Washington Academy
“Tart” Gardner ‘38 and L ynda Rober ts ‘77 enjoy a light moment during the social hour
Board of Trustees
President, Brian S. Cates ‘72
Vice President, Dennis L. Mahar ‘79 Secretary, Dolores G. Hanson ‘55 Treasurer, Clinton E. Gardner ‘49
Assistant Treasurer, Bettina L. Davis ‘60
Jane E. Bell
Donald F. Brown ‘77
David C. Burns ‘67
Dean R. Crosman ‘75
John F. Gaddis ‘65
Richard L. Gardner ‘58
John S. Johnson ‘53
Ricky W. Ramsdell ‘76
Traci L. Sanborn ‘81
Donald G. Smith ‘71
Linda F. Varney
Honorary Trustees
Francis E. Chamberlain
Sandra S. Davis ‘53
Ar thur W. Gardner ‘38
Patricia M. Hall
Francis J. Hallissey
Arthur W. Hoar ‘37
Anthony M. Look ‘27
Ralph S. Mahar
Eugene A. Mawhinney
Hazel R. Palmer ‘27
Gardner C. Pope ‘30
Maxine L. Por ter
Clarence M. Randall ‘29
Edwin Randall ‘67
WA Today
Volume VI, Issue 2
WA Today is published semi-annually for the alumni and friends of Washington Academy. Publishers Nan Bradshaw and Charlene Cates welcome your comments: WA Development Office, PO Box 190, East Machias, ME 04630, or call (207) 255-8301.
Design & Layout: TERELAR Advertising Productions
From the Headmaster
Last spring I reported to you on the Academy’s Strategic Planning process and the plan that came from it. During this process the Trustees developed a plan to accomplish the following:
■ Generate additional revenue through student recruitment
■ Address the need for expanded music space
■ Address faculty compensation, recruitment, and retention
■ Address issues relating to school climate and school safety
■ Build and improve curriculum
■ Build and improve the International and Residential Boarding Program
I am pleased to report to you that through our extensive recruitment efforts this past year our enrollment has grow from 272 students at the end of last year to over 300 students for the start of this year.
Through the generosity of Alumni, businesses and friends of the Academy we were able to raise enough money during last years’ annual campaign to renovate and expand our music facilities.
The Tr ustees were able to increase teacher salaries by just over five percent and have made a commitment to further increases in order to bring our teachers salaries more in line with other area schools.
This fall, through a grant from Safe Schools, our faculty and students participated in Anti-harassment and Bullying Workshops. These workshops were lead by Stan Davis, a nationally renowned specialist in preventing harassment and bullying in schools. After the training our student will be going out to area elementary schools to present this program to our sending schools.
This year we will spend several full workshop days, twelve half-days and a full week at the end of the year working to finalize the alignment of our curriculum and assessments to the Maine Learning Results and National Standards.
This summer we purchased the former residence of Dr. Karl V. Larson and made renovations in order for it to be utilized as a boys’ dormitory. The “Larson House” currently houses seven international students and one American student, with the potential to house up to fifteen students. We also have ten international students residing in host homes.
As you can see it has been a ver y busy time of growth and improvement at the Academy. However, we still have much to do in order to assure that are students receive the best education that we can possibly provide for them and to ensure the long-term health and stability of our school.
Sincerely,
Two International Student
Graduates from Class of 2002
L to R: (Tim) Po-Ting Liao, Headmaster McBrine, (Bruce) Wei-Ti Hsu.
Judson McBrine, Headmaster
Brian Cates
Donald Smith
Ricky Ramsdell
Traci Sanborn
The Class of 1981 Celebrates 20 Years
The Class of 1992 Celebrates 10 Years
Has it really been THAT LONG?
From the Alumni Association President
The biennial reunion brought together over 220 smiling alumni who enjoyed sharing memories of their time at Washington Academy. Some highlights of the day include the following. The annual auction set a record in the number of items available and total money raised. The business meeting was also very productive. Two new officers were elected to the board. Donna Williamson is the new secretary and Linda Roberts will fill a new position of assistant treasurer, which was added to give us more continuity in that position. Opinions were solicited through a sur vey form at each place setting and a statistical analysis showed ver y favorable results. The sound system in the Alumni Gym was less than adequate and that deterred from the per formance of our enter tainer. Most impor tantly, the addition of air conditioning and the social hour were both a success.
