The Drama Department at Wells High School has announced that it has been granted one of the first licenses in the United States to present the high school edition of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” This play is based on an original story by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne and will appear on stage at the Olenn Performing Arts Center at WHS from November 20 to November 23, 2024. Producer for the Drama Department, Andrea Hernandez, indicated that more information about this event will be forthcoming.

“We are beyond excited to put on such a prestigious and well-known show,” commented WHS Director of Dramatics and director of this play Andrew Lopez. “The magic of this franchise will be a fun challenge to bring to life.”

The high school edition of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” transports audiences back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where old friendships are tested and new adventures unfold. Set nineteen years after the events of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," this thrilling tale follows the journey of Harry Potter's youngest son, Albus Severus Potter, as he grapples with the weight of his family legacy and embarks on a quest to confront the past.

“We have an amazing opportunity to put on a show that pushes our students and faculty to perform at the next level," explained producer Hernandez. "We are going to be making people's childhood fantasies a reality. Harry Potter is a larger-than-life name, and we feel honored to be the first school in Maine to put on this show."

With its timeless themes of friendship, courage, and the enduring power of love, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” offers a spellbinding theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. From dazzling spell-casting to heart-pounding adventures, this production will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

In June, the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District (WOCSD) named Bill Washburn "Exemplary Volunteer of the Year" for the 2023-24 school year. This award was presented to him on June 6 at an annual luncheon that honors the work of school volunteers in the District.

Out of about 200 volunteers, this year's award went to Washburn for his years of dedication working with others to raise thousands of dollars for the Wells High School Music Program, first as a member and then as president of the WHS Band Boosters, an organization of parents of students that annually facilitates fundraising efforts including the annual community textile drive that raises funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of New England (EFNE) and the WHS band programs including the color guard.

"I was completely surprised and humbled to have received this," commented Washburn in an email. "I do what I do because I truly enjoy it. The staff and kids are a lot of fun to work with. Being a former band student at Wells High School (class of 98), I enjoy giving back to this program that had great importance to me".

Washburn explains that his motivation for volunteering his time and effort "…is to help each student in the programs we support to be successful and feel as confident as they can when performing. From buying new equipment to providing water and food at events, we are there to support all of the students."

District Community Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley, WHS Band Director Chad Dickerson, WES Principal Kyle Burnell, and Superintendent James Daly all commented on Washburn’s dedicated volunteerism at the luncheon. "We are lucky in Wells because we have volunteers like you," said Daly to Washburn. "Because of people like you, we are able to do the things we do."  

Resource Coordinator Foley has managed the District's volunteer program since 1994.  According to her, school volunteers as a group contribute "thousands" of hours of time assisting teachers and students in the District's schools in various roles. Volunteers are retired teachers and other community members, including high school students and parents.  Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Maryanne Foley in September at 646-5953, extension 4204.

Caption for the photo: At a luncheon honoring school volunteers are (left to right) Maryanne Foley, Volunteer of the Year Bill Washburn, Jamie Washburn, and Band Director Chad Dickerson. This volunteer luncheon had a baseball theme.

During a schoolwide assembly at Wells Elementary School on the morning of June 12th, first through fourth-grade teachers with members of Masonic Ocean Lodge 142 in the audience awarded 56 new bicycles, helmets, and t-shirts to their students who read the most books in this year’s Masonic Bikes for Books reading program sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine, the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation plus donations from area businesses and individuals  This is the ninth year for this program at WES coordinated with Lodge 142 by Literacy Specialist Bonnie Esty. 

This contest begins in the spring when students select school-approved books they find interesting and want to read. For every book finished, a student earns one entry into a classroom drawing.

Bicycles given out this year were ordered through Wal-Mart for $8,000. As in past years, members of Ocean Lodge 142 assembled all of the bicycles.

Wayne Smith is a member of Lodge 142. “The support from all of our local business owners and individuals was wonderful,” commented Smith. We could not make this happen without their generosity and ongoing support.”  According to Smith, about 450 bikes have been awarded to WES students since June 2015.

According to a Bikes for Books brochure, the program is a statewide initiative “to foster literacy programs in schools and encourage healthy exercise.

