Windham Unified basketball fundraising game against Police and Fire Departments a massive success

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s Unified basketball team held its first fundraising game against members of the Windham Police and Fire Departments on Wednesday, March 18 to boost Windham’s Best Buddies program, which pairs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a peer buddy without a disability to help foster genuine friendships, reduce social isolation, and promote inclusion.

Windham's Unified basketball team gathers with members
of the Windham Police and Fire-Rescue Departments after
the first annual fundraising game between Windham
High's Unified basketball and Windham Police and 
Fire-Rescue to raise money for Windham's Best Buddies
program. The event was held at Windham High School
on Wednesday, March 18.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Windham’s Unified team earned its second win of the season over the Police and Fire Department members, 67-27, but this game was more about ending the season on a high note of inclusion and fun.

“This was an amazing opportunity and a lot of fun,” said Windham School Resource Officer Justin Hudnor. “So glad to be able to do this and interact with the kids and see all the smiles. Everybody just had a great time.”

After a rough tally of the money raised, it was over $1,000 which will go to Windham High School’s Best Buddies Program. Mini basketballs were given to the Unified team, and two regular size basketballs were signed by both teams, with one staying at Windham High School, and one staying at the Windham Police Department.

“It’s a great way to get the community together and spread awareness,” said Windham sophomore and Unified partner Nate Plati. “Being here just puts a smile on everybody’s face. You look in the stands during any game everybody’s cheering for everybody and having a great time. It’s something you don’t know a lot about until you’re working with the kids firsthand, and to see what they have to deal with. (I joined) the Best Buddies Program, I became passionate and I wanted to help out.”

This was a game focused on having a good time, but Windham’s Unified team did play some great basketball. They took the lead early and held onto it until the final buzzer. The Eagles had strong offense and defense. Windham senior Zach O’Brion sank a three-pointer in the second half. Freshman Theron McLauchlan sank a three-pointer in the first half. Sophomore Maddi Small made two baskets.

“In a world where we see the worst of society, it was great playing with kids like this,” said Windham Police Sgt. James Cook. “The score doesn’t matter, the excitement on their faces, the amount of people that came out, just a great community event that can ... brings a little bit of extra happiness. To see the community involvement to make this more than just a basketball game. I’ve already had people mention that to me to do it again next year.”

O’Brion said it felt good to win. He said the season was good; they had good seniors this season. This fundraiser was important because it raised money for the Best Buddies program and brought awareness to everyone being included.

Junior and Unified partner Tavia Goulette said it’s really enjoyable to spend time with the unified players and see the joy this brings them and the whole community. It’s a great thing to be a part of. It’s really about bringing everyone together and getting rid of that separation of partners and players.

“We have a lot of great people in this school in the Police Department, the Fire Department,” said Windham Unified assistant coach Connor McNeil. “I’m hopeful it gave a chance for people who may not be aware (of the Unified or Best Buddies programs) to see the impact it has on students feeling like they belong and getting a chance to celebrate everybody. We had a lot of fun this season. We didn’t win a lot, but I think we had the most fun that I’ve had in a while for unified. It’s a great group of kids and there’s a lot of leaders within those kids; once people participate in unified, they keep coming back.

Congratulations to seniors O’Brion, Mary Jean and Jack Shirley, junior Olivia Edwards, sophomores Small and Tristan Stanley and freshmen Martina Pennell, Akeira Howard, Bekah Denis and McLauchlan on a fantastic season. <

Three WHS seniors sign college athletic letters of intent

By Matt Pascarella

Three Windham seniors Nola Bryant, Addison Caiazzo and Karl Longstreth signed letters of intent at Windham High School on Wednesday, March 18.

From left, Windham High seniors Addison Caiazzo, Nola
Bryant and Karl Longstreth sign athletic letters of intent
on Wednesday, March 18. Caiazzo will play softball at
Southern New Hampshire University while Bryant will
play soccer and softball at Husson University. Longstreth
will compete in track and field at the University of Southern
Maine. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA    

Nola Bryant – Husson College, Bangor

“I think as athletes it’s important to show everything we’ve worked for really validates all the hard work we’ve put in,” said Bryant who will play softball and soccer while majoring in nursing. “It’s really exciting to know that ... I’m actually going to play in college.”