Our future planning includes the creation of a committee to work on Charter/Bylaws for the Alumni Association. We researched the old minutes and inter viewed several older members and there is no record of any bylaws, so approval was given to work on this project and have a rough draft available for your review two weeks prior to the next reunion.
I want to thank all of our board members along with all the others who helped organize a successful reunion. We will keep you advised as our future plans progress for the next reunion.
Richard Young Pr esident, Alumni Association
Significant Changes Voted by Membership at the Alumni Association Biennial Business Meeting……
1. Biennial dues increase to $10.00 payable Januar y of the reunion year. Dues set at $5.00 for 1st 5 years after graduation
2. Graduating seniors will be honored at each reunion, i.e. Year 2003-2004 classes will be honored at next reunion. The 5th year anniversary will also be added to the honor class list.
3. A $300.00 scholarship will be awarded each year by the Alumni Association, to a qualifying member of the senior class.
Class of 1992. Standing (L to R): Travis Dennison, Chris L yford, Derek Feeney, Alan Fitzhenr y, Roy Storey, Matthew Antone, Dawn Cates-Wright, Tracy Maker
Labonte, Amanda Porter Hatt, Tammy Jhanson Pettigrew, Elizabeth McLeod , Elizabeth Matthews, Judd Bragg. Kneeling (L to R): Bethany Buza Look, Rhonnie Reynolds Gardner, Jessica Green Taylor, Rebecca Johnson Curtis, Natalie Harmon, Heather Sprague Graham, Jennifer Ackley Wickett, Ann Morgan Brown. Attended but not pictured: Amy Chamberlain, Jamie Spear
Attendees from the class of 1991: Heather Gardner Perry, Jerry Wood, Josh Bragg, Jason Wood, Laurie Chamberlain.
Class of 1981. Back Row (L to R): Ralph Ackley, Lanny Wood, Greg Marsh, Greg Maker, Doug Holmes, Kendall Davis, John Hopkins. Front Row (L to R): Linda Shuck Huntley, Teresa Johnson Saddler, Traci Prout Sanborn, Linda Corthell, Lisa Har wood Holmes, Heather Little Jamieson, Susan MacFarland Helton. Also attending, but not pictured: Julie Smith and Renee Noyes Look.
Washington Academy’s REUNION HIGHLIGHTS
Arlene Gatcomb Greenlaw ‘41, Mary Mattatall ’44, Stanley Mattatall ‘41
Bill Holmes ’60 shares his memories of Principal Gardner at the Trustee Tea Awards Ceremony as John Gaddis ’65, Trustee looks on
Dr. Eugene Mawhinney makes a point to Paula and Judson McBrine
John Bagley is all smiles after receiving his award
Sarah Lingley provided entertainment to guests at Trustee Tea
Alumni chat informally during the social hour
Wayne Kinghorn ’51 displays his yearbook to the crowd
Kendall Davis ’81 receiving award for traveling the farthest (from Arizona) to attend reunion
Alumni Gym at full capacity with reunion attendees
Raider Run Awards
TOP MALE
Mar tin Holmes
Male 14 & Under
Eric Fochesato
Male 15 – 19
Mark McFarland
Male 20 – 40
Nicholas Murphy
Male 40 & Over
Austin Townsend, Jr.
Alicia Walker
Female 14 & Under Christiannah Holmes
Female 15 –19
Abby Winterberg
Female 20 – 40
L ynne Hepler
Female 40 & Over
Joyce Smith
Top Alumni Kristy Albee TOP FEMALE
Female Walker
Sami Williams
The audience enjoys opening remarks by Headmaster McBrine
Group of Distinguished Educator and Distinguished Service Award Winners.
L to R: Accepting on behalf of Octavia Dowling-Norton is Millard Norton, Clarence Randall, Eugene Mawhinney, John Bagley, and Tart Gardner.
