Bridgton Academy Today Summer 2021

bridgton academy today

summer 2021

contents

2

From the Head of School

3

Wolverine Tracks

5

A Better Boardroom

6

Compassionate Care

8

Following the Science

10 Charting A Course 12 The Quest for the Dale 14 Off the Court 16 Commencement 2021 18 Crossing the Finish Line 20 Honoring the Class of 2021

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10 summer 2021 1

from the head of school

bridgton academy

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he ending of this school year comes at an important time both for the Academy and our country. As the vaccination rates go up and the infection rates go down—especially in the State of Maine—we seem to be looking at the last phases of the pandemic. Although the long-term consequences of the past fifteen months are still very much to be determined, we are moving toward more knowns than unknowns in the public health landscape.

As I write this letter in mid-June, our school enrollment is near-to-full for the upcoming academic year. I’m both excited and encouraged by the response of so many families this year—both in the Class of 2021—who entrusted their sons to us last August when there was still so much uncertainty—as well as the incoming Class of 2022, who recognize the great opportunity that exists here at Bridgton.

As the country moves from one chapter to another, so, too, does our Academy. We successfully navigated a year of pandemic, during which we provided in-person learning the entire year, played more athletic contests than just about any school in the state, and provided our young men with the best of Bridgton even throughout trying times. After taking a moment to draw our collective breath this spring, we soon turned our sights to planning for the future.

At the June meeting of the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees, we shifted our focus from weathering the storm that was this year, to setting a course for the long-term strength and sustainability of

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the Academy. In the fall magazine, we will spend more time on the specifics of our strategic plan and where it will take us in the years to come, but, for now, I would like to share with you the four strategic priorities central to our plan—the four Ps: • People: We will retain, support, and recruit professionals who are singularly dedicated to our young men.

• Programs: We will assure that our students continue to receive unrivaled instruction and form vital relation ships in academics, athletics, and all residential programming.

• Places: We will upgrade our physical plant and student resources, improve our infrastructure, and maintain an environment that meets the growing needs of current and future genera tions of students and staff.

• Prosperity: We will strengthen our financial position through the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing plan, focused concentration on fundraising and alumni outreach, and strategic enrollment management.

These components represent the core of the Bridgton experience. Our ability to provide this opportunity for future generations of young men rests on our continual efforts to strengthen and improve every aspect of what we do. No one would choose to go through what we have all been through in the last year and a half, but as we tell our young men, “you are not defined by your challenges, but rather by the way in which you approach and overcome them.” In its history, the Academy has overcome many challenges, and the way the community came together this year, in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, will be one more chapter of tenacity written about this amazing school.

As we move forward into the summer months, I wish you and your family a time of rest and relaxation—a time to reflect on our shared experience this year, a time to gather before we look to the horizon and take our next steps with excitement and purpose. As always, we thank you for your continued support of Bridgton Academy, “The Year that Makes The Difference.”

summer 2021

Michelle Cross Marty Mooney Jessica Priola

contributors Sven Cole Jesse Cottingham Binaca Hanson Jim Hopkins Katherine Tucker

photography Dianne Lewis

design

Jessica Priola

director of institutional advancement Martin J. Mooney

head of school

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.

bridgton academy Martin J. Mooney, Head of School

today

11 academy lane north bridgton, me 04057 207.647.3322 alumni@bridgtonacademy.org

wolverinetracks

BRIDGTON ALUMNI SHARE POWERFUL DIALOGUE FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Academy was proud to host a panel of Bridgton alumni, with each guest sharing his thoughts and perspectives on pressing societal issues. Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame members Benjamin Davis ’63 and Carlos Canino ’84, as well as alumnus Jadyn Coutte ’18 joined us for a dynamic evening session facilitated by Mr. Travis Dube, Dean of Studies. After sharing their own Bridgton stories, the three alumni engaged in thought-provoking questions posed by Mr. Dube and the larger Bridgton community. Issues of race, equality, and social justice were the focus of much of the conversation. Additional discussion focused on law enforcement and its relationship to social justice. We are grateful to our distinguished guests for their perspective, candor, and thoughtful commentary, which continue to resonate with our students and campus community.

TASTE OF THE LAKES REGION EVENT ADDS WINTER FUN February. Although it’s the shortest month on the calendar, for many in New England, it’s that time of year when winter begins to feel old. The sky is grey, the snow is grey, and while the days are getting longer, it’s easy to miss warmer temperatures and greenery. For those reasons and more, the Academy was happy to infuse some festivity into the February doldrums in thanks to the generous support of the Hancock Charitable Trust and other donors.

Bridgton Academy was excited to be the recipient of a Hancock Charitable Trust grant, specifically given to provide a special themed event for our students during a pandemic year, while also supporting local area businesses. The Taste of the Lakes Region event on campus was soon underway, featuring delicious fare from several area restaurants and allowing the Academy the opportunity to bring local offerings right here to campus.

The Taste of the Lakes Region dinner was held in the Academy’s Wolverine Den by team cohort. Prior to their dinner, each student was given a menu of local restaurant entrees to choose from. Appetizers, salads, drinks, and desserts were also provided. With door prizes and lots of laughs, it was a fun ‘outing’ on campus that our whole community enjoyed.

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wolverinetracks drinks. It was a tremendous welcome for the soon-to-be graduates of Bridgton Academy and a vaccine clinic experience that these young men will not soon forget. Over sixty members of the Class of 2021 were fully vaccinated by the time they walked across the stage on commencement morning. A heartfelt thank you to the aboveand-beyond caring displayed by the staff of the Bridgton Hospital, and congratulations to our newly vaccinated Wolverines!

A GRADUATION MORNING LIKE NO OTHER At just around 7:30 on the morning of Bridgton’s 213th Commencement Exercises, a legion of bleary-eyed students made their way up the hill to Goldsmith Dining Hall and loaded into Academy transportation. Some were functioning on only a few hours of sleep after enjoying final night festivities on campus, including a jump into Long Lake in the wee hours of the morning.

Three vans and a bus headed to nearby Bridgton Hospital for an epic last-day event: getting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Earlier in the spring, Bridgton Academy was thrilled to partner with Bridgton Hospital to

provide a COVID-19 clinic for our students. When the age range expanded in Maine to include 18+ for vaccination, Bridgton students had just enough time left in their year to receive two shots of the Moderna vaccine. Because the window was so small, their second shot had to be scheduled on the morning of graduation.

Academy students were greeted by a wonderful surprise when they showed up at the hospital that Saturday morning. Health care workers were standing outside of the hospital rotunda holding a giant “Congratulations, Graduates” banner and cheering as the boys arrived. The nurses and vaccine

clinic staff had even taken the time to make personalized masks for each student featuring their name and Bridgton Academy logo. As students checked in, you could hear “Pomp and Circumstance” piping over the hospital’s sound system. Once inside, there were graduation balloons and decorations, and even a table with donuts and

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP PANEL PROVIDES DISCUSSION FOR BRIDGTON STUDENTS As part of a continuing series of conversations on campus focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dean of Studies Mr. Travis Dube hosted a Women in Leadership panel presentation for the Class of 2021. The panel featured several women leaders from the Academy including Binaca Hanson, Assistant Head of School for Academic and Student Life; Amity Gottschalk, Director of Academic Support; Jessica Priola, Director of Institutional Advancement; and Kate Tucker, Director of Student Life.

These four faculty members shared thoughts and perspectives from their professional backgrounds with a focus on how gender may have impacted and shaped some of their career experiences to date. A time for discussion was also included, with many of the students in the audience offering up thoughtful questions for the panel. In prior years, Mr. Dube has held a similar panel within his class, but this was the first 4 bridgton academy today

time that this format appeared as a full school presentation.

