Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Editor's Note: Members of the Class of 2020 won't be ending their high school careers with the traditional spring activities. No senior prom, no senior skip day, no throwing hats in the air at graduation. While a virtual graduation will be undertaken during the first week of June and a parade will follow on June 15, we at the Eagle Times want to get the celebration started now.
We will publish Q and A profiles each day (about 6 at a time) until we have run all the surveys that were turned in to us with senior photos. So keep checking back to see your favorite seniors from the BEHS Class of 2020! And if you didn't get a survey and photo to us, there is still time!
We will publish Q and A profiles each day (about 6 at a time) until we have run all the surveys that were turned in to us with senior photos. So keep checking back to see your favorite seniors from the BEHS Class of 2020! And if you didn't get a survey and photo to us, there is still time!
ALLEXIUS THEBERGE
What are your post high school plans? I am majoring in early childhood education. A couple years at SMCC then transfer out. I’m also playing womens basketball. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Don’t take it for granted. What will you miss most about high school? Leaving early with friends What faculty members had the biggest impact on your high school career? Mrs. McCrea and Mrs. Thiele What year was your best and why? I would say sophomore year. What was your favorite class? English with Mrs. McCrea Are there any past decisions you would change? The choice of people I used to hang out with. What have you learned about yourself this year? That going to school isn’t that bad. 
AIDAN SAUNDERS
What are your post high school plans? The University of Southern Maine and majoring in Accounting. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Do not take study halls unless you need them. Focus on getting good grades instead of after-school activities unless you are passionate about them, because they do cause a lot of logistical and mental stress. What was your favorite class? Psychology because I was surrounded by the funniest types of people and when paired with Mr. Droggitis you just get the best class. What moment or event will you remember? When we evacuated to the middle school over a vent fire. Honorable Mentions: Corona-cation, Weeklong power outage, and Homecomings. What faculty member has had the biggest impact? Mr. Fox. He has taught me to work harder than what I thought I was capable of and to produce the best quality of work. What is your favorite teacher quote? I do not remember a specific quote from Mr. Fox, but I do remember he made every short joke there was about Nate Chamberlain. Funniest quotes the class ever laughed about. 
MORGAN DRINKWATER
What are your post high school plans? Attending Curry College and playing volleyball. What will you miss most about high school? Sports, friendships, teachers I was close with and school events. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Get involved in clubs or on sports teams. You make great friends! What was your favorite class? Stats, because Mr. Diamond taught me things I was actually interested in and would use in the real world. What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? Every fall spirit week assembly. What faculty member has had the biggest impact on your life? Ms. Cyr, She was my homebase teacher but cared about me as if I was her own child. I could always count on her if I ever needed anything. She was the one person I knew I could go to if I wasn’t having a good day. She was easy to talk to and supported me. What have you learned about yourself this year? That I am a very social person and need people in my life! Also that I hate online school! What is your favorite teacher quote? ”You morons!” - Mr. Fox 
CAMERON GARDNER
What are your post high school plans? Attend the University of Maine. Major in Marketing with a concentration in entrepreneurship. What was your favorite school event? Winning States for football senior year. What was your favorite class? I took eight or nine phys ed classes through my four years of high school, so I think I would need to say physical education. What have you learned about yourself this year? I’ve learned to not take school for granted. It flies by quicker than you think and high school is one of the best parts of your life. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Listen to teachers and administrators who are there to help you. And simply, don’t do stupid stuff! What will you miss most? All the friends I’ve created through the years. 