Entertainer Gary Crocker instructs banquet attendees on proper pronunciation
Clarence Randall ’29 oldest alumnus to attend reunion
2002 Annual Campaign Donors
Gifts from Alumni
Effie Crane Bates ‘28
In memor y of Ann Pike
Helen Bulson Lee ‘29
Clarence M. Randall ‘29
Gardner and Lillian Pope ’30 ‘30
Ruth E. Small ‘30
George Decker ‘32
Frances Gardner Esty ‘33
Muriel White ‘33
Mara Cates Rebhan ‘35
Clayton & Irma Vose ‘35
Stanley & Alice Berry ‘35
Hazel “Jo” Huckins ‘36
Lois Plinette Boone ‘36
Burleigh & Dorothy Crane ‘36
Phyllis Hawkins Kearney ‘36
Eugene & Anne Dowling Mawhinney ‘37
Linnie Griffin Crane ‘37
Louise M. Farrington ‘37
In memory of Conrad Pettigrew
Arthur W. Hoar ‘37
Lawrence A. Gardner ‘37
Pauline Bernath ‘37
Ruth B. Foss ‘37
Arthur “Tart” & Alice Gardner ’38 ‘38
Frank Foster Jr. ‘38
Elvin Bryant ‘39
June Ingalls Dinsmore ‘39
Marjorie Jones Hatt ‘39
In memor y of David C. Dennison ‘71
Vincent L. Dowling ‘39
Annette Dennison ‘40
Laura Hill Dennison ‘40
Milton Harmon ‘40
Hollis Br yant ‘41
Gerald Cates ‘41
Shirley Goodney Prendergast ‘41
Stanley & Mary Mattatall ‘41
Frances H. Proctor ‘42
Howard & Myrtle Roberts ’37 ‘42
Jasper & Isabel Cates ’42 ‘42
Wayne R. Dennison ‘42
Flora Purington Hanscom ‘43
Jane Longfellow Cullen ‘43
In memor y of John Longfellow
John Bagley ‘43
John Farris ‘43
Barbara Small Sutherland ‘43
Dorothy Gardner Sweeney ‘43
Carlton & Marjorie Dowling ’44, ‘46
Keith Albee ‘44
Marie Crane Harrington ‘44
Merna Pettegrow Johnson ‘44
In memory of Conrad Pettegrow
Harland & Mattie Flynn ’45 ‘48
Frances Wyles ‘45
Ruth Gatcomb St. Aubin ‘45
Viva Berr y Houston ‘45
Dexter & Dorothy Ashley ‘46
Wanda Albee Hartman ‘46
Betty Albee White ‘47
Ellen Holmes Cates ‘47
Fred Harmon Sr. ‘47
Gwen L. Tupper ‘47
Adien Look ‘47
In memory of Leon Look
Beatrice Holmes Ettle ‘47
*Valerie Davis Stimpson ‘47
Alvin & Patricia Hall ‘47
B. Diane Huntley ‘48
Barbara Gatcomb Curtis ‘48
*Frederick E. Vose Jr. ‘48
John Griffin Sr. ‘48
Dewey & Norma Maker ‘48
Ellis & Wenona Small ‘48
Marjorie Young McLaughlin ‘48
*Clinton Gardner ‘49
Dawn Miller Woodbrey ‘49
Lois Ingalls Sprague ‘49
Charles Nelson Look ‘49
Daisy Geel Herger ‘49
Joan McGuire Gatcomb ‘50
William Gardner ‘50
In honor of Jody Gardner Harnish
Clara Harmon Campbell ‘50
Alice Dowling Cousins ‘51
Edwin Berry ‘51
Eleanor Ingalls Fochesato ‘51
Wayne & Lettie Kinghorn ’51 ‘49
Roger C. Vose ‘51
Adair Bagley ‘52
Audrey Buchanan-Swan ‘52
Christine Gardner Small ‘53
In memor y of Donald Small Jr
John Johnson ‘53
Marjorie Berry Sheward ‘53
Patricia Vose Finan ‘53
Sandra Smith Davis ‘53
Alber t Small ‘54
Ellen Scott Weed ‘54
Patricia Hall Gibson ‘54
Theodore Ackley ‘54
In memory of Stephen Ackley ‘80
Dolores & Peter Hanson ‘55
Richard Young ‘55
Blanche Hasty Johnson ‘56
Clarence “Cici” Dennison ‘56
James Ulmer Vose ‘56
Robert Huntley ‘57
Marcia Mason Bernhardt ‘57
Donna & Br uce Williamson ’58 ‘54
Lorraine & Richard Stanhope ‘58
Maxine & Verlan Porter ’58 ‘53
