GSA Matters Spring 2022

Matters George Stevens Academy

News for Our Families and Friends

Cole Lepper ’22, welding

ISIP 2022! p. 4 plus

Senior on to Poetry Out Loud Nationals! p. 12 and

Grace Whiting ’22 fashion design

much more in this Spring 2022 issue!

Will MacArthur ’22, auto restoration

Austin Chandler ’23 in our music production studio.

Worth the Investment

The first feature in this issue is about GSA’s signature Independent Study and Internship Program, in which juniors and seniors spend two weeks diving deep into a field of interest.

This year, several students chose to record and produce music, often their own compositions, with teacher Phelan Gallagher ’02. They did so in a new music studio that Phelan spent months setting up and outfitting with donated equipment* and gear we purchased. I had the good fortune to play for these students so they’d have someone other than themselves to record. The quality of their work was excellent.

In every high school, knowledge is learned, skills are practiced, and attitudes are developed, but a great high school helps students discover who and what they might be. ISIP is just one example of the many ways GSA students can do independent, self-directed work.

ISIP requires a great investment of time and other resources, but judging from how many former students say they’ve found their life’s work through this experience, we can say with confidence it has been worth every hour and every dollar. Thank you to the project mentors, coaches, and the countless others who helped make it happen.

Timothy J. Seeley Head of School *We’ll say more in the future about the generosity that made the studio a reality.

Parents of alumni, have your Eagles left the nest?

If your graduate has moved out of your house but you still receive their GSA mail, please use THIS FORM to update their contact information.

Alumni, update your contact information and submit news HERE.

We love sharing stories about GSA students, staff, and alumni. Knowing the best way to reach our alumni helps us do just that!

In This Issue

ISIP Exhibition Night a Big Success 4 Jaime Torre Takes Open Approach to Math 8 Austin Chandler ‘23 Math the Star of Stephenson Home Renovation 9 Substitutes Help Learning Continue 10 Senior on to Poetry Out Loud Nationals 12 GSA Jazz Enjoys State Festival Success 13 GSA Drama Back on Stage 14 Hylan Fund Applications Open 15 James and Emily Hildebrand ‘97 Keep Giving Simple 16 GSA Spring and Summer Events 17 Winter Sports 18 GSA’s Mission, Vision, Trustees 20 Matters is a publication of the GSA Advancement Office.

Mark Messer, Editing and Design Director of Communications m.messer@georgestevens.org Trudy Bell

Advancement Associate t.bell@georgestevens.org

Karen Brace

GSA Fund and Alumni Relations Director k.brace@georgestevens.org

Rada Starkey

Director of Advancement r.starkey@georgestevens.org

Liffey Thorpe

Advancement Special Projects l.thorpe@georgestevens.org

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Visitors explore ISIP projects during a very successful ISIP Exhibition Night.

ISIP Projects, Students Wow Crowds

On March 23, the campus buzzed with excitement as juniors and seniors spoke with visitors about their ISIP projects, showing off the results of their two-week explorations of career and personal interests with expert mentors.

GSA’s Independent Study and Internship Program has been central to our commitment to student self-exploration for more than 50 years. Below and on the next three pages, we give you a glimpse into the wide range of projects our students undertook this year.

Coordinator Megan Flenniken spends a tremendous amount of time organizing ISIP starting in early fall, and nearly everyone at GSA helps, many as coaches, some as mentors, and others behind the scenes. We thank everyone, especially project mentors, for making ISIP such a success for our students.

Longrie Christiansen ’23 with Chrissy Beardsley Allen ’98.

Longrie, left, helps George Fields with trail maintenance.

Longrie Christiansen ’23 spent ISIP working on projects ranging from trail maintenance to donor analysis for the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Mentor Chrissy Beardsley Allen ’98, BHHT’s Development Director, said “Longrie was really such a delight to have here. He was reliable, worked hard, was extremely competent, and always asked questions if he did not understand something.”

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“I genuinely had a great experience,” said Phillip Ciampa ’23 of his ISIP in oil painting with mentor Nick Patterson, an artist who teaches at Brooksville Elementary School.

“I was glad to get an email from [Phillip] this fall,” Nick said, “and to hear about all the neat things he has been doing since I had him as a student in Brooksville. He had gotten the oil painting bug over summer and wanted to share that with someone. I was honored he would share that with me.”

