the entire staff and student body here cares about one another.” It will be difficult next year, as I look down from the tower, to not see him there, to not witness how he lifts the spirits of his teammates, to not hear his bellow after he makes a tackle…. But I know he’s given me a lesson in leadership and that, sometimes, a leader needs to move on and let someone else step in. Though there will be some big cleats to fill, Jadyn Coutte will keep pushing himself, working hard, and inspiring others by lifting them up. He has been the kind of student this campus was made for, and we are all lucky he decided to carry on his family tradition as a legacy student and member of the Class of 2018.
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BRIDGTON ACADEMY’S
BOARD OF TRUSTEES BY JESSICA PRIOLA
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” Those familiar with The Wizard of Oz may recall this famous line from the 1939 classic. When Dorothy and her friends journeyed to meet with the Wizard about their wishes for the future, they found instead a simple man. The concept of a private school’s board of trustees can sometimes carry the same mystique as the Wizard of Oz. Many folks don’t understand who this mythical board is, and what exactly they are so busy doing behind the proverbial "curtain." Bridgton Academy’s bylaws require that we have a board of 15 to 25 individual trustees. The Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees is currently comprised of alumni, parents of alumni, and friends of the Academy. This group is tasked with a very important job, and helps to support and guide a single employee—the head of school. We recently took time to sit down with several members of the board to learn firsthand what it’s like to have a seat on the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees.
How would you summarize the work of the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees? What do you all do?
“I look at the Board as being stewards of the Academy,” one trustee describes. “We aren’t there to manage or inflict our agenda on the school. We are there to listen—to work on issues and problems that are at Bridgton and try to bring a sense of support to the administration and the school. More or less, we have been entrusted with the success of the school. I see my job as to protect what is there and to try to move it forward. If you look up the definition of stewardship in the dictionary, that is what the work of a trustee is.” Another trustee shares, “The priority for any board—BA is no different—is the fiscal well-being of the institution. The Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees oversees and helps to manage the school’s budget and investments. We assist in planning and executing the school’s strategic plan and setting long-term goals for investment and development. Basically, our agenda is a macro approach, focusing on big-picture objectives. Trustees do not get involved in the everyday management of the school—we have no place in that regard.” As alumni, why do you think it’s important to serve on the board of trustees?** “Bridgton Academy has been a formative place for me; it is the place where I grew up as a student,” explains a current trustee. “I also learned from Bridgton as a teacher from 1994–1997 and as a parent of two Bridgton Academy students. Serving on the board has allowed me to reconnect and support the work of the school. It’s in my personal interest to see the school grow and thrive.” This sentiment is echoed by another trustee, who shares, “It’s important to give back to institutions that have made a positive impact on your life. It’s an honor and a bit surreal to serve on the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. As a student, you never think of board service… then life plays out. Once I got the opportunity to serve, I jumped at the chance.”
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“Serving on the Academy’s board is a reciprocal honor and benefit,” explains a third trustee. The board and the Academy should benefit from trustees’ resources—our skills and knowledge, our philanthropic support, and our network and connections. The trustee should benefit from the understanding that he/she is continuing an institutional legacy for something meaningful. The Academy has significant meaning to me in that it changed the trajectory of my life. As a trustee, I understand those benefits were conveyed to the graduates before me. My main goal is to ensure those benefits will continue for future graduates.” “When the Academy has done so much for you, there is a connection between you and Bridgton,” adds another trustee. “In my case, I wanted to be a part of it; I wanted to reconnect. Bridgton had been a critical part of my life. I wanted to participate in securing our Academy—nurturing it and watching it grow.”
What things are you most proud of from your time on the board?
“My time as a trustee has been personally rewarding in many ways. The relationships I’ve formed with other trustees and members of the faculty and staff have been fulfilling and long lasting. What I’m most proud of during my time as a board member is my role in the development and improvement of our facilities and grounds. The myriad improvements to our physical plant that have taken place over the last eleven years were important steps to ensure the viability of our Academy, and they have transformed our campus into a place that we can all be proud of.” Another trustee continues, “I think that we have made significant progress in many areas at Bridgton over the last eight years. The board has worked well together. We are focused on what is best for Bridgton Academy, and we have been able to really work towards that. We’ve got a long way to go—there is a lot to do—but when you start to see results and start to see things improving, it encourages you to stay on and do more.” What are some of the requirements of being a member of Bridgton Academy’s Board of Trustees? What do you look for in potential board members? “Trustees are required to attend as many board meetings as possible, preferably all of them,” says one trustee. “Participation in committee meetings and discussions, attendance at Academy functions, and support of the fundraising efforts of the school are all obligations board members assume. The most important thing a trustee needs, however, is passion for Bridgton Academy.” Another trustee adds, “The top priorities in my mind are twofold—prior board experience and character assessment. Having board experience is important, and if a candidate has served on an educational board, it’s even better. You need to have the ability and skill set to cooperate and coordinate with others. That’s never as easy as it sounds, but individual agendas have no place on the board.” In conclusion, a third trustee explains, “You need to have the time to be a trustee and truly understand the commitment. There are three meetings a year, but there is much more to it than that. If you don’t have the time, it isn’t the right time to commit. You have to have passion for the school and a connection to the place— Bridgton Academy should be near and dear to your heart. You need to be willing to participate in what is going on up there.”