Anna Geel ‘59
Pauline Gatcomb Tyson ‘59
Clyde Young ‘60
Constance Look Holmes ‘60
In memory of Albert “Buzz” Beam
Douglas Holmes ‘60
Bettina Pettegrow Davis ‘60
Charles Henderson ‘62
Ivan Gilpatrick ‘63
Larr y Br yant ‘63
William Beverly Sr. ‘63
Roger & Beverly Ackley ‘63
Joyce Bryant Goodine ‘64
Anne Davis Haseltine ‘65
John Gaddis ‘65
*Rober t Bergeron ‘65
Valarie Berry Day ‘65
Richard & Judy Purington ’65 ‘65
In memory of Gilbert Hanson
Betsy Forrester Fitzgerald ‘66
Donald & Linda Vose ‘66
Hazel L. Clay ‘66
Celia Farris Lemieux ‘67
David & Donna Burns ‘67
Victor Wyman Berry ‘67
Robert Ingalls ‘67
In memory of Larry Day ‘66
Robert & Jane Bell ‘67
Jim & Christie Bryant ’68 ‘68
In memor y of Loring & Matthew Br yant
Sterling Wade Fitzhenry ‘68
Barry & Jolene Wood ’69 ‘70
Carlton & Marlene Wood ‘69
Paul Gaddis ‘69
Pamela Lyford Mugnai ‘70
Richard & Julie Huntley ’71 ‘77
Susan Forrester West ‘71
*Brian & Wanda Cates ‘72
Nancy Forrester ‘73
Stephen Lund ‘73
Marcia Randall Segura ‘74
Thomas Morgan ‘74
David & Robin McMahon ‘75
Dean & Susan Crosman ’75 ‘75
Sherr y Hawkins McLeod ‘76
Gretel Ebbeson Varney ‘78
Jeanne & John Parker ‘78
Allan & Linda Huntley ‘81
Dennis Mahar ‘79
Lori Robinson Lynch ‘80
Scott & Arlene Porter ’80 ‘80
Allison White Tibbetts ‘81
Douglas & Lisa Holmes ’81 ‘81
Susan McFarland-Helton ‘81
Traci Prout Sanborn ‘81
Anne White Leighton ‘83
Shawn Seeley ‘83
Todd Noyes ‘83
Alan Lounder ‘84
Class of 1986
*Paula & Judson McBrine ‘86
Catherine Rasco Robinson ‘87
Kevin Alley ‘87
Tena Huntley Qureshi ‘87
Steve Padilla ‘88
Sherri Scichilone Collins ‘88
Tara Hatt Bar tko ‘88
Heather & Charles Vose ’89 ‘86
Anonymous ‘89
*Charlene & Jeremy Cates ’90 ‘94
Lou Marin ‘90
Eric Wood ‘92
Joanna Cates ‘93
Nick & Belinda Lemieux ’93 ‘88
Dyan Clay Guerro ‘94
Gifts from Friends and Parents
Ted Bellows
Ben & Sonny Brown
Seymour & Jean Burch Jr.
Campbell Car y
Chester & Misa Caton
Susan Cloutier
In memory of Pauline Pierce
Talbot & Dorothy Crane
David & Carol Dowley
David Hitchings
Normand Laberge & Leslie Bowman
Kris Larson
Breen & Joan Libby
Harry & Judy Lingley
*Chris & Suzanne Mace
Joseph & Marie McBrine
Angella Moser
William & Bette Parker
Mina Phinney
Mary C. Rea
Deane & Kay Richmond
Mar y Romaniello
Ruth Saumur
Jean & Alison Savard
Chris & Mar y Simmon
Bob Sloan
Alice & Daniel Sullivan
*Larry Sun
Carolyn & Robert Willey ‘72
David Winski & Laurel Storm
*WA Music Boosters Club
Business Donors
*Blue Bird Ranch Restaurant
Coffin’s True Value Hardware
Guptill’s Logging
H. F. Pinkham, Inc.
Helen’s Restaurant
*J. L.Huntley Plumbing & Heating
Machias Motor Inn
*Machias Savings Bank
Nicholas Nadzo, Attorney
Norton Electric
*Pepsi Bottling Group
The Sow’s Ear
The Wings Group
Union Trust
Wight’s Spor ting Goods
Total raised: $35,210
In the 2002 Annual Campaign, with help from 58 class agents, 155 alumni of Washington Academy contributed a total of $11,507. Our 15 business donors contributed $14,260.
