Creating Community
Fashion Designer Alexa Stark ’07 is building community spaces in Maine’s Mid-Coast as proprietor of The Waldoboro Inn. PAGE 10
The Alumni Courtyard outside of the Bingham Student Center is a new community space for students and classes to gather and features pavillion seating, engraved pavers, benches, and oversized chess pieces.
10
Creating Community
Alexa Stark ’07 is building community spaces at The Waldoboro Inn in Mid-Coast Maine. Page 10
Banned Books
English Department Chair Courtney Eichacker examines her Banned Books course through the lens of Gould’s Core Values. Page 14
Take a look at Gould's student-centered roadmap for the future of the Academy. Page 18 14
Gould’s Strategic Plan 2024 & Portrait of a Graduate
Head of School
Tao Smith ’90, P’23,’28
Editor
Sarah Krizo P’24,’25
Design & Writing
Greg Gilman P’28
Photography
Greg Gilman P’28
Marisa Hanning
Class Notes Editor
Kathleen Willis P’25
Denise Manning P’14
Board of Trustees
Samuel W. Adams ’77, P’18, President
Phyllis Gardiner P’09, Vice President
Christopher Brooks ’99, Secretary
James Catlin ’07
Donald Christie, Jr ’60
Richard Foyston ’75, P’14
Maggie Furneaux ’97, P’25,’26
Laura Hunter ’90
Kelly Lieblein P’18,’20
Christine McCarthy ’88
Leo Menard ’03
Rick Melvoin
Desiree Plata ’99
Kenneth Remsen ’67
Barbie Robinson ’87
Monique Stewart P’15
Sarah Taymore P’09,’11
ON THE COVER:
Alexa Stark sits proudly at the counter of Ida's Wine Bar in the back barn of The Waldoboro Inn where she serves as proprietor.
2024 Gould Academy gouldacademy.org
The GAzette is published twice a year by the Communications Office at Gould Academy. We welcome your letters, story ideas, and photos.
Contact the Editor:
Sarah Krizo P’24,’25
39 Church Street, PO Box 860 Bethel, ME 04217
krizos@gouldacademy.org 207-824-7781
From the Head of School
Dear Gould Community,
As we look to the future, I am thrilled to share Gould Academy's new strategic direction. This plan not only charts our path forward but reflects our commitment to honoring the individuality of every student. At Gould, we foster an environment where students are seen for who they are, encouraged to pursue their passions, and empowered to lead and thrive.
Our strategic initiatives focus on key areas: impactful education, active lifestyles, authentic community, talent development, and sustainability. These pillars will guide us as we cultivate a school where students develop the skills, confidence, and mindset to excel.
At the heart of this plan is the Portrait of a Gould Graduate, a vision for the well-rounded, thoughtful, and compassionate leaders we strive to develop. We believe in nurturing critical thinkers and innovative leaders who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.
This year, we also celebrate the 40th anniversary of Gould's signature Four Point Program, a testament to our dedication to experiential learning. Stay tuned for details on how we’ll mark this milestone!
This strategic plan is both a roadmap and a compass, guiding Gould into a future where our mission comes alive. Together, we’ll continue building on Gould’s legacy of education, innovation, and purpose.
With gratitude,
Tao Smith ’90, P’23,’28 Head of School smitht@gouldacademy.org
Photo by Greg Gilman
Head of School Tao Smith and Director of Experiential Learning Chris Hayward celebrate above the clouds on the summit of Katahdin during a recent school trip.
Around Campus
Connected Community & the Mid-Autumn Festival
Sean Xie ’27 shared his Chinese culture by inviting the community to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival during a morning assembly with this inspiring message:
“Whether you call it the Moon Festival, Lantern Festival, or the Harvest Festival, today we celebrate togetherness and the hope for good fortune. This festival, celebrated for centuries in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries, marks the brightest and fullest moon of the year, symbolizing unity and harmony. It’s a time when families reunite and light lanterns to make wishes for the future. Whether you’re here with family, friends, or classmates, we hope this celebration brings you joy, peace, and a sense of connection, uniting us all in this universal tradition.”
As part of the celebration, mooncakes were shared, and calligraphy was practiced, teaching students to write “Mid-Autumn,” “Moon,” and their names in Chinese and Japanese. Sharing our diverse backgrounds strengthens our community immensely. Thank you to the Gould Global Student Organization for this special event!
Sean Xie ’27 practicing his caligraphy.
Around Campus
Reaching New Heights
New ninth graders recently pushed their limits on the high and low ropes course at Camp Kawanhee in Weld, Maine! Every year the newest Gould students spend a day early in the semester, bonding with classmates while building confidence, resilience, and developing their relationship with the natural world in our extraordinary mountain setting.
Alpine Training & Travel
Gould Alpine Athletes spent ten days at Les Deux Alpes, in France this summer refreshing fundamentals ahead of their ski season, hiking rugged terrain, playing epic field games, and enjoying endless croissants!
Impactful international travel paired with another exceptional athletic experience at Gould.
The Gould Class of 2024
Gould Academy celebrated the achievements of its graduating seniors at the 188th Commencement Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Artur Savchii ’24, this year’s valedictorian, delivered an inspiring valedictory address.
