March 20, 2016
Co Le nt Pa r g Pa ove e ge rse y 5
m ea T . O e2 . C g E. Pa Spring, 2016
Portland High’s “Les Mis”
Sophomore Jeremy Bruce recaps Portland High’s production of “Les Miserables,” performed earlier this year.
By JEREMY BRUCE (‘18) This year the Drama Workshop put on Les Miserables, a story about a French man who has just broke parole and is hoping to start a new life in France. The criminal, Jean Valjean, played by Ben Griffin, lives his life on the run from French officer Javert, played by Ted Crockett. Directors Sandra Guerra, Jayne Sawtelle, and David Smith did a great job putting on an intriguing play worthy of the large crowd it drew. To start, the acting and singing by Ben Griffin, Ted Crockett, Holly Hinchliffe, Devon Cohen, Nate Martin, and Peeper Hersey-Powers, along with other cast members and the ensemble, made it a very emotional story that held viewers’ attention until the final scene of the play. Lighting and sound brought the action to life by highlighting the drama and intensity during the play. While the play had much emotion, it was also exciting to see the revolutionary battle scenes and the difficult pursuit of Valjean’s freedom unravel throughout. Although the acting was phe-
nomenal, I found the sets to be quite minimalistic and thought they took away from the quality of the production at times. I found the lack of sense of setting confusing to me throughout the story— it led me to have a hard time following the storyline. My favorite part of this Les Mis production was the orchestra. I thought the musicians did
Members of the cast of “Les Miserables” (Rhylee Cole)
2016 One Act Festival
Junior Gracie Cox describes the annual One Act Festival that Portland High students participated in this year.
By GRACIE COX (‘17) On March 4th and 5th, students all over the country will take part in the One Act Play Festival. The local festival is being held at Thornton Academy, where a group of student actors from Portland High School will compete against eight other schools that are ranked in Class A. These schools
a fantastic job setting the mood in all of the scenes, whether it was an intense battle scene or a romantic love scene. Overall, Les Miserables was an awesome show which I would definitely see again. It leads me to wonder what production Musical Theatre will put on next year.
have 600 or more students, and each school brings 15 to 30 students to participate in the festival. The top two school groups from this region will move onto the state festival, which is held two weeks later on March 18th and 19th. The competition is described as a festival due to its structure. Over a span of two days, hundreds of students perform and watch others’ acts without having to move location. “It is a great way for us to see other people who enjoy doing theatre without Continued on Page 3
In This Edition School News: Page 1 Local News: Page 5 Opinions: Page 8
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 2
What’s the Verdict on Freshman Seminar?
Sophomore Sam Mermin analyzes the Freshman Seminar program at PHS.
By SAM MERMIN (‘18) During the 2013-14 school year, Portland High School introduced a new class, Freshman Seminar. Since then, all freshmen at PHS have been required to
take the class. Portland High School’s course catalog states that it teaches students to “navigate high school, develop self-advocacy skills, and expand the academic and social language necessary for success in high school and college”. The class also involves activities and discussion surrounding “note-taking, time
management and study skills, technology, social and human relationships, career exploration and post-secondary decisions”. The objective of the course is to give students some extra assistance with the transition to high school both socially and academically and also to discuss the post-secondary and career decisions they will face after high school. Yet despite this seemingly beneficial curriculum, students and teachers remain unsure whether or not the class is effective and if it should be a requirement. Student opinions are split on the issue of whether or not Freshman Seminar is worthwhile. Will Couture, a freshman, Continued on Page 3
E.C.O. Team Recycling
Senior George Chaison-Lapine discusses a new club at Portland High that aims to improve recycling.