What are some words you would use to describe our board?
“I have been on the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees since June of 2011. During this time, the board culture has ebbed and flowed to various institutional situations. Boards are living, breathing organisms that are symbiotic with the institution’s community and leadership. The board is in a strong period of leadership and harmony with one another right now—this is a nice place to be for the Academy.” “Board service for me is a tremendous learning experience about the human element. This includes learning to deal with individual personalities, egos, fears, and temperament; everything that makes us human. Bringing it together for a shared cause is special,” shares another trustee. One trustee sums it up by explaining that the board is “a group that is passionately committed to the long term growth and development of the school.”
THE BRIDGTON ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mary Ames P’10 Board member since 2012 Board Secretary Tim Armour ’67 Board member since 2009 Jeffory Begin^ Board member since 2011 Board Vice President Robert Bogan ’83 Board member since 2007 Mark Carlson ’87 Board member since 2011 Board Treasurer Dave Colella ’72^ Board member since 2018 Aaron Daly ’04 Board member since 2017 Vic DiGravio III^ Board member since 2014
Carol Hamblet Board member since 2011 Kevin Jones Board member since 2007 Board President Doug Lyons ’83, P’13^ Board member since 2017 Jason MacDonald ’98 Board member since 2017 Chris Osburn ’00 Board member since 2006 Erin Plummer Board member since 2017 Diane Potter P’14 Board member since 2014 Susan Yule P’11 Board member since 2014
^Not pictured in board photo
Tom Hall ’85^ Board member since 2018
**For this article, we interviewed current trustees who are also Bridgton Academy alumni: Tim Armour ’67 Robert Bogan ’83 Mark Carlson ’87
Kevin Jones ’81 Doug Lyons ’83
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"It’s a Great Day in the State of Maine!"
TOM AUSTIN
BY MICHELLE CROSS
Known to many as none other than "Coach," we are proud to present this issue’s faculty profile. Any student or friend who has spent time around him has heard his rousing proclamation, "It's a great day in the state of Maine," on the field, in the office, or just walking up "the Big Hill" on our campus. To know him is to know that he truly lives each day here in Maine as though it was the greatest, and he embraces every day with a zest for life that is contagious. With great honor, we introduce you to the truly legendary Tom Austin.
What first brought you to Bridgton Academy? I attended Bridgton High School, which was just down the road from the Academy "back in the day." From high school, I went to University of Maine, Orono, and played football there. After graduating from college, I was a member of the coaching staff at the University of Vermont. I knew that I wanted to get back to Maine if given the chance, so when the position of head football coach became available at Bridgton, I thought it would be a good fit. Since both my wife, Faye, and I had parents in the area, it was easy to make the choice to land here. Your time at Bridgton has included three "tours" (as you fondly refer to them) over the years. What are some of the various roles you have held here since first arriving in 1966? When I first started as the head football coach, I was also hired as the director of public relations. At that time, I was the only person traveling for our Admissions Office at the school. My travels took me all over New England, recruiting young men who would benefit from a year in North Bridgton, Maine. As I interviewed these prospective students, I wrote all of my notes on a steno tablet. Once I returned to the Academy, I handed my tablet over to Mr. Goldsmith, and never saw it again. All decisions regarding students who would ultimately attend Bridgton were made in that way. How times have changed!