“The pleasure of memories from Gould will stay with me forever,” said Artur, who came to Gould from Ukraine. “I will never forget how I tried perhaps all of Maine’s ice creams after running in the woods with Mr. Leff. I will never forget how, although we did win the math state championship, our real victory was figuring out the fastest route to McDonald’s and getting there before Fryeburg. I will always remember old D-Block and how every Thursday, Mrs. Burns’ cookies were the only things holding Davidson together. And this is just a tiny part of what I will remember. I am so grateful to everyone who helped shape [my time at Gould] and everyone who will always be in my memory.”
Valedictorian of the Gould Class of 2024, Artur Savchii
Photo by Meghan Ahearn
Photo by Michael Hirschbuhl
Mountain Biking Ramping Up
The DD Mountain Bike Pro Lander Airbag is one of the newest additions to the Gould campus. Thanks to a gift from the Grohman family (Marty ’85, P’24,’26, Amy P’24,’26, Hannah ’24, and Henry ’26) Gould mountain bikers will be able to take the next step in their freeride progression. Local trail systems are getting more advanced with bigger jumps being built every day, so the airbag becomes an essential tool. Athletes will gradually gain advanced air awareness, and grow their bag of tricks.
Sustainablility & Stewardship
Director of the Marlon Family IDEAS Center Billy Ayotte has students design wind turbines to grasp the physics and practical applications of renewable wind power in his Green Energy Technologies course, giving them the skills and knowledge to support sustainable development in the future.
See more photos from the year at gouldacademy1836.smugmug.com and be sure to
Alumni Spotlight
Kate Graham ’97
A Career Rooted in Empathy and Impact
With over 20 years of experience, Kate has dedicated her career to organizations focused on creating positive social impact. From AmeriCorps and the Special Olympics to Whole Foods and The Pahara Institute, her work has always been grounded in empathy, community-building, and issues that profoundly affect our country, particularly those related to access and impacted by race, health, food systems, and education outcomes. Her journey is influenced by her roots in rural Maine, where she grew up and attended Gould Academy.
Building Community Through Winemaking
Today, Kate and her husband run Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! in Northern California, focusing on lesser-known grape varieties. Operating a winery, for Kate, is about more than efficiency—it’s about fostering community. “You enjoy wine around a dinner table,” says Kate. “It’s toasted with on special occasions and used to commemorate moments that count. On the production side, we get one shot once a year, and the entire season, from bud break in the vineyard to bottling the vintage at the winery, is part of a system that requires community.”
Courage in Life and Work
The value of courage, central to Gould Academy’s mission, resonates deeply with Kate. The name of their winery, Extradimensional, means “beyond the known universe” and to operate in that space requires courageously stepping into the unknown. For Kate, courage is essential to navigating life’s difficulties and pursuing fulfillment.
“The ability to confront fear, risk, pain, and adversity with bravery is something to cultivate, given the challenges students will face in their lifetime,” says Kate. “To disagree, to make a stand or take a knee, to choose joy, to go against the stream and bring others along for the ride, to be ambitious in all pursuits—this takes courage, and all of it matters.”
Read a more in-depth version of this story on our website at gouldacademy.org
Photo by James Joiner (left) and Marielle Chua (right)
Donor Spotlight
Caleb McCann ’91
Caleb McCann lives in Rye Beach, New Hampshire with his wife Rachel and daughter Phoebe. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder following Gould, and then received a MBA from Babson. He is currently an executive at a cloud software company.
What motivated you to give back to Gould in the last few years?
A few years ago, an old friend of mine and Gould alumni, Patrick Lingley’91, passed away. We played music together for decades, before, during, and after Gould. At the time of his passing, I had some of Pat’s instruments and I thought the best place for them to live was at Gould to support the music program. It turned out they were needed and are currently in use with students.
I had not been in touch with Gould for decades and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. Seeing the strong music program at Gould was impressive. It was wonderful to see that the core culture was still there and had continued evolving with the appropriate consciousness.
Gould’s newly developed mission statement is: Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose. Is there a particular value shared above that resonates with you?
The combination of creative, courageous and resilient resonates with me. Each one is powerful in their own right but the real strength is when they work together, which represents Gould to me.
What is your favorite Gould tradition or memory?
The line “To thine own self be true,” from Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, has been helpful to me. It has stuck with me since I first read it while walking into Bingham Hall on my visit to Gould in 1986. It is a good mantra for making difficult (and easy) decisions throughout one's life.
Student Prefects Begin the Year with Leadership Training and Renewed Commitment
In August, Gould Academy’s 27 prefects began their leadership roles with a series of training sessions. Led by Brooklyn Raney, author of One Trusted Adult and an expert in leadership development, the workshop focused on tone-setting, peer influence, and knowing when to step up or step back as a leader.
Prefects also met with Gould’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Coordinator Julia Tatsch to explore core identity and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in leadership. After three days of training, they joined new students on orientation trips, setting a supportive tone for the year.
Now that the school year is underway, prefects are engaging with peers, organizing dorm meetings, and contributing to committees including the Wellness Committee, DEIB Council, Events Committee, Student Voice, and Restorative Practices Committee. Zach Garfield ’26 reflected, “I’m focused on being the person I needed as a new student.”
With a strong start, these student leaders are ready to make Gould a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone.
Gould Academy prefects participate in training sessions with One Trusted Adult author Brooklyn Raney.