“I’ve been hosting this panel in my classes for the past five years and have been thrilled with the student response,” Mr. Dube recounted. “If I remember my own experience as a young man, I was too caught up in my own life and perceived problems to think about what it was like for people around me. For our students to hear about things they may not worry about because they are young men makes them more likely to show compassion to the people around them. They can hopefully appreciate and better understand the experiences of their mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and female peers. It means we’ve given young men an insight into the experiences of others. When we learn only through our own experiences, our knowledge is limited. When we open ourselves to learn from what others have experienced, it makes our lives fuller and more empathetic.”

WOLVERINES IN THE SKY Six lucky Wolverines got to experience the beauty of New England from new heights— literally! On the Friday afternoon before Bridgton’s

Commencement, Shane Brait, Tim Doyle, Joe Robinson, Thomas Reilly, David Armstrong, and Joshua Zambarano—all members of the Academy’s hockey team—jumped from a plane at 13,000 feet to end their year in style. Skydive New England has witnessed several classes of Wolverines take part in this fun, yet daring, annual tradition and once again graciously hosted this year’s group of brave young men led by faculty member Mike Meserve.

Just before leaving campus for their adventure, Tim Doyle ’21 confessed, “I’m scared, but my brother (Matt Doyle ’16), went when he was a student, so I have to go!” All six agreed that it was an experience never to be forgotten.

trusteespotlight

A Better Boardroom: Aaron Daly ‘04 on Leading from Within

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s our country has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also been moving through a time of social upheaval when many difficult and systemic issues related to race have been at the forefront of both conversation and news. During this time, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become a more pressing point of focus for many organizations.

As schools come to terms with their own histories and current practices, opportunities come to light to make strides in this critical area. Bridgton Academy was able to speak recently with alumnus and trustee, Aaron Daly ’04, in regards to his thoughts about the importance of diversity not only in the boardroom, but also for organizations as a whole.

“I grew up in New York City, where I had one foot in the streets and one foot in school,” Daly shares. “My dad wasn’t in the picture and my mother suffered from manic depression. I got lucky and had the opportunity to attend high school in Lewiston, Maine, then went on to Bridgton Academy.

When I came to school in Maine, I didn’t feel like I was just representing the Daly family—I was representing every black male from an urban environment.”

“Later in life, I was invited to join the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. I remember that when I showed up to my initial meeting, the first thing I noticed wasn’t ‘I’m the only black person,’ it was ‘Oh, I’m young!’ I was not surprised by the composition of the board at that time. It was kind of what I expected. Nonprofit boards have to be intentional about their recruitment; otherwise, they’re just going to keep getting what they are used to. If you aren’t aware of your biases, you are going to recruit to them.

When I was given the opportunity to spearhead the Academy’s Committee on Trustees, I saw a huge chance to really push the board to a different place.”

When forced to shine a light on our own history of diversity in board leadership, Bridgton had to come to terms with the understanding that, despite being a school with such a long-standing history, there was room for significant growth and improvement in this area. In his role as Chair of the Committee on Trustees, Aaron has put forward a strategy that allows Bridgton’s board to be more intentional in its recruitment—to find trustees from all backgrounds to help lift and shape the organization. “I believe that the older you get, the harder it can be to change. Having younger voices and diverse voices in the boardroom is really meaningful and helps provide balance. When we are serving the young men of Bridgton Academy, it’s imperative that we have voices and

faces that help to reflect our students in the boardroom.”

As Aaron became established as a volunteer leader at the Academy, he seized the opportunity to further prioritize Bridgton’s diversity initiatives at the highest level. While Aaron recognizes the importance of this work, he also acknowledges that it can be challenging for a young person of color to sometimes feel comfortable pushing new initiatives.

“I wasn’t intimidated or shocked when I joined the board; I just realized that we had room to improve. Being a trustee of color, I often feel that I have to be better or the best.

I recall one time a fellow board member remarked that I always wear a shirt and tie to the meetings. For me, I know when I walk in a room, regardless of whether or not I can mentally compete, there are people looking at me and making an instant decision about who I am and what I bring to the table.

I work to eliminate that from the get go.

You aren’t going to pay attention to how I dress, because it’s going to be better than most in the room. You aren’t going to pay attention to how I speak, because I’m going to use proper English. I’m going to remove all the distractions. Then we can compete intellectually and see where things stand. I think many people of color are constantly going through that mental process. It’s what we do sometimes to survive.”

A lack of diversity within school leadership is prevalent throughout the United States, in both private and public education.

According to a recent study by the National School Boards Association, 78% of responding school board members are white. This representation gap, whether in public or

private education, can create challenges on many levels for school leadership. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion work is critically important,” Daly states. “How can we, as a board, do what is right for a wide range of students at Bridgton Academy if we’ve never walked in their shoes? We need to bring people in who have a fair representation of the student body so they can bring their experience to the table. The board is making progress here. We are pushing, but we still need to reach a higher standard of excellence. A diverse board will more holistically serve the needs of the students of Bridgton. Diversity allows us to bring forward different mindsets, to engage in more robust dialogue. We need many perspectives at the table in order to do everything that we possibly can for each young man who walks through the doors at the Academy.”

Daly reflects that many organizations these days are only ‘talking the talk’ about diversity initiatives, yet the true prioritization of this work is lacking. “I like to say that if you show me your organization’s budget, I will tell you what you care about. Very few successes happen by accident. I think a lot of people use the idea of ‘accidental success’ as an excuse because they want to be modest. Success is intentional. If you want to be strong in DEI work, you need to have a strategy and a plan. Organizations that want to improve in this area have to commit to doing this work and making the investment to ensure it happens.”

For Aaron, placing DEI initiatives at the forefront of the agenda for the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees continues to be a priority. A large part of this effort is building the best trustee leadership group possible, one that is truly representative of all factions of the Bridgton family. “I’m looking for three things in potential trustees,” Daly shares. “They are the same things I look for when I’m hiring an employee. You need to be hungry—always working to improve.

Just don’t call out something that is wrong, bring a solution to fix it. You need to be smart—not just IQ smart, but people smart.

If you can’t work with others, you will just mess up the vibe. Lastly, you need to have humility. If you can’t listen to others, if you think your opinion matters more, it’s just not going to work.”

As Aaron marches forward with his efforts and initiatives, the broader Bridgton community is truly the beneficiary of his care, dedication, and hard work. “My goal is to do all that I can to make sure that the Academy’s board is the best it can be in the 21st century and the best we can be for the young men of Bridgton. That drives me forward in all that I do for this school.” BA summer 2021 5

alumnispotlight

Compassionate Care: Casey Helms ’10 Navigates the Pandemic Frontlines

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asey Helms ’10 always knew he wanted to work in health care, even as a young child. After following a premed track in college, he ultimately chose to pursue a career as a physician assistant (PA). Casey graduated with his master’s degree in August of 2020, took his board tests in September, and less than two months later began his official work as a health care provider at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio. The COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing and Helms jumped into his work at a busy emergency room with eyes wide open and hands ready to help.

“Essentially, as a PA, I can do almost everything a physician can,” Casey explains.

“In my daily work, I do histories and physical exams, diagnose and treat patients, order labs and prescribe medicines, and I can even help with surgeries. Working in the emergency department (ED), I am part of a larger team, collaborating with a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals all focused on patient wellbeing.”

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Casey describes the timing of his entry to the medical field as “interesting.” COVID-19 numbers were on the rise, vaccinations were not yet on the market, and communities and individuals alike were frightened by the impact of this disease. Medical providers were inundated and health care employees such as Casey were working long hours in difficult conditions. “I was gowning up, masking up, putting on eye protection. We were doing everything we could to protect the health of our patients and each other. It can get pretty exhausting and take a toll on you.” Casey also shared that the pandemic itself has had a significant impact on his daily approach to treating patients. “It doesn’t matter what someone comes to the emergency room for—COVID is always a part of our differential diagnosis and always a part of our clinical thought process. All of the safety protocols can also take a toll on the provider/patient relationship. From the patient perspective, it can be intimidating when a provider comes into the room with full PPE and all you can see is a tiny slice of their eyes. So much of medicine is about

trust and rapport with patients. In a typical face-to-face interaction, you can see my smile, you can see my facial expressions, and you can tell I’m there for you. You have to find a different way to connect now with patients and really work hard to make them feel comfortable.”