Phillip’s goal for his ISIP was to make progress as a painter, which he said “relies on plain experience more than secondary knowledge.” He got plenty of experience. Though his plan was to paint one canvas, he completed several.

Here, we share Phillip’s photos of two works, both in process and finished.

Top left, Phillip paints a still life.

Top right, detail from the finished still life.

Left, Phillip’s study of “Archangel Michael defeating Satan,” by Guido Reni, in process.

Right, Phillip’s finished study of the painting by the Italian master.

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Olivia Strong ’23 sews a pair of unicorn and rainbow summer shorts.

Olivia Strong ’23 had two project mentors. Teacher Juli Perry helped with sewing projects. Food Services Director Kristyn LaPlante taught her kitchen and cooking skills, like how to make her mother’s favorite breakfast.

“It was wonderful” working with Olivia on her ISIP, Kristyn said. “She was always right there and very focused on what she was learning.”

Several students worked in GSA’s new music production studio with the help of mentor Phelan Gallagher ’02.

Drummer Isaiah Zemans ’24 takes instructions from producer Jenna Blodgett ’23.

It’s not enough to play an instrument anymore, Phelan said. “Musicians need to wear three hats: musician, engineer, producer.” ISIP gave them a chance to take “a modern approach” to music, merging the skill sets.

In addition to playing music, students learned to position mics for “talent,” check levels, engineer music using the new 18-channel audio interface and new iMac with Logic Pro, and oversee the entire process as producers.

Malcolm X. Johnson ’22, who is interested in a music career, worked with project mentor Kale Bryson for ISIP. To watch the video Malcolm created and hear his beautiful original composition,

CLICK HERE

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Ben Hallett ’22, snowboard making

Dylan Hooper ’23, engine rebuild

Jace Gaspar ’23, scalloping Hailey Matson ’23, dimensional art

Sam Bach ’22, vacuum tube amplifier Ege Asyali ’22, woodturning

Lily Jaffray ’23, large animal vet

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Math Teacher Takes Creative Approach

Algebra II students engage in a “more open, creative approach” to problem solving.

Jaime Torre, GSA’s Math Department chair, has adopted a new classroom approach to help ALL of his students get more out of math. “My goal is to teach them creative thinking, a growth mindset, and resilience,” he said.

The traditional approach, teaching the mechanics of solving math problems and then having students repeat the process, rewards students who are “skilled at memorizing and computing,” Jaime said, but a more open, creative approach “reaches more students in a diverse class.”

Jaime engages his students with “rich, open, visual, creative tasks,” like answering this question that Algebra II students worked in groups to solve: Using any mathematical operations with only the numeral four, what equations will yield the results 1 through 20?

Some equations came quickly (4+4+4 = 12, 4x4 = 16, 4/4 = 1), but others were harder to come by at first. Quite naturally, though, groups adopted different tactics to find other equations, and they learned from each other in the process, often finding multiple ways to achieve the same result.

They also made mistakes, which Jaime said help learning and cognitive development. “I want them to know that mistakes make their brains grow.”

So, how is the open task approach going? Very well, Jaime said. Research shows that students who do well with either approach perform well on standardized tests, he said, but that this new approach “is more equitable because it brings success to students with diverse skills and strengths.”

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Will I Use That? Yes, Says Teacher In 2019, math teacher Andy Stephenson and his wife bought a rundown house.

Since then, Andy has torn out “walls and ceilings, bathrooms and bedrooms” to prepare it to be rented.

Throughout the renovation process, Andy has noticed “a great many connections to the geometry I teach here at my day job,” he said.

“The concept of congruence, two objects having the same size and shape,” was helpful when Andy and his son Nate faced a problem.

“We noticed that the floor was lowest in the room’s middle and highest around the room’s perimeter.”

They decided to create shims that were congruent with the curve in the floor by using “spiling,” a boatbuilding technique explained below.

Andy also pointed out other ways math helps with construction projects. The Pythagorean theorem is used to create perfect squares and rectangles, arithmetic sequencing helps avoid measuring errors, and arithmetic is important for estimating materials needs. Thanks, Andy, for sharing your knowledge and images!

