FOXCROFT
Volume No. XXXVI I Spring/Summer 2012
Wrestling team wins another state championship! See page 2 cover story
ATE! D E H T E SAV TO MEET FA ALUMNI K FIELD AT HADLOC TLAND FOR A POR AME SEADOG G LY 13 FRIDAY, JU
What’s New at Foxcroft Academy? An Interview with Head of School Arnold Shorey I’m excited to announce that ground was broken on the construction of our new on-campus dormitory, “The Lodge”, on the afternoon of April 10. Construction will continue through the spring and summer and will conclude by August 22. The new residence, which was designed by the firm of Higgins and Merriam and is being built by Bowman Brothers Construction, will house 36 boarding students and four faculty families during the 2012-2013 academic year. The construction of a new dorm does not represent an expansion of our boarding program, which will continue to include 90-100 students each year. During the most recent admission season, our administrative team learned that the vast majority of boarding students prefer to live on campus rather than with host parents or in off-campus dormitories. The primary objective of the construction project is to better serve the school’s current student population and to further strengthen a boarding program that has already proven to be highly beneficial to both the school and community. In other news, I am thrilled to announce that Gene Philpot recently received the Maine Principals’ Association “Unsung Heroine in Maine Sports Award”, an annual award given to individuals who are positive role models in high school sports in Maine. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient. Coach Philpot has been FA’s physical education/health teacher and field hockey coach for 35 years and has always put integrity first. She is a consummate professional and positive role model who despite having more than 350 varsity field hockey wins always deflects accolades and successes onto her players. She instills into her players fundamentals, hard work, proper techniques, and sportsmanship, and it’s no surprise that many of her players have gone on to play at the college level. It is often said that class is hard to define but that you know it when you see it. Coach Philpot is a class act. If there is an award that is perfectly fitted for an individual, it is this award. For the past 35 years, Coach Philpot has been FA’s unsung heroine.
Foxcroft Academy Board of Trustees President, Kenneth A. Hews ’65 Vice President, Richard B. Swett, M.D. Secretary, Hon. Kevin L. Stitham ’70 Treasurer, David S. Ruksznis ’65 Susan M. Almy Dr. Hillary Steinke Caruso ’96 Lynne Coy-Ogan, Ed.D. ’83 Peter W. Culley ’61 Jason W. Frederick ’94 E. Eugene Gammon ’47 H. Thomas Gerrish ’52 Norman E. Higgins Peter C. Ingraham ’80 Thomas K. Lizotte Raymond H. Poulin John E. Simko ’88 Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Ph.D ’92 Dan Wang John E. Wentworth John E. Wiles ’51
Honorary Trustees
Eric L. Annis ’74 William C. Bisbee, PA-C Dr. Robert Cobb Doris Gammon Coy ’64 Dr. William C. Forbes III Ralph Gabarro Rev. Bernard R. Hammond Elizabeth H. Harvey Donna Libby Hathaway ’66 Vandy Ellis Hewett ’75 Wayne O. Huff Laurie Gagnon Lachance ’79 Jane Hibbard-Merrill Louis O. Hilton David R. Perkins Lois Ward Reynolds ’54 Martha Green Rollins ’37 Douglas M. Smith ’65 Glenda Brown Smith
Foxcroft
Spring/Summer 2012 Editors: Mark Chevalier Cathy Hall Graphic Designer: Kate Morrison ’13 Printed by Creative Imaging The Foxcroft is published two times each year for alumni and friends of Foxcroft Academy. If you are receiving duplicate copies of the Foxcroft or have a change of address, please contact the Foxcroft Academy Alumni Office at 975 W. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
Class of 1961 gathered for their 50th reunion last summer
Student Activities 2. Cover Story 3. Winter Sports 4. FA News 6. Student Successes 7. Horizon Scholarships
Alumni News
8. Academic Hall of Fame 12. FA: Past and Present 14. Legacy Circle 15. In Memoriam 16. Rising Star - Christina Kurzius ’04 17. In Touch
Alumni Cont.
19. Alumni Bulletin Board 20. Alumni Weekend Schedule 21. Fundraiser for Central Hall 21. Alumni Nominations
Spring/Summer 2012
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Cover Story
They did it again! Ponies deliver Ayala his fourth state title
Final-round victories from Brooks Law, Forrest Law, Wes Stinson, and Corey Bjornson helped the Foxcroft Academy wrestling team erase a 5-point deficit in the championship round and emerge with a 157.5-148.5 edge over the Dexter Tigers at Fryeburg Academy on February 19, giving the Ponies their second consecutive state title and their fourth since 2004. The state title capped a brilliant postseason run for the Ponies, who also won the Eastern Regional Tournament and the PVC Championship Meet. The four individual state titles punctuated incredible seasons for Forrest Law, Brooks Law, Stinson, and Bjornson. Forrest (138 pounds), who placed third at the 2011 state meet, lost only twice all season and finishes his junior year as the PVC, Eastern Regional, and state champion. He outlasted Dexter’s Andrew Adams 4-2 in L-R: Corey (back), Forrest, Brooks, Wes the finals. Brooks punctuated a phenomenal freshman campaign by upsetting topseeded Tyler Salsbury of Dexter 3-2 to capture the 113-pound division. Stinson took care of Dexter’s Andrew Levenselor (3-0) in the 145-pound bracket to win his second straight state title. The junior, who also won his bracket at the Eastern Regionals and the PVC’s, lost only twice all season and will have an excellent chance to become a three-time state champ next year. Bjornson again showed that he does his best wrestling when everything is on the line. After exceeding all expectations to finish as the 171-pound division’s runner-up at last year’s state meet, the sophomore rolled to a state title at 182 with an emphatic 9-1 win over Dexter’s Anthony McLaughlin. Fourteen FA wrestlers qualified for the state meet - the most in Ayala’s career. The Ponies got huge boosts from senior Mark Smith (4th at 120), freshman Isaac Whittemore (3rd at 126), senior Trevor Weymouth (2nd at 132), senior Zach Smith (3rd at 170), and sophomore Corbyn Bruce (2nd at 195). The state title is the fourth for Coach Luis Ayala, who took over the FA program in 2000 and has twice been voted Maine Coach of the Year (2004 and 2011). “It has been an amazing year,” said Ayala. “The team came together at the end when it mattered most. They were not going to be denied! Wrestling can be a very individual sport, but something that we stress as coaches is the importance of team unity - the need to help your teammates at practice, to help each other be better, and to cheer each other on. I believe that was one of the things that led us to be state champions.” Ayala could not say enough about the work done by his four captains: Mark Smith, Trevor Weymouth, Forrest Law, and Zach Smith: “This season would not have been a success without the great leadership of our four captains. They were what kept the team on a straight path to the State Championship! A lot of responsibilities came with this position. They were in charge of leading the team in the runs, in the warm ups, in practice, and in making sure that everybody was doing what they were supposed to be doing in school. It was not an easy position because they were the first people to be questioned when things were not going the way they were supposed to be going. They took this position seriously and always led by example. Thank you Mark, Trevor, Forrest, Forrest in a match against Hermon and Zach Smith! You guys have shown what Foxcroft wrestling is all about!” Mark Smith, a two-time state champion who battled injuries all season, leaves Foxcroft as the all-time leader in wins. Smith’s 159 career wins best four-time state champion Jerod Rideout by one. Weymouth, a three-time state runner up, is not far behind: he walks away with a career record of 156-25. Zach Smith, who finished second at the state meet last year and third this year, closes out his career with 114 wins. The team’s fourth senior, Zach Evans, came out for wrestling this year and was, according to Ayala, “a big part of the team as he would always work hard at practice to make his teammates better. He improved so much as the season progressed.” While the future of the program remains very bright, Ayala knows it will be impossible to replace the contributions of these four seniors: “They leave a great legacy behind. It wasn’t always this way for these individuals. They have turned this program around to where it used to be - not only being dominant in the East Region but being the best in Maine. Their freshmen year they had a very young team and took their lumps in many defeats. They lost a lot of matches because they could not fill a full team on the mat, but they never lost hope and worked hard to not only achieve their personal goals but also the team goals. They have been leaders of Foxcroft Academy wrestling since their freshman year. Whenever they come back, they can look in the trophy case and in the gym at the banners and see what they have accomplished and be proud that they have set the standards for Foxcroft Wrestling.” Coaches - Duane Law, Luis Ayala and Terry Whittemore
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Student Activity
Winter Sports Roundup! Three-time state champion Cameron Fadley named Class B Swimmer of the Year Junior Cameron Fadley won both the 200 IM and the 100 Breaststroke at the Class B Boys’ State Swimming Championship at Bowdoin College. Fadley, who was named Swimmer of the Meet, destroyed the school records he set in the same two events at last year’s state meet, in which he placed first in the 200 IM and second in the 100 Breaststroke. Fadley was later voted the Maine Class B Swimmer of the Year. He won all 16 of his individual races during the high school season and now holds every school record except the 50 freestyle, which is still held by Donnie Boyer.
