Talented cellists Conner B. ’27 and Lucinda H. ’25 recently performed in a side-by-side concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra (a side-by-side concert allows student musicians from the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra to play alongside professional musicians). Lucinda, who serves as principal cello of the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Conner joined other symphony musicians to perform works by Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and selections from “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Lord of the Rings.” This pre-professional program challenges skilled student musicians with diverse symphonic literature, providing an invaluable experience. Bravo!
Khalil Kilani ’21 receives prestigious Rangel Fellowship, launching path to U.S. foreign service career
Congratulations to Khalil Kilani ’21 on receiving the prestigious Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship! This distinguished award will fund two years of Khalil’s graduate education and provide internships on Capitol Hill and at a U.S. embassy or consulate. After completing the fellowship, Khalil will earn an appointment at the State Department.
Born in Jordan to Iraqi parents and later resettled in Portland, Khalil now studies computer science and government at Bowdoin College. Over the years, Khalil has continued to demonstrate his leadership skills and a remarkable commitment to community through engaging in student government and global citizenship initiatives as well as serving as an alumni ambassador for The Telling Room. He has worked as a McKeen Center Global Citizens Fellow in Peru and participated in the selective U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program with the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
“I am proud to be an American by choice—this nation welcomed me at my most vulnerable moment, ensuring I could live a childhood where birds dotted the sky instead of bombs and bullets,” Khalil wrote in his fellowship application.
Three Upper School students receive honors from The Telling Room’s writing program
Congratulations to Upper School students Elefe, Len, and Ellie L. on receiving prestigious writing honors from The Telling Room! Both Len and Elefe will have their work featured in this year’s anthology, showcasing their creative talents.
Ellie has been awarded The Telling Room’s Founders Prize for her work. The Founders Prize is awarded annually to the author of the best piece of writing to come out of a Telling Room program.
Well done!
Yearbook dedicated to Mary Jane Pagenstecher, celebrating 43 years of performing arts leadership
Today’s Upper School assembly featured a special moment as the 2024–25 yearbook was dedicated to Director of Performing Arts Mary Jane Pagenstecher, who is retiring from teaching after 43 years (and is looking forward to her next, as yet undetermined professional chapter!). Throughout her tenure at Waynflete, Mary Jane has fostered a community where students feel empowered to celebrate their unique talents. Her passion for the performing arts has created a home for countless students in the Franklin Theater. As shared during the dedication, “Mary Jane sees the potential in every person to be an artist, a musician, an actor, a dancer—and works tirelessly to create opportunities to explore and shine in the performing arts.” Please join us in honoring Mary Jane Pagenstecher for “raising the bar musically and creatively, and for building a culture of joy, excellence, and care at Waynflete.”
Waynflete announces 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame class
Waynflete is pleased to announce our Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The Hall of Fame selection committee has chosen three individuals and a team to receive this special honor: Polly Blake Burke ’62; Cathie Connors P’15, ’22; Glenn Kurtz ’85; and the 2010 varsity boys tennis team.
Polly Blake Burke ’62
Polly Blake Burke established herself as both a natural leader and exceptional athlete during her formative years at Waynflete. Polly excelled in multiple sports including varsity basketball, tennis, swimming, and skiing. She earned All-Star recognition for her field hockey talents during her junior and senior years. Polly also captained the girls field hockey varsity team and received All-Star basketball honors as a senior.
Cathie Connors P’15, ’22
Cathie Connors has been the cornerstone of Waynflete’s girls lacrosse program for 31 years. In that time, she guided the Flyers to 14 state championships, and won an impressive tally of Coach of the Year and team sportsmanship awards. Cathie has 334 wins—more than any other lacrosse coach in Maine history—for an overall coaching record of 334–103–1. Cathie received the NFHS Maine Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year and NFHS National Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors in 2024, and was recently voted one of the top ten lacrosse coaches in New England.
Glenn Kurtz ’85
Glenn Kurtz transformed Waynflete basketball during his remarkable high school career. A prolific scorer, Glenn amassed well over 1,500 career points. His scoring abilities were highlighted with an extraordinary 54-point performance—one of the highest single-game totals in Waynflete history! Glenn etched his name in the Western Maine Tournament record books, holding marks for Most Field Goals in One Game (20) and Most Field Goals in the First Two Games (31) in 1985. In recognition of his transformative impact on the basketball program, Glenn’s #25 jersey was retired in 1985. His athletic talents extended beyond basketball, as he excelled in varsity soccer and earned All-State honors in lacrosse during his senior year.
