Class Notes Autumn/Winter 2019

Read Rachel 's bio

This past fall, Rachel was honored for 75 years in nursing by the Mercy Hospital Alumni Association. Rachel, who was made an honorary Mercy Hospital alumna thirty years ago, officially retired from nursing in 1985 but has remained a steadfast contributor to the profession and those who are working towards following in her career footsteps. Congratulations, Rachel!**

**We are very saddened to report that Rachel passed away several weeks later on December 17, 2018.

Read Richard's bio

We are excited for Richard (center), who was inducted into the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame this summer! Richard””a Maine native””was honored for his outstanding performance as an athlete during his years as a student-athlete in high school, at Bridgton Academy, and the University of Maine (Orono), as well as during his service with the United States Navy. Congratulations on this well-deserved accolade, Richard!

Read Admiral's bio

We were humbled and proud to learn that this distinguished Bridgton alumnus was asked to serve as an honorary pall bearer at the funeral of President George H.W. Bush in December. Admiral Aquilino is currently the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii””the fleet’s 36^th commander since the establishment of Pearl Harbor Headquarters in 1941.

Prior to this extraordinary appointment, Aquilino served in numerous fighter squadrons with the United States Navy, including assignments with the Ghost Riders of Fighter Squadron 142 and the Black Aces of VF-41. He also commanded the World Famous Red Rippers of VF-11, Carrier Air Wing 2, and Carrier Strike Group 2. His deployments in service of our country include Operation Deny Flight, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. When he is on land, Aquilino’s duties involve serving as an adversary instructor pilot, Special Assistant for Weapons Systems and Advanced Deployment in the Office of Legislative Affairs for the Secretary of Defense, and Executive Assistant to the Commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

After completing his year at Bridgton, Admiral Aquilino attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1984 with a degree in physics. He then went on to flight training, earning his wings in August 1986. He eventually graduated from Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), the Joint Forces Staff College, and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education Program in National and International Security.

Read Mark's bio

We are proud of Mark, who is also a member of the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees, for being honored as part of the TIAA Difference Maker 100 program! Mark is the president and executive director of the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) in Beverly, MA. The school provides specialized academic programming to nearly 100 students (aged 3 – 22) who have communication, physical, and/or developmental challenges. Under his leadership, CCCBSD has helped to expand the over 140-year-old school, building on its strengths and enhancing its important mission. The school now serves learners who are on the autism spectrum or living with cerebral palsy or other developmental and/or physical challenges””all while increasing the students’ use of technology in order to boost their learning experience and achieve a higher level of long-term independence.

Read Kamahl's bio

Since his graduation from Bridgton Academy, Kamahl has continued to make a name for himself both on the court and off. Following his success as a basketball student-athlete at Bridgton, Kamahl went on to become a standout at Endicott College, where he was a 1,000-point scorer. Since completing his studies at Endicott with a major in sports management, Kamahl has moved on to his next adventure: a professional basketball player for the Worcester 78s of the American Basketball Association. Congratulations, Kamahl, and best wishes for continued success!

Read Ben's bio

Congratulations to Ben, who was recently named to the All-Liberty League second team after a vote by the league’s coaches in early November. The Liberty League is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA’s Division III; all member schools are located in the state of New York. Ben, a soccer student-athlete at Skidmore College, is a forward/defender for the Thoroughbreds.

As a senior, this fall marked the final season of Ben’s collegiate soccer career, which culminated with his receipt of the All-League award. Ben is credited with leading his team and being a league standout in scoring. He completed his career at Skidmore with twenty-six points on five goals and sixteen assists. The Skidmore soccer team advanced to the Liberty League Tournament this year for the fourth consecutive season.

Well done, Ben, and best wishes for continued success as you prepare for your next steps after graduation this spring!