By GEORGE CHAISON-LAPINE (‘16) It is no secret that the quality of the Portland High School Trash and Recycling Program has gradually declined. At one point, Portland High was the most efficient waste-disposing school
in the city of Portland. With the diligent efforts of Ms. Martin, PHS became an example for other schools in the district on how to successfully manage the enormous amounts of waste generated on a daily basis. One would assume that such a strong program could go nowhere but up, especially considering its benefits to both the environment and to the green reputation of Portland High as well. Fast forward a decade, however, and you’ll find that the early
Members of the PHS E.C.O. Team (Aidan Richman)
Continued on Page 4
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 3
One Acts, Continued having to travel all around Maine,” says Mr. within five minutes. After all the plays director, has been working to cut down the Smith, the technical director of the produc- have been completed, each school group is original show in order to fit it within the 40 tion. Mr. Smith explains that he is more given 20 minutes with the judges to reflect minute time limit. The Portland group has interested in the Portland students’ experi- on its performance, ask questions, and get been practicing 3-5 days a week after school ence at the festival than the competition tips. Not only do the judges award trophies since the end of January and will continue aspect. He did, however, share the school’s for the top two groups and two runners- rehearsals until the day of competition. previous successes. “In the last 18 years, up, but they also honor groups for various ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ consists of a we have come in variety of characters second place three and relationships and times and first place an intricate plot. It once at the regional will be a challenge for festival.” Not only the PHS team, who will Mr. Smith be are all experienced achelping with the set tors and actresses. and lighting, he is Oona Mackinnonalso a main chaperHoban, a junior at one for the Portland PHS, has been a students throughprominent member out the entire festiof the One Act Show, val experience. Shakespeare Club, Each perand school drama formance is rated performance. Oona by a panel of three describes ‘Much Ado judges. The judges About Nothing’ as, “a grade the perforcomedy, all about love mance on a rubric and misunderstanding that analyzes not with a really interestonly acting, but also ing cast of characters. technical aspects, . . . We have a great costumes, blocking, cast, and the show itsounds, and lightself is very fun to be in. ing. After each play, It’s one of my favorite Oona Mackinnon-Hoban and Teddy Crockett (Aidan Richman) the points from the plays by Shakespeare.” judges are added, and the team with the technical aspects and select individuals to The festival is a wonderful opmost points wins. The plays must be 35 an all-festival cast. portunity for young adults interested in the minutes long, with a five-minute grace pe- PHS is planning to perform an arts, specifically acting, and it offers sturiod. If any act exceeds these time limits, interpretation of Shakespeare’s ‘Much dents the chance to express their enthusithe school is disqualified from the com- Ado About Nothing’. The Portland asm and love of theater. petition. This requirement challenges the Shakespeare Club performed the same students to put up and take down their sets show in December. Peter Brown, the play’s
Freshman Seminar, Continued
described the course as “awesome.” He added that “it helps with other classes,” and that he “didn’t know how to take other kinds of notes before”. Ashley Chadbourne, a sophomore, looks back on her experience of Freshman Seminar fondly. Her favorite aspect of the class was that it helped her meet new people. Other students were less enthusiastic. Greta Donatelli, a freshman,
said that the class was just “okay,” and Caitriona Moran, a sophomore, doesn’t think it should be a required course. She said middle school teachers should decide whether each freshman needs to take the class based on his or her study habits and how prepared he or she is for high school work. Teachers were more supportive of the program, claiming that it has had a clear
positive effect. Ms. Braceras likes the class because it “equalizes the playing field” and partially makes up for the fact that some students come from more rigorous academic backgrounds than others. Ms. Lee-Winship thinks the class has been a welcome addition to the PHS curriculum. “The study skills, the career exploration, and the research skills that are learned were missing before, and these [skills] help Continued on Page 4
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 4
Freshman Seminar, Continued students navigate high school.” She also points out that the techniques learned in Freshman Seminar can be applied in other classes. “I can have them practice those skills in my class and assume they’ve been taught the things I’m asking them to do.” Freshman Seminar has received mixed reception from students, but teachers stand by it. They claim that it has already had noticeable impact on students’ success. It is safe to say that Freshman Seminar has been a positive addition to the schedule of every PHS freshman, whether the students see it that way or not. Freshman Seminar student booklets (Aidan Richman)