Helms, who is an active 29-year-old and self-proclaimed “workout fiend” came down with COVID-19 in December of 2020.

Casey shares that many of his colleagues in the emergency department also caught the virus at this time. He recalls that it was a humbling experience to see how difficult it was for even a healthy young man to deal with this sickness. “I have been a huge proponent for getting the vaccine. If patients are worried about the side effects, I share with them firsthand what would happen if you get very sick with COVID. This disease hits everyone differently. You just don’t know what to expect.”

“We still have patients coming in and testing positive for COVID every single day.

Sometimes they are in respiratory distress, need to be intubated, and are admitted

to the ICU with COVID pneumonia.

Sometimes we see healthy young people who don’t get sick and others who get very sick. It’s been an adjustment learning how to tell people they are COVID-positive, as that can be very scary news for people to hear. I try to reassure the patient as much as possible to allow them to feel better about the situation. Ultimately, I just try to help patients find a more positive mindset.”

Casey shares that coming into the fastpaced and ever-changing medical field during this unprecedented time was, at times, tiring. “As a new provider, I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can and take advantage of every opportunity I have. I’m taking extra shifts and trying to be in the ED as much as possible. Just being in the emergency department in regular times I’m sure is tiring. I know that many providers, working in this setting during the pandemic, are finding themselves with compassion fatigue. You are caring for sick individuals, and sometimes, if you aren’t good about taking care of yourself, it can get difficult.

You have to be sure to take care of your own mental health. Providers can burn out during the pandemic, especially in the ED where we are dealing with it daily. When I get that feeling, I try to step back and take time to do things outside of work that help me feel happy.”

That said, Helms wouldn’t wish to trade his role in emergency medicine for anything else. “I love the emergency department.

You never know what’s coming through the door. It can be someone with a cold, or a critical trauma patient. I like the aspect of always having to be on my toes and needing to know a broad spectrum of medicine. Having to think critically and in a potentially time-sensitive manner is both challenging and rewarding. Not every day as an ED provider is a positive one. Some days are good—you leave happy and feel that you have helped. At other times, things may not go your way. You have to take it day by day, leave behind what happened the day before, and come in positive and ready to start again.”

Casey feels that the vaccine is a light in the darkness for health care providers.

He is beginning to see patients who were nervous about getting treatment return to the hospital. People are less afraid to come to the emergency department and a feeling of hope is continuing to grow. Casey credits his team at the hospital for really helping him to navigate an unprecedented time.

“I am a team oriented person. Just like in the military when you hear about being in the trenches with your fellow soldiers, our emergency department team has been together in the trenches day in and day out. We are side-by-side going through this together. It’s wonderful to know that I can rely on these people and talk to them about anything. It helps emotionally and mentally to know that others are going through trying times right there with you. I am on a great team, and I could not be more thankful for that.”

“From the patient perspective, it can be intimidating when a provider comes into the room with full PPE and all you can see is a tiny slice of their eyes. So much of medicine is about trust and rapport with patients. In a typical faceto-face interaction, you can see my smile, you can see my facial expressions, and you can tell I’m there for you. You have to find a different way to connect now with patients and really work hard to make them feel comfortable.”

Helms has always been driven by that same feeling of camaraderie, even during his time at Bridgton Academy. “Bridgton was one of the best experiences of my life.

Being able to be around a group of guys with common goals, I will have those friends for the rest of my life. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Bridgton. I think the Academy helped me realize how much I appreciated being a part of a team.”

For Casey, this time of pandemic and hardship has helped to reaffirm his belief in medicine and his dedication to helping and healing others. The community support he has felt has also been an amazing motivator.

“I’m the kind of person that if I’m walking down the street and see a person in military uniform, I make sure to stop and thank them for their service. They are working for the greater good. I never expected I would have someone stop and recognize me for what I do. Now, when I’m walking to work in my scrubs, people stop me and say ‘thank you’ or share a kind word. This is really rewarding.”

As a new provider who has learned the ropes during an unbelievable time, Casey reflects on how much he has learned and is continuing to learn. For this young man, it all comes down to one thing: his passion for helping people. “I really work to make sure I take every individual as an

individual. You need to respect, support, and accommodate all of the differences that we have, especially in a time when people are concerned and scared. You need to meet people where they are. Don’t downplay the emotions of others. Working to make other people feel comfortable and letting them know that they can reach out to you for help is the most important thing that a health care provider can do. Be adaptable, be open, and take the time to truly understand where someone is at that moment in time. This pandemic year, while hard, has reaffirmed why I went into medicine. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” BA A native of Massachusetts, Casey Helms graduated from Bridgton Academy in 2010.

During his time at Bridgton, this Massachusetts Hall resident played both hockey and lacrosse. Casey earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from The University of Akron. In 2020, he completed his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Case Western Reserve University, where he also served as the vice president for his graduating class. Casey currently lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio.

When not in the emergency room or studying medicine, Casey enjoys running, weightlifting, music, and attending sporting events. summer 2021 7

alumnispotlight

Following the Science: Bridgton Alumnus Works to Heal Through Biotechnology

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early a decade ago, Julian Quinones ’08 interviewed for a job at a small start-up in Cambridge, Massachusetts known at the time as Moderna Therapeutics. A recent college graduate with a degree in biotechnology, Julian had a zeal for scientific research that he was hoping to put to work. He soon began a career with Moderna, embracing the small company and their mission and jumping into his research associate tasks with big aspirations.

Even as a young child, Julian had a natural interest in the scientific world.

“One of the first books I ever read was an anatomy book,” Quinones shares. “I was probably six or seven. By the time I was eight, I knew every bone and bone marking in the body. I always thought that I wanted to be an orthopedist; however, when I got to college and started shadowing some orthopedic surgeons, I realized that patient care wasn’t really for me. The surgeries were cool, but I didn’t think they were that cool. I was a on a premed track and started to freak out a bit when I realized how many of my youthful years I would have to spend in school, studying to be in a field I wasn’t truly passionate about. I wasn’t sure what to do.”

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Just when his career-path crisis was coming to a bit of a head, an opportunity came along that would change everything for Julian. One of his professors was looking for a student interested in doing summer lab research. This well-timed internship introduced Julian to a whole new way of thinking about helping patients. “As my internship went along, I realized that I was super into what I was doing. This was work that would still allow me to assist patients, but away from the doctor’s office. I could work at the bench and still have a big impact. My internship was supposed to be three months and ended up being close to a year. My senior thesis, which studied the role of inflammatory cytokines in lupus, was based on the work I did in that lab. I learned a lot about what goes into research and the scientific rigor that is expected. I’m a natural critical thinker, so this work was fun for me. It was a neat way to apply my skills in an area that I hadn’t ever really thought about.”

Julian’s passion for scientific research was just getting started. He soon found himself interviewing at the (then startup) Moderna. “I was so nervous for my interview,” Quinones recalls. “I thought the idea of mRNA (Messenger RNA) as a

drug was really cool with wide-ranging implications, but I knew nothing about the actual biotech industry. I was interviewing with the hiring manager, a very prominent Harvard postdoc. I sat down with him and I think my heart was literally pumping out of my chest. I guess he sensed that, because his first question was if I watched The Simpsons. Knowing I was talking to a human being made everything easier.”

Julian’s wide-ranging lab skills made him a change-up player in his new role.

He took the opportunity and initiative to learn everything he could. As his work and research progressed, he narrowed his focus on translational biology—research directed at translating scientific findings in a lab setting into potential real-life treatments for patients. Julian now serves as a Principal Research Associate for Translational Biology at Moderna, working on new technologies that could apply to many aspects of the drug maker’s platform.

