GSA Matters Summer 2022

George Stevens Academy

Matters News for Our Families and Friends

Summer 2022

Congratulations, Graduates! p. 4

Thank You for Your Support At the beginning of this school year, no one predicted all the challenges we would face.

I am enormously proud of how everyone responded, especially the Class of 2022, whom we celebrate in this issue (pp 4-6).

Their efforts, and those of the entire community, meant we could have school in person as well as community events on campus. For this, I am grateful.

I am also thankful for the support the voters in our towns gave us, approving our tuition request for the second year, and thus establishing a sustainable financial model for GSA for the foreseeable future. Our success was made possible through a real team effort by trustees, faculty and staff, families, and friends who recognize the value of a GSA education and the importance of real school choice for students in our sending towns.

This cooperative effort is a model of school-community relations, one that other town academies would very much like to emulate.

In May, our Spring Arts Festival returned after a two-year hiatus. It was very exciting to be able to re-establish a tradition that stretches back almost 50 years. This wonderful event connects our students with the creative community through arts-related workshops led by local experts. (See photos on pages 9 and 10.)

In the coming months, many of us will be hard at work preparing for the 2022-23 school year and to welcome the Class of 2026 to the GSA community. Feel free to visit us on campus. I thank you all for your support of George Stevens Academy and wish you a most relaxing and enjoyable summer.

Timothy J. Seeley Head of School

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 mission was approved by the GSA Board of Trustees on April 25, 2019.

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Cover: Head of School Tim Seeley congratulates Essie Fitzpatrick during the awarding of diplomas.

In These Pages 4 Congratulations, Class of 2022!

14 Spring Sports Highlights

6 What’s Next for Our Graduates?

16 Giving Day a Big Success

7 What Will Andy and Joelle Do Next?

17 Summer of Fun: Coming Events Calendar

9 Welcome Back, Arts Fest!

17 Welcome, Class of 1972!

11 Music Resounds at Spring Concert

17 GSA Summer Baseball Camp

12 Future Bright for Collier Tournament

18 Tasty Bites to Play at Jazz Festival

12 Apply for a Performing Arts Grant

18 Duane B. Gray ’64 Memorial Golf Tournament

13 Ten Join Sports Hall of Fame

19 Downeast Art & Antiques Show

Our Trustees 2021-2022 Sally Mills ‘85, Chair, Brooksville James Crawford, Treasurer, Blue Hill

Deborah Ludlow ‘79, Vice-Chair, Brooksville Bill Case, Clerk, Blue Hill

Sara Becton Ardrey, Blue Hill Michael P. Astbury ‘03, Blue Hill Alden Blodgett ‘78, Penobscot Sally Chadbourne, Castine Rachel Grivois, Brewer Kenelm “K.” Guinness, Blue Hill Prudy Heilner, Blue Hill

Mark Hurvitt, Blue Hill Tyler Knowles, Blue Hill Michael McMillen, Brooksville Terry Moulton, Blue Hill Robyn Sealander, Brooklin Zoë Tenney ‘93, Sedgwick

We LOVE sharing GSA news. Update your contact info at georgestevensacademy.org/Communications.

Matters is a publication of the GSA Advancement Office.

Mark Messer, Editing and Design

Rada Starkey

Trudy Bell

Liffey Thorpe

Director of Communications m.messer@georgestevens.org Advancement Associate t.bell@georgestevens.org @georgestevensacademy

Director of Advancement r.starkey@georgestevens.org Advancement Special Projects l.thorpe@georgestevens.org @george.stevens.academy.gsa

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Left photo: Senior Will MacArthur plays the bagpipes to lead Class Marshal Layla Pickering ’23, Asst.

Head of School Rebecca Gratz, and seniors to the stage on Class Night. Right photo: Gabe Hall and Abby Parker welcome everyone to Class Night.

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Hundreds of family, friends, faculty, and staff celebrated the George Stevens Academy Class of 2022 at Class Night on June 11 and Commencement on June 12. Here, we share photos from both events. Visit www.georgestevensacademy.org through July for links to the senior slideshow, commencement ceremony screencast, and Class Night-Commencement program.