E.C.O. Team, Continued success of the program could not be maintained. Millennials are the most environmentally-conscious generation in history, and the green-waste industry is booming, so it’s hard to understand why PHS continues to run a joke of a recycling program. Students and custodians blame each other for the school’s failures, but the trash bags continue to pile up. Estimated to be 75% recyclable or compostable, countless bags sit and wait each day to be picked up by the city, destined for incineration or landfill. There have been attempts in the past to try and get the gears turning again, but until now there has not been a strong enough group of individuals willing to take responsibility. Recently, however, a group of students who operates under the acronym E.C.O. has emerged and has begun the waste management rebuilding process. E.C.O.-- which stands for Environmental Cleanup Operation -- is unique compared to past teams that have attempted to take on the environmental concerns of PHS. What separates E.C.O. is that it is student-designed and led, made up entirely of students from Ms. Adkins’ Environmental Science class. Aside from facilitation and minor guidance from Ms. Adkins, the cleanup project -- including
the networking, research, and media production -- is coordinated completely by the students. E.C.O. has found that the problem is basic: the school’s custodians have not been able to recycle most of the recyclable material due to large amounts of food contamination. Although the classroom recycling bins are mostly unaffected by this contamination, the lunchroom, where the largest amount of waste is generated, is where the real problem lies. Currently, 100% of the waste that is produced in the cafeterias is thrown directly into the trash. This is an alarming figure that was uncovered during a research session, which also revealed that over 60% of this “trash” is actually made up of recyclable material like paper, cardboard, and water bottles. Another 15-20% of the waste is food scraps that can be composted, leaving the last 20% as true garbage. If properly executed, the school could reduce its garbage production from an average of ten large bags per day to just two. The team has been working in small groups to tackle the vast issue at hand. One sub-committee has been in contact with a number of individuals who are in charge of the work that goes on behind the scenes, such as Doug Sherwood, the head of custodial operations for all of Portland
Public Schools. E.C.O. has also reached out to Brett Richardson, the President of WeCompostIt!, the company that is supposed to take the food scraps from the cafeteria and compost them. WeCompostIt! has faced contamination issues as well: bits of plastic prevent the company from properly composting PHS’ food waste. Other committees are working on creating informational posters and a fun video that is aimed at inspiring the Portland High community to recycle more and be more mindful of its disposal habits in general. The E.C.O. team members have a substantial amount of work ahead of them before the trash and recycling program is restored to a proficient level, but they are willing to take on the challenge. Although E.C.O. has shouldered much of the responsibility, it is up to every Portland High School student to take part and sort his or her waste instead of mindlessly dumping his or her tray and food all in the same bin. With a little effort from the entire community, Portland High can be a leader in the green movement and be known not only as the best school in the city of Portland, but also as the cleanest and most environmentally friendly one as well.
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 5
PHS Students Intern with Senator King
Junior Nick Archambault explains a unique internship opportunity given to select Portland High students. By NICK ARCHAMBAULT (‘17) The quality of Portland High’s students was confirmed once again when,
earlier this winter, it was announced that Senator Angus King would select two students from a pool of junior and senior Bulldogs to work as interns in his Scarborough office. In December, junior Oona McKinnon-Hoban and senior Eamonn
Dundon began the three-month internship. Each Wednesday, they commute to Scarborough and work in King’s office for three hours. Initially, they were tasked with familiarizing themselves with the people and responsibilities of the staffers in King’s Scarborough, Presque Isle, and Washington D.C. offices. Five weeks into the program, they have begun research for their culminating project: a presentation to King and his entire staff of proposed legislation regarding tax incentives for businesses providing extended learning opportunities (ELOs) to high school students. Continued on Page 7
LePage Controversy
Sophomore Sam Mermin reports on recent events regarding the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage.
