MASSABESIC HIGH SCHOOL

RSU 57 & Massabesic High School

"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."

Hello Mustang Nation,

The Student Council will be hosting a Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 19 - we are thrilled to report that ALL of the slots for the drive have been spoken for by our student and staff population. Bravo, MHS!

The Honor Roll for Semester 1 of the 2024-2025 school year is linked below. We are proud of the hard work of all our students.

This newsletter is chock full of STUDENT RECOGNITIONS & CELEBRATIONS!!! It is so wonderful to see our MHS students doing so many wonderful things to represent our school community.

As a reminder, our upcoming week will follow the Green/White color rotation schedule below:

Monday 03/17 - GREEN

Tuesday 03/18 - WHITE

Wednesday 03/19 - GREEN

Thursday 03/20 - WHITE

Friday 03/21 - GREEN

Take care,

-Mr. Thurlow

On March 7 & 8, Mustang Theatre traveled to Thornton Academy to participate in the 2025 Regional Maine Drama Festival. They performed the one-act play, A Clown's Tale by Nellie G. Cueller-Garcia on Saturday evening. They put on a wonderful performance which ended with the audience in a standing ovation and many tears shed. The group was flooded with praise from other schools' directors and performers.

Every year, there are 7-9 regional sites around the state. This year with only 7 sites around the state, we participated in the All Class A site with 9 other schools. Massabesic High School's troupe came in 4th out of 10 schools. The group is incredibly proud of their hard work and look forward to their next production. Elsie Werhman received an All-Cast award for her role as Madame Claudette, Anna Howe and Deanna Watson received a Lighting Design award, and Isabelle Guillemette and Zoe Coleman received an award for Makeup Design.

(Write up and photos courtesy of MHS Theatre Troupe Advisor & Theatre Director Mrs. Cat Leavitt)

Walker Vivian was a Southern Regional finalist at the March 8 National History Day in Maine contest sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Library and hosted by the University of Southern Maine's Osher Map Library. Walker earned an additional superlative, "The Longest Title", for his historical paper: “Working For a Fair and Just Future: The Imbalance of Rights and Responsibilities Between the Working Class and Business Owners During the First Industrial Revolution". He is eligible to compete at the State National History Day in Maine Contest, May 3 hosted by The University of Maine.

PS: For context, students were either given ribbons as "finalist" or "participant" with no first/second/etc, as there will be at UMO. First, however, they announced about ten superlatives and prefaced them with "if you earn one, it doesn't mean you are or are not a finalist, we wanted to acknowledge some things and also have a little fun!" First up was "The Longest Title" award and when they announced Walker's title we laughed, and it was such a great moment, audience wide as everyone laughed because it was a long title! Announced next was the superlative for "The Shortest Title", a tie between two projects : "Barbie", also another big audience laugh! One of the Barbie projects was also announced later as a finalist.

It was a great day as we looked at all the other schools' exhibits in the McGoldrick Center, and watched a few of the performances in Luther Bonney Auditorium before and after his judging time. There was plenty for fellow students to learn from each other, as all the website category entries and documentary QR codes were available, too, and the student papers were on a table for reading.

Senior Isabelle Guillemette competed in the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest in Augusta recently. She won the contest as the Senior High individual. Isabelle is part of the Maine team that will compete at Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts this Fall. Congratulations, Isabelle!

Remi Grunhuvd, Evan Boulard, and Nicholas Chenard traveled to the 2025 New England Championships in Providence, Rhode Island, alongside the girls' team of (pictured below) Sophie Grunhuvd, Neveah Grunhuvd, Savanna Thyng, Sydney Cyr, Aesa Brock, & Olivia Goodrich. All wrestlers competed well represented Mustang Nation with pride. Neveah and Sophie Grunhuvd dominated their weight classes to become New England Champions. The girls' team placed third overall in New England Women's Wrestling. Congratulations to all!

