Acceptance and friendship are wonderful things about a team - By Stephanie Coffin

Team: Coming together as a team to achieve a common goal. 

Diversity: Encompasses acceptance and respect. 

Friendship: A friendly feeling or attitude, a kindness given to someone. 

These are all words that describe what Andrew Tanguay and David Cross sought when they joined the Windham High School boys basketball team. Both boys sought to be part of a team, to develop friendships that they saw other kids having and to be accepted while they were able to enjoy participating in a sport they loved.

When asking Coach Kevin Millington what it was like to have Andrew and David on his team he stated, “They are wonderful and it’s been such a joy to have them around.” Both boys are seniors this year and they are leaving high school knowing they made friends and were accepted for whom they are and not what challenges they have had.

David played basketball his first two years of high school, he didn't play last year but came back this year to wrap up his high school career. Andrew has been with the team all four years. Coach Millington commented, “They bring an incredible enthusiasm for basketball and their team. It is so clear how much they love playing and being around the guys. If you saw them in school, they are very proud to be a part of our team. Their enthusiasm is contagious and brings a real positive energy to everyone.”

It’s is really hard to measure how much they have meant to the coaches alone. The coaches have watched the boys make friends with the guys, especially the seniors. They often sit together at lunch or just hang out in the "eagles nest" - the tables outside the cafe. It was such a wonderful example of acceptance and tolerance that the coaches were proud just as much off the court. “I am always amazed by kids and how great they can be to each other. Andrew and David reminded us (fellow coaches) everyday how important it is to love the game. It is tough at times during a high school career. It's not always as fun as it is when they are younger because things get more competitive. They remind us often that this is just a game,” said Millington.  

As Andrew and David played their last game in the quarterfinals, the seniors and coaches had tears in their eyes knowing it was over, Andrew reminded them one more time, that it’s just a game. “Outside of a state championship, I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way” said Millington.

These boys kept the team grounded and always put a smile on their face. Andrew will be taking a break after high school and then continue on to CMCC in the agricultural program and hopes to be able to join another sports team where he will continue his passion for sports.

Cassie Symonds earns Gatorade Player of the Year for second time - by Stephanie Coffin

The Gatorade Player of the Year is an athletic awards program that annually recognizes one winner in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia across twelve different sports. Winners are selected based on athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. Since its inception 29 years ago, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has become one of the most prestigious high school athletic awards in the nation. All Gatorade State Players of the Year win a trophy, and their schools also receive a trophy and banner to display.

If you have been in the gym at Windham High School recently you may have noticed two of these banners displayed on the wall. Both of these banners displaying the name of Cassie Symonds, recognized for Girls Soccer for both the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

It is an accomplishment that this young lady has been nominated, considered, voted and given such a prestigious award the last two seasons. 

Cassie is a senior this year and has been playing soccer since she was in kindergarten. Her position on the girls soccer team is center midfield which is one of the toughest positions in all of soccer. The team that is able to control the middle of field usually wins. As a result, the midfielder position is critical to success. Many coaches put their best players at midfield. The demands of this position require more running than other soccer positions. Midfielders must survey the offense and find open teammates to set up attacks. They should be smart enough to get the ball to the wing and quick enough to cover the defenders when needed. This includes having ball handling and dribbling skills when closely marked themselves.

Some of Cassie’s other awards and/or recognition were honorable mention her freshman year, 2^nd team All-Conference her sophomore year and for the last two years she was given the Portland Press Telegram Player award. Being a member of the Windham High School Girls Soccer team for 4 years and the team winning states for 2013 and 2014 seasons. Cassie was also very fortunate to play two years of soccer with her older sister Jordan and one year with her younger sister Maggie who both also have a passion for soccer. 

As Cassie graduates this year she is looking forward to continue playing soccer for College of the Holy Cross (Division 1) School in Western Massachusetts where she will be studying in the pre-business program.

Young boy raises money through the Kids Helping Horses project

At first glance Zander Unger might seem like an ordinary eleven-year-old boy. He loves animals and is involved in an array of activities – archery, tennis, skiing, horseback riding– and he is a little shy. But after a few minutes with Zander and his mother, Jen Cote, it becomes quickly apparent that Zander’s altruistic spirit is anything but ordinary. 

Since December 2013, Zander has raised $3,784 for the horses at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, through a project that he and his mother created under the name Kids Helping Horses. Jen and Zander came up with the idea after attending the Cumberland County Fair and speaking with an MSSPA volunteer about the organization’s annual Buy a Bale Campaign. In previous years, Jen and Zander had visited the MSSPA, but hadn’t been personally involved. At the time of the fair, Jen, who teaches a community of homeschooled children that includes Zander, had been looking for a way to teach marketing skills. 

When asked how the project began, Zander hesitates, as though it is something that he’s always done or was built into his character. After all he began taking care of the bunnies at Hearts and Horses in Maine when he was only four years old, and horse rehabilitation has always been close to his heart. 