Girls’ swimming and diving team perfect in regular season The FA girls’ swimming team capped a perfect regular season by winning all 11 events on its way to a 103-63 win over Hampden Academy on February 1. Ashley Murray ’12 (200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle), Blake Dyer ’14 (200 IM and 100 Freestyle), Julia Annis ’15 (50 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke), Chelsie Oldfield ’12 (100 Butterfly), and Amber Murray ’12 (100 Backstroke) all won individual races in the victory over Hampden. The team went on to place third at the PVC Championship Meet and fifth out of 24 teams at the Class B State Swimming and Diving Championships at Bowdoin College. Kate Morrison ’13, who also bested a field of 22 divers to win the Irene Palmer Diving Invitational, was the state runner up in the 1 mtr Diving event.
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Track program on the rise The FA Indoor Track team had one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. Despite enrollment numbers a few years ago that jeopardized the future of the program, it has now risen to become a contender in Eastern Maine Class B. The boys finished 18-9 on the regular season and the girls 11-16, finishing fifth and eighth, respectively, in the 14-team league. The boys also finished fifth in Eastern Maine (and second in Class B) at the EMITL Championship Meet and placed seventh overall at the Class B Indoor State Meet (29 teams represented), the best finish by an FA indoor track team in 11 years. Individual accolades for the season included First-Team All-Conference selections for junior Donnie Boyer in the High Jump and Triple Jump and Second-Team selections for freshman Fern Morrison in the 800m and Boyer in the 55m hurdles. Donnie had a distinguished season, scoring a total of 163 points. Donnie Boyer
Kendall has sensational senior year Hilary Kendall, who was a double-double machine all year for the Ponies, earned a First-Team All-Big East selection and scored a game-high 17 points for the “Blue” team in the senior All-Star game.
Murray Coach of the Year again Cathy Murray was named the Class B Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year for the second straight year. In three seasons as FA’s head coach, Murray has coached the girls’ team to a combined 18-2 regular season record.
. . . to access the new Foxcroft Academy online store.
Foxcroft Academy's online store now open for business
If you’re looking for high-quality, fully-customizable Foxcroft Academy products, look no further: thanks to the efforts of Student Council, Arnold Shorey, and Tim Smith, FA now has its own online store. Spring/Summer 2012
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News Around the Academy... Music Program continues to to grow
Shane Ellis’s Music Department is on the rise and now includes six part-time faculty members. Margery Aumann (Advanced Piano), Arnold Poland (Private Instructor, all instruments and voice), Susan Ramsey (String Program Director), Kaitlin David (Choral Director and Beginner Piano), Dave Roberts (Brass Ensemble Director), and Pete McGuire (Guitar Instruction) are all members of FA’s impressive music program. Mr. Ellis directs Band, Choir, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, Select Choir, and Orchestra, and he also teaches Music History, Theory, and Technology. To see archives of recent performances or learn more about the music program, check out foxcroftacademymusic.org.
Early-decision acceptance letters pour in for Class of 2012
iPad initiative continues to attract attention Educators from lands near and far continue to show a keen interest in the progress of Foxcroft Academy’s 1:1 iPad implementation. In January, 30 educators from around the state visited the Academy for an iPad conference. The day began in the library with a comprehensive presentation by Assistant Head of School for Academics Jon Pratt, who discussed many of the challenges and successes of the iPad implementation and provided advice to schools considering a 1:1 program. The visitors—who came from Boothbay Regional High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, Hampden Academy, Lawrence High School, Maine Central Institute, and Mount Desert Island High School—were then free to visit classrooms for the next three periods, where they were able to observe iPad-based learning in action and chat with teachers and students. About a month prior, FA hosted a small group of Australian educators who were visiting a few schools in the US in order to gain information that will help them work with high schools in Australia planning to take advantage of government funding for 1:1 technology programs. Maine is known internationally for its longstanding success in 1:1 technology vis-a-vis the MLTI program. FA was targeted in particular because it remains the only high school in the state to implement a 1:1 iPad program. “It’s great to meet educators who are also working with 1:1 iPad programs,” said Pratt. “And it’s nice to hear that our experiences at FA are aligning with those of schools from around the world.”
Foxcroft Academy inks deal with Adidas
During this year’s Foxcroft Academy has early-decision colsigned a five-year contract lege application with Adidas, becoming the process, FA seniors first high school in Maine received 15 acceptance letters from to negotiate a full partschools ranked in nership with the world’s the top 100 of the second-biggest sports2012 U.S. News’ wear manufacturer. The Counselors Angela Smart-Davis, Lee Pearsall, Kandi Martin university rankings. Academy will receive 35 The early-decision percent off all Adidas products in exchange for hanging acceptances came from #12 Northwestern Univeran Adidas banner in all athletic venues and eventually sity (Jason Lee), #20 Emory University (Echo Peng using Adidas apparel for all team uniforms. and Jiayang Lu), #25 Wake Forest University (Soki Du), #25 University of Virginia (Joyce Jia), #31 Boston College (Chris Shorey), #38 Case Western Reserve (Candy Song), #45 University of Illinois at Urbana Champlain (Joyce Jia), #62 Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Ethan Bryand and Soki Du), #71 University of Iowa (Suezy Chen), #71 Michigan State University (Lisa Yang), #75 Colorado School of Mines (Maitland Bell), #75 Indiana University at Bloomington (UB Qiu), and #82 University of Denver (UB Qiu). Lee Pearsall, Director of Counseling Services, said this is by far the most successful early-decision period she’s seen in her eight years at FA. “This is just a very talented senior class,” said Pearsall. “They’re an intelligent, academically-focused group that is also heavily involved in extracurricular activities. So many of them are involved in music, theater, photography, and other artistic pursuits, and we expect them to make the same contributions to their college campuses that they’ve made at FA over the past four years.”
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FA partners with Center Theatre to put on “Community Film Festival”
The Misadventures of Pat Fringle, a film that FA students and faculty worked on for more than a year, premiered at the first annual “Community Film Festival” at Center Theatre on January 21. The 45-minute comedy stars Chris Shorey and Alex Clark and features a breakout performance from social studies teacher Brett Almasi. The festival also featured seven short films from FA’s current filmmaking students and seven photography exhibitions from students working on photojournalism independent studies. Foxcroft Academy’s filmmaking program was started last year by Glenn Hodgkinson, Mark Chevalier, and Stephanie Chevalier after Head of School Arnold Shorey approved the idea. All class films can be viewed by searching “Foxcroft Films” on YouTube.
Unstoppable senior class dominates Winter Carnival The Class of 2012 captured six of nine events and cruised to an easy victory at Winter Carnival held during the first week of March. The seniors have now won both Homecoming and Winter Carnival in each of the past two years. The seniors raced to a big early lead by winning the day’s first four events: Tug of War, dodgeball, Quiz Bowl, and volleyball. They sealed their victory by delivering wins in the skits and snow sculpture competitions. The sophomores used a strong finish (victories in the relay races and basketball tournament) to secure a second-place finish. The juniors, who won the board game competition and were the only class to defeat the faculty basketball team, finished third.
Parsons making sure local children have a Merry Christmas For the second straight year, FA senior Lauren Parsons brought the Penquis Community Action Program’s “Take a star and grant a wish” Angel Tree to Foxcroft Academy. The Angel Tree held 60 stars, with each star containing a request for a pair of boots, a jacket, a toy, or a household item for a local child. All 60 stars disappeared within a day or two.
Not your average Snowman Sophomores Ryan Wang and Selina Guo celebrated an early snow storm by spending a good part of Thanksgiving afternoon crafting their version of Moai, the monolithic human figures that were carved from rock on Easter Island sometime between the years 1250 and 1500.