Kailey Snow Sports Center
Renovations
Gould Academy is excited to announce that the Kailey Competition Center has been renamed The Paul Kailey Snow Sports Center, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and the wide variety of snow sports in which students participate.
Renovations and repairs are underway to address the damage caused by the avalanche in December 2023, with additional goals of enhancing the overall brightness, accessibility, and community feel of the building. This includes adding more windows to make the space feel lighter and more welcoming. Interior walls have been painted white, making the space brighter, and new halfglass doors have been installed in the offices to increase visibility. The plumbing and electrical systems were destroyed in the avalanche and have been completely replaced. New, energy-efficient LED lighting has also been installed. Discipline-specific areas have been redesigned in favor of a more open layout, and 90 wooden lockers are being added. The updated facility will continue to serve as a hub for students involved in alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and freestyle skiing, as well as the Gould Academy Competition Program (GACP). It will reopen in November for the 2024–2025 winter season.
This name change and the renovations honor the Kailey family’s legacy while creating an environment where all students feel welcome and supported. We look forward to the center reopening and celebrating the spirit of community and snow sports excellence at Gould.
2,350
CREATING
Community
ALEXA STARK’S PATH FROM FASHION DESIGN TO COASTAL MAINE INNKEEPER
When Alexa Stark ’07 first set foot in Gould’s Art Cottage during a tour, it instantly felt like home. She intuitively knew it was a place where she would grow, take risks, learn, and be challenged. At the time, she had no idea how much it would shape her future.
At Gould, Alexa would spend most of her time in the Art Cottage. When she first arrived, she admits she lacked focus, and then Art Department Chair Jan Baker found a way to reach her. Jan observed that her talent for art was natural and intuitive, but her foundation needed strengthening. In an inspired move, she asked Alexa to teach the class. Alexa became enthralled and, as a result, honed her skills. This experience planted the seed for sharing her craft, which flourished years later and continues to play an important role in her life today. Now a celebrated fashion designer of upcycled (creative reuse of existing) clothing, Alexa has recently reinvented herself as the proprietor of The Waldoboro Inn, located in historic Waldoboro, Maine, and a hub of community activity in the coastal town.
“At Gould, I learned how to communicate with all types of people,” says Alexa. “The valuable education that I received wasn’t just in the classroom; it was outside of class, traveling, or working with the local community. Community engagement was so essential at Gould. That’s what I took with me. Experiences weren’t presented in a perfect way for you. You entered a situation and didn’t know what you would get, but you figured it out. That was the best education I could have hoped for.”
After graduating from Gould, Alexa landed at Parsons School of Design, a division of the New School in Greenwich Village, an arts neighborhood in New York City. Founded in 1896 by progressive artists breaking away from the establishment, Parsons was a perfect match for Alexa’s mind. Fashion design was her passion, but she soon learned that she detested the mass-production model of mainstream fashion. She discovered Integrated Design, a Parsons program that “empowers entrepreneurial artists to establish change-making practices for an evolving world.” Her new major focused on “sustainability by redesigning the design process.”
Here, she studied fashion, fine arts, product design, and communication, all through the lens of sustainability.
“Through this program, I discovered that to work sustainably is to consider the process and not to be singularly focused
At Gould, I learned how to communicate with all types of people. The valuable education that I received wasn’t just in the classroom; it was outside of class, traveling, or working with the local community. Community engagement was so essential at Gould. That’s what I took with me.”
on the product,” says Alexa. “Sustainability is not only about minimizing negative impact but about maximizing positive impact. Encouraging individuals, communities, and economic systems to grow.”
The low-quality fast fashion industry depends on the rapid cycle of trends, which impacts the environment and creates poor working conditions in developing countries. Alexa wanted to discover methods that would achieve environmental and social balance. She found that teaching and community-building were some of the most sustainable processes in the world. Sharing her knowledge and methods freely with as many people as possible would ensure that the high-quality, upcycled clothing industry could expand.
She did her part. She moved to Portland, Oregon, and put her philosophy into action, opening upcycled clothing stores with workshop spaces. For ten years, she designed her own clothing line. She traveled the world with her methodology, working with apprentices and building a network of designers who are now making significant shifts in the industry.
Alexa Stark at the counter of Ida’s Wine Bar in The Waldoboro Inn.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, she looked back at her work with pride but longed to be a part of a smaller community like the one she found at Gould. She was burnt out from the fast-paced fashion world. She moved home to Waldoboro, Maine, without a plan. Back in Mid-Coast Maine for the first time in over a decade, she continued to educate herself. She took a job as a timber framer and learned woodworking. Then, she learned to weld.
With her fashion career seemingly in her rearview mirror, she got a call from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, asking her to loan them a garment for display. It would be included in a new exhibition entitled “America: A Lexicon of Fashion” for her “unique style and dedication to sustainable design.”
“I was shocked,” said Alexa. “I had achieved a childhood dream, and I wept when I stood before my garment on display in the Met, but I didn’t feel compelled to re-enter that world. I knew it was time to move on.”
When she returned to Waldoboro, she took a tour of an in-town, historic mansion she had always admired, which was newly on the market. When she stepped inside, she knew what she wanted to do, just like stepping into the Gould Art Cottage all those years ago. She was ready to build a like-minded team and get to work. She contacted longtime friends and collaborators to gauge their interest in opening an inn. Nathan Reimer, a regenerative realtor, Danielle Lombardi, an acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon, and former New School curator and gallery owner Eric Stark were all on board.
