BA Today - Commencement 2015

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Bridgton Academy

commencement 2015 - ONLINE

TODAY www.bridgtonacademy.org

In this issue:

Bridgton Academy Legacies News From the Top of the Hill

The Brazil Boys

C o n g r a t s

t o

t h e

C l a s s

o f

2 0 1 5 !


Bridgton Academy The Official Publication of Bridgton Academy Nick LeBel Jessica Priola Michelle Cross Sarah Gaines

Managing Editor, Designer Content Editor Writer, Contributor Writer, Contributor

The Year That Makes The Difference

F rom It

Bridgton Academy Today is produced biannually as the official publication of Bridgton Academy, and is distributed to alumni, parents of alumni, and friends of BA. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out to us at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.

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H eadmaster

is a time for joyous celebration­– and some tearful goodbyes – at Bridgton Academy as we honor our newly graduated Class of 2015. Our young men have now joined the ranks of Wolverine alumni, over 8,400 strong and growing. We enjoyed an exciting year at Bridgton Academy, and are pleased to share that excitement with you through this Commencement edition of BA Today. At the Academy, our focus remains steadfast on our people, programs, and facilities. We continue to build an outstanding community through trust, selfless commitment, and the creation of enduring, transformational relationships. We aspire to develop young men who are “built for others”; young men who will influence those around them to be better and to build better communities as they work to pursue their own dreams. During the first seven years of my tenure as the 47th Headmaster of Bridgton Academy, we have cultivated a campus culture focused on support and encouragement. We review data and trends, ensuring intelligent decisionmaking centered on the stewardship and enhancement of our 207-year-old Academy. We have invested as never before into our campus facilities and programming, always striving to optimize the value proposition we deliver on behalf of our students, our staff, and the entire community in which we reside. Enrollment remains a constant focus; it is our primary objective, given our tuition-based revenue model. Bridgton Academy enrolls 15% of the annual postgraduate population in the United States, but every year we must start from scratch to fill our school. In order to remain competitive, we must constantly work to enhance our student experience; offering our families diverse programming and safe, accessible college-level facilities that reflect the key value proposition inherent in our mission. The result – an amazing population of young men poised to head out and change the world for the better. They always had the potential – your Academy simply teaches them how to let it shine. Thank you for your belief, your support, and your commitment to “The Year That Makes The Difference”. Best wishes for a wonderful summer,

Graydon E. Vigneau, Jr. P ‘12 Headmaster

Congratulations Class of 2015! For 33 weeks, you took part in The Year That Makes The Difference. There was nothing easy about it – but you did it, and look at you now! You’re ready for your next step, and we’re extremely proud of you! You are now Wolverines – take what you learned from your year here on the hill and put it to good use in the next phase of your lives.


It’s a New Era

Come and celebrate a #NewEraBA at Homecoming Weekend 2015! We invite you to join us for historic ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the Academy's two new athletic facilities made possible by the "Rise, Sons of Bridgton" Capital Campaign. Saturday, October 3rd, 2015: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new football/lacrosse artificial turf field Sunday, October 4th, 2015: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new baseball facility Look for further details coming soon on Homecoming Weekend 2015. We hope to see you there!

BA WANTS YOU Alumni and Parent Homecoming Weekend 2015 Calling all Bridgton Academy alumni, parents, and friends! This year’s annual Homecoming Weekend will take place October 2nd–4th, during what is arguably the most picturesque time of year in Maine. For the fourth consecutive year, alumni, parents (past and current), and friends will be invited to descend upon the quaint village of North Bridgton to celebrate BA and its enduring impact on all those who have helped shape the history of this time-honored school – that means you!

will be invited to hear Headmaster Vigneau’s annual “State of the School” address. There is no better time to commemorate and share your BA story than by returning to the rolling hills of Western Maine this October to re-connect with classmates, faculty and, staff – and even meet future Wolverine alumni – the BA Class of 2016!

While all BA alumni are encouraged to re-live their fondest BA memories by making the trip “back home”, we will specifically honor those class years ending in 5’s and 0’s, who will be celebrating a milestone reunion year. Special There will be a wide variety of activities offered We hope to see YOU back plans are in the works as we prepare for this exciting during the weekend: guests will be invited to attend in North Bridgton this fall! weekend, so stay tuned for more details. Interested in classes, or catch a football game (or soccer, or helping to rally your reunion-year class? We can help with lacrosse, or baseball) on our new artificial turf fields. If ice and pipes are that too! Just call Sarah Gaines at BA’s Office of Alumni & Development more your thing, then you may want to head on over to the Bridgton Ice (207-647-3322 ext. 1213 or sgaines@bridgtonacademy.org) to get your Arena, located on campus, to catch BA’s hockey teams in action! Numerous reunion celebration ball rolling! tailgates and tasty cuisine will abound and, as is tradition, all in attendance

The Alumni Top Ten

“In this corner: wearing their classroom-required jacket and tie and standing half a century removed from graduation - the BA Class of 1965! In the other corner, dressed in BA hoodies and standing only one year removed from graduation – the BA Class of 2014!”

THE BATTLE OF THE BA BROTHERS

Stranger

This BA boxing “ring” is shaped like a decagon: ten corners for the ten classes that make up the “Alumni Top Ten”. Established by BA in 2011, the “Alumni Top Ten” recognizes classes which have achieved the highest number of classmate giving participation during a given fiscal year (i.e. it is not the amount given, but the number of classmates who make a donation). Alumni participation in the Bridgton Fund is a cornerstone of the tradition of giving that makes “The Year That Makes The Difference” possible for so many of our young men. Always fans of a little friendly competition, Wolverines have silently competed against each other in recent years; all for the common goal of supporting their historic alma mater. Who will come out on top for fiscal year 2015? Will it be the BA Class of 2014; the recordholding, youngest #1-ranked class in “Top Ten” history? Or will it be our BA Class of 1965, who has impressively worked its way up to the #2 spot? Perhaps it will be a class who has yet to earn a “Top Ten” placement? Time will tell, but the only way to make sure your class will be in the running is to make certain your donation is received before BA’s fiscal-year end on June 30th, 2015. Don’t see your class listed in the “Top Ten”? Reach out to Sarah Gaines in BA’s Office of Alumni and Development (207-647-3322 ext. 1213/sgaines@bridgtonacademy.org to learn how you can help inspire your classmates to “get in in the ring”! You make all the difference at Bridgton Academy! BA's mission would not be possible without the investment and support of alumni, parents, and friends -- like you! Our 2015 fiscal year ends on June 30th and we would be honored to have your support. All those who make a gift to the Academy prior to June 30th will be proudly recognized in our 2015 Annual Report on Giving. Giving to BA is easy. Simply use the enclosed envelope, or visit our online giving form at www.bridgtonacademy.org (Click Support BA). Donations can be made by mailing to the Academy at P.O. Box 292, N. Bridgton, Maine 04057, or calling the Office of Alumni & Development at 207-647-3322. Thank you for all that you do to make the difference!

14 THE CLASS OF '65

vs.

Alumni Top Ten Fiscal Year 2015 as of Press Time

2014 1965 1964 1954 1957 1959 1962 1968 1970 1983

THE CLASS OF '14

Alumni Top Ten Fiscal Year 2014 Final Standings

2014 1950 1986 1968 1957 1965 2009 1967 1970 1959 & 1953 – A participation tie!!


W

hat defines a legacy student at Bridgton Academy? History? Heritage? Tradition? All of these things, certainly. Each young man who attends Bridgton Academy as a legacy student steps onto campus with an immediate history, whether he’s been to North Bridgton before or not. Perhaps it was his father, or maybe an uncle or brother who was first a Wolverine. For those families steeped in BA history, it may have been an aunt or a grandmother who attended the Academy in the co-ed days prior to 1960. These legacy students have heard stories of Outing Club adventures, a football team’s undefeated season, or memories of Cleaves Hall. Along with the history that a family member has shared with them, new legacy students will, in turn, create their own Bridgton stories as well.

