Nearly forty students from Frank Harrison Middle School were named to the District II Honors Festival, during which they performed with other honorees from throughout southern Maine over a three-week period in January and February. Students auditioned for this prestigious festival in October and were selected by a panel of music educators to perform in either the Vocal Festival or the Instrumental Festival. Congratulations to the following participants:
Yarmouth Schools Update
HMS Musicians named to Honors Festival
Honors Vocal Festival Participants
7th Grade
Alexis Favreau
Reese Friedel
Molly Higgins
Amelia Newell
Annabelle Fortin
Priya Le Gall
Tavah Martinez
Emmett Keller
Finnegan Miller
Henry Patrick
Henry Stanton
Joel Kiander
Maddox Ryan
Mateo Velazquez
Patrick Dillon
Honors Vocal Festival Participants
8th Grade
Alina Sulyandziga
Meredith Moore
Lulu Charrette
Sam Smaha
Stella Peck
Allegra Vitalius
Lily Kew
Willa Gabrielson
Eitan Sammon
Jackson Crawford
Kazmier Deterding
Collin Swank
Sam Bessey
Ian Kiander
Honors Instrumental Festival Participants
Izzy Bajgierowicz
Lexi Favreau
Georgia Felmly
Reese Friedel
Parker Hubbard
Ian Kiander
Zephyr Michaud
Amelia Newell
Mateo Velazquez
Allegra Vitalius
YHS, HMS, and YES named Apple Distinguished Schools
Congratulations go to the professional staff at Yarmouth High School, Harrison Middle School, and Yarmouth Elementary School, each of which was recognized by Apple for outstanding implementation of instructional technology. Our schools were among a group of just 15 schools from all of New England that were recognized by Apple for this honor.
You can read more about the Distinguished Schools program here.
In particular, we would like to thank our instructional technology staff for their efforts to ensure technology is implemented in innovative, measured ways throughout the district:
Michael Arsenault, Director
Jen Adams, YHS Technology Integrator
Megan Rice, HMS Technology Integrator
Todd Abbott, Rowe/YES Technology Integrator
Eufrey Domingo, YHS Technology Ed Tech
Holly Allen, HMS Technology Ed Tech
Michael Stanchi, Technology Support Specialist
Mark Noack, Network Administrator
Greg Murray, Data Specialist
YHS senior Zachary Waybright recognized by Partners for World Health
YHS Senior Zachary Waybright received the
Partners for World Health Academic Excellence Award. During the PWH Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Ceremony, it was stated that "Zach volunteers throughout the year as part of the Yarmouth High School Global Action
Club and is a regular volunteer on Saturdays. He is a team leader, served on the retreat
for our PWH Chapters, is a regular member of our 50 plus club (volunteering over 50 hours in one year), teaches his fellow volunteers tasks, and last year was instrumental in helping PWH secure our new 'whiteboard’ video which is featured on our agency homepage."
Congratulations, Zachary - and thank you!
YHS and HMS Robotics teams headed to the
World Championships
Middle School Recap
HMS Robotics, aka The Clipperbots, sent eight teams to the VEX Maine State Championship tournament earlier this month - the maximum allowed from one program - and all eight teams were competitive throughout the day.
Team J, the Sleepy Zzzebras (Zuzu Strobel and Zoe Nilson), was the highest-ranked middle school team at the YHS tournament.
Team S, Straight Outta Yarmouth (Tyler Todd, Wesley Grohman, Ronin Boshes, Gabriel Balduf and Emory Grohman), developed one of the most consistent robots in the competition.
Team 7831B - Pi Stakes (Avery Crawford, Priscilla Stetson, Lexi Favreau, Georgia Felmly, Claire Getchell and Reese Friedel) paired with 7831G - The Quantum Machine (Sebastian Philbrook, Collin Swank, Ben Farrell, Ian Friedel, Nora Costello, John Coffey, Maria Muayad and Cayden Gerard) to make it to the round of 16.