Bryant started playing soccer around age 4 or 5 in the Windham Youth Soccer Association. She started softball a little later and didn’t like softball at first but quickly fell in love with it.

Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel said Bryant is hardworking and gives 100 percent. Bryant is a great role model, and her dedication to soccer will make her fit right in at Husson.

“She has shown me maturity, responsibility, organizational skills and a real love for her teammates,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “She earned her starting spot in center field sophomore year and has not looked back since. She’s always looking out for her people and ... is caring. Nola is a two-time state champ and completed her junior season in the outfield with zero errors and a handful of game-saving dives.”

Addison Caiazzo – Southern New Hampshire University; Hooksett, New Hampshire

Caiazzo will play softball and major in business. She started playing travel softball at age 7. Caiazzo’s dad’s love of the game quickly shifted to her love of the game and stuck.

“It was very important for me to be able to talk to all my coaches and Nola was here, so a teammate,” said Caiazzo. “It was bittersweet; I’m just really glad because one thing I really wanted to do is play softball in college and being able to do that is a dream come true.”

Gardiner said Caiazzo is naturally athletic but has big goals for herself. She’s a four-year varsity starter and has handled a lot of pressure right at shortstop from the beginning. Gardiner said Addison brings her fun personality, joy and passion to all the kids around her. She will be greatly missed by her teammates and the community next year. Caiazzo is a team captain, a two-time state championship winner and has started every game at shortstop with only one error.

Karl Longstreth – University of Southern Maine, Gorham

“Karl has been a top performer in the Southern Maine Activities Association as well as the state-level for the past three years,” said Windham boys’ track and field coach Paula Pock. “This past indoor track season Karl started exceptionally strong but was sidelined with a quad injury. He ... made the difficult decision to take the rest of the season to recover. He’s back to his usual form and set some goals for outdoors. He’ll keep up his momentum at USM, and they are lucky to have him.”

Longstreth, will major in sports management and run track. He’d like to get into coaching. He tried other sports as a kid but the more he ran track the more he decided to put all his marbles in that jar. Track has a different competitive field compared to other sports and he really liked it a lot.

“For me to not do this signing would be very disrespectful to my past teammates, past coaches, my family friends that have watched me run over the years,” said Longstreth. “I’ve been doing this since I was 7 years old. I really wanted to make this something special for the people around me.” <

Windham softball clinic helps prepare younger athletes for new season

By Matt Pascarella

As the spring softball season nears, Windham High School’s varsity softball players and coaches put on a winter clinic to teach athletes ages 7 to 12 the skills of the game, along with technique while establishing a connection with varsity players and coaches. The six-week clinic runs through the end of March.

Windham seventh grader Annabelle Stilwell practices making
a dicing catch during the Windham High School Winter
Softball Clinic at Windham High on Sunday, March 15.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I love softball,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “As much as I love my high school kids, there really is a different type of joy being able to work with the younger athletes. Not only do I get to know them beforehand, making that connection with them when they are in third, fourth, or fifth grade, really helps our program a lot as they get older. These girls are learning softball for the first time, so to see them dive headfirst for the first time and make a catch, that’s some pure joy that you don’t always see with the older girls because they do it every day. Working with these younger girls ... helps us connect with the community and our softball team.”

The clinic focuses on teaching proper softball mechanics to younger athletes from the beginning. Regardless of age, teaching proper throwing mechanics is a big focus point and helps Gardiner when the younger athletes make it to the high school level. Hitting mechanics is another aspect that gets focus during the clinic. Gardiner needs all her players to understand weight and balance and to swing the bat hard.

Windham High School varsity athletes along with the WHS softball coaches lead the clinic. This gives the up-and-coming softball athletes a chance to establish relationships and learn from the varsity players and it gives the varsity players an opportunity to teach their skillset to a younger generation.

