"The Wells-Ogunquit C.S.D. commits to ensuring that each scholar develops the social, academic, critical and creative thinking skills necessary to meet with success in college, career, citizenship and life. The responsibility for education is shared by student, family, school and community."
.png)
Around noon on December 8th, Wreaths Across America traveled Rt.1 through Wells on its 750-mile, seven-day trek to Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) in Arlington, Virginia. As the caravan passed along Wells Junior High School, hundreds of junior high students stood outside waving at the caravan of semi-tractor trailers, assorted escorting police cars, and other vehicles. Inside the numerous trailers were thousands of holiday wreaths ready to be placed at the gravesites of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery and at other locations along the way.
This year, two Wells High School freshmen and longtime friends, Gavin Dusza and Noah Busick, were selected to be part of the convoy representing the Maine Civil Air Patrol. Both are cadets in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron in Sanford, Maine. The Civil Air Patrol is the official volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
In that organization, Dusza has achieved the rank of Staff Sargent and Busick is now a Senior Airman. In the caravan, they rode in a CAP vehicle with other cadets to participate in the wreath laying at Arlington on December 13th. To be selected to represent the CAP at this solemn event, these cadets had to submit a resume, an essay about honor and be interviewed.
“Last year, I helped out with Wreaths Across America at Wells Junior High School,” commented Dusza in his essay. Now, a year later, he finds himself and Busick a part of this honor convoy to the Washington D.C. area. “When we remember and honor our veterans, it stays in our hearts forever. It is an honor to represent the State of Maine and the Town of Wells,” commented Dusza.
In his essay Busick comments on being a part of the convoy’s mission. “By participating, we learn that honor is earned through service, respect, and keeping their (veterans) memory alive.”
Wreaths Across America was created by Morrill Worcester, president of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. Morrill has been bringing wreaths to Arlington since 1992, a year when he drove his own wreath-laden vehicle to honor veterans for their service and sacrifice.
At Arlington National Cemetery, there are more than 400,000 service members and eligible dependents buried. This number includes veterans from various conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For the past 20-plus years, kindergarten students at Wells Elementary School have planted tulip bulbs on the school grounds in November. This year, the tradition continued on November 4th when 100 bulbs were planted in and around the school’s courtyard.
The holes for the bulbs were pre-dug by six school volunteers, Kaitlyn McDonough, Erin Sullivan, Laurel Gilliam, Jessica Hutton, Barbara Maurer, and Nancy Luettich.
In the early afternoon, students were escorted outside one group at a time. There, they received some planting instructions, and each handed a bulb of their own to plant with some assistance from the volunteers present.
One of these volunteers summed up the planting experience the students were getting on this sunny but cold afternoon. “I think it’s a great activity for the kids,” said Kaitlyn McDonough, whose kindergarten student, Molly, was among the young gardeners. McDonough observed that it was “awesome” that these children can look forward to spring and see their tulips rise from the ground. “They were all very excited,” said McDonough.
As in years past, the bulbs were purchased and provided by the school’s PTSA organization. The planting was organized by Wells-Ogunquit CSD Community Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley. This fall, there are 106 kindergarteners at WES.
.jpg)
Wells Junior High School will present its 31st Annual Turkey Dinner for area seniors on Sunday, November 16th 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 a two-hour period.
For over three decades these special dinners have stood 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. On the day of the dinner they also greet guests, bring them to their table, work in the kitchen, wait on tables, and help clean up.
WJHS is located at 1470 Post Road (Route 1) in Wells. No reservation for this dinner is required. For further information, please call WJHS at 646-5142.
The Drama Department at Wells High School has announced that “A Christmas Carol” has been selected to be this year’s fall play production. The play is an original stage adaptation written by WHS theater director Andrew Lopez. The play is based on the Charles Dickens' novella of the same title and will be presented over a four-day period in the Olenn Performing Arts Center (OPAC) at Wells High School.
This ghost story is about a miserly and miserable man ably named Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas and the great joy it brings to others. On the eve of Christmas he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley who frightens Ebenezer enough into changing his mean ways.
“The love affair I have with this iconic story began in 1971 when I watched Albert Phinney play the title role in the movie musical Scrooge,” commented Lopez. “As I grow older, my reverence for Charles Dickens and the message this novel brings has intensified; I watch at least one version every Season. It is my goal to scare you a little, make you chuckle, and hopefully pull a tear from your eye.”
Alex Bedirian is the play’s assistant director in charge of props and stage operations and Judi Dion is the costumer. Currently, there are 22 students appearing on stage in various roles supported by a student tech crew of 12.
Andrea Hernandez is the show’s producer. Tickets go on sale November 3rd. “It is reserved seating, so purchasing ahead of time is recommended,” advised Hernandez. Tickets are available at the door and online at https://wellshs.booktix.com/
The first performance is a matinee on November 19th at 3:30 with special pricing: free for students and senior citizens and $6 general admission. The rest of the shows are priced at $6 for students and senior citizens and $9 for general admission. Those shows will be presented on Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 pm, Friday, November 21st at 6:30 pm and Saturday, November 22nd at 2:00 pm.
For the past several years, the Wells-Ogunquit CSD has welcomed two Wells High School students to represent their school at District School Committee meetings. Selected for this school year are president of the junior class Carys Ramsey and president of the senior class Abe Medrano.