BROOKE CARMAN
What are your post high school plans? Attending USM to study Spanish education. What will you miss most about high school? School dances. It was always a blast getting to dress up, dance with friends, take pictures, and sometimes go out for dinner afterwards. What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? It was Mr. Phillips running into Ms. Leavitt’s room exclaiming, “There’s POOP on my hand! I reached into the back of my storage closet to grab something, and when I took my hand out there was this BROWN STUFF on it!” What faculty member has had the biggest impact on your life? Mr. Clark. He was my Mom’s favorite teacher when she went to Bonny Eagle, too. Little did I know what a difference having him for advisory and AP Language would make. He instilled a drive in his students that no other teacher could, and he sure knew how to make them laugh. Mr. Clark knew that coming into freshman year I wanted to be a writer, so he gave me a copy of "Moby Dick" and Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" early on in my freshman year. He always told me: "Bates, Colby, Bowdoin. That's where to go." One day, Mr. Clark. One day. What were your favorite classes? Art and Technology in the 21st Century class with Mr. Twilley (I made some pretty epic pieces in there) or my AP Language and Composition class with Mr. Clark. I rekindled a love for art and drawing in Mr. Twilley's class, and he is a great instructor with a "Dad" sense of humor. But English tied for my favorite because I love reading and learning about the effects that language/literature can have on a reader. Mr. Clark made it twice as fun because his book suggestions were always fantastic (except for Moby Dick... sorry Clark) and his made-up words were unmatched. Everything he had us read had a purpose, and nothing felt like an assignment just to pass time. I learned something new every single day. What have you learned about yourself this year? I've learned that I work the best when I'm waking up in the morning at 7:00AM after a good night's rest. Even with quarantine, I'm only allowing myself an extra half hour of sleep before I'm up-and-at-'em. Quarantine is probably the best thing that ever happened to my productivity! I feel better about my physical activity, my school productivity, and I love getting to sit down and eat a real meal for breakfast and lunch. What is your favorite teacher quote? ”I could train my cat to do this in five minues!” Mr. Clark, fed up with our dilly-dallying in AP Lang. 
AUSTIN COUTURIER
What are your post high school plans? I will work drywall and play in a band. What was your favorite class? U.S history tech with Mr. Pelletier. I had some of the most fun ever in that class. What teacher has had the biggest impact on you? Ms. Bostwick. She has helped me get on my game to succeed in school What special moment will your remember? When I shredded Slayer in the Holiday show before Christmas break in 2019 What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? A toilet plunger stuck to Darren Lang’s stomach. What have you learned about yourself this year? How much entertainment I bring to my peers at school. 
ELIZABETH FRANKLAND
What are your post high school plans? Attending USM, major undecided. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? It’s not as bad as people say, and it will be the best four years of your life. Also, never take anything for granted. What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? A girl tripping over a rug and falling on her face while switching and everyone saw. What was your favorite class? History. I find it interesting. What facultymember has had the biggest impact? Mrs. Webber What special moment will you remember most? Being a captain of the volleyball team Final thoughts? It was a great experience. Especially senior year. |
TABITHA BURGESS
What are your post high school plans? USM for Studio Art / BFA What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Don’t over think how much supplies you’ll need in your first year. What will you miss most about high school? The social interaction. What faculty members have had the biggest impact on your life? Mrs. Field. She was fun to be around What was your most embarrassing moment? I fell down the stairs on the way to class. What was your favorite class? PATHS Commercial Art. What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? A friend and I walked into a hallway to see a group of kids doing a film for video production and they were rolling on the floor. What have your learned aboutyourself this year? Don’t take your days for granted; you never know when it will be your last. 
JASON WARREN
What are your post high school plans? Attending Catholic University of America for Political Science. What faculty member has had the biggest impact on your life? Mr. Clark. He helped me realize why I wanted to be a lawyer and what being successful means to me. What is your favorite teacher quote? ”I will destroy you child." Mr. Fox What have you learned about yourself this year? I do better with more structure. We had talked about this in the past with some of my friends and teachers, where we learn more with stricter deadlines and teachers. What was funniest thing you saw at BEHS? When a student got sent to the office for being in the bathroom too long Are there any past decisions you would change? I would have done track more years, and would have gone to more school events in my first two years of high school. What was your favorite class and why? Mock Trial. It relates to my career, and I learned more essential skills like public speaking. 
JACOB MAREAN
What are your post high school plans? Going to WCCC for two years to take heavy equipment operation and maintenance. What have you learned about yourself this year? I need something to do each day What faculty member has had the biggest impact on your life? Mr. Donald Denico by having daily talks about what’s going on in our lives. What was your favorite school event? Every day I was in the metals/woods/auto shop my junior year. What will you miss most about high school? The social interaction. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Pay attention in the beginning so you can have an easy senior year and not stress. What was your favorite teacher quote? "Blowalamer" - Mr. Clark Any final thoughts? This sucks. I wanted Denico to speak at graduation. 