When the pandemic hit, Julian’s work and life shifted dramatically, as it did for many. As the company moved forward with its COVID-19 vaccine, it began to grow astronomically. No longer a 20-person startup, Julian had a front row seat to some of the history Moderna was making. “Early on in the pandemic when Moderna was all over the news because we had just reached phase three of our vaccine trial, I remember being out at a pizza shop in my companybranded fleece. I didn’t think anything of it, I’d been wearing this jacket for the last five years and no one cared. I see the guy working there just staring at me. He says ‘Moderna! The drug maker? Wow, great work. Just amazing.’ After that, I just started to tell people that I work ‘in science.’”

As a result of the pandemic reality, Julian’s research in translational biology is temporarily on hold. He’s now focused day (and night) on researching booster vaccines to help target COVID-19 mutations. “The reason I’m on the vaccine team right now is because it’s all hands on deck. We needed experienced people to help alleviate the pressure that COVID is having on our infectious disease team. Tackling this pandemic is our number one priority. Yes, we have created a safe and effective vaccine for the parental virus, but we also feel a strong responsibility to address these novel variants.”

“The type of work I do for the SARSCoV-2 program is specifically looking at viral neutralization—the ability of antibodies to actually neutralize the virus.

To do this work we use a pseudovirus. It’s exactly like the real virus, except it doesn’t replicate. Even if it gets on me or in me, nothing will happen. By running a variety of tests, we are able to expose blood samples to the pseudovirus. This tells us important information about the ability of our boosters to neutralize these novel viruses.”

“The most uplifting aspect of this challenging time is knowing that so many people are trusting the science.

There is a path to get out of this time of hardship. With some aspects of the pandemic being so politicized, I was concerned about how many people would actually understand that the vaccine is safe. It’s effective and it’s necessary for us to be able to get back to a version of normal.”

Julian feels mixed emotions about doing this work during such an unprecedented and historic era. “I am humbled and grateful to be at this company at this time. I feel lucky to be here, but it has been challenging.

When you have a powerful technology and the right leadership, things just fly. It’s been fun, it’s been exciting, but it’s also been really hard. Professionally, this time has been fuel for my career. It’s been all hands on deck and an opportunity for anyone who wants to step up to the plate and get things done. I have a bit of survivor’s guilt with this though, because so many are suffering. This makes me want to try to give more back, to do as much as I can.”

“The most uplifting aspect of this challenging time is knowing that so many people are trusting the science. There is a path to get out of this time of hardship.

With some aspects of the pandemic being so politicized, I was concerned about how many people would actually understand that the vaccine is safe. It’s effective and it’s necessary for us to be able to get back to a version of normal.”

Looking back at his life before the pandemic, Julian recognizes that this time has helped him to learn the importance of staying grounded and making sure that he is trusting and honoring who he is. And, while Julian feels he’s come a long way, this young man has tremendous aspirations for where he wants to go next. “You have to be your own strongest advocate,” Julian reflects. “You have to believe in yourself. Be bold. Be curious. Be willing and determined to do the work. Stand your ground and do not let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. There may be young people who don’t think they are smart enough for biotech or pharma; that is not true. It’s all about consistency and work. You won’t be standing on top of the mountain in one day, but if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, pretty soon you have a good view.”

When asked about his role in researching and helping to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Julian remains steadfastly humble. “Science is vast. The little bit that I know—it’s absolutely nothing. No one person is able to do all of this work. It takes a village. I play a small part in that village and for that I am proud.” BA Julian Quinones ’08 currently serves as a Principal Research Associate at Moderna in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When not in the lab, Julian enjoys working on projects at home and spending time at the beach with his German Shepard. In addition to his biotech career goals, Julian is passionate about sustainable agriculture and has future aspirations of starting a S.T.E.A.M. camp in Puerto Rico.

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alumnispotlight

Charting a Course: 2014 Alumnus Completes Pandemic Trek

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hen Michael English ’14 was young, he always looked forward to when his “cool Uncle Tim” would visit from California. With most of Michael’s family based in the Boston area, Tim was the uncle who came from afar with many stories to tell. One of Michael’s favorites was hearing about his uncle’s six bicycle treks across the United States.

Growing up, Michael always held in the back of his mind the idea that he too might one day go on such an adventure.

When the world slowed down in the spring of 2020 due to the pandemic, Michael began cycling as a way to stay fit when his local gym closed. His childhood dream of biking across the country began to once again bubble to the surface. With so much uncertainty impacting life, this young Wolverine decided to jump into this time of disruption in a big way, embarking on a 2,500 mile journey from Jacksonville, Florida to San Francisco, California along a route known as the Southern Tier Bike Trek.

Two of Michael’s high school friends decided to join him for the trip, and shortly before their departure, the Arlington, Massachusetts natives decided to turn their ride into a fundraiser for mental health.

Their journey ended up gaining much more media attention than Michael expected, in some ways adding additional pressure on 10 bridgton academy today

the trio to ensure they found success on the road.

In December of 2020, Michael arrived at his destination in San Francisco, California.

Since returning home just a few short months ago, this young man has had time to reflect on his life-changing adventure and what he learned about himself along the way.

In a recent interview with Bridgton, Michael shared some of his favorite parts

of the trip. “Every blog I read and everyone I talked to before the trip warned me ‘Be prepared for Texas, it’ll kick your butt,’” English reflected. “The Texas stretch was actually my favorite part of the journey. It was gorgeous. The people we met there were pretty amazing. The leg from Del Rio to El Paso was full of these tiny towns every fifty miles or so. The people who lived in this area; they were interesting and had a lot of character. Even though it was desert, the scenery was pretty amazing.”

Michael shared that seeing different parts of the country and waking up in a new place each and every day gave him a lot of time to reflect on his own life. “I think at age 25, I was struggling a bit with where I was and what I wanted my life to be. A trip like this really puts a hyper focus on certain aspects of your reality. You have to mature really quickly. In some ways, I think this journey was similar to what my Bridgton experience was like. I was doing something really different, something that I had never done before—this put a microscope on my own challenges and insecurities, and really brought some of those things into focus for me.”

The group dynamics of traveling with two others proved to be a bit more difficult to navigate than Michael had initially anticipated as well. “We talked at the start about how we might get a little sick of each other,” English recalls. “Some of these little conflicts began to come to the surface after a few weeks on the road. We had different ideas about how we wanted to go about some aspects of our ride. Eventually, we started to figure out that we needed to be able to find a balance within our group to make things work. We needed to learn how to give and take—how to make sure that everyone felt like they were recognized.

That was a big piece that I knew we had to figure out if we were going to accomplish what we set out to do.”

The trio certainly achieved their goal, reaching the west coast faster than they expected and running an incredibly successful fundraiser for mental health along the way. That said, the trek was not without hardship. For Michael, it was the strangers willing to lend a hand who left the greatest impact. “We met these amazing people—total strangers who were willing to help us out. In these small communities, there was always someone who could point us in the direction of someone else who could help with whatever challenge we were facing. I remember we had to visit one bike shop along the way when we were dealing with [yet another] flat tire. An older man owned the shop, probably in his 80s.

We were just over twenty miles from his store when the wheel he sold us went flat.

In the middle of nowhere, we weren’t sure what to do, so we called him. This old guy immediately closed his shop for the day and

Michael English, right

“Back home, sometimes it feels like we have limited trust in others. We can walk by people instead of lending a helping hand.

This trip has made me want to do so much more to help others. It really allowed me to personally recognize that all of us are just humans on our own mission of life. Everyone is trying to do something, change something, and make something better.

We have to learn to trust others. Recognize that we are all sharing this journey, and lend a hand.” drove over 20 miles to meet us with a new tire. It was pretty incredible. This kind of thing just kept happening over and over.”

“Back home, sometimes it feels like we have limited trust in others. We can walk by people instead of lending a helping hand.

This trip has made me want to do so much more to help others. It really allowed me to personally recognize that all of us are just humans on our own mission of life.