As with their predecessors, each will have a few minutes each month to report to the Committee on current news and future events planned at WHS. Their first time reporting for the 2025-26 school year was on October 1st.
Medrano reported on Spirit Week, Homecoming 2025, the pep rally with the WHS Band, and the homecoming game. “The student section was very lively and supportive during the football game,” said Medrano who is serving his second year on the Committee.
Representative Ramsey reported on the auditions for the upcoming fall play, A Christmas Carol, featuring 33 students. She mentioned Military Appreciation Night, the date for the PSAT, and announced that the WHS Golf Team has qualified for the State Championship.
Abe Medrano was the president of the junior class last year
Before school let out for summer break this past June, Helena Kowalewski (formerly Helena Ackerson) chaired her final Wells-Ogunquit CSD School Committee meeting, concluding twelve years serving in that role. Towards the end of the June 11th Committee meeting, Kowalewski read a farewell statement thanking Superintendent James Daly, fellow Committee members, administrators, staff, and others for the opportunity to serve the District.
“As I step down from my role as Chair of the Board (Committee) and bring my 12 years of service to a close, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and deep appreciation for this journey,” said Kowalewski. “It has been an incredible honor to serve our District, our families, and, most importantly, our students. I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Board members, administrators, and staff who have walked along side me. Working together we faced challenges, celebrated achievements, and kept our focus where it matters most, on our kids.”
Superintendent Daly expressed his appreciation. “We want to thank Helena for her 12 years,” said Daly as the meeting neared adjournment. “Helena has been tremendous. When she was first on the Board, we were in the middle of trying to get a new high school.” Despite some community pushback, Daly pointed out that, “Helena came in and advocated for the teachers, and the staff. If it wasn’t for her leadership at the time, we would never have gotten that new school.”
Daly indicated that the Committee, led by Kowalewski, faced a significant challenge in navigating an unexpected “bad situation” resulting from the emergence of COVID-19, which necessitated lengthy school closures and dependence on home schooling with remote learning through the video conferencing platform of Zoom.
“When you talk about unwavering support, you have always been there, and we appreciated it,” said Daly to Kowalewski. “No matter what it was, we were lucky to have you. We are going to miss you...”
Following these comments, newly elected Committee Chair Jason Vennard entertained a motion to adjourn.
In June, on the last day of school, Jack Molloy, in an interview, looked back fondly on his seventeen years of service to the Wells-Ogunquit CSD. He served as Wells High School’s Director of Athletics (AD) from August 2007 until transitioning to Director of Student Activities in 2017.
“I was basically running the highest profile department in the District,” said Molloy, looking back over those years. He said that he found himself in charge of scheduling all athletic events at WHS and other duties including the hiring and termination of coaches.
“I’m very proud of the fact that during my tenure, we won three state championships, two in football and one in wrestling,” said Molloy, who was very happy that his son, who played football at WHS up to the year of the championship victory, still had friends on that Warriors team.
After completing nine years as Athletics Director, Molloy became the Director of Student Activities, a role he held for eight plus years until his recent retirement.
As Director of Student Activities, Molloy oversaw WHS’s scholarship program, non-sports activities, such as drama productions, band competitions, and so forth.
“When we hosted band competitions, I would be the administrator on duty. It was great that the kids' (band musicians) could perform here at the high school.” Molloy added that the WHS marching band appeared in various local parades.
“Jack was a true gentleman and class act through his tenure at WHS,” commented WOCSD Superintendent James Daly. “He always made decisions in the best interest of students, staff, and our community. We will all miss working with him and his dedication to our school community.”
WHS Head Football Coach Tim Roche commented on Molloy’s performance in both of Molloy’s roles. “Jack was a very important piece of our school district and will be greatly missed by all,” said Roche. “His personality was always (on an) even keel and would always be kind and compassionate when dealing with all.”
In early June at a luncheon for school volunteers, the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District (WOCSD) honored Marilyn Wade with the District’s Volunteer of the Year award for exemplary volunteer work with the youngest of students. The theme of the luncheon was “Our volunteers are WICKED OZsome.”
Following opening remarks by Superintendent James Daly, District Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley announced to the audience that Wade had been selected to receive this honor for her work with kindergarten students. Foley presented Wade with a gift basket filled with items relating to the theme of the gathering.
A retired schoolteacher with a Master’s Degree, Wade began teaching in New York State in the early 1960s. Following an extensive teaching career spanning several decades in various locations, including North Berwick, she is now a school volunteer.
Wade was surprised and honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year award, which she had not known existed prior to the luncheon. In an interview, she mentioned another kind of award or reward that she receives for volunteering, one that is more personal and intrinsic.
“My award comes from working with the children,” said Wade, who began volunteering at Wells Elementary School in 2022, where she worked in the classroom of Susan Bastille. “I like to see the little kids grow in their learning (with) different personalities and how they change and mature…I’ve seen them become readers and know their numbers, adding and subtracting.” Before the summer break Wade focused on reading with the kindergartens on a one-on-one basis.
According to Foley, school volunteers, as a group, contribute "thousands" of hours of time assisting teachers and students in the District's schools and athletic fields. Volunteers include a mix of retired teachers and other community members, including high school students and parents. Anyone interested in volunteering in the WOCSD is encouraged to contact Maryanne Foley at 646-5953, extension 4204.