Legacies

Class of 2015 graduate Benjamin Caples, chose to attend Bridgton 35 years after his father, Dan Caples The Higgins Family ’80. Even though Ben’s decision (L to R:) David III ‘70, David IV ‘08, Linda, Christopher ‘10 and Jonathan ‘12 to come was ultimately his own, he shared, “It was so cool being on the same campus that my dad was, and knowing that some of the faculty who were here then, like Mr. Gately and Coach Daley, are still here now. It showed me how invested the faculty are that they remembered my dad and could talk to me about him.”

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When a young man begins thinking about his plans following high school, Bridgton Academy is often a choice more easily made when an alumnus knows, firsthand, what BA has to offer his son. David Higgins III ’70 sent all three of his sons – David IV ’08, Christopher ’10, and Jonathan ’12 – to the Academy. “After all that I gained from BA, I knew it was an experience I wanted for each of my sons,” David III reflected. “My own year helped me to improve my study habits, as well as take my athletics to the next level.” Wolverine athletics have always been strong, and now college-bound student-athletes train and compete year-round at Bridgton, aiding in both recruitment and college placement. Chris ‘10 received a football scholarship to the University of New Haven. Jonathan ‘12, a senior at Marist College, recalls, "I loved my time at BA. For the first time in my life, I felt really good about school and actually became one of those assertive students in the classroom who always had their hand up. Had it not been for BA, I wouldn't be at Marist today!" David IV ‘08 is equally proud of what he accomplished, "I excelled as a student at University of Maine as a result of my time at Bridgton." Being a legacy student also includes thinking about the future, and how Bridgton may continue to be a part of your family long after graduation. Each second generation BA graduate in the Higgins family has already considered this. “It’s hard to say what will happen in the future,” David IV expresses, “but I would

M e e t A W o l v e r i n e Richard Sales ‘67 In our spring edition of “Meet a Wolverine”, we will recognize an esteemed alumnus from the BA Class of 1967 who, in many ways, is the embodiment of this exciting season of liveliness and awakening.

He is a songwriter, guitarist, and multi-talented musician. He is a composer for film, media, and radio. He is an audio engineer, music producer, and owner/operator of “glassWing recording studios” on Vancouver Island, B.C. in Canada. He is a husband, father, friend, organic blueberry farmer, and all-around lover of life. He is Richard Sales, BA Class of 1967!

What message would you like to share with our recently-graduated BA Class of 2015 and the incoming BA Class of 2016? I have named these “An Aged and Successful Huck Finn’s Seven

Steps to Heaven”:

1) Dream big, but stay awake. When I was at BA, I read Henry David Thoreau for the first time. In one of his books, he talks about building your “castles in the sky”. You have to dream big or you’ll fall short. Falling short is something to try to avoid, however. So, while holding onto those big dreams, keep one eye on “reality”.

2) “Marry up”. Seek a mate who is smart. You will be forever stimulated and that smart mate will help you build, sculpt and improve your “castle in the sky”. Plus, you’ll absorb that intelligence – a wonderful process to be a part of. Also What prompted your decision to attend Bridgton – your kids will astound you! Academy, and how did your experience at BA prepare you for life after North 3) Listen to everyone and learn wherever you can. Every human you meet has Bridgton? My parents! I was an unruly and supercharged Huck Finn in high school; there something important for you to learn. Listen very closely – this is how you become weren’t any other options. Bridgton exceeded not only my wildest dreams, but smart! I have an equation: Love of life + Intelligence + Sweat = Genius. I believe those of my parents and all of my friends. Bridgton prepared me for success anyone can be a genius if they follow this equation. by making me a whole person; capable of thinking on my feet and unafraid of working hard. I learned how to learn at Bridgton; how to listen, how to find 4) Find your passion and build your life around it. You may have to work allies and teachers – something I benefit from to this day. Everyone at Bridgton mundane jobs (I did!), but you must nurture your passion. It will continue to was incredibly inspiring. Inspiration is the bread and butter of music producers reward you in so many ways. – of all business actually – from musician to market analyst. Before Bridgton, I actually thought I was stupid. I wasn’t stupid at all, though. I just needed to learn 5) Wealth is the measure of how little we need. As you set out on your amazing how to focus and discipline my wild mind. All of these qualities and aspirations life journey, get to know your deepest thoughts and aspirations. Really knowing continue to this day. They keep me strong, healthy, quite alive and in love with yourself is the first step to success. Become as self-reliant as you can. (I learned about self-reliance at Bridgton.) At some point, we realize the greatest wealth is life itself. All of this began at Bridgton. innate, internal. Find that in others, and find it inside your very own self. What is your “coolest” memory in your work as an audio engineer/music producer? Recording Miles Davis live was incredible – many stories there. My work and 6) Love (the romantic relationship with Life itself) is the key to every door close encounters with The Grateful Dead were also extremely cool and created on the planet. Love fully, live fully. You will become a magnet that draws all many great memories for me. The most outstanding memory, however, has been the good things; all the great teachers and allies that are so crucial. A deep, developing my daughter Hayley Sales, and watching her shoot to the top of the profound love of life is true success. Making “castles” the whole earth can admire charts. That was the most rewarding. Family is why I do everything I do, so that and look up to can, has, and will continue to be done by strong-backed dreamers. touched all the crucial buttons in my heart. I’ve toured all over the world with 7) Never give up. Be strong. It will be hard. It will be challenging. It can be done. Hayley and am currently producing her third record now. /BridgtonAcademy1808

@BridgtonAcademy


definitely share my experiences and encourage my son to visit BA.” Knowing the impact that Bridgton can have on college-bound athletes, Chris says, “If, like me, my son hoped to play sports at the next level, I would encourage him to attend BA for a chance of pursuing his dream.” The importance of academics stands out for Jon, “I would tell my son how BA helped me to improve my study skills and better prepared me for college.” While the Academy has truly become a tradition in the Higgins family, they are not alone in what is a growing trend for many other families who have gone through the Bridgton Academy experience. This year's class featured nine legacy students, including twin brothers Adam and Jason Tibbetts, whose father, Jeff Tibbetts, is a 1977 graduate. Alumnus Matt Lambert ‘82 sent his triplets, Max, Matt, and Drew to the Academy this year as well. Other 2015 legacies include Ben Caples (father Dan Caples ‘80), Liam Daley (brother Conor Daley ‘13), Andrew Middleton (nephew of Tom Beedy ‘93), and Vasilios Vakalfotis (brother Costa Vakalfotis ‘12). For Liam’s parents, Kevin and Lori Daley, the choice was easy after the amazing Bridgton experience that older brother Conor had. Not only do BA students get needed support and attention, Lori enthusiastically articulated, "Bridgton knows boys!" Even though Vasilios had many reasons for choosing BA, it was ultimately the urging of his his brother Costa that swayed his final decision to come. Both soccer players, Vasilios reports, “I’ve been following in my brother’s footsteps all my life. Attending Bridgton was a wonderful footstep to follow!”

of Bridgton

Thinking of recommending a future Wolverine? We encourage you to call our Office of Admissions at 207-647-3322 ext. 1212 to talk about Bridgton Academy today!