They pooled their finances and bought the 21-room, 19thcentury Italianate mansion. For eight months, they knocked down walls, installed bathrooms, hand-built furniture, and talked to select boards and code enforcement officers, breathing new life into the historic building.
The beautifully redesigned rooms at the inn became a perfect outlet for Alexa’s distinctive brand and upcycled ideology. Rather than fashion, her new medium is spaces and community.
“Everything that I love and love to do is encompassed in this business,” says Alexa. “There’s community, there’s design, there’s creating a safe space for people to gather. It’s grounding, and it fulfills the artist in me. One day, I design floral arrangements for a wedding; the next, I get to sew the curtains. It also provides the space for other creatives to come through and be part of it.”
She is building a much-needed community space for Waldoboro while creating a home for herself. The back barn and outdoor seating area houses Ida’s Wine Bar (named after the original proprietor’s wife). They serve wine, host guest chefs, run workshops twice a week by local tradespeople, and host an artist-in-residence program. The local Lions Club sees Alexa as a connector and made her their president. She’s recruiting young people in the area to pitch in on projects like the local food pantry and a free clothing closet.
“I keep getting called the culture creator in town. I'm bringing things in that are energizing, and I can see a difference,” says Alexa. “I think of it as a town square because Waldoboro doesn’t really have one. My backyard has become this place where people just gather and [exchange ideas.] That means so much to me.”
Next up for Alexa and the Inn is another round of construction. They’ll add a commercial kitchen, a sauna, and three more bedrooms in the expansion.
“We’re about to take on another formidable project, which is fun and scary, but I still wake up and believe this is the right place for me. This is home, and it’s worth investing in.”
Explore more at thewaldoboroinn.com and follow on Instagram at @the.waldoboro.inn or Facebook at facebook.com/thewaldoboroinn
Alexa in the redesigned main lounge of the Waldoboro Inn.
Photo by Nola Logan
COURTNEY
EICHACKER EXAMINES HER POPULAR BANNED BOOKS COURSE THROUGH THE LENS OF GOULD’S CORE VALUES OF CURIOSITY, KINDNESS, CREATIVITY, & COURAGE.
BY COURTNEY EICHACKER, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR
There are no books federally banned in the United States.
The majority of books that are listed as “banned” are challenged by organizations and individuals concerned by the content and age appropriateness of the literature that is available to elementary, middle, and secondary students. In most cases of book challenge, the book is called to be removed from a school or public library in an attempt to keep it out of the hands of our youth.
The control of information and censorship has existed as long as the written word. Historically, books have been banned by those in power in an attempt to control politics, social expectations, and the narrative of historical events.
According to The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, “The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers…Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.” (American Library Association 2023)
When Associate Director of Alumni Relations and previous English Department Chair Denise Manning developed the course over a decade ago, it was a thoughtful way to actively engage students in their senior spring trimester with more provocative literature focused around religion, politics, and mental health. From this initial and intentional concept, the discussion in the classroom has evolved due to the more frequent challenging of texts in the United States. Questions have surfaced around "why is this happening more frequently today?” and “who gives someone else the right to decide what one can or cannot read?"
In this course, conversations consider why books have been banned in the past and why there is a significant increase in the amount of literature being challenged today. We read books and stories that have been banned and challenged in different states, countries, and classrooms due to LGBTQIA+ content, discussions on mental health, historical accounts of social, gender, and racial injustice, and content questioned for levels of sexual content.
A large part of our class discussions begin with the question of the true purpose of these bans, the fears that lead to them, and how we can use literature to develop empathy and compassion for the lives and experiences of others.
Banned Books and Films is a non-required elective course, and even when students choose to sign up, they are provided with content information and the option not to read any book that makes them uncomfortable. The true goal and purpose of the course is to create an environment where different ideas and perspectives can safely and respectfully be argued and discussed to prepare students to be open-minded and critical thinkers in our increasingly complex world.
THE TRUE GOAL AND PURPOSE OF THE COURSE IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES CAN RESPECTFULLY BE DISCUSSED TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE OPEN-MINDED CRITICAL THINKERS IN OUR INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD.”
COURTNEY EICHACKER
“It was thought-provoking to have the time and resources to dig deep into how I can better empathize with others. Although empathy is an innate feature of the human mind, fully utilizing it to benefit others around you is not. This class was a great exercise in practicing empathy and applying it to everyday life. It was interesting to hear the differing perspectives of my classmates, even when I disagreed with them. - ALLISON CHASE ’24
Banned Books and Films was created and continues to evolve to foster the learned skills and learning experience true to any Gould student. Gould faculty are challenging students to ask questions through critical thinking, seek answers through analysis, and learn not just from their teachers but from one another across all disciplines.
CURIOSITY
Students read fictional and nonfictional accounts of human experiences that have been challenged for content in the United States. This past spring, we read All Boys Aren’t Blue, a memoir by George M. Johnson, and Toni Morrison’s classic novel The Bluest Eye. Between these two books came the moral dilemma of “banning” or challenging someone’s true and honest life story simply because what happened to them is sad or uncomfortable to the reader. If it’s uncomfortable to us, we must imagine what it would be like to have lived it and recognize our obligation to learn about that which we have not experienced.