These generous donations enabled the renovation and expansion of the music room. New instrument storage areas, practice rooms, and a music technology room will enable our students to learn in one of the most improved music facilities in the county.
Your generous donations were also used to purchase 40 posture correct music chairs, 20 of which have tablet arms for writing. In addition, two-tiered seated risers to accommodate chairs with music stands provide room for the large percussion instruments and allow for all students to easily see and hear the music director.
Alumni News and Notes
Class of ‘53 Reunites
Back row L to R: Merrill Colbeth, Verlan Porter, Roger Geel, Patricia Vose Finan, John Johnson, Marjorie Berry Sheward. Front row L to R: Christine Gardner Small, Sandra Smith Davis, Joyce Lindsey Clark, Patricia Gilpatrick Maker.
The Class of 1953 organized a very quick reunion through the efforts of Christine Small. In one day she managed to get 10 of the 19 members of her class to meet for lunch at the Bluebird Ranch on Monday, September 16. Bad weather assisted in enabling Merrill Colbeth and Verlan Porter to attend. Pat Finan lives in Ohio, Marjorie Sheward came from Connecticut and Sandra Davis had been in Cutler all summer from her home in Arizona. Sandra and Christine are working toward a 100% turnout for their 50th reunion in 2004.
‘41
Shirley Goodney Prendergast lives in Winter Springs, FL. She reports easy living but misses Maine and gets homesick. She has 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
‘51
Everard Crocker, Jr. retired in 1987. He is a 15 year member of the South Glens Falls Board of Education and was recently re-elected to another 5 year term. He is active in the Methodist Church and Historical Society
‘55 Dolores Scoville Hanson recently retired from J.C. Milliken Agency in Machias. She and her spouse Peter live in East Machias.
‘60
Connie Holmes lives in Gulfpor t, FL. She has a new grandson, Austin Lewis Holmes Therriault. Connie works as an in-home care attendant for an elderly lady
‘62
Donald Beam, Sr. lives in Walpole, NH with his spouse Patsy. They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. Donald works as a security officer and served on the Walpole Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. He and his wife are now honorar y members of the fire depar tment. His hobby is attending car shows in his 1957 Chevy.
‘66 Robert Huntley retired from the USAF in 1979 after 23 years of service. He retired in April from 21 years of ser vice as the head custodian from Darby HS in Darby, KS.
‘71
Gar y Look lives in Lubec with his spouse Janelle ’74 and their three children. Gary is a master electrician and pastor of the Christian Temple Church. He received a BS degree from UMM in 1997.
‘77 Joyce Ward Lanpher lives in Morrisville, VT, with her spouse AJ. They have 3 children. She works as a food coordinator in a school and is an EMT in her town’s rescue squad.
‘78
Elisabeth Carter Beal of Pembroke was honored in Augusta as a member of the All-Maine Academic Team for 2002. She graduated from WCTC in May, 2002 with an Associates Degree in Liberal Studies. Elizabeth is currently a math major at UMM.
‘81
Walter Luce lives in Kannapolis, NC. He works for Siemens Energy & Automation as a contracts administrator.
‘83
Kinsman Corthell moved to Woodbridge, VA. He is a Senior Special Agent in the Department of Justice, INS division, stationed in Washington, DC.
‘84
Sarah Plummer completed the Boston Marathon in April, 2002. Sara’s husband Dean Jacobs of Damariscotta and her brother-in-law
Michael Samson of Brunswick (husband of Rebecca Plummer Samson ’83) also ran in the marathon.
‘85 Christine Cleaves
Leighton of Portland received a MS degree in science with a concentration in nursing at the University of Southern Maine during the May, 2002 ceremonies. She has two children, Meghann and Bo.
‘86
Tom Brown recently moved to Gardiner, ME, with his spouse and daughter. He is with the US Army and ser ves as a recr uiting officer. Upon his retirement in a few years, he plans to move home so his daughter can attend WA.
