Academic and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

ACADEMIC

HALL OF FAME

HONORING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The Foxcroft Academy Academic Hall of Fame recognizes former students for their personal and professional achievements after graduating from FA. In 2022 we welcomed four new members: Tristan Mullis ’00, Kandyce Plummer Powell ’65, Kristin Stelmok ’95, and Judge Kevin Stitham ’70. We hope current Foxcroft Academy students take inspiration from these four inductees in pursuit of their own lifelong goals and ambitions.

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KANDYCE PLUMMER POWELL, CLASS OF 1965

Kandyce Plummer Powell was a member of the Class of 1965. While at FA, she was a member of the National Honor Society, recipient of a Rose Award, class officer, and a member of the gymnastics, softball and basketball teams. She was also a member of the chorus, and was selected for the All-State Chorus. Foxcroft Academy offered her an exceptional education, taught by some memorable faculty.

Kandyce graduated from the University of Maine with a BS in nursing, followed by a Master’s in nursing education from the University of Southern Maine. After college she went to work at Boston University Medical Center. Her staff and patient population represented many cultures and walks of life which made it a memorable and enriching opportunity that was key in fueling her passion for greater health equity.

Kandyce has spent the past 45 years working to provide greater access to quality end of life and palliative care in Maine, nationally and internationally. Since 1992 she has been the Executive Director of the Maine Hospice Council and Center of End-of-Life Care where her responsibilities have included education, technical and advocacy assistance for policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals and the public. She has been involved in many policy efforts to address system change, with the goal of improving access to quality of life for the seriously ill and bereaved. Kandyce developed many partnerships to address these issues including the Hospice Veterans Partnership. She has been a tireless advocate for the underserved, starting a hospice program at the Maine State Prison (the first in the country) where she taught for 18 years. Because of the prison program, she was asked to speak at a Human Rights Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland, as well as to join the faculty at Robert Gordon University as a visiting professor. She has acted as a mentor to many students who were interested in creating a more socially responsive environment for individuals living with serious illness.

Kandyce lived and worked for a time in Africa at an AIDS orphanage in Otse, Botswana, which she recounts as an amazing, life-changing experience.

Over her career, she co-authored many successful pieces of legislation; developed numerous programs; participated on many government task forces; chaired several advisory committees and received many awards, including a Retirement Research Foundation Award, National Hospice Organization President’s Award, Senior Legislative Advocacy Coalition Distinguished Service Award, Joe Mayo Award, Dr. Kathryn Pope Leadership Award, Dr. Mary Chandler-Lowell Award from Foxcroft Academy, and the 202021 Maryann Hartman Award from the University of Maine.

Throughout her life, Kandyce has chosen to view humanity through the lens of kindness, integrity and social justice, and is grateful for all life has offered her. The profound work she has been able to do and the amazing people she met from all walks of life along the way taught her so much about life.

However, what she is most proud of is her wonderful daughter Heidi, who has always and forever will make her a better person.

KRISTIN STELMOK, CLASS OF 1995

Kristin Stelmok grew up in Atkinson and while at Foxcroft Academy was a Rose Award recipient, a National Honor Society member, and a Girls’ State delegate. Kristin was active in band, Latin Club, and athletics. She was one of the first women to play soccer at Foxcroft Academy, becoming co-captain her senior year. Kristin also had success in track & field, winning several regional and state championships and setting some school records.

Kristin attended the University of Maine with the help of several local scholarships and an athletic scholarship for track & field. She spent her junior year abroad at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Several years after graduating with a BA in English (cum laude), Kristin returned to UMaine to earn an MA in English Literature with a concentration in Gender Studies. Kristin also attended French immersion programs at Middlebury College and at the Université Laval in Québec City on a foreign language area studies fellowship.

After spending a few years working as a rock-climbing guide in Acadia National Park, Kristin returned her attention to higher education. She has taught writing, literature, and women’s and gender studies at the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire, and Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire. She’s even had the pleasure of teaching some students from Foxcroft Academy through the Upward Bound program at UMaine.