Read Mike's bio

Wolverines pop up in the most random places! Picture it: a cramped elevator in Los Angeles, where several boarding school professionals are discussing private education. A man enters at one of the floors; he glances at BA’s Director of Admission, Chris Webb. As the elevator continues its ascent, the word Bridgton Academy is mentioned. Stunned, the newest arrival on the elevator exclaims, “I went to BA!” Gasps of disbelief ripple through the enclosed elevator car. This “surprise alumnus visit” was brought to us by Mike Whitticom ’04, who joined Chris for a coffee later that day, where they became reacquainted and took the opportunity to catch up on all-things Bridgton Academy. Thanks for making your presence known, Mike!

Read 's bio

On Saturday, November 3^rd, members of the Class of 1965 gathered at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts to celebrate a “mini reunion”””their second such annual get together after reconnecting for their 50-year reunion in 2015. Joined with their spouses, the gathering kicked off by paying tribute to their deceased classmates by reading their names aloud, followed by a moment of silence. From there, guests caught up on the years gone by, the years to come, and how their shared experience at Bridgton Academy is woven throughout. The group hopes to continue this annual tradition by expanding their circle of ’65 alumni, with classmates as far away as Arizona already making their arrangements to travel to New England next November. We’re so glad to know “the spirit of ’65” remains as strong as ever and wish the Bridgton Academy Class of 1965 many more years of good times and get-togethers in the years to come.

Read Dave's bio

It was wonderful to see Dave Eaton ’50 at Bridgton Academy’s Past, Present, and Future Wolverine Gathering in Costa Mesa, California this past fall. Here, Dave proudly displays the certificate he received in 2000 in honor of the half-century milestone since his graduation from the Academy. Thanks for joining us, Dave!

Read 's bio

Reunited! Legendary BA coach and faculty member, Tom Austin, and his wife, Faye, (former BA dorm parent) traveled west this past fall to visit Terry McDonough ’85, Vice President, Player Personnel of the Arizona Cardinals. Here, Terry his pictured with his wife, Lynette, and Coach Austin.

Read 's bio

For many alumni, their Bridgton Academy journey was punctuated by their experiences with Coach Austin and his wife, Faye, who served as dorm parents for many years in addition to Coach Austin’s duties in the classroom, on the field, and as an administrator. Here, Coach Austin and Faye are pictured during their recent trip to visit Terry McDonough ’85.

Read David's bio

Go Sox! Here, David Petri ’55 gets ready to watch his beloved Sox take on the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. Lookin’ good, David!

Read 's bio

A future Wolverine! Luca Donnelly, son of Brendan Donnelly ’15, shows his BA pride! (pictured with his grandmother Melissa Shampine, P ’15)

Read 's bio

Return of the Wyonegonic residents, who bumped into each other earlier in the fall when Bridgton Academy Football took on Bryant University. Pictured from left to right: John Marino ’88, Matt Burgess ’88, and Mark Flynn ’88.

Read Fun to Know!'s bio

Earlier this year, items belonging to Bridgton Academy alumnus (early 1900s) Harry Lord were auctioned off by Saco River Auctions in Biddeford, Maine. After his graduations from Bridgton Academy and Bates College, Harry became the third baseman for the Boston Americans and a founding member of the Boston Red Sox. By 1910, Harry became one of the first captains of this famed team before joining the White Sox. “[Harry Lord] was considered one of the fastest men in baseball at the time,” Troy Thibodeau of Saco River Auctions shared with the Sun-Journal earlier this year. “He was once clocked running from home plate to first base in about 3½ seconds, which is speedy even by modern standards.”

Harry eventually returned to Maine, where it is reported that he owned a grocery store and was elected to the Maine House as a Republican. Other reports mention that he was head baseball coach at his alma mater, Bates College, shortly after resettling in Maine. He passed away in 1948. After the death of his grandson last year, these family heirlooms and historical treasures were sold and eventually made their way to auction. There are so many untold stories woven throughout Bridgton Academy’s 210-year history, and we remain humbled to be able to build upon this ”¦ as we enter our 211^thyear.