Balancing athletic practice, after-school clubs, schoolwork and homework is no easy task for a high school senior. Add in the college application process, and life can become a juggling act.
Nine Gray-New Gloucester High School students were recently recognized for their ability to simultaneously excel in their multiple endeavors.
At last Wednesday’s SAD 15 School Board meeting at the New Gloucester Meeting House, athletic administrator Melanie Craig recognized the Patriots’ winter recipients of the Western Maine Conference Scholar Athlete Award. To earn the award, students must be a graduating senior varsity athlete with a grade point average of 93 or better.
The recipients were ice hockey player Zach Arnold (95.5 gpa); indoor track athletes Rachel Drew (98.6 gpa), Emily Maguire (96.6 gpa), Hannah Wurgler (96.1 gpa), Liam Kalloch (96.4 gpa) and Sam Kiyanitsa (95.5 gpa); Nordic skiers Emily Licht (97.5 gpa) and Leah Beran (92.9 gpa); and boys basketball player Cameron Seymour (92.6 gpa).
Craig complimented the students for “getting it done” in the classroom, in their athletic pursuits and in a variety of other extracurricular activities.
“Every day I am continually impressed by how we raise the bar for our programs,” she said.
Maguire, who runs three seasons and is also active in the drama club, said finding the time to do well in multiple activities can be tough, but it’s a challenge she welcomes.
“It can be really stressful sometimes,” she said. “But I have the support of my family and it’s fun. I enjoy everything I do, and that makes it a lot easier.”
She said she wakes up at 6 a.m. and there are many nights when she won’t get home until 6:30 p.m. – and then it’s time to start homework.
“After school, I’m usually at a club or activity everyday or getting (academic) help,” said Maguire, who is looking to study English and/or biology at either Bowdoin College or Daniel Webster. “Then I run off to my sport, and sometimes after that I’ll run off to drama, then I go to the gym or go home to do homework.”
Those are some long days. “And I don’t even get paid,” she said, laughing.
Wurgler, too, is involved in drama and two seasons of track. On top of that, she has a horse. And while she enjoys English and her performance workshop drama class, it is her four-legged friend that has had the most influence on her college intentions. She said she plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to study equine science with a concentration in veterinary medicine.
She echoed Maguire’s sentiments on balancing school, sports and clubs.
“It’s a little tough. I enjoy staying after school and doing drama and track. Sometimes it’s a late night doing homework, but it gets done.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
