FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Academy is celebrating its 225th anniversary next month with an exhibition and recollections from alumni.
It is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center. Refreshments will be served.
While Fryeburg Academy celebrated its bicentennial, Communications Director Laura Ayer said she “doesn’t know if we have had anything as big as the one we’re doing this year.”
“We’re really getting the community and anyone connected with the academy to participate,” she said. “So much of our school is the village of Fryeburg and its community. We’re excited to open our doors to everyone.”
Students, parents and community members will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, videos of alumni remembering their experiences at the school and an exhibition of school artifacts.
Ayer said U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, will comment via Skype.
Alumni will share their recollections from their days at the academy in a group setting, she said.
“We decided to do a conversation-style video, where the alumni talk to one another about their Fryeburg Academy memories and experiences, rather than just having a series of talking heads,” Ayer explained.
The celebration is spearheaded by Dawn Gale, director of Academy Fund and Alumni Relations, and Assistant Head of School Joseph Manning, Ayer said.
“They’ve done a majority of the work, in terms of setting up the program and event flow, and setting up the interviews that we’re going to do,” Ayer said.
Ayer said she believes the close bond between Fryeburg Academy and town residents has allowed for the continued success of the school.
“(Fryeburg Academy) was the alma mater of a lot of community,” Ayer said. “The community is so much a part of the school, and the school is such a big part of Fryeburg. One of the main things we’ve heard from alumni is that Fryeburg Academy is a place where you find yourself and a sense of belonging. You find your people.”
For more information, or to RSVP to the celebration, email alumni@fryeburgacademy.org.
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