Math team wins Eastern Maine championship The FA Math Team locked down the Class B Eastern Maine championship with its performance at Bangor High School on March 7, the fifth and final meet of the regular season. Coach Wayne Strout’s Ponies finished the regular season undefeated for the fourth straight year. Following the meet, three Ponies received special recognition for their outstanding performances throughout the regular season. Jason Lee finished second in cumulative points among all seniors in Eastern Maine while Joyce Jia (third) and Jason Lee ’12 Echo Peng (fifth) also finished in the top five.
Latin I team repeats as certamen champions Last fall, Peter Hartel’s Latin students joined more than 350 students from 14 schools at Hampden Academy for the Maine Junior Classical League’s fall convention. Teams competed in a jeopardy-style game called certamen, in which four students per team answered questions on any topic related to Latin or the ancient world. Led by Winnie Li ’13, Sam Keane ’14, Leah Word ’14, and Katie Buerger ’14, FA repeated as champions in the Latin I certamen, crushing the competition Kate Morrison ’13 and with 285 points. Atticus Dennis ’13
Spring/Summer 2012
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Student Successes
Keane ready to take leadership skills to next level
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” -Bill Cosby
Cody, Shorey, Thomas, and Murray selected as PVC Scholar Athletes
Students turn Plouff Conference Room into green screen studio
Seniors Rachel Cody, Chris Shorey, Brent Thomas, and Amber Murray were recently honored at the Penobscot Valley Conference Scholar Athlete Banquet. A PVC Scholar Athlete must letter in at least one varsity sport and carry a grade average of 90 or above. Athletic directors from each school in the PVC can nominate two male and two female seniors for the award. “These four young men and women are outstanding student-athletes,” said Foxcroft Athletic Director Tim Smith. “I was proud to bring them to this event and have them recognized amongst their peers in the conference.”
Earlier this year, budding filmmakers James Birtwistle ’12 and Sam Phillips ’13 set up a green screen studio in the Plouff Conference Room at FA. The talented duo made this magic happen with a huge piece of green fabric, a background support stand, a few powerful fluorescent lights, some odds and ends picked up from a local hardware store, a lot of trial and error, and some expertise with Final Cut Pro editing software.
Chris Shorey receives MPA Principal's Award Foxcroft Academy senior Chris Shorey has been selected to receive the 2012 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship. “Chris has distinguished himself in the classroom, on the playing field, and as a strong leader in the school and community,” noted Jon Pratt, Assistant Head of School for Academics. “We are proud to have Chris represent Foxcroft Academy.”
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Foxcroft Academy sophomore Sam Keane was selected as this year’s nominee for the 2012 Maine Youth Leadership Seminar to be held at the University of Southern Maine campus from May 17-20. Each spring, Maine Youth Leadership (MYL) invites a sophomore “ambassador” from every Maine public and private high school to participate in the seminar.
Hobbs honored for performance at MPA One-Act Festival Foxcroft Academy junior Savannah Hobbs received an All-Festival Cast Acting Award for her performance as Louise in Haiku at the MPA One-Act Play Festival in Skowhegan. Director Bobby Keniston ’96 said that Savannah’s award was much deserved and that “each of the judges commented on her ability to stay in character and praised her detailed performance of an autistic person.”
Artists and filmmakers collaborate to win statewide video contest A short film created by Shinsuke Mikame ’12, Robert Trotter ’12, Holly Leonhardt ’12, and Julian Quinn ’13 was selected as the winner of the most recent WatchMECreate video challenge, a contest open to all students in Maine. This particular challenge was called Watch Me Use the Arts, and FA’s winning entry centered around the painting of a mural in the school’s Business Office. Mikame, Tina Li ’12, Emily Yang ’12, Leonhardt, and Phuong Dang ’14 were the artists. Mikame was the driving force behind the entire project. Each student will receive an iPod Nano, and the group will also receive $500 to support their vision of how Foxcroft Academy can use the arts to further student learning. This is back-toback victories for students from FA. Last spring Alex Clark won WatchMECreate’s Watch Me Teach challenge with his short film about graffiti.
Horizon Scholars report National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine
Last summer, Kylie Sands ’12 attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine held in Boston. She learned about medical field professions, medical ethics, procedures, the life of a resident, and preventative medicine. While at the forum she had the opportunity to visit Harvard Medical School, where she was given a tour by a fourth-year medical student. On the tour, she went into labs, lecture halls, and research buildings. She was also one of 12 students who were able to visit Boston University Hospital. At the hospital they spent most of their time in the radiology and diagnostic imaging department, Kylie’s planned major for college. The forum was held at a Sheraton hotel, so when they weren’t at Harvard Square, the Freedom Trail, hospital visits, or at a medical school, they were at Kylie pictured on far left the hotel in the conference rooms. The 400 students in attendance were divided into 16 smaller groups. Those times when they were in their smaller groups they were working together on projects such as diagnosing a medical case file, learning how to take a patient’s medical history, discussing controversial medical ethics issues of today, and even learning simple procedures like suturing and taking a patient’s blood pressure. They also had guest speakers about every other day. Some of the speakers were people living with HIV and AIDS, residents at hospitals, an orthopedic surgeon who explained what was happening as they watched a total knee replacement live, and even a journalist who produces documentary films about women’s health issues in developing nations. Kylie says that her trip to Boston was an eye-opening experience when it comes to seeing what the medical profession is really like. She also notes that she was able to grow more independent from her family by being on her own in another state for ten days. She loved getting to know students who shared the same interests that she does and becoming friends with most of them. Attending the forum allowed her to go outside her comfort zone and experience a new city with many different cultures. She highly recommends attending the forum to any student interested in medicine and thanks the Horizon Scholarship Program for the opportunity.
Why Horizon Scholarships? by Molly Cyr ’09
In the spring of 2008, I received a Horizon Scholarship for a summer trip to France. With the help of my French teacher, Teresa Brzustowicz, I stayed with a host family for a month; my goal was to become more proficient in French. I had an incredible trip – learning the language and learning about myself – however, the trip only whetted my appetite for travel and study of the French language. During the trip, I realized that I truly wanted to become proficient in French and for that reason, when I entered college at Wellesley, I started taking French courses my first semester. This semester I am studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France for roughly seven months; what an adventure it has already been! I once again chose to live in a host family and this choice has helped me to improve my French speaking skills. Additionally, I am enrolled directly in the local university and therefore am writing, speaking and reading in French for all of my courses. The program that I am participating in through Wellesley provides academic support and guidance, but it is an incredible challenge to function completely in a language that is not your own. Although difficult, I love life in France; one of the brightest spots in my week is my theater class; it has been one of the most intimidating yet fulfilling experiences. I have made some true friends from the students in my group and it is gratifying to be integrated into the student community in Aix-en-Provence. I will be in France for several more months – exploring, learning, travelling – I am convinced that my initial trip to France, thanks in part to the Horizon Scholarship, opened me to the possibilities of travel and learning internationally. I am excited for the new and coming adventures that await me! If you would like to follow my adventures, go to http://lavieenmollyrose.blogspot.com/. Spring/Summer 2012
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Alumni News
Academic H
This winter we asked alumni, community members, parents, and faculty (past and present) to nominate Foxcroft Academy alumni who demonstrated “success at Foxcroft Academy through academics and/or visual and performing arts, leading to notable accomplishments in a chosen career path.” The selection committee then drew from a large pool of candidates generated by these nominations, eventually selecting eight outstanding members for the inaugural class. An induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 5:00 P.M. in the FA gymnasium. Because the Academy aspires to connect great students of the present with those of the past, this ceremony will be held in conjunction with the presentation of the Rose Awards to the Class of 2012’s outstanding scholars.