By SAM MERMIN (‘18) A few weeks ago, while discussing the growing heroin epidemic in Maine, Governor Paul LePage made a raciallycharged statement about heroin dealers. He said “these are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty – these types of guys – they come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, they go back home. Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave, which is a real sad thing because then we have another issue we have to deal with down the road.” The final sentence of the statement implies that LePage thinks of heroin dealers as being only black men. It is horribly offensive to say that all drug dealers are black, and the implication that it’s only a problem if they impregnate a white girl is equally disgusting. The racism in LePage’s comment is impossible to ignore, and it received national attention. When asked about his comments, LePage claimed that he meant to say “Maine” girl rather than “white girl,” and that it was an understandable mistake because about 95 percent of Maine’s population is white. Even though most women in Maine are in fact white, LePage’s use of the word emphasized that the drug dealers in question were black, and that the fact that the girls were white made their pregnancies bigger issues than if their race were different. Furthermore, the words “Maine” and “white” do not sound alike in any way. The idea that the use of the word white was simply a slip-up is completely absurd. Whether one agrees with his conservative views or not, LePage’s recent statement was unacceptable, and students at Portland High have been quick to condemn him. Sophomore Sam Shaw said
the governor “should be impeached”. Ms. Braceras described him as “out of control,” and added that his statements have “no regard for the facts”. Aaron Hoekstra, a sophomore who has very conservative political views much like Governor LePage, said that the governor “says too many stupid things for anyone to take him seriously about politics.”
Governor Paul LePage (Aidan Richman)
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 6
The Front Room Review
Sophomore Nori Hilton retells her experience at The Front Room restaurant in Portland.
By NORI HILTON (‘18) The Front Room, located at 73 Congress Street, is a small, sophisticated brunch spot. Though best known for brunch, the restaurant also serves dinner and has an active bar. The menu consists of classic American food with a gourmet twist. Owner Harding Lee Smith established The Front Room as well as three other restaurants in Portland. I have been to the restaurant many times with my family and often with out-of-town guests. We like to take friends there because it is a great representation of Portland’s new, upscale dining scene. I was there recently with my mom and brother, Leo. It was about 11:45 am on a weekday, and there were only a few other parties in the restaurant. The atmosphere was bright, friendly, and homey. The smells wafting from the open kitchen were just as promising as the delicious food at the
occupied tables. We were seated at a square table, right next to the window looking in on the chefs. I found it hard to decide what to order because the menu is packed with mouth-watering options such as omelettes,
gnocchi, and “silver dollar’ pancakes. I chose biscuits and gravy, served with two fried eggs. My mom selected an omelette with goat cheese and smoked salmon, and my brother opted for a hamburger. The food arrived quickly, the waitress smiling cheerfully as she slid the hot plates onto the table. My plate was oval, white, and piled high with two biscuits and two eggs, covered in thick, steaming gravy. The food was delicious, filling, and satisfying. The Front Room is a great place for Sunday brunches, as well as for elegant dinners. You can always expect great food, a friendly atmosphere, and a good time.
The Front Room in Portland, Maine (Aidan Richman)
Delayed Starts Over Snow Days
Sophomore Ben Fisher discusses the Portland Public School Department’s new utilization of delayed starts.
By BEN FISHER (‘18) This year at Portland High School, it’s possible that snowstorms may result in delayed start times rather than in the cancellation of an entire school day. This change could result in fewer snow days, allowing students more classroom time over the course of the school year and bringing an earlier beginning to summer vacation. If the change is implemented, school days would start one hour later than usual, and students would go home at the regular school end time. But the district won’t do away with cancellations
altogether. When the weather is severe, the practice of cancelling school will be continued. Families will be made aware of a delay by a “robo” phone call at 6:00 a.m. Ms. Braceras, a science teacher at PHS stated, “the delay of schools would be a great idea; if we can save some of our snow days, we will definitely be thankful when we get out earlier in June. I don’t mind a few snow days here and there, but I don’t want it to be like last year with a snow day basically every week.” Wyeth Morgan, a PHS sophomore, disagrees. “A snow day provides a nice break during the hard, stressful week.” With spring approaching, PHS students may not have a chance to experience a delayed start this year.