Director of Admission & Financial Aid, Chris Webb, paints the picture of Bridgton today in the following way: “Rather than describing BA as a ‘prep school,’ it might be easier to think of it as a freshman college experience, without three years of upperclassmen or co-eds.” While the heart of that portrayal hasn’t changed since the Academy transitioned in 1966 to only offering a postgraduate year, the experience of today is greatly enhanced. One of those enhancements that remains enticing for incoming students is the ability to take college-credit courses while at Bridgton. According to Mr. Webb, “The academic rigor - and the breadth of course offerings - has never been stronger.” Improvements aside, Chris summarizes the importance of the legacy tradition, “Being a legacy is a stamp of approval, sending a message that ‘Bridgton was life-changing experience for one member of the family (father, uncle, brother), and I want my son, nephew, or brother to have a similar experience’.” Jason ‘15 and Adam ‘15 Tibbetts, sons of Jeff ‘77

From Brazil to BA

Two teammates make the 5,000-mile trip to BA

JOAO OLIVIERA BRUNNO MALLMANN-COLON Class of 2015 graduates Brunno Mallman Colon and Joao Oliviera both hail from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and traveled nearly 5,000 miles from home to attend Bridgton Academy and play soccer for the Wolverines. Prior to coming to BA, they both played for 2SV Sports Company, an organization in Brazil that helps to ultimately place soccer players at the collegiate level in the United States. Brunno completed his postgraduate year here at Bridgton, while Joao earned his high school diploma with the Academy. So, what was it like first arriving at BA? Brunno: Even though I had seen the campus on the website, I had never visited. My first impression was that it was much larger than I thought it would be. Different, too. It was bigger and more developed than what I was used to seeing in Brazil. Joao: I had never visited campus either, and was surprised in a good way when I got here. The campus was smaller than I expected, and the buildings looked different from those at home. I was so excited to be here! How did it feel knowing that you were so far away from home? J: My parents stayed in Bridgton for my first week here. After they went back, I talked to them often on the phone. Once I started becoming busy with classes and soccer, the phone calls were not as frequent. At one point, I got homesick, but it didn’t last for too long. B: I had a family member from Brazil who spent two weeks in Maine while I got adjusted – my grandfather. I did get a little homesick after he left, but it didn’t take me long to be ready for the work that I had come to BA to do. What was the toughest part of being at Bridgton? B: The weather. It was cold! I raked leaves and shoveled snow for the first time in my life this year. J: Definitely the weather, especially the snow. I tried skiing, but it wasn’t my favorite. Two hours of study hall was also tough. Another hard thing has been living on a campus with only boys—no girls!

Brunno Mallman Colon (L) and Joao Oliviera

Tell us one of your favorite things about BA. B: Being able to practice and play soccer at the same place I live! I liked all of my teachers, especially Mr. Meserve. He teaches and explains things in a way that made it easy for me to understand. That’s really helpful coming from another country to the United States. J: It was fun adapting to a new culture, meeting new people, and making new friends. Mr. Miller and Mr. Dube are both among my favorite teachers. Mr. Miller teaches Ecology, and I enjoyed learning about this place where I was living. Mr. Dube teaches from a unique viewpoint, and it helped me to learn a lot in his class. If there is one thing that you could share with everyone about your year at Bridgton, what would that be? J: This year helped me to mature into a man. I have learned how to do things for myself, even cleaning my room. It has been good to dedicate myself to soccer while balancing that with my academics. B: Even though this year was hard and feels challenging, once you learn how to do it, it’s so worth it. BA really will help you to get ready for college. Head Soccer Coach Eric Zimmer worked with Brunno and Joao to find the best college fit for each young man after Bridgton. This fall, Brunno will be attending Luther College in Iowa, and Joao will be attending Wingate University in North Carolina.

HOMETOWN: Sao Paolo, Brazil ATHLETIC TEAM: Soccer /bridgtonacademysoccer


fielding the “Forty-eight years ago, this was all a vegetable garden,” Coach Tom Austin reflected as he crunched through the latespring snow that surrounded Ellis-Fisher Field this past April. “Back in the days of wool practice jerseys, artificial turf just wasn’t something anyone was worried about. You played on grass, through mud, on dirt­– and that was that,” commented Austin. These days, that reality has shifted dramatically, and everyone, Coach Austin included, understands the importance of staying competitive in the rapidly changing academic and athletic markets. Many of today’s BA students, whether they hail from a private or public school background, have simply never played on grass. In the arms race to create the best and brightest athletic facilities, schools throughout the U.S. are installing artificial turf at a fast and furious pace.

Additionally, the baseball diamond will be relocated, and a turf infield will be installed. The relocation of the baseball field will include significant upgrades for the program as well. New dugouts, bullpens, fencing, and a backstop will all be included in the construction. “I am tremendously excited about the commitment the Board of Trustees, Headmaster Vigneau and our generous donors have made to support our baseball program,” said Head Baseball Coach Aaron Izaryk. “This is going to be a baseball facility that alums can be proud of, current students can benefit from, and future student-athletes will want to be a part of.

future Field work on May 1, 2015

This will minimize the impact weather will have, meaning more outdoor practice time and fewer cancelled games. Gone are the days of puddles on the infield and uncovered, wooden benches open to the elements. Dugouts, bullpens and a home run fence are on the way. The new, dedicated baseball facility will allow our players to ‘Be Better’ every time they step on the field.” These enhancements, resulting in a completely refurbished and brand new baseball complex, will be the first major improvements for the baseball facility since its initial construction in 1967.

For decades, Bridgton Academy’s athletic teams have been challenged to work with the best, and worst, that Mother Nature has to offer. And, while some of our most classic home games have been won (and lost) by slogging through the mud, those days will soon be behind us. Bridgton Academy was thrilled to break ground on two new major projects this spring; projects which will forever enhance our athletic program moving forward. Through the generous support of donors to our “Rise, Sons of Bridgton” Capital Campaign, the Academy has successfully raised over $1.2 million dollars to complete the first two phases of this project-based campaign.

A New Top of the Hill This past April, the thick blanket of snow that covered our fields was pushed aside, preparing for construction which began in earnest. Bridgton coaches had a front row seat to the action from their offices in the DeSorrento Wing of the gym, and couldn’t help but start to run some #TurfWatch2015 social media promotions. So, what will our boys be playing on? The construction this summer will include the installation of a 90,000-square-foot multipurpose artificial turf field, lined for lacrosse, football, and soccer, and a custom Bridgton Academy logo. The new field will be located on the previous Ellis-Fisher grass field. /BridgtonAcademy1808

@BridgtonAcademy

Both new facilities will be dedicated with official ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Homecoming Weekend in October, 2015. We hope you will join us for this celebration of BA’s progress and future!

The fields are just the beginning; stay tuned for ongoing news about our “Rise, Sons of Bridgton” campaign!


Faculty Profile D a v e L e p a g e What does “The Year That Makes The Difference” mean to you? The year at BA means so many things to so many different people, and I guess that’s what I like best about what we do here. There are so many different students that pass through our doors – all with their own goals and expectations. But, on Commencement Day, most would tell you one thing: "I am glad I made it through!" I get motivated by all of the unique stories that our guys represent. To see them reach and succeed academically, athletically, and socially over the course of the year is probably the most rewarding piece of this community to me. What is one of your best BA memories? I would have to say that the most vivid memories I have are from living in Walker Hall in the early years. I greatly enjoyed being involved in so many guys’ lives and creating a place for them that they felt comfortable in. Not that it was home, but I hope that the Lepages created something that was "home-like" for the Walker residents in the late 90's and early 2000's. I still remember the day I told my kids we were moving off campus. All three were very upset that they would not be a part of the guys’ lives on a daily basis. I still hear about it regularly from my kids almost ten years later. They miss living in the dorms, and although they are much older and in different stages of their lives, they still have fond memories of the names and faces of their big "Walker Hall family". What are some of the most exciting changes you’ve seen at BA? BA has changed so much over the last few years. I am not discounting the fact that the physical changes to the campus are exciting – they are – but the cultural changes that seem to be taking hold are very noticeable. There’s an effort to become more student-centered in our approach to what we do. Not that we weren't before, but we are encouraged to spend the time and get to know the guys as our top priority. Students first! Everything else gets done in the time after that. When you’re not busy keeping up with all of the technology needs at BA, what can you be found doing? Well, currently I am wrapping up my 10th year as the Varsity Hockey coach for the local high school team, so that is very demanding of my free time. When I do get down time, I like to spend it with my family, play my guitars, exercise and keep my house from falling down. All time consuming events, but ones that I love doing nonetheless.