Through a genuine interest in the lives of others, we gain empathy. It is much easier to avoid or ignore a complicated or difficult conversation than it is to sit in the discomfort of learning about the hardships that other folks endure. Asking questions and creating space for the discomfort we often face when discussing hardships is how we grow as human beings.
Quinn Jerome ’24 & Will Myers ’24 in Gould’s Sanborn Family Library with two of their selected readings, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Maus by Art Spiegelman.
Courtney leads a spirited classroom discussion during her Banned Books course last spring.
“Very rarely before this class had I ever read anything about the emotional or personal effects of the people who lived through the events that I had read about in other classes. Reading those stories made me much more aware of how two people can coexist in the same area but have wildly different experiences. It also got me thinking about all the little ways I can create safe spaces for everyone around me. - MAX KRIZO ’24
KINDNESS
It would be hard to argue that the world needs less kindness. Disagreement is natural and healthy, and it is the way that we express and act upon our diverse thoughts that we have control over and that we make change in the world. However, we owe it to the future of humanity to take the time to listen, show respect, and do our best to hold kindness and compassion in the heart of all that we do.
“Empathy is just that; it is understanding what people are going through and how they might be feeling. But this definition may be intimidating to some who don’t face as much adversity as others. For example, how am I (a straight white male) supposed to show empathy to someone of a different race or gender identity who faces discrimination every day? From what I learned in this course, this question can be answered by just being curious and open-minded. From reading the memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, I learned so much about what it must feel like to be part of a minority group. Although I will never truly understand what it is like, I can do my best to ask questions to understand as best I can, as a complete understanding is the greatest form of empathy” - ANDERS SILITCH ’24
COURAGE
Creating safe spaces for others and standing up to discrimination and unfair treatment of specific groups can be difficult. It takes compassion and courage to make our mark on the world and use every opportunity that we have to make a positive change. Through literature, we can recognize the courage that it takes to share one’s personal pain and true life experience, knowing that there might be folks out there who simply don’t want to hear about it.
“As I’ve learned throughout this course and my whole life, empathy takes repetition in the form of sympathy. Sympathy is truly acknowledging one’s emotions, and empathy is understanding and experiencing one’s emotions with them. This process may be hard, uncomfortable, and painful, but it is necessary for us to learn and grow. Without change, we cannot grow, and this change may be difficult. It is important to remember no matter how difficult the journey of gaining empathy may be; it is nowhere near what that person is experiencing firsthand.” -
REBECCA MIZE ’24
CREATIVITY
This course is created specifically for students to go into the world with a more open and curious mind and with the tools to exercise compassion. To truly live empathetically takes intentional steps toward recognizing how we each can, in our everyday lives, choose to be inclusive and accepting. When we think outside of traditional boundaries and roles in society, we can intentionally create a society of understanding by challenging biases and stereotypes with knowledge and action.
“Empathy is an extremely powerful tool and can make a big difference in people’s lives. I use it [as an EMT and Ski Patroller] to help make medical treatments equal for everyone and ensure that patients are listened to. I help advocate for what patients want for themselves and their family members and ensure that not just their medical treatment is equal but that they are treated equally emotionally as well.”
- SOPHIA NICHOLS
’24
Gould’s mission is to “guide students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.”
Banned Books and Films provides the opportunity to develop students’ life skills through critical thinking, literary analysis, and meaningful discussion and conversation about real experiences in the world. Students mature emotionally and intellectually when faced with opposing viewpoints and how to navigate life to be welcoming and create places of belonging.
“Using this class and empathy as building blocks for my future will help me not only figure out my place in the world but also help me develop connections that I otherwise would not have. This class taught me if there’s one thing you should do for another person, it’s listen.” - JAMES NAGEL ’24
Personal stories and experiences, both past and present, can be hard to read, discuss, and hear—but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be listening, understanding, and acting to create a more equitable world for all.
TITLES THAT ARE ARE AMONG THE MOST CHALLENGED IN THE UNITED STATES: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH ROALD DAHL
ANNE FRANK: THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL ANNE FRANK
THE GREAT GATSBY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD HARPER LEE
CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS (SERIES) DAV PILKEY
HARRY POTTER (SERIES) J.K. ROWLING
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA KATHERINE PATERSON
A WRINKLE IN TIME MADELINE L’ENGLE
A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC SHEL SILVERSTEIN
WHERE’S WALDO? MARTIN HANFORD
STAMPED: RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU IBRAM X. KENDI AND JASON REYNOLDS
Strategic Plan 2024
Our plan outlines our commitment to fostering a unique learning environment where students are recognized and valued for who they are, where they can discover and pursue their passions, where their talents and contributions can be seen, and where young adults are empowered to lead and thrive.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #1
Education for Impact
EMPOWER STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES TO THRIVE IN A MODERN WORLD THROUGH A CHALLENGING INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #2
Engaged & Active Lifestyles
GROW STUDENT CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, AND AGENCY THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN SETTING
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #4
Talent Development & Retention
FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF PROFESSIONAL, INNOVATIVE EDUCATORS DEDICATED TO ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #3
Authentic Community
SUPPORT MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN A CONNECTED COMMUNITY THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND A DEEP SENSE OF SELF AND PURPOSE.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #5
Stability & Stewardship
BUILD A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY, ENSURE FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND IMPROVE PHYSICAL ASSETS, ENSURING A FUTURE WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN DISCOVER AND FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL.