“It’s fun and there’s nice coaches,” said Windham seventh grader Annabelle Stilwell. “It’s taught me a lot of communication and how to keep your eye on the ball. I practice a lot and play for travel teams. My goal for this clinic was to show up and do my best. I’d like to play varsity softball when I’m in high school.”

Windham senior Nola Bryant said that the clinic has been a perfect opportunity for young athletes to come and get extra reps before the season starts. They have seen many athletes improve over the past few weeks. Bryant said when athletes are consistent with the program each year, it can really help improve their performance on the field. The clinic can make a big difference in play if a player is consistent in their attendance each year, she said.

“Starting this clinic four years ago, I maybe had two or three pitchers here, now I’ve got 10 to 12 pitchers,” said Gardiner. “The big thing in softball is pitching and catching; and getting them started here in this clinic is how you build the pitching. We’re used to the Brooke Gerrys and the Kennedy Kimballs. We don’t have a Brooke or Kennedy anymore. Brooke and Kennedy both started in a clinic just like this. So, to get those younger kids to understand this is the start to build a foundation for the pitching and catching is huge.”

Bryant said she’s had the chance to work with the kids in many different game situations, and the clinic makes her a better player by giving her the opportunity to become a better leader. She’s also got the chance to help the athletes with their throwing mechanics, things like arms slots, following through, and stepping.

There are two softball clinic sessions remaining on Sunday, March 22 and Sunday, March 29. The drop-in fee is $15. The regular clinic runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. with pitchers and catchers from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. If you cannot make the first half, you can drop in during the pitching and catching portion. <

Former WHS star athlete shifts focus to academics to achieve long-term goals

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High graduate Ezra Foster is currently a sophomore at the University of Maine Orono studying mechanical engineering. While at Windham High School he played football and ran track in the spring and played in the prestigious senior Lobster Bowl in 2024. Once he got to college though, he decided to hang up his cleats and focus on academics as he felt this was the best decision for his long-term goals.

Windham High and University of
Maine Orono sophomore Ezra
Foster is majoring in mechanical
engineering. He made the decision
to hang up his cleats and focus on
his academics and says this was best
for his long-term goals.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

“I was very interested in residential real estate development, which is something I grew up watching my father do,” said Foster who started his time at the University of Maine Orono majoring in finance and accounting with a minor in construction engineering. “I thought that path would give me useful financial and planning skills, along with some technical knowledge for that field. However, after my first year, I realized I was more drawn to the technical and problem-solving side of things. Mechanical engineering felt like a better fit for my interests and strengths, and I also liked that it would give me a wider range of career opportunities across different industries.”

While hanging up his cleats for good, Foster says that he loves everything about being part of a team. Foster stays active through intramural sports like flag football and floor hockey. He also enjoys playing pickup basketball in his free time. It’s nice for him to be part of a team environment in a fun, competitive way.

“I met Ezra through my cousin Jake who also attended Windham high school,” said University of Maine Orono sophomore Richard Marston. “I became closer with Ezra as we started to hangout when we got to college and take courses in accounting and management together. Ezra is a leader because of his go-getter attitude. He doesn’t fret over obstacles or roadblocks. He just figures out ways to execute and solve. Ezra has presence in every room he enters. He is friendly, creative, and always looking to help others. Anyone you ask at UMaine that has encountered Ezra has nothing but positive things to say about him. Above all they appreciate his hustle and work ethic.”

Since Foster started at the University of Maine Orono, he’s maintained a 3.98 GPA with a full course load.

“Growing up playing sports in Windham taught me discipline, time management, and accountability at an early age,” said Foster. “My coaches played a huge role in reinforcing those values and pushing me to be consistent and responsible both on and off the field. Those lessons have carried over into college and continue to influence the way I conduct myself every day.”

Since switching his major to mechanical engineering, Foster was a little nervous about the increased workload. However, he earned a 4.0 GPA during his first semester in the engineering program.

Foster received the Construction Financial Management Association scholarship last spring. The Construction Financial Management Association’s goal is to help construction financial professionals through education, networking and information.