At Plymouth State, Kristin serves as co-coordinator of the English program, cochair of the Faculty Welfare Committee, and has acted as an advisor to several student groups. She helped organize the first non-tenure track faculty union, and serves as that group’s Vice-President. In 2018, she received the Theo Kalikow Award, which “honors a faculty or staff member who has significantly contributed to the advancement of women’s issues.” In 2020, Kristin received PSU’s inaugural Transformative Teaching Award, which “recognizes an individual who enacts positive change through their teaching practice—who consistently challenges, reflects on, and works to improve their pedagogy, while prioritizing student agency and equity.”

Kristin credits her education at Foxcroft Academy with much of her professional and personal success. While all of her teachers and coaches

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deserve thanks, there are a few that should be recognized individually: “Mr. Dean showed us that learning could (and should) be joyful; Mrs. Mullis introduced us to the beautiful relationship between language and culture; and Mr. Willette tricked us into thinking critically and carefully about history, politics, and government. Mr. Johnny King was an unofficial counselor to many, and he kept a kind and watchful eye on us all. Finally, I have a rich and fulfilling professional life thanks to my English teachers—Ms. Dawn MacPherson-Allen and the late Mr. James Brown. Mrs. M-A and Mr. Brown taught me the skills of literary analysis and the craft of writing well. Moreover, they helped us see how our own lives and emotions were reflected in the great works of literature, leading us to develop empathy and emotional maturity. And I’ll always remember Mr. Brown talking about how much he loved his good, simple life. The older I get, the more deeply I appreciate that lesson, as well. Kristin lives with her husband and their two dogs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My years at Foxcroft Academy had a profound impact on my life and career. In the classroom, the teachers provided an extraordinary education, especially in English and math, that gave me a powerful combination of analytical and communication skills, laying the foundation for my career.”

LAURIE GAGNON LACHANCE, FA CLASS OF ’79

TRISTAN MULLIS, CLASS OF 2000

Tristan Mullis graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 2000 and remains a proud Foxcroft alumnus. While at Foxcroft, Tristan was a Rose Award recipient and a member of the National Honor Society. He was named Foxcroft’s History Student of the Year and received numerous medals on the National Latin Exam. In 2000, Tristan and his AP History classmates competed in the We the People constitutional competition in Washington, D.C. While at Foxcroft he also participated in a number of academic clubs and the Maine State Science Fair. Through a Horizon Scholarship, he attended a summer program on biomedical ethics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Tristan was a four year member of Foxcroft’s football, basketball, and track and field teams. As a senior, he was named a football captain, and was named to the conference first team on both offense and defense, and received all-academic honors. He later was invited to play in the honorary Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl.

Tristan attended Bowdoin College and graduated with honors in 2004 with a major in history and a minor in biology. As his history honors project, he completed a study on the pacifist movement in Maine during the Civil War. At Bowdoin, Tristan was a member of the football team and volunteered with the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters to mentor local youth. He also volunteered with Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project, a legal aid organization assisting low income individuals and families. He spent a semester in London as part of a study abroad program. In the summers and breaks while attending Bowdoin, Tristan worked as an EMT for Mayo Regional Hospital.

After graduating from Bowdoin, Tristan worked for the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, investigating allegations of police misconduct and related civil rights violations. Tristan then attended Brooklyn Law School, graduating in 2009. While at Brooklyn, Tristan was named to the Brooklyn Law Review, and the Moot Court Honor Society.

After graduating from law school, Tristan moved to Los Angeles and became a member of the California Bar. In 2013, Tristan joined the law firm Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin. He became a shareholder in the firm in 2018, and remains there today. His current practice focuses on civil litigation and legal consulting, mainly in the field of labor and employment.

Tristan recognizes his experiences and education at Foxcroft as formative to his later life. The opportunities, academic rigor, and community that the school provided were critical in preparing him for life beyond the Academy. He remains immensely appreciative of the dedicated teachers, staff, and coaches that instilled the values of hard work, graciousness, and intellectual curiosity.

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KEVIN STITHAM, CLASS OF 1970

The Honorable Kevin Stitham is a proud member of the Class of 1970. Following high school, Kevin enrolled and graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College in Brunswick in 1974, the same school his future father-in-law, Stuart Hayes, Esq, graduated from 30 years earlier. Following graduation, Kevin attended the University of Maine School of Law in 1974. The following summer, he married high school sweetheart Jane Hayes Stitham, Class of 1973, and a Foxcroft Academy Academic Hall of Fame member.