EMMA ABBOTT
What are your post high school plans? Husson University’s Physical Therapy Program What advice would you give incoming freshmen? You might think that freshman year doesn’t count ... but in the long run it really does! Start early and try to do your best in everything! What was your favorite class? Marine Bio because Ms. Dumont is awesome and the class was just really fun in general! We got to dissect things and go on a summer fun field trip! I would highly recommend this class! What is your favorite teacher quote? “Blowalamer!” Mr. Clark. What faculty member has had the biggest impact? Mr. Regan and Mr. Burleson because they have both been my coaches and that was a big part of my high school career. I even got to have Mr. Regan for AP Bio and Human Anatomy! What was your most embarrassing moment from high school? My face turns red when I speak in front of a class so that was always embarrassing -- nothing too major though. What have you learned about yourself this year? I learned that I miss school and wish we could go back for one more day. It’s kinda sad to think seniors had their last day and didn’t even know it. 
NATALIE BREAULT
What are your post high school plans? University of Southern Maine, Theatre Major, Dance Minor What was the funniest thing you saw at BEHS? When people planted Danny DeVito’s photos and the Ice Age Baby all around the school. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Do not procrastinate! . What faculty member had the biggest impact on your life? Ms. Cyr because she believes in all of her students, and because of her HerStory class. What is your favorite teacher quote? “This counts as a triple summative, you little blowalamers!” Mr. Clark What was your most embarrassing moment from high school? Messing up on one of my pieces during a performance in Piano Lab.. What have you learned about yourself this year? I like to do creative things every day- such as painting or sewing to feel productive. What was your favorite class? HerStory because I love history and photography because I love to be creative. What special events will you remember most? Junior prom and football games Any final thoughts? High school goes by really fast! Cherish every moment and take every opportunity! 
HANNAH MILNE
What are your post high school plans? Attending the University of Maine, majoring in Chemical Engineering, with a planned minor in Biomedical Engineering.ercise science/Physical What faculty members had the biggest impact on your life? Mr. Clark, Mr. Denico, & Ms. McCrea! Mr. Clark because he taught me how to appreciate the little things in life. Mr. Denico because he has helped me to shape my future. Ms. McCrea because she is so supportive and kind. Are there any past decisions you would change? I would have taken early college classes sooner. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Take honors and AP classes. What will you miss most about high school? Seeing all my friends every day. What’s your favorite teacher quote? ”My people, my people.” Mr. Denico What was your favorite class and why? AP Calc with Mrs. Simonoff. I love the subject & she is a great teacher! What have you learned about yourself this year? I’m someone who likes to stay busy, so being home all the time is boring! Any final thoughts? Thank you Bonny Eagle for all the memories! 
JOHN BONICA
What are your post high school plans? Theater directing major At USM. What faculty member has had the biggest impact on your life? Ms. Hayes listened to me every single day during a really rough patch of my sophomore year. What is your favorite teacher quote? Mrs. Cyr: “Christmas is not Christmas until she gets her log.” OR Mr. Thomas:“If I had any hair today, I’d be bald.” What was the most embarrassing thing that happene to you in high school? When I said Sept. 11, 2011 in front of the entire school and a group of veterans. What have your learned about yourself this year? Presence, not photos. Don’t take a single second for granted! What special moment will you remember? Going to Disney with Select Chorus. Anything else? Gooooooooooooooooood-bye Bonny Eagle. I’m John Bonica with Zavier Walker and Alison Jones, and this..........is the end! |
Creating a "new normal" for staff, students
“The tricky part in leading is you can’t lead through fear. You have to lead through hope and compassion, even when you are afraid." BEHS Assistant Principal Ms. Erin Maguire.
BY MACEY CABRAL
April 30, 2020
Bonny Eagle's Assistant Principal Ms. Erin Maguire should have been in Augusta yesterday, receiving her award as Maine Principal's Association's Assistant Principal of the Year. Instead, she was doing what she's been doing every day since March 16: meeting online in Google Meets and Zoom sessions with staff, parents, students, and administrators. While she won her award for accomplishments in the "normal" realm of school, her efforts this spring in helping Bonny Eagle transition to online learning certainly deserve praise.