David Mallett, Class of 1969 In the millennium edition of the Bangor Daily News, Dave Mallett was named along with Marshall Dodge, Andrew Wyeth, E.B. White, Stephen King, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and others as one of the most memorable Mainers of the 20th century. In addition to releasing 14 albums in a professional musical career that has spanned nearly four decades, Dave’s pen has provided material for an eclectic list of artists that includes Pete Seeger, Alison Kraus, Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, and the Muppets. His tune “Garden Song” is an American folk classic and has been recorded more than 150 times (notably by both Denver and Arlo Guthrie). The readers of Folkwax voted him “2003 Artist of the Year” and his album Artist in Me as “2003 Album of the Year”. Dave has toured consistently in folk clubs, concert halls, and festivals for 30 years, and he returned to Maine in 1997 after moving to Nashville in the early 1990’s. He frequently performs with violinist Susan Ramsey (currently the FA String Program Director) and bassist Michael Burd. Laurie Gagnon Lachance, Class of 1979
Laurie Lachance was the valedictorian of her class, participated in band (All-State), chorus, and dance band all four years at FA, played field hockey, basketball, and tennis, and was involved in Student Council and yearbook production. She earned a B.A. in Economics at Bowdoin College, where she was a James Bowdoin Scholar, and completed an MBA at Thomas College. Laurie has won many awards, including the Governor Kenneth M. Curtis Leadership Award, the Thomas College Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Award, and FA’s Dr. Mary Chandler Lowell Award. In 2009 She was inducted into the Deborah Morton Society and this May will receive an honorary degree at the University of Maine at Presque Isle graduation. Laurie spent several years working as Central Maine Power’s Corporate Economist, was appointed the Maine State Economist by three different governors, and is currently the president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports a high quality of life for all Maine people by empowering leaders, strengthening communities, and guiding public policy. “I have loved every single job, and my career has given me a chance to get to know people around the entire state, which is very fun and rewarding,” she said. (Editor’s note: Laurie has just been named the first female president of Thomas College and will be starting this new positon on July 1!)
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
Anybody who knows me or has heard me speak around the state knows how incredibly proud I am of my hometown and of Foxcroft Academy. It has definitely shaped my life and grounded me in so many ways. I treasure my friendships, and I long to return to Sebec Lake each year and to Alumni Weekend to see everybody and experience small town Maine. There are several teachers at FA for whom I have the greatest respect and who motivated and inspired me to be my very best. I can’t begin to imagine a more wonderful place to learn and grow.
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Hall of Fame Dean Smith, Class of 1986 In addition to his many great athletic accomplishments at Foxcroft Academy (Athletic Hall of Fame:
Class of 2011), Dean Smith was valedictorian, a First Place finisher in chemistry at the State Science Fair, a participant in Dirigo Boys State, and a member of the University of Maine Pulp and Paper program. A series of academic scholarships enabled Dean to enter the Electrical Engineering program at the University of Maine’s College of Engineering free of charge. Dean was a three-time Academic All-American at the University of Maine from which he graduated with a 3.89 GPA, and was a recipient of the NCAA’s Walter Byers Award, given in recognition of the top male student-athlete in the nation. The “Dean Smith/Graduate M-Club Scholarship” is now given each year to the top-ranking male and female student-athlete at the University of Maine. Dean worked as an electrical engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI from 1991-1998, was the Director of Systems Engineering at the Sensor Research and Development Corporation in Orono from 1998-2005, and was a technology transfer specialist at the University of Maine Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology from 2005-2007. Since 2007, he has been the owner and Vice President for Engineering at Orono Spectral Solutions. His engineering responsibilities include management, coordination, research, development, and commercialization of detection technologies for chemical and biological sensing for the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and commercial applications.
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
There can be no question that Foxcroft Academy and the community therein has been and continues to be a contributor to the successes in my life. The preparation (educational, athletic, and personal) that I was provided during my time at FA gave me significant advantages over my peers in my pursuit of being the best student-athlete that I could be at the University of Maine. In particular I need to point to my math and science instructors for imparting their knowledge – and more importantly their approach to forming successful study/ research habits necessary for advanced learning. I am proud of FA and choose to live in this area so as to give my children access to the enhanced opportunities that FA provides.
Chad Poland, Class of 1991 Chad Poland graduated third in his class and was a four-year member of the band, jazz band, chorus (All-State, 1991), soccer team (captain and first player in school history to be named First Team All-State), and outdoor track team (Penquis League champs 1998-1999 and state runners up in 1991). He also twice played the lead role in the school musical, finished third in the shot-put at the indoor track state meet, and spent the summer of 1990 in Norway through the AFS Intercultural Program. Chad first attended Bates College, where he captured the lead role in Fiddler on the Roof and played rugby both for the Bobcats and for a private club in France while spending a semester abroad, and then finished his studies at Northern Arizona University, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Liberal Arts (emphasis in Physics with a secondary emphasis in Philosophy). He earned a Master of Divinity at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1999 and was ordained in the United Church of Christ later that year. Chad served several years in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and was active in the Congregational Christians Churches of Maine (CCCME) and subsequently the Mid-America Congregational Fellowship (MACF). He has won several awards as a professional, including the NACCC Marion Bradshaw Award for Commitment to Congregationalism and the Emporia Gazette “Pastor of the Year” award. Chad has served as Pastor at the Dover Foxcroft Congregational Church and has been a Center Theatre Board Member since 2011. How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
Being very active in extra-curricular activities and a child of a former faculty member, Foxcroft Academy was truly a second home. I have many fond memories of time spent there: in the band room, on the stage, on the athletic field, and yes, even in the classroom. My education there laid a foundation that served me well in college, career, and community. I am very pleased to be back in central Maine and honored to be serving the Dover Foxcroft Congregational Church, U.C.C. My wife (Emily Rollins Poland ’92) and I look forward to building new relationships and restoring old ones. We hope to be a part of this community for years to come and support those who, along with us, call it home. Spring/Summer 2012
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Hall of Fame continued... Stephen Witmer, Class of 1994 Stephen Witmer was the valedictorian of his class, a National Merit Scholar, and the president of both the FA chorus and the National Honor Society. He graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College (IL) in 1998 and was the recipient of the Wheaton College President’s Scholarship. He also graduated summa cum laude from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity, Master of Theology) in 2003 and earned a doctorate in New Testament Studies from the University of Cambridge in 2007. Stephen is currently the pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship (www.PCFchurch.org) in Pepperell, MA and an adjunct professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA (www.gordonconwell.edu). After earning his Ph.D., Stephen lectured for a year at the University of Cambridge and has given talks in the United States and internationally, to students at Harvard University and the University of Manchester (UK), among other places. His academic monograph “Divine Instruction in Early Christianity” was published in 2008, and he has written a popular study guide called Jonah: The Depths of Grace (2011) and many articles in both academic and popular journals. He is a Fellow of the Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology, a Fellow of the Cambridge Overseas Trust, a member of the editorial board for the journal Themelios, and an ordained minister with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
Foxcroft Academy provided a wonderful education and a great launching point for my future endeavors. I am grateful for FA’s academic excellence - the true treasure of FA is its outstanding faculty. But I’m also thankful for the friendships I enjoyed with classmates and the many experiences I had outside the classroom. I think especially of participating in band and chorus, and in the annual musicals (“Guys and Dolls” and “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum”). It’s an honor to be included in the inaugural class of the Foxcroft Academy Hall of Fame.
Andrew Witmer, Class of 1994 Andrew Witmer was salutatorian of his class, a National Merit Scholar finalist, vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of the Scott Hi-Q academic quiz team, a First Place winner at the Maine State Science Fair, and a recipient of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. He also participated in a yearlong gifted and talented writing program and in many music ensembles, musicals, and plays. Andrew graduated summa cum laude from Taylor University in 1998 with a B.A. in History and Philosophy. He has since earned an M.A. (2002) and Ph.D. (2008) in History from the University of Virginia and has completed Postdoctoral Fellowships at UVA (Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture) and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Humanities Forum). He has worked in journalism, including a job with “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio, and has been an Assistant Professor of History at James Madison University since the summer of 2010, specializing in 19th-century U.S. history. Andrew’s scholarly publications include five articles or book chapters, four encyclopedia entries, and numerous book reviews, and he is currently completing a book manuscript based on his dissertation.
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
I loved being a student at FA, and a big part of the reason was the faculty and staff. So many of them found their own way to sharpen my thinking or enrich my imagination. I remember doing a census of trees in the woods behind the school, falling under the spell of Greek mythology and Shakespeare, floating a homemade boat down the Piscataquis River, visiting Augusta for a class on American politics, playing Benny Southstreet in a production of Guys and Dolls, discovering that Roman poetry could be hilarious, visiting the Statue of Liberty and Broadway on a band trip, and making my own baseball bat on a lathe. When I look back on all of this, especially now that I’m a teacher myself, I marvel at the energy and creativity that went into offering these and many other opportunities for learning and exploration. It’s truly extraordinary, and I can so easily trace the lasting results in my life. My teachers at FA prepared me extremely well for the intellectual challenges of college and graduate school. They also showed that learning can be fun and even exhilarating. I experienced great kindness from janitors, librarians, coaches, administrators, and teachers. I’m now trying to pass along similar values to my own students and children.