In June of 1977, Kevin graduated from law school and began his 44-year career practicing what he loved. He started in Presque Isle in 1977, working at the firm Dunleavy, Adams, & Stitham, but only stayed for a few months as he and Jane wanted to get back to Dover-Foxcroft.

In March of 1978, Kevin started at C.W. and H.M. Hayes Law Firm on Lincoln Street, and for him, the rest was history. In addition, he served briefly on the Board of Governors for the Maine Bar Association as the representative from Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties.

After 21 years of practicing law, Kevin was sworn in as the Residental District Court Judge for District 13 in 1998. He continued on the bench until September 28th, 2021, when he retired after 23 plus years of service to the state, 44 years to the day after being sworn in as a lawyer.

While Kevin loved practicing law, he also had a passion for education. He enrolled in the Masters of Education program at the University of Maine with a concentration in secondary administration. He received his degree in 1982 and put it to use, teaching several college and adult education classes on both legal and non-legal subjects.

Kevin gave back to his community in several ways, from being an active member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club, and was the moderator for annual and special town meetings in Dover-Foxcroft and surrounding communities. In the 1980s, Kevin was also a member of the SAD 68 Board of Directors and, in 1987, was named to the Board of Trustees at Foxcroft Academy. He is believed to be the first person to serve on both boards simultaneously. In 1991, he was elected president of the FA Board of Trustees and served in that capacity until 2002, when his son Ryan graduated from FA. In that position, he shook the hands of all graduates of his alma mater for over ten years, passing out their diplomas, meaning he saw over 1,000 FA graduates come across the stage. He received the Dr. Mary Chandler Lowell Award from FA in 2003 and returned to the board in 2006, resigning on June 1, 2016, 35 years to the day after his first joint board meeting.

In his recent book, “The Lawyers of Piscataquis County,” edited by his daughter and fellow FA Academic Hall of Famer, Stacy, the present-day Kevin can be summed up like this:

“The Honorable Kevin L. Stitham is possessed of an insatiable curiosity, penchant for nostalgia, and deep affection for Piscataquis County and its history. When not peppering visitors with questions about anything and everything, he can be found regaling his friends and family with stories, or delighting in his grandchildren. He retired from the Maine Bench on September 28, 2021, 44 years to the day after being sworn in as a Maine lawyer (having served 21 years as a country lawyer and 23 years as a trial judge). Since his retirement, he finds himself thinking more about fishing, golfing, traveling, and dubbin’ around in general. But at times, his thoughts are simply to “light out for the Territory ahead of the rest.”

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ATHLETIC

HALL OF FAME

CELEBRATING PONY PRIDE

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Some members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, Joel Doore '84, Josh Withee '05, Julia Annis '15, Ryan Rebar '13, Peter Chase '79

CLASS OF 2020 INDUCTEES

SUE HERRING PERKINS, CLASS OF 1971

Sue was a standout student-athlete of Foxcroft Academy during the beginning of women’s athletics as we know it now. Sue was a four-year member of the varsity basketball team, where she was the Eastern Maine Free Throw shooting champion, one of the tri-captains during her senior year, and was named the team’s most valuable player. It wasn’t just basketball for Sue. She was a standout on the softball diamond as well, playing for the varsity squad all four years, captaining the team her senior year. In addition to softball, Sue was on the first track teams the Ponies fielded in 1970 and 1971. She was voted most athletic by her senior class. Following high school, Sue was a co-captain of the JV basketball team at Northeastern University. She was an ASA softball umpire, played competitive softball all over New England, and gave back to her alma mater as a basketball and tennis coach at FA. She fondly remembers her basketball team of the late 80’s that lost only one game in the last seconds to Schenck High School. As for those who influenced Sue during her time at FA and beyond, she credits Ernest ‘Lap” Lary, Holly Dunn Bullard, Wayne Champeon, and Mrs. Gerrish as people who helped shape her into the person she became.