“Don’t be afraid to change your direction if you discover something you are passionate about,” said Foster in giving advice to current high school students looking to attend college. “It's okay to not know exactly what direction you'd like to take right out of the gate. Often, you get a better understanding of what you want to do as you continue to have new experiences and meet new people. Building good habits early on can make a big difference; it’s ... important to get involved, meet new people and make the most of your experience.” <

 

WHS swim team shows improvement in Class A State Swimming and Diving Championships

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s swimming team competed against schools from all over the state during the Class A Swimming and Diving Championships at Colby College in Waterville on Friday, March 6 with the Windham boys finishing sixth with a score of 171 and the Windham girls finishing 14th with a score of 26.

Windham sophomore Stephanie Roghelia competes in the
100-yard breaststroke race during the Class A State 
Swimming and Diving Championships at Colby College
in Waterville on Friday, March 6.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

“Each race had a strategy but mostly enter the meet with confidence of preparation,” said WHS swim coach Peter Small. “We always want to see swimmers drop times – to be able to improve upon both the time and the technique that they have done previously. In a sport where you can't 'play defense' against an opponent, we are always racing the clock. Everybody believed in themselves; that confidence can go a long way and was lifted up by their teammates. A positive attitude, obviously along with the training that they did, was a huge help. Between both the regionals and the state meet, this group had one of the stronger post-season improvements.”

BOYS

In the 200-yard medley relay made up of sophomores Beckett Bragdon, Peter Funk, Rocco DiDonato and junior Sullivan Scharf of Windham finished second with a time of 1:45.41 minutes.

In the 500-freestyle Scharf finished in first place with a time of 4.54.84. Scharf finished second in the 200-individual medley with a 2:01.79 time.

Funk finished third in the 200-freestyle with a 1:48.71 time and fourth in the 100-butterfly with a 55.35-second time. 

DiDonato finished 10th in the 500 with a time of 5.46.60.

In the 100-breaststroke, Bragdon finished seventh with a 1:07.11 time.

Sophomores Luke Hangee, Mahiro Hammond, Bragdon, DiDonato and Hilmer also placed and saw significant improvements and time drops during the meet.

“My expectations coming in were to win, but as a team to place better than we did last year,” said Scharf. “Our technique was really good today; the effort and team morale has been really good today. It’s a good meet in general. Finishing first in the 500 was such a great feeling and definitely proved that hard work pays off. The time recorded at the state championship was not my best time during the season, but my best time in the season was only a few seconds off.”

GIRLS

The relay team of freshmen Lauren Nickel, Aubrey McInnis, sophomore Stephanie Roghelia and junior Maya Fitts finished 12th in the 200-freestyle relay with a time of 2:16.46. They finished 14th in the 200-medley relay with a 2:42.84 time.

In the 50-freestyle, sophomore Roghelia finished 10th with a time of 26.62, a personal record for her. She finished 14th in the 100-breaststroke with a time of 1:17.09.

“My goal going into (today’s) meet was to show off all of my hard work,” said Roghelia. “I wanted to represent my team as best as I could. I think my team did amazing. We had so many swimmers swim new personal bests and podium. Overall, I’m proud of how I did because I achieved my goal. Not only did I swim a new personal best in the 50-freestyle, but I also beat that best by splitting an even faster time when I swam in the 200-freestyle relay. Our times and sportsmanship went well during the meet, all of us did such a great job representing WHS swimming with each and every personal best. We did such a great job cheering each other and other swimmers on.” <

Windham Police and Fire Department members prepare for Unified basketball fundraiser

By Matt Pascarella

Members from Windham’s Police and Fire Departments will play a friendly game against the Windham High Unified basketball team to end the season at Windham High School on Wednesday, March 18 in what will hopefully become a yearly tradition. The game will be a fundraiser for Windham’s Best Buddies program which pairs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a peer buddy without a disability to help foster genuine friendships, reduce social isolation, and promote inclusion.