2010 Varsity Boys Tennis Team
The 2010 varsity boys tennis team will be remembered as one of the best high school tennis teams in the state’s history. The Flyers were undefeated Class C Maine State Champions, finishing the season with a record of 15–0. (13 of those 15 matches resulted in 5–0 victories.) Three team members were Maine state singles semi-finalists: Brandon Thompson won the singles championship, while Patrick Ordway and Devin Van Dyke reached the semi-finals. Additionally, doubles players Eric Ordway and Ross Cummings won the Western Maine Conference doubles championship that year.
Dale MacLachlan Lewis P’11, ’16, ’16 honored with 2025 Drake Award for 25 years of dedicated service to Waynflete
Waynflete is pleased to announce that Dale MacLachlan Lewis P’11, ’16, ’16 is the recipient of the 2025 Drake Award, a special honor for service to Waynflete.
When Dale MacLachlan Lewis and her husband, Rich, enrolled their daughter in Waynflete’s Early Childhood program in 1997, they began what would become a 19-year journey as Waynflete parents. A committed volunteer from the start, Dale brought creativity and a quiet steadiness to everything from class activities and book fairs to Spring Fling, the Arts Committee, and The Waynflete Fund. She was a founder of Monday Books, a treasured program that, for more than 15 years, invited parents to gather with faculty to discuss literature in community. She led the group for ten years, creating a space that reflected the school’s values of curiosity and lifelong learning.
In 2013, Dale joined Waynflete’s Board of Trustees, deepening her commitment to the school she had already served in so many ways. She always showed up fully—with generosity, thoughtfulness, and care. Her election as a Trustee Emerita at the end of her last term marked 25 years at Waynflete.
Dale’s service has always been grounded in respect for the work of the faculty and staff, and an abiding belief in Waynflete’s mission. Her background in human resources and the social sciences, her training as an artist and designer, and her warmth as a parent and community builder all informed her approach. Her willingness to pitch in, wherever needed, set an example for others.
Margo Walsh ’82 receives 2025 Klingenstein Alumni Award for transformative work in recovery employment
Waynflete is pleased to announce that Margo Walsh ’82 is the recipient of the 2025 Klingenstein Alumni Award, an honor that is rooted in our mission and calls for responsible and caring participation in the world. Through the Klingenstein Award, we seek to recognize one Waynflete alumnus/alumna per year whose work at the local, national, or international level has had broad and positive ramifications.
Margo Walsh ’82 has spent her life bringing people together—and giving them another chance. A former corporate recruiter turned social entrepreneur, Margo is the founder of MaineWorks, a social staffing agency with a mission: to dignify employment for individuals returning from jail or prison, and for those in recovery from substance use disorder.
Launched in 2011, MaineWorks was born from Margo’s own experience with recovery and her deep sense of empathy for people living on the margins. Her approach has always been unconventional, intentionally challenging the transactional nature of traditional day-labor staffing models. Unlike agencies that rely on short-term, daily arrangements, MaineWorks hires its employees and provides them with structure, benefits, and the dignity of stability.
Employment was only part of the solution. In 2017, Margo co-founded United Recovery Fund with her sister, Elaine Walsh Carney ’88, to offer practical solutions to obstacles to employment, including rent assistance, transportation, work gear, mobile phones, and access to dental and mental healthcare services. Together, the two organizations form a rare ecosystem of support that bridges the gap between hopelessness and possibility. That ecosystem expanded in 2024 with the creation of Cecil’s Place Sober Living, which offers safe and secure housing for the MaineWorks workforce.
MaineWorks has grown into a widely recognized model of what social enterprise can be. It was the first Maine company to be certified as a B Corporation (a designation for organizations that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency) and has received numerous accolades, including Small Business of the Year and multiple Best for the World honors from B Lab for its work with underserved populations. Margo also consults with government agencies and organizations interested in replicating the MaineWorks model in other communities. In 2025, Margo was invited to present a TED Talk on the importance of work for marginalized people.
Margo’s vision has always been shaped by a deep sense of social responsibility and an unwavering belief in human potential. She traces some of those early influences to her time at Waynflete, where an outside-the-box learning environment and a values-driven mission gave her the confidence to pursue meaningful change on her own terms.
Civil Tea discussions: Upper Schoolers create space for thoughtful dialogue
Upper School students recently hosted peers from Cape Elizabeth, Deering, Westbrook, and Yarmouth high schools for a “Civil Tea” discussion on homelessness. The Civil Tea format creates space for thoughtful dialogue across perspectives rather than debate, encouraging students to engage with complex issues through respectful conversation. This student-led initiative was inspired by a similar event at Yarmouth High School this year, which came about as a result of their work with The Can We? Project.