Team 7831X - The Pickle-Horned Unicorns (Gareth Davies, Sylvie Lemay, Patrick Gerrard, and Ben Ting) and team 7831Z - Clipperbots Z (James Lamson-LaPlume, Anton Rasmussen, and Matt Woods) also partnered together to advance to the round of 16
Teams H, C, and E each advanced to the Quarterfinals.
Team H (The Mutated Bananas) included Jack Sullivan, Kellen McPhetres, Nathan Patstone, Ryan DeCourcey, Oliver Copsey, Axel Rioux, Cody Abbott, Thomas Dugas.
Team C (The Wild Robots) was made up of Seamus Baker, Noah Bushway, James Cavallaro, and Chlöe Grega.
Team E (The 3.14.59 Society) was powered by Jack Crawford, Noah Van Allen, Sam Bessey, and Henry Hallagan. Team E also won the Design Award and have been invited to the World Championships in Dallas in May!
7831A - Team Phishy (Finn Miller, Kian Christensen, Joseph Bolese, Robyn McCollar, Patrick Dillon, and Jesper Majewski) finished the qualifier rounds in seventh place and made it to the semifinals, losing to the eventual State Champions.
High School Highlights
YHS brought three teams to the state tournament, and all three fared very well, with two of the teams qualifying for the Worlds in Dallas, Texas in May.
Team X (James Gerber, Pablo Sonenberg, Noah Heselton, Nolan Tercsak, Abe Fortin, and Graham Anton) advanced to the round of 16 before losing a tough match to the eventual state champions.
Team C - Cosmic Crisis (Adlai Goodwin, Reid Garofoli, Crosby Ney, Eli Nilson, Ryan Kew, Max Miller, Will Huckel-Bauer) posted the highest skills score of any team in the state all season, earning the title of Skills Champion and qualifying for the World Championship. This team also took home the Amaze Award.
Team M - Marvin the Paranoid Android (Julian Lamson-Laplume, Peter Erickson, Mathieu Charrette, Adam Strobel, Holtyn Debiegun, Sterling Palladino) advanced all the way to the State Championship match, earning them an automatic bid to the World Championships.
Congratulations to all coaches and participants who continue to keep Yarmouth at the top of the robotics world in Maine!
YES holds first annual Fans in the Stands game
YES held its first Fans in the Stands basketball game in early March, promoting the school's Unified Physical Education unit. This exciting sporting event is part of our effort to become a Unified Champion School. The home team (students) beat the away team (staff) by a wide margin. Go YES Unified PE!
Yarmouth student artwork on display at PMA
March is National Youth Art Month and we are pleased to announce that artwork created by Yarmouth Students will be on display at the Portland Museum of Art for the entire month, with a reception celebrating the students on March 15. The student artwork can be viewed online at this link.
Macie Barry and Emi Runge have been chosen to represent Yarmouth High School.
Harrison Middle School is being represented by the work of Zach Strait.
Artwork created by first grader Mabel Hobbs has been chosen to represent Rowe School.
Oscar Wallace's work will be on display to represent Yarmouth Elementary School.
YHS teams capture State Championships
and Sportsmanship Awards
The Yarmouth Girls' Alpine Skit team captured the State Championship - and the Maine Principals' Association's Good Sportsmanship Award - an impressive sweep!
The Boys' Nordic Ski team also brought home the gold.
For the second consecutive year, the YHS Boys' Ice Hockey team ( a cooperative team with Cheverus HS) captured the Class B State Championship with a 5-1 victory over John Bapst of Bangor. You can read more about the game in this article from the Portland Press Herald.
Miah Jacobs won the State Championship in the Indoor Track 55 meter dash.
Ethan Hoffman (left, below) captured the State Championship in the shot put - with teammate Abd Muayad (on the right) placing third.
At the State Swimming Championships, the YHS Boys' and Girls' Teams earned recognition as the outstanding sportspersons of the year. Well done!
