George Stevens Academy
Celebration of Giving 2020-2021 Annual Report
Fall 2021
Tradition of Giving Links Past, Present, Future For me, some of the best parts of working at George Stevens Academy are our rich heritage and long history. Town academies go back well before Maine became a state in 1820. The school we know as GSA started as Bluehill Academy and has been part of education on the peninsula since 1803. That heritage is noble and important. Picture all the students who have passed through our doors and everything that has happened on our campus and in our communities since the Academy Building opened in 1898. Now imagine the students we will serve and everything that will happen here going forward. In many ways, I stand at the fulcrum between the past and the future. My job is to make sure that the present honors that past, provides the best possible experience for the students we have right now, and enables a dynamic future. This Celebration of Giving by our generous community is a reflection of that nexus. After all, people give to GSA for three reasons: in recognition of and gratitude for their experience here in the past, or the experience of people they care about; to support the good work we do with our current students; and to enable us to become something more and better in the future. I think GSA’s future is bright, the brightest it has ever been. We have only just begun to tap the potential of what it means to be a town academy: a private school, and all the advantages that status entails, with a public
Head of School Tim Seeley
purpose, and the responsibility for strong community relations that accompanies that purpose. Thank you to all who support our work here at 23 Union Street. It is because of you that we are able to honor GSA’s legacy best by serving our current students well, and it is because of you that we will be able to best serve our students of tomorrow. Timothy J. Seeley Head of School
Our Mission
Our Vision
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.
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.
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.
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 out our 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. 2
Celebr ation of Giving
On the Cover: Thomas Astbury ‘23 practices his compass skills during a field trip to on the minds of our Great Head, Acadia National Park, in Dan Kane’s Experiential What’s Education Outdoor new faculty members? Read Leadership class. more on page 6.
In These Pages 2 Tradition of Giving
18 College & Career Counseling Fund Endowed
4 Remembering Deborah Brewster
18 George Stevens Academy Endowed Funds
5 Introducing our Celebration of Giving
19 Deborah Brewster Scholarship Created
5 Letter from the Board Chair
19 Thank You, Advancement Volunteers
6 Financial Update from the Treasurer
20 Trustee News
8 Our Generous Donors
21 Gifts Bolster Industrial Tech Classes
14 Responding to the Call
22 Boatbuilding Focus of Donor Reception
15 We Miss You, Ethtelyn Woodye
22 Two Chosen for Jazz All-States
16 Downeast Art & Antiques Show Returns
23 Fall Sports Highlights
17 Looking Ahead to Class Reunions
24 Alumnus Makes a Sweet Gift
Celebration of Giving is a publication of the Advancement Office. Stay up-to-date by visiting www.georgestevensacademy.org and following us on social media. Facebook: George Stevens Academy Instagram: george.stevens.academy.gsa Mark Messer, Editing and Design Director of Communications m.messer@georgestevens.org
Karen Brace GSA Fund and Alumni Relations Director k.brace@georgestevens.org
Trudy Bell Advancement Associate t.bell@georgestevens.org
Rada Starkey Director of Advancement r.starkey@georgestevens.org
Our Trustees 2021-2022 Sally Mills ‘85, Chair, Blue Hill Deborah Ludlow ‘79, Vice-Chair, Brooksville Jim Crawford, Treasurer, Blue Hill Bill Case, Clerk, Blue Hill Sara Becton Ardrey, Blue Hill Michael P. Astbury ‘03, Blue Hill Alden Blodgett ‘78, Penobscot Sally Chadbourne, Castine Kenelm “K.” Guinness, Blue Hill Prudy Heilner, Blue Hill Mark Hurvitt, Blue Hill Tyler Knowles, Blue Hill Michael McMillen, Brooksville Robyn Sealander, Brooklin Zoë Tenney ‘93, Sedgwick
Liffey Thorpe Advancement Special Projects l.thorpe@georgestevens.org
Selected Standing Committees Buildings & Grounds Committee on Trustees Finance Michael McMillen, Co-Chair Tyler Knowles, Chair Jim Crawford, Co-Chair Sally Chadbourne Terry Moulton, Co-Chair Robyn Sealander, Co-Chair Michael P. Astbury ‘03 Kenelm “K.” Guinness Seth Brown Alden Blodgett Deborah Ludlow ‘79 Sarah Clapp Seth Brown Sally Mills ‘85 Larry Flood Jim Crawford Tim Seeley Rachel Grivois Wilson King Zoë Tenney ‘93 Mark Hurvitt Chris Kowalski Deborah Ludlow ‘79 Terry Moulton Jim Markos Bill Webb Michael McMillen Sally Mills ‘85 Jon Woodward ‘66 Tim Seeley For a list of dedicated volunteers who serve on our Advancement and Development committees and as class agents, see page 19.
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Deborah Brewster with two of her grandchildren in New Zealand (2019), left, with two of her children (1991), middle, and relaxing at home (2021).
Remembering Deborah Brewster, Her Years of Service Deborah Brewster served as a member of local school boards for 18 years and was a member of GSA’s Joint Board before becoming a trustee in the 1990s. She earned great respect and admiration for her commitment to the quality of local education, and served GSA in many ways, including as president of the board and longtime chair of the Campaign Steering Committee. In this critical role, Deborah was undoubtedly GSA’s greatest advocate, working tirelessly to advance the school. Though Deborah’s tenure as a trustee ended in 2012, she continued to play an active role in the life of the school and partnered with the Advancement Office through 2021. Below is an excerpt from a tribute to Deborah given by former trustee Rob Clapp ’73 at Deborah’s celebration of life on Saturday, Sept. 25. “I first got to know Deborah as a member of the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital Board in the early 1990s. The health care system at the time—especially that of small rural hospitals like Blue Hill—was changing rapidly. Deborah was a voice of reason on that board and reminded us that, no matter what the new government program was or what our financial challenges were, our primary mission as board members was the health of the community. “Deborah also let it be known at the time that the George Stevens Academy Board was her number one board commitment. And I grew to realize it was not her love of GSA that made her the board member that she was, but her commitment to the education of young people in our communities. “Deborah became a leader of the GSA Board and was the person who led the effort to restructure the board from a two-board system to a single board. She could accomplish this because she had been a school board member from Brooklin, joint board member, and a trustee—and as such— had the trust of all of the different constituencies that were involved in this process. Because of Deborah, what could have been a thorny and divisive issue became largely a non-event, because she had the standing and respect of all to convince everyone that this was for the best. “Deborah had the ability to make all parties feel listened to and not judged. She could disagree without making someone feel stupid, and had the ability to unify a board with her actions and statements. 4
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“When I was interviewed to become a trustee, Deborah made me, and other new board members, feel welcomed and appreciated. And although I remember saying to her that I couldn’t do any fundraising and didn’t know anyone who had money, somehow, we found ourselves on a number of development calls. Deborah was always able to articulate GSA’s mission to donors and the importance it played in our peninsula community. And when it became my turn to be a leader of the GSA Board, Deborah’s encouragement was an important reason why I agreed to serve. I remember her phone call where she said, ‘Rob, don’t worry, you can do this and I assure you that I will always have your back.’ “And for the next few years, GSA went through a tumultuous time, with 5 different Heads of School in 7 years, and I can say that through all of our travails, she was true to her word. Deborah had my back and always gave me sound advice. She would often remind us that our role as Trustees—and the mission of GSA—was for the benefit of students—not the administration, or the faculty, or even public opinion. “Later, as we both went on with our lives after GSA, Deborah became a member of the select board of Brooklin. I always enjoyed working with her in that role, and again, felt that she was working for the best interest of the community. And although we did not see each other that often, I always felt there was an unspoken bond between us because of our shared experiences.” Read about a scholarship established by Deborah’s family on page 19.
GSA Celebration of Giving: 2020-2021 Annual Report Welcome to our 2020-2021 Annual Report, which we’ve given a new title: Celebration of Giving. In the following pages, we name and celebrate those generous and loyal donors who made contributions to George Stevens Academy in response to Advancement Office fundraising initiatives during 2020-2021. Their gifts provided critical support for the student experience through the GSA Fund, enhancing our academic program, supporting facility renovations and scholarships, increasing the academy’s endowment, and—in light of last year’s exceptional challenges—helping meet pandemic-related needs. We also recognize here the many volunteers, both adults and students, who partnered with us to bring critical support to GSA’s fundraising initiatives. In 2020-2021, gifts and pledges to GSA totaled $440,467, of which $256,000 came in unrestricted GSA Fund support. As is true in most schools, GSA is blessed with countless helpers who offer many varieties of support not directly resulting from our advancement efforts. These people connect to GSA through a wide range of programs that the school offers. Many of them give hours of their time when help is needed for a sports team, a drama production, or a musical event. Others share their expertise by mentoring a student during our Independent Study and Internship Program. This powerful tradition of giving comes in various forms and strengthens our school and the student experience. Though these many gifts, which appear everywhere and touch virtually every aspect of GSA life, are impossible to track, we deeply appreciate them and the countless ways they provide for our students, our programs, and the important work of our teachers and coaches. As we celebrate giving at GSA, we thank all GSA’s alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty, staff, and trustees who joined together in support of George Stevens Academy during this past year. We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of our donors and advancement volunteers. Your many gifts truly matter.