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 7
Internship, Continued What sounds like a confusing role in both their selection to the internship a freshman, he put in nearly 300 hours for concept to most has the two interns excited. and their interest in the opportunity. As a President Obama’s re-election campaign, The goal of the project is to create a draft freshman, McKinnon-Hoban went to the and this fall he immersed himself in a of a bill that would cut taxes for businesses national finals for a Constitution-focused municipal effort by serving on the staff providing students with internships. oratorical contest, which she said first of newly-elected city councilor Spencer Dundon, who has researched similar sparked a serious enthusiasm for politics Thibodeau. programs in other states, believes federal and government. She later served on the The interns have found that legislation would be a huge step forward, Senate floor as a page for Senator Susan being part of a Senator’s staff is a unique providing students with the experience. Dundon opportunities to experience compared his past work a professional environment on the campaign side of and offering businesses government with his current across the nation a reason position on the elected side to create and promote by noting the differences internship positions. “The in responsibilities. “You’re only states where this type not trying to sell something of legislation currently all the time. You’re just exists are Minnesota and trying to do your job, so Ohio,” said Dundon. you have something to run “Legislation for a federal on in the next election. program would cover all When I worked in the the states and eliminate Senate previously, I had the patchwork programs in a very defined task, and I place right now.” only worked on the Senate McKinnon-Hoban, floor without interacting who has explored ELO with much of the Senate programs of businesses in Staff. Being part of Senator the greater Portland area, King’s constituent system is shares a similar enthusiasm a really interesting part of for the project’s potential politics that I haven’t seen impact. “I think it would much of before.” be great if we could send a McKinnongenuine piece of legislation Hoban echoed Dundon’s to Senator King to see what statements. “You really feel he thinks because it might more involved when you’re be a really interesting, working in the office instead clearly bipartisan piece of of just as a page.” legislation to present to Each intern Congress.” hopes to draw on the Though the interns opportunities and mostly work on their project experiences from his or her Maine Senator Angus King (Portland Press Herald) without supervision from work with King’s staff as the office staff, the experience thus far has Collins. they continue to focus on politics through been educational and the staff members, Dundon also served as a page high school and into college. welcoming. “They aren’t just having us for Collins, but he says his political “Politics is all a connections do busy-work; we’re actually working on background goes much farther back than game,” said Dundon. “I know a lot of something and investing our time in it,” a few years. “My first campaign was in people in local politics, but this experience said McKinnon-Hoban. “The staff is also 2004, when I was six. Ever since then, I’ve brings it to a state-wide level. It’s a great really friendly. I’ve never been talked been hooked on the campaigning side of opportunity to learn about new people down to, and it feels like I have a purpose politics, even little things like going door and new pathways. And that’s what I’ve in the office besides just taking up space.” to door for local candidates.” definitely learned in politics: take every Each intern has an extensive Dundon says that his interest opportunity you can because you never background in politics, which played a large began to ratchet up in his teen years. As know where it might lead you.”
PHS Opinions
Inside Scoop on “Les Mis”
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 8 their only opportunity to have that team experience.” The Musical Theater Program remains one of the most popular and beloved classes at Portland High School. Our students continue to amaze the community with their professional-quality performances. We look forward to more musicals at PHS!
