CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Marie Leary plans to help Carrabassett Valley Academy faculty teach students how to advocate for themselves, which she said was the greatest lesson she received as a student at the school. As the new director of academic programs at the academy, she will be in a position to do that.
With several years of educational experience in schools in the Washington, D.C., area, Leary will return to her alma mater to oversee the quality of academic curriculum, instruction and studies.
She added that she and her husband are looking forward to getting back on snow and getting their two youngsters out there as well.
In an article printed in the academy newsletter, Leary said she and her husband met on the alpine ski team at Syracuse University.
“Living in Maryland with young children hasn’t allowed for much skiing,” she wrote, and “over the past four years we may have managed one or two runs, and this is unacceptable.”
Also new to the staff will be Dana Friend, who joined CVA as the director of finance. He brings years of financial experience with C.E. Noyes Tire Co. and Bass Shoe in Wilton and South Portland. Friend said in the newsletter that Deb Cantara, the outgoing director, left the financials so well organized that he will have time to “learn the job and get (his) arms around the management of the school’s finances.”
Carrabassett Valley Academy will begin the academic year with orientation trips for all students – 115 in all. Seniors will be canoeing and camping in the Moosehead Lake region while juniors will be challenged with rafting and ropes activities in The Forks. Sophomores will undertake a sea kayaking voyage from Boothbay, and freshmen will participate in a community service project in Farmington and camp in Rangeley Lake State Park. Eighth grade students will hike in New Hampshire, camp overnight on Squam Lake in New Hampshire and visit the Squam Lake Science Center.
Spring sports at the academy are whitewater kayaking, trampoline, skateboarding, golf and baseball. Only the baseball team competes interscholastically – other than the skiers and riders, of course.
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