From the Board Chair Dear GSA Community, I am proud to be in my second year of service as chair of the GSA Board of Trustees. It is gratifying to see students returning to campus after a year of hybrid remote and in-person learning due to the pandemic. I continue to be in awe of the faculty, administration, and support staff for their resilience and passion for educating our students in such challenging times. I remain grateful to my fellow trustees, who work tirelessly to ensure our school remains the vibrant and innovative educational hub that generations of students have experienced. It is rewarding to be part of a community that steps up when it comes to educating our children. All seven sending towns voted in favor of last year’s request for enhanced tuition. State law caps the amount by which towns may supplement tuition payable to town academies. Rather than ask for the maximum all at once, we opted to try and phase in the request over two years. This spring, our sending towns will vote on the final phase of this request. To the extent there remains a gap in the amount of tuition received and the actual cost of educating students, our board remains committed to making up the difference by maximizing our other sources
Board Chair Sally Mills ‘85
of revenue: philanthropy, the boarding program, and the endowment. I graduated from GSA. My sister graduated from GSA. My older son graduated from GSA, and my younger son will graduate in two years. I hope attending GSA will remain a family tradition for generations of Mills to come.
Sally Mills ’85 Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Financial Update: 2020-2021 Treasurer’s Report Dear Citizens of the Blue Hill Peninsula, We provide this update of the financial affairs of George Stevens Academy to all the citizens of our community. We believe that the academy is a cornerstone of the educational and cultural activities in our community, and we hope that this information will help to expand our joint efforts to maximize the educational opportunities for high school students within the seven sending towns and beyond. The academic year ending in June 2021 was unique in many ways. It resulted in educational challenges as well as unexpected financial opportunities. Federal COVID programs provided grants to offset increased operating expense related to the pandemic. Facilities were modified to maintain distance between people, computers were upgraded, internet hotspots were provided to students in need, course curriculums were revised, and individual tutoring was provided to ensure that none of our students were left behind. It was truly a remarkable effort by the faculty and staff to create an entirely unique hybrid education for 303 students. In addition, investment markets recovered after a steep decline in the spring of 2020 and brought forth extraordinary gains in the value of the endowment. Although these gains will not increase operating income immediately, over time, the endowment draw, which is based upon a three-year trailing average, will increase. One of GSA’s most important initiatives during the past year was the formation of the Secondary Education Financial Planning Advisory Committee, which met regularly. This new committee provided a forum for discussing the cost of education and the tuition level set by the Maine Department of Education for town academies. In addition, the committee considered ways to improve cooperation, communication, and governance between the sending town elected officials and the trustees of GSA. It was through this organization of 19 people—two elected officials representing each of the seven sending towns, two superintendents, and three GSA trustees—that the successful request for supplemental tuition was shepherded. The request for the first year of a two-year step up in tuition was approved through special town warrants or normal education budget approvals by an overwhelming margin of 67%, 1,003 votes in favor of the request versus 485 opposed. There were several changes in the Business Office last year. In December, the academy accepted, with great reluctance, the retirement of Fred Heilner, who had served as Director of the Business Office for 28 years. Fred had managed single-handedly the accounting, human resources, budgeting, and facilities operations with remarkable skill and exceptional dedication. It was hard to envision the management of these areas of responsibility without Fred. However, the academy was very fortunate to engage the consulting services of Rachel Grivois (Accounting Services of Maine, LLC) and 6
Celebr ation of Giving
Board Treasurer Jim Crawford
Marcie Bowden ‘91 to manage the transition to a new accounting system, including new statement and chartof-accounts breakdowns. Also, after an extensive search, Seth Brown (Maine Maritime Academy, MBA, and Assistant Professor, Husson University School of Business) was hired as Director of Finance and Operations. In addition, Christie Snow ‘90 transitioned from Admissions to the Business Office to provide greater depth and expanded resources for finance, accounting, and human resources. A new accounting system will enhance financial controls and management information systems. Another significant change that occurred last year was the transfer of the investment management of the endowment assets to Harpswell Advisors, a firm specializing in nonprofit investment management. The endowment investment performance over the past ten years had been competitive with comparable benchmarks, but was not outstanding. The blended ten-year average return was 7.30% versus the GSA benchmark of 8.40%. Following prudent management practices to change managers periodically, it was decided to make the transfer. The value of the endowment increased 25.4% from $6.7 million as of June 30, 2020, to $8.4 million as of June 30, 2021. This was exceptional investment performance in line with broad market growth but should not be expected on a regular basis. The spending draw from the endowment for calendar year 2021 is budgeted at $240,000. The consequences of the pandemic were devastating to our community and the nation at large. The administration and the faculty adjusted quickly to the hybrid of remote and in-person learning. Facilities were modified to distance students, improve air quality, establish partitions, upgrade computers, and implement testing, quarantining, and other health requirements. Unexpected COVID-related expenses totaled $309,155 in 2021. Fortunately, receipts from the Federal CARES Act grants totaling $353,839 and the Paycheck Protection Loan of $732,100, which
was converted to a grant in 2021, offset higher expenses. Furthermore, the investment gain of $1,698,751 in the endowment provided an additional increase in net asset value. However, as set forth in the chart below, accompanying these extraordinary gains was an operating deficit of $637,445 in 2021. The federal Paycheck Payroll Plan grant provided cash in June 2020, which allowed the academy to continue offering its full education program for the 2021 academic year. Then in the summer of 2021, the academy exercised its bank lines of credit for an additional $500,000 to cover the summer seasonal cash requirement before the first tuition payment was received in September. This deficit resulted from the fundamental problem that the GSA cost of education is above the state set tuition and has been subsidized for many years by the surplus revenue provided by the Boarding Program. The 2022 education cost for the 303 day students is budgeted at $4,318,342 ($14,251 per student) without special education and the Boarding Program. The state set tuition is expected to be only $3,657,517 ($12,071 per student). GSA is very appreciative that the seven sending towns approved a supplemental tuition of $303,000 ($1,000 per student) which will help to offset a portion of this deficit in 2022. Another very important source of revenue for the academy are the gifts and contributions from the extraordi-
nary generosity of alumni, family, and friends. Over many years, this philanthropy has created the endowment, which provides annual income to support operations. In addition, contributions to the GSA Fund and the leadership 1898 Society increased more than 18% last year. Total gifts and contributions were $440,467 in 2021. These gifts provide a unique opportunity for the academy to offer a broader education program to serve all students from the peninsula with different career and education aspirations. As you can see, this report is not only about the finances of George Stevens Academy but also the partnership between our community and our school, and it is an opportunity to express appreciation for support from generous folks like you who all believe that our successful future lies with the next generation of young people. On behalf of our students and staff, I send you our very best wishes for the safety and good health of you and your families in the year to come.
Jim Crawford Trustee and Treasurer
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Gifts made July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021 We have done our best to make these lists accurate. Please let us know of any errors or omissions.
1898 Society Leadership gifts of $1,000 or more STEVENS CIRCLE $25,000 and up Anonymous* The Becton Family* Larry Flood and Tyler Knowles* Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols Foundation* HINCKLEY CIRCLE $10,000-$24,999 Charles Wentz Carter Memorial Foundation* Jim and Mary Crawford Peter and Anne Gilchrist
ESTHER WOOD CIRCLE $5,000-$9,999 Leslie Clapp and Blaise deSibour* Robert and Patricia Clapp* Jon D. Woodward & Sons, Inc.* Michael and Abbie McMillen* The Merle B. Grindle Agency* Joyce Snow Jon and Sandra Woodward* HEAD’S CIRCLE $2,500-$4,999 Michael and Patricia Astbury* First National Bank* Richard French Terrance and Sally Gray* M.E. Astbury & Son* Christopher and Susan Pappas John and Renee Richardson* Lorinda Toscas and Robert Manheimer Tree of Life Christine Wanning
BELL CLUB Bell TOWER Tower Club $500-$999
ACADEMY CLUB Academy Club $250-$499
Craig Berry and Christine Feorino* Deborah Brewster (†) and Benjamin Mendlowitz* Sally Chadbourne and Delacroix Davis* Mary and James Clairmont Julia Cluett and Robert Shepley* Jean Eysenbach F.L. Putnam Investment Management Company Joelle and Rex Florian* Pete and Trish Frech Lawrence Gratt and Carol Butler Marjorie and David Gray* Ted and Anne Johnson* Kathy Knowles Lucy Ledien* Warren Leonard Lynam Agency Insurance Lynam Real Estate James and Susan Noyes Jennifer and John Pulvino Laura Rossi Curtis and Barbara Shaw* Rada and Robert Starkey* Kristina and Robert Stephens* Zoë and Keith Tenney* Wilder-Guiles Family*
