PRESS RELEASE: George Stevens Academy: A Week of Honors, Community, and Celebration

BLUE HILL, Maine — It has been a week worth celebrating at George Stevens Academy, with student musicians bringing home festival hardware, two athletes earning

statewide volleyball recognition, and a pair of community events just around the corner.

GSA Jazz Groups Shine at Maine State Jazz Festival

Three GSA ensembles traveled to Hampden Academy on Saturday, March 14 to compete at the Maine State Jazz Festival — and brought home medals, soloist honors,

and no small amount of school pride. The GSA Honors Combo, performing under the name “Reptilicus,” earned a silver medal rating. The group features Herschel Bach on keys, Eddie Crownover on guitar, Bailey Townsend on bass, Fox Sweimler on drums, Acadia Simmons on alto sax, Annabelle Kneisel on tenor sax and flute, and Logan Townsend on trumpet. Bailey Townsend was recognized as an outstanding festival soloist.

The afterschool combo “Pavlov’s Cats,” directed by Chris Pirsos, also received a silver medal rating. The ensemble features Cody Chattin on guitar, Levi Lyman on bass, Owen Hughes on drums, Paloma Kassof on keys, Amelia Watters on trumpet, Rebecca Ongaro on vocals, and Porter Gilbert on tenor sax. Rebecca Ongaro was named an

outstanding soloist.

The GSA Jazz Band rounded out the school's presence at the festival, earning a bronze medal for their performance.

All three groups have been rehearsing their festival sets since last November. GSA extends its heartfelt thanks to the students, their families, and all who supported the hard work that made these performances possible.

Two GSA Athletes Named to Volleyball All-State First Team

George Stevens Academy is proud to announce that Taylor Grego and Layla Hutchins have each been named to the Maine Volleyball All-State First Team, an honor announced this past week. This recognition reflects both athletes; exceptional skill, dedication, and contributions to GSA’s program. Congratulations to Taylor and Layla on this well-deserved distinction.

Community-Wide Easter Egg Hunt at GSA — March 28

Families across the Blue Hill Peninsula are invited to George Stevens Academy for a Community-Wide Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28 at 12 noon. The event will be held on the GSA front lawn, weather permitting, or in the gymnasium if needed.

In addition to the egg hunt, the afternoon will feature prizes, snacks, face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, a coloring contest, and live music performed by the GSA Student Pan Band. Downeast Custom Balloons will be on hand creating an abundance of balloon art — elaborate sculptures that are not to be missed!

Coloring contest sheets are available now at the Blue Hill Public Library.

The event is organized by GSA’s SOAR program and made possible through the generous support of community sponsors: LDI Lobster, Anderson Builders, Downeast

Custom Balloons, Waxwing Business, Long Cove Marine, Cash Excavation, Leaf & Anna, Saplings, Brooklin Boat Yard, Maine Camp Outfitters, Webco Self Storage, F/V

Catch 22, The Blue Chill, and The Blue Hill Co-op.

The event is free and open to the community. For more information, visit www.gsasoar.com.

Family Dinner & Game Night — April 2

All peninsula families are invited to GSA’s free Family Dinner & Game Night on Wednesday, April 2 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the GSA Cafeteria and Gym at 23 Union Street, Blue Hill. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Lu, and parents can test their knowledge with a lively trivia competition while students enjoy open gym time featuring basketball, ping pong, pickleball, dodgeball, corn hole, and board games. The event is free and open to all GSA families across the peninsula. For more information, contact b.slayton@georgestevens.org or call 374-2808.