Join Us on this Journey.
This is just the beginning. Dive into Gould’s roadmap for the future on our website, and follow our exciting progress as we continue to foster intellectual exploration and personal growth through rigorous academics and experiential learning.
Portrait of a Graduate
Gould Academy emphasizes holistic adolescent development through experiential learning, connected community, wellness, and a modern, technology-fluent academic experience.
Gould Graduates:
THINK CRITICALLY | INNOVATE CREATIVELY | LISTEN AUTHENTICALLY NEGOTIATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS & RELATIONSHIPS
LEAD COLLABORATIVELY & CONFIDENTLY PERSEVERE & ADAPT | LIVE WITH PURPOSE
Alumni Weekend 2024
Class Notes
1958
Edie Stevens is still working part time on her interior design business projects and happily lives near her four married children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in Maine.
1975
Leslie Campbell had dinner with long time friend Tom Bailey ’74 on the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, CA. They had a wonderful time reflecting on their “Gould roots.”
Tom Bailey ’74 & Leslie Campbell ’75
In March 2024, members of the class of 1975 got together in Bethel, Maine for a mini reunion. In attendance were Peter Thurston, Bonnie Davidson Argeropoulos, Liz Holstein, Joy Sexton, Scott Hills, Eliza Roberts, Josh Friedman, Sally and Buzz Bean, Grant Harris, Rob Casella, Lee and Woody Hughes, Kim Siebert, and David “Fuzzy” Thurston ’67, P’94, ’09. Head of School, Tao Smith ’90, P’23, ’28 and retired faculty members, Bonnie Pooley P’81 and Mac Davis P’86,’90 were special guests.
1988
Sam McGee and C. Angus Schaal hanging out in Norm’s Rare Guitars in Los Angeles, CA, in March 2024.
1989
Courtney Walsh has launched her own business, "Walshtronics," which helps clients shape the culture of their organization by getting the best out of its people.
1991
Caleb McCann and his family spent several days with fellow Gould classmate, Luis Aguilar and his family in Guatemala. They really enjoyed reconnecting after 30+ years. Caleb says that he is enjoying rekindling these relationships after decades of focusing on other things.
Sam McGee ’88 & Angus Schaal ’88 at Norm’s Rare Guitars in Los Angeles, CA
Caleb McCann ’91 & Luis Aguilar ’91
The (self-proclaimed) Dream Team Reunites: Will Graham P’97, Tao Smith ’90, P’23,’28, Pete Rackliffe P’95, ’97, ’00, and Nate Beams reconnected at Gould’s Golf Tournament at Wentworth by the Sea. They all coached lacrosse together in the late ’90s through the early ’00s and had not been together again since then. In the words of Will Graham they were “right where they needed to be.”
Left to right: Peter Thurston, Bonnie Davidson Argeropoulos, Liz Holstein and her partner, Sally and Buzzy Bean, Josh Friedman, Eliza Roberts, Scott Hills, and Joy Sexton
1996
Kathleen Willis P’25, Associate Director of Development, ended up on the same Bridger Bowl chair as Erik Renna while on a trip to Montana this past March. Erik works in the engineering consulting and mechanical contracting industries. Erik and his wife, Erin, have 10-year-old twin boys, Owen and Henry, who participate in the Bridger Bowl Alpine and Nordic programs.
2000
Liz Beebe and husband Brahm welcomed Sevilla “Sevi” Solène Beebe Bourque into the world on May 3. Congratulations!
2001
Maine Governor Janet Mills, along with gallery owners Dennis, Martha, and Andrew Gleason, with artist Kevin Beers in the back, posed for a picture at Beers’ recent opening at Gleason Fine Art Gallery in Boothbay.
2002
Nicola ‘Nicky’ Wood, is the Executive Director of Outside Perspectives which is a nonprofit organization that partners with schools and businesses to offer transformational outdoor programs. Nicky is a new mom since 2021 and is looking forward to introducing her son to a love of the outdoors in the coming years.
1999
On June 1, 2024, Dr. Desiree Plata T’23-Present, was on the panel of a “Fireside Chat” hosted by MIT’s President Sally Kornbluth. Des is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. The topic was on Emerging Climate Solutions.
2003
While on vacation on the mid coast of Maine, Kian Merchant Borna stopped in to see Robin Chace Payson at Bohndell Sails and Rigging, Robin’s family’s business.
Dan Tutor and his partner Corinna welcomed Caspian Vincent Hatch D’Torsch to the world on May 25, 2024. Congratulations!
2004
Lani Malapan and Meredith Gadd attended a baby shower for Sara Velte Robinson who is expecting her second baby with her husband Dylan. Their five-year-old, Luke, can’t wait to be a big brother.
Kathleen Willis P’25 & Erik Renna ’96
Liz Beebe ’00 & Sevi
Dennis, Martha, and Andrew Gleason ’01 with artist Kevin Beers and Maine Governor Janet Mills.
Nicky Wood ’02 with her dog
Kian Merchant Borna ’03 & Robin Chace Payson ’03
Lani Malapan’04, Meredith Gadd ’04, & Sara Velte Robinson ’04
Class Notes
2005
Lizzy Healy and husband Stodden Clow are so pleased with the arrival of their baby Clifford.