Anonymous Ronald and Mary Allen Michael and Jessica Astbury Thomas Bjorkman and Roxanne Donahey* Alden Blodgett Blue Ledge Carpentry Joceline Boucher* Loren and Rita Brown Melissa Brownlow and Peter Baker Merton Bunker and Margaret Zuanich-Bunker* Dwayne Carter* Evan Chapman Ruth Davis Todd Eckenfelder and Rian Rosenthal* Donald and Meredith Eley* Daniel Gommel Carlton Gray Patricia Griffith James and Emily Hildebrand* Martha and Patrick Horne* Kent Huyser Jennifer Jackson Jeanne and Ray Jennings Chris and Patricia Kowalski* Angeline Long Jon McMillan and Kathryn Rensenbrink
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE $1,000-$2,499 Buddy and Lucy Allen Jeffrey and Tina Allen* Ronald Austin* Bar Harbor Bank & Trust* Peter and Victoria Bartholow Christine and Dana Black Steve and Susan Brookman Bill and Deborah Case* Sarah Clapp and David Gribbin* The Clements Family* Mark and Libbie Cluett James and Joan Darby* Jennifer and Kurt Denlinger* Downeast Properties* Preston and Sarah Everdell* Gale and George Flax Edward Hardie Fred and Prudy Heilner* Matthew and Catherine Hyde James Inglis*
Kristyn LaPlante and Emy Taylor Deborah and David Ludlow* JoDee Lymburner* James and Diane Lyon Kathy and Gordon MacArthur* Jane MacElree Jim Markos* Marion and Tom Morris* Tony and Merry Newton* Samantha and Mark Politte* Hal and Lisa Reynolds Robyn and Michael Sealander Tim Seeley and Jill Clendenen* Frank and Libby Silver Stanley Subaru* Noel and Betty Stookey* Stephen and Luciana Taber Phyllis and William Taylor* Liffey Thorpe and Peter Suber* Horace and Sylvia Wardwell Wardwell Oil William and Doris Webb Gus and Suzanne Williamson*
Ray Merrill* Mark Messer* Heather Morrison Chris and Samantha Pickering Thomas and Joy Richardson* Libby and Scott Rosemeier* Michael Sheahan and Michelle Keyo Aran Shetterly and Margot Lee Shetterly Robert (†) and Linda (†) Slaven* Paul Sullivan and Jillson Knowles* Charlotte Taylor Jennifer and Andrew Traub* Daniel and Melisa Walker Donald and Diane Wescott* Emily and Douglas Wilson
Michelle and John Bannister* Leanne Bateman* Robert Bauer and Lorraine Huckel Ross Bell Harvey and Fran Berger Warren and Nancy Berkowitz* Casey and Jim Bernard Donald Blodgett Jerry Blodgett and Deborah Miller* Sandi and Kenneth Blood Blue Hill Psychological Services, Inc. Niamh and William Blumentals Marcie Bowden and Robin Bowen Charles and Judy Brenton* Jerry and Jackie Butler* Gregory and Susann Campbell John and Kat Canady Ferol Candage* Harvard and Linda Candage* Irving Carter April and John Chapman Jonathan Chase and Erin Butler Donald and Connie Christie* Cleary Law Office, P.A. Daron and Carrie Clifford* Amie Coffin Stephen and Sandy Collier Martin Conte Molly and Daniel Cooper* Douglas and Posie Cowan*
MAROON WHITE CLUB Maroon &&White Club $100-$249 Anonymous (2) Robin Alden and Ted Ames Annie Allen and Michelle Duprey* Paul and Lois Allen* Emil and Ellie Andy* Thelma Astbury Dorrance Atherton* Marla Atherton* Gerald Austin (†) Jodelle Austin* Amy Baker and Skip Pile
*denotes 5 or more consecutive years of giving
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Celebr ation of Giving
(†) deceased
Students in Kate Kennedy’s advisory group learn more about each other in a game of Human Bingo. Kelly Cunnane* Anne and Steve Dentino* Susan Dietz Alice Dillon Gayle Durnbaugh Libby Edwardson and Michael Fitzpatrick George and Pamela Elias* Elliott Architects* Matthew and Libby Elliott* Corey and Vicki Esposito James Farr Tim and Susan Farrar Charlie and Carley Ferden Cammie Fowler Jack and Brenda Frost* Jacques and Rebecca Gagne* Sharon Garcia* Lydia and Steven Garrant* Linda Generali Owen Gilmore* Timothy Gordon Kenneth Graham* Rhoda Grant Rebecca Gratz and Steven Sitrin John Gray and Carol Skoglund* Larry and Carol Gray* Bruce and Linette Grindal* Bonnie Grindle Samuel Guilford Hale and Hamlin Mert and Ashley Hanscom Karyl and Richard Hayes* William and Jane Heizmann Beverly Henry* Judyth Herrick* Susan and David Hipsky Forrest and Janet Horton* Horace Horton Alan and Diantha Howard Gloria Howard* Mark Hurvitt and Tracy Lameyer*
Jean and Doug Hylan Jared Jordan* Jennifer Lapham and Paul Sacaridiz Tanner Leach and Doug Empie Wendy Libby Stephen and Linda Lindsay Susan Loomis Meg Maiden* Larry Malm John and Edie Maresca James Marsters Linda and Dewey Martin* Josh and Heather Matson Melissa Mattes and Hector Sapien The McClure Group* Kathleen McClure* Daniel and Nancy McGraw* Moira McMahon and Jeffrey Allwine Eugene Meyer Barry and Susan Mills Sally Mills* Lorenzo Mitchell* Terry and Bebe Moulton* Kove Nevells Anthony and Olivia Nicholas Erin Niehoff Martin Nowland and Joy Bicknell Peter and Belinda O’Brien* John and Valerie O’Hara Roxanne Olmstead Christopher Page and Jenny Brillhart Page Parker Ridge Retirement Community Kristin and Scott Parker Lin and Anne Parker* Frederick and Christine Parson Camille Pascal and Stephen Peasley
Juli Perry’s advisees construct a spaghetti tower.
Carole and Thomas Pascal* Elaine Peebles* Victoria Perry Bonnie Preston* Janice Prior-Crofoot* Max Reiter Muriel Remsen Barbara Riddle Peter and Judy Robbins* Dale and Stephanie Robertson* Rooster Brother* Clay Rossignol & Melissa Petrik THE Salon & Spa Robert and Jane Sargent* Cory and Shelly Schildroth* Karl and Katherine Schoettle Anne Schroth* Michael Scott and Maria Matthews* Frederick Seeley Thomas Selden and Nancy Murdock Dorrance and Patty Sexton Cameron Skene and Kirsten Rickert Albert and Margaret Smith* Katherine Smith* Patricia Snell Christie A. Snow* Heather Snow and Jesse Noto-Nevells Maerea Snow Linda and Michael Soukup* James William Stevens Nancy and Ronald Stoller* David and Caridad Stover* Harold Sweet and Deborah Lapidus Elizabeth and Reginald Thors* Kate Tomkins and Frederic Viennot Jennifer and Paul Trowbridge
*denotes 5 or more consecutive years of giving
Patrick Trowbridge (†) and Patricia Lown Edward and Amy Turner* Isaac Vaccaro Donald Varnum Sharri Venno* Robert Walker* Eileen Webber Caroline Werth Jeffrey and Anita Wessel Lori and Noddy Wessel Dana and Cyndy Willis Jonathan Wilson and Sherry Streeter* David and Diana Wood* Samuel Woodward EAGLES CLUB Eagles Club up to $99 Anonymous (4) Carol Albanese Payson Allen Kermit and Jane Allen Parker Allen Cindy and Devin Anderson* Ege Asyali Johanna and Steve Austin Margaret Austin Willi Austin Nicole Bakeman Carole Barnard Jeffrey and Jennifer Baroody* Joanne Barrett* Thomas Batt and Galen Davis Lisa Becker Stuart Beede Grace Bell* Trudy and Scot Bell* Carolyn and Roger Bennatti* Michelle Berger and Kevin Bach Willow Betz Brionna Blodgett
(†) deceased
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Chrissy Beardsley Allen ‘98 of Blue Hill Heritage Trust speaks with seniors after their hike up Blue Hill. Digital issue readers, CLICK HERE for more. Hope Bowden Karen Brace Ann Brayton* Brenda Breeding John Brooks and Ruth Hill Grace Broughton Sara Bushmann and Scott Howell* Carlton C. Gray & Son Builders Ashton Carter Belinda Carter* Beverly and Robert Cecchini* Karen Chandler Tyler Chapman Kylie Chase David and Carolyn Ciampa John and Kathy Clapp Percy Clifford Seth and Shannon Cole Marguerite and Marshall Conary William Conger Florence Conley Bonnie and Merle Copper* Sean Crowe Josephine Czuj Karina Dailey Darling’s Auto Group Nathan Dauk Debbie and Blaine Davis* Hank Davis and Tracy Spencer* Leif Deetjen Timothy Dentino* Sean Dooley Jim Dow and Ciona Ulbrich Georgia Duncan Abby Dunham Jenna Eldridge Josh and Judy Eldridge William and Margot Entwisle Erik Fitch* Abigail Frost* Stephen and Martha Gagliardi
Eric Gallant* Maggie Garfield* Martha Garfield* Heidi and Victor Gillen Christy and Gerald Gontarz Sharlene Grant* Gerald and Laureen Gray Bill Gray* Amelia Griffith Alta Gross* Charles (†) and Susan Guilford* Fiona Guinness Megan Haskell Jada and Craig Hastings* Nancy Hastings* Lisa Haynsworth Alexander Heilner* Madeline Heilner* Amy and Richard Houghton Lionel and Virginia Howard Eleanor Howell* Peter Howell* Holly Ibarguen Nikki and Curtis Jaffray Susan Jellison* Justin Kaley* Dan and Amie Kane Norman Keefe Kate and Bryant Kennedy John and Joanne Kimball Edie King Caleb Lacasse Basil and Gail Ladd Fiona Larkin Richard and Sarah Leighton Theodore Lesko Anna Ludlow John Ludlow Will Ludlow Gordon and Lynda MacArthur* Della Martin* William and Caroline Mayher Erin McCormick*
Steve Whitney and students in his Exploring Earth Systems class look for signs of Maine’s geology and past glaciation. Tammy and Michael Merisotis* Ryan Mitchell J.M. Modisette Jane Moon Michael Moon William Moorehouse William and Carolyn Mor* Marianne and David Mulherin Jonathan and Kristin Mullen William and Eileen Mulliken* Ellis Murnik Brian Nanson and Pam Morgenthaler-Nanson Lindsay Nevin Margaret Nevin Stacia and Crocker Nevin Leigh Norwood and Sylvia Wilder Jane O’Connor* Elia O’Hara Gail and Peter Ogilvie Steve and Carol Orlofsky* Diana Page and Oscar Ruiz Garrett Parker Frank and Tonyia Peasley Sophie Peasley Joseph Perkins and Kathleen Podraza* Kim-Anne Perkins Paul and Kip Perkinson* Thomas Piper Benjamin Politte* Chloe Politte Madison Politte* Joanna Raible* Jeffrey and Roberta Raymond* Catherine Razi Brendon Reay and Caroline Bicks Ian Renwick Clayton Reynolds Caleb Rhine
*denotes 5 or more consecutive years of giving
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Celebr ation of Giving
(†) deceased
Wendy Ritger and Henry Elliott* Arlene Roberts Tony Rolfe* Virginia Royster* Ezekiel Sacaridiz Gadrielle Samperi Ann Sargent Amy Schroth and Alfredo Lujan Jennifer Schroth and Jonathan Ellsworth* Franklin Sealander Louise Shackett Nancy Sherman* Janet Simpson Donald and Shelley Small* Allyson Snow Austin Snow Scott and Catherine Springer Stahnke & Kitagawa Architects Bruce Stahnke and Erlynne Kitagawa Toni and Troy Staples* William and Barbara Starkey David Stearns* Joanne and Carsten Steenberg* Nicklas Steinbarger Andy Stephenson and Becky Leamon Gail and Chris Strehan* Corinne Sucsy Lilian Day Thorpe* Sally Tomkins Jaime Torre and Maple Pollock Anna Trowbridge Florence Tyler Magnolia Vandiver Anne Vogt Kevin Wamboldt Patricia Wardwell Alexandra Wessel
Members of the GSA Math Team compete in the first meet of the Downeast Math League season. The team finished solidly in first place. Norris and Elaine Wessel* Steven and Kari Whitney Oliver Wilson Cynthia Winings and David Dillon Oliver Woodward Geoffrey Zentz and Emily Nash* Lannea Zentz YOUNG ALUMNIClub CLUB Young Alumni Graduated in the last 10 years
Payson Allen Parker Allen Nicole Bakeman Willow Betz Brionna Blodgett Hope Bowden Grace Broughton Evan Chapman Tyler Chapman Kylie Chase Percy Clifford William Conger Josephine Czuj Nathan Dauk Timothy Dentino Jenna Eldridge Abigail Frost Amelia Griffith Fiona Guinness Megan Haskell Alexander Heilner Madeline Heilner Peter Howell Holly Ibarguen Caleb Lacasse Fiona Larkin Theodore Lesko Anna Ludlow Will Ludlow Ryan Mitchell Michael Moon
Students in Dan Kane’s Physical Education class practice archery in the woods behind the Hinckley House dorm.