Joined BA: Summer of 1997 – 18 years I’ve Been: Dorm Director (Walker Hall), Math Instructor, Computer Instructor, Assistant Hockey Coach, Assistant Director of Technology, Webmaster. I am: Math Department Academic Team Leader, Director of Technology.

Hidden Treasures On the hill Set against the picturesque backdrop of Long Lake, in the shadow of Mass Hall, sits a historical treasure dating back nearly 185 years. The Spratt-Mead Museum houses items ranging from Native American arrowheads and Civil War artifacts, to an extensive taxidermy collection and antique loom.

Much like the historic Academy upon whose campus it resides, the origins of BA’s Spratt-Mead Museum were quite humble. A mineralogy collection, believed to have been started as early as the 1820’s, was the catalyst for what is now an abundant collection that illustrates the story of not only BA’s history, but that of the Bridgton community, the New England region, and our country as a whole. The museum began as a “cabinet” of collections, located in a closet on campus. The closet housed the mineralogy assortment, which was intended to assist students and faculty with related lessons. As goods were donated and the collection grew, a decision was made in the 1890’s to purchase a building, now known as the Spratt-Mead Museum. The museum has since amassed an impressive collection of goods – spanning centuries and eclipsing eras – providing a first-hand glimpse of a time gone by. Like the history it beckons us to recall, so, too, had the Spratt-Mead Museum seemingly become “a thing of the past”. Limits in funding rendered the museum dormant in recent years. As history reminds us, though, it is prone to repetition, and is the foundation of our present. It is in this spirit that an anonymous donor recently offered his support to fund an Assistant Curator position to help evaluate the current collection and create a future museum plan. In November 2014, Daniela O’Lena was hired to take on this prodigious role. Daniela holds a degree in Anthropology from Plymouth State University, and, along with participating in archeological digs, has also worked as a Periodicals Clerk. In her capacity as Assistant Curator, Daniela was charged with the inventory and cataloguing of the museum’s artifacts, re-awakening this slumbering “Cabinet of Curiosities”. In her quest to authenticate the over 1,000 relics that she has catalogued since her arrival, Daniela explains that the verification process for these items is a multilayered endeavor. “When verifying an artifact, it all depends on how much is known at the onset. For example, the museum contains an Eskimo kayak. Up until now, this kayak was believed to belong to Admiral Peary, a member of the BA Class of 1868 and American explorer who claimed to reach the geographic North Pole during a 1909 expedition. We were able to locate letters, however, which disprove this claim and verify the kayak’s actual donor. This letter was instrumental in aiding in the authentication of the kayak, which is now estimated to be around 122 years old, and which we can now also confirm was purchased in Greenland, and is constructed of wood, leather and rawhide, and contains fragments of ivory.” As the labor of love to revive the Spratt-Mead Museum progresses, its future remains a work in progress. No matter the outcome, though, the priority will be ensuring that the museum’s collection – and the rich history enshrined within it – will be integrated into the everyday life of students at Bridgton Academy. O’Lena says, “It is my hope that the creation of smaller displays around campus will enhance each student’s education while preserving the vibrant past of not only BA, but the town of Bridgton as well.” Academic Team Leader and teacher, Travis Dube, is excited about this next step as well, adding, “The collections will provide the unequaled ability to touch history. Like everyone, our students learn from more than just hearing. These artifacts will allow us to appeal to the tactile.” Items from the museum’s vast mineral collection, the origin of today’s Spratt-Mead Museum, have already found their way to the Dr. Cyrus T. Hamlin STEM Center; once again providing tangible support to our students’ curriculum – and concrete proof that history does, indeed, repeat itself.


Bridgton ATODAY cademy ONLINE CONTENT

Welcome to the digital version of Bridgton Academy Class Notes! We invite you to read on to see what some of your fellow Bridgton alumni and friends have been up to. Don’t see your name? Re-connect with BA and update us at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org on everything going on in your life since your graduation from Bridgton Academy.

We want to hear from YOU! Please call the Office of Alumni and Development (207) 647-3322 (ext. 1213), email us at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org or visit BA online at www.bridgtonacademy.org. BA Class Notes will now be published bi-annually in the fall and spring – we hope to see your story listed below soon!

1930’s Miriam Buck Chaffee ‘39 Miriam is proud to announce that she is a great-grandmother to fourteen greatgrandchildren! She notes that their schedules keep her quite busy – and it looks like they will for a long time! With her oldest great-grandchild graduating from high school in May 2015, and her youngest great-grandchild aged only six months, we’re sure that Miriam will have plenty of good memories (and busy schedules!) to look forward to in the years to come!

1950’s Richard W. Morris ‘58 As the saying goes, “Geology Rocks” – and so does Richard Morris ’58! We hear that Richard is enjoying a well-earned retirement by traveling, hiking, camping and boating. Richard occasionally performs consulting/contract work as a professional geologist; helping small mining companies plan exploration and development programs to see if their properties have production potential - mainly for gold or gold/silver mining. Very neat, Richard! Have fun and enjoy your retirement!

1960’s Preston Hood ‘62 Preston is a busy man these days! A veteran and retired carpenter, stonemason, teacher and administrator, Preston is also a published writer. Recently, Preston did a poetry reading on WERU Radio in Blue Hill, Maine. Preston can also be seen on YouTube, where he discusses photography and its importance in helping veterans with PTSD at the VA Central Western Massachusetts. What an inspiration to us all – we can’t wait to hear what else is in store for Preston!


Bill Humphreys ’64 If you happen to travel roads along with Northeast, keep your eyes peeled for Bill Humphreys ’64! Along with being the author of the very successful cycling book, The Jersey Project, which explores the history of the cycling jersey, Bill can also be seen driving an 18-wheeler throughout the northeast.

Peter Cross ‘65 Now a retired middle school teacher, Peter Cross informs that he and his “loving wife since 1968!” have been keeping themselves busy with sailing, skiing, biking and building boats with children at The Cape Cod Maritime Museum. A well-earned retirement for a very deserving man – have fun, Peter!

1970’s Doug Hoak ‘77 1 On January 24th, Doug Hoak ‘72, was inducted into the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. After his graduation from Bridgton Academy, Doug went on to study at Springfield College; earning his degree from there in 1976. Since the completion of his formal education, Doug has gone on to distinguish himself as a baseball and basketball coach, as well as a Health and Physical Education instructor. During the early part of his 30-year career, Doug was a driving force in the creation of a baseball program at North Shore Regional Vocational High School, where he led the varsity team for five seasons. It was during this same time period that basketball teams under Doug’s leadership became a force to be reckoned with; qualifying regularly for post-season play and recording a stellar 19-1 mark in the 1985-86 season. After accepting a teaching and coaching position at his high school alma mater, Hamilton-Wenham High School, Doug led the varsity baseball team to a Division II state title during his second season at the helm. This was the first boys’ state championship in the school’s history. This accomplishment helped earn Doug the 1988 title of Salem News’ Baseball Coach of the Year. At the time of his retirement, Doug had lead HamiltonWenham to two more league championships and amassed nearly 300 victories in his overall coaching career. Long-admired by his fellow coaches, administrators, faculty, staff, students and athletes, Doug’s constant dedication and professionalism in each of his endeavors has been a cornerstone of his success. A student-athlete himself under Coaches Whitney and Avery during his time at BA, Doug was quoted several years ago as stating: “Both coaches were instrumental in helping mold my coaching philosophy, which has served me well for a long time.” Your BA family could not be more proud of you, Doug, for all of your accomplishments. Congratulations!