Left photo: At Class Night, College & Career Counseling Director Peter Goss announces the “well over $200,000” in scholarships awarded to graduates by generous local organizations and friends of GSA. Right photo: Sophia Biggie-Jennings announces the senior class gift, a donation to the Food for Thought Fund endowment, which subsidizes the cost of lunch for students from qualifying families. Frances Spangler made the announcement with Sophia, and both were joined by the other Class Gift Committee members, Jacob Larrabee, Cole Lepper, Wyatt McKechnie, Teague Smallidge, and Solomon Tyler.

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“While I may not have found too many people that share my personal passion for technology, I was able to find a group of very supportive friends who helped me to broaden my interests and discover who I am as a person.”

— Sam Bach, First Honor Essayist

“I know that the adversity that we have all faced will prove to make us more resilient to challenges we will face in the future.”

— Jack Gray, Salutatorian

“There’s a saying in Maine that ‘You can’t get there from here.’ I disagree. I think from here we can get anywhere. Sixty-four different adventures start here today.”

— Chloë Sheahan, Valedictorian

“Life is all about change, and ultimately, your future is in your hands. Don’t feel badly if things don’t turn out the way you planned at age 16 or 6. We’ve got the rest of our lives to figure out what we want to do next.”

— Emma Snow, Second Honor Essayist

Just a few of the mortar boards decorated by seniors for Commencement

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What’s Next for Our Graduates?

The 65 members of the George Stevens Academy Class of 2022 have shown remarkable resilience and empathy, helping each other through an extraordinary high school journey. Now they are on their respective ways, at least 45 heading to 4- and 2-year colleges, a handful taking gap years to assess and explore, and about 15 diving straight into the workforce.

The college-bound group will be scattered primarily across New England, along with nine students venturing as far as New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and Colorado.

Best wishes to you all!

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine (2) Clark University, Worcester, Mass.

Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor (3) Endicott College, Beverly, Mass.

Husson University, Bangor, Maine (2) Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y. (2) Keene State College, Keene, N.H. Maine College of Art & Design, Portland Maine Maritime Academy, Castine (4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

Norwich University, Northfield, Vt. Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Mass.

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, N.Y. Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.

Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J. The New School, New York, N.Y. University of Maine at Augusta University of Maine at Farmington (3) University of Maine, Orono (5) University of Southern Maine, Portland (4) University of Vermont, Burlington Wheaton College, Norton, Mass.

If more than one graduate plans to attend an institution, the number is indicated.

Feeding Neighbors: Steve Whitney’s Exploring Earth Systems students plant and fertilize

seedlings in the Blue Hill Community Garden. The garden, near GSA’s Hinckley House dorm, is a collaboration of the Blue Hill Garden Club, George Stevens Academy, the UMaine Cooperative Extension, Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Gleaning Initiative, and many dedicated volunteers.

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What’s Next for These Friendly Faculty?

Andy Stephenson, who taught math at GSA for 6 years, and Joelle Florian, who taught French at GSA for ten, recently shared their retirement plans.

Andy said he’ll start a six-week fishing trip in August on his boat, Pintail, from Sorrento to Long Island Sound and back.

“My intention is to ease along the coast fishing good spots as I come across them, searching for stripers and bluefish, though I wouldn’t say no to a false albacore or two!”

Joelle said she’ll travel to France often to connect with three new babies born in her family recently, her 91-year-old mother, her cousins, and her friends.

“I will go sit on the rocks and dunes my ancestors settled in from Wales and Scotland in the 6th and 12th centuries and breathe.”

She also will study Portuguese, a Nordic language, and Brythonic, “the Celtic language I learned as a child.”

At home in Maine, Joelle will paint, draw, and work in the garden. “My Kubota is anxiously awaiting for my return. My husband will be happy not to hear my alarm clock each morning.”

We wish Andy, Joelle, and our other retirees the best!

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Travel Broadens the Mind: A group of students and faculty chaperones enjoy a

one-day trip to Boston in spring. “They ate their way through Quincy Market, shopped in Faneuil Hall, enjoyed time at the Boston Aquarium, took the Boston T subway system through the city, were amazed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and had some excellent pizza at Eately,” said organizer Caroline Richards. “Get it? Eat Italy?”

Helping and Learning: In May, students in Megan Flenniken’s Ocean Studies class

help count and sort new scallop spat (baby scallops). Marsden and Bob Brewer of PenBay Farmed Scallops will grow them to market size to sell locally and across the country. The joint trip with Deer Isle-Stonington High School students was part of the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries’ Eastern Maine Skippers Program.