Ellis Murnik Kove Nevells Lindsay Nevin Margaret Nevin Erin Niehoff Elia O’Hara Garrett Parker Sophie Peasley Benjamin Politte Chloe Politte Madison Politte Ian Renwick Clayton Reynolds Caleb Rhine Ezekiel Sacaridiz Gadrielle Samperi Franklin Sealander Allyson Snow Austin Snow Nicklas Steinbarger Anna Trowbridge Magnolia Vandiver Oliver Wilson Oliver Woodward Lannea Zentz
Kermit Allen, Sr. Emil Andy Michael Astbury ‘70 Michelle Bannister Deborah Brewster (†) John Clapp ‘57 Robert Clapp ‘73 Libby Elliott Charles Ferden ‘59 Tyler Knowles Lucy Ledien ‘43 Susan Loomis Jim Markos Melissa Mattes William Mayher Daniel McGraw Marion Morris Lin Parker Dennis Rackliffe ‘65 Robert Sargent Katherine Smith ‘53 Robert Walker Horace Wardwell ‘57
TRUSTEES Trustees
TRUSTEE MEMBERS Trustee COMMITTEE Committee Members
Jeffrey Allen ‘79 Michael Astbury ‘03 Alden Blodgett ‘78 Bill Case Sally Chadbourne Jim Crawford K. Guinness Deborah Ludlow ‘79 Michael McMillen Sally Mills ‘85 Samantha Politte Brendon Reay Robyn Sealander Phyllis Taylor Zoë Tenney ‘93 Jon Woodward ‘66
April Chapman ‘91 Larry Flood Marjorie Gray ‘81 Prudy Heilner Tyler Knowles Jim Markos Terry Moulton Linda Soukup Doris Webb William Webb
FORMER TRUSTEES Former Trustees
FACULTY ANDStaff STAFF Faculty and Anonymous (2) Johanna Austin Karen Brace
*denotes 5 or more consecutive years of giving
John Brooks Sara Bushmann Martin Conte ‘11 Kelly Cunnane Debbie Davis Todd Eckenfelder Libby Edwardson Corey Esposito ‘87 Joelle Florian Eric Gallant Maggie Garfield ‘77 Sharlene Grant ‘86 Larry Gray ‘79 Bill Gray ‘83 Mert Hanscom Fred Heilner Prudy Heilner Martha Horne Jennifer Jackson Nikki Jaffray ‘04 Dan Kane Kate Kennedy ‘99 Chris Kowalski Kristyn LaPlante Erin McCormick ‘00 Mark Messer Jane O’Connor Steve Orlofsky Maple Pollock Brendon Reay Tony Rolfe Libby Rosemeier ‘77 Cory Schildroth Tim Seeley Christie A. Snow ‘90 Toni Staples ‘86 Rada Starkey David Stearns Andy Stephenson Gail Strehan Liffey Thorpe Jaime Torre Isaac Vaccaro Alexandra Wessel ‘09 Lori Wessel ‘81 Steven Whitney
(†) deceased
GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
11
Boarding students dance in an apple orchard. Digital issue readers, CLICK HERE for more. PARENTS Parents Anonymous (2) Johanna and Steve Austin Galen Davis and Thomas Batt Michelle Berger and Kevin Bach Casey and Jim Bernard Christine and Dana Black John Brooks and Ruth Hill Sally Chadbourne and Delacroix Davis April and John Chapman Jonathan Chase and Erin Butler David and Carolyn Ciampa Daron and Carrie Clifford Libby Edwardson and Michael Fitzpatrick Joshua and Judy Eldridge Corey and Vicki Esposito Cammie Fowler Heidi and Victor Gillen Jerry and Becky Gray Jada and Craig Hastings Susan and David Hipsky Jennifer Jackson Nikki and Curtis Jaffray Jeanne and Ray Jennings Jennifer Lapham and Paul Sacaridiz Tanner Leach and Doug Empie Wendy Libby Patrick Trowbridge (†) and Patricia Lown Kathy and Gordon MacArthur Josh and Heather Matson Jon McMillan and Kathryn Rensenbrink Sally Mills Heather Morrison Brian Nanson and Pam Morgenthaler-Nanson Stacia and Crocker Nevin John and Valerie O’Hara
Jamie Tinker of SKTours talks about Stephen King to students in Maria Johnson’s Maine Writers class. Digital issue readers, CLICK HERE for more.
Christopher Page and Jenny Brillhart Page Kristin and Scott Parker Frank and Tonyia Peasley Clay Rossignol and Melissa Petrik Robyn and Michael Sealander Michael Sheahan and Michelle Keyo Heather Snow and Jesse Noto-Nevells David Stearns Kristina and Robert Stephens Zoë and Keith Tenney Jennifer and Andrew Traub Peter and Maria Woodward Geoffrey Zentz and Emily Nash
1955
Lois Allen Rhoda Ferguson Grant 1956
Beverly Wescott Cecchini 1957
Margaret Leach Austin Stuart Beede John Clapp Norman Keefe Horace Wardwell 1958
ALUMNI Alumni
Mary Bragdon Allen Ronald Allen Susann Wardwell Campbell Beverly Farnham Henry Elaine Hatch Peebles
1943
1959
Lucy Herrick Ledien
Muriel Hale Remsen Elaine Christy Wessel Norris Wessel, Sr.