“She absolutely earned this recognition,” said Mrs. Lori Napolitano, who was BEHS principal last year and nominated her for the award. “Ms. Maguire is the full package. Not only is she amazing with students and families, but she is a true instructional leader as well.”
Ms. Maguire was very surprised to learn that she had won the award. “I’d be lying if I said this was an easy year,” she confessed, adding that after working with Mrs. Napolitano for so long, “I lost the person that knew all the answers.”
When she first heard that school had been shut down for a couple of weeks, Ms. Maguire was struck with a wave of fear, coupled with an uncertainty of what the future held. She worried as to how she could fill the minds of teachers with faith, hope, and strength.
“The tricky part in leading is you can’t lead through fear,” she said, “You have to lead through hope and compassion, even when you are afraid.”
After the initial upset, her thoughts moved on to figuring out how teachers could be supported, and how time could be divvied into answering all of their questions, as well as giving them all available information as it came, information that constantly changes to this day. Still though, she retained a sliver of hope.
“The first week I clung to the idea of coming back after April break,” Ms. Maguire remarked, “But my college degree is in math/statistics, I knew better the whole time, but convinced myself otherwise!” She went on to say, “It didn’t matter if we prepared ourselves. The shock of not going back to normal this spring was devastating.”
The new schedule for the middle school and high school was created by Mrs. Napolitano, then revised by a team of district administrators. Over the course of three days they worked out all necessary details that would make this new setup doable for teachers and students; then they presented teachers with the plan, part of which required that every teacher use Google Classroom. Ms. Maguire noted that Mrs. Susie Simmons, the Tech Integrator, had a huge part in making that happen, helping teachers to move online.
With the new opportunity of meeting with the Cumberland County Administrators virtually every week, something that has never been available before, Ms. Maguire found that Bonny Eagle was “significantly ahead of the curve" when it came to our online learning plan. Because we had started at the beginning of the trimester (unlike other schools that split the year in quarters), remediation did not have to be factored in. This made the job much quicker and easier. It took less than a week to get everyone up and running.
"Keeping kids engaged in online learning is a tremendous and difficult task… any little bit helps," she says.
It’s no secret this has caused a lot of big changes. However, not all of them are negative.
“I actually think our teachers are meeting and collaborating more often,” observed Ms. Maguire. They meet weekly to organize, discuss, and make decisions. No matter your age, she said, having to stay at home is lonely and messes with your mind. These meetings can be for both professional and personal support.
Unfortunately, “we’ve lost that human element,” she said, “the one where you get to know each other student-to-teacher and learn each other’s quirks… Identifying when a kid is struggling or having a bad day but [doesn’t] know how to express that is gone in this setting.”
The challenge has been trying to “find new ways to connect with people, which becomes either slower, because you are navigating timelines and numerous people, or less individualized and personal because you met with a small group or sent an email instead.”
There’s no easy way to really connect with people, students and adults alike without talking to them face-to-face, in person.
Ms. Maguire described the biggest challenge, which is “overcoming the emptiness.” Schools both educate and provide a sense of community and belonging. The struggle is trying to recreate that sense, to keep the community together. There are students throughout the district that struggle under the normal circumstances, she explained.
“How do we not lose them? How do we not lose each other and our community?”
Out of this, there are a handful of beneficial aspects. For one, she says, “We are seeing that some students thrive in this environment. Who would have thought?” Additionally, this provides an opportunity to learn from what’s going on now to improve things later.
Overall, Ms. Maguire “couldn't be more proud of our teachers right now. Their effort, hours, engagement and ingenuity has been awe-inspiring. They are tired, working more hours than their normal week to make sure they give to you their ultimate best.” Times are tough, and everyone is doing what they can to make this easier. “I’ve never been so BE proud,” she added.