Asa Bearse shares one of his best memories of Gould. “Mr. John Kerney grabbed as many kids as he could fit and drove us up Paradise Hill Road. We watched the green and pink aurora dance over the Mahoosuc Mountain Range. Sometimes it’s the unexpected experiences at Gould that have the greatest impact. Also, we may have been late for assembly.”
Sarah and Finn Donovan welcomed Aila Patricia Donovan into the world on March 2, 2024. Congratulations!
2006
Morgan Wildermuth and her partner, Jordan Holmes, welcomed Jacqueline Mae Vilderholmes to the world on March 19, 2024. Congratulations!
2007
Morgan Carver LeClair received a Partnership Award from Camden National Bank’s Circle of Excellence. Morgan is a Vice President and the Fraud Manager.
Tommy Story Lewis and husband Patrick Lewis attended the Gould to You in New York City this past June. They were excited to connect with Gould classmates. Tommy works as a data consultant.
T.L. Tutor continues to enjoy living in Portland, Maine and is a solar design specialist with ReVision Energy. He and his wife, Abigail, have a daughter named Lyra.
2008
Thacher and Kiley Stone ’09 welcomed Hadley (Haddie) Cecelia Stone to the world on May 2, 2024. Congratulations!
2009
Congratulations to Caitlin Forbes-Stephens on her new job as the Senior Director for Global Medical Education at Operation Smile, a non-profit that strives to bring medical care to children around the world with untreated cleft conditions.
Isabelle Louis-Bernard and her husband Kenneth Bernard attended the Gould To You New York City event this past June. Isabelle works for Legal Services NYC, which fights poverty and seeks justice for low-income New Yorkers.
2010
While visiting family in San Francisco, Chris Lee and Troy Murphy got together for dinner. Chris lives in Park City, Utah where he coaches snowboarding. He recently received a Masters in Education.
Luke Paliocha supported Maine Adaptive Sports and recreation by participating in the 36th Annual Sunday River Ski-A-Thon. Luke learned to ski through this program and has been a volunteer instructor there for the last 14 years. He wants to do all that he can to ensure that Maine Adaptive and all its programs continue for years to come.
Northern Lights over Farnsworth Fieldhouse (Photo by Faith Robbins)
Aila Patricia Donovan
Morgan Wildermuth ’06 with Jacqueline Mae Vilderholmes
Hadley Cecelia Stone
Chris Lee ’10 & Troy Murphy ’10
Luke Paliocha ’10 at Sunday River
2011
Shelby Aseltine is heading into her fifth year of teaching at Dexter Southfield School. After graduating from Bowdoin, Shelby taught at Berwick Academy for a year as part of their fellowship program while she worked on her M.Ed., and then headed to Duluth, Minnesota for a year, where she was able to coach nordic and teach. She and her husband moved to San Diego for three years during his time in the Marine Corps. They’ve been back in the Boston area since 2020.
2012
Christina Xiang and Hang Zhou were married on Oahu on May 2, 2024. Retired faculty members, Tom and Martha Whittington, were in attendance.
2013
Nate Brown proposed to his girlfriend, Camela Logan, (they met swing dancing), on a French mountain overlooking Lake Geneva. Looks like those Snowball dance lessons paid off!
2014
Molly Bruce and Nick LaChance wed on June 1, 2024 in Southport, ME.
Delany Pals is working at McKinsey and Company and moved to Denver, CO last year. She is newly married to Seamus Crowley. They held their wedding in Aspen, CO this past August.
2015
Peter Geller and Liz Racsko got engaged on March 15, 2024 at the top of Jay Peak.
Xiaolu Qian works as a Data Scientist for CVS Health. She lives in New Jersey but doesn’t mind her commute to New York City. She enjoyed attending the Gould To You event in New York this past June.
Sam Butterfield is starting a new position as a Client Solutions Specialist at NEPC, LLC in Boston, MA.
2016
Alejandra Pardos works as an Investment Banker Associate at Jeffries. She lives in New York City and attended the Gould To You event this past June.
Matt Wolfe enjoys living in the Bozeman, Montana area. He works at the Yellowstone Club coaching snowboarding in the winter and guides rafting trips in the summer.
Christina Xiang ’12 and Hang Zhou with Tom and Martha Whittington
Nate Brown ’13 & fiancé Camela Logan
Molly Bruce ’14 & husband Nick LaChance
Delany Pals ’14 & husband Seamus Crowley
Peter Geller ’15 & fiancé Liz Racsko
Sunday River Sightings! Retired faculty member, Rob Manning P’14, bumped into Zach Bouchard ’15 and Jameson Harding ’15.
2016
Arturo Fernandez (aka Tristan Simone) released a new project, Kingdom. He is a Hip-Hop artist, singer-songwriter, and creative director. Tristan Simone captures and incorporates the styles of his multicultural heritage in his artistry. His distinguished sound honors the musical essences of places he has called home, including Mexico City, Madrid, London, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston, Maine, and Costa Rica.
“When I look back at my beginnings, I can’t help but remember the happiest two years of my life. In a small town in western Maine, I was a Soul and Jazz singer who’d spend most of his time in Bingham Hall theater practicing his craft.”