Everyone is trying to do something, change something, and make something better. We have to learn to trust others. Recognize that we are all sharing this journey, and lend a hand.”

After 54 days filled with seeing new destinations, meeting new people, and charting his own adventure, Michael’s

cross-country journey came to an end. After sightseeing for a bit in California, Michael made his way home to Massachusetts, ready to settle back into the life he had left behind.

It was perhaps not until his return home that Michael realized how much his journey had changed him. “My first week at home was really strange. I honestly felt very lost for a while. It probably took me a month to process everything I had experienced.

Everyone was asking me ‘what’s next for you,’ and what my next adventure would be. I think I was struggling to figure out my priorities. I had a new perspective, and it’s taking me some time to balance that with where my life is and was.”

Since he’s been home, Michael has come to terms with a few things, namely the

notion that finding your passion can take time. He’s come to recognize that work is more important when it feeds who you are and helps to make a positive impact, and that feeling good about what you do matters. And, at 25, he realizes that finding one’s way is a journey—and certainly an exciting one at that. BA Michael English is a 2014 alumnus of Bridgton Academy and a 2018 Pace University graduate. Currently a realtor in Boston, he is excited to be exploring his next steps. Michael rode 2,500 miles from October 2020 through December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising over $37,000 dollars in support of mental health awareness. summer 2021 11

alumnispotlight

The Quest for the Dale: A Film Director’s Earnest Adventure

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“

et busy living, or get busy dying.”

(Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, The Shawshank Redemption) If you were to spend any time talking with Nick Cammilleri ’05, you’d discover that he’s done anything but sit around waiting for life to happen. Since his graduation from Bridgton nearly 20 years ago, Nick’s perseverance and determination—often in the face of adversity—have motivated him to stay busy truly living his best life.

In January of this year, a four-part documentary, The Lady and The Dale, aired on HBO. The series was directed by Nick Cammilleri along with Zackary Drucker.

This intriguing story traces the life of entrepreneur Elizabeth Carmichael, who rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle called 12 bridgton academy today

the Dale, during the height of the 1970s gas crisis. As she won over major carmakers and investors, a web of mystery unfolded as well, regarding not only the car’s technology, but also Elizabeth’s surprising past.

For Nick, it was a story ten years in the making, with beginnings that took root in North Bridgton. During his Academy year, Nick was introduced to the film The Shawshank Redemption in one of his classes.

It instantly became one of his all-time favorites. Nick recalls purchasing a DVD player and a copy of Shawshank. “I watched it every day until I was done that year.”

From that moment on, Nick knew that he wanted to pursue a filmmaking career.

Although his time at Bridgton had been filled with highs and lows, Nick’s newfound desire to pursue screenwriting motivated him. He was eager to take his next steps. His

destination? California—the place where movies are born.

In 2005, anxious as he was to get to Hollywood, Nick “struck a deal” with his family that he would stay in New England for a single year, ultimately deciding to matriculate at Plymouth State. As luck would have it, Plymouth partnered with Cal State during this time in a type of campus exchange program that afforded Nick a fast-track out West, with a degree in screenwriting soon to follow. Life was moving quickly for Nick: he was busy forming connections with people and gaining real-life experience that only fueled his filmmaking pursuits. Whether it was meeting directors or working on sets, Nick was hungry for opportunities that would enable him to grow and learn.

The filmmaking stage was set, but Nick still needed a story. While watching a rerun of Unsolved Mysteries one day, inspiration hit. Nick was reeled in by a tale that was ready for the taking—the story of Mrs. Elizabeth Carmichael. Seeing himself as a “custodian of history,” the aspiring filmmaker knew that he could be the one to tell Mrs. Carmichael’s story to the world. Nick describes her as an “incredibly fearless woman who lived her truth, despite knowing what she would face.” He concluded that she “was the living embodiment of survival as heroism.” Nick was inspired to share this intriguing story with others before it simply vanished into history.

For Nick, unraveling the tale of Carmichael and the Dale was a decade-long journey—a time filled with seemingly more downs than ups and moments when he was simply ready to call it quits. In pursuit of his story, Nick financed his work by driving 80 hours a week with Lyft. When he wasn’t driving, he spent countless hours making calls and sending correspondence to discover more about Carmichael’s life. Despite the huge amount of time and effort Nick was putting in, he just wasn’t finding the information he needed and found himself questioning if he was chasing a ghost. As he traversed the country researching, writing, and filming, the miles on his car were adding up. Many nights, he found himself crashing on someone’s sofa; other times he rested in even less desirable places—including the floor of an old tattoo parlor.

Eventually, Cammilleri found himself broke and forced to move back to his parents’ home in New Hampshire. In spite of this hardship, Nick knew that he had to continue what he had started and work towards his ultimate goal of becoming a director. “I am good at spotting the story that others have overlooked,” Nick shares.

“This incredible story was just sitting right there and no one had done anything with it. If I told this tale, I knew people would watch it.”

Seemingly out of the blue, Nick began to experience some “lucky breaks.” Producers Andre Gaines and Allen Bain expressed an interest in his work. Two automobile accidents within two years found Nick the recipient of settlement money, which one may not view as “lucky,” but to Nick, it was provision to continue funding his work.

Another big break came when he located the blueprints to the Dale. “All of a sudden, the story had become like an onion,” Nick reflects. “I kept peeling and there were still more layers—the details were getting better and better!” The Lady and the Dale was finally coming together, but one of the biggest hurdles Nick still had to leap was getting the family to agree to an interview.

Outreach to the Carmichael family was relentless. Candi Michael, one of Elizabeth Carmichael’s daughters, was the best candidate to be interviewed for the film.

At first, Candi simply would not agree to it, stating on numerous occasions, “It’s not my story to tell.” Finally, her siblings and her son, Nathan, convinced her that it really was her story. There were grandchildren who only knew the five-minute version of all that had happened in the life of Elizabeth Carmichael, and even the family wanted to know about this woman who had lived through so much.

So, who was Mrs. Elizabeth Carmichael?

Born Jerry Dean Michael and living in a time when being transgender was largely misunderstood, Carmichael’s story included faking her own death, disappearing for several years, and returning as Geraldine Elizabeth Carmichael. Always an entrepreneur, Carmichael started the 20th Century Motor Car Corporation to manufacture a car she called the Dale.

When it was discovered that her company was fraudulent, Carmichael fled with the investors’ money, living the majority of the rest of her life with her children on the run.

Interviewing Elizabeth’s daughter, Candi, was paramount to the HBO series—she held the key to so many firsthand stories and details that nobody else could unlock.

When Nick finally secured and completed the interview with Candi, the production of The Lady and the Dale was at last reaching the finish line.

In any conversation you have with Nick, you can’t help but notice his confidence. As he reflects on the many obstacles he overcame to complete this film, Nick’s optimism and positivity shine through. When the time came to pitch his film, Nick landed an interview with the Duplass Brothers, which he knew would be his best fit. After a one-hour meeting, the team agreed to be the film’s executive producer and as they say, “the rest is history.”

Looking in the rearview mirror, it’s been a long road for Cammilleri to get to this place. Now that he’s found success, he knows he has so much more that he wants—and needs—to do. Fifteen minutes after the premiere of The Lady and The Dale, Nick had offers for new documentary projects. He declined.

While the story, combined with his passion for not wanting to see a piece of history lost, drove Nick on this film, he explains, “My journey of making The Lady and The Dale is ultimately one of me going from screenwriter to director, as my intention from the start was to use it as a training ground for directing. Documentaries are great because you’re lighting, shooting, and editing all the time, often over a decadelong period, so you become a better and better director with each shoot you do.” And so, Nick begins a new path—the journey to direct his first feature film. Through it all, he knows there will be ups and downs, twists and turns, but fueled by his passion, Nick looks forward to the road ahead. BA

This intriguing story traces the life of entrepreneur Elizabeth Carmichael, who rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle called the Dale, during the height of the 1970s gas crisis.