Thelma Astbury Linda Abbott Candage Charlie Ferden Terrance Gray Gail Piper Ogilvie Janice Woods Prior-Crofoot Louise Conary Shackett Sylvia Conner Wardwell
1951
1960
1947
Florence Pert Conley 1950
Florence Walker Tyler 1952
Harvard Candage 1953
Gregory Campbell Karyl Ricker Hayes Eileen Leach Webber 1961
Ferol Bisset Candage Thomas Piper Katherine Keefe Smith
Jerry Butler Sharon Abbott Garcia Forrest Horton Horace Horton
1954
1962
Paul Allen John Maresca Donald Varnum
Brenda Wight Breeding Harold Sweet Samuel Woodward (†) deceased
12
Celebr ation of Giving
1963
Edie McVay King Basil Ladd Donald Wescott 1964
Gerald Austin (†) James Farr Peter O’Brien 1965
Linda Gray Martin Dennis Rackliffe Dale Robertson Nancy Lymburner Stoller David Stover 1966
Nancy Butler Hastings Gloria Howard Margaret Dow Rackliffe Joanna Stover Raible Jon Woodward 1967
Belinda Carter Marguerite Hutchins Conary Bruce Grindal Linette Bridges Grindal 1969
Patricia Leach Astbury Jerry Blodgett Timothy Gordon Carlton Gray, Jr. Kathleen McClure Belinda Lang O’Brien Noddy Wessel 1970
Michael Astbury Dorrance Atherton Della Leach Martin Nancy Billings Sherman
1971
Lionel Howard Ray Merrill 1972
Joanne Barrett Alta Gross Alan Howard Edward Turner Jeffrey Wessel 1973
Robin Bowen Melissa Brownlow Patricia Astbury Clapp Robert Clapp Kenneth Graham Jane Candage Moon Kim-Anne Perkins 1974
Marla Atherton Donald Blodgett II Amy Bartlett Turner 1975
Gerald A. Gray Laureen Carter Gray 1976
Gale Brownlow Flax Patricia Wardwell 1977
Jennifer Durnbaugh Denlinger Maggie Garfield Libby Austin Rosemeier Scott Rosemeier Gus Williamson 1978
Alden Blodgett Blaine Davis 1979
Jeffrey Allen Larry Gray Deborah Venno Ludlow Tammy Burke Merisotis Martin Nowland Jennifer Schroth Sharri Venno 1980
Merton “Bill” Bunker Dwayne Carter David Gray Amy Schroth 1981
Marjorie Austin Gray Kevin Wamboldt Lori Herrick Wessel
1982
Annie Allen Leslie Clapp Susan Dietz Martha Garfield Marianne Smith Mulherin Anne Schroth
1993
2006
1994
2007
William Moorehouse Zoë Robbins Tenney
Ross Bell Ricky Leighton
Carrie Butler Clifford Gerald Gray
Abby Dunham
1995
2009
Jodelle Austin Leanne Bateman Craig Berry William Gray
Cammie Fowler Jada Fontaine Hastings Wendy Peasley Libby
Grace Bell Eleanor Howell Lilian Day Thorpe Alexandra Wessel
1996
2010
1984
Erin Butler Karina Chase Dailey Larry Malm Heather Snow
1983
Cindy Pond Anderson Kristina Anderson Stephens 1985
Christy Johndrow Gontarz Sally Mills Troy Staples 1986
John Canady Sharlene Grant Stacia Eaton Nevin Toni Grindle Staples 1987
Ronald Austin Amy Dietz Coffin Corey Esposito Warren Leonard JoDee Lymburner Daniel Walker 1988
Lisa Whittaker Haynsworth Aran Shetterly 1989
Jared Jordan Jennifer Sittnick Pulvino 1990
Christine Howe Black Daron Clifford Craig Hastings Frank Peasley Christie Small Snow Maria Cousins Woodward Peter Woodward 1991
Marcie Bowden April Cote Chapman Lydia Gray Garrant Emily Biss Wilson 1992
Dana Black Niamh O’Leary-Liu Blumentals Molly Wanning Cooper Richard French
1997
Seth Cole Emily Lewandowski Hildebrand James Hildebrand James Inglis Chris Pickering Samantha Astbury Pickering Kate Tomkins
John Ludlow Max Reiter 2011
Martin Conte 2012
Nicole Bakeman 2013
Madeline Heilner Peter Howell Will Ludlow 2014
1998
Jonathan Chase
Brionna Blodgett Alexander Heilner
1999
2015
Erik Fitch Heidi Gray Gillen Kathryn O’Quinn Whittle Kennedy 2000
Anonymous Justin Kaley Erin McCormick Shelly Astbury Schildroth 2001
Jeffrey Baroody Jennifer Friend Baroody J.M. Modisette 2002
Sarah Clapp Curtis Jaffray
2016
Tyler Chapman Abigail Frost Erin Niehoff Allyson Snow 2017
Benjamin Politte 2018
Payson Allen Lindsay Nevin 2020
Parker Allen Chloe Politte Austin Snow
2003
Michael Astbury Mark Clapp Sean Crowe
2021
2004
Owen Gilmore Nikki Betts Jaffray 2005
Timothy Dentino Anna Ludlow Madison Politte
Jessica Driscoll Astbury Daniel Gommel Samuel Guilford
Willow Betz Hope Bowden Grace Broughton Evan Chapman Kylie Chase Percy Clifford William Conger Josephine Czuj Nathan Dauk Jenna Eldridge
GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
13
You Responded to the Call When specific student needs arose during the past fiscal year, members of the GSA community came together to answer the call. Alumni, parents, businesses, and friends of the school donated nearly $30,000 to the GSA Fund to support these necessary giving initiatives. Internet access for remote learning had been a challenge right from the start of the pandemic. During the last fiscal year, donors contributed $1,450 to ensure that students who had not previously had access to the internet could participate in classes from home. Despite the challenges posed by these unforeseen circumstances, the educational process continued, thanks to GSA’s generous supporters. While the endowed Food For Thought Fund reduces the cost of lunches for many of our students each year, funding over and above the annual endowment allocation was required during the pandemic. To support the immediate needs of GSA families, $6,875 was raised for
the distribution of food to the homes of students when they could not take part in meals at school. Later in the school year, the need arose to establish an academic intervention program specifically geared toward students who had become disconnected from school during the remote learning period. To implement the intervention program, individuals and businesses contributed a total of $21,500 to the GSA Fund over the course of the last fiscal year. When the support was needed the most, donors to the GSA Fund came through for students. The GSA Fund continues to be the reliable resource that provides a foundation for the areas of greatest need during each school year. Thank you to all of you who contribute to the GSA Fund annually. As the tradition of giving to our school moves forward, the collective impact of your participation is felt by each student who attends GSA.
Amelia Griffith Fiona Guinness Megan Haskell Holly Ibarguen Caleb Lacasse Fiona Larkin Theodore Lesko Ryan Mitchell Michael Moon Ellis Murnik Kove Nevells Margaret Nevin Elia O’Hara Garrett Parker Sophie Peasley Ian Renwick Clayton Reynolds Caleb Rhine Ezekiel Sacaridiz Gadrielle Samperi Franklin Sealander Nicklas Steinbarger Anna Trowbridge Magnolia Vandiver Oliver Wilson Oliver Woodward Lannea Zentz
Amy and Richard Houghton Mark Hurvitt and Tracy Lameyer Jean and Doug Hylan Susan Jellison Dan and Amie Kane Chris and Patricia Kowalski Susan Loomis Deborah and David Ludlow Meg Maiden Jim Markos Della Martin Linda and Dewey Martin Moira McMahon and Jeffrey Allwine Lorenzo Mitchell William and Carolyn Mor Marion and Tom Morris Jonathan and Kristin Mullen Peter and Belinda O’Brien Steve and Carol Orlofsky Carole and Thomas Pascal Samantha and Mark Politte Jeffrey and Roberta Raymond Catherine Razi Wendy Ritger and Henry Elliott Arlene Roberts Libby and Scott Rosemeier Virginia Royster Hector Sapien and Melissa Mattes Ann Sargent Cory and Shelly Schildroth Anne Schroth Jennifer Schroth and Jonathan Ellsworth Michael Scott and Maria Matthews Dorrance and Patty Sexton
PARENTS OFAlumni ALUMNI Parents of Anonymous Robin Alden and Ted Ames Annie Allen and Michelle Duprey Jeffrey and Tina Allen Kermit and Jane Allen Ronald and Mary Allen Emil and Ellie Andy Michael and Patricia Astbury Michelle and John Bannister
Joanne Barrett Robert Bauer and Lorraine Huckel Trudy and Scot Bell Warren and Nancy Berkowitz Marcie Bowden and Robin Bowen Ann Brayton Charles and Judy Brenton Deborah Brewster (†) and Benjamin Mendlowitz Sara Bushmann and Scott Howell Jerry and Jackie Butler Robert and Patricia Clapp Stephen and Sandy Collier Debbie and Blaine Davis Hank Davis and Tracy Spencer Anne and Steve Dentino Jim Dow and Ciona Ulbrich Gayle Durnbaugh Donald and Meredith Eley George and Pamela Elias Matthew and Libby Elliott William and Margot Entwisle Tim and Susan Farrar Charlie and Carley Ferden Joelle and Rex Florian Jack and Brenda Frost Jacques and Rebecca Gagne Maggie Garfield John Gray and Carol Skoglund Rhoda Grant Marjorie and David Gray Bruce and Linette Grindal Charles (†) and Susan Guilford Merton and Ashley Hanscom Fred and Prudy Heilner Judyth Herrick
(†) deceased
14
Celebr ation of Giving
Nancy Sherman Janet Simpson Katherine Smith Christie A. Snow Linda and Michael Soukup Scott and Catherine Springer Bruce Stahnke and Erlynne Kitagawa Toni and Troy Staples Joanne and Carsten Steenberg Noel and Betty Stookey Gail and Chris Strehan Paul Sullivan and Jillson Knowles Liffey Thorpe and Peter Suber Sally Tomkins Jennifer and Paul Trowbridge Anne Vogt Robert Walker Christine Wanning Horace and Sylvia Wardwell William and Doris Webb Lori and Noddy Wessel Elaine and Norris Wessel Dana and Cyndy Willis Jonathan Wilson and Sherry Streeter GRANDPARENTS & Grandparents and GRANDPARENTS Grandparents ofOF Alumni Sandi and Kenneth Blood Loren and Rita Brown Karen Chandler Donald and Connie Christie Mary and James Clairmont John and Kathy Clapp Ruth Davis
Ethtelyn Woodye, We Miss You Terribly Ethtelyn made a lot of friends while working at GSA for ten years. In October, she passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Here are some of the things her friends here remember about her. “You could not miss her big, gorgeous smile.” “She was proud of her Belizean roots.” “Her faith in God was always present in her life.” “Her family meant the most to her. Her children, Kysha, Ezra, and Elijah, graduated from GSA.” “She was adventurous, skydived, and was a world traveler. She loved to dress in glamorous clothes and have a photo shoot.” “She was kind and generous to all. Every day.” “Ethtelyn gave her all to her family, friends, and GSA.”