Kids Helping Horses, whose ultimate mission is to raise money for the horses at the MSSPA, got into full swing when Zander and Jen recruited a group of five children and together began envisioning a strategic plan. It went like this: The group created a large number of donation cans that they would place in local businesses. Zander and the other children in the group came up with a number of community businesses they wanted to approach and started going door to door. When asked how he approached each business, Zander replied, “I just said ‘Hi I’m Zander and I’m trying to raise money for the MSSPA, a place that helps rehabilitate horses that were abused and neglected’.” At first he was a little shy, but with time it got easier.

But like any new enterprise the group sometimes had to reevaluate its strategy when the collections were small. For instance, they learned that it was important to have the cans located near the register, and that the cans needed to be neat and well presented, but also compelling enough to appeal to people’s emotions. Throughout it all, they were honing their marketing skills. 

Kids Helping Horses picks up their collections weekly and, after finding out that the bank would charge a percentage to use the coin machine, the group decided to roll the coins themselves – almost $4,000 to date. “We wanted to make sure every penny went to the horses,” Zander said. 

When asked to choose four words to describe himself, Zander hesitated then finally said, “When I’m trying to do something, I usually first try to do it and if it doesn’t work, I usually try to step back and try to look at what’s happening and see how to fix it or make it easier to do.” 

These skills have served him well in the success of Kids Helping Horses, but Zander gives no sign of slowing down. On the contrary, when speaking with Zander and Jen one gets the sense that the project is really just starting. Kids Helping Horses’ overarching goal is to expand the group throughout the state of Maine. Zander and Jen are currently working on a website that will not only tell other kids about the project but, more importantly, will give them detailed information on how they too can participate, including tips on creating the best collection cans and useful marketing strategies they learned along the way. 

At home in South Portland, Zander has six cats, one dog, three rabbits, and a few fish – all rescues, even the fish. His family also fosters animals through the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. When asked what his favorite animal is, Zander answered – you guessed it – horses. Beyond animals and philanthropy, one of Zander’s hobbies includes Odyssey of the Mind, an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Zander has been participating in the program since he was seven years old, and has been incredibly successful, winning several state competitions, and even going to the Worlds Final in Iowa, where he met children from all over the world. He is drawn to technical and invention projects and thinks he might want to be an engineer someday. 

Lucky for us, for the foreseeable future Zander and Kids Helping Horses will continue to be one of the organization’s greatest advocates, helping raise awareness and money for the horses at the MSSPA.

For more information on Kids Helping Horses, please contact Manuela Arundel at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals by phone at 892-30410, or email Manuela@msspa.org.

Quaterfinals - lady Eagles face off against Gorham Rams - Stephanie Coffin

They were thought of as the underdog. However, the Windham girls basketball team proved they were not going to be left behind and/or forgotten. Windham defeated Falmouth to move on to the quarterfinals in overtime winning 51-46.

The Windham fans came out to watch their Lady Eagles face the Gorham Rams Monday afternoon for the quarterfinal matchup. Windham had lost earlier in the season to the Rams, but put in a great show of effort to prove they were in contingent to move forward. Gorham took the lead in the game, but the team kept the pace with the Rams for most of the first half of the game Monday until the final minute and half of the first half. The Ram also known as Abby Hamilton, made several 3-pointers to start a 12-0 run and the Rams pulled ahead with a 15-point halftime lead. 

Windham did a great job with stopping Emily Esposito from getting the ball, Gorham’s Abby Hamilton stepped up for the team and was able to walk away with 24 points to her name. 

Sadie Nelson led the Windham Eagles with 14 points along with Ciera Berthiaume and Macy Mannette with 6 points each.

“Too much of Hamilton and Esposito overall,” said Windham Coach Brody Artes. “It’s very difficult when you have two players that are very good and very versatile to defend them.”

The final score of the quarterfinal game was Windham 36 Gorham 62.

Quaterfinals - number 8 Windham faces number 1 Portland - By Stephanie Coffin

It was a long road to the playoffs this season for the Windham High varsity basketball team. The boys has some losses and some well-deserved wins, the team had some injuries they had to work around as they headed into the playoff tournament. On Tuesday, February 2^nd the Eagles hosted Thornton Academy and came out the victors in a score of 43-38, which enabled them to head to the quarterfinals.

On Friday the 13^th the Windham varsity boys arrived at the Portland Expo to go head to head against the Portland Bull Dogs. The Bull Dogs came out strong and outscored the Eagles in the first quarter of the game 13-5. During the second quarter Windham found their footing and went nose to nose against Portland and took the most points ending the first half of the game Windham 18 and Portland 23 bringing the game closer and making the fans happy.

The Bull Dogs owned the third quarter. However, the Eagles made the fourth quarter theirs, but it wasn’t enough to win the game. Windham senior Troy Davis ended the game with 14 points and senior Greg Gledhill followed right behind with 13 points. Stephen Alex and Amir Moss both were top scorers for the Bull Dogs with 16 points apiece. The Eagles lost to the Bull Dogs 50-57.