Maya Faulstich receives 2025 Hector Hebert Award
Each year, Yarmouth High School presents the Hector Hebert Award to a graduating senior who exemplifies the core values personified by Mr. Hebert, a longtime, influential teacher at the school. We are pleased to announce that this year's recipient is Maya Faulstich. Congratulations, Maya!
Ian Kiander named Steingart Music Award winner
Congratulations to Ian Kiander, who was awarded this year's Steingart Music Award and Scholarship at Harrison Middle School. The Steingart Award is presented in honor of Neil Steingart, and is a legacy in support of music education. As a leader in chorus, band, acapella and jazz band, it is no surprise that Ian was selected to be this year's recipient.
YHS Musicians earn District Honors recognition
Congratulations to the following students who have been accepted to the High School District 2 Jazz Honors Festival. The students will be working with guest conductors and performing in a concert at Fryeburg Academy on May 1, 2025.
Honors Jazz Choir
Maya Faulstich, grade 12
Jasper Keller, grade 9
Alex Walden, grade 12
Honors Jazz Band
Finn Marianski, grade 11
Eli Snow, grade 12
Ozric Stewart, grade 12
Ensemble managers: Rick Dustin, Honors Jazz Choir; Aaron Henry, Honors Jazz Band
YHS Playmakers capture Regionals, headed to States
On Saturday, March 8, the YHS Playmakers took 1st Place at the Regional One Act Play Competition for their performance of Sleeping Beauty by Rufus Norris - a quirky comedy version of the classic tale.
Individual acting awards were presented to Sheldon Hubbard and Adia Ameswright, and Judges' Commendations were earned for Puppetry, Ensemble Acting, Hair and Makeup.
The troupe will now compete in the State Championship on March 21& 22 at Camden Hills High School.
YES Teacher Renee Rhoads nominated for Cumberland County Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to YES 4th grade teacher Renee Rhoads, who has been nominated as a 2025 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year! Her nomination from former student Piper McGeachey, who writes, "She loves kids and taught all of us how to knit because she thinks knitting helps focus. She is so sweet to every student no matter what!"
Thank you, Piper - and congratulations, Mrs. Rhoads!
And some announcements . . . .
Future "snow days" will be remote learning days
In the event that we have to close schools due to inclement weather at any point during the remainder of this school year, it is our intent to hold remote learning days in order to continue with the academic calendar as it now exists.
On remote learning days, students will be provided with specific schedules, activities, and learning tools by their school principals and teachers.
If you would like your child to receive lunch on a remote learning day, please contact our Director of Nutrition, Blair Currier by email: blair_currier@yarmouthschools.org.
This approach will allow us to maintain a final student day of Friday, June 13.
If widespread power outages or other unforeseen circumstances do not allow us to hold a remote learning day, we will be required to extend the school year into the week of June 16.
Fingers crossed for a warm, dry spring!
FY26 Budget being proposed
It is that time of year, again, when the proposed school budget for the coming school year is being considered and deliberated.
At this point, the School Committee has held three public meetings regarding the proposed budget, and the approval schedule now consists of the remaining dates:
Thursday, March 13
Second Reading and Adoption – Regular School Committee Meeting; 7:00 p.m. - Log Cabin
Thursday, March 20
Budget Presentation to Town Council; 7:00 p.m. - Log Cabin
Thursday, April 3
Town Council – Public Hearing I and First Reading; 7:00 p.m. - Log Cabin
Thursday, May 1
Town Council – Public Hearing II and Second Reading/Adoption; 7:00 p.m. - Log Cabin
APPROVAL PROCESS
Tuesday, June 3
Town Meeting – 7:00 p.m. at YHS Auditorium
Tuesday, June 10
Budget Referendum – 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at YHS Gym
We encourage you to read more about the proposal on our district finance webpage, and we invite you to attend any and all of the meetings listed here!