Alice Dillon Jean Eysenbach Linda Generali Lawrence Gratt and Carol Butler Patricia Griffith John and Joanne Kimball Basil and Gail Ladd Lucy Ledien Gordon and Lynda MacArthur Kathleen McClure Barry and Susan Mills Leigh Norwood and Sylvia Wilder Roxanne Olmstead Margaret and Dennis Rackliffe Barbara Riddle Peter and Judy Robbins Laura Rossi Robert and Jane Sargent Frank and Libby Silver Robert (†) and Linda (†) Slaven Jon and Sandra Woodward FRIENDS Friends Anonymous (2) Carol Albanese Buddy and Lucy Allen Amy Baker and Skip Pile Carole Barnard Peter and Victoria Bartholow Lisa Becker The Becton Family Carolyn and Roger Bennatti Thomas Bjorkman and Roxanne Donahey Joceline Boucher Steve and Susan Brookman Suzanne Carmichael Irving Carter Bill and Deborah Case Leslie Clapp and Blaise deSibour The Clements Family Jill Clendenen
Julia Cluett and Robert Shepley Mark and Libbie Cluett Bonnie and Merle Copper Douglas and Posie Cowan Jim and Mary Crawford James and Joan Darby Leif Deetjen Sean Dooley Georgia Duncan Preston and Sarah Everdell Larry Flood and Tyler Knowles Pete and Trish Frech Stephen and Martha Gagliardi Peter and Anne Gilchrist Rebecca Gratz and Steven Sitrin John Hanlon Edward Hardie William and Jane Heizmann Kent Huyser Matthew and Catherine Hyde Ted and Anne Johnson Kathy Knowles Julia Leisenring Stephen and Linda Lindsay James and Diane Lyon Jane MacElree James Marsters William and Caroline Mayher Daniel and Nancy McGraw Michael and Abbie McMillen Eugene Meyer Anne Miller Edward Miller Terry and Bebe Moulton William and Eileen Mulliken Tony and Merry Newton Anthony and Olivia Nicholas James and Susan Noyes Diana Page and Oscar Ruiz Christopher and Susan Pappas Lin and Anne Parker Frederick and Christine Parson Camille Pascal and Stephen Peasley Burton Pearl
Joseph Perkins and Kathleen Podraza Paul and Kip Perkinson Victoria Perry Bonnie Preston Hal and Lisa Reynolds John and Renee Richardson Thomas and Joy Richardson Karl and Katherine Schoettle Frederick Seeley Thomas Selden and Nancy Murdock Curtis and Barbara Shaw Shelley and Donald Small Albert and Margaret Smith Patricia Snell Joyce Snow William and Barbara Starkey James William Stevens Corinne Sucsy Stephen and Luciana Taber Charlotte Taylor Phyllis and William Taylor Elizabeth and Reginald Thors Lorinda Toscas and Robert Manheimer Caroline Werth Wilder-Guiles Family Cynthia Winings and David Dillon David and Diana Wood Businesses and BUSINESSES & Organizations ORGANIZATIONS Airgas Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Blue Hill Psychological Services, Inc. Blue Ledge Carpentry The Bud Connection Bucks Restaurant Carlton C. Gray & Son Builders Cleary Law Office, P.A. Darling’s Auto Group
Downeast Properties Elliott Architects F.L. Putnam Investment Management Company Fairwinds Florist First National Bank Hale and Hamlin Hammond Lumber Company Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Hinckley Yacht Hypertherm, Inc. John H. Gray Electrical, Plumbing & Heating Jon D. Woodward & Sons, Inc. Lawrence Family Fitness Center Lynam Agency Insurance Lynam Real Estate M.E. Astbury & Son Maine Maritime Academy Mainescape Nursery and Garden Shop The McClure Group The Merle B. Grindle Agency Parker Ridge Retirement Community Rackliffe Pottery, Inc. Rooster Brother THE Salon & Spa Stahnke & Kitagawa Architects Stanley Subaru Tree of Life Wardwell Oil Trusts, ESTATES, Estates, and TRUSTS, Foundations FOUNDATIONS Alaska Community Foundation Becton Family Foundation Charles Wentz Carter Memorial Foundation Clements Family Charitable Trust Communities Foundation of Texas
(†) deceased
GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
15
Art & Antiques Show Returns The Downeast Art & Antiques Show returned to GSA in August, drawing approximately 700 visitors to a transformed gym and raising $14,585 for the GSA Fund. From 1997 to 2006, the show was held at GSA as the Academy Antiques Show in Blue Hill, but it wasn’t until May 2021 that the school was asked to host again. “A true team effort by staff and volunteers enabled us to put on an amazing show in such a short time,” said GSA Advancement Director Rada Starkey. A preview party on Aug. 2 launched the two-day show of art and antiques. After it concluded, dealers reported strong sales and said they felt genuinely welcomed and supported by GSA. “With a year to plan,” Rada said, “we can make next year’s show an even more amazing event.”
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols Foundation J.P. Morgan Charitable Giving Fund Laurence Flood Foundation, Inc. Schwab Charitable Fund Starkey Foundation Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Whitehall Foundation, Inc.
Boeing Company Horizon Pharma USA, Inc.
Gifts in GIFTS INKind KIND Airgas The Bud Connection Suzanne Carmichael James and Joan Darby Fairwinds Florist Hammond Lumber Company Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Hinckley Yachts Jean Hylan Hypertherm, Inc. Lily Jaffray Nikki and Curtis Jaffray John H. Gray Electrical, Plumbing & Heating Lawrence Family Fitness Center M.E. Astbury & Son Maine Maritime Academy Mainescape Nursery and Garden Shop Anne Miller Edward O. Miller Rackliffe Pottery, Inc. Albert and Margaret Smith Stanley Subaru Rada and Robert Starkey Jennifer Traub
In honor of the Class of 1964 James Farr
MATCHING COMPANIES Matching GIFT Gift Companies Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Gifts GiftsMade MadeininHonor Honor In honor of Jenna Blodgett ‘23 Brionna Blodgett In honor of Gerald Butler ‘61 Jonathan Chase and Erin Butler Carrie and Daron Clifford In honor of Kylie Chase ‘21 Jonathan Chase and Erin Butler
In honor of Wade Clifford ‘20 Carrie and Daron Clifford In honor of Kelly Cunnane Mark Messer In honor of GSA Faculty & Staff Zoë and Keith Tenney In honor of GSA Sports Marla Atherton In honor of Fred Heilner Madeline Heilner Michael Scott and Maria Matthews Jennifer and Andrew Traub
In honor of William MacArthur ’22 Gordon and Lynda MacArthur In honor of Erin McCormick ’00 Anonymous In honor of Steve Orlofsky Jerry Blodgett and Deborah Miller Donald and Merrie Eley Jennifer Lapham and Paul Sacaridiz Lindsay Nevin Margaret Nevin Stacia and Crocker Nevin Michael Scott and Maria Matthews Kristina and Robert Stephens In honor of Caroline Richards Jack and Brenda Frost In honor of Libby Rosemeier ‘77 Margaret Austin Karen Brace Peter and Judy Robbins Michael Scott and Maria Mathews In honor of Class of 2021 Gerald Austin (†)
In honor of Fred and Prudy Heilner Joanne and Carsten Steenberg
In honor of Beckett ’17 and Hattie ‘19 Slayton Ann Sargent
In honor of Nathaniel ’95, Amelia ’00, and Zachary ’06 Huckel-Bauer Robert Bauer and Lorraine Huckel
In honor of David Stearns and Paul Gilden Max Reiter
In honor of Emery ’23 and Logan ‘23 Leach James W. Stevens
In honor of Lilian Thorpe ‘09 Liffey Thorpe and Peter Suber In honor of Anna Trowbridge ‘21 Patrick Trowbridge (†) and Patricia Lown
(†) deceased
16
Celebr ation of Giving
In honor of Horace Wardwell ’57 Emil and Ellie Andy In honor of Lori Wessel ‘81 Judyth Herrick James Stevens Gifts Made GIFTS MADEin INMemory MEMORY In memory of Ben Austin ‘74 Jodelle Austin Marjorie and David Gray Libby and Scott Rosemeier In memory of James E. Austin Jodelle Austin Marjorie and David Gray Libby and Scott Rosemeier Patricia Snell In memory of John F. Bartlett, Jr., James C. Bartlett, Hollis M. Turner Edward and Amy Turner In memory of Maud Candage Beede ‘32 Stuart Beede In memory of Cory Betts Nikki and Curtis Jaffray In memory of Bradley and Jacqueline Brownlow Melissa Brownlow and Peter Baker Gale and George Flax In memory of Priscilla Heath Bunker ‘60 Merton Bunker, Jr. and Margaret Zuanich-Bunker In memory of Walter Butler ‘44, Helen Osgood Butler ‘39, Janet Butler Torrey ‘79 Nancy Hastings
Looking Ahead to Class Reunions When GSA classmates get together, it’s a fun and memorable occasion. While some classes elect to gather at outside locations, this year, GSA helped coordinate several on-campus reunion events. The reunions were held outside the Hinckley House dormitory on Tenney Hill. The school provided large tents, tables, chairs, and non-alcoholic beverages, and arranged for a cash bar. The classmates who organized the event either asked attendees to bring a potluck contribution, or arranged for catered food. For 2022 events, you’re encouraged to partner with a classmate or two and consider convening your class next summer!