As she won over major carmakers and investors, a web of mystery unfolded as well, regarding not only the car’s technology, but also Elizabeth’s surprising past.

summer 2021 13

facultyspotlight

Off the Court: Meet Bridgton’s Assistant Basketball Coach, Paris Horne ’07

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aris’s talented career has included competing in both the Big East Conference as well as overseas. For the past two years, this Wolverine has brought his love for hoops to Bridgton students, working side by side with Whit Lesure, who coached Paris during his year at the Academy. Along with his deep passion for all-things basketball, this valued faculty member lends his expertise in academics through his work as a focused academic coach, individually steering students to reach new goals. And while North Bridgton may not be the place where he got his start with “the game,” Paris will be the first to tell you that the impact his year at Bridgton had on his life endures to this day.

Please describe a bit about yourself— where you are from, your interests, your family, past work experience?

I was born and raised in Philadelphia but moved to Delaware at the age of 15. I come from a fairly large family with three brothers and one sister.

My interests are...basketball! I’ve always played for fun. I like lots of other sports too, including track and football, which I played in high school also. Basketball became the most important sport to me in late elementary school and still is today.

I am a family and friends guy. I have a four-year-old son, who I spend as much time as possible with. Most of my family lives in Delaware, but my dad still lives in Philly, so I spend some time there.

14 bridgton academy today

I also like to travel, which I was able to do a lot of while playing basketball. Some of my favorite places I’ve been include Thailand, Greece, Morocco, the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Istanbul. In addition to traveling, I enjoy trying new foods and I like to shop, which is so easy to do these days online!

Tell us about your time on the court.

After Bridgton, I played at St. John’s University. In 2011, the same year I graduated from St. John’s, I was a free agent in the NBA draft. Due to the NBA lockout that year, my rookie year was spent overseas in Germany with the Euro League. By the following year, I enjoyed a brief time in the states with the Charlotte Hornets before going back to Europe to play in Greece. I also played for teams in Turkey and Finland up until 2016.

In 2015, I had the exciting opportunity to play for the Overseas Elite in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) on ESPN, a winnertake-all tournament. We were undefeated that year and walked away with the prize.

I played again in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and am now the General Manager of Overseas Elite, working to put the team together and serving as an assistant coach.

Why did you feel called to come back and work for Bridgton Academy?

I was recovering from an injury when Coach Whit called me. I was excited to see if Bridgton had changed from when I

was a student, although I discovered the foundations really haven’t changed at all.

There are things that feel different, such as the renovations in Cleaves Hall (I lived in Walker in 2007), new technology, and other adjustments to keep with the times. The important things are the same—Bridgton is still a school working to make a real difference in the lives of our young men.

I was really excited to bring my basketball experience back for today’s students. I feel as though I can connect on a different level because I attended here and the guys feel

like I can relate to them. I’ve taken my own journey as a student-athlete and can now give guidance. I understand what it is like to complete the “grind” of a full year and how much time it involves being dedicated to your sport and academics at the same time. I’m also able to share real examples of how I’ve been able to take what I learned at Bridgton and apply it to my life, starting with college and then moving beyond.

When I’m not coaching basketball, I’m working with students academically in Bridgton’s Academic Support Center. Many of the same things I share with the players on the court apply to the classroom as well.

What has your experience been like playing basketball for Coach Lesure and now working with him as a peer?

It was great playing for Coach! He truly prepared me for any coach I had after him, even when I was playing for the Big East, because you always had to bring your A-game. Not only did Coach Whit helped me with the game, he helped me even more with life in general.

Now he’s not my coach and that’s also great! We think the same way about basketball, and we have fun. I know what makes him tick and I can prepare the guys in the same way. What I learned about Whit in one year as my coach made it easy for me to make the transition to being his assistant. We have a great bond and a great time together. In a million years, I would never have guessed that I would be back at Bridgton coaching with him!

What do you think are some of the most important things that Bridgton Academy instills in our students?

Teaching our students to advocate for themselves. It’s often their first time away from parents and family, which makes it an ideal opportunity to teach self-advocacy.

I really feel like Bridgton is a “13th grade” preparing you for college and what’s next.

Many of our students are athletes. If they play at the college level, they will always have someone who will be checking that they are doing what they should be academically. At St. John’s, I had study hall hours and a tutor, and Bridgton totally prepared me for that. Bridgton is different from high school by design. Students should take advantage of that fact and make the most of what is offered here.

What is one thing your students/players/coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?

I am a really good fencer! In the fourth or fifth grade, I was part of an after-school program because my mom worked late. It kept me out of trouble and gave me a place to go until she got done with work every day. I was active, so I loved trying anything new related to sports. I also

loved the Power Rangers and karate, so fencing was definitely for me! They taught me all the fundamentals and because I was athletic, I picked it up easily.

What is your favorite dining hall meal, either from when you were a student or now?

Breakfast, especially the waffle maker! When I was a Bridgton student, we could make our own waffles with all of the toppings: strawberries, maple syrup, whipped cream, you name it! It was the best! BA

“I was really excited to bring my basketball experience back for today’s students. I feel as though I can connect on a different level because I attended here and the guys feel like I can relate to them.”

summer 2021 15

commencement2021

16 bridgton academy today

summer 2021 17

commencement2021

Crossing the Finish Line

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n May 8th, Bridgton Academy graduated the Class of 2021. This was the first time all year that the students, faculty, and even outside guests came together on our beloved campus. It was a fitting celebration to end a year unlike any other in Bridgton Academy’s history.

Throughout the school year, many things operated differently at Bridgton. Students were organized by cohorts—living, studying, and interacting with only a small group of peers. Staff members were also assigned to specific groups, getting to know those young men really well, but never having the opportunity to bring together the whole class. There were no large on-campus events, no Monday morning Chapels, no crowded hoops games in the Wolver-Dome with shouting fans. Dress code was less of a concern than if you showed up to class with a mask. Students were here in North Bridgton for the long haul, with closed weekends throughout the year and only two major holiday vacations.

Despite the many obstacles, the Bridgton Academy community rallied and joined together to successfully navigate a year full of uncertainty. And the Class of 2021 moved through it all like champions. “The Bridgton students showed fortitude, determination, appreciation, and maturity,” reflects Athletic

18 bridgton academy today

Director Aaron Izaryk. Agreeing with this statement, Joe Hemmings, Director of Admissions, shared, “Every day I saw our young men doing amazing work. They were building relationships and supporting each other throughout a truly historic time. The way that the students responded to this year and all of the health-related restrictions was nothing short of a miracle. They knew what was at risk and rose to the challenge to do all the right things for the school community.”

Binaca Hanson, Assistant Head of School for Academics & Student Life, offered similar reflections. “There was no playbook to follow for this time and the guidance changed frequently. We learned as a faculty that we can readily pivot and still deliver our mission in a meaningful way. For me, the most challenging aspect of this year was an overarching worry about the health and well-being of our community—students and staff alike. There was the obvious worry of someone getting sick, but beyond that, there was always the concern of ‘Are they (the students) okay? Are we (the staff ) okay?’ The faculty was resilient, dedicated, resourceful and creative. They proved themselves to be flexible when needed but stubborn when necessary, particularly as it related to being unwilling to compromise

on the experience we wanted to provide our young men. They were exactly who I know them to be…times one hundred. I read a portmanteau a few years ago—brutiful— brutal and beautiful. In many ways, that describes this year for me.”

At the beginning of the year, Head of School Marty Mooney shared that his goal was to provide the best in-person learning opportunity that we could for the young men of Bridgton. And, at graduation this May, we proudly completed just that.

The students finished a year of studying and growth in North Bridgton, a year with competitive athletic offerings, interscholastic opportunities, and an uninterrupted experience during a time that can perhaps be defined by interruption.

And, they learned important lessons about themselves along the way. Tyler Pereira ’21, this year’s Edwin V. Spooner Award winner, offered cogent advice, “The biggest lesson that I learned about myself this year is that having the right mindset will help you to get through anything.”