Windham senior Jack Shirley prepares to make a basket
during a Unified basketball game against South Portland
on Feb.25. Windham's Unified basketball team will play
a game against members of Windham Police and Fire
Departments on March 18 at Windham High in a fundraiser
for the Best Buddies program.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA    

According to their website, Best Buddies is dedicated to creating opportunities for one-on-one friendships, employment, leadership, inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I’ve been aware of unified for a few years, I’ve seen games at other schools,” said Windham Police Sgt. James Cook, who came up with the fundraising game idea.

“Special Olympics is a very impactful thing. What we (as officers) give to the athletes we get in return multiplied. The important part of the fundraiser is to allow the Best Buddies program and unified team to increase what they do, and to support these kids ... and show them the community cares about them and what they have achieved. The world’s not always a warm and friendly place and if the community can come out and cheer these kids on it’d be a great thing.”

Money raised through this fundraiser will go directly back to Windham High School’s Best Buddies program. Part of the money will go toward sending Best Buddies chapter leaders to the international conference this summer. The money raised will also go towards providing activities during Best Buddies monthly meetings and will also help cover resources for events outside of school, program materials, and merchandise.

“Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves,” said Windham junior Bailey Ward, who started WHS’s chapter of Best Buddies. “We want Best Buddies to be a judgment-free space where friendships can grow, and everyone feels valued and included. I truly believe that everyone deserves friendship, no matter who they are. Our world is such a beautiful place made up of so many amazing people, and programs like Best Buddies help bring those people together. Our club has supported Unified Sports and worked to promote inclusion throughout the school.”

Ward’s goal is to make Windham a place where everyone feels accepted and valued for who they are. Best Buddies helps to make that possible.

“From a coach’s perspective the goal of this game is to raise awareness of the great opportunities at WHS for students with and without disabilities,” said Windham’s Unified basketball assistant coach Connor McNeill. “This year we have had the highest number of students participating in Unified Sports since it has started. Special Olympics and Unified Sports have a great history of being supported by law enforcement. High school sports are also a way to celebrate the great parts of our community. In my time at RSU 14, as both a coach and a teacher, I have always been impressed with and have valued the close connection between our schools and the community police department. What a great way to celebrate these connections by having a game together.”

The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. at Windham High School on Wednesday, March 18.

A suggested donation of $5 is asked to attend the game, but McNeill said anyone may attend. If you have never been to a Unified sports game, McNeill encourages anyone to come check it out, you will not leave disappointed.

“To see that connection the kids make with the community and the people around them is a wonderful thing,” said Cook. “We’re looking for this to be more a fun event than anything else.” <

Wolfpack middle school wrestling starts season off with strong match

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Gray New-Gloucester/Gorham Wolfpack middle school wrestling team had their season opener against Falmouth and York at Windham Middle School on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Wolfpack came out aggressively and the room roared with cheers and excitement during each match. The Wolfpack tied Falmouth, 27-27, and beat York, 18-16.

Windham eighth grader Grady Johnson pins his opponent
to the mat during a middle school wrestling meet against
Falmouth and York at Windham Middle School on 
Thursday, Feb. 26. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“(My approach was) to try my best, win or lose, I still got the support from my team that I needed, they helped me out a lot,” said Windham eighth grader Natalie Reeves. “That was my first ever match, I’ve never wrestled before but my team ... and coaches have been really helpful. I knew going in I got this. It was really nerve-racking; I had a big adrenaline rush going in. A lot of support from other teammates (went well) and a lot of good victories on our team, even if we lost, we put up a really good fight. To keep fighting through my match (needs work). My takeaway from today was things went really good because I won and because I learned more about wrestling.”

Nolan Schmoyer, a Gorham seventh grader, wrestled first and took his Falmouth opponent to the mat several times. Schmoyer stayed with him, took him down and pinned him after two rounds.

Reeves was very aggressive in her first time on the mat. Although she did not pin her Falmouth challenger, she showed excellent effort, resulting in many points and she won the match 23-13.

Windham sixth grader Finn Turner had a nice takedown and wasn’t about to be pinned by Falmouth. Falmouth tried hard to flip him onto his back, but he would not allow that to happen. He won the match 6-0.