Aidan J. Moore ‘70 What a busy man! Aidan is currently working for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and also maintains a law practice in New Hampshire. Beyond his aforementioned professional commitments, Aidan also coaches football at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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Doug White ‘77 It was great to hear from Doug, who reports that he has been a pilot with American Airlines for nearly 30 years, 22 of which he has served as a Captain – wow! Doug informs that most of his time has been spent flying internationally on the B757 and 767. Beginning in June 2015, Doug will start flying the B777 out of JFK International Airport. Happy trails, Doug!

1980’s Jim Proulx ’81 President of the successful Proulx Oil and Propane Company based in New Hampshire, Jim has most recently made a name for himself by becoming a leader in his industry as the driving force behind the region’s use and sales of Autogas; an energy-efficient and cleaner-burning fuel. For more information on Jim and how his company is helping to spearhead greener fuel efforts in New England, read this article from the “Green Alliance” blog!

Michael Barros ‘83 Athletic accolades for Mike Barros! Mike was inducted into Stonehill College’s Hall of Fame this past fall for his accomplishments on the court. After graduating from Bridgton, Mike went on to have a stellar basketball career at Stonehill. He was a three-time All-Northeast-10 Conference selection; earning first team honors as both a junior and senior. Mike rounded out his career at Stonehill with 1,679 points – a total which still ranks fifth in program history. During his career on the Stonehill Men’s Basketball Team, Mike directly helped improve his team’s overall standings; improving the team’s records of just seven wins during his freshman year, to a 20-8 record by his junior year to win the NE-10 regular season championship with a 13-1 league mark, and 19 wins during his senior season. Congratulations on both your Hall of Fame induction, as well as your many years of success since your graduation from Bridgton!

Dave Page ‘83 Spotted by none other than Bridgton Academy Director of Athletics, Joe Sawicki, at a hockey game in Merrimack this past fall, we learned that Dave is quite a busy man these days! Along with working at a few physical therapy clinics, Dave also maintains a steady clientele as a personal trainer. Despite a hectic schedule, Dave also manages to coach his son’s youth hockey team in Methuen, Massachusetts.

Carlos Canino ‘84 Bridgton Academy was privileged to welcome back to campus 1984 alum, Carlos Canino, when he visited North Bridgton in October to speak with his future BA alumni brothers – the Class of 2015. Following his graduation from Westfield State University in 1988, Carlos went on to achieve great success over his 24 years as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Carlos is currently assigned as the Special Agent in charge of the ATF Los Angeles Field Division. Prior to this assignment, Carlos held ATF assignments in Seattle, Miami, Puerto Rico, St. Louis; and was also the ATF Country Attaché in Mexico City, Mexico, as well as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Phoenix Field Division. Carlos has earned a host of accolades, including: the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association’s Undercover Officer of the Year Award. Carlos is also a two-time recipient of both the Distinguished Service Medal and the International Narcotics Officers Association Medal of Valor. Along with earning the National Top Cops Award, Carlos has also been a twelve-time recipient of the ATF Special Act Award, and was named the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the U.S Attorney General’s Executive Office. Recently, Westfield State University honored Carlos with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. We congratulate Carlos for all of his many successes and look forward to hearing more fantastic updates about him in the future!


Christopher Clark ‘85 Proud times for Mr. Clark! Chris reports that he and his wife of 25 years have much to celebrate in their two daughters. Their youngest daughter recently graduated from Smith College and received a Fulbright Scholarship for Fisheries Research in Trinidad and Tobago. From there, she plans on pursuing her doctorate. Chris and his wife’s oldest daughter graduated from Thomas College two years ago, and is currently working in marketing and public relations in the Waterville, Maine area. Congratulations on all of your family’s accomplishments!

Todd Boudreau ’88 2 The Bridgton Academy Class of 2015 enjoyed a special treat this past April when ’88 alumnus, Todd Boudreau (also known by his pen name “T. Stephens”), made the trip to North Bridgton as a featured speaker during Thursday Chapel exercises. Todd was joined by Richie Farrell, who is currently writing the screenplay for Todd’s first novel, Dante’s Cypher. Along with speaking engagements, working with Richie, and working on his second novel, Todd is also the Oncology Specialty Consultant at Bayer. We are proud of Todd for all of his accomplishments thus far, and wish him continued success!

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Dan Connolly ’88 3 Lookin’ good, Dan! Dan is currently the Director of Industry and Society at Ericsson, a communications company headquartered out of Sweden, as well as a lacrosse coach in Virginia.

1990’s Al Mosca ‘91 We are very proud to learn that Al Mosca ’91, has recently fulfilled a long-held dream through his appointment as the new Head Football Coach at Bangor High School. Al played four years of football at Bangor High School before joining the Wolverine football squad for the ’90-’91 season. Congratulations on this great accomplishment, Al, and best of luck in your new role!

Lance Meader ’93 If you frequent Portland, Maine and are a fan of all-things sports - especially New England teams - then there is a good chance that you may have rubbed shoulders with ‘93 grad Lance Meader! Lance is currently the owner of Rivalries Sports Pub, located near The Old Port in Portland. Enjoying an ever-increasing success with Rivalries, Lance is looking to expand his business and may plan to open a second location in Falmouth as soon as August 2015. If you’re in the area, why not drop by and say hello? We wish him the best of luck as he continues his impressive entrepreneurial career!

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Daren Meader ‘95 4 Daren Meader ‘95, was recently inducted into the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements both on and off the court. A 2000 graduate of UMF, Daren ranks second among the UMF men’s basketball scoring leaders, where he finished his career with 1,819 points. The year of his graduation from UMF, Daren was selected Third Team All-American and received an Honorable Mention selection a year earlier; in 1999. Along with ranking second in career steals (183) and fifth in career assists (472) during his time at Farmington, Daren also earned All-Maine, All-Conference and Maine Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors throughout the course of his student-athlete career. (continued)

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Daren’s accomplishments reach beyond the boundaries of the court as well. As a successful student-athlete on the baseball diamond, Daren currently ranks third on UMF’s all-time list in hits (103), RBI’s (74), doubles (24) and career batting average (.368). As for career home runs, Darenranks second on UMF’s list. Daren graduated from UMF with a degree in Business Economics and currently works for Texas Instruments in South Portland, Maine. Congratulations, Daren!! To learn more about Daren’s illustrious sports career, check out this video created by UMF in honor of Daren’s Hall of Fame induction.

Mitch McGuffie ’99 From the High Seas to Harvard! We are proud to announce that BA alumnus and US Naval Lieutenant Commander Mitch McGuffie ‘99, was recently accepted to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Lieutenant Commander McGuffie will be leaving the Navy this summer, where he is slated to begin at Harvard for the Fall 2015 semester. Mitch, A 2003 graduate of the US Naval Academy, was featured in the Meet a Wolverine alumni spotlight in the fall edition of BA Today. During his time in the United States Navy, Mitch has served his country honorably in a variety of assignments. During his first sea tour on the USS Benfold in San Diego, Mitch served as a Main Propulsion Assistant. From there, he went on to serve two years on the HMS Cornwall (Plymouth, UK) as a Naval Exchange Officer. In 2008, Mitch served as a Naval Liaison Officer to the United States Exchange Senate (Washington, D.C.) and, after two years, served as the Operations Officer on USS Laboon, home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. LC McGuffie has also been published in the United States Naval Institute Magazine, Proceedings. He and his wife, Kelly, have three young daughters: Riley, Morgan and Macey. Mitch is currently the Commanding Officer of the USS Firebolt (PC 10), forward deployed to the Kingdom of Bahrain. For an inside peek into Mitch and life at sea aboard the USS Firebolt, check out these videos! VIDEO 1 and VIDEO 2 We congratulate Mitch for this phenomenal achievement and wish him continued success in this, and all future endeavors. Way to go, Lieutenant Commander McGuffie!