Fast forward over 30 years: I had been coaching football at Colby College and decided it was finally time to retire. Faye thought I needed something to do in my retirement besides hunting, fishing, and trapping beaver. The Academy was beginning to raise funds for The Third Century Fund, and I started working in the Development Office as a major gifts officer, which brings me to the present day. It has been so rewarding to come full circle and be able to reconnect with so many of the gentlemen I knew and coached (some of them five decades ago!), as well as those with whom I share the common Bridgton experience. What are some of the most inspiring things about working at Bridgton? I have greatly enjoyed watching our boys discover their abilities during their year here. They are getting away from home—many of them for the first time—yet in an environment where it is safe to fail. These boys come to us with the all of tools, but they just haven’t sharpened them. Our faculty creates a "dare to fail" environment in which the students find that the teachers and administrators are always here to help them. In my current position at Bridgton, I get to hear our alumni recall specific things that made a difference in their lives. Sometimes they don’t realize these lessons until they have been away from Bridgton for 10, 20, or more years. Tell us some of your favorite Bridgton memories. There was such camaraderie amongst the faculty. Just as it is today, many of us were raising our young families here on campus. We coached together, shared duties together, and enjoyed being part of the Bridgton experience with the students who attended here every year. We were also actively involved in the local community. Every summer for July 4th, several of us helped with a lobster and clam bake in support of the area Chamber of Commerce. As was always the case, Doug Avery, Gordon Weeks, and I were in charge of clean up. One particular year, after the event was over, we took care of our usual duties, which included hauling the trash to the dump in the back of my pick-up truck. As one might expect, seafood trash gets particularly rank in the summer if left for any length of time. In the days following, my truck began to develop a peculiar odor, to the point that I could no longer stand to drive it. Nearly two weeks later, I tore the inside of the cab apart trying to
By 1968, I began coaching at the college level again, which took me to Ithaca College for a year, then Boston University for five years. We wanted to be back in Maine to raise our family. Our children were young, and I found that I wasn’t home nearly as much as I wanted to be. When Mr. Goldsmith retired, the position of Bridgton’s head football coach was once again available, and I was hired. The Austin family resided in Edwards House, and my kids loved growing up on the campus. In addition to coaching, I was once again working in the Admissions Office as the associate director. This included traveling with Headmaster Bob Walker, which could fill pages with stories that happened as a result. More on that later… In December of 1976, Bob called me into his office to tell me that he wanted me to be the next lacrosse coach. I thought he must be joking and confessed, "I’ve never played lacrosse, or even watched a game." Mr. Walker very calmly, yet directly replied, "Good, you have two months to learn then!" When I discovered that he was serious, I quickly made a plan to learn about the sport, and by that spring, I was the newest lacrosse coach at Bridgton Academy. I also served as the dean of students and the assistant headmaster during my second "tour."
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locate where the smell was coming from, only to find that the well-decayed remains of a lobster were stuffed underneath the driver’s seat. I had to use tongs remove it. You can imagine the surprise of Coach Avery when he received a package in the mail, with his own stinky gift originally intended for me coming right back to him! The fun of a lobster and clam bake eventually became part of our Commencement weekend activities here on campus. The night before graduation, we hosted our own such event here on campus for the students and their families. Coach Avery, Coach Weeks, and I were in charge of cooking everything underneath a tent up near the dining hall, which we did for several years. Another favorite memory, as I alluded to earlier, was travelling with Headmaster Bob Walker. Often, several coaches would travel with him for Admissions. Every time we left, there was physical contact between us as we fought NOT to be the one riding in the front seat with him. It never came to fisticuffs, but I think we were close on more than one occasion. He liked to talk while he drove; however, when he began talking, his eyes were no longer on the road, but making contact with whomever he was talking to. It didn’t matter if that person was in the passenger seat or in the back—he was looking at you. One particular Admissions trip was in a snowstorm, but we didn’t cancel. Driving down the Maine turnpike, Mr. Walker set the cruise control on 30, and never adjusted his speed until he saw the red brake lights of another vehicle directly in front of him. As he slammed on the brakes, the vehicle would bounce back and forth between the snow banks like a steel ball in a pinball machine.
a yoUng CoaCh aUsTin, Ca.
1966
During another trip down to Melrose, MA, it wasn’t snowing, but the vehicle made contact with the concrete dividers down the center of the highway as a result of Mr. Walker’s driving. Not only was the tire blown, the rim was crushed as well. As we were within just a few miles of our destination, Mr. Walker kept on driving. He did slow down to 5 mph, citing, "We have to get there." We made it just in time.