As June approaches, one of the main concerns that has arisen is how to celebrate the Class of 2020 which has been robbed of its final traditions and traditional celebrations at BEHS. She said that “the idea of not having the normal pomp and circumstance, and closure with our Seniors hurts my heart. For four years they’ve been ‘our kids’, how do we now thank them, celebrate them, and say goodbye?”
It’s uncertain how different things will be in September, if we go back at all. Until mid-July, it won’t be clear what consequences will have been thrust upon school in the fall. “For now,” said Ms. Maguire conclusively, “we cling to hope and revel on how well students and staff have done so far.”
As for her award, Ms. Maguire feels that this achievement does not solely belong to her. “I don’t think the recognition is just mine,” she expressed. “You don’t earn something like that without being part of a community,” which she explains includes good teachers, good leadership, good teammates, “and good kids.”
“So,” she continued, “I think we earned it; I don’t necessarily think I did… I just come and do my job every day.”
April 30, 2020
Bonny Eagle's Assistant Principal Ms. Erin Maguire should have been in Augusta yesterday, receiving her award as Maine Principal's Association's Assistant Principal of the Year. Instead, she was doing what she's been doing every day since March 16: meeting online in Google Meets and Zoom sessions with staff, parents, students, and administrators. While she won her award for accomplishments in the "normal" realm of school, her efforts this spring in helping Bonny Eagle transition to online learning certainly deserve praise.
“She absolutely earned this recognition,” said Mrs. Lori Napolitano, who was BEHS principal last year and nominated her for the award. “Ms. Maguire is the full package. Not only is she amazing with students and families, but she is a true instructional leader as well.”
Ms. Maguire was very surprised to learn that she had won the award. “I’d be lying if I said this was an easy year,” she confessed, adding that after working with Mrs. Napolitano for so long, “I lost the person that knew all the answers.”
When she first heard that school had been shut down for a couple of weeks, Ms. Maguire was struck with a wave of fear, coupled with an uncertainty of what the future held. She worried as to how she could fill the minds of teachers with faith, hope, and strength.
“The tricky part in leading is you can’t lead through fear,” she said, “You have to lead through hope and compassion, even when you are afraid.”
After the initial upset, her thoughts moved on to figuring out how teachers could be supported, and how time could be divvied into answering all of their questions, as well as giving them all available information as it came, information that constantly changes to this day. Still though, she retained a sliver of hope.
“The first week I clung to the idea of coming back after April break,” Ms. Maguire remarked, “But my college degree is in math/statistics, I knew better the whole time, but convinced myself otherwise!” She went on to say, “It didn’t matter if we prepared ourselves. The shock of not going back to normal this spring was devastating.”
The new schedule for the middle school and high school was created by Mrs. Napolitano, then revised by a team of district administrators. Over the course of three days they worked out all necessary details that would make this new setup doable for teachers and students; then they presented teachers with the plan, part of which required that every teacher use Google Classroom. Ms. Maguire noted that Mrs. Susie Simmons, the Tech Integrator, had a huge part in making that happen, helping teachers to move online.
With the new opportunity of meeting with the Cumberland County Administrators virtually every week, something that has never been available before, Ms. Maguire found that Bonny Eagle was “significantly ahead of the curve" when it came to our online learning plan. Because we had started at the beginning of the trimester (unlike other schools that split the year in quarters), remediation did not have to be factored in. This made the job much quicker and easier. It took less than a week to get everyone up and running.
"Keeping kids engaged in online learning is a tremendous and difficult task… any little bit helps," she says.
It’s no secret this has caused a lot of big changes. However, not all of them are negative.
“I actually think our teachers are meeting and collaborating more often,” observed Ms. Maguire. They meet weekly to organize, discuss, and make decisions. No matter your age, she said, having to stay at home is lonely and messes with your mind. These meetings can be for both professional and personal support.
Unfortunately, “we’ve lost that human element,” she said, “the one where you get to know each other student-to-teacher and learn each other’s quirks… Identifying when a kid is struggling or having a bad day but [doesn’t] know how to express that is gone in this setting.”
The challenge has been trying to “find new ways to connect with people, which becomes either slower, because you are navigating timelines and numerous people, or less individualized and personal because you met with a small group or sent an email instead.”