In memory of Judith Sweet Candage ‘53 Jane Moon
In memory of Stanton Garfield, Jr. Maggie Garfield Martha Garfield
In memory of Ronald Candage ‘49 Ferol Candage
In memory of Bernard L. Gray ’64 and Calvin Gray ‘59 Linda and Dewey Martin
In memory of Carl and Susan Chase Martin Conte
In memory of Robert W. Gray ‘52 Harvard and Linda Candage
In memory of Janice Gillis Cleveland ‘43 Belinda Carter In memory of Andrew Collier ‘98 Blue Ledge Carpentry Stephen and Sandra Collier Erik Fitch Hale and Hamlin Justin Kaley Lynam Agency Insurance Lynam Real Estate The Merle B. Grindle Agency In memory of Walter and Ronnie Conary Louise Shackett In memory of Brenda Lowell Condon ‘71 Marjorie and David Gray In memory of Anjie Dietz Susan Dietz In memory of Joseph Dombek Deborah and David Ludlow Katherine Smith In memory of Sylvia (Sue) Keefe Duffy ‘56 Katherine Smith In memory of John Eysenbach William and Jane Heizmann
In memory of Jerold Grindle ‘53 Bonnie Grindle In memory of Sheldon Gross ‘66 Alta Gross In memory of Clifton Hatch ‘58 and Alice Nevells Hatch ‘28 Elaine Peebles In memory of Nancy Herrick ‘84 Leanne Bateman In memory of Robert Hooper ‘72 Joanne Barrett In memory of Nancy Hutchins Marguerite and Marshall Conary In memory of Cynthia H. Keefe Norman Keefe
For more information on coordinating a reunion for your class, please be in touch with Karen Brace, Director of Alumni Relations, at k.brace@georgestevens.org, or call (207) 374-2800.
In memory of Nicene Marks Pascal ‘89 Warren Leonard Camille Pascal and Stephen Peasley Carole and Thomas Pascal Jennifer and John Pulvino Rooster Brother Virginia Royster
In memory of Sheila Carter Varnum ‘58 Donald Varnum
In memory of Richard K. Peasley ‘81 Wendy Libby
In memory of Sarah Maresca Wessel ‘50 Katherine Smith
In memory of Thomas R. Perkins, Jr. ‘75 Kim Anne Perkins
IN InMEMORIAM Memoriam
In memory of Hildred Phillips Harvard and Linda Candage In memory of Anna Hinckley Piper ‘32 Thomas Piper In memory of Dolly Pusey Bill and Deborah Case In memory of Nathan Rapp Heather Morrison
In memory of Elaine Butler Locke ‘49 Jerry and Jackie Butler
In memory of Major Robert Slaven ‘33 and Chief Petty Officer Sidney Jones ‘32 Robert (†) and Linda (†) Slaven
In memory of Benjamin Long ‘68 Angeline Long
In memory of David Snow Joyce Snow In memory of Paul and Betty Starkey William and Barbara Starkey
In memory of Grace and Blaine Lymburner Nancy and Ronald Stoller In memory of Robert Marshall Sharlene Grant
In memory of John Hoyt Stookey Robin Alden and Ted Ames
In memory of Frank Wanning Anthony and Olivia Nicholas In memory of Dwight S. Webber ‘60 Forrest and Janet Horton
Charles Allen, Jr. ‘48 Pauline Allen Gray ‘49 Joyce Candage Tyler ‘50 Sarah Maresca Wessel ‘50 Robert Gray ‘52 Joyce Owens Hopkins ‘54 Beverly Gray Walls ‘54 Joan Young Tyler ‘55 Sylvia Keefe Duffy ‘56 James Anderson ‘57 Carol Gray Wight ’58 Richard Gray ‘61 Gerald Austin ‘64 Elaine Bakeman Murak ‘67 Kelvin Hodgdon ‘68 Barrett Snow, Sr. ‘68 Michael Nevells ‘69 Howard Candage ‘70 Martha Seavey York ‘70 Brenda Lowell Condon ‘71 Merle Grindle ‘73 Frederic Camp ‘77 Dennis Farnham ‘79 William Gordon ‘81 Lisa Monteith ‘97 Jennifer Newbury ‘00 Evan Soukup ‘17
(†) deceased
GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
17
New College and Career Counseling Fund Endowed In 2021, Joyce Snow established The Honorable David Forrest Snow Fund for College and Career Counseling in memory of her late husband, David Forrest Snow. During the Second World War, while his father, a Blue Hill native, was serving in the Army in Europe, David lived for four years with his mother in Blue Hill and attended the Consolidated School and George Stevens Academy for a portion of his high school years. David graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1954 from Dartmouth College and attended graduate school at Harvard, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1960. David spent the next 38 years, except for one when he taught law at the University of Iowa, practicing law at the firm that is now known as Jones Day. In 1988, he was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and became "The Honorable" David Forrest Snow. On the bench, Judge Snow was known for his keen intellect, upbeat demeanor, fairness to all litigants, and ability to handle a large caseload with alacrity. David retired in 2000 and moved to his family home in Surry. In addition to serving on many local boards, David actively participated in the life of George Stevens Academy and was a loyal and generous supporter. In 2012, David partnered with Tom Bjorkman to present "The Role of Government and the Future of Democracy in an Age of Austerity" as part of GSA’s Summer Speaker Series. This mini-colloquy considered conservative and liberal perspectives on the causes and consequences of growing income inequality and stagnating middle class incomes in the United States and recipes for restoring prosperity for all Americans. The endowment income from this fund will support the annual operations of the Office of Career and College Counseling. Joyce envisions that the fund will continue to grow through her own gifts, as well as through contributions from the larger community. “This fund will provide a significant boost to GSA’s College & Career program, adding depth and impact
both to our program’s capabilities and to individual student opportunities and outcomes,” said Director of College and Career Counseling Peter Goss. “The pursuit of equity and access is paramount in the work we do, and having funds to support under-resourced students for visits to colleges, for needed fees, or for summer program costs will be invaluable in achieving those goals. Similarly, having additional resources will provide funding and support for College & Career staff to increase our connection to colleges and employers who need to know more about GSA and our students. Those efforts pay off over time, building relationships and opening opportunities for all GSA students as they pursue their post-secondary goals. “We are grateful to Joyce Snow for recognizing an oftenoverlooked need and providing a substantial boost to our efforts.” If you would like to support this fund, contact Advancement Director Rada Starkey at r.starkey@georgestevens.org.
The Honorable David Forrest Snow
George Stevens Academy Endowed Funds The Lilla Bowden 1904 Memorial Speaker Series Program Fund The Deborah Brewster Memorial Scholarship The Stephen Campbell Scholarship The Rusty Duym ‘65 Sailing Fund The Food For Thought Fund The Jerold M. ‘33 and Diana Hinckley Professional Development Fund The Mildred Chase Hinckley Memorial Fund
The Hylan Family Alumni Fund for the Performing Arts The Helen McIntyre Fund The Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols Foundation Funds The Osgood-Frederick Scholarship Fund The Nicene-Marks Pascal ‘89 Theater Arts Fund The James Smith Scholarship The Honorable David Forrest Snow Fund for College and Career Counseling The Spencer Winsor Student Enrichment Fund
Our endowed funds produce income every year and directly support programs and services that enhance the experiences of students and alumni, as well as faculty development. 18
Celebr ation of Giving
Deborah Brewster Memorial Scholarship Established Following Deborah’s passing in August (see remembrance, p. 4), her family honored her decades of service by establishing the Deborah Brewster Memorial Scholarship. “The Deborah Brewster Memorial Scholarship aims to continue Deborah’s decades-long legacy of service by supporting a college-bound GSA student each year. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has committed time and energy to improving their community, just as Deborah did during her 50+ years on the Blue Hill Peninsula. Through this scholarship, we hope to encourage others to emulate her lifelong commitment to education and community engagement. — Benjamin Mendlowitz, Hannah Mendlowitz ’08, Sam Mendlowitz ’06, Will Holloway ‘94, Eachan Holloway ‘87
“Deborah Brewster touched many lives, including mine and those of countless colleagues, fellow trustees, parents, students, and alumni of George Stevens Academy. We deeply appreciate this scholarship in tribute to Deborah, an amazing person who did so much for GSA, our local schools, and the entire community.“ — Rada Starkey
We invite you to contribute to the Deborah Brewster Memorial Scholarship to broaden its reach and to support students in their next steps after GSA. To learn more about this fund or to make a gift, contact Rada Starkey, Director of Advancement, at r.starkey@georgestevens.org.
Thank You, Advancement Volunteers We’d like to thank the members of George Stevens Academy’s Advancement and Development committees. They generate a positive and immediate impact on the student experience through their efforts to grow the GSA Fund, build our endowment, and lead capital initiatives. Here, we honor current committee members.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE Sally Chadbourne, Co-Chair Rada Starkey, Co-Chair Jim Crawford K. Guinness Tyler Knowles
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Mark Messer Sally Mills ‘85 Tim Seeley Joyce Snow Phyllis Taylor
Karen Brace, Chair Sally Chadbourne April Chapman ‘91 Margie Gray ‘81
Prudy Heilner Deb Ludlow ‘79 Rada Starkey Christine Wanning
We’d also like to thank and honor our current class agents, who are liaisons between their graduating classes and the Advancement Office. They assist with class correspondence, news, updates, reunion organizing, and generating support for the GSA Fund. If you’d like to serve as a class agent, or recommend a classmate, please contact Karen Brace at (207) 374-2800 or k.brace@georgestevens.org.