What was one the most rewarding aspects of coaching for you? I enjoyed helping our players discover where they would attend after Bridgton, and seeing where their life’s journey took them. I remember so well when Joe Daley '77 came here from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, MA. His aspiration was to play Division I football, which as his coach, I knew was not likely to happen for him. I encouraged him to consider DII or even DIII. He was accepted at Colby College, where he played all four years. From Colby, he came back to Bridgton Academy in 1981. With the exception of a few years at Carrabassett Valley Academy, Joe has worked at Bridgton, which includes coaching football, ever since that time. I have watched all three of his sons attend the Academy, and now his youngest son, Patrick, also works in Operations here alongside his father. When you are not in your office or on the road connecting with our Wolverine alumni, what are some things you enjoy doing? I enjoy working around the yard and always seem to have some kind of project going on at our house. Faye and I cherish spending time with our children and grandchildren, traveling to Massachusetts or Bangor to visit with them when the opportunity arises. In the winter, I strap on my snowshoes and head into the woods to trap beaver. Countless Wolverines have accompanied me on these excursions. So many of them have never experienced life outside of the city. Years later, they often recount the adventure as one of their favorite memories at Bridgton. Do you have any other words to share with our readers? It has been so fulfilling being a part of the wonderful things that happen here year after year. Bridgton Academy is truly a special place.
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W andering W ondering: A W orldly W olverine and
gloBeTroTTing wiTh JaCk PoTTenger, Class oF
Many young men come to Bridgton Academy because they are looking for a new direction, a new narrative, or to craft a new persona for themselves. Some students come because they have a desire to practice or master the skills needed to succeed in college and life beyond, and to challenge themselves to see what they’re capable of. Still, others come simply because they know they need a year of preparation and experience to get them ready for the demands that the college experience, and the career path they choose, will require of them. Jack Pottenger '16 came to Bridgton because he was hungry for education; he wanted experience, memories, one-onone time with teachers, and to acquire the skills that would give him an advantage in the next stages of his life. Jack not only succeeded while on our campus, finishing the year with highest honors, but has also gone on to travel the world and has even worked for a respected nongovernmental organization (NGO) called Grassroot Soccer. He has done all this while taking courses at Kalamazoo College in Michigan where he is pursuing his undergraduate degree. Grassroot Soccer describes their program as one that "leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize at-risk youth in developing countries to overcome their greatest health challenges, live healthier, more productive lives, and be agents for change in their communities," and Pottenger was an integral part of the program during his six-month stay in Cape Town, South Africa. During this time, Jack taught coaches and worked with young players, coaches, and children to educate them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Before his travels began, Jack started his year in Bridgton as just another new Wolverine: a little confused, homesick, and not quite sure if the experience was going to work for him. Throughout his experience on "the hill," as he refers to it, Jack realized that his time here was one of being challenged, being asked to step outside of his comfort zone, and discovering a voice within that was itching to get out. Jack quickly became an active member of the campus community. His sense of humor, dedication to his work in the classroom, leadership on the soccer pitch, and positive personality solidified him as one of the core members of his Class of 2016. One of Jack’s moments of revelation—a time he realized it hadn’t just been another year of school—came when Ms. Macdonald, our Dean of Academics, asked him to speak at graduation and deliver the final student remarks of the ceremony.
26 | BA TODAY - COMMENCEMENT 2018
2016
BY RYAN MCLELLAN
Jack Pottenger '16
When he thinks about his year at Bridgton, Jack says that this moment "most sharply sticks out in my mind." "I remember quickly saying ‘no’, without even a thought. She looked at me with a sly smirk, and said, ‘Just think about it.’" Jack didn’t need to think about it for long. "I looked back at her and replied, ‘Sure,’ just so I could get out of there." Jack had more on his mind than simply getting out of the Dean’s Office, however; he was scared. "[There was] no way that I was going to get up and speak in front of all those people. No chance. Who would care what I had to say?" Jack’s initial hesitation and fear was soon replaced with new thoughts, thoughts that would push him to make a tough decision. "As I walked back to my dorm, I couldn't get the thought out of my mind. The more I reflected
