In the early morning of January 9th, twelve finalists in the Wells Junior High School Spelling Bee for 2025 entered the Ward Gymnasium to compete in a school-wide assembly in front of an audience of hundreds of students. The finalists consisted of three students per grade level.  They all placed first in earlier pre-qualifying classroom spelling bees.   

The finalists were 5th-grade students Lucy Minogue, Lucie Parker, and Jordan Schettino.   Sixth-graders present were Tyler Donahue, Eric Lee, and Will Minogue.  From the 7th grade were Kyle Dolliver, Riley Gosselin, and Carmen Puliafico.  Representing the 8th grade were Kylie Afthim, Scarlett Lantz, and Laila VanWeest.

“It was great to see the enthusiasm, respect, and excitement that the audience showed the spellers,” commented English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Julie Esch.  “It was a lot of fun!”   

Sixth-grade student Tyler Donahue won this year’s Bee.   In the deciding round, he spelled the words ‘séance’ and ‘vociferous’ correctly in that order.  Eighth-grade student and runner-up Scarlett Lantz advanced to the final round by correctly spelling the word ‘impeccable’ but misspelling the next word, ‘séance’.  Both students will now represent their school at the York County Spelling Bee on February 4th in the library at Massabesic Middle School in East Waterboro at 2:00 pm. 

“It was something,” said an excited and surprised Tyler Donahue.  “I never thought I would get first place, let alone second or third.  It's amazing.”    Regarding the final word of the contest, he added that “I was just in the dark” when presented with the word, ‘vociferous’. 

The first-place prize awarded to Donahue was a deluxe Scrabble board.  Those who placed in the top four of contestants received medals.  All of the participating students received pencils with “WJHS Spelling Bee” imprinted on them plus some Smarties Candy. 

This year’s judges of the contest included ELA teachers Mary Rand, Laney Yeomelakis, Molly Foran, Sarah Downs, and Daysia Cornett.  Music teacher Alison Graichen operated the sound system for the hour-long event.          

York County junior high students participating in this first stage of the National Spelling Bee will join with WJHS finalists in the State Spelling Bee to be held at Bowdoin College in Brunswick on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  Students who win state competitions are then invited to participate in the National Spelling Bee held in the spring.  Began in 1925, the National Spelling Bee is administered by the E.W. Scripps Company and 267 sponsors in the United States. and elsewhere.

During a regular school committee meeting on December 4th, Wells-Ogunquit CSD Superintendent James Daly recognized and thanked the following people for their contributions to the community and District.  Awarded with praise and plaques of recognition were Adam Shaw, Scott DeFelice, and Courtland Holloway.

Scott DeFelice, a member of the Wells Board of Selectmen, responded quickly to those who suddenly found their apartment homes and belongings gone because of the devastating November 19th Pine Tree Common apartment complex fire on Rt. 109 in Wells.  The tragedy left twelve families needing shelter.  DeFelice, the general manager of the Elmwood Resort Hotel in Wells found himself in a position to provide immediate temporary shelter for those displaced.  Meeting notes from the school committee meeting read, “Scott has done a tremendous job harnessing resources and working to support the families involved, ensuring that they had a place to stay.”

Courtland Holloway, the pastor of Shores Church on Route 109 in Wells, was recognized as a volunteer for the District and community.  With his church in close proximity to the site, he was one of the first on the scene at the apartment complex fire.   Pastor Holloway assisted in directing traffic and shuttling firefighters, tenants, and others to and from Shores Church for intermittent breaks. He and his wife Kara were able to provide gift cards and cash donations to help those who lost their apartment and belongings. The Holloways, who have children attending District schools, often volunteer in the District and have, at times, generously provided gift cards to parents of school children who find themselves in need of assistance. 

Wells Police Sargent Adam Shaw was recognized as a tremendous resource for the District and its students.  Sargent Shaw has assisted the District in addressing safety issues in roundtable discussions, thereby helping the District move towards an even safer environment for students and staff.  Shaw also volunteers his coaching skills at Wells Parks & Recreation and for the Wells-Ogunquit Little League.   In addition, he participates in the annual Guest Reader Day program at Wells Elementary School.

For the second year in a row, the Wells High School varsity football team has won the Maine Class D State Championship game.  At its meeting on December 4th, the Wells-Ogunquit CSD School Committee recognized the team and its coaches for their victory over Foxcroft Academy at Lewiston High School’s Don Roux Field on November 23rd.  The final score was 34 to 0.

Wells-Ogunquit CSD Superintendent James Daly, Assistant Superintendent Pierce Cole, and School Committee Chair Helena Ackerson congratulated Coach Tim Roche and each of his assistant coaches and team members with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the Committee and the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District.   

According to head football Coach Roche, the team finished the 2024 season undefeated, 11-0, including a regular season game with Foxcroft Academy.  Similarly, Foxcroft Academy ended their regular season at 10-1.

“This is back-to-back Championships for the Warriors, and they now have the longest active win streak in the state at 14 games,” noted Roche in an email.  "This year's team started strong and never looked back; they fought through a tough regular season schedule and had a great playoff run. I am so proud of them and the coaches' efforts; we have a great culture here at Wells."

Before acknowledging each coach and team member, Superintendent Daly pointed out that the high school team had one of its best playing seasons.   He added that team members are champions on and off the field and, being so, provide positive role models for the younger students in the WOCSD and the community.