Sitting in front of dozens of bikes to be awarded at a WES assembly in June are Masonic Ocean Lodge 142 members (l to r) Chris Nadeau with Susan Neadeau to his right, Wayne Smith, Ken Creed, Larry Hart, Alan Martin, John Howarth, Tim Yates and Master of Lodge 142 Clair Tucsh

At the end of the 2023-2024 school year the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District (WOCSD) lost several long-time staff members to retirement.  In the photo from left to right with their position and years of service in parenthesis are  Lil Connelly (Speech-Language Pathologist -41 years), Nancy Talbot (Grade 1 teacher -39 years), Bonnie Dill (Grade 6 Social Studies teacher -35 years), Janet Tessier (Food Service Manager -23 years) and Judi Dion (Ed Tech II -28 years).  Also retiring in June but not in the photo was Kathleen Duffy (Food Service Specialist -3 years).    Those who retired in November and December of 2023 were Celeste Beaulieu (K-4 Math Interventionist -23 years) and Clarissa Sweeney (Literacy Specialist -27 years).

In May the Barn Gallery in Ogunquit held its 46th annual season opening.  Just days before that the 44th Annual Student Art Show was exhibiting a variety of student artwork submitted by several area art teachers.  During a reception for the one-day show on May 10th, family members of the young artists, teachers, and others viewed exhibits from York schools, Wells-Ogunquit (WJHS only), and Berwick Academy.

According to Shannon Petrie, an art teacher at Wells Junior High School, students there contributed a wide variety of artwork this year including agamographs, “an art form that uses optical illusion to create an image.”

“In the art show…there were self-portrait projects, clay slab mugs, hollow vessel clay animals, pencil drawings, papier mache, Greek vases, and projects based on art history from prehistoric times to ancient (Greece),” listed Petrie.   There were 442 fifth through eighth-grade students in the WJHS Art program this school year.  “And I see all of them at some point during the year,” added Petrie. “I am very proud of my students for the work they did!”

Over the past forty-four years, thousands of southern York County students have exhibited drawings, paintings, photographs, mixed media, sculptures, and much more in this show at the Barn Gallery, the home of the 96-year-old Ogunquit Arts Association (OAA).  The stated mission of the OAA is “to educate and enlighten the seacoast community by nurturing, supporting, and presenting art by the OAA and other local fine artists.”

Deidre O’Flaherty is the president of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative (OAC) which operates the Barn Gallery.  O’Flaherty believes this show can provide insight and inspiration to students who attend and experience the work of many other students there.  O’Flaherty has observed that this event often provides a first-time experience for many who have never been to an art gallery before. 

It was art teachers and artists O’Flaherty in York and Sandy Brennan formerly at Wells Elementary School who, along with their colleagues, planned and set up the first student art exhibit at the Barn Gallery in 1980.

Constructed in 1959, the Barn Gallery is located at the corner of Shore Road and Bourne Lane in Ogunquit.  It is operated by the volunteer members of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative including manager and artist Hara Harding.   FMI call 207-646-8400.

Wells High School (WHS) will hold commencement exercises for 96 members of the Class of 2024 at the school’s Warrior Memorial Field on Friday, June 7th at 6:00 pm.  In inclement weather, commencement will take place inside WHS’s Ronco Gymnasium.  The guest speaker will be Beth McEvoy, a graduate of WHS and former reporter with WCSH’s News Center Maine in Portland.  For her reporting there and elsewhere, she has received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award, been nominated for seven Emmy Awards, and is recipient of the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists Award. 

Below is an alphabetical listing of the top ten academically ranked students and abbreviated school biographies: 

Olivia Boutot has attended the Academy of Business Program at Sanford Regional Technical Center for two years and has taken Advance Placement (AP) courses and dual enrollment college classes.  A talented athlete, Olivia was a member of the Wells Girls’ Soccer program.  She has been named Student of the Trimester and honored as a National Honor Society and National Technical Society member.  Olivia plans to attend the University of Connecticut (UCONN) to study Biological Science.  Following graduation from college, she plans to attend medical school.  Olivia is the daughter of Shawna and Douglas Boutot.

Samuel Coleman is Valedictorian of the Class of 2024, President of the National Honor Society, an Advance Placement Scholar, and recipient of the Maine Principal’s Award sponsored by the Maine Principals Association.    He has received other awards including Breakfast of Champions, Student of the Trimester, Book Awards, and recognized with Commended Student status from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.   Sam has participated in numerous theatre productions, the Marching Band, and the talented and competitive WHS Quiz Team.  As a member of the Marching Band, he represented his community as a part of the Great American Marching Band in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  In the summer of 2023 he participated in the U.S. Senate Page Program in Washington D.C.  Sam plans to attend Princeton University to study Anthropology and International Relations.  Samuel is the son of Rebecca and James Coleman.