There’s no easy way to really connect with people, students and adults alike without talking to them face-to-face, in person.
Ms. Maguire described the biggest challenge, which is “overcoming the emptiness.” Schools both educate and provide a sense of community and belonging. The struggle is trying to recreate that sense, to keep the community together. There are students throughout the district that struggle under the normal circumstances, she explained.
“How do we not lose them? How do we not lose each other and our community?”
Out of this, there are a handful of beneficial aspects. For one, she says, “We are seeing that some students thrive in this environment. Who would have thought?” Additionally, this provides an opportunity to learn from what’s going on now to improve things later.
Overall, Ms. Maguire “couldn't be more proud of our teachers right now. Their effort, hours, engagement and ingenuity has been awe-inspiring. They are tired, working more hours than their normal week to make sure they give to you their ultimate best.” Times are tough, and everyone is doing what they can to make this easier. “I’ve never been so BE proud,” she added.
As June approaches, one of the main concerns that has arisen is how to celebrate the Class of 2020 which has been robbed of its final traditions and traditional celebrations at BEHS. She said that “the idea of not having the normal pomp and circumstance, and closure with our Seniors hurts my heart. For four years they’ve been ‘our kids’, how do we now thank them, celebrate them, and say goodbye?”
It’s uncertain how different things will be in September, if we go back at all. Until mid-July, it won’t be clear what consequences will have been thrust upon school in the fall. “For now,” said Ms. Maguire conclusively, “we cling to hope and revel on how well students and staff have done so far.”
As for her award, Ms. Maguire feels that this achievement does not solely belong to her. “I don’t think the recognition is just mine,” she expressed. “You don’t earn something like that without being part of a community,” which she explains includes good teachers, good leadership, good teammates, “and good kids.”
“So,” she continued, “I think we earned it; I don’t necessarily think I did… I just come and do my job every day.”
Heartfelt words from spring sports coaches
|
FROM STAFF REPORTS
April, 2020 It's the middle of April and the snow is finally gone. But Bonny Eagle's fields of dreams are empty this spring since Covid-19 shut school down for the rest of the year. Senior students are feeling the greatest loss in their final season, and their coaches are also feeling their pain. Athletic Director Eric Curtis has been posting photos of senior athletes on Facebook and Twitter, but he wanted to do more to reach out to all the athletes who were deprived of their chance for competition this year. He and administrative assistant Shelley Barrows, along with athletic trainer Jenna McCurdy, came up with a script to be read by the spring coaches via video. Julie Bruni pieced the clips together into the video at right. You will smile through your tears as you listen to it. |
|
Coronavirus brings abrupt end to student's exchange program
Editor's Note: Jade Brard was a member of the Eagle Times newspaper staff while she was a student at BEHS. She had hoped to finish out this year with us but was abruptly sent home to France on March 26. She will, however, continue to file stories on her experience while online learning is still in session.
BY JADE BRARD
March, 2020
I left France last Aug. 27 at 7 a.m. I remember leaving my home country with fears and questions: how will my host family be? Will I make friends? How will be Auburn, Maine? Yes Auburn, Maine. My journey before coming to Bonny Eagle High School was not smooth. My first host family let me down. I stayed with my local coordinator before finally finding the perfect match here at BEHS.
On Sept. 2, I started shadowing my host sister and started studying as a real student on Sept. 5. To be completely honest I hated every moment of the first week. I was lost, nobody talked to me, and I felt stupid every time I was talking. My life at home was not better. I missed my family, I did not know how to be part of my new family, I did not even know how to get along with my host sisters.
Now that I am reflecting back, I can gladly say that I had one of the best school years. The first couple of months were hard because I did not understand everything; I had to work really hard to improve my understanding of American values and how people interact with each other. Nevertheless, as more time passed, everything seemed easier, almost natural, like I always lived here. Everything was so natural that I forgot that I would have to go back to my home country one day.
In March, the coronavirus began to get more and more important in Europe and America. To protect their students, Greenheart, the agency that supervises us, decided to send its students back to their home countries. This is why from March 26 to March 27, I had to fly back to France (from Portland to Newark, New Jersey. Then from Newark to Frankfurt, Germany. And then from Germany to Paris).
