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Spring is here! Even if the temperature doesn’t agree, there is a real sense of momentum and optimism here at George Stevens Academy. The transition from winter into spring is always an exciting time on campus, and this year is no exception. Our students remain highly engaged, our programs continue to thrive, and there is a great deal of meaningful work taking place both inside and outside of the classroom. Over the past several weeks, we have had much to celebrate. Our music program continues to demonstrate remarkable strength, growth, and achievement. Following their earlier success at the District VI Jazz Festival, three GSA ensembles traveled to Hampden Academy for the Maine State Jazz Festival, where they delivered outstanding performances. Both of our student combos earned silver medal ratings, and multiple students were recognized with outstanding soloist honors. I see this as a reflection of both the individual talent of our students and also the strength of the program as a whole. Our Jazz Band also represented GSA well, earning a bronze rating. These performances were the results of months of preparation and speak to the dedication of our students and the leadership of our music faculty. In athletics, we are proud to share that Taylor Grego and Layla Hutchins were recently named to the Maine Volleyball All-State First Team. This is a significant recognition at the state level and reflects the commitment, skill, and leadership these student-athletes bring to their team and our school community. One of the most impactful components of our academic program this time of year has been the Independent Study & Internship Program (ISIP). Our juniors and seniors recently completed their experiences, engaging in internships, research, and independent projects throughout our communities and beyond. We were fortunate to welcome families and community members into the building for our ISIP Exhibition, and it was an exceptional evening. The creativity, initiative, and depth of learning demonstrated by our students were truly impressive. Programs like ISIP continue to highlight the powerful connection between GSA and the broader Peninsula community. We have also had several opportunities recently to bring our community onto campus. Our community-wide Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 was a tremendous success, drawing families from across the Peninsula for an afternoon of connection, fun, and celebration. Events like this, along with continued outreach efforts, reflect our commitment to being not only a school, but a hub for the community and a place where everyone belongs. Looking ahead, April will be an especially active month. We are excited to host a Family Dinner & Game Night on April 2, providing another opportunity for families from across our sending towns to come together in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Our theater department will present Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing on April 4 and April 11 in the Black Box Theater. These performances are always a highlight of the spring season, and we look forward to strong community support for our student performers. The first two shows have already sold out and we are looking to add additional performances. We are also preparing for our upcoming NEASC accreditation visit, which will take place April 12–15. This represents an important opportunity for reflection and growth as an institution, and I want to recognize the significant effort our faculty and staff have put into preparing for this process. We are deeply grateful to share that we recently received a $100,000 gift to establish the John Herrick Memorial Chair. John was a widely respected member of this community who touched many lives and was a strong advocate for the trades on the Peninsula. This fund will support programming connected to workforce education and stands as a meaningful tribute to his legacy. As we move further into the spring, more of our sending communities will once again begin discussions around supplemental tuition. This continued partnership remains essential to sustaining a strong, comprehensive high school here on the Peninsula, one that provides opportunities for all students, whether their paths lead them locally or beyond. As always, I want to thank our students, faculty, staff, families, and community members for their continued support of George Stevens Academy. It is this collective commitment that makes GSA such a special place. We look forward to a busy and rewarding spring ahead. Sincerely,
Dan Welch
Head of School
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