Fryeburg Academy Announces Two New Members on Its Board of Trustees

accountant and office manager for Pike Industries, as well as online business manager for A Virtual Necessity; since 2019, she’s been an administrative assistant in human resources for MSAD #72. Erin has a B.S. in Accounting from Plymouth State College; her daughter Lexi is a freshman this year.

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

SARAH ARSENAULT had planned to take a year’s leave from the Academy to travel with her husband Jimmy, but as the pandemic continues to prohibit entry into Australia where his family lives, we’re pleased that she’s back at FA for a ninth year, teaching special education.

Also under the header “getting back to normal” comes the imperative for a return to admissions travel and recruitment. CHRISTINA DIPIETRO ’13 this summer began duties as an admissions and residential life associate, following the completion of a social studies teaching internship last year. Christina is charged with participating in office operations throughout the admission cycle, cultivating relationships with current students and families, and assisting with the residential life program.

Following her first year teaching math at FA, AMY WRIGHTMEAD ’04 moved to the science department and is now an environmental science instructor. We’re glad that Amy was able to fill a math opening to begin teaching here last year, but since her educational background is in science, we’re especially glad that she now has the opportunity to teach in her subject area. Amy has a B.S. in Science in Education from the University of New Mexico and an M.Ed. in Earth Science in Education from Penn State.

And as the latest-breaking change, ALYSSA HARDEN — FA parent and always very active in the Booster Club — is now dividing her time between the office of admission and the athletic department, serving as managing associate for both.

The Fryeburg Academy Board of Trustees has appointed two new board members: Renee C. Thomas ’84, and Nicola Soares ’86. Both women hail from Bermuda and spent their Academy years as students in its boarding program. Renee Thomas ’84 resides in Bermuda, where she works as an assistant to the director of the Bermudian Government’s Department of Culture. Since 1989, Renee has served at the Department of Culture, formerly known as the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the agency charged with preserving, celebrating, and educating about Bermuda’s rich cultural heritage, and promoting a shared cultural identity. Following study at Westbrook College in Maine (now the University of New England), Renee graduated from the American Business & Fashion Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I’m thrilled, honored, and humbled to become a Fryeburg Academy trustee,” Renee said, when asked about her appointment. “I look forward to serving, and I feel that my own experience as an international student will be helpful as the board works with school leadership to plan for the future.”

Nicola “Nikki” Soares ’86 lives in the Detroit area in Michigan, where she is the president of Kelly Education, the nation’s largest education workforce solutions provider. Nikki is charged with setting the vision, mission, and strategic direction

for the education division; in day-to-day work, she directs 400 professionals responsible for recruiting, hiring, and developing a wide range of educators across more than a thousand preK-12 public school districts and private schools. A former teacher herself, Nikki has also held positions with NBC Universal, NBC Learn, and McGraw-Hill Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University Renee C. Thomas ’84 of Lynchburg in Virginia. When asked what she hopes to bring to the board of trustees, Nikki said, “The Academy changed the trajectory of my life with its diverse and inclusive educational community, and as a proud alumna of the Academy, I will do all I can in this role to help protect and advance its empowering mission.” Head of school Erin Mayo welcomed the new appointments: “Renee and Nikki bring further strength and diversity to our school’s governing body — a very exciting thing! I’ve enjoyed getting to know them both, and especially hearing about their Fryeburg Academy years. Bermuda is a nation from which many students have travelled over the years to enroll at Fryeburg Academy; it’s an important part of school history, and it’s just wonderful to have Bermudian alumnae now on the board.” Board president Chris Gordon said, “I’m gratified by the Trusteeship Committee’s selection of these talented individuals, and I’m so glad they’ve agreed to serve.”

Nicola Soares ’86