I'm writing this as I wait for the day to come when I have to leave. By the time I am back in France I do not think the situation will be good. Already, nobody is allowed to go outside unless there is an extreme emergency, and people are quarantined in their house. The President chose to close the border to all the countries and consider more severe actions if the situation does not improve under 30 days.
Since Greenheart’s announcement, I have felt really angry at them. On top of ignoring my decision and my college’s decision of staying here, they are lying to us saying that all exchange students on the territory are traveling back to their countries. After asking some of my friends who are traveling with another company, I became disillusioned by the fact that they do not have to leave. Anger and deception reinforces that they make my flight between four airports when my mom and sister are at-risk patients and that I could contaminate them.
Having to leave so soon is painful when I have still so much to see and experience. But when I am looking back at what I did, I know that I am leaving with the best memories that I could have. I will remember how much people are different from one country to another. In France, people like to say that we turn more and more into Americans but we have two totally different cultures and ways to live, and I think that I will remember that the most. I really hope that I will be able to bring some aspects of my American life into my French life. And I know that I will miss so many things from here like school, my host family, my friends and my teachers. I made wonderful friendships and met so many amazing people for which I am so thankful.
Thank you Bonny Eagle for letting me grow and have one of the best years of my life by your side.
I will never forget you.
BY JADE BRARD
March, 2020
I left France last Aug. 27 at 7 a.m. I remember leaving my home country with fears and questions: how will my host family be? Will I make friends? How will be Auburn, Maine? Yes Auburn, Maine. My journey before coming to Bonny Eagle High School was not smooth. My first host family let me down. I stayed with my local coordinator before finally finding the perfect match here at BEHS.
On Sept. 2, I started shadowing my host sister and started studying as a real student on Sept. 5. To be completely honest I hated every moment of the first week. I was lost, nobody talked to me, and I felt stupid every time I was talking. My life at home was not better. I missed my family, I did not know how to be part of my new family, I did not even know how to get along with my host sisters.
Now that I am reflecting back, I can gladly say that I had one of the best school years. The first couple of months were hard because I did not understand everything; I had to work really hard to improve my understanding of American values and how people interact with each other. Nevertheless, as more time passed, everything seemed easier, almost natural, like I always lived here. Everything was so natural that I forgot that I would have to go back to my home country one day.
In March, the coronavirus began to get more and more important in Europe and America. To protect their students, Greenheart, the agency that supervises us, decided to send its students back to their home countries. This is why from March 26 to March 27, I had to fly back to France (from Portland to Newark, New Jersey. Then from Newark to Frankfurt, Germany. And then from Germany to Paris).
I'm writing this as I wait for the day to come when I have to leave. By the time I am back in France I do not think the situation will be good. Already, nobody is allowed to go outside unless there is an extreme emergency, and people are quarantined in their house. The President chose to close the border to all the countries and consider more severe actions if the situation does not improve under 30 days.
Since Greenheart’s announcement, I have felt really angry at them. On top of ignoring my decision and my college’s decision of staying here, they are lying to us saying that all exchange students on the territory are traveling back to their countries. After asking some of my friends who are traveling with another company, I became disillusioned by the fact that they do not have to leave. Anger and deception reinforces that they make my flight between four airports when my mom and sister are at-risk patients and that I could contaminate them.
Having to leave so soon is painful when I have still so much to see and experience. But when I am looking back at what I did, I know that I am leaving with the best memories that I could have. I will remember how much people are different from one country to another. In France, people like to say that we turn more and more into Americans but we have two totally different cultures and ways to live, and I think that I will remember that the most. I really hope that I will be able to bring some aspects of my American life into my French life. And I know that I will miss so many things from here like school, my host family, my friends and my teachers. I made wonderful friendships and met so many amazing people for which I am so thankful.
Thank you Bonny Eagle for letting me grow and have one of the best years of my life by your side.
I will never forget you.
New principal makes presence known
BY BRENNA FINN
December, 2019
It’s hard to miss our new principal, Mr. Mike Johnson, as he roams the halls of Bonny Eagle at least one block a day. The tall, slender man with a full head of gray hair pops into classes and engages with whatever lesson is going on.
