It goes without saying we are all trying to figure out our new normal as I type this
update on my iPad while I sit in Eliot, ME. My wife, Kim, and I just helped move
our son, Turner, back to campus at Orono where he began his junior year. We
also took a short family trip in August to move our older son, Bryant Goodenough
‘20, to Michigan Tech in the Upper Peninsula, where he will pursue a Ph.D. in
mechanical engineering.
James Hodgkin G was hired as the new superintendent of the Winthrop Public
Schools and began his new position in July 2020. With 34 years of experience in
school administration, James has been the principal of Houlton Middle and High
School, served for eight years in the Gardiner-based Regional School Unit 4, and
six years in the former Mexico-based MSAD 43. James earned his bachelor of
science in secondary education from the University of Maine at Farmington, and
both his master’s degree in educational administration and a certificate of
advanced studies in educational administration from the University of Maine.
Russ Sossong ‘92G, and his wife, Dawn Harris Sossong ’91, discovered their
uncle’s special “O” sweater, which he received from Orono High School as a
recipient of the Frederick T. Burpee Award. The award recognizes a student at
Orono High School who best demonstrates the ideals of outstanding
sportsmanship, team spirit, courtesy and team-oriented work ethic.
Russ and Dawn found the sweater when they were cleaning out Russ’s uncle’s
house, and decided it needed to be returned to the school, where it could be
prominently displayed for all to appreciate.
I was on campus in August and imagined how the restart of school and traffic
patterns on and around the mall and student union would be so different. I’m
hoping the resilience of our students will shine during these crazy times.
I would love to hear from you — please email, text, call, or send me a message
on Facebook.