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2 3 Top left, a level shows how much the floor sagged. In fig. 1, the cross section illustrates the uneven curve of a floor. Spiles are clamped at regular intervals to a 2x4 on top of the floor to gauge the curve’s depth. In fig. 2, the 2x4 with clamped spiles is used to trace the curve on a second 2x4, from which the shim in fig. 3 is cut. Right, Nate Stephenson stands amid the installed shims. Subflooring was later installed on top of the shims.

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UNDEFEATED!

Congratulations to the GSA math team on winning EVERY Downeast League meet this year and finishing the season firmly in first. Pictured are participants in the final meet, front, from left, Jahnya Woods ’25, Alexandria Perillo ’25, Haleigh Young ’22, Noël Da ’23, Sofya Lantratova ’22, Jacob Cloutier ’25, Coach Isaac Vaccaro; back, from left, Hannah VanSpronsen ’23, Daniel Lekan-Salami ’22, Clay Maanum ’24, Azaiah Nanson ’23, Ian Bowden ’23, and Austin Chandler ’23.

Thank You, Substitute Teachers!

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While subbing for Caroline Richards, Assistant Head of School Rebecca Gratz talks to Street Law students about the school-to-prison pipeline.

Dean of Students Todd Eckenfelder joined her for the discussion.

When Caroline Richards needed subs to cover her classes, administrators stepped up. Sub coordinator Gail Strehan said she’s thankful that teachers and administrators fill in, but that GSA depends mostly on other subs to ensure that learning continues when a teacher is out.

“Subs are extremely important,” Gail said. “We’ve had only three days this year when we didn’t need a sub.”

“We have one sub, a Covid relief person, who comes in every day. Other than that, we have about eight people available.”

“Often, this is a temporary job for people while they look for other work.

We also have quite a few retirees who want to get out and do something.”

“Most subs say they really like working at GSA. I think they learn how fun, curious, and interesting teenagers can be. Every day is different. It can be really fun and rewarding.”

“Subbing is a great way to get your foot in the door. We have gone on to hire subs as full-time teachers, ed techs, coaches, and administrators.”

Interested in becoming a GSA sub? Email g.strehan@georgestevens.org.

Dean of Curriculum & Instruction David Stearns teaches research skills in Caroline Richards’ World History class.

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Senior on to Poetry Out Loud Nationals

Sofya Lantratova ’22 at the schoolwide competition.

Sofya Lantratova ’22 won the state Poetry Out Loud competition in March and will represent Maine in the virtual national semifinals in May. “I thought first it was unbelievable to hear,” Sofya said. “I did believe in myself, but I didn’t know I would go that far.”

When Martin Conte ’11, GSA’s POL advisor, heard the news, he couldn’t contain himself. “I did a lot of whooping and jumping around in my apartment.”

“That’s funny,” Sofya said. “I was in the library then, so I couldn’t whoop out loud.”

In preparation for the semifinals, Sofya will be coached by poet Brian Evans-Jones, who has worked with Maine’s Poetry Out Loud champions for the last few years.

And Martin will help Sofya “find that place of focus so the anxiety and stress of the one-take [official recording session] doesn’t overtake her in the moment.”

“But in terms of feeling the poems,” he said, “I think she’s got them. They are intellectually and emotionally in the bag for her.”

What does Sofya think her chances are of making it to the finals?

“I’m thinking that I can do it,” she said. “If I put my thoughts and mindset into getting there, I’ll probably get there.”

“I’m on the same page,” Martin said, “pure unfettered confidence.”

To watch Sofya recite Dan Vera’s “Emily Dickinson at the Poetry Slam,” CLICK HERE. The national semifinals will be streamed on May 1 at https://www.arts.gov.

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STATE JAZZ FEST

Every Soloist Earns Top Rating All Ensembles Win Silver Medals Two Honored For Outstanding Musicianship

Phelan Gallagher ’02 directs the GSA Jazz Band at the State Jazz Festival at Hampden Academy.

Morgan Davis ’22 won an Outstanding Musicianship award.

From left, Thea McKechnie ’24, Isaiah Zemans ’24, and Ava Surgal ’24 of Tune Town.

READ MORE

Mattea Black ’24 won an Outstanding Musicianship award.

Jenna Blodgett ’23 solos during the Jazz Band set.

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Is This an Audience I See Before Me?

Emma Snow ’22, left, and Delia Lancaster ’22 at a tense moment in Macbeth.