Sophomore Caitriona Moran shares some inside information on the Portland High Drama Department’s production of “Les Miserables”. By CAITRIONA MORAN (‘18) On Sunday, January 17, the Portland High School Musical Theater program performed its first ever production of Les Miserables at the John Ford Auditorium. The play is set during the French Revolution and demanded both a high skill level and heavy time commitment from the cast. The songs were challenging because they are classical. Despite some setbacks, including a snowstorm cancelling their Saturday performance, the students of Portland High School were able to pull off a flawless rendition of the highly acclaimed and well-known musical. Students who participated in the play cited the wonderful camaraderie and work ethic they gained from the experience. Rosalie Turner said she “met some really cool people and practicing the songs was fun.” Devon Cohen, one of the lead actors, said that the Musical Theater Program “can help students gain confidence, improve public speaking skills, and acquire a love of the arts. Also, for those students who don’t do any sports, this might be
Members of the cast of “Les Miserables” (Rhylee Cole)
Joe Esposito: PHS Man of the Year
Senior George Chaison-Lapine describes fellow Senior Joe Esposito’s various impressive accomplishments.
By GEORGE CHAISONLAPINE (‘16) Who is Joe Esposito? Who is this PHS hero who has continued to captivate local sports coverage since September? With countless awards and accolades, a 96 grade point average, and leadership skills on the field and in the
classroom, it’s hard to find fault with this young man. Joe and I go back eight years to the mud-filled practice field behind Breakwater School, where we played youth football together on the Portland Cowboys. As a fifth grader, it was my first time strapping the pads on, but Joe was already a hardened veteran of the game. Now a senior, I have had the honor of playing alongside this warrior for almost a decade, culminating our time together with
a shot at the Maine State Championship this fall against the Thornton Academy Trojans. My relationship with Joe as both a teammate and a friend has given me the unusual advantage of seeing his progress both on the field and off it, and I hope this article does his high school career sufficient justice. Let’s begin in the fall of 2013, our sophomore year when Joe began his varsity career. Playing alongside his cousin and fellow PHS athletic great Justin Zukowski, Continued on Page 9
PHS Opinions
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 9
PHS Basketball: A Player’s Reflection
Sophomore Quinn Clarke reflects on his time on the PHS boys basketball team.
By QUINN CLARKE (‘18) The Portland High School Boys basketball team has achieved great success over the past several seasons. PHS was the Class A State Champion in 2014 and had a chance to defend the title again last year before losing in the finals. With that history, the team was under pressure to perform well again this year. They were ranked number one in the state in the preseason Portland Press Herald rankings even though league co-MVP Stephen Alex and other key players had graduated. Expectations were running high, and this year’s team has not disappointed. The boys finished the regular season 17-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of Gorham in January. This year the Bulldogs are part of a new super conference called AA, which has taken the biggest schools from last year’s Class A and grouped them together. In the new conference, the Bulldogs own the best record and are perhaps the most dominant team. Seniors Amir Moss and Joe Esposito lead the team along with sophomores Terion Moss and Griffin Foley. Junior John Bento, who has been with the program for three years says, “This team is different than our two previous
teams because there isn’t as much individual star power. Everyone works together really well as a unit.” At the top of the league, along with Portland, is crosstown rival Deering, which enters the postseason with a record of 16-2. These two teams have faced off twice, both times with emotions running high. A game was played at each court, and both times the stands were packed with fans from each team. Our Bulldogs won both games, handing Deering its only two losses of the season. Freshman Simon Chadbourne comments on the experience of those games. “It was like nothing I had experienced before. The energy from all of our players, the student sections yelling back and forth to one another; it was a great experience for me without even getting in the game.” Both games could be considered the most important games of the regular season, considering the quality of the teams. Although the Bulldogs have four senior varsity players, the team is also made up of many younger players who look to make the future bright. Of the fifteen players on the varsity roster, eight are sophomores or freshmen. So look for the Bulldogs to keep up this high level of play for years to come.