A big thank you to The Can We? Project student planning committee—Livy O., Caileigh H., Tessy B., Rodas K., and Omari B.—for creating this meaningful opportunity for cross-school dialogue.
When asked about their experiences, Tessy shared, “The Civil Tea was an incredible experience that allowed us to step into leadership roles to guide meaningful discussions with other high school students. We had the space to speak openly about an issue affecting our world today, and it was refreshing to have an actual discussion, rather than a debate. It was empowering to have a student-led space without adults directing the conversation, which really highlighted the power and importance of our voices.”
Livy reflected, “My biggest takeaway from the event is that conversations and education are so important. There are so many negative stereotypes and misconceptions about people who experience homelessness. It is essential that we overcome those so we can help people in times of need.”
Learn more about The Can We? Project at sjwu.net/third-thought.
Upper School students excel in statewide Titan Challenge
Congratulations to our Upper School students who recently participated in The Titan Challenge, a business simulation where students in small groups manage virtual companies, making critical decisions about pricing, production, and marketing. While all Waynflete teams performed admirably, Declan S., Duncan I., and Abie W. impressed with their business acumen by earning 4th place out of 139 teams statewide!
Waynflete Science Olympiad team impresses at state tournament
Waynflete’s Science Olympiad team earned an impressive second place finish at the state tournament on Saturday! We are proud of our two teams of 15 students—each competed across 23 challenging events. Our more experienced “Green Team” secured second place, while our “White Team” (mostly new to the program) achieved an outstanding fifth place finish. The Green Team earned medals (top 3 finishes) in 13 different events, with team MVPs Lydia B. (4 medals) and Fallon C. (3 medals) leading the way. The competition was fierce this year, showcasing the growing strength of Science Olympiad programs across Maine. Congratulations to all our dedicated students and coaches Rowena and Nico!
Waynflete rowers compete in historic final competition in beloved gymnasium
Waynflete crew hosted Megunticook Rowing and Maine Coast Rowing for the annual “ergatta,” marking the final athletic event in our beloved gymnasium after 50 years of competition and community. Our Flyers performed exceptionally well, with Cecily N. taking first place in Varsity Girls, Ben D. earning first in Varsity Boys, Porter M. capturing third in Novice Girls, Ami S. earning third in Coxswain Girls, and Elijah L. claiming first in Coxswain Boys. Congratulations to all participants!
Innovation on display: 4–5 students showcase their problem-solving skills at Invention Convention
The 4–5 Invention Convention was a success this past Wednesday. Students presented the inventions they created using simple machines like levers and pulleys while fielding questions open house-style during two sessions—one for families and another for their K–1 buddies! Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special day!
From setbacks to semifinals: the Outliers robotics team shines at New England championship
The Outliers robotics team recently capped off the 2025 season with an outstanding performance at the New England District Championships! Competing among 96 top teams from across the region, The Outliers finished qualification rounds in 3rd place—ranking 2nd in New England and an impressive 19th in the world out of nearly 4,000 teams.
For the playoffs, the Outliers selected Team 125 (Boston) and Team 1729 (New Hampshire) to join their alliance. After a hard-fought competition, they narrowly lost a close semifinal match to the eventual champions.
The team’s journey this season has been remarkable. Just seven weeks ago, they completely redesigned and rebuilt their robot. Five weeks ago, they began their first competition in last place, suffering major system failures in their first four matches. Since then, they’ve overcome challenge after challenge—demonstrating tremendous resilience, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
While the season has officially ended, The Outliers will now focus on offseason challenges, skill building opportunities, and smaller events as they continue learning and growing. Great job!
Looking back and thinking forward at the New England Youth Identity Summit
Hundreds of students and educators gathered for a remarkable day for connection and dialogue at Waynflete’s ninth annual New England Youth Identity Summit on Saturday. The event featured powerful student-led workshops and presentations, moving musical performances, and beautiful poetry that encouraged meaningful conversations about important issues in students’ lives.
Keynote speaker Khalil Kilani (Waynflete Class of 2021) delivered an extraordinary address that captivated attendees. The Bowdoin College senior shared insights shaped by his journey to the United States as a refugee, his humanitarian work, and his experiences in foreign service.
Featured Visual Artist Andrew Harrison invited participants to nurture change in their communities through his interactive seed-planting project “This Was/This Will Be.” Attendees were encouraged to create seed bombs, plant them in locations they find significant, and share photos online.
The day was further enriched by two outstanding student performances. Elle enchanted the audience with her original song “Clarissa” while Ikram delivered a powerful original poem that beautifully articulated the complexity of navigating multiple cultural identities.
The Summit also featured performances by pianist and rhythm bones musician Kafari, whose unique rhythms and melodies bridged traditional and contemporary sounds and complemented the Summit’s themes of identity and connection.