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FOXCROFT ACADEMY
Heidi Ryder Bray, Class of 1994
Heidi Bray graduated fourth in her class, was a National Honor Society member, and received the Maine Principals’ Association Principal’s Award in 1994. She was elected class treasurer her junior and senior years and was involved in many extracurricular activities, including field hockey, basketball, tennis, Key Club, musical theater, one-act plays, chorus, vocal ensemble, Latin Club, gifted and talented dance, and PALS. She was also a member of a team of trained peer listeners who helped resolve conflicts between students when traditional intervention by administrators failed to work. Additionally, she was active in the Congregational Church and volunteered at Hibbard Nursing Home when time allowed. Heidi attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry (cum laude). She was awarded a Presidential Honor Academic Scholarship from the college all four years, attended honors classes, and participated in Circle K while also working to help finance her education. After graduation, Heidi returned to Maine and was hired by the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to assist in managing anadromous fish in the Androscoggin River watershed. She later trained in database management and development, which led to her present position as scientist III at DMR, overseeing the Commercial Landings Program, Marine Recreational Information Program, and the groundfish programs. She received the Manager of the Year award in 2011 for DMR.
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
Foxcroft Academy was a very important part of my life. My diverse experiences at FA-- academics, sports, fine arts, and leadership opportunities--along with the support and encouragement of faculty and administration, helped me to gain confidence in myself and my abilities and gave me a solid academic foundation that has allowed me to pursue a career that I love. My father was Head of School during those years, and I feel blessed to have him as a part of those memories. Those early experiences at FA will remain with me forever.
Stacy Stitham, Class of 1998
While at FA, Stacy Stitham was a U.S. Presidential Scholar, the president of Student Council and the National Honor Society, and a three-time First Place winner at the Maine State Science Fair. She also won the Princeton Book Award, served as a co-captain of the Scott Hi-Q Team, and participated in the drama program for four years (named MVP her senior year). Stacy graduated magna cum laude with an A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard College, where she also received the John Harvard Scholarship for Academic Achievement of the Highest Distinction and the Harvard College Scholarship for Academic Excellence. She then headed straight to Harvard Law School, where she earned her J.D. (cum laude) and served as a senior editor for the Harvard Environmental Law Review and a staff member for the Harvard Human Rights Journal. Stacy spent one year as a judicial law clerk to a federal district judge in Bangor and in 2006 became a litigation attorney at Brann & Isaacson (Lewiston), where she is now a partner. She focuses on intellectual property and tax litigation on behalf of leading internet retailers and e–commerce firms. She has published a number of legal articles and also acts as co–counsel pro bono for Natural Resources Council of Maine in federal and state administrative proceedings and litigation to protect Maine’s environment and natural resources.
How did your time at FA contribute to your success later in life?
What I most appreciated about Foxcroft Academy during my time there was the strong, supportive community spirit that I encountered. As a “semi-private” institution, in the late 1990’s, Foxcroft straddled the needs of the local community as well as those of students from outside the district limits - hailing from Harmony, Maine to Berlin, Germany and beyond. The result was an environment that was more open to change and to new ways of doing things, and one which took significant pride in fostering the athletic, artistic, and academic achievements of its students. At the time, Foxcroft may not have had every advanced placement course for the taking, just as it may not have had the bandwidth to include on its roster every club and after school activity one could dream up. But its breadth of offerings was (and remains) unparalleled in central/northern Maine, and, even above and beyond those offerings, the faculty and administration were always willing to listen, and to provide independent study support or club assistance, to those students with an eagerness to expand their opportunities and horizons - Dawn MacPherson-Allen’s AIDS Team springs to mind. So, Gary Larson may not have been entirely sure what I was up to with that open Calculus II book in the back of his Advanced Placement Calculus course, and Rusty Willette and I never quite synced our schedules during my independent study of European History - but I am indebted to both of them, and to the many other faculty members and administrators who supported me during my years of attendance. Likewise, I’ll never forget the genuine enthusiasm and shared pride that the student body took in each academic accomplishment. That, far more than any particular award or recognition, is what I remember about Foxcroft. Spring/Summer 2012
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Foxcroft Academy:
From Louis Stevens ’49 in 2002: For 92 years from 1860 to 1952, this wooden building located in Monument Square housed the students and faculty of Foxcroft Academy. It had replaced the first Academy building which had occupied the same site from 1823-1860. The front was enlarged and the portico added in 1906. (Photo from Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society)
The first Pony football team
The orchestra 100 years ago
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FOXCROFT ACADEMY
2011 football team ready to take on Dexter
The orchestra at the 2011 Christmas concert
Past and Present
From Louis Stevens ’49 in 2002: It was 50 years ago during the school and basketball vacation week of Feb. 18-22, 1952, that 14 faculty members, one secretary, and about 225 students of Foxcroft Academy moved “bag and baggage”, so to speak, from the old wooden building in Monument Square to the new brick structure about a mile up the Guilford road on outer West Main St.. (Photo is of FA in 2012 and was taken by John You ’13.)
The girls’ basketball team nearly 100 years ago
2011-2012 girls’ basketball team
The baseball team nearly 100 years ago
2011 baseball team at the Eastern Maine finals Spring/Summer 2012
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The Legacy Circle
Members of the Legacy Circle Priscilla Ames Berberian ’48* Bessie L. Bush Herbert & Astrid Peterson Cronin ’54 Walter and Mildred Hall Ebersteen ’32 * John W. Ellery* Rebecca Rowe Engdahl ’52 Berta Washburn Fitzgerald ’39* Edger E. Gammon ’47 Paul Gates ’20 and Olive Lee ’23* Donna Libby Hathaway ’66 Dione Williams Hutchinson ’50 John J. Klimavicz ’53 Frank T. Knaut ’70* Yoriko McClure Barbara Livermore Morrison ’36* Woodrow Evans Page* Margaret Bradford Patzner ’65 Louis Philpot ’30* Lois Ward Reynolds ’54 Frederick J. Robbins ’41 Douglas M. Smith ’65 Miriam F. Smith Kevin & Jane Hayes Stitham ’70, ’73 Muriel Philpot Watson ’25* Earl M. Wiley ’39 James L. Williams ’51 Judge and Mrs. Matthew Williams* * Indicates deceased
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FOXCROFT ACADEMY
The Legacy Circle of Foxcroft Academy recognizes, honors, and thanks alumni, parents, and friends who have made direct provisions for Foxcroft Academy in their wills, named FA as beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or who have included FA in a charitable trust. Planned gifts to the endowment ensure that Foxcroft Academy will continue to be strong and financially secure for years to come. Gifts to the endowment also allow the Academy to offer a quality of educational programming that exceeds what tuition revenues alone can provide. The school’s current endowment of $3.7 million is no longer adequate to meet the needs of a school the size of Foxcroft. As an independent school the Academy is not eligible for any state capital construction funds; therefore, the endowed funds of the Academy play a critical role in protecting its future. A bequest or trust of any size qualifies an individual for membership in the Legacy Circle. While the donor is not required to notify the school of the size of the intended gift, donors should note that they may establish a named fund or a restricted purpose fund, and that such intentions should be discussed with the school before establishing the estate plan so that the donor’s wishes can be met. Donors may choose to remain anonymous, but public membership in the Legacy Circle often helps others give further consideration to their own support of this important need. All planned gifts such as a bequest are added to the school’s permanent endowed fund. Trustees receive a 5% income distribution from endowed funds annually, leaving the principal intact and growing. Endowed scholarship funds such as Horizon Scholarships and Academic Aspirations Scholarships benefit students while they are still attending Foxcroft. If you would like more information on the various ways to include the Academy in your estate plans or on how to establish a named endowed fund, please contact Cathy Hall. If you have already made plans to include the Academy in your estate plan and would like us to place your name as a member of the Legacy Circle, please let us know.