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Welcome Back, Spring Arts Festival!

The Spring Arts Festival returned in May after a two-year hiatus, and the campus was abuzz with energy.

Over two days, students took part in more than 75 different workshops led by area professionals, alumni, staff, and students.

More photos next page and online.

Molly Gawler performs to kick off Arts Fest.

Glass beads with Brier-Rose Werner ’16

Flying Origami with John Brooks

CLICK HERE

Echo plays in the Battle of the Bands.

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Arts Fest cont.

Singer-songwriter Caroline Cotter performed to close the festival.

Choreography with Georgia Zildjian

"I would like to thank the many community members who came in to share with our students for Arts Fest, as well as the wonderfully talented teachers and staff of George Stevens Academy. The wonderful performances of Molly Gawler and Caroline Cotter were not to be missed, not to mention the student and staff participants in the Battle of the Bands.

Area artisans, visionaries, and designers who would like to participate next year, please reach out to me.” — Melissa Rioux ’01, art teacher and festival organizer

Acting with Sally Mills ’85

Cynthia Winings Gallery visit

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Botanicals with Landere Naisbitt

Music Resounds at Spring Concert, Parade

Top: The Tasty Bites honors jazz combo Above: The Killer Vibes jazz combo Center right: The GSA Jazz Band horns section Bottom Right: The GSA Concert Band marches in the Blue Hill Memorial Day Parade.

Read about our Spring Concert and National Jazz Festival success at georgestevensacademy.org/news.

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Left photo: From left, Noah Tapley ‘02, Jet Collier, Peter Collier ’00, and Nick Malinowski ‘98 won the 2022 Andy Collier Invitational. Right photo: Trustee Mike Astbury ’03 drives a marshmallow on the first hole.

Future Bright for Collier Tournament, First Sports Grant Made Thirty-two golfers met at the Castine Golf Club on June 5 for the Andy Collier ’98 Invitational Golf Tournament, which generates financial support for the GSA Alumni Sports Fund.

The fun 18-hole scramble had a contest on every hole, for example, longest putt made, closest to the pin, closest to the inflatable giraffe, and marshmallow driving.

“The future is bright for the tournament and the Alumni Sports Fund,” said Peter Collier ’00 and Erik Fitch ’99, who founded the fund in 2019. Amanda Ashe ’00, Toby Cole ’00, and Simeon Allen ’01 also serve on the Alumni Sports Fund board.

“We are thrilled to announce that proceeds from the fund have recently led to the acquisition of a brand new, state-of-the-art pitching machine for GSA baseball players, a gift that will benefit hundreds if not thousands of current and future GSA student athletes involved in the high school’s storied baseball program led by Coach Dan Kane,” said Peter and Erik.

“We want to give special thanks to all who participated in this year’s tournament, particularly our volunteers, individual donors, and business sponsors.” Anyone interested in participating in next year’s tournament should email Erik at efitch@hancockcountyso.org.

Lead Sponsors: Lynam Agency Real Estate, Lynam Insurance Agency, and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Major sponsors: DeeperWaters Marketing, Blue Hill Cabinet & Woodwork, and Jones, Kuriloff, and Sargent, LLC. Sponsors: M.E. Astbury & Son, Hale & Hamlin, and The Merle B. Grindle Agency.

Performing Arts Alumni, Apply for a Hylan Fund Grant The Hylan Family Alumni Fund for the Performing Arts can help fund your next project, whether it’s part of your schooling or an independent initiative.

The Hylan family established this 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.

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Keys to Success Revealed at Sports Hall of Fame Induction

Left photo: From left, Bruce Mattson for Matt Mattson ’91, Bill Gray ’83, Collin Henry ’06, Owen Gilmore ’04, Nikki (Allen) Capone ’00, Steve Bemiss Jr. for Steve Bemiss Sr., and Nick Henry ’03 at the induction. Right photo: Forrest A. Horton ‘61 attended a private induction after leading the Blue Hill Memorial Day parade.

Here, we share insights into what made ten recent GSA Sports Hall of Fame inductees, or their teams, successful. Read more in www.georgestevensacademy.org/news.

Steve Bemiss Sr. encouraged athletes to “focus on the process,” not on wins and losses, said Steve Bemiss Jr. Nikki (Allen) Capone ’00 said that for years she took “500 shots at the gym every day, but maybe got Christmas off.”