2000’s Donn Vidosh ’00 5

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A lot has happened in Donn’s life since he graduated from BA! While studying at Syracuse University (SU) as a Consumer Studies major, Donn played lacrosse for the Orange; winning two national titles (2002 & 2004). After completing his studies at SU, Donn returned to Michigan where he opened Vidosh North, LLC, a design/build landscape company. The business has been met with great success and growth, and recently was awarded the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Associations “Grand Award” – the state’s green industries’ highest award – for a residential project his company completed in 2013. Donn shares his happiness and success with his wife and 11-month old son. Congratulations, Donn!

Dan Wolff ‘02 Pursuing his career in the world of education, Dan informs us that he has recently transitioned from the public school arena, to the private school arena. Dan is now the “Upper School Learning Resource Specialist” at The Potomoc School in McLean, Virginia. Congratulations, Dan, and keep up the good work!


Sam McMahon ’04 6 Big news for Sam! After serving as the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Missouri State University, Sam began his position as the new Assistant Coach of the Missouri Southern State University’s men’s basketball team. After his own playing career at the University of Delaware (2004-08), Sam landed an assistant coaching spot at Central Methodist University (CMU) in 2009. During his two years at CMU, he helped the team to a combined 52-15 record, with a pair of NAIA National Tournament appearances in that span. Way to go, Sam!

Maurice “Mo” Murray ’04 7 We were so excited to learn that Maurice (Mo) Murray was inducted into Northeastern University’s Athletics Hall of Fame on November 14, 2014. Highlights from Mo’s football career at Northeastern, from which is a 2009 graduate, have even made their way to the coveted “Great Moments in Northeastern Football History” list. Mo was a running back for Northeastern between 2004-07, and was the Huskies’ all-time leading rusher, holding career records in total rushing yards (3,806), attempts (819), rushing touchdowns (43), and total touchdowns (43). During his senior year in 2007, he tied the single-season record for rushing TDs with 14, and his 1,421 rushing yards are second best in program history. Mo was named to the All-Conference First Team in 2007, and earned All-Conference Second Team selections in 2005 and 2006. He has also received New England All-Star honors. While at Northeastern, Mo ran for 100 or more yards in 17 games; first all-time for the school. Upon his graduation from Northeastern, Mo went on to play club football with the United States National Team in 2011. Congratulations on all of these outstanding accomplishments, Mo!

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Tom Daley ’05 8 We are extremely proud to announce that Staff Sergeant Tom Daley, Bridgton Academy Class of 2005, was awarded the Silver Star Medal this past winter. Members of the 3rd Special Forces Group were honored during a unique ceremony, and given special praise; their actions being credited for much of the success seen in Afghanistan over the last several years. Staff Sergeant Daley was commended for exposing himself to enemy fire to reach two severely wounded American soldiers, and leading ground-toground and air-to-ground strikes to suppress the enemy. He then braved enemy fire to clear a landing zone of improvised bombs. We congratulate Staff Sergeant Daley for earning this honor, and thank him for his continued service to our country.

Raphael Guimaraes ’05

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After completing his post-graduate year at Bridgton, Raphael went on to meet much success, both academically and athletically; as well as in his personal life. During his college career, Raphael was chosen as an All-American athlete and received a full scholarship to attend a Division II school, later transferring to a Division I school, where he also excelled as an honor roll student. Upon completing his formal education, Raphael was offered a contract to play professional soccer with a European club based in Finland. For Raphael, however, he considers his greatest triumph thus far as that of his new role as husband. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Guimaraes!

Russell Moncure ’06 We hear that Russell is doing well down in the Chesapeake, Virginia area, and currently works as a Certified Public Accountant for Ernst and Young, where he is an Audit Senior. He is enjoying the warmer temps down that way, but assures us BA is always on his mind (fondly, we might add!) as the temps begin to drop in his beloved adopted town of North Bridgton. Congrats on all of your achievements thus far, Russell!

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Paul Graziadei ‘07 After his graduation from Sacred Heart University in 2012, Paul began pursuing a law degree, and hopes to earn this degree by next spring. Most recently, Paul accepted an internship with the New York State Attorney General’s Office - wow! We can’t wait to hear what else is in store for Paul! Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Tyler McLaughlin ’07 9

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Many of you may already be quite familiar with 2007 BA alumnus, Tyler McLaughlin, through his appearances as the reigning champ on the National Geographic Channel’s Wicked Tuna. Tyler is the captain of his fishing vessel, “Pinwheel”, and is a force to be reckoned with on the high seas. Earlier this year, Tyler was named as a “2015 Hero” and presented with the prestigious “First Responder Award” by the American Red Cross of Northwest Massachusetts for his heroic efforts rescuing the Miss Sambvca, a Gloucester-based fishing vessel that sank 14 miles east of Thatcher Island during treacherous sea conditions on October 19, 2014. We can’t wait to hear what’s in store next for Tyler – keep up the great work!

Anthony Jimenez ’09 10 Perhaps this picture says it all! Congratulations, Anthony, on the birth of your son and future Wolverine!

Thomas Paine ‘09

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Thomas reports that he is currently working as a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual in Duluth, Minnesota. He has also recently graduated (with honors!) from the University of Wisconsin Superior with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Sports Management. After his graduation from Bridgton, Thomas played four years of college hockey: two years at Augsburg College, and two years at UW Superior. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments thus far, Thomas!

2010s Kyle Empey ’10 - 11 Great news for Kyle, who has recently signed a contract to play football with the Professional Indoor Football League’s “Erie Explosion”! Congratulations, Kyle!

Jarrell Greene ‘10

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We hear that there is an assortment of exciting news for Jarrell! After graduating from Framingham State last year, where he had a fantastic football career and “won a couple rings”, Jarrell took a position with a pharmaceutical company. We learned that he also applied to the Boston Police Department, and is expected to be a member of the Police Academy class this spring. To top it off, Jarrell also became a licensed minister this past fall! Congratulations on all these successes, Jarrell, and keep up the good work!

Ruben Kanya ’10 Impressive news out of Canada for Ruben Kanya ’10! After a postponement in his chiropractic career, Ruben began working with a podiatrist at a highly-praised clinic in Ottawa, “Feetdocs”. This past fall, Ruben was named “Head of the Shoe Orthopedic Department” – managing the newly-expanded orthotics unit. Congratulations, Ruben, and keep up the good work!

Tanner Chase ’11 12 Tanner recently graduated from Keene State after an illustrious career as the Captain and third baseman for the Owls. In a recent news article, Tanner announced that he already has a job lined up after graduation – way to go, Tanner! We look forward to hearing more stories of his continued success.

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Nick Giglio ’11 Nick has been quite busy these last years! Along with enjoying the general merriment that comes with being a college senior, Nick, who studies at Quinnipiac, has enjoyed working on his senior thesis: a group film project that finds him writing, directing, acting in, editing and producing a short film – wow! Nick has also completed two excellent internships in film editing. We are certain to hear great things about Nick and his work in the future – and we can’t wait! Great job, Nick!