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on it, the fewer reasons I could find to justify saying no. Ms. Mac cared about what I had to say, and that gave me the self confidence to get out of my comfort zone and do something that genuinely sent shivers down my spine. In a way, this encapsulated my entire experience at BA." Pottenger’s experiences with the Bridgton faculty continue to inspire and challenge him, and he looks back on these interactions as formative moments. "The teachers became more than just teachers. They became role models." Jack continues, "Going to Mr. McLellan’s class, first thing in the morning, and seeing the enthusiasm and passion he brought to the class... what was my excuse for not doing the reading? Watching Mr. and Mrs. Miller raise their kids living amongst thirty 19-year-old boys was the definition of ‘commitment’. I learned more about life in that short year at BA than I ever could have imagined." Pottenger points out that this level of dedication and access to educators was not always the case for him. "In high school," he says, "when I would go to a teacher for extra help, I felt like a burden. The teachers at BA are different. They want you to succeed, to strive to be a better student, and to become a better person. They are willing to make that sacrifice and are here to make a difference." Though it wasn’t all sunshine and roses—"sometimes the food wasn't sublime, nor were 6 a.m. practices, or daily walks up the icecovered hill in the winter"—Jack reflects back on what he initially perceived as hardships as tests of character rather than disadvantages, and says that "these [were] the sacrifices I had to make to learn and grow as a human being." "It was a strange feeling, coming home after graduation," Jack says, "I took everything much less for granted." He felt that he had a new perspective on life away, and though he missed his close friends and the staff, he was glad to be home. This feeling would soon be replaced with a wanderlust that many experience in times of transition but few have the opportunity to answer the call of. Jack took some lessons he learned at Bridgton with him, skills he attributes to his experience at BA: "Two of the most important things I learned were patience and persistence," he says. "By buying into the system, I was able to fully reap the benefits." After enrolling at Kalamazoo College, Jack journeyed to some of the most remote parts of the globe while offering his skills to the underprivileged. He has now returned home with some amazing stories to tell. "Since I graduated from BA," he says, "I have travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile." Jack says the most breathtaking location he visited "would have to be Cape Pillar, in Tasmania," where he went on "a four-day, 25-mile hike up and around massive dolerite rock formations on the southern coast." Cape Pillar is referred to as "the jewel in the crown of the Tasman Peninsula," with names for landmarks such as "The Blade" and "The Chasm," and offers breathtaking views of Tasman Island and the surrounding cliffs. Pottenger realized immediately that this wasn’t a moment that many people get to experience. "It was truly unbelievable," he says, "and one I will never forget."
His journey would eventually lead him to Cape Town, South Africa, where he had agreed to work for a NGO while living there for six months. Grassroot Soccer sets its sights on educating young people and reducing the stigmas attached to HIV diagnosis and treatment. There were moments of culture shock, awe-inspiring sights, and epiphanies along the way. Jack’s assignment took him to Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s most populated and poorest township. "I was lucky enough to be in the heart of the township, a neighborhood called Harare, every working day," Pottenger recalls. "I still remember driving in for my first day and seeing on the right side of the highway large, elegant white houses surrounded by gates with high-tech security systems." When he looked to the other side of the highway, however, he saw what he described as "a wasteland." "Most of the shelters were compiled of rusty scrap metal, seemingly barely held together. It was an immediate culture shock," Jack says. That shock would continue as he went deeper into the heart of Khayelitsha. "As we got off the highway and entered the township, everything changed. The nice sedans and clean cars I’d seen on the highway were now old, beat-up, and dusty pickup trucks that looked like they were ready to break down at any moment." Jack was provided with a window into how some people without the same advantages live. Transportation was wildly different as well. "There were men and women riding horse-drawn carriages, and the carriages were filled with trash, old tables, and chairs, all the while barking at pedestrians and cars to get out of their way. These were things I had simply never seen before." Jack’s job at Grassroot Soccer was to assist with providing the coaches, who were 18- to 25-year-old locals, knowledge, training, and information about HIV. "They would later teach [what they’d learned] to the kids in the community at their schools," he says, "It was an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience to meet, converse with, and attempt to understand the struggle that their lives entailed." It was certainly a challenge, at times, but Jack also treated it as an opportunity to learn more about the world, to challenge himself, and to make a difference. "Getting to live and breathe in that new and socially complex environment gave me an indescribable level of gratitude, humility, and an understanding of people who come from entirely different backgrounds." Although he is back in the States and his travels have come to an end (for now), and although the future may be a little unclear at the moment, Jack Pottenger has already done more in his year of world travelling than many do in a lifetime. These experiences have opened new doors for him, shown him the ways of the world outside the United States, and opened his eyes to the lifestyles and struggles of people who are far less privileged than many here at home. The skills he learned at Bridgton Academy have carried him to some of the far ends of the globe, challenged him to continue to push forward for his goals and dreams, and produced a worldly wanderer with a wonderful outlook on life.
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THE CLASS OF 2018
...some favorites
Band/Performing Artist
Pro Sports Teams
Dining Hall Meal
Post Malone Lil Uzi Vert Drake
Patriots Red Sox Boston Bruins
Turkey Dinner Grilled Cheese "Taco Tuesday"
TV Shows
Candy
Dorm
The Office Family Guy Game of Thrones Rick and Morty
Skittles Reese’s Kit Kat
Holt Hall
Celebs
Hawaii Cape Cod/Martha’s Vineyard Florida
Tom Brady LeBron James Ryan Reynolds
Video Games NBA2K NHL Call of Duty
Vacation Spots
Restaurant Chain Chipotle Chick-fil-A
Class American Civil War Things about Maine Nature Stars at night The views!
average number of Pairs of shoes owned
16!!!
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