Catherine Galipeau ’94 said participating in sports set her up for success in life.

Owen Gilmore ’04 thanked his parents “because they [got] me involved in tennis at an early age.”

Bill Gray ’83 noted the impact of many others in the room on his development as a coach.

“You can have an impact on more people than you know,” he said.

Collin Henry ’06 thanked “the players who maybe weren’t the stars of the team but who stepped up in important moments.”

“It was never about me,” said Nick Henry ’03 of helping to bring home championships, “it was always about the team and what we were trying to accomplish.”

“I loved my Naval career,” said Forrest A. Horton ’61 by video about his success, “but Millbrook Farm, scouting, 4-H, church, GSA, and family were all absolutely foundational.”

Matt Mattson ’91 spoke via video about the hundreds of athletes he coached over the years.

“I cherish those relationships much more than I cherish the winning or losing.”

Misha Mytar ’98 was critical to the tennis team’s success, said Tim Farrar, and she was “willing to help the other players on the team.”

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Spring Sports Post-Season Highlights & Honors PVC* All-Academic Seniors: Clementine Bannon, Noah Czuj, Ashly Emerson, Scotland Farmer, Jack Gray, Alexa Kennedy, Jaden Lewis, Will MacArthur, Wyatt McKechnie, Clark Morrison, Khang Nguyen, Abigail Parker, Chloë Sheahan, Grace Whiting

Girls’ Outdoor Track

PVC Small Schools Championship

No. 1, 3200M, Thea Crowley ’23; No. 1, 400M, Kathleen Stephens ’24; No. 1, High Jump, Kathleen Stephens ’24; No. 2, 4x400M, Nora Spratt ’23, Jillian Eldridge ’22, Kathleen Stephens ’24, Thea Crowley ’23; No. 2, 4x800M, Oceania Black ’24, Iris Kimball ’24, Abby Parker ’22, Thea Crowley ’23; No. 3, 1600M, Thea Crowley ’23

Class C State Championship

No. 1, Discus, Maranda Pert ’24; No. 2, 3200M, Thea Crowley ’23; No. 3, 400M, Kathleen Stephens ’24; No. 3, 1600M, Thea Crowley ’23

Boys’ Outdoor Track

PVC Small Schools Championship

No. 1, 4x400M, Clark Morrison ’22, Noah Czuj ’22, Jack Gray ’22, Arden Weaver ’22; No. 1, 4x800M, Micah Bryan ’23, Noah Czuj ’22, Tommy Norgang ’23, Clark Morrison ’22; No. 2, Javelin, Azaiah Nanson ’23; No. 2, 110M Hurdles, Andy Hipsky ’23; No. 3, 800M, Clark Morrison ’22

Class C State Championship

No. 2, 110M Hurdles, Andy Hipsky ’23; No. 3, 400M, Arden Weaver ’22; No. 3, 4x800M, Micah Bryan ’23, Noah Czuj ’22, Tommy Norgang ’23, Clark Morrison ’22

Boys’ Tennis

PVC Class C Champions; Class C North Runners-Up PVC Class C Player of the Year: Robbie Bennett ’23 PVC Class C First Team Singles: Robbie Bennett ’23 PVC Class C First Team Doubles: Ben Hallett ’22, Cyrus Blake ’23 PVC Class C Second Team Singles: Oliver Lardner ’23

Girls’ Tennis

PVC Class C First Team Doubles: June Page ’24, Eliza Crowley ’25

Baseball

PVC Class C Third Team: Sol Lorio ’23 PVC Class C Honorable Mention: Harrison Walden ’22

Softball

PVC Class C Third Team: Alyssa Ladd ’23, Layla Pickering ’23 * Penobscot Valley Conference 14

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Left photo: Members of Tasty Bites entertain on Giving Day. Right photo: from left, Margie Gray ’81, music teacher Phelan Gallagher ’02, and retired Asst. Head of School Libby Rosemeier ’77 on Giving Day.

Community Makes Giving Day a Success

GSA Giving Day on June 1 generated a lot of good energy and raised more than $27,000, every dollar of which will have a positive impact on GSA students and programs.

The celebration included tasty treats by Kara van Emmerik ’12, the Tasty Bites honors jazz combo, the Design Tech go-kart raffle, photos with the GSA Eagle, and the Class of 2021 Senior Gift plaque installation. It was wonderful to see so many of you on campus.