‘87
Tena Huntley Qureshi and spouse Noorul are the parents of a son, Farhan, born 1/8/02. Tena works for the Council on American-Islamic Relations as the National Membership Coordinator. They live in Alexandria, VA.
‘88
Jody Gardner Harnish lives in Bangor with her son Jordan. Andrew Geel of Jonesboro married Jamaica Davis ’92. He graduated from WCTC in 1991 and is employed by Yankee Refinishing in Puget Sound. Jamaica works for the Finishing Touch Yacht Co. in Seattle, WA.
‘89
Rebecca Rowden Sinford and spouse Lee are the parents of Jacob Manning born 7/11/02. Heather Dennison Vose joined the WA staff as Assistant Director of Admissions. She will also be involved in alumni relations and fund-raising. Heather is the primary contact for all alumni and she can be r eached by calling 207-255-8301 or at alumni@washingtonacademy.org if you have news you’d like to share.
Class of 1977 Alumni Banquet Attendees
Sarah Plummer running the Boston Marathon.
Heather
‘91Josh Maker and spouse Colleen of Machias are the parents of a son Alexander Craig born 5/3/02. Alexander’s grandparents are Craig and Paula Maker ’64 of East Machias. Troy Parsons and spouse Valerie opened a new business in Machias. Machias Glassworks, Inc. is located in the complex with Timmy’s Auto and Fundy Bay Printing. Bobby Bronson moved to Concord, NH, after graduation and worked for Blue Seal Feeds. While there he discovered his love for professional wrestling. He can be seen on MTV’s Tuff Enuff (coming this fall). His wrestling name is Start-up Buff.
‘92Ann Morgan Brown and spouse Brandon live in Pembroke. They have a daughter Claudia born 5/24/02.
‘93Matthew Mahar and spouse Diana live in Baltimore, MD. He attended Husson College and KVTC and graduated with an associates degree in accounting. He has one more year left in his army service.
‘94
Brendan Cates married Katie Gardner on 5/18/02 in Cutler on his parents’ wharf. Timothy Seeley and spouse Christy are the parents of twin boys, Tyler and Tanner, born 5/5/02. They live in Lubbock, TX. Heidi Drew lives in Raymond, ME with her partner Sarah and their daughter Alissa. Heidi graduated from USM School of Nursing and works with adolescents at Spring Harbor Hospital in S. Portland.
‘96
Jessika Guptill Zanoni and spouse Dante recently moved back to Northfield from Idaho. They have a daughter Zoie, 3 1/2, and a son Jude, 1 year. Matthew Bridges lives in Pleasant Hill, CA, with his spouse Jennifer. He works in law enforcement at St. Mary’s College of CA.
‘97
Joni Greenlaw and Troy Doten are the parents of a daughter Emily, born 5/13/02. Jodi Wood and Mark
Sprague ’95 married 5/25/02. They are the parents of Mark Austin. She is employed by Hospice Education Institute in Machiasport. Mark is a self-employed lobster fisherman. Damon Weston graduated from Oberlin College in December, 2001. Jayson Maker of Bucks Harbor graduated from New England School of Communications in May, 2002, with a degree in television studies. He received the NESCOM award for outstanding achievement and a service award for his volunteer efforts with schools. Janette Frost married Fred Vogel, Jr. on 5/25/02 in a ceremony at Reversing Falls, Pembroke. Jon Mather and wife Lara are the parents of a daughter Grace. They live in New Hampshire.
‘98
Joshua Brooks-Ramsdell graduated from Bryant College in May 2002 with a BS degree in business administration. He works as a financial advisor for Sun Life Financial in Wellesley Hills. Tabitha Dudley graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington on 5/18/02 with a BS degr ee in elementar y education. James Smith and Ellen Johnson were married on 6/29/02. James graduated from the US Air Force Academywith a BS
degree in political science. Ellen graduated from Elmira College with a BS degree in marketing communications. GJ Wood married Kim Wood ’99 on 6/15/02. They live in Cutler. Michael Fergerson and Crystle Cates married on 7/27/02. Mike graduated from Thomas College, and Crystle is employed by Machias Savings Bank. Jaimi Kilby Weston graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2001. She lives in Erith Kent, England with spouse Daniel.