Thank you to the students, faculty, and the larger Bridgton Academy community for working together to achieve great success.

This is one year that we will truly never forget. BA

PANDEMIC SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS NUMBER OF DAILY HEALTH ATTESTATION FORMS COMPLETED BY ACADEMY STAFF

9,000+ NUMBER OF HOURS OF STREAMED ATHLETIC COMPETITION

57

HOME GAMES

114

HOURS OF STREAMED FOOTAGE

NUMBER OF COVID-19 PCR TESTS ADMINISTERED TO ACADEMY STUDENTS/STAFF

1,231 NUMBER OF ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS FOR THE BRIDGTON WOLVERINES

111

NUMBER OF FULL-DORM QUARANTINES

3 NUMBER OF MISSED SCHOOL DAYS

0 NUMBER OF COVID-19 OUTBREAKS ON CAMPUS

0 NUMBER OF STUDENTS GRADUATED

115

summer 2021 19

Honoring the Class of 2021

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n Saturday, May 8th, Bridgton Academy was pleased to host our Commencement Exercises here on campus at Fisher Ellis Field. This academic year will certainly be long remembered by all who were part of it.

We are proud to recognize this group of students who finished the year with true grit and determination. Please join us in congratulating our newest Bridgton Academy alumni, the Class of 2021!

David Armstrong

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: University of Maine Commencement Awards: Alumni Award, Arthur B. Stebbins Jr. ‘67 Award What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My best memory was going bird hunting with Coach Meserve.

Gerard Aroneo What’s Next?: Sacred Heart University Commencement Awards: Alumni Award

Alexander Bachmann

matt aebersold Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: SUNY Fredonia Commencement Awards: Dennis O’Brien ’67 Award What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: Talent is not enough; hard work will get you places.

Taaj Andrews Sport: Football What’s Next?: College of the Sequoias

Legacy Student: indicates a student who had a direct relative also attend Bridgton Academy 20 bridgton academy today

Aidan Araujo

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Johnson & Wales University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Ms. Polak and Coach Whit—they both saw that I was stressed at the beginning of the year and talked to me individually to calm me down. Without their conversations or them reaching out to me, I honestly don’t think I could have finished this year.

Logan Araujo

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Johnson & Wales University What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned the importance of time management.

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Bridgton Academy Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Mrs. Meserve, because of how much my writing improved this semester.

Kalidu Bah

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Coker University

Chris Balzano

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Roger Williams University Commencement Awards: Russell A. Pitnof ’34 Award, Dr. William Holt Award - Social Science What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned when I work best and the type of mindset I need to have to be successful.

Makhi Baskin

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Post University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Paris Horne helped me become a better player, person, and student. Also, he helped me decide on my college pick.

Maxwell Bonanno

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Nichols College

Shane Brait Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: University of Mississippi

Jackson Brown

Legacy Student Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Midlands Technical College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: Learning that Coach Atwood is the best Guitar Hero player I have ever seen.

Jordan Brown Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: D’Youville College What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: You are independent and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Scott Bundy

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Brevard College

Aidan Burke

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Plymouth State University What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: Sometimes you need to listen.

Jack Campbell

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Radford University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Ms. Gottschalk (my Focused Academic Coach) helped me turn my grades around and taught many different essay writing strategies.

Michael Canney Sport: Football What’s Next?: Endicott College

Jacob Champagne

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Tyler Chapman

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Florida International University Commencement Awards: Alumni Award, Mission Achievement Book Scholarship What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: Getting to know my teammates and coaches better.

Malachi Clarke Legacy Student Sport: Football What’s Next?: Morgan State University Commencement Awards: Faculty Award, David D. Felice ’67 English Improvement Award

Zachary Coffin Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Fitchburg State What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned not to procrastinate.

Jayden Cormier

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Keene State College What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned how to live on my own and keep myself responsible.

Clayton Cowee

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Undecided What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: If I really try, I can succeed.

summer 2021 21

Dylan Demers

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Roger Williams University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Meserve taught me honesty and that taking responsibility is always the right thing to do.

Brase Dottin

Legacy Student Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Undecided Commencement Awards: Captain Claude “Duke” Hough ’54 Award, Corey Smith ’88 Memorial Basketball Award What will you miss most about the Academy?: Most of all, I will miss my teammates—living and being around them every day has been awesome.

Tim Doyle

Legacy Student Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Mr. Washburn was very approachable and always there if we needed extra help. He cared about how we did in his class, so that made it much easier to succeed in the classroom.

Tyler Dussault Sport: Football What’s Next?: University of New Haven

William “Trey” Eberhart

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Sacred Heart University Commencement Awards: Richard R. Marcella Award

22 bridgton academy today

Connor Edwards

Legacy Student Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: University of Southern Maine What will you miss most about the Academy?: The brotherhood of this team is something I will never forget.

This was genuinely the first team I’ve ever been a part of that I enjoy everyone as a teammate, a person, and a friend.

Liam Egan

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: University of Notre Dame Commencement Awards: Alumni Award

Conner Elliott

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Johnson & Wales University What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite memory from this year is scoring the game-winning goal against New England College and celebrating with the boys.

Colby Emerson Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Hawaii Pacific University

Kobe Estes

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Franklin Pierce University Commencement Awards: Annie R., Horace A., & Martha B. Flint Improvement Award Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Marshall cares about each and every one of us and has done a lot of things to get us where we need to be. He knows how to connect with all of the players outside of school and sports and is someone you can talk to about anything because he’s so connected with you.

Jaden Ezomo Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Pace University

Garret Fleury

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Keene State College Commencement Awards: Faculty Award

Stephen Gabriel III

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Lynn University What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My best memory was meeting new friends and teammates.

Nolan Gantrish

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Ohio Wesleyan University What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: I loved going skiing with the team.

Shawn Golden

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey Commencement Awards: Howe Award What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that taking care of yourself on your own involves a lot of responsibility and discipline.

John Hallgren Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Eture Sports Gap Year Program

Logan Hamilton

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey Commencement Awards: Sportsmanship Award, Faculty Award, Dr. William Holt Award Computer Science Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: I can’t pick out just one. Every staff member has had a great impact on me and the fact that all the staff members can make a great impact is something that is really special.

Patrick Hughes

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: College of Charleston What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: You can always do a little more to help improve your own habits.

Liam Ireland

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Eture Sports Gap Year Program

Muzamil Hamoda

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Utah State University Commencement Awards: Faculty Award

Odahri Hibberts

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Central Connecticut State University What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that what I believe about myself influences everything I do.

Samuel Holley

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Keene State College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: This year, I met so many new friends from all over. These relationships will last a lifetime.

Ryan Iritano

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Salve Regina University Commencement Awards: Alumni Award, John D. Powers ’91 Memorial Coaches’ Award

Christopher Jenkins

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Endicott College Commencement Awards: Faculty Award Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: The faculty member who impacted me the most was Coach Izaryk. Every day, he pushed me along with my teammates to be the best people we could be and prepared us for what’s to come in college next year. Not only did he prepare us for baseball, he also taught us life lessons that will stick with me forever. He was by far the best coach I’ve ever had.

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Devan Jessop

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Southern Connecticut State University What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: I will remember going ice fishing on the weekends.

Argelys Jiminian

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Bentley University Commencement Awards: Mission Achievement Book Scholarship, Faculty Award, Edward F. Brown Public Speaking Prize What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss the peace and calmness of the countryside.

Ramon Juarez Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Cairn UniversityLanghorne

Joel Kashila

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Southern Connecticut State University Commencement Awards: Alexander D. Harry ’58 Memorial Commencement Award What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite memory was Long Lake.

Thomas Kelly

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Keene State College What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that life is more than just video games and hockey. I gathered that I needed more dedication to myself and my life, like less gaming and more time working on school or working out.

Jack Kinahan

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss the hockey team and our coaches.