Thank you to ALL the GSA families, alumni, friends, staff, and students who gave so generously this year, whether of your money, energy, or both!

Left photo: after installing the Class of 2021 Senior Gift plaque, Elia O’Hara ’21 and Evan Chapman ’21 stand with former School Nurse Nikki Jaffray ’04. The plaque reads: “This perennial garden is created in gratitude for the extraordinary efforts of our school staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the custodial and kitchen staff, and our school nurse. 2021 Senior Class Gift.” Right photo: the GSA Eagle with, from left, Olivia Bates ’25, Ashly Emerson ’22, Audria Morris-Nevells ’24, and Makallie Jenkins ’24.

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A Summer of Fun Sat., July 9, 3:30-5:30 P.M. CLASS OF 1972 50TH REUNION M-F, July 18-22, 9 A.M. to Noon GSA SUMMER BASEBALL CAMP Fri., July 29 TASTY BITES AT DEER ISLE JAZZ FESTIVAL Tues., Aug. 2, 5-8 P.M. DOWNEAST ART & ANTIQUES SHOW PREVIEW PARTY W-F, Aug. 3-5 DOWNEAST ART & ANTIQUES SHOW Sat., Sept. 3, Noon HONORS COMBO AT BLUE HILL FAIR Sat., Sept. 10 DUANE B. GRAY ’64 MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT (rain date, Sept. 11)

Welcome, Class of 1972!

The Class of 1972 will reunite under the tents by GSA’s Hinckley House dormitory at 30 Tenney Hill on Saturday, July 9, from 3:30-5:30 P.M.

Dig out your bell bottoms, dust off your copy of the Mountain Echo, visit with your friends, and make new ones this summer. What was YOUR favorite song in 1972? “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”? “Lean On Me”? “Rocket Man”? “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”?

Email Alta Gross, at right with Toby Wardwell, for more information (alta.gross@gmail.com).

Groovy pom-poms!

GSA Summer Baseball Camp

Coaches Dan Kane (pictured) and Matt Haney ’94 will teach baseball skills to children ages 9-12 from July 18-22.

Do you know someone who might like to attend? The camp costs $100 per student.

Visit georgestevensacademy.org/BaseballCamp.

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Tasty Bites to Perform at Jazz Festival GSA’s honors jazz combo, seen below with their lush, green mascot, will play on opening night of the Deer Isle Jazz Festival, Friday, July 29, at the Stonington Opera House. No word yet on whether Plant Sinatra will attend.

For more information, visit operahousearts.org/2022.

Who’ll Win in September? Our Students!

The Duane B. Gray ’64 Memorial Golf Tournament will take place at the Blue Hill Country Club on Saturday, Sept. 10 (rain date, Sept. 11).

This fun event honors the memory of Duane B. Gray ’64 while building financial support for the GSA Fund, which benefits all aspects of life at George Stevens Academy and all our students.

Sign up to be a sponsor or register to play today!

Visit georgestevensacademy.org/DBGTourney.

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The Downeast Art & Antiques Show, America’s longest running event of its

kind, will take place at George Stevens Academy in August. Don’t miss this chance to peruse superb art and antiques displayed by 28 national dealers!

A Festive Preview Party will launch the show on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 5-8 P.M.

Browse and shop dealers’ exceptional offerings while enjoying passed hors d’œuvres and a full bar by Rioux Catering. Preview Party tickets cost $125 and include admission to all three days of the show. Visit georgestevensacademy.org/DAASPreviewParty to purchase tickets in advance.

Tickets to the show can be purchased at the door for $15 and are good for all three days. The Downeast Art & Antiques Show is open Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 3 and 4, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., and Friday, Aug. 5, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Sweet Cheeks Bakery will offer café service.

At a Special Book Signing on Wednesday, Aug. 3,

Martha McEvoy, Basha Burwell, and Kathleen Hackett will sign copies of The Maine House. Books will be available for purchase.

Corporate Sponsor: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries Show Co-Chairs: Gil Schafer, architect, and Courtnay Daniels, designer All admission fees to the Preview Party and show benefit George Stevens Academy. The show will be air-conditioned. Visit georgestevensacademy.org/DAAS.

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george stevens academy 23 Union Street Blue Hill, ME 04614 www.georgestevensacademy.org

Thank YOU for making GSA Giving Day 2022 a success!

Find out more on p. 16.