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!
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.
A celebration of classical studies: Waynflete’s MEJCL Certamen competition brings schools together
Our campus was buzzing with excitement recently as Waynflete welcomed 170 students from schools across Maine to the Maine Junior Classical League (MEJCL) Certamen competition.
Due to the efforts of dedicated students, MEJCL officers, members of the Society for Classical Learning, teachers, administrators, and the Waynflete Parents Association, the event was a tremendous success. Teams demonstrated impressive knowledge of the Latin language, Roman history, and classical mythology throughout the evening’s competitions. Waynflete’s own delegation did well, coming in sixth in the Advanced category, fourth in the Intermediate category, and first in the Novice category—a truly remarkable feat, considering that our Novice team, comprised of grade 7–8 students, was facing off against high school Latin 1 students.
Thank you to all who joined us for this special evening!
Four stations, countless insights: Upper School students explore human organ systems
After studying the nervous system, Anatomy and Physiology students dissected sheep brains last week, allowing them to see the relationship between structure and function. Did you know that most of the structures in a sheep’s brain are highly homologous to structures in the brains of other placental mammals? That includes humans!
This week, our students had the opportunity to visit the University of New England’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. During their visit, they learned about the program and explored the gross anatomy lab, where first-year medical students guided them through four interactive learning stations. Students deepened their understanding of the structure and function of various organs by examining donated human tissues.
At the filtration station, students studied the liver and kidneys, observing real specimens to understand their vital roles in the body. The knee station allowed them to explore key ligaments and tendons, comparing a natural human knee with one that had undergone replacement. The circulatory system station provided students with the opportunity to look closely at the heart and lungs, underscoring their cooperative functions. Students completed their visit at the neurology station, where they observed the brain and spinal cord, gaining further insights into the complexities of the nervous system. This hands-on experience reinforced concepts students learned during their sheep brain dissections while providing them with an invaluable perspective on human anatomy in a real-world medical setting.
Alumni Spotlight: James Bigbee ’16
In this brief interview, James Bigbee ’16 shares his journey from computer science to working on innovative technology at Audible. James reflects on how Waynflete prepared him for his academic and professional pursuits and discusses his personal passions.
Can you tell us about your college experience and career trajectory? What did you major in? How did Waynflete prepare you/impact your secondary education and career?
“After graduating from Waynflete, I spent four years at the University of Pennsylvania, where I majored in computer science and minored in art. Upon graduation, I moved to Seattle, where I worked at Microsoft, developing firmware deployment automation for Azure Cloud devices. After two years, I moved to New York City and worked at Audible on page content aggregation for app experiences. Waynflete gave me the strong foundation in math, science, and the humanities [that] I needed… to not only get into the college of my choice, but also to approach challenging courses with a level of confidence. Furthermore, I felt somewhat fearless in exploring multiple interests from coding, animation, and music.”
What are you passionate about? What inspires you and motivates you?
“I enjoy coding, but I feel like my passions are often outside of work. I spend a frankly absurd amount of time working on my Halloween costume in the fall—whether that involves using papier mâché to build a mask or sewing patterns to fit the mask. Also, I recently started running, an activity that I used to despise but now find very grounding.”
Why does what you do matter?
“I am dyslexic and though the difficulties that come with dyslexia were remediated and reading became a joy, my initial exposure to—and love for—books came through listening to them. Therefore, it feels special to me to work on projects that improve an app that allows so many people to listen to audiobooks.”
What do you love most about what you do?
“There is something very neat about successfully developing a feature for a popular software application. Any feature implemented has the potential to be used by millions of users, which means even the smallest change can have the capacity to improve millions of peoples’ experience whilst using the app.”
Resilience in robotics: Outliers shine in Southern Maine competition
Congratulations to the Outliers robotics team for an outstanding performance at the inaugural Southern Maine District Event at Falmouth High School this past weekend! The event marked the first time a district competition was held in Southern Maine, with 30 teams from across New England showcasing their skills.
Despite a challenging start (the team rebuilt their robot from the ground up during February break), the Outliers demonstrated remarkable resilience. Initially in last place after breaking their robot in the first three matches, the team methodically addressed each issue and climbed to 13th place by the end of qualification rounds. Their determination caught the attention of Chaos (Team 131 from Manchester), who selected them as their first alliance partner. Together with The Crusaders (Team 238, also from New Hampshire), they advanced to the semifinals before narrowly losing to the eventual competition winners. The Outliers also earned the prestigious Innovation in Controls Award sponsored by nVent.
Come out and support the Outliers at their next event at the Lewiston Colisée on March 15–16!
Women and girls in science: voices from Waynflete
In the spirit of International Women and Girls in Science Day, we asked a few students to share more about their passion for scientific exploration 
Eva Hankowski ’26 shares her perspective on science’s real-world impact: “Science [has] a tangible impact on our world and our future… I appreciate that science allows us as a community to get explanations for how or why things are happening and to find new ways forward.”
“By explaining the world around us, [science] details everything from how our body breaks down sugars to how stars form,” reflects Lydia Birknes ’25. Finding inspiration in her teachers, she adds: “At Waynflete, I have really looked up to my women science teachers (Wendy, Rowena, and Carol) who are so knowledgeable and teach/lead classes with such poise.”Through marine biology investigations, Science Olympiad achievements, and daily discoveries in our labs, our students are building the confidence and skills to tackle tomorrow’s scientific challenges.
Alumni Spotlight: Arianna Giguere ’16
In this brief interview, Arianna shares her passion for science and an update on her work, reflects on how her Waynflete teachers prepared her for success, and gives current Waynflete seniors tips for the future.