The rumors were right…the Class of 2025 is hosting the 2nd annual March Madness Dodgeball Tournament!

A. It will officially start MARCH 24TH, during Mustang Time in the gym. However, with the new schedule and depending on the number of teams signed up, the tournament will be extended into the following weeks!

B. Just like last year, the bleachers will be pulled out so that EVERYONE IN GOOD BEHAVIORAL & ACADEMIC STANDING CAN ATTEND (students cannot attend if they are currently on any schedule/hallway restrictions or if they have academic work their teachers are requiring them to do during Mustang Time).

C. Teams will be made up of 8 players each (students AND staff can participate) and play by “gym class” dodgeball rules. If you are in VOC, you are STILL able to participate; just please indicate that in the google form below.

D. This tournament will be a single elimination bracket. Once you’re out, you’re out.

E. A bracket will be released THIS week, along with more information.

F. The Ball Blasters were crowned the champions last year after a very competitive and exciting tournament, but it's a new year... and the crown is up for grabs.

So... I guess the question on everyone's mind is: who will be the next champion crowned?

-Brought to you by Lydia Desrochers, Kenzie Nason, Emelia Theriault, & Bennet Gibson

MHS is proud to parterner with Hannaford grocery stores in an effort to raise funds to support student activities. Below are the steps for families and friends to contribute:

1. Shop at Hannafords. Starting this coming Sunday, March 16th, look for items with either of the following tags or icons (attached).

2. Buy 4 or more such items and get a coupon at the register.

3. Redeem the coupon linked here and Select Massabesic High School: Hannaford Helps Schools Redeem Coupon

Alternative Option: You can also download the Hannaford Helps Schools app: Download Hannaford Helps Schools App

8th grade Step Up Night Agenda

6:30 - 6:35 Welcoming Announcements in the Gym

• Introductions from Mr. Thurlow (Principal) and Allison Ellis (Dean of Academics)

6:35 - 7:45

Activity #1: Guided tour of MHS from students

Activity #2: Sports and Athletics Presentation in the Gym with Mr. Lawrence

Activity #3: Clubs and Activities Fair in the Large Cafeteria

Activity #4: Question and Answer session with Guidance Counselors in the

Auditorium

• Rotating Schedule

• Last Name A-D: Activity 1, Activity 2, Activity 3, Activity 4

• Last Name E-J: Activity 2, Activity 3, Activity 4, Activity 1

• Last Name K-O: Activity 3, Activity 4, Activity 1, Activity 2

• Last Name: P-Z: Activity 4, Activity 1, Activity 2, Activity 3

7:45 - Wrap Up & Departure

This week, Deputy Cummer attended the Maine School Safety Conference in Rockport, Maine along with other state of Maine SROs and School Administrators. The training topics included risk assessments, internet crimes against children (ICAC), and general threat assessments.

Did you know? ICAC is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.

Learn more at the Consider Canada Tour at Scarborough High School on March 26th! Check it out!

Wednesday, March 19 - Blood Drive sponsored by Student Council

Friday, March 21 - ERD (ish) Bell Schedule & NHS Winter Carnival Games (PM)

Monday, March 24 - Pitchers & Catchers begin (Spring Sports)

Monday, March 24 - Friday, April 11: March Madness Dodgeball Tournament

Wednesday, March 26 - Progress Report 1 for S2

Wednesday, March 26 - Early Release Day

Wednesday, March 26 - Annual Academic Showcase & 8th Grade Step Up Night

Monday, April 7 - Prom Formal Wear Pop Up Shop

Wednesday, April 9 - Early Release Day

Monday, April 14 - Prom Formal Wear Pop Up Shop

Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 27 - School Closed for April Break

Monday, April 28 - Return to School

Monday, April 28 - Prom Formal Wear Pop Up Shop

You are always welcome to call our Maine Office at (207) 247-3141, schedule a meeting, or email members of our administrative team members directly (emails listed below):