CLASS AGENTS Lucy Ledien ‘43 Donald Varnum ‘54 Beverly Cecchini ‘56 Janice Prior-Crofoot ‘59 Marilyn Brossmer ‘61 Marjorie Longwood ‘61 Lawrence Merrill ‘62 James Farr ‘64 Belinda Carter ‘67 Christine Lamb ‘67
Sylvia Tapley ’69 Joan Wardwell ‘73 Stormi Wentworth ‘77 Deborah Ludlow ‘79 Merton Bunker ‘80 Margie Gray ’81 Craig Berry ‘83 Tina Stephens ‘84 Stephanie Vetne ‘86 Darlene Hatch ‘87
Gary Milliken ‘88 Jeb Billings ‘89 Dawn Nason ‘89 Christie Snow ‘90 Emily Wilson ‘91 Seth Cole ‘97 Emily Hildebrand ‘97 James Hildebrand ‘97 Brooke Miller ‘97 Jacob Berkowitz ‘02
Madeleine Park ‘09 Julianna Smith ‘09 Max Reiter ‘10 Lucas Yoder ’10 Martin Conte ‘11 Madison Sawyer ‘12 William Navarre ‘13 Timothy Dentino ‘15 Emmaline Richardson ‘15 Tate Yoder ‘15
GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
19
Mark Hurvitt
Prudy Heilner
Sara Becton Ardrey
Tyler Knowles
Welcome, New Trustees Thank You, Retired Board Members Being asked to be on the George Stevens Academy Board of Trustees is an honor, but it also is a responsibility and a time commitment. The honor comes from being on a board dedicated to the education of most of the high school-aged students on the Blue Hill Peninsula and knowing that, in a small way, each of us makes a difference in the lives of the students and the future of the peninsula. The responsibility comes from making sure that the school has the financial stability to do the best job it can with the resources it has and has funds for the future to support its faculty and staff and to maintain and improve its facilities. The time commitment results from the committee work each trustee does. Committees meet at least once a month with agendas, engaged discussions, and action plans that then go to the full board for a vote. Many board members sit on several committees and usually chair or co-chair one. One such committee headed by Jim Crawford, the Finance Committee, reviews costs, prepares a five-year income statement forecast, and presents the budget for the academic year to the full board both in draft and then in final form, among other tasks. One of our newest trustees, Mark Hurvitt, has joined that committee. Mark lives in Blue Hill and was the superintendent of schools for Union 93 for 15 years. He knows school budgets well! The Boarding Committee focuses on the future of the Boarding Program. Prudy Heilner, another new board member, is chair of that committee. Prudy knows the program and GSA well because, before she retired, she worked in GSA’s Residential Life Office and sat on the Boarding Committee as a staff member. Moreover, six international students have lived with Prudy and her husband, Fred. A third new trustee, Sara Becton Ardrey, is a seasonal board member who lives in Deerfield, Mass., where she is the director of alumni and development at the Bement 20
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School, a K-9 day and junior boarding school. Her work in advancement will be very helpful to those of us who serve on our Advancement and Development committees. The fourth recent addition to the board is actually not new at all. After serving for nine years and sitting on almost every committee except for Finance, Tyler Knowles (who wrote this letter) returned to the board after a mandatory year away. I now head the Committee on Trustees, which determines the composition of the board by identifying, recruiting, and proposing new trustees. COT also facilitates the board’s professional development through orientation, on-going education, and self-assessment. And now to recently retired trustees, all of whom have made a difference at GSA: Brendon Reay, who worked on the Finance Committee and the Boarding Committee; Jeff Allen, who co-chaired the COT; Phyllis Taylor, the Clerk of the Board, who chaired the Development and the Advancement committees and, luckily for GSA, continues to co-chair the hard-working Golf Tournament Committee and to remain on Advancement; Jon Woodward, who chaired Buildings and Grounds and hosted many students in homestays over the years. And finally, we owe a huge thanks to Samantha Politte, whose steady leadership and wise guidance as chair of the board, as well as her work on almost every board committee, made a positive impact on GSA every single day. As head of COT, I thank these now-retired board members for their service and hard work in the past, and our new trustees for all the good work they have done and will do in the future. Sincerely,
Tyler Knowles Chair of the Committee on Trustees
Corey Esposito ‘87, right, inventories supplies donated by Airgas with, from left, Caden Hewes ‘25, Brady Hutchins ‘24, and Brady Pert ‘24.
Gifts Bolster Industrial Tech Classes
Generous gifts made by three companies and GSA teacher Corey Esposito ‘87 will benefit our Intro to Metals, Design Tech, and Advanced Engines classes. Corey, who owns Esposito’s Welding and Fabrication in Surry, found out about gift opportunities from Ted Harris, an account manager at Airgas in Bangor. “[Ted] told me that Airgas and Hypertherm love to help out schools with their welding programs because there is a huge shortage of welders right now,” Corey said. “They want to help students get interested in a possible career in welding.” Airgas gave welding machines valued at $6,500 to the program. “Last year, we had four welders, two of which didn’t work very well. We got five new machines with the grant,” Corey said. “I donated two welding benches, so we now have five welding stations. This is going to be very helpful because more students are able to weld at one time. Plus, they are using state-of-the-art equipment.” “We also got some new welding curtains, so I’m able to set up the welding booths so no one has to walk behind someone when they are welding. This will be much safer.” Another gift to the school was a Powermax 45 donated by Hypertherm. The plasma cutter, valued at $2,100, will make fabrication of projects “easier and quicker,” Corey said. A second gift from Airgas was made in October. Ted invited Corey to come to Bangor to pick up equipment and supplies that Airgas had set aside to give to welding programs in Maine. The donation, including hundreds of items from gloves to welding masks to grinders to safety glasses, first-aid kits, and more, is valued at more than $12,000. Students in Corey’s Intro to Tech class helped him inventory the gift.
“I am so excited for GSA right now,” Corey said. “Not only did we get all this equipment, but we also have Airgas and Hypertherm as resources of information and discounted supplies and equipment because we are a school.” In addition to the welding-related gifts, GSA also received a generous donation from Hinckley Yachts. The Southwest Harbor builder of luxury powerboats and sailboats gave two diesel engines worth $750 to GSA that Corey will use in his Advanced Engines class. Thank you, all, for supporting GSA’s Industrial Tech courses.
Welders donated by Airgas. GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
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Boatbuilding teacher John Brooks with Bess Woodworth of the Charles Wentz Carter Memorial Foundation.
A sweep built by John’s students on display at the 1898 Society reception.
Boatbuilding the Focus of 1898 Society Reception In July, members of the 1898 Society gathered under tents on the Hinckley House lawn to recognize and celebrate leadership gifts to George Stevens Academy. The event featured master boatbuilder John Brooks, who teaches his craft at GSA. In addition to sharing an overview of the 2020-2021 curriculum, John displayed sweeps he and his students had been making, GSA’s Eagle 1 skiff, and a Sundog Skiff designed by Brooks Boat Design and built by GSA Boatbuilding students. The lapstrake skiff is being customized for use in Megan Flenniken’s Ocean Studies and Marine Environment classes. Leadership gifts are the cornerstone of GSA fundraising. Named for the landmark year the doors of GSA's original Academy Building were opened, the 1898 Society brings together generations of donors—alumni, parents, and
friends—to support virtually every aspect of academic and student life. Members of the 1898 Society each give $1,000 or more to GSA in a fiscal year. We were delighted to welcome Bess Woodworth, seen above with John, to the reception. Bess is a member of the board of the Charles Wentz Carter Memorial Foundation, which provides a generous grant that makes GSA’s Boatbuilding class possible. As part of the grant process, GSA is asked to prepare a report on the class. This year, John prepared a fabulous slideshow. To view it in our digital issue (at georgestevensacademy.org/publications), click the link below.
Click here to watch!
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Two Selected for Jazz All-States
Austin Chandler ‘23, standing, and Morgan Davis ‘22 will take part in the Jazz All-State Festival at Bangor High School Jan. 13-15. 22
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A pair of musicians will represent GSA at the Maine Music Educators Association 2021-22 Jazz All-State Festival. “Each year, GSA is proud to send some of our talented musicians to participate in the festival, and we celebrate their hard work and accomplishments,” said director Phelan Gallagher ’02. Morgan Davis ’22 earned the top pianist rating in the state and will be featured in the festival’s Honors Jazz Combo. Austin Chandler ’23 was awarded the second highest bass player rating in the state, earning him a spot in the Honors Jazz Band. Both Morgan and Austin participated in last year’s festival. Students auditioned by playing the jazz classic “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma, as well as an étude and a selection of scales and rhythmic styles. Students worked with Phelan to record their auditions in the music room for electronic submission. “In some ways,” the director said, “this process is more challenging than an in-person audition, as students must play for a camera instead of a judge, and feedback does not occur in real time.”
Fall Sports Highlights
Clementine Bannon ‘22 advances the ball in a girls’ soccer game against Ellsworth. The team competed in a postseason round-of-16 game and finished the year with a 4-10 record.
Noah Czuj ‘22 scrambles after the ball in a boys’ soccer game against Searsport. The team advanced to the quarterfinals and finished the year with a 9-5-1 record.
Laela Heino ‘24 putts at a home match at the Blue Hill Country Club. The golf team advanced to the PVC championship and finished the season with a 7-1 match record.
The volleyball team holds the 2021 Class C State Runners-Up plaque. The team finished the year with a 13-3 record.
The boys’ cross country team displaying their 2021 Class C State Cross Country Runners-Up plaque.
Thea Crowley ‘23 runs in the Class C State Cross Country meet. Thea finished No. 2 at the meet in 18:21.35, the second fastest time in the state regardless of class. The team finished sixth in Class C. Thanks for the photo, Rebecca Gratz. GSA Annual Report 2020-2021
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A Gift of Smiles …
When Frank’s Bakery Manager Jaye Gross, left, who has worked at the 76-year-old Bangor business for more than 20 years, found out that George Stevens Academy administrators were planning a sweet surprise for students and staff this fall, the 1986 GSA graduate decided it was the perfect time to make a gift to the school. Jaye generously donated half of the hundreds of donuts that were handed out, and his gift put a smile on the face of Olivia Strong ‘23, and many, many others. Thank you, Jaye!