PETER CHASE, CLASS OF 1979

Peter was a standout athlete on the football and baseball teams during his four years at Foxcroft Academy. Peter played on the gridiron for the Pony football team in the trenches in the fall as an offensive guard and defensive end. By the time he had reached his senior year, he and his teammates had turned around a team that had not had a winning season in his career, and they finished 6-3-1 on the year, setting the stage for bigger things to come for Pony football. He was named a first-team LTC offensive guard and second-team defensive end his senior year. He played basketball for his first three years, but he was most at home on the baseball diamond. He was a four-year letter winner for the Ponies, playing 2nd base and earning all-conference honors at that position. He helped the Ponies to many wins over his four years. Peter fondly remembers games gone by, especially a baseball win over MCI with a squeeze play at the plate and blocking a punt vs. John Bapst after changing positions before the snap. As for those who had a profound impact on his career, Peter notes coaches Dennis Kiah, Dave Clement, Ken Grant, Skip Hanson, and Gary Worthing as people that helped shape him and his athletic career.

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CLASS OF 2020 INDUCTEES (cont)

JOEL DOORE, CLASS OF 1984

Joel was a standout three-sport athlete during his time at Foxcroft Academy. On the football field, Joel was a member of the LTC first team as an offensive guard during his senior year, a memorable one for the Ponies as they took home the Class D State Championship, at the time, their first title in 16 years. He was also a member of the track team for his first two years of high school. But where Joel set himself apart was on the wrestling mat. For four years he was a dominant force for the Ponies, racking up win after win. He was the Eastern Maine champ in 1981, the runner-up in 1982, then he did two better the next two seasons, winning the state championship in 1983 and 1984. He was voted top wrestler in Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties and was the Piscataquis Observer’s Athlete of the Year in 1984 and was the MVP of the team. Following high school, Joel gave back to the sports he loved by coaching football, wrestling, and track. His most memorable moments as a Pony were the state championship football win in the rain and winning a wrestling state championship at home. Joel mentions coaches Worthing, Grant, and Dishaw and Mr. Ryder, Mr. Danforth, and Mr. Larson as highly influential people in his life.

DANA FRASZ, CLASS OF 2001

While at FA, Dana balanced her strong academics with a lively social life and a love for drama, soccer, basketball, and track. In the fall, Dana played for the girls’ soccer team, where she was captain of the, at the time, a relative start-up program. The Ponies made their first-ever playoff appearance during her senior year before falling to Old Town in the first round. In the winter she played on the Pony basketball team, and helped the program get to the Class B regional final in 2001, for only the second time in program history. It was a season that team members would never forget. Dana dominated on the track in the spring as she still holds seven FA outdoor track records, including most points in a career. She was also a member of the state champion 4x100 meter relay team and a first-team all-conference selection. She credits coaches David Carey and George Rolleston as members of the FA family that helped shape her athletic career.

DONNIE BOYER, CLASS OF 2013

Donnie was a standout in every sport he participated in at Foxcroft Academy. In the fall, Donnie was a mainstay on the Pony football team. During his senior season, Donnie helped lead the Ponies to the Class C State Championship, rushed for close to 1,100 yards, and was named the LTC Player of the Year as a star running back and cornerback. In the winter, Donnie graced the track with indoor state championships in the 55m hurdles, long jump, and high jump. For one winter season, he set records that still stand for the FA swim team. And to top that, Donnie followed up those indoor performances with outdoor track success with league and state championships in triple jump, high jump, and hurdles. Needless to say, Donnie was a gifted athlete that left his mark on FA. Following high school, Donnie played college football at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh while he majored in economics.

Peter Chase ’79 and Joel Doore ’84

CLASS OF 2021 INDUCTEES

DECKER TODD, CLASS OF 1979

Decker Todd was, and still is, one of the best golfers to play for Foxcroft Academy. He was the Ponies' #1 golfer during his sophomore, junior, and senior years, qualifying as an individual for state competition. Following high school, Decker went on to Husson College, graduating in 1983, and was a celebrated golf team member. Over his four-year run playing golf for the Eagles, Decker was co-captain his sophomore year, and captain for his junior and senior seasons. He was a medalist at the NAIA District 5 Championships his sophomore year. His teams competed in NAIA Nationals in 1980, 81, and 82, and was nominated as Academic All-American by the Husson Athletic Director, and was inducted into Husson Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. Following that, Decker worked as Husson’s assistant golf coach from April 2005 until June 2007.