‘99 Kristy Wood Greenlaw lives in Machias with spouse Melbourne and their son Damyan born 12/17/01. Julie Hallowell married Daniel Morang on 6/2/02. Julie attends UMM and is employed by Shop & Save. They live in Edmunds. Wendy Sawyer married Eric Sprague ’02 on 7/13/02.
‘01Jacqueline Marshall graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Jason Brooks-Ramsdell is a US Navy fireman. He is a boiler mechanic on the Third Fleet command ship USS Cor onado which protects the western approaches to the US.
On June 10th, Washington Academy awarded 69 diplomas to its graduating seniors. New federal legislation allowed Washington Academy the unique oppor tunity to honor an individual who left school to serve his country. A diploma was given posthumously to Master Sergeant Burleigh S. Richardson who left Washington Academy during his junior year to ser ve his countr y in the National Guard. He was called to active service for the start of World War II and faced great challenges in campaigns and battles at Guadalcanal, The Northern Solomon’s, New Guinea, and Luzon. Master Sergeant Richardson served 20 years before retiring and passed away on March 6, 2002. Dale Richardson ’66 of East Machias, son of Master Sergeant Richardson, accepted the diploma on his father’s behalf.
Joshua
Jason
Class of 1992 Alumni Banquet Attendees
School NEWS
Students Visit Taiwan
Six Washington Academy students visited Taipei, Taiwan, for fourteen days during July 2002. The trip was organized by the Chinese Education Development and Cooperation Agency, a group that has been instrumental in bringing Taiwanese exchange students to Washington Academy. While in Taiwan, the young men studied the Chinese language, visited landmarks,and helped instr uct Taiwanese youngsters in the English language. The students were accompanied on their excursion by Washington Academy teacher Heather Ball and Lisa and David McCar thy of Columbia Falls, who are a host family for Taiwanese exchange student Charlie Sun. Heather and Lisa taught English classes at the American Cultural Camp for Taiwanese youngsters age 7-14 throughout their stay. The group was glad to have the oppor tunity to visit with Charlie and his family while in the countr y and the WA community is looking for ward to his return for the 2002-2003 school year. The trip was a successful endeavor, encouraging those who participated to expand their knowledge and appreciation of other cultures, and making friendships that will last a lifetime.
Environmental Science Class Chosen for National Watershed Summit
Congratulations to Mr. Donald Sprangers and his environmental science classes who have been chosen to represent the State of Maine at the National Youth Watershed Summit in Washington, DC from October 6-10. Sprangers and four students will travel to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center with all expenses paid. Washington Academy was chosen due to the depth and expanse of the projects that WA students do for the East Machias watershed and other Downeast salmon rivers.
Students selected to attend the conference are Jesstine Albee, East Machias; Abby Mills, Dennysville; Ansley Peacock, Whiting; and Dominic Winski, Whiting. The host for the conference is America’s Clean Water Foundation
Under the leadership of Sprangers, student involvement in watershed activities include the construction of 12 informational kiosks that have been placed at boat landings and various access points along the Machias, East Machias, Dennys and Pleasant Rivers. In addition, students participated in stream bank restoration, tree planting along theEast Machias River following the dam removal project, and participated in the National River Clean Up Day The highlight of the program was the Salmon Release Day Field Trip. The “Salmon in the Schools Program” sponsored by USFWS provides WA with 300 wild Atlantic salmon eggs which are raised to the fry stage by students. On May 21, the day of the salmon release, Sprangers invited students from the Wesley School to join them. High school students directed and instr ucted the 15 younger participants in conducting chemical analysis of river water, macro invertebrate survey, water quality determination, and a survey of potential non-point sources of pollution.
WA Welcomes New Faculty
Our new science teacher, Mr. Paul Ballerstein, is a native of Presque Isle. He graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a BS in Secondar y Education and a BA in Behavioral Science. For the last five years, he has worked for MSAD #1 teaching social studies, physical science, and physical education. He also ser ved as a tutor at UMPI for various subjects. Mr. Ballerstein, his wife Goldie and daughters Vivian and Lillian have relocated to the Machias area. They enjoy mountain biking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Mr. Brian Duffy is employed by SAD #77 as our new Marine Vocational teacher. He graduated with a BS degree in economics from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the WCTC Marine Trades Program in Eastpor t. Mr. Duf fy taught at Shead High School for two years. He lives in Perry with his spouse Susanne.