In Memoriam Foxcroft Academy wishes to extend sympathy to the families of the following alumni and friends. Leone Plummer Vaughan ’29 5/27/11 Leona Emerson Butler ’32 8/12/11 Rachel Speed Dustin ’34 12/18/11 Helen Warren Grey ’35 9/7/11 Gail Weatherbee Lincoln ’36 8/23/11 Dwight Merrill ’36 4/10/11 Robert Washburn ’36 10/31/11 Selma Bonsey Howell ’37 12/30/11 Margaret Sanborn Webber ’37 2/7/12 Beth Gilman Dexter ’38 4/6/11 Keith Decker ’39 10/12/11 Berta Washburn Fitzgerald ’39 2/15/12 Laura Murch Pratt ’39 12/1/11 Ed Severance ’39 2/1/11 Ruth Woodard Shuman ’40 5/2/11 Margaret Palmer Goulette ’41 2/12/12 Maxine McCready Wells ’43 1/8/12 Muriel Thompson Brown ’44 11/25/11 William W. Mitchell ’44 7/8/11 Marilyn Curtis Harvey ’45 12/11/11 Stephen Law ’45 10/30/11 Aubrey “Bud” Philpot ’45 1/18/12 Barbara Lunt Tyson ’45 6/5/11
Gloria Woodard Burgess ’46 4/18/11 Carol Burdick Burrill ’46 6/9/11 Camille Levasseur ’46 2/17/11 Priscilla Ames Berberian ’48 6/1/11 Paul Lovejoy ’49 2/4/12 Betty Pinkerton Nutter ’49 9/25/11 Joan Butler Foss ’51 5/12/11 Dean Goodwin ’51 9/9/11 Paul Page ’51 7/27/11 Carolyn Knowlton Doore ’52 6/8/11 Wallace Evans ’52 11/23/11 Connie Anderson Wright ’53 12/14/11 Nathan Hall ’54 9/16/11 Ernest Bonsey ’57 1/21/12 Brenda Thorne Etheridge ’57 11/1/10 Artella Copeland Moody ’57 7/10/11 Kenneth Murch ’57 4/24/11 Glenna Collette Bearce ’58 6/16/11 Meredith Thomas Bickmore ’61 9/3/11 Sylvia Cummings Tibbetts ’62 7/28/11 Benjamin Howard ’61 10/12/11 Sally Hichborn Page ’64 6/28/11 Roger Perkins ’65 5/4/11
James S. Merrill ’65 Donna Strout Mallett ’69 Kurt Fair ’70 Bill Burtchell ’80 Rory Schmand ’82 Lucinda Jones ’83 Michael Curtis ’84 Jarod Copeland ’93 Ryan Mayo ’09 Sam Snyder Holcomb ’10
6/8/11 12/22/11 9/2/11 1/2/12 10/12/11 11/20/11 11/29/11 11/13/11 5/1/11 3/5/12
Friends of Foxcroft Academy Gary Wakeland - former faculty member 8/13/11 Jane Annis - 2/4/12 Helen Dillen Stitham -Honorary Trustee 11/25/11 Fred Peters - 4/7/12
Dover-Foxcroft Loses Three Long Time Residents Three of Dover-Foxcroft’s finest ladies departed from us this past fall and winter: Honorary Trustee Helen Dillen Stitham, Berta Washburn Fitzgerald ’39, and Margaret Sanborn Webber ’37. Over the years these women dedicated countless hours to the community while also raising their families. A Trustee Board member for 20 years, Helen Stitham and her husband Linus “Doc” had five children who all graduated from Foxcroft Academy. Helen was an active member of many local service organizations, including the Maine Lung Association, Mayo Hospital Volunteers, and Literacy Volunteers. Her dedication to Foxcroft Academy was recognized by her husband when in her honor he created the Helen Dillen Stitham Valedictorian Award, given to the valedictorian of the graduating class. Helen Stitham The middle child of Fred and Hattie Washburn (out of nine) Bertha “Berta” Fitzgerald passed away in February at the age of 90. She had a very fulfilling high school experience and often spoke of her wonderful years growing up in Dover-Foxcroft. She and her husband Tom spent many wonderful years summering at Sebec Lake and upon retirement bought the house on West Main Street that her father and Tom’s brother built. She was the first senior exercise leader at the YMCA and loved teaching line dancing. Dancing ragtime for the Arcady Summer Concerts was another love of hers. The Washburn Scholarship Fund was created several years ago by the family in honor of their parents and at Berta’s request; gifts in her memory were given to this fund. Bertha Fitzgerald A true homemaker in every sense of the word, Margaret Sanborn Webber and her husband Ward’s lives revolved around their children: Mary Webber Frederick ’67 and Dianne Webber LaPointe ’61. Margaret spent many years teaching children to play the piano and derived tremendous enjoyment from caring for her grandchildren. She was a Girl Scout leader and loved knitting mittens for others. Her favorite place was at the cottage on Sebec Lake. Because of their love for Foxcroft Academy, in 2005 Margaret and Ward created the W. Ward and Margaret Sanborn Webber Scholarship Fund to benefit a graduating senior with his or her post-secondary education. A gift in memory to any of the funds that were important to these Dover-Foxcroft ladies may be made by sending a check to Foxcroft Academy, 975 W. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Simply make a note in the memo Margaret Webber section of the check for whom the gift is being given. A full list of donors to these funds will be published in the fall alumni magazine. Spring/Summer 2012
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Molly Goes West
By Emily Adams
The challenges overcome by a pioneer woman on her 700-mile journey through the American West is the subject of a film which stars Foxcroft Academy alumna Christina Kurzius (2004) and has garnered several awards since its release late last year. Kurzius, now living in Los Angeles, plays the lead in Molly Goes West (mollygoeswest.com) featuring Molly Davis, a fictional character representing the handcart pioneers during the Western Migration. It was “just such an amazing learning experience for me” to be filmed by a camera crew of about 55 people and shoot scenes in California, Wyoming and Utah”, says Kurzius, who earned her B.A. in theater from Northeastern University in Boston. It was “incredible” to feel the “pressure you feel when you’re supposed to be carrying a film and to work with a talented cast and crew.” Kurzius had not lived in L.A. for more The foregoing is provided by sunburyexchange.com. than four months when she learned about To receive email notification of when Molly Goes the casting call and auditioned in the spring West will be screened in Dover-Foxcroft, email the of 2009. About 700 actors and actresses reauthor at emily.grant.adams@gmail.com. sponded, 120 were called back, and only three were cast. She had never felt so passionate about wanting a part. So, when she landed it, the feeling was amazing. Molly and her husband, Jonathan (played by Robert S. Martin III), abandon Illinois in 1853 for Jonathan’s vision of a new life in what was Utah Territory. Molly overpacks and Jonathan perishes from a snake bite, so she misses a rendezvous with other pioneers and proceeds unaccompanied. She is never truly alone however which is the ultimate moral in the film, explains screenwriter and director Reed Simonsen. Charming scenes (including Kurzius’s first time firing a rifle) demonstrate Molly’s growing self-reliance and her ability to improvise. By the end of the film, viewers remark, “Gosh, Molly did it,” which was the feeling Simonsen sought to achieve. The film also represents Simonsen’s achievement to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in L.A. USC receives thousands of applications and only admits fifty per semester. Simonsen completed his studies in four-and-a-half years. The film earned two Accolade Awards for Merit in Dec. 2011: one for the film as a whole and one for Kurzius’ portrayal of Molly (accoladecompetition. org). In Jan. 2012, it received two Telly Awards: one in the student category and one for a film with a spiritual message (tellyawards.com). The most memorable scene is Molly’s encounter with Macawi, a Sioux warrior played by the film’s third actor, William Christopher Ford, whose credits include a role in The Karate Kid Part 3. Carefully scripted with help of three experts on Native Americans, the scene symbolizes the clash of cultures between settlers and natives who, Simonsen feels, did not understand the rules by which their respective cultures lived. The film is replete with historical details: the replica handcart, maps pioneers used, real trails with the ruts from pioneers, a message on a buffalo skull typical of a “bulletin on the plain,” and a “register of the desert” of names pioneers etched in sandstone. The film was shot using Red cameras with a budget of about $40,000. USC prides itself on being an industry school”, explains Simonsen, “and its student films are done as professionally as any Hollywood set.” The runtime is 26 minutes. The film features an original theme composed by Rob Gardner, performed by an orchestra in Prague, and conducted by Gardner via satellite from a sound room in L.A. Kurzius and Martin have since appeared in another short film, Most High, which was released in 2012 and is also directed by Simonsen. The film received two more Telly Awards, one for Merit in Entertainment and one for Use of Music in a Film.