The Thespians of GSA performed for live audiences in March for the first time in two years. Under the direction of Erin McCormick ’00, they presented their oneact adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at a dress rehearsal, where these photos were taken, and at the Maine Drama Festival at MDI High School.

“I’m just super, super excited that I could have this opportunity to come back and do what I love again,” said Emma Snow ’22, who played the title character.

“We worked really hard and had a lot of fun, and we want people to see how much fun we had,” said Delia Lancaster ’22 the week before the dress rehearsal. Delia played General Banquo and Lord Seyton.

Congratulations all the Thespians of GSA for taking on such an ambitious production, and especially to Wyatt McKechnie ’22, who received an acting award for his portrayal of Lord Macduff.

To read everything Emma, Delia, and Noah Zemans ’22 had to say, CLICK HERE.

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The cast and crew of Macbeth are, from left, Haleigh Young ’22, Aiden Young ’24, Matilda Sorich ’25, Anna Snow ’24, Thea McKechnie ’24, Wyatt McKechnie ’22, Emma Snow ’22, Noah Zemans ’22, Delia Lancaster ’22, Lillian Wolfe ’24, Jenna Blodgett ’23, Timothy Lloyd ’22, and Marta Sjögren ’25.

Noah Zemans ’22 and Wyatt McKechnie ’22 with murder on their minds.

Marta Sjögren ’25, Jenna Blodgett ’23, and Timothy Lloyd ’22 around the cauldron.

Hylan Fund Accepting Applications Are you a GSA alum in the performing arts? The Hylan Family Alumni Fund for the Performing Arts can help fund your next project, whether it is part of your schooling or an independent initiative.

The Hylan family established this annual award to encourage and support ongoing involvement in theater, dance, and musical performance by GSA alumni. The grant is open to alumni from any class who have completed at least two years of study in an aspect of the performing arts.

Visit www.georgestevensacademy.org/HylanFund for more information or to apply. For details on the application process, email Karen Brace at k.brace@georgestevens.org.

In 2021, the Hylan Family Alumni Fund for the Performing Arts helped Oliver Scott, GSA Class of 2014, record a five-track album with his jazz piano trio. The album included original compositions and arrangements of jazz piano standards. To watch Oliver play one of the songs,

CLICK HERE

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Alumni Keep Giving Simple, Simply Keep Giving to the GSA Fund

James, Kate, Emily, and Jack Hildebrand

“When we look back on our years at GSA, we appreciate the

educational foundation we received that allowed us to go out and experience what the world has to offer. We returned home to raise a family in Maine about a decade ago and giving back to GSA was an easy decision for us. These days, between streaming services, online memberships, home bills, and everything else, we’ve found that the recurring donation is a good way to budget a reasonable monthly amount that can add up to a more substantial donation by year’s end!” — James and Emily Hildebrand ’97 We invite you to set up a scheduled gift of any size. All gifts are critical to GSA's students, whether you offer $5 a month or $50 a month.

Please visit the ONLINE GIVING PAGE or call (207) 374-2800 to contribute to the GSA Fund. Your donation impacts every corner of the school and reaches all students. We're grateful for your participation!

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GSA Spring & Summer Events May GSA Spring Concert

GSA Gymnasium, Thursday, May 12, 6-8 P.M.

Sports Hall of Fame Induction GSA Cafeteria, Saturday, May 21, 3 P.M.

June GSA Giving Day

GSA Campus, Wednesday, June 1, 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. (rain date June 2)

Classes of 2021 & 2022 Gathering GSA Campus, Thursday, June 9, 3:30 P.M.

GSA Class of 2022 Class Night GSA Front Lawn, Saturday, June 11, 4 P.M.

GSA Class of 2022 Commencement GSA Front Lawn, Sunday, June 12, 1 P.M.

August Downeast Art & Antiques Show Preview Party GSA Gymnasium, Tuesday, August 2, 5-8 P.M.

Downeast Art & Antiques Show

GSA Gymnasium, Aug. 3 & 4, 8 A.M. - 5 P.M., and Aug. 5, 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

September Dwayne B. Gray ’64 Memorial Golf Tournament Blue Hill Country Club, Saturday, September 10 (rain date Sept. 11)

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Wi n t e r S p o r t s

Congratulations to our Eagles for giving their all this winter.