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SYDNEY MACKEY-HAGGERTY, CLASS OF 1992

Sydney had a standout athletic career on the fields and on the track for the Ponies. On the field, Sydney was co-captain of the 1991 State Championship Field Hockey team, the first in program history. Where Sydney really found her home was on the track. Over the course of her junior and senior years, she racked up win after win, taking home four Eastern Maine Championships for the indoor season and three regional championships for the outdoor season. In addition to that, she was State Champion in 1991 and 1992 for the 300-meter hurdles, and she finished state runner-up in the 100 hurdle race. At graduation, Sydney was awarded the Lap Lary Award, given to the top female student-athlete. Following graduation, she was a member of the University of Vermont women’s track team. Sadly, Sydney passed away in 2020, but she leaves a lasting legacy on athletics here at Foxcroft Academy, and her contributions are not unnoticed.

JOSH WITHEE, CLASS OF 2004

Josh was a standout three-sport athlete during his time at Foxcroft Academy. In the winter, Josh helped lead the Pony basketball team to three straight playoff appearances and was named to several Big East Conference postseason teams over his four years with the program. On the baseball field, Josh helped the Ponies to the 2002 State Championship game, the 2003 regional championship game, was named to several PVC postseason all-star teams, was the PVC player of the year, and a 2004 Mr. Baseball Finalist. But where Josh shined was on the Pony football team. As a starting quarterback for his final three seasons of high school, Josh helped his Pony squad, led by his coach and Dad, Paul, to a 31-4 record, winning the 2002 LTC Championship and capturing the 2003 State Championship with a win over Lisbon. He was named to several conference all-star teams and was the 2003 LTC Player of the Year. He was a Fitzpatrick Trophy semi-finalist and a quarterback and captain of the 2004 Lobster Bowl East Squad. Josh played baseball in college at Springfield College and came back to coach the Ponies on the gridiron during the 2007 season, another state championship season for FA. He mentions the 2003 Eastern Maine and State Championship games as highly memorable events for him and two perfect games as a pitcher, vs. Caribou and Nokomis. Josh credits his dad, Paul, and his basketball coach, David Carey, as those who were highly influential to him during his time at Foxcroft Academy and beyond.

RYAN REBAR, CLASS OF 2013

Ryan had a brilliant four-year run of athletics while at Foxcroft Academy. He was an outstanding wide receiver and cornerback for the Ponies. He was a member of the 2012 state championship team that beat Winslow 22-20 and was named to the 2013 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl team. During the winter, Ryan was a member of the Pony basketball team, playing as a guard. During his senior year, Foxcroft went into the playoffs as the #12 seed, but upset #5

Josh Withee ’04, Julia Annis ’15, Ryan Rebar ’13

Oceanside and #4 Caribou, before falling to the eventual regional champion, Medomak Valley, in the semifinals. Ryan also shined on the baseball diamond. As an all-state shortstop and pitcher, Ryan helped the Ponies win the 2012 Eastern Regional Championship, striking out 11 batters en route to the title. He was named the 2013 Dr. John Winkin Mr. Baseball Award winner during his senior year, a first-ever Foxcroft Academy recipient. Following high school, Ryan was a starter for the Husson University Eagles’ baseball team. He fondly remembers his five-interception game vs. MCI in 2011, the win in the Eastern Maine Championship basketball game, and the basketball playoff run his senior year. He credits Coaches White, Chevalier, and Carey as the people who significantly influenced his athletic career at both FA and beyond.

JULIA ANNIS, CLASS OF 2015

Julia had a great four years at Foxcroft Academy on the field, court, and pool. In the fall, she was a member of the field hockey team that captured the 2013 Class B State Championship. She was the offensive player of the year in both her junior and senior seasons and was an all-state selection both of those years. In the winter, Julia split her time on the court and in the pool, seeing success with both. In basketball, her teams made the playoffs as Julia was the team defensive player of the year and number two in rebounding in the conference. Julia saw tremendous success in the pool as she still holds team records in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. She was MVP of the swim team all four years and was a 2013 National Swim Qualifier. Following high school, Julia continued with athletics playing club field hockey, and competing in several half and full marathons. Her fondest memories are winning the State Championship in field hockey and playing basketball during her junior year when the Ponies made it to the Class B semifinals. She credits her coaches, Gene Philpot, Stephanie Higgins Smith ’88 and Blake Smith ’87, her Mom Jody Merrill Coy ’88 (the 2015 swim coach of the year), Lisa Clark, and Cathy Murray as those individuals that helped mold her into a strong student-athlete.

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