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Betty Green Ellis (207)5648338 know if they are coming. Last summer, Betty Green Ellis was featured in a story Class of 1944 in the inaugural issue of North Lawrence Ronco writes that Country, The Journal of he really enjoys receiving the Maine. In the early 70’s when Foxcroft. He is semi-retired she learned her son Kent ’85 from real estate and winters in was not Belleview, learning FL, and to read, spends his she took summers trainat the old ing with farm in Literacy Maxfield, VolunME, and teers of cottage America at South in order Twin Lake to help in Milhim. In linocket. Mike Crawford ’61 attended the Frozen 1991, the He would Fenway this past January Doverlove to Foxcroft LVA was named the hear from classmates. 968th of the Thousand Points of Light by former President Class of 1946 George H.W. Bush. She was Class Agent: honored nationally in 1992 for Hope Austin Lacourciere her co-creation of the Dover(207) 564-7905 Foxcroft Affiliate of Literacy Anna Fisher Perkins says it Volunteers of America and was is unbelievable but all of her chosen to represent all of the children and their families are Points of Light from Maine in the South: Glen, Tennessee; at a ceremony at the White Sue, Virginia; Jerry, Kentucky; House. and Brian, North Carolina. Anna makes her in home in Class of 1964 Oak Hill, VA. During our reBetty-Jane Stanhope Meader cent student phonathon, Philip meaderb@thomas.edu Beane was called. He comAt the fall Alpha Chi Honor mented that although he was Society induction, the class not an actual graduate of the of 2011 at Thomas College Academy, he loves getting the presented the Thomasonian alumni magazine. He and his yearbook to Betty-Jane Stanwife Fern have been married hope Meader. During the for 63 years. Thanksgiving Convocation, the provost recognized her for 40 Class of 1958 years of service (teaching). Class Agent: Joan Brewster Garniss Class of 1973 hfgarniss@aol.com Class Agent: Needed Joan would like to announce Clarice Higgins Nelson is that the class will have its proud of her eight grandchilannual Bear’s Den Brunch on dren: Khrystfor, 8; Natalie, 2; Monday, 8/6/12 at 10:00 AM. Cody, 8; Arriana, 4; Faith, 2; She would like classmates to Assher, 1; Alexis, 4; Nikolas, let either Larry Cookson 2. (lkcookson@yahoo.com) or
In Touch
Class of 1975
Class Agent: Needed The Alumni Office received a Christmas card from Cindy Logan Kinney. She and her husband Richard’s daughter Dayton is in her junior year at Smith College majoring in music and is also busy composing music and tutoring students. Their son Ryan is a freshman at the Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in electrical engineering. Cindy is continuing her career as an RN.
Class of 1995
Class Agent: Heather Morrison Whitten hmmwhitten@hotmail.com Pictured below is the new son of Deron Smith and his wife Vicky. Reagan entered the world on 3/1/12, weighing
Class of 1979
Class Agent: Peter Chase peterchase3649@yahoo.com While she produces three feature films, Julie Campbell and her four-year-old daughter Arianna will make their home in Austin, TX, for the next couple of years.
Class of 1993
Class Agent: Tim Caldwell timothy_caldwell@millipore. com Becky Gilmore Hosley has returned to make her home in Dover-Foxcroft. She and her husband Robert have two daughters: Mika, 5 mos, and Autumn, 2. Silas Wayne Butler was born to Jeff Butler and Allison Turner Butler ’98 of Atkinson, ME. Proud grandmother is Rosemary Lindie ’74. Jason Avery and his wife Amy welcomed a daughter, Reagan Mae, on 4/8/11. She joins big brothers Jacob and Zachary. Matt Jones and his wife Rebecca Fisk Jones ’94 have a daughter named Ellianna Pearl, born 3/30/11. Leslie Ranta Watt is living and teaching in Greenville with her husband Craig. They have two boys, ages 10 and 12.
Reagan Davis Smith 3/1/12
6 lbs. 15 oz. and measuring 20.5”. Paternal grandparents are Cartha and Doug Smith ’65 and proud auntie is Amy Smith ’97.
Class of 1997
Class Agent: Kelly Dow Anderson k_anderson32@hotmail.com Amanda Curry Clawson and her husband Jared gave birth to Kiernan Alice on 10/20/11. She weighed 9 lbs. 9.4 oz. and was 22” long. Kiernan’s maternal grandparents are Kim Richardson Thayer ’80, Archie Curry ’80, and paternal grandparents are Jolane Brown Clawson ’74 and her husband Rick.
Class of 1999
Class Agents: Casey Scott Spencer cspencer@ccb-inc.com Amy Fagan-Cannon amyleefagan@yahoo.com While studying in Ankara, Turkey, Gwen Rollins met her future husband Matthew Weitkamp of Seattle, WA. In August of 2011 they were married, and they now make their home in New York City. Spring/Summer 2012
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Class of 2003
In Touch Class of 1999
A senior chief orthopedic surgery resident in PA, Jake Brooks was married last July. He recently spent three months at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta completing some specialty training in pediatric spine disorders and surgical treatment of scoliosis. In March he traveled to Barcelona, where he spoke before the 2012 International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery on a new surgical technique he has developed for the treatment of complex cervical spinal trauma.
Class of 2000
Class Agent: Nikki Dubay More nldmore@roadrunner.com On 9/17/11, Andy Lizotte was married to Clare Eshenower of Waterloo, NY. Best man was Pat Lizotte ’02, brother of the groom. Andy and Clare are both attorneys living in Brooklyn, NY. Robert Richardson, his wife Jana Sickles ’03, and two-year-old daughter Elliott welcomed new family member Emmett Alan on 11/20/11. Also welcoming Emmett were his grandparents Dave and Anita Sickles and Mark and Annette Dow Richardson ’75.
Class of 2001
Class Agent: Jenika Scott jenika@hotmail.com Avery Elizabeth was the name chosen for the daughter of Justin Fariel and his wife Amanda. The family makes their home in Key West, FL, where Justin is stationed in the US Coast Guard. They hope to be moving back to Maine at the end of 2012.
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FOXCROFT ACADEMY
Carter Darnell Owens 11/29/11
Brittany Fariel Owens’s husband Donnie was deployed to Afghanistan last June but returned in time to welcome their first child Carter Darnell Owens on 11/29/11. He weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 22” long. They will be moving to Fort Bragg this coming summer. Dana Frasz continues to advocate for Food Shift, a food recovery program that seeks to collect unwanted good quality food from food establishments and deliver it to local food assistance centers. She believes by trimming our waste and recovering food with programs like Food Shift, we can feed the hungry, improve public health, create jobs, combat global warming, conserve natural resources, and create more conscious, healthful, and sustainable communities.
Class of 2002
Class Agent: Will Mallett wdmallett@gmail.com Married to Jason Hook in Cape Elizabeth, ME, on 12/12/09, Debra Mallar Hook is employed at Essex High School in Essex Junction, VT, as a job coach working with students with special needs. Rachel Almy was married on 9/10/11 in Santa Fe, NM, to Jim Fitzpatrick, also a Juniata College graduate. Joining big sister Madison, Makynlee Catherine was born to Josh Sands and his wife Gina on 9/30/11. She weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20” long. Tom Sands ’70 and his wife Cathy are paternal grandparents.
Class of 2004
Class Agent: Needed Jesse Ladd and a team from Street Customs and Restoration in Mooresville, NC, were recently featured on the Speed Channel show Car Warriors. The group competed in a California studio against a group from Chicago in a 48-hour head-to-head competition to build a custom car. Jesse is the “body and paint guy.”
Class Agent: Josh Chase joshpchase@gmail.com A graduate of the University of Maine, Rebecca Michaud earned her Master’s degree in Education from Springfield College in 2010. She is currently a student services Mya Smith ‘07 enjoying a camel ride assistant at UNH Disability Services for Students. On SeClass of 2007 bec Lake this coming SeptemClass Agent: Molly Mallett ber, class agent Josh Chase mollymallett@gmail.com will wed Chrissie Hughes of Studying last semester at Columbus, OH. In the summer Bilkent University in Turkey, of 2013, Beege Johnson will Mya Smith sent us a picture wed Marin Weiner of Woodof her riding a camel in Capbridge, CT. padoccia. She also visited the fairy chimney castle and a thousand-year-old church.
Class of 2008
Class Agent: Kelsey Hill kelseyhill100@gmail.com This past January Jon Geiger graduated from US Army boot camp in Fort Jackson, SC. He passed his certification exam in March and is now a national registered EMT. He is continuing his training on the “Whiskey”, a role that entails working with the helicopters and stabilizing soldiers for transport.