Jay Kenney ’11 A student now at Merrimack College, we were relieved to hear that Jay has recovered from a successful surgery to his neck to repair injuries stemming from years of hard-fought battles on the football field. While we understand that he may have hung up his cleats, this hassn’t stopped Jay from continuing to support his school’s athletic program, where he is currently working as he continues to earn his degree. Keep up the good work, Jay!

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Dan Sullivan ’11 Bridgton Academy Director of Athletics, Joe Sawicki, caught up with Dan Sullivan ‘11, who was running the registration desk at the Cornucopia Cup Youth Hockey Tournament at the ICENTER in Salem, NH this past November. Dan reports that he is doing quite well at Keene State, where he has just wrapped up his junior year. Although he can still be found helping out at ice hockey events, such as the Cornucopia Cup, Dan reports that his prowess on the rugby field has kept him busy these days. Be safe and “ruck hard” out on the pitch, Dan!

Sean Williamson ’11 13 Congratulations to Sean, who recently graduated from Roger Williams University! Along with his outstanding career as a student-athlete with the hockey team at Roger Williams, Sean was also named RWU Hockey’s “Best Offensive Defenseman”, for which he received the “Richard Dart Award”. We’re certain there will be many future successes and great things to come for Sean. Well done!

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Patrick Farrington ’12 14 Patrick is currently a member of the Men’s Ice Hockey Team at Stonehill College, where he was on the NE-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll both semesters of the 2013-14 academic year. He was also named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll during his spring 2014 semester. Way to go, Patrick and keep up the great work!

Jake Johnson ’12 15 A standout on the field, Jake has continued his impressive student-athlete (lacrosse/attack) career at Colorado State. In 2014, Jake received “Honorable Mention All-Conference” for his athletic prowess, and was also a driving force in his team’s double-overtime victory in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Job well done, Jake, and keep up the good work!

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Erik Steele ’12 We hear that Erik is doing great at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is on track to become a fully-qualified instrument pilot this spring, with his commercial rating to follow. As a matter of fact, Erik has been known to fly a pass over BA from time to time! Wherever you are – should you hear a plane overhead, be sure to look up and wave – it may just be Erik! Keep up the great work, Erik, and safe travels!

Nick Swim ’12 16 Nick began his college career at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he started at third base and had an impressive first year. A major injury forced Nick to sit out the majority of his sophomore season at NJIT, but Nick persevered and got ready to return to the diamond. In the fall of 2014, Nick transferred to Castleton State College in Vermont, where his career has continued to take off. At Castleton, Nick has batted .402, with 20 runs and 20 RBIs. Nick has also been named “North Atlantic Conference Player of the Week”. We congratulate Nick on his success thus far and wish him continued luck in his endeavors!

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Evan Brown ’13 17 Now a sophomore at Manhattan College, Evan has continued to be a strong member of the Jaspers baseball team, and has been known to make game-changing plays in extra-inning games, that have led to his team’s victory. Way to go, Evan!

Sean Getman ’13 18

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From Bridgton Academy to NCAA champion! Now a sophomore and infielder for the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons, Sean Getman ’13 was a member of the Red Dragons’ NCAA Championship team; the first NCAA title for SUNY Cortland’s baseball team. Along with getting ample play time throughout Cortland’s appearance at the NCAA World Series, Sean has racked up some impressive stats during his student-athlete career at Cortland, including a .294 batting average, 11 runs, 3 doubles and 9 RBIs. Sean and his teammates finished 5-0 at the World Series with three wins in pool play and wins versus UW-La Cross in the first two games of the best-of-three championship round. Congratulations on a job well done, Sean!

Adam Lundberg ’13 Spotted at a hockey game in Merrimack this past fall, Adam reports that he is doing quite well at Western New England University, where he is currently a member of the Golden Bears hockey team. We are happy to hear that he is enjoying school and wish him every success as he continues to pursue his goals as a student-athlete. Great job, Adam!

Dale Mattice ’13

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Hooray for Dale Mattice ’13, who earned the Worrell-Fallon Memorial Award this past October while playing for the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) at the Lee-Jackson Classic (lacrosse) against Washington & Lee University! The Worrell-Fallon Memorial Award is given annually to each team’s most valuable member, and is voted on by members of the media and game administration. This was Dale’s second appearance in the Lee-Jackson Classic. Dale was the game’s top scorer this year; taking three goals on just four shots. In addition to his success on the field, Dale and his team, as well as their opponents, also raised $342 for ALS research and the website dontshrink.com. Way to go, Dale!

Jared Osumah ’13 19 Headmaster Grady Vigneau, P ‘12 caught up with Jared this past fall when the University of Maine took on the University of New Hampshire for the #1 seed for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. Jared, a wide receiver for the University of Maine, was redshirted by the Black Bears in 2013, but his regular play and high praise from his U. Maine coaches leave no doubt that we will hear of many great things to come for Jared. Keep up the good work, Jared!

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Alex Addison ’14 20 Alex had an impressive freshman year as goaltender for the Transylvania University Lacrosse Team (Pioneers)! Just this May, Alex and his team won the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference Tournament Crown – a first for the Pioneers lacrosse team! Way to go, Alex, and keep up the good work!

Russell Bloom ’14

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It has been a busy year for Russell since his graduation from Bridgton! In the months that followed Commencement, Russell has been hard at work expanding his resume – from deli clerk, to tiling and carpentry and, most recently, land surveying; which informs he has a particular interest in. Russell will be continuing his pursuits in land surveying this summer, as he chooses which college he will attend in the fall. Russell plans on majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife and/or Outdoor Recreation Environmental Studies; with an ultimate goal of attending Ranger School at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Keep up the good work, Russell – we can’t wait to hear what’s in store for you next!


Travis F. Bobb ’14 Travis proudly reports that he is currently playing hockey for the Syracuse Stampede in the North American Three Eastern Hockey League. He is looking forward to starting college in 2015 and we wish him much success as he continues to pursue his dreams! Keep up the good work, Travis!

Shaine Carpenter ’14 Shaine had an impressive freshman year at Saint Anselm College, where he currently plays baseball for the Hawks! This past season, Shaine started in each of the 34 games he played. He also drove in 16 runs and scored 12 times. He is tied for fifth on his team in walks, and is already placed seventh on the program’s all-time list amongst catchers. Way to go, Shaine!

Tanner Hyland ’14 Tanner has had an impressive freshman year so far at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York. A freshman guard for the Dolphins basketball team, Tanner has helped rally his new team to victory several times throughout this season. Despite an upper-body injury that left him unable to play for four weeks, Tanner proved that nothing can keep him down. With such an exemplary freshman year under his belt, we can’t wait to see what the rest of Tanner’s college career holds for him. Well done, Tanner!

Jarrod Neumann ’14 21 Jarrod Neumann, was recently named “Breakthrough Stud” in the Lacrosse Today Face-Off Yearbook. Now in his second year at Providence College, Jarrod’s skills as a defenseman began emerging during his freshman year when he started in 14 of 15 games with the Friars. He is being credited as one of the main reasons that Providence’s defensive efficiency has moved from a #37 ranking in 2013 to a #17 last season. Jarrod also named to the 1st Team All-Big East. Congratulations, Jarrod! Keep up the good work!

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Jonah Normandeau ’14 Currently pitching for the University of Maine Bears baseball team, it was announced in February that Jonah Normandeau will be added to the 2015 roster of the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement, Jonah!