Click any 2021-22 winter sports season photo below to visit the team webpage and see more pictures!

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Post-Season Highlights and Honors

Thea Crowley ’23: No. 1 EMITL* Small School Championship 1 Mile, 2 Mile; EMITL 1st Team 1 Mile, 2 Mile; No. 2 State Class B Championship 1 Mile, 2 Mile Maranda Pert ’24: No. 2 EMITL Small School Championship Shot Put; EMITL 2nd Team Shot Put Kathleen Stephens ’24: EMITL 1st Team High Jump; EMITL 2nd Team 400M

Micah Bryan ’23, Emery Leach ’23, Ira Buchholz ’23, and Tommy Norgang ’23: No. 2 EMITL Small School Championship 4x800 Relay Boys’ varsity basketball: Class C North Runners-Up

David Gadsby ’22: PVC** Class C Boys’ Basketball 1st Team; PVC Senior AllStar Boys’ Basketball Game; McDonald’s Senior All-Star Boys’ Basketball Teague Smallidge ’22: PVC Class C Boys’ Basketball 3rd Team; PVC Senior All-Star Boys’ Basketball Game; BDN All-Tournament Team Honorable Mention Bryce Schneider ’22: PVC Senior All-Star Boys’ Basketball Game; BDN AllTournament Team Jack Gray ’22: McDonald’s Senior Boys’ Basketball All-Academic

Patrick Dagan ’24: BDN All-Tournament Team Honorable Mention

GSA All-Academic Seniors: Fiona Allen, Noah Czuj, Ashly Emerson, Jack Gray, Alexa Kennedy, Jaden Lewis, Clark Morrison * Eastern Maine Indoor Track League

** Penobscot Valley Conference

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Our Mission

George Stevens Academy is a town academy on the coast of Maine. Founded in 1852, we are the high school for nearly all students from the seven towns in our rural community. We also enroll private-pay day and boarding students from around the world. Our students’ interests, talents, and aspirations reflect the diversity of the communities from which they come.

GSA provides a comprehensive and challenging education for all students, for those who will build futures in surrounding communities and for those who will make lives elsewhere in the world. Our many academic and experiential programs foster a love of knowledge, inspire creativity, instill self-confidence, encourage good character, and prepare each graduate for a purposeful life in a changing world.

Our Vision

We will be a vibrant learning community that proudly reflects the diversity of students from our surrounding towns, as well as those from elsewhere in the world, enabling them to thrive now and in the future.

We will provide all GSA students with an education that helps them pursue whatever jobs and career paths they choose, so that when they succeed, they and their communities will be the better for it.

We recognize that a GSA education is not just a matter of cultivating intellectual and creative strengths but also requires caring for students’ physical and emotional needs.

Everything we do will be stamped with this conviction.

We will be seen as a community resource, in the belief that schools and their communities make each other stronger. We will expand school-community partnerships and real-world learning opportunities that engage students and community members in shared activities and projects for the benefit of both.

We will have a safe, attractive, functional, and cost-efficient facility that supports our current programing well and has the flexibility to adapt to changing needs in the future.

We will be financially sustainable, with the resources we need to maintain GSA’s facilities and provide for every GSA student’s needs. We will grow our endowment, meet more ambitious annual GSA Fund goals, and benefit from the support of sending towns that recognize the indispensable value of a strong high school in their community.

Our mission says broadly who we are and what we do. Our vision sets bold goals for the future. We are well on our way to accomplishing some of these. Others will take longer. All are attainable with community support. Our mission and vision were approved by the Board of Trustees on April 25, 2019.

Our Trustees 2021-2022

Sally Mills ‘85, Chair, Blue Hill James Crawford, Treasurer, Blue Hill Sara Becton Ardrey, Blue Hill Michael P. Astbury ‘03, Blue Hill Alden Blodgett ‘78, Penobscot Sally Chadbourne, Castine Prudy Heilner, Blue Hill Mark Hurvitt, Blue Hill Kenelm “K.” Guinness, Blue Hill

Deborah Ludlow ‘79, Vice-Chair, Brooksville Bill Case, Clerk, Blue Hill Tyler Knowles, Blue Hill Michael McMillen, Brooksville Robyn Sealander, Brooklin Zoë Tenney ‘93, Sedgwick

Read Trustee Profiles Online