Mr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Bonny Eagle as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator. He started his career in 1981 as a 6th grade teacher at Jack Memorial School in Buxton. He continued teaching in the district until 1988, when he transferred to Windham Middle School. Mr. Johnson taught math for eight years until he became the assistant principal in Windham. He eventually moved to Portland High School, becoming the principal for 10 years.
Mr. Johnson says he has had a smooth transition to Bonny Eagle High School so far since he took over for Mrs. Lori Napolitano upon her promotion to assistant superintendent. Members of Bonny Eagle’s community have welcomed him and are very happy to have him here.
“I think he has a great rapport with the students and staff. He works really hard to bring us all together and to make Bonny Eagle better,”says BEHS Student Council advisor Mrs. Dawna Cyr.
“I think he is super nice and has many stories to tell,” adds Zoe Peters, a senior.
Mr. Johnson is impressed with the student body and its overall positive attitude and commitment to the school. He is also content with the high quality of professional staff. There are some teachers and administrators at Bonny Eagle whom he has worked with before, including Superintendent Paul Penna, Mr. Rick Simonds, Mr. Skip Geneagal, Mr. Don Denico, and Ms. Sue Orlowski. Our computer technology teacher, Ms. Pellerin, even had him as a 6th grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School in Buxton.
Mr. Johnson says that he admires the entire school operation.
“Being a teacher, admin., custodian, lunch lady, secretary, or support staff member is equally as challenging and essential for the operation of the school,” he says.
As much as his new job here has been rewarding, it has also been challenging. Being principal at Portland High School for 10 years was a dramatically different experience. There are many immigrant and refugee services offered in Portland, he explains. Bonny Eagle does not have the opportunity to interact with a diversity of cultures.
“However, high school kids are high school kids regardless of what culture you come from or where you were born,” he says.
December, 2019
It’s hard to miss our new principal, Mr. Mike Johnson, as he roams the halls of Bonny Eagle at least one block a day. The tall, slender man with a full head of gray hair pops into classes and engages with whatever lesson is going on.
Mr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Bonny Eagle as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator. He started his career in 1981 as a 6th grade teacher at Jack Memorial School in Buxton. He continued teaching in the district until 1988, when he transferred to Windham Middle School. Mr. Johnson taught math for eight years until he became the assistant principal in Windham. He eventually moved to Portland High School, becoming the principal for 10 years.
Mr. Johnson says he has had a smooth transition to Bonny Eagle High School so far since he took over for Mrs. Lori Napolitano upon her promotion to assistant superintendent. Members of Bonny Eagle’s community have welcomed him and are very happy to have him here.
“I think he has a great rapport with the students and staff. He works really hard to bring us all together and to make Bonny Eagle better,”says BEHS Student Council advisor Mrs. Dawna Cyr.
“I think he is super nice and has many stories to tell,” adds Zoe Peters, a senior.
Mr. Johnson is impressed with the student body and its overall positive attitude and commitment to the school. He is also content with the high quality of professional staff. There are some teachers and administrators at Bonny Eagle whom he has worked with before, including Superintendent Paul Penna, Mr. Rick Simonds, Mr. Skip Geneagal, Mr. Don Denico, and Ms. Sue Orlowski. Our computer technology teacher, Ms. Pellerin, even had him as a 6th grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School in Buxton.
Mr. Johnson says that he admires the entire school operation.
“Being a teacher, admin., custodian, lunch lady, secretary, or support staff member is equally as challenging and essential for the operation of the school,” he says.
As much as his new job here has been rewarding, it has also been challenging. Being principal at Portland High School for 10 years was a dramatically different experience. There are many immigrant and refugee services offered in Portland, he explains. Bonny Eagle does not have the opportunity to interact with a diversity of cultures.
“However, high school kids are high school kids regardless of what culture you come from or where you were born,” he says.
|
What's Inside
Click on the photos to read some of our most memorable stories of 2019-20 School year starts with sad news
Tik Tokker at BEHS
From BE to WCSH-6
|
BEHS chorus and athletes
|