Class Notes
While in town with the Red Sox to play the Colorado Rockies, Yutaro Yamaguchi, who is Masataka Yoshida’s interpreter, was able to connect with good friend Ward Saunders, who lives in Denver.
Yamaguchi ’16 & Ward Saunders ’16
2017
Hayli Poisson ran in the Chicago Marathon to benefit the Chicago Parks Foundation. This foundation supports the 600+ parks across Chicago and helps bridge the gap between communities and their parks.
Hayli Poisson ’17
2018
Aidan Lear graduated from University of Alabama Huntsville with a degree in Computer Science. In December 2023, Aidan and his girlfriend, Samantha Cronin, became engaged.
Cassie Lieblein (Colby ’23) was one of eleven University of New Hampshire
skiers who competed in the 2024 NCAA Ski Championships from March 6-9 in Steamboat Springs, CO.
Cassie Lieblein competing for UNH
After graduating from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelors in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Cecilia Mastroianni, is now the Food and Beverage Voyager at the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour.
2019
Wildens Leveque enjoyed his first season at Texas A&M. Leveque started 30 of the Aggies’ 33 games last season. Well done Wildens!
Wildens Leveque ’19
Boo Buie finished his Northwestern career as the all-time leading scorer in school history with 2,050 points over five seasons for the Wildcats. Elle Burbank O’Brien ’15, Meredith Gadd ’04; and former Gould
Yutaro
Cecilia Mastroianni ’18
Arturo Fernandez ’16 performing with Doug Alford P’18,’20 while a student at Gould.
employee, Kristina Stevens P’15, traveled to Rutgers University in New Jersey last February to cheer on Boo.
2020
Lily Drew graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Equine Science. She hopes to focus on therapeutic modalities for horses as well as other cool things like saddle-fitting.
Nicholas Szuba, a member of the class of 2024 majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Designing a Radio Music Broadcast Interface For WICN.
Keys (Caroline) Newell (they/them) just graduated from Drew University with their BA in Theater Arts with a concentration in Directing and Stage Management and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. They are currently looking for jobs in the NYC/ New Jersey area.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Cybersecurity Collaboratory recently posted about Taylor Mull on LinkedIn, stating that she is one of the best emerging talents the cybersecurity industry has to offer.
2021
Kaitlyn Saidy is majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Emotions’ Impact on ProjectBased Learning.
In Memoriam
We are saddened to learn of the passing of the following members of the Gould community since the last publication of The GAzette.
Richard E. Bayles ’48 7/14/2024
Jane Edwards ’52 4/28/2024
Erwin J. Bacon ’53 4/20/2024
Eleanor L. (Sumner) Brooks ’55 4/20/2024
Claire Marx ’61 5/19/2024
Irving F. York ’64 5/9/2024
Wei ‘Tom’ Shan graduated from UNCChapel Hill a year early majoring in Computer Science and Statistics. He is currently working for a computer science company in Spartanburg, SC.
2022
Nate Livingood continues to win big and earned a top spot on the 2024 Junior Worlds Biathlon Team.
Elle Burbank O’Brien ’15, Mededith Gadd ’04, Boo Buie ’19, and Kristina Stevens P’15
Lily Drew ’20
Keys Newell ’20
Sunday River Sightings! Retired faculty member, Rob Manning P’14 with Zach Hamadeh ’21, Ian Tyson ’21, and Mason Berlinghoff ’21.
Nate Livingood ’22
What will your legacy be? Consider a planned gift to Gould.
Stephen Schechter ’83 has been supporting Gould for over 26 years as a member of Gould’s 1836 Society. In 2015, he established the John L. Wight Scholarship to honor John Wight, a beloved faculty member and coach at Gould. This scholarship is awarded annually to a Gould student from the local area who demonstrates a passion for learning, a respect for the Maine outdoors, and an affinity for Nordic skiing.
“Gould has and will always be a special place. The friends we made, the memories we cherish, the faculty and classmates we lost, they all taught us something. When you walk on campus and you look over Farnsworth Field House to that sky, you know you are in a special place, and people like Gary Hill, and Dick Dohrmann are watching over things. We can’t forget Charlie Newell, Semper Fidelis sir, you keep your watch on your six, and John Wight will keep it on his 12.”
When on campus last summer with his son, Stephen shared that after an hour on campus, his son said, “Dad, I want to go here. It does not take a lot of convincing.”
Stephen has included Gould in his estate plan to ensure continued support for its mission and values in the future.
Planned Giving to Gould provides peace of mind and supports our commitment to keeping Gould affordable for future students and faculty.
John Wight P’92, ’95 teaches students to identify insects collected during field research on the Androscoggin River.
Gould Giving Societies
The Gould Academy community continues to amaze us with its generosity. We’re proud to recognize those who supported us in 2024 through our William Bingham II Society, 1836 Society, Head of School Circle, and Annual Fund Leadership Donors!
Visit gouldacademy.org/giving-societies to view the full list of these extraordinary individuals.
William Bingham II Society
Members include anyone who has Gould in their estate plan.
1836 Society
Members include anyone who has given 18 years or more.
Head of School Circle
Members include anyone who has given $50,000 or more.
Annual Fund Leadership Donors
Members include anyone who has given $1836 or more in the previous fiscal year.