For the past 21 years, kindergarten students at Wells Elementary School have planted tulip bulbs on school grounds in the late fall.  This year was no exception, as the tradition continued on November 12th with 100 bulbs being planted in a garden near the school’s playground.  

Early in the day, over 100 holes for the bulbs were pre-dug by school volunteers who later assisted the students in burying them.  During their recess period students emerged from their school one class at a time.  Once outside, they received some planting instructions; then, each child was handed a bulb of their own to plant. Those volunteering their time to assist the students during a windy afternoon were Meredyth Sullivan, Rachael Kloss, Laura Sacoco, Dianne Trachimowicz, Amber Wolf, and Angela Gagnon.      

As in years past, the bulbs were purchased and provided by the school’s PTSA organization.  The event was organized by Wells-Ogunquit CSD Community Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley.

In October the Wells-Ogunquit CSD shined a spotlight of appreciation on the bus drivers of Ledgemere Transportation, Inc. in Wells.  These men and women transport about 800 students to and from the District’s three schools during an average school day.  The seventeen drivers at this location were celebrated in School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, the third week of October.

During that week, bus drivers were invited to a special breakfast and received gift bags that included cards and letters of appreciation from elementary students. This annual event is sponsored by the PTSA at Wells Elementary School.

“We are incredibly thankful for the work our bus drivers do,” wrote WES Principal Kyle Burnell in an email. “We're fortunate to have drivers in this district that care so deeply about our students.”

Lauren Clark is the manager of Ledgemere in Wells, home to 18 buses, 11 of which are battery-powered.  Clark indicated that anyone interested in a part-time job driving a school bus for Ledgemere Transportation, Inc. should contact her at 207-646-5502 for more information about job training and a sign-on bonus.

According to Clark, one dangerous situation for school bus drivers to encounter continues to be the vehicles that attempt to or actually pass a bus that is picking up or dropping off students. She said that she is receiving an increasing number of reports from her drivers of vehicles illegally passing their stopped busses.  Clark stressed that it is critical for drivers not to pass a school bus when they see it stopped and

Wells Junior High School will present its 30th Annual Turkey Dinner for area seniors on November 17 th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free dinner will be held in the school’s cafeteria.

The meal is a traditional holiday dinner consisting of turkey with all the “fixings,” coffee, and dessert. Typically, about 400 are served over the two-hour period.

Begun in 1994 by the then principal of WJHS Jeff Rodman, these special dinners continue to serve as a goodwill gesture to the community. It is also an important “service learning” project for the eighth graders. In preparation for the big day, students fill various roles. They make decorations, banners, and table napkins to decorate the dining room and set up tables and chairs.

They also greet guests, bring them to their table, work in the kitchen, wait on tables, and help clean up.

As in past years, the turkeys are donated by Wells IGA and cooked by Congdon’s Family Restaurant & Bakery. The coffee served is provided by Dunkin' Donuts in Wells.

WJHS is located at 1470 Post Road (Route One) in Wells. No reservation for this dinner is required. For further information, call WJHS at 646-5142.

The Drama Department at Wells High School has announced that it has been granted one of the first licenses in Maine to present the spellbinding *“*Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” (High School Edition).  

This two-act play is based on the original Harry Potter story by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne. The production will bring to life the eighth installment of the Harry Potter series in the Olenn Performing Arts Center at WHS beginning November 20th.  

This enchanting production with mesmerizing characters is produced by Andrea Hernandez and directed by Andrew Lopez.  Alex Bedirian is the assistant director, and Judi Dion is the costume designer.

“We have an amazing opportunity to put on a show that pushes our students and faculty to perform at the next level," commented Hernandez in an email.  "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."

Andy Lopez has been directing stage productions at WHS for over twenty years.  “We are beyond excited to put on such a prestigious and well-known show,” wrote Lopez in an email. “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” returns audiences to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where friendships and adventures await Harry Potter’s son, Albus, who confronts his family's past legacy.

The dates and times of the play are as follows: a matinee on November 20th at 3:30 pm, followed by evening shows on November 21, 22, and 23, at 6:30 pm.   Seating can be reserved and paid for in advance by calling Wells High School or visiting www.wellshs.booktix.com. Tickets can also be bought at the door before each show. Tickets are $6 for students and senior citizens and $9 for general admission.  Seniors, students, and WHS faculty are admitted free for the afternoon matinee on November 20th, but they are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance.

This weekend, consider going to see the Wells Junior High School Drama Department’s presentation of “Eerie Academy,” a spooky comic play that is a collection of vignettes about the strange goings on in a school that not only has students but ghosts, vampires, ghouls, and aliens.

Under the direction of Allison Le, over 60 WJHS students have worked diligently to be ready for opening night on October 24th.

“The actors and set crew have worked hard on bringing this play to life!” wrote Director Le.  “(They) have been busy studying lines, learning to block, and working on their characterization(s) with our Assistant Director, Gregg Trzaskowski.  Stage manager Madison Richards has been working with a large group of students on the sets and props for the show.”

Dates and times of the performances are as follows: Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm, Friday, October 25th at 3:30 pm and Saturday, October 26th at 1:00 pm.  Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the door of WJHS’s Ward Gymnasium an hour before curtain time.