Class of 2009
Class Agent: Megan Taylor
megan.m.taylor@umit.maine.edu
On 9/3/11 Kristi LaCasce was wed to Shawn Grass ’04. Kristi is a 2010 graduate of EMCC and is employed at Aroostook County Medical Center in Presque Isle as a certified surgical technician. A student of international relations, Ian Fariel recently transferred to the University of Southern Florida and is active with the student newspaper as a photographer and with the Italian Club.
Class of 2010
Class Agent: Meghan Keane mkeane7@friars.providence.edu
Last fall, Mariah Arno, a field hockey player for Husson University in Bangor, ME, was selected to the 2011 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Div III East All Regional Second Team. She was one of 16 players chosen from throughout New England.
Class of 2011
Class Agent: Vanessa Cousins vanessa.cousins@jsc.edu Chuqiao Ren had a wonderful semester at Bucknell University. She really likes the professors and is taking biology, chemistry, calculus III, and computer science. She says that classes are challenging and that she often has to stay in the library until midnight.
Reunion Bulletin Board Class of 1972
r the Tentative Plans fo Class of 1957
Friday, August 3rd - 5:00 PM
Float decorating - get your bellbottoms on!
Saturday, August 4th - 9:30 AM
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5:30 PM - Alumni Banquet at FA 9:15 PM - VIEWING OF THE FIREWORKS AT
nquet at 5:30 PM - Alumni Ba h - 8-10 AM Sunday, August 5t udent Center
nquet room at The Luncheon in the ba e Historical Society Pub (across from th Building) FA
Meet at fairgrounds to ride in the Parade 11:30 AM - picnic at kiwanis park, behind the YMCA, bring your family and your picnic
St Free Brunch in Pride
SEAN STITHAM’S CAMP
Sunday, August 5th - 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Free Brunch in Pride Student Center at FA
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Half a Century for the Class of ’62
The reunion committee is getting out of their rocking chairs to make plans. Mark your calendars for August 3rd - 5th, book your plane tickets, gas up the car, and make your way to good ’ol FA. They will be reuniting with classmates to participate in the parade, lawn party, tours, and Alumni Banquet, and they’ll be rounding out Saturday evening with a possible beach party and rapid-fire spectacular fireworks shot off at Sebec Lake. Sunday morning will bring the class together for a brunch at the Pride Student Center at FA. Go on the FA website and reserve your spot at the Alumni Banquet. For more information, contact Barbara Beede Moore at (207) 717-3338, or barb@mainemaplesyrup.com
How about a Cluster Reunion? Peter Chase is checking out interest in the classes before and after 1979 to have a multi-year, or cluster, reunion in 2014. Contact Peter if interested: peterchase3649@ yahoo.com
The Class of 2002 will be having their 10th reunion at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 4. Check out the class Facebook page, and for more information contact Josh Chase at (207) 650-2365 or joshpchase@gmail.com
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Celebrate Alumni Weekend with your Classmates Alumni Weekend Schedule August 3 - 5, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012 5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new tennis courts
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Class of ‘91 float East Lawn Tent Party - featuring the sounds of The Mallett Brothers Band and offering delicious grilled skewers of chicken and beef with vegetables as well as skewered fresh fruit. A beer/wine cash bar will be offered. Cost to attend is $10.
Saturday, August 4, 2012 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
5K Race - Registration begins at 7:00 A.M. and race starts at the PRYMCA on Park St. 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. FA Alumni Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Game at Foxcroft Academy. Contact Josh Chase ’02 at (207) 650-2365 or joshchase@gmail.com for further information.
10:00 A.M. - Noon
Community Parade - class floats and cars welcome. Make plans to have your class join the parade. You must register your float with the town office: (207) 564-3318.
12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM
Tours of Foxcroft Academy
12:00 NOON - 1:30 P.M.
Alumni Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Game at SeDeMoCha Middle School. Contact Rob Stevens’73 at (207) 343-1182 for further information.
12:00 NOON - 1:30 P.M.
Alumni Tennis Tournament - two classes, under and over 50. Contact Hal Chase ’61 at (207) 564-2944 for further information.
8:00 A.M.11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Alumni Golf Scramble held at Foxcroft Golf Course. There will be a hole-in-one contest for a chance to win $1,000,000! Please call the Foxcroft Golf Course to reserve your tee time at (207) 564-8887.
8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Street Festival in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. Founders Society Reception -Peakes House located next to FA. Hosted by Head of School
Arnold Shorey and his wife Stacy.
5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Reception and Alumni Banquet at Foxcroft Academy. Beer/wine cash bar will be available. Cost to attend is $15.
Sunday, August 5, 2012 8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
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Alumni Brunch at Foxcroft Academy. Brought back by popular demand. Cost to attend is by donation only but reservations are required.
Alumni Ice Hockey Game - Alfond Arena, University of Maine @ Orono. Bring your sticks and your skates to the Alfond. Contact event organizer Anthony Phillips ’79 at (207) 564-8171 or akmcp27@gmail.com FOXCROFT ACADEMY
Friends of Central Hall Announce Commemorative Brick Fundraiser Would you like to create a memory to last a lifetime? You have that opportunity and a chance to help a worthy cause at the same time.
The Friends of Central Hall have announced an exciting new project to assist in the preservation and restoration of Central Hall. The committee has entered into an agreement with Moonbeam Laser Engraving of Levant, Maine. They do laser engraving of quality clay bricks for use on outdoor walkways. The laser engraving produces a black, glass-like lettering that is much more durable than sandblasted lettering. The glass-like etching is engraved with intense heat so hot that it actually turns it into black glass. “The bricks will last a lifetime. Period!” Lorna Wilson Carroll ’58 has the distinction of being an early supporter of the buy-a-brick program and in writing to her classmates says, “Buy a brick in memory of loved ones, your children, or to honor the Class of ’58. Remember all the wonderful times spent at Central Hall: basketball games, plays, graduations, etc...memories to last a lifetime.” The purchasing of a brick is a perfect opportunity to create a lasting memory of loved ones. All engraved bricks will be placed on display publicly until ready to be put in place. The Class of 1961, the last class to graduate from Central Hall, was the first class to collectively buy a brick in honor of their class. The Classes of 1958 and 1962 have also started funds toward a brick for their class. We have a brick in honor of the 1958-1961 FA Basketball Penquis Champs and engraved bricks from individual alumni in honor of loved ones. Wouldn’t you or your FA class like to have a brick memorializing your class or an event forever? How about your football team, basketball team, favorite teacher, senior play, or class trip…the list is endless. For more information, contact Barbara Moore at (207) 717-3338 or barb@mainemaplesyrup.com or Cindy Woodworth at the Dover-Foxcroft Town Office, (207) 564-3318 or white174@localnet.com.
Nominations Requested
Bushel & A Peck Minstrel Show 1950’s Front Row L-R: Judy Ellery’61, Susan Stitham ’61, Dianne Webber Lapointe ’61, Bea King Sauvage ’61, Sally Mountain ’62 Back Row L-R: Tom E. Lyford ’61, Dana Danforth ’62, Maurice Marden ,’61, Roger Knowlton ’61, Dana Spaulding ’62
Foxcroft Academy has a very rich tradition, and it is important to us that we connect the past with the present in a manner that allows our current students to truly appreciate the extended family to which they belong. The first phase was to induct the inaugural class for the Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame, which was done last fall. The second phase of the plan is to introduce the inaugural class for the Foxcroft Academy Academic Hall of Fame (see page 8 article for criteria).We are now requesting nominations for both the Athletic and Academic Hall of Fame, as well as our traditional alumni awards presented at the Alumni Banquet. Please return this from to Cathy Hall: 975 W. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Your nomination(s) for the Athletic Hall of Fame __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your nomination(s) for the Academic Hall of Fame __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your nomination for the Dr. Mary Chandler Lowell Award __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your nomination for the Tillson D. Thomas Award
Spring/Summer 2012
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Foxcroft Academy
975 West Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 Change Service Requested
2012 Boston Alumni Gathering at the Downtown Harvard Club
Tom Allen ’94, Trustee Peter Ingraham ’80, David Ingraham ’75, Mike Weymouth ’60, Stacy Shorey, Head of School Arnold Shorey, Rebecca Foreman Janjic ’89, Mike Doore ’01, Alumni Officer Cathy Hall
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