Troy Pelletier ’14 22 A freshman at Lehigh University for the 2014-15 school year, Troy was a stand-out among his current teammates on the Mountain Hawks football team. After a notable freshman season with the Mountain Hawks; including a game against UNH attended by BA Headmaster Grady Vigneau P’12, Troy was named to the second-team All Patriot League Team offense. Members of this select and elite team are voted on by the Patriot League football head coaches (who may not vote for the student-athletes on their teams). With so many accomplishments already under his belt before the completion of his freshman year, we are sure to hear many more great updates from Troy in the future. Here, pictured in the #85 white jersey, is Troy in action against the UNH Wildcats. Way to go, Troy!

J.T. Pittman ’14 Along with being a standout on the field during his freshman year as a student-athlete (baseball) at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, J.T. was also named “Rookie of the Week” by the Northeast-10 Conference Weekly honors in February. Job well done on your strong start at Lemoyne and keep up the good work, J.T.!

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Ryan Slatky ’14 In the months since his graduation from Bridgton, Ryan has had impressive first year as a student-athlete at Southern New Hampshire University; proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the ice. A starting goaltender for the Penmen, Ryan kicked off 2015 by securing an important win for the Penmen against number four-ranked Oswego State as he registered 39 saves; fourteen of which were in the final period of play. We are certain to hear of many more victories from Ryan, both on and off the ice, in the future. Keep up the good work, Ryan!

Jonah Normandeau ’14 Currently pitching for the University of Maine Bears baseball team, it was announced in February that Jonah Normandeau will be added to the 2015 roster of the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement, Jonah!

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Group News and Events Eric Rehfield ‘03 and Corky McMullen ’03 23 BA pride at New Jersey’s Prudential Center! We are happy to hear that Eric Rehfield and Dan “Corky” McMullen are still in touch and meet up when Corky, now an Assistant Coach for the Rutgers men’s basketball team, plays in Newark – just a stone’s throw from Eric’s Manhattan home! BA Headmaster Grady Vigneau, P ’12, 24 caught up with a few BA alumni during one of their Dean College football games this past fall. From left to right: Shamis Henry ’14, Geeovontie Griffith ’13, Headmaster Vigneau, P ’12, Malik Lee ’14, and James DeMartini ’13. Congratulations on a great season, Wolverines – keep up the good work!

Jeremy Leggiero ’11took a break during one of his football games, as a player for

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SUNY Stony Brook, to grab a photo with Headmaster Vigneau, P ’12. Lookin’ good, Jeremy!

25 Showing their Wolverine pride! Now at Nichols College, BA alums (from left to right) Liam Burke ’14, Andrew Proctor ’14, Joe Gambardella ’14 and Robbie Eldredge ’14 took a moment to pay tribute to BA Hockey. We wish them all the best of luck as they continue their college careers. Bridgton alumni, Dylan Schulte ’13 (Monmouth University) and Conor Daley ’13 26(University of Hartford) faced off as their respective lacrosse teams battled it out this past fall. Clearly, their BA brotherhood is stronger than college rivalries! Keep up the good work, guys! It was great to see BA alumnus, Eric Horn ’86, 27 catching up with BA hockey during an exhibition game in Connecticut this past fall. Here, Eric is pictured with his newest alumni brothers from the Class of 2015, Matt Lambert and Cam Johannson.

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28 March Madness got a Wolverine edge as BA alums take part in the tourney! BA alum Jarryn Skeete ’12 (University of Buffalo) took on Maryland in the NCAA Men’s tourney. Xavier University found support during their run in the tourney from Student Manager and BA alum Matt Stebbins ’12. Way to go, Wolverines! Here, Stebbins ’12 catches up with Skeete ’12, reminding him “Impossible is Nothing” before Jarryn’s basketball game against Kentucky. Great to see these two have kept in touch!

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29 A great time was had by all as Bridgton Academy took to Arlington, Massachusetts in January to gather with alumni, parents and friends of the Academy at Menotomy Grille. Pictured here (from left to right): Paul Carroll, PP ’05/’08; Ryan Conlon ’05; David Carroll ’05; BA Director of Admission, Chris Webb; and Mike Carroll ’08. Thank you for hanging out with us in Arlington, Wolverines!

30 What fun! While at the USA Football Regional Development Camp, Matt Burgess ’88 (and former BA Assistant Director of Development) ran into fellow BA alum (and past advisee) Andrew Byron ’05, who is now at Maine Maritime Academy as the Defensive Coordinator. Also present was Will Croom ’01, who reports he is doing well with his business, “1st String Performance”.

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GROUP “SHOUT-OUTS” Congratulations to Costa Vakalfotis ’12 (Merrimack College), Dmitri Roumeliotis ’14 (Wheaton College), Marlon Ramalho ’11 (Wheaton College), and Mike Kelley ’13 (Nichols College), who competed with their respective schools this fall in the NCAA soccer tournaments! “Job well done” to BA alums Josh Altman ’11 (Sprinfield College) and Kamahl Walker ’13 (Endicott College) played in the NCAA Division III basketball tournaments this past season – way to go, guys!

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Football fame for Bridgton alums! A special congratulations goes out to the four Bridgton Academy alumni who received Northeast-10 football honors this year. Jarrod Casey ’13 (linebacker at Assumption College) and Brian Wilcox ’10 (linebacker at Southern Connecticut State) were named to the All-Northeast 10 2nd team, while Jhalen Bien-Aime ’14 (Pace University) was named to the AllRookie Team. Finally, to bring these accolades full-circle, Patrick Murphy ’91 (Head Coach of the St. Anselm College Hawks) was named Co-Coach of the Year. Well done, Wolverines!

FRIENDS OF BA Brian Farrell, former BA intern 31 (Assistant AD and LAX coach 2011-12) We are proud to announce that Brian accepted the position of Head Coach of the varsity LAX team at The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland (Lakers). Brian, an alumnus himself of the The Boys’ Latin School, is slated to take over as Head Coach at the start of the Lakers’ 2015-16 LAX season. Congratulations to Brian – and The Boys’ Latin School!

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Ricky Johnson, P ’12 (son, Jake ’12) 32 participated in the “Red Bull Frozen Rush” at Sunday River in nearby Newry, Maine this winter. The “Frozen Rush” is a Pro4 truck race on snow – sounds like fun! Ricky had a stellar run this year, finishing second place overall in the competition. Great job, Ricky! Here, Rick is pictured with son, Jake Johnson ’12 (left), and Chris Gibaldi ’12 (right).

Bruce Chalmers 33 We are proud to announce that longtime friend of the Academy, Bruce Chalmers, will be inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame this month, as a member of the 2015 class. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Bruce!

Chad Parker Congratulations to former Bridgton Academy Athletic Training intern, Chad Parker, who recently accepted the position of Director of Sports Medicine at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL! Good luck, Chad!

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IN MEMORIAM We are saddened to report the passing of the following Bridgton Academy alumni. Please check back as individual obituaries are posted. William Baldwin ’64; Richard “Dick” Bioty ’65; Trevor Cann ’76; Merle Castle ’48; Wayne Chadbourne ’53; Diana Connell ’52; Gregg Dziama ’68; Howard Hallberg ’57; Fred Hamlin ’47; Thomas Hooper ’49; Evelyn Lamb ’50; Dr. A. Helen Martikainen ’35; Arlene Proctor ’43; Ronald Rossi ’60; William Ryan ’55; Edna (Mattson) Seilonen ’37; Kevin Tarrant ’79; Kevin Van Lenten ’09; Paul Woods ’68.

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To find out more about what’s going on at Bridgton Academy, including comprehensive Class Notes, as well as event calendars, sports schedules, player profiles and more, visit www.bridgtonacademy.org. Are you interested in seeing more in print? Just call 207-647-3322 ext.1229 and we’ll send you a printed Class Notes list from the year of your choosing. Or, sign up for our biweekly e-newsletter by emailing alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.

Know a future Wolverine? Contact BA Admissions at admissions@bridgtonacademy.org

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