Dyllan Davis, is a member of the National Honor Society and serves on the Student Council.  In addition to being a focused and hard-working student, Dyllan has contributed to Wells High School in other ways.  A talented athlete, he has been a member of the WHS Football and Wrestling programs where he supported both teams to State Championships.  Dyllan has learned that he has been accepted to attend New England College in the fall where he will major in Business Marketing.   Once there he plans to join the wrestling team.  Recently, he was recognized at WHS for being accepted to NEC and his plan to continue wrestling there.  Dyllan is the son of Jennifer Davis and Ryan Crosby.

William Griffith is president of the Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, and Math Team.  He has appeared on local television as a member of the WHS Quiz Team. He recently traveled to Chicago with this team to compete nationally.  One who contributes to his school community in many ways, William is also a runner and assists the athletic department, often being the “Voice of the Warriors” calling out the “play-by-play” on the intercom during home games.  During the 2022-23 school year he was one of two student representatives on the WOCSD School Committee.  He plans to attend Clemson University in South Carolina to study Political Science and Global Politics.  William is the son of Carolyn and Matthew Siegel.

Colton Harding is described as a very positive member of the WHS community and has contributed significantly to the Boys’ Soccer and Lacrosse programs over his four-year career earning All-Conference Honors in each.  Colton was also named the Defensive Player of the Year for his contribution to the Boys Lacrosse Team.  He has received numerous academic awards, including Student of the Trimester and Breakfast of Champions.  A former 2021 Homecoming King of WHS, Colton has immersed himself in the WHS community.  He plans to continue his education at the college level pursuing a degree in Business.  Colton is the son of Tina and Zak Harding.                                

Katarina Hoffman has been recognized as a tremendous asset to the Wells High School community.  She has taken numerous Advanced Placement courses and has been honored with a Literary Achievement Award for her writing.  A four-year Volleyball team member, she has been a dedicated and selfless student-athlete.  Katrina also volunteers at the Living Wells Farm Equine Assisted Services facility in Wells working alongside her instructor/coach. This fall she plans to attend Saint Lawrence University to major in Neuroscience.  Katarina is the daughter of Amanda and Robert Hoffman.

Jackson Koh is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2024.  He has been a major contributor to the WHS community and has received several academic honors, including a Literary Achievement Award for writing excellence and recognition as a Student of the Trimester.  He completed an internship at the Wells National Estuarine Reserve at Laudholm in Wells where his work focused on environmental safety and knowledge of estuarine health.  Jackson has been a four-year member of the Boys Soccer Team and has spent time volunteering with Maine Healthy Volunteers.  He plans to attend Hamilton College in New York and later attend medical school.   Jackson is the son of Sarah and Robert Koh.

Gabriel Ordway is a strong student and contributes to the school community in various ways. He is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and was awarded a gold medal in Internetworking at the Maine SkillsUSA competition.  In June he will represent his school community at the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia.  Gabe is a talented athlete and was committed to the Boys’ Soccer and Track and Field programs at WHS.  He intends to pursue a Computer Engineering degree and has been accepted into the University of Maine at Orono Honors Program for the fall semester.  Gabriel is the son of Laura and Christopher Ordway.

Brian Stevens is a Math Book Award recipient.  His progress in Mathematics has been described as “nothing short of extraordinary”.  He completed CP Algebra II as a freshman and has since moved through every math course offered at WHS.  Brian is a member of the National Honor Society, the Boy Scouts of America, and a volunteer coach and tutor for younger students. He demonstrates his leadership in his role as Class Treasurer and as captain of the Math Team.  Brian plans to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst this fall.  He is the son of Robert and Taunya Stevens.

Kameron Tufts contributes to the school community in a variety of ways. He has received Book Awards for excellence in Science and Language Arts.  His teachers have recognized him with

Breakfast of Champions and Student of the Trimester accolades.  Additionally, Kameron has garnered Literary Achievement recognition in district-wide competitions. He has been a member of the Environmental Club, the Art Club, and Theater programs.  Outside of school Kameron studies Taekwondo, takes voice lessons, and sings in a community choir.  Kameron is the son of Kristin and Kenneth Tufts.