Coach Millington and his coaching staff said, “We are very proud of these boys and are happy to have been a part of this experience.” Senior Andrew Tanguay was able to shine one last time as a part of this team when he took to the court and scored a 3-point basket ending the season. Congratulations Eagles on the 2014-2015 season.

 

Samantha Frank - a genuine inspiration to other young girls - By Stephanie Coffin

She was a 12-year-old girl who wanted to play football like her big brother, but was told she couldn’t by her father, so she turned her attention to another sport. Samantha stepped ‘out of the box’ and to a sport that would make her the young lady she is today, a sport that she would stand out in as a female, a sport that would help her focus her attention and energy on what would help define her.
 

Samantha Frank, a girl who is known to her friends and family as “Sam” started wrestling when she was in the seventh grade and continued up through to her senior year at Windham High School. During this time Sam has won multiple state championships, a New England Championship and also competed in the National tournament in California where she placed second in the country. School records were broken by Sam and she was first female captain of the Windham wrestling team. Years of self-discipline, strict diets, several practices a day and support from family and friends helped her become the person and the athlete she is today. 

Sam is now a freshman at the University of Maine at Orono where she is studying nursing. Along with focusing on her nursing major, Sam is part of the cheering team and the Welcome Committee for the Orono campus. Though she was offered scholarships from the University of Idaho and another from a college in Kansas, Sam had decided to give up on wrestling and focus on her nursing studies.

However, she could not retire her wrestling shoes just yet, she still has some competition in her that needs to be let out. The UMaine Coach approached Sam and asked her to be part of the wrestling team. After deciding that she missed the sport, Sam decided to join the team. “It feels great getting back at it, and I'm really glad that I didn't stop after nationals,” Sam admits. Upon returning to the mat, she participated in two only girls’ events in one day, the 2015 UNB Wrestling Invitational and the Eastern Canadian Championship in New Brunswick. Sam took home the gold in the Women’s 48 Kg event and went 7-0 with wins for the day.              

Back in the wrestling mode, Sam is planning to continue this sport and represent UMaine for the remainder of college. You can also find Sam working with the Southern Maine Trappers where she was offered and has accepted a job coaching girls who want to participate in the sport of wrestling. 

When asked how she felt about teaching the art of wrestling to incoming young girls, she stated, “It's honestly so humbling to be an inspiration to young girls in the sport. I know what it's like to have someone to look up to, and how highly I think of the people I look up to, so I'm really grateful and flattered that some girls do look up to me. It helps me to strive to be a better person, and not to give up when times get tough because I have so many people behind me who would be let down. It's pushed me through my high school career and it's definitely followed me through college, on and off the mat.”

“I like that people have expectations for me, because it gives me something to work at, and something to exceed. I like to go above and beyond and continue to surprise myself and others around me. I think that being offered the coaching position was really just a cherry on top of all of my busy work. I had always seen myself as a helper and a coach but never thought I would be getting into it so young. It's really an awesome experience and it will help me grow as a wrestler, and as a person. I am most excited to help them to set goals, and work hard every day at practice and in every match to reach their goals.”

“I think that it's really important to set goals because it's something to work for and it gives you a sense of worth once you reach them. It's a feeling that you can take with you in anything, not just wrestling. If you can set goals, and achieve them I think that it makes you realize how much you truly can accomplish if you just set your mind to it and work at it. Wrestling has definitely become a huge part of my life, and it's truly changed who I am as a person. My coaches have had a huge impact on me, and they're most of the reason I am who I am today. So being able to be that mentor, and leader that an athlete looks up to really is a huge complement and I hope to make a positive impact on all of them, as my coaches did for me.” 

It’s easy to see why and how this young lady has become an inspiration not only to young girls but to girls her own age. Sam is not only inspiring girls, she is inspiring the parents of those girls to make sure daughters are encouraged to aspire to their own potential and remember to “step out of the box” like Sam has. 

Windham boys varisity basketball hosts Bonny Eagle in the last game of the season - By Stephanie Coffin

In the last game of the season Windham hosted the Scots of Bonny Eagle. The last time the Eagles faced the Scots it was a high energy game that came down to the last quarter of the game in which the Eagles lost. This time the game came down to the last minute of play with the Scots winning by three.

The high energy of the game was similar to watching a tennis match as the audience moved their heads from side to side as possession of the ball changed hands continuously. The first quarter was led by Windham scoring 18 and Bonny Eagle 9, then the second quarter was led by Bonny Eagle scoring 17 and Windham 9, following up with the third and fourth quarters neck and neck in the points. 

 

Windham’s senior Kevin Weisser led the Eagles with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks and senior Ryan Gorman added 12 points for the team. Bonny Eagles Ben Malloy finished the game with his team’s high of 20 points to help the Scots win 63-60.