With high school graduation behind him, Eric Favreau plans to ease college costs by giving up modern conveniences.
Favreau, one of the top 10 students at Bonny Eagle High School, graduated Friday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The son of James and Carolyn Favreau of Buxton, he plans to attend the University of Southern Maine and eventually become a high school teacher and coach.
Favreau won’t be living in the comfort of a college dorm. He’s developing plans to work for his board and room on a farm in Hollis while going to college. He hopes to live in a farm A-frame with an outhouse and without electricity.
To stay warm during the cold winter months, he will cut and store firewood for a woodstove. He’s worked with his dad, chopping wood.
At the farm, there’ll be plants to care for in a greenhouse and chickens and goats to feed. But he doesn’t mind the inconveniences or the hard work. “It’s going to be nice,” he said.
He said Bonny Eagle teacher David Ezhaya inspired him to become a teacher. “He made government enjoyable, interactive and fun. We learned a lot,” Favreau said.
Favreau also cited teachers Thomas Noonan and Jean Angel. “They taught me about life and to be a thinker,” Favreau said.
A well-rounded Bonny Eagle student, Favreau participated in cross-country along with indoor and outdoor track for four years. He plans to continue in athletics at the university. At the Bonny Eagle final assembly, Favreau received two scholar-athlete awards. “I was honored,” he said.
At graduation, he learned that he won two scholarships including one sponsored by a church group and the Norman C. Walker Memorial Scholarship. His mentor, Ezhaya, lauded his student. “He’s top of the line in every respect,” Ezhaya said.
Favreau, who plays sax and guitar, enjoys all kinds of music. He found time in his busy Bonny Eagle schedule to play in the band, wind ensemble and jazz band. “Jazz is my favorite music to play,” he said.
In addition to music, other hobbies include biking, kayaking, snowboarding and hiking. This summer he’ll be working with youth as a guide for Ripple Effect of Portland, earning money for college.
Later this month, he’ll be on a youth leadership expedition, rafting on the Penobscot River, camping in a tent on the islands in the river, and hiking Mt. Katahdin. “I’m really excited,” he said. “I’ve never hiked Katahdin before.”
Rafting isn’t new to Favreau, who grew up near the Saco River. He has navigated the rocks and rapids of that river on an inner tube.
An individual with diverse talents, Favreau took two automotive courses. He enjoys tuning up his 12-year-old Mazda and recently overhauled the brakes.
As one of eight from St. Anne’s Church in Gorham last summer, Favreau attended a world youth convention in Germany with one million students from around the world. He enjoyed meeting people from other nations there and has stayed in touch with a friend from Italy.
A French exchange student stayed with the Favreau family for 10 days during the school year and Favreau found it to be a valuable experience. “Going across language barriers is cool,” he said. “A random meeting could impact you the rest of your life.”
Favreau would like to study abroad. He thought teaching English in France someday could be a possibility.
Bonny Eagle Principal Sheila Jepson described Favreau as a gentleman and a thinker. “He has an easy presence, not into showy stuff,” she said. “He’s going places.”
He can be patient, waiting on an aspiration. While in Europe last year, Favreau lingered on a roadside for five hours, hoping to see Pope Benedict pass by. “I saw the new Pope from six feet away,” he said.
Even after graduation, this is still a busy month for Favreau, whose brother, Peter Favreau, is getting married. “I’ll be his best man on the 24th,” Eric Favreau said.
For those who will be Bonny Eagle seniors next year, Favreau offered some wisdom. “When opportunity presents itself, take that opportunity,” he said. Opportunities “are handed to you for a reason.”
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