A familiar face around Downeast Maine athletic events, Mr. Blaine Steeves is our new Athletic Director and physical education instructor. Mr. Steeves comes to us from Jonespor t-Beals High School. He has a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from UMPI with a minor in history. Mr. Steeves lives in Machias with his spouse Bobbie Verburgt Steeves ‘93 and their three children, ages 10, 3, and 2.
Another face familiar around WA is Janis Clay. Mrs. Clay served as front office secretary for twelve years. Janis has recently relocated to East Machias from Texas and is serving as the International dorm mother and parttime front office secretary. Welcome back, Janis.
Student’s Teaching About Respect Program (STAR)
This fall, through a grant from Safe Schools, our faculty and students participated in Anti-harassment and Bullying Workshops presented by Stan Davis of Wayne, ME. Davis is a social worker and guidance counselor who has worked in a variety of mental health and school settings since 1969.
In early September, WA faculty and administration along with principals and teachers from SAD #77 attended the seminar. Davis presented a plan that begins with a disciplinary system, which is clearly adult controlled and aimed at stopping inappropriate behavior. An understanding of the nature of bullying and the willingness to intervene is essential to the program’s success.
A few weeks later, Davis returned to the Academy for a full day of workshops with students. Students from each class have volunteered to be part of the interactive presentations that combine storytelling and magic. The participating students are part of the STAR team that will take the anti-bullying program to our area sending schools and help present more in-house programs on acceptance and diversity.
The year-long program is under the direction of Assistant Headmaster David Hitchings and his spouse Gloria who are training students to respect both themselves, their parents, their school and community.
In Memoriam
Virginia Williamson Foss 4/28/02 ‘30
Outstanding Service in Education Sharon Crane
Spending over thirty years in the same profession is a noteworthy accomplishment, however, teaching in the same school and same classroom for as many years is an outstanding achievement that screams for recognition. This is especially true in this day and age when Generation Xer’s are changing jobs and entire career paths every five years. But don’t tell that to Sharon Crane ’62 because she recently retired from O. H. Platt High School in Meriden, CT. after 36 years of teaching social studies.
Ms. Crane graduated from Northeastern University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She received her Masters of Arts in Library Science in 1976 and her Certificate of Advanced Studies from Wesleyan University in 1989. Sharon received the honor of being named, “Teacher of the Year”.
Sharon’s dedication to her school and community is evident due to her involvement in various committees. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Meriden Public Schools Professional Development Committee, voluntary chair for the MeridenWallingford American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Chairperson for the Political Action committee of the Meriden Federation of Teachers. She also served as the advisor to the Platt High School Student Senate for 26 years.
This past summer, Sharon returned to Washington Academy to get reacquainted with her classmates while attending her 40th reunion.
In Memoriam
Lewis J. Lund 3/21/02 ‘35
Judson Burleigh Crane 5/10/02 ‘36
Carrie Rogers Bryant 3/26/02 ‘36
Lawr ence A. Gardner 8/11/02 ‘37
William B. Talbot 4/04/02 ‘37
Eva Ar mstrong Robinson 2/02/01 ‘37
Louise Hooper Ar mstrong 3/21/02 ‘39
John M. Hoar 8/05/02 ‘39
Burleigh Richardson 3/06/02‘39*
Ida Pettegrow Stanhope ‘42
Myrtle Parsons Roberts 4/01/02 ‘42
Robert N. Cates 2/24/02 ‘43
Jean Margaret Scott 5/25/02 ‘44
Octavia Lund Nor ton 7/17/02 ‘49
Ellis W. Beam 4/24/02 ‘54
Donald Rober ts 3/22/02 ‘58
Colby E. Dennison 9/7/02 ‘72
Julie Pettegrow Moody 5/28/02 ‘76
Patricia Hart Harmon 8/31/02 ‘89
Laurie Ann Ar mstrong 5/04/02 ‘92
Jason Ackley 7/15/02 ‘96
*Honorar y Militar y Ser vice high school diploma awarded 2002
WA student assistants pose with their props and Stan Davis.
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