Cooper Knudson

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Plymouth State University

James Kochakian

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: American International College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite Bridgton memory from this year had to be the long bus rides with my teammates and playing at several great venues throughout the fall and spring for baseball.

Melvin Kolenovic

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Bridgton Academy

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Brandon Kulakowski

Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Canisius College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite memory is going bowling with the team.

Vincent Lapolla

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Bridgton Academy

Matt Laughlin

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Trinity College Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach West worked with us every day and was dedicated to helping us improve.

Jacob Lennerton

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss the people.

Yeah, I will miss the campus, but ultimately it was the people: Coach Atwood, Coach Izaryk, Cody Marean, Drake Stinson, Mr. Washburn, and Mr. Meserve were the most helpful to me during my time here.

Cameron Lepage

Legacy Student Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Western New England University Commencement Awards: Headmaster’s Award Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Ms. Hanson helped me with my writing ability and Mrs. Izaryk walked me through the college process.

Riley Linn

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: SUNY Cortland Commencement Awards: Electra H. Fickett Outstanding Citizenship Award

John Loftus IV

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Western New England University Commencement Awards: Douglas R. Avery Baseball Award

Aidan Lowery

Sport: Football What’s Next?: New England College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My best memory is fishing with Mr. Mooney

Kuol Majok

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Springfield College Commencement Awards: Howe Award

Maguek Mariech

Legacy Student Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Roane State Community College Commencement Awards: Phyllis B. Wakefield Class of ’46 & ’10 Award, Mission Achievement Book Scholarship What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss playing basketball under Coach Whit.

Michael Masterpolo Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Franklin Pierce University

Donovan Mawhinney

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Bridgton Academy

Andrew McGaffigan Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey

Thomas McGaffigan

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey Commencement Awards: Leland S. Buck Jr. ’42 Award, John T. Fabello ’34 Hockey What will you miss most about the Academy?: Every person I meet is amazing, so I will definitely miss the people. I’m especially going to miss all the hockey boys so much.

Kieran McGrath

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Palm Beach Atlantic University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: English has always been a subject I’ve enjoyed and been pretty good at, but this year my English teacher, Mr. Lindberg, not only helped me excel even further in my reading and writing endeavors, but took time out of his day to help me better understand lacrosse. He seemed to genuinely care about my wellbeing during this crazy year at BA. I will always remember him and the kindness he reflected on everyone he met.

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Flynn McNally Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Goucher College

Aidan McNamara

Sport: Football What’s Next?: University of New Haven

Daniel Moors Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Trinity College Commencement Awards: Charles H. Gould Award

Hayden Moses

Zack Palmer

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Long Island University What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: Productivity will get you places.

Hake Patrick

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: University of Colorado Boulder

Patrick Pires

Danny Peixinho

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Johnson & Wales University

Jahmir Pritchard

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Anna Maria College

Tyler Pereira

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: University of New Haven Commencement Awards: Edwin V. Spooner Memorial Award What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My best memory was the weekend trip with Cody Marean exploring and hiking in northern Maine.

Leao Nelson

Legacy Student Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Undecided What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned how hard you have to work every day to get better.

26 bridgton academy today

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Saint Michael’s College Commencement Awards: Arthur B. Stebbins Jr. ’67 Award What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned how to live on my own, take care of myself, and what I need as an individual.

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Chicago State University

Sport: Football, Lacrosse What’s Next?: Grinnell College Commencement Awards: Addie M. Chadbourne Award What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite Bridgton memories this year were canoeing on Long Lake with my friends, listening to music, and enjoying the nature around us.

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Bridgton Academy What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that I do my best work in all areas of my life when I do things for others, when I can balance my work with my well-being and also help others succeed.

Sawyer Pierpont

Robby Phillips

Shane Provost Sport: Football What’s Next?: Nichols College Commencement Awards: Dr. Christopher Blanch ’89 Award, Tom C. Austin Football Award

Ryan Rector

Sport: Football, Lacrosse What’s Next?: Lynn University

Neil Reilly

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Meserve impacted me the most this year as my dorm parent, coach, and teacher. Mr. Meserve taught me so much about hard work and always doing things at 100 percent.

He also showed me how to deal with adversity by simplifying things and looking at things differently.

Thomas Reilly

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: The only easy day was yesterday.

Joseph Robinson

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: University of Mississippi What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: I think completing Hell Day with the hockey team was my favorite memory. It started to bring us together as a family.

Timothy Robinson

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey

Aaron Sears

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Saint John’s University Commencement Awards: Edward F. Brown Essay Prize

Dante Roselli

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Ohio Wesleyan University Commencement Awards: Electra H. Fickett Outstanding Citizenship Award, Dr. William Holt Award - Physical Science What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss walking down the hill with my teammates after a packed day of classes, practice, and a lift.

Yechiel Saint

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Presbyterian College Commencement Awards: Alumni Award, Mission Achievement Book Scholarship What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: I loved listening to Coaches Izaryk and Atwood debate about the most common things.

Paul Shibley

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Fisher College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite memory was the first day I got here on campus out of quarantine—seeing my name on my dorm room door and the locker in the locker rooms, and getting all the team clothes. I just remember having the biggest smile on my face.

Christopher Simeone

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Roger Williams University

Kevin Simpson

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Paris Horne encouraged, supported, cared, and helped me from the start to end of this academic year. He cares and remains dedicated to his students, dorm residents, and basketball team players, as well as to his family. He is funny and he alone made my time here so much better and enjoyable. I looked forward to our meeting times and he is one of the very few people who will have a long-lasting impact and memory with me.

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Alex Slezak

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Western New England University What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: I enjoyed fishing and kayaking at the lake.

Jason Smith

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Plymouth State University What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss going to class with the boys, road trips, and just being a part of another family.

Luke Staples

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Thomas College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My favorite memory is hikes up the mountains with the team.

John Summers Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Stonehill College

Paul Tevlin

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Springfield College What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish anything.

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Chris Theodores

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Commencement Awards: Justin A. DeSorrento ’96 Soccer Award, Lee & Carol Noble Fine Arts Award, Dianne C. Fabello Memorial Award What will you miss most about the Academy?: I don’t think there is one thing that stands above the rest. I think Bridgton Academy gave me a place where I could succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It is a very tight community which supports you along the way. While some days were tough, this year has been one of the best of my life. I am thankful for Bridgton Academy because it has allowed be to grow and become a better person.

Keah Tobey

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Marcus Voss

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Bryant University

Seth Wall

Sport: Lacrosse What’s Next?: Wentworth Institute of Technology

Kaelan Walters Sport: Basketball What’s Next?: Howard University What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned to be patient and trust in God.

CJ Willis Will Twadell

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Saint Anselm College Commencement Awards: Dr. William Holt Award - English Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach Day is a great dorm parent and coach.

Luke Tyner

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Coach West completely challenged me athletically.

Sport: Baseball What’s Next?: Western New England University Commencement Awards: Douglas R. Avery Baseball Award, Dr. William Holt Award - Mathematics What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself at Bridgton this year?: I learned that when you have nothing to do, find something to work on.

Will Winter

Sport: Soccer What’s Next?: Wheaton College What is your favorite Bridgton memory from this year?: My best memory was when the whole soccer team went down to the lake at 11pm after a very tough game.

We had a difficult time taking the result of our game and the team became very divided for a few hours after the game until we all went down to the water.

After that small moment, it felt as if we were all closer than ever before and went on to finish the season very strongly.

David Wright

Jayden Yawkey

Glenn Wright Jr.

Joshua Zambarano

Legacy Student Sport: Football What’s Next?: Nichols College

Sport: Football What’s Next?: Sacred Heart University Which faculty member impacted you the most and why?: Mr. Rosen made science enjoyable and interesting. He also took time to make connections with all of his students and involve everyone in class.

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss the people.

Sport: Hockey What’s Next?: Junior Hockey What will you miss most about the Academy?: I will miss hitting the ice every day with my teammates.

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