Esposito, Continued Joe became a starter at middle linebacker, where he racked up an impressive number of tackles. Because of his age, however, the SMAA did not award him the AllConference honors that he so deserved. This decision by the SMAA sparked a flame of determination that would guide Joe throughout the rest of his high school career. By the end of his junior season, he was an All-Conference linebacker and a gifted running back, a foreshadowing of his breakout senior year. Joe was chosen to be a captain for the 2015 season and continued his prolific junior athletic season that winter by helping the basketball team to its second consecutive appearance in the State Championship game. By the start of the 2015 football season, Joe and the rest of the Bulldog football team was emerging from summer sessions with expectations of an average season. A championship run looked like a distant dream to the rising seniors. In the first preseason faceoff against
Thornton Academy, the Bulldogs gave up a touchdown and were held scoreless going into the second half. But the defending state champion Trojans refused to play their starters for the second half of the game for fear of injury. The physical defense of the Bulldogs, led by Joe, had clearly done a number on Thornton’s offensive stars. That preseason game, though considered a loss on paper, would set the tone for the rest of the season. With Mike Rutherford as its coach and Joe as its captain, the Bulldogs’ defense was respected throughout the league as the most physical and aggressive group of players that the state had seen in years. For the rest of the 2015 regular season, Joe led the Bulldogs to a historic 8-0 record, a feat accomplished only twice in the last century of PHS football. He ended the regular season with 1,057 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, earning Class A North Player of the Year. Joe’s intensity continued into the playoffs.
In the Northern Maine Conference Championship game against Windham, he recorded 17 tackles and two rushing touchdowns. The Bulldogs surged into their first State Championship game since 2002. Although Portland lost a hard-fought state game to Thornton Academy and was unable to fulfill its dream of a perfect season, the emotion and camaraderie that grew from such a historic run still hasn’t faded. “I feel satisfied that I was able to get more things done [this season] than I imagined and was able to be a part of something special,” reflected Joe. Joe culminated his senior season with a whopping 124 tackles, 1,606 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Such impressive statistics earned him an avalanche of awards. In addition to Class A North Player of the Year, Joe was named the Vinny Allen Team MVP, Portland High School’s Fall Athlete of the Year, AllConference running back, Portland Press Continued on Page 10
PHS Opinions
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 10
Esposito, Continued Herald All-State and USA Today All-State running back, Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, and James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy winner. “The ‘Fitzy’ means the most to me because it is based on a career of excellence, and it’s amazing to be recognized alongside such talented finalists,” said Joe. Now that the football season is over, we can sit back and watch Joe dominate on the basketball court as he tries to lead the Bulldogs to their second state title in three years. But although his Portland football career is over, his impact on this school and on me will be
remembered forever. One memory in particular, will not be forgotten any time soon. It was November 26, 2015, and the Bulldogs had just beaten the Deering Rams in the annual Thanksgiving Day Classic. Joe won the game’s Most Valuable Player award and returned to the locker room to undress and pack up for the year. My locker was next to Joe’s, and as we all limped into the Portland Expo together, I looked at him to my left. He was staring at a discarded helmet that had been thrown on the floor, and there was a pensive look on
his face. A group of seniors all sat together in silence at the realization that it was the end of an era for us as PHS football players. “I just don’t want to take my pads off,” Joe croaked finally. That says it all. It’s not about the press or the awards for Joe Esposito. It’s about the love of the game and his team, the feeling of victory, and never ever wanting to come off of the field. All of that, and more, makes Joe an exceptional Bulldog.
Questions? Comments? Want to Write? Email:
[email protected],
[email protected] Editors - Blakey Bessire Staff Editors/Writers - Nick Archambault, Peter Barry, Blakey Bessire, Alex Frank, Elinor Hilton, Sam Mermin, Caitriona Moran Guest Writers - Jeremy Bruce, George ChaisonLapine, Quinn Clarke, Gracie Cox, Ben Fisher Artwork - Daisy Brawn, Evelyn Kirby Graphics/Layout Editor - Peter Barry Photography Editor - Aidan Richman Advisors - Amanda Pendleton and Maryann Pendleton On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for reading Joe Esposito hoists the class AA North title (Portland Press Herald)
this issue of the Bulldog Edition.