Thank you to all who made this incredible day possible!
Beyond textbooks: Upper Schoolers engage with historical documents at Bowdoin College
Our grade 11 African American History students recently visited the Bowdoin College Library to examine primary source documents from a critical moment in our nation’s history. Students reviewed and analyzed testimonies given before Congress in 1871-72 from formerly enslaved Black Americans and members of the Ku Klux Klan. This hands-on research experience allowed students to engage directly with historical evidence and develop a deeper understanding of the post-Civil War era.
“This history field trip to Bowdoin was something that everyone needs to experience at least once in their high school career,” reflects Upper Schooler Tessy. “Being able to immerse ourselves in the documents is crucial to grasping the severity of slavery and its lasting impacts. Some people may be hesitant to show students the very detailed descriptions of violence, but I argue that it’s THE most important part. Reading these accounts allow us to understand the true brutality of slavery and break down the cycles of normalization that have allowed slavery to be downplayed.”
Perfect equation: Waynflete math team captures state title in coach’s final season
The 2024–25 Waynflete math team followed their regular season Class D Championship win up with another impressive victory—this time at the state level! The team traveled to Augusta yesterday and captured their second championship of the season, winning the state meet with a remarkable 413 points—well ahead of their closest rival Traip who clocked in at 255 points. Congratulations to Upper Schoolers Lydia, Fallon, Ben, Nico, Yiyang, Abie, Yaniv, Lucy M., Lucy O., and Mac on their outstanding achievements this year! This competition marked a special milestone as it was math teacher Tom Campbell’s (TC) final competition after 38 years of teaching at Waynflete. What a way to end a legendary career!
Outliers robotics team claims victory at Vermont’s first district event
This past weekend, the Outliers robotics team dominated at Vermont’s first-ever district event! After finishing as the top team in qualification rounds, the Outliers selected alliance partners from Billerica and Sutton, MA, to form an unstoppable team that swept through the playoffs and ultimately won the event.
The team also earned the Autonomous Award for their innovative work with vision, machine learning, and automation. The Outliers are currently ranked 4th in New England and in the top 1% worldwide out of 4,000 teams!
Join us in cheering them on as they compete against the region’s 90 best teams at the New England Championship in Springfield, MA, later this week. Stay tuned for more details!
From pyramids to cupcakes: history 6 students celebrate the culmination of ancient Egypt unit
Grade 6 history students recently transformed their classroom into the “Crocodile Café” to celebrate the culmination of their ancient Egypt unit. Students selected from various creative project options, bringing ancient Egyptian culture to life through research and hands-on creation. The room was filled with dioramas, models, and an impressive array of Egyptian-inspired foods—from traditional flatbreads to pyramid cakes, Egyptian hummus, Sudanese donuts, and even “canopic jar cupcakes” with gummies inside to represent the organs normally placed in jars during the mummification process! Each student gave a presentation to the class on a topic they had individually investigated, deepening their understanding of this fascinating civilization through shared discovery while building important research skills.
Outliers Robotics team ranks 38th internationally after big Lewiston win
The Outliers Robotics team recently competed against 30 teams from across New England at the Pine Tree event at the Lewiston Colisée. The squad showed steady and consistent improvement with each match, finishing the qualification rounds in 3rd place. The Outliers were then selected by Buck’s Wrath from Bucksport—an alliance partner from last year’s winning team—and together, they won the event once again, posting some of the highest scores in the world. This exceptional performance propelled the Outliers to 38th place in the international rankings, highlighting our team’s tremendous skill and dedication.
Based on a statistical analysis of this season’s completed events, the Pine Tree event was the second most competitive in the world. That’s right—with 4,000+ teams competing around the globe, one of the toughest events took place right here in Maine!
Our next event is in two weeks in Burlington, VT, followed by the New England Championship in Springfield, MA, the week after. Stay tuned!
Middle school Chinese students explore historic Yin Yu Tang house at Peabody Essex Museum
Last week, our Middle School Chinese students visited the Chinese Peabody Essex Museum, home to the remarkable Yin Yu Tang and Asian Export Art exhibitions.
Yin Yu Tang, meaning “Hall of Plentiful Shelter,” is a magnificent 16-bedroom home built during the Qing dynasty by a prosperous merchant family. After the last descendants of its owners left the region, preservation architects carefully dismantled the structure, shipped it to the United States, and meticulously rebuilt it at the museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
Beyond being an impressive feat of logistics and architecture, the house provides our students with a glimpse into the daily lives of Chinese families during the Qing Dynasty, enriching their understanding of this important period through direct observation and immersion of Chinese culture and history.
