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Bridgton Academy E-NewsletterJune 1, 2012
In This Issue
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
Footage from Commencement
Andrew F' Staub Faculty Professional Development Award
Ray T. MacDonald Service Award
Matriculation List
Award Recipients
Perfect Attendance
Col. Philip Saulnier '58 Earns Honorary Doctorate
Online Auction a Success
Upcoming Events
Social Networks
Campus is quiet at Bridgton Academy after we celebrated the graduation of 160 young men two weeks ago at our 204th Commencement Exercises. With the departure of our students, we now focus on preparing for the incoming Class of 2013.


We hope you enjoy the most recent news from North Bridgton in this special Commencement edition...   
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
Saturday, May 12th was the date for this year's 204th Bridgton Academy Commencement Exercises. After nearly a week of rain in North Bridgton, the weather finally began to clear on Friday, with Graduation Day dawning warm and sunny.  The ceremony was nearly perfect, complete with a Scottish bagpiper providing his unique music and leading the processional of 160 students who would receive their diplomas that day. Multiple Academy trustees joined in the celebration, including Board President Bob Bogan '83, who was the Honorary Speaker and conferred the diplomas to members of the Class of 2012. Marco Spisso was the Class Speaker, and Cory Durkin gave the Valedictory speech on behalf of himself and Co-Valedictorian Travers Craven.  Headmaster Grady Vigneau presented this year's awards to the recipients, as well as sending the Class of 2012 off with a final address, which included his 10 Rules for Success, a familiar list that students heard on a consistent basis throughout the year.  It is always a bittersweet time as the campus slowly empties of students following Commencement, yet so rewarding to know that another year of Wolverine alumni have successfully completed "The Year that Makes the Difference."
    
Class of 2012
Bridgton Academy's Class of 2012

Footage From Commencement 2012

 

Marco Spisso '12 - Class Speaker
Marco Spisso '12 - Class Speaker

 

Cory Durkin - Valedictorian Address
Cory Durkin - Valedictorian Address

  

Robert Bogan '83 Honorary Commencement Address
Robert Bogan '83 Honorary Commencement Address
Headmaster Vigneau's Final Address To The Class of 2012
Headmaster Vigneau's Final Address To The Class of 2012

                                                

Teacher Rich Taylor Recipient of Andrew F. Staub '04 Faculty Professional Development Award -  Just as many students come forward during Commencement to

Staub award 2012
Andrew Staub '04 & Teacher Rich Taylor

receive a variety graduation honors, Humanities teacher Mr. Rich Taylor had the same opportunity during our Commencement this year.  Mr. Taylor was named as Bridgton's 2nd recipient of the Andrew F. Staub Faculty Professional Development Award, taking the place of the inaurgual recipient, Mrs. Adria Carr. The Andrew F. Staub '04 Faculty Professional Development Award is presented annually to a faculty member who emodies the mission and values of Bridgton Academy. Voted upon by the student body, the award provides the recipient  with a professional development stipend.   Bridgton Academy was honored to have this award's founder, Mr. Andrew Staub '04 on campus this year to be part of the award presentation.  From the students, faculty, and staff - Congratulations to Mr. Taylor!                                                 

Phil Goepel '66 Recipient of Ray T. MacDonald Service Award - 

MAcdonald award 2012
Headmaster Grady Vigneau, Phil Goepel '66, Board President Bob Bogan '83, Dean of Faculty Fletcher Carr (L-R)

Another traditional award

bestowed upon a deserving faculty member during Commencement is the Ray T. MacDonald Service Award.   The MacDonald Award recognizes remarkable service by an Academy trustee or faculty member. After 35 years of service to Bridgton Academy, retiring teacher Mr. Phil Goepel '66 was this year's recipient. Congratulations to Mr. Goepel!                               

 

 
Class of 2012 College Acceptances - In carrying out our mission of helping our students "...prepare for the rigors of college and beyond," Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce that the members of this year's class were awarded 551 college acceptances.  A total of 178 different colleges and universities accepted Bridgton students. The Class of 2012 matriculated to 97 different schools.   Click here for this year's Matriculation List.
 