Eighth grader Grady Johnson of Windham pinned his York opponent and wrestled Falmouth as well during the meet. Johnson had several stellar takedowns and won the match 8-0 against his opponent.

“(Going into this match) was to know you worked harder than the opponent and stick to your plan,” said Johnson. “If you have confidence in your plan that’s confident wrestling. The team was great – even if we were getting pinned or we were ahead, we were on our feet with great team spirit. (We need to work on) going into a match (managing our) nerves. This was a great first meet, the energy was amazing, the energy was on point; we’re going to be prepared for the next one.”

Anthony Tucci, a Gray New-Gloucester sixth grader, fought hard against Falmouth but got pinned.

Sixth grader Lincoln Wiley from Gray New-Gloucester wrestled hard in his match against York. It was a tough battle and while avoiding being pinned, he lost the match, 13-6.

Coach Nick Buckley said the team had been practicing for three weeks prior to this meet. He wanted to cover the basics and be fundamentally sound and hard-working going into the meet. For a lot of the team this was the first time they’d wrestled, and Buckley wasn’t sure what he was going to see from them.

“I was pleasantly surprised with the spark they had and the effort they gave,” said Buckley. “Some eighth graders who had rough years last year... led the way. We got to keep learning new moves and building on that. Our takedowns were good, but we got to work on breaking people down to their bellies a little better. I thought the kids did well and carried themselves with pride and support. To hear them cheering for one another, I love that. The wins and losses are nice to get, but it’s learning how to be a good teammate.”

He saw a lot of good teammates during the meet. <

Windham High’s Unified basketball battles hard late in game but falls to South Portland

By Matt Pascarella

More than halfway through the season, Windham’s Unified basketball team is really looking good, and this was on full display during their game against South Portland at South Portland High School on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Windham trailed by only one point at halftime and as the clock was winding down in the second half, they made a stellar push to pull ahead in this exciting game. However, the Red Riots grabbed the lead and were able to hold onto it until the final buzzer winning 49-38.

e

Windham freshman Akeira Howard rushes toward the hoop
during a Unified basketball game at South Portland
High School on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“We had good defense,” said Windham Unified basketball head coach Anne Blake. “The team is coming together; we had much better passing and sharing of the ball; it was an awesome game.”

To start, Windham exhibited great offense and kept up with South Portland for a large portion of the first half. A basket from Windham freshman Bekah Denis helped to tie up the game at 10-10.

The Eagles hustled and rebounded. Windham freshman Theron McLauchlan sank a three-pointer as the clock wound down in the first half.

The defense and hustle went really well,” said McLauchlan. “It was fun; it felt good (to sink that three-pointer). I felt it was a little bit of luck and a little bit of skill at the same time.”

In the second half, Windham Unified players went hard after the ball as they tried to take the lead. Windham freshman Akeira Howard gathered in at least two turnovers where she snagged the ball and headed for the hoop.

Senior Zach O’Brion sank a three-pointer.

“(I think this game went) good,” said O’Brion. “We lost, but we had good steals and (lots of good teamwork).”

The game was very close toward the end of the second half, with Windham only two or three points away from tying the game. Windham’s offense worked hard, but not all the shots that Windham took fell.

The Eagles did not give up; they kept at it until the final buzzer. South Portland was able to take the lead and hold on to it until the final buzzer.

Junior Olivia Edwards, who scored eight points for the Eagles, said that Windham had great teamwork. She said they passed the ball well and took good shots, like the three-pointers. Edwards said she had fun and is looking forward to the next game.

“I think we did a good job of fighting for rebounds and defending as best we could but ultimately, I think the size difference was too much for us,” said Windham Unified basketball assistant coach Connor McNeill. “We have been off for a while due to school vacation and snow days. I think the more we get our stamina back the better prepared we will be for the next game.”

Windham’s Unified basketball team is composed of students with and without developmental disabilities playing together on the same team competing for their school against other schools in their league and area. The Unified sports movement is built on the premise that through sport and playing together, players see one another for what they can do, not for what they cannot do. <