Can you tell us about your college experience? What did you major in? How did Waynflete prepare you/impact your college career?
“I graduated from Waynflete in 2016 and went on to study physics and math at the University of Maine. My decision to major in physics stemmed from my excitement about math and science, [something] that I always had from a young age. At Waynflete, I took every science course offered and participated in activities like the Science Olympiad competitions—all opportunities that challenged me and encouraged me to pursue my scientific interests. The support of my enthusiastic Waynflete teachers especially prepared me to excel in college.”
What are you passionate about? What inspires and motivates you?
“I am motivated by work that makes human lives better. Since college, my interests have shifted towards working with more human-centric data, especially in an age when user privacy and data protection is increasingly important. I love applying what I’ve learned from physics to help build safe technologies that improve lives. I’m currently researching ways to help stroke patients rehabilitate their vision, but next year I anticipate a career transition into the tech industry where I intend on contributing to the development of new influential technologies.”
Why does what you do matter?
“Near the end of my college experience, I realized that something was missing for me when it came to physics work. I still loved the concepts, but I wanted to do research that was more connected to people. I applied to graduate school to pursue a PhD in Imaging Science. This degree allowed me to study physics at the intersection of neuroscience and technology like virtual reality. These days, I am working on researching methods for vision rehabilitation for people who have vision loss due to stroke, a condition that affects approximately 250,000–500,000 people in the U.S. alone every year. In the future, my work has the potential to improve the driving safety of individuals suffering from this type of vision loss called cortical blindness.”
What advice would you give seniors who are trying to figure out what’s next for them?
“I would tell seniors that it’s okay if you don’t know what career you want to pursue yet. There are steps you can take to find a career path you will enjoy. When I was considering my next steps as a senior, I identified the classes or activities I was most interested in and why. If [you find that] the traditional college path is right for you, know that you aren’t necessarily locked into a major your first year—you don’t have to choose “correctly” on the first go. However, the more thought you can put into your decision ahead of time, the more grateful you’ll be later when your next big career decision comes along. Challenge yourself, and set yourself up for the best chance of success!”
Waynflete celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through art and dialogue
Last week, our Middle and Upper School students honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through meaningful discussion and artistic expression.
Upper School students welcomed Black Travel Maine founder Lisa Jones, retired educator and community leader Merita McKenzie, and artist and writer Joan White for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembly. The panelists discussed their work, shared their life experiences, and engaged with students in purposeful conversations about social justice and Dr. King’s legacy. The assembly created a powerful space for reflection and dialogue within our Upper School community. Thank you to all our guests for sharing their perspectives!
After studying persuasive speaking in Theater 8, the entire eighth grade performed Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech during Middle School assembly. They were joined by the Upper School chorus, who closed the event with a powerful rendition of Sam Cooke’s iconic “A Change is Gonna Come” and Ruthie Foster’s “Feels Like Freedom.”
Today, we honor Dr. King’s sacrifice and perseverance in pursuit of racial equality, while acknowledging the work still ahead. We hope that you will use this day to celebrate his legacy, engage in service to help others, and move forward with a renewed commitment to creating a world where everyone is treated justly with dignity and respect.
Legendary coach Cathie Connors receives national award
Congratulations to Cathie Connors on being named the 2023–24 NFHS National Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year!
Cathie has now been recognized at the national level for her incredible leadership of Waynflete’s girls lacrosse program. With 12 state championships, over 330 wins, and more than 30 years of mentoring student-athletes and young coaches, Cathie has built an unparalleled legacy in Maine lacrosse. Her impact extends far beyond the field, shaping numerous players and elevating the sport across our state. This well-deserved national recognition highlights what our community has known for a long time—Cathie’s dedication and passion for coaching are truly exceptional!
Hundreds gather for Waynflete’s third annual Community Night celebration
Our third annual Community Night was an incredible success! Hundreds of students, parents and guardians, grandparents, alumni, faculty, and staff were in attendance at this favorite family event. It was a joyous and delicious evening!
A special thanks to our performers—Telling Room Ambassadors Johan Sifa and Mayinga Mukinayi, pianist and rhythm bones musician Kafari, and Andrew Silver ’11—for the engaging performances. We appreciate the efforts of the student planning committee and many volunteers who brought this event to life. Thank you to our community for all of the wonderful food contributions!
The fun from the evening doesn’t have to stop! Listen to the Waynflete Community Night playlist on Spotify featuring an eclectic compilation of recommended songs from our community.
The Can We? Project brings story exchange to Cape Elizabeth community
Inspired by their work with Waynflete’s Can We? Project and partners at Narrative 4, Can We? students at Cape Elizabeth High School recently led a multigenerational story exchange for members of the community at Thomas Memorial Library. The story exchange is a foundational aspect of the Can We? process, allowing participants to deepen relationships and practice “radical empathy.” In a reflection after the event, one participant shared, “I didn’t know anyone coming in tonight. Now I can’t wait to run into everyone at the grocery store so I can say hi.”
Interested in participating in a story exchange? Waynflete Can We? Project students are planning to host a story exchange for the school community. Additional information will follow soon.
Finding home: Waynflete community members share their immigration stories
What drives someone to move to a new country, and how do they maintain their cultural identity? Our 4–5 students investigated these questions by conducting interviews with 16 Waynflete parents, guardians, faculty, and staff members who had graciously agreed to share their stories. Students then crafted nonfiction narratives from these conversations while immersing themselves in books about young characters who immigrate to the United States. As they return from break today, students will begin exploring the role immigration played in the United States’ transformation from an agricultural society to an industrial one in the late 1800s.