Class of 2012 Award Recipients - Perhaps one of the most rewarding days for faculty each year is the day spent voting on the award recipients to be named during Commencement.  A total of 37 awards are given between Friday night dinner and Saturday morning's ceremony, and it is always special to recognize a few of the many students who excelled or grew in some way throughout the year. 

 

Wakefield 2012
Phyllis B. Wakefield Class of '48 & '10
Award Winner Ryan O' Sullivan

Friday Night Awards

Golf Improvement Award - Benjamin Orlean

Black Knight Rugby Award - Connor McAleney

DeSorrento Soccer Award -  William Craven

Corey Smith '88 Memorial Award - Ykealo Araia

John Powers '91 Memorial Lacrosse Coaches' Award -  Christopher Gibaldi

John T Fabello Hockey Award - Marco Spisso

Douglas R. Avery Award - Nicholas Swim

Austin Football Award - Jeffrey Amell

Al Harry '58 Improvement Award - Wilson Pearson III

Sportsmanship Award - Zachary Littman

Lee & Carol Noble Fine Arts Award - Christopher Nabors and Kimberly Vigneau

Faculty Award - Marquise Cotten, Christopher Mini, Anthony Marcella, Dustin Burke, Zachary Littman

Phyllis B. Wakefield Class of '49 & '10 Award - Ryan O'Sullivan

Dianne C. Fabello Memorial Award - Kevin Seely and Matthew Stebbins

Dennis O'Brien Award - Jonathan Higgins

Howe Award - Kimberly Vigneau

Richard R. Marcella Award - Patrick Farrington

DeFelice English Improvement Award - Bryson Weberg

Holt English Award - Cory Durkin

Holt Computer Science Award - Jonathan Higgins

Holt Science Award - Patrick Farrington 

Holt Mathematics Award - Kimberly Vigneau

Holt History & Social Sciences Award - George Benakis

Addie M. Chadbourne Award - William Craven and Cory Durkin

 

Saturday Morning Awards

Annie R., Horace A., & Martha B. Flint Improvement Award - Erik Steele

Electra H. Fickett Outstanding Citizenship Award - Jacob Johnson    

Spooner 2012
Spooner Award Winner Cory Durkin

Dr. Christpher Blanch '89 Award - Michael Marchionda

Russell A. Pitnof '34 Award - James Magrath, Jr.

Alumni Award - Constantinos Vakalfotis

Capt. Claude "Duke" Hough '54 Award - Jeffrey Amell

Leland S. Buck '42 Award - John Kindregan

Gould Award - Marco Spisso

Headmaster's Award - Nicholas Swim

Spooner Award - Cory Durkin

Class of 2012 Honor Roll  & Attendance - Three or four classes each day, study hall five nights a week, Chapel, BA experience, advisor meetings - the list of requirements for students can seem rather daunting.  This year, 17 students stepped up to Headmaster Vigneau's challenge of  "Showing up and showing up on time," and did not accumulate any absences throughout the entire year. Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for their perfect attendance:    

     George Benakis

     Cory Durkin

attendance 2012
17 Students with Perfect Attendance

     Greg Carroll                                      Drew Carter                                      Will Groves

     Tony Marcella
     Chris Mini
     Landon Moore
     Joe Sanfilippo
     Sam Scannell
     Kevin Seely
     Marco Spisso
     Matt Stebbins
     Erik Steele
     Nick Swim
     Costa Vakalfotis
     Kim Vigneau
 
 

 

In Other Graduation News...
Trustee Col. Philip Saulnier '58 Earns Honorary Doctorate - 

Saulnier
Congratulations to Colonel Philip J. Saulnier, Bridgton Academy Class of 1958, who was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Rhode Island this past weekend. Col. Saulnier, who has dedicated several decades of his life to helping disabled American veterans, is a member of the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame, and currently serves as an Academy trustee. 

Destination Graduation bannerDestination Graduation Online Auction a Success! -

We would like to thank everyone who helped to make this year's Online Graduation Auction such a huge success!  From autographed team photos to the popular Victor Cruz '05 memorabilia, all those who bid helped us to exceed our goal.  Over $10,000 was raised, which will benefit the 2012 Annual Fund. 

Upcoming Events-
Registration Day - Welcome Class of 2013! August 25, 2012
Alumni & Parent Homecoming Weekend   September 28th - 30th
 
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