WHS students preparing for One Act Festival

By Jolene Bailey

Windham High School students are preparing to participate in the One Act Festival, an annual event designed to showcase one-act plays and theater productions that typically run 20 to 40 minutes.

This year Windham will be staging “Making Nice” by Alan Haehnel at the festival. This show is about a play within a play about a dress rehearsal that goes wrong when Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) members arrive. OSHA members mandate that no one can leave the theater until the production is rounded into shape and forcing the cast and crew to comply.

The Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Drama Council host the One Act Festival every year and bring in new judges and students to be involved. Under One Act rules, each school’s One Act skit cannot exceed a 40-minute performance time without facing penalties.

Students compete in categories based upon student population. The Class A competition is for schools with more than 500 students with Class B competition for schools below 500 students. Participating schools create their own sets that must be reviewed and approved by the regional tech director first.

“The students and I discussed the pros and cons of the show at a meeting back in December and decided it would be a good fit for us this year to bring to the competition,” said CJ Payne, Windham’s One Acts director.

Payne is in his third year of directing the WHS One Acts group and this will be his 15th One Act Festival of participating with the WHS group.

“I love that it's an interscholastic competition where you get competing schools cheering for each other and giving our drama students a chance to see what other school's drama programs are achieving,” said Payne.

He says that the One Act Festival has driven students to achieve higher standards in all WHS performing arts programs.

In addition to the One Act Festival competition, the group will present two preview performances for the Windham community at Windham High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1. Admission is free, and donations will be welcomed.

WHS junior Elise Biggs will be participating for the second time in One Act.

“I am most excited about meeting new people at the festival and traveling,” Biggs said. “Last year we hosted at WHS, and it was great but leaving for the festival gives a good new point of view.”

Biggs is an actor’s understudy in the part of Mary, and she is also cast as a wolf in this year’s One Act production.

She said that no matter if it’s in leading or smaller roles, drama and the theater can have a positive impact on students, and a way to discover new areas of interest and develop relationships.

“The One Act has had a positive impact on me as it is a way for me to express myself in a way that the school musical doesn't let me,” Biggs said. “The school musical is there for those who can sing and dance as well as act, but the One Acts gives students like myself a way to show off their acting skills and not get overlooked because they can't do it all.”

This year’s One Act Festival will be staged at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Scarborough High School. Windham’s cast and crew will compete in the festival’s Class A division against Scarbrough, Noble, South Portland, and Gray New Gloucester High Schools.

In order to be eligible for the festival, all student participants must be in grades 9 to 12 and the WHS group includes actors and stage crew members. <

WHS Class of 2027 hosts ‘Windham Skating Party’

By Jolene Bailey

One of Windham High School’s most-involved clubs in extracurricular activities is the student and class council.

Student council is a representative group of students to promote and encourage school spirit and respect to all. Class council is an extension of that where students from each grade level elect positions in the spring to serve the class that the students themselves are in.

So far this year, Windham High School’s Class of 2027 has held several events encouraging participants.

Bailey Ward is a part of the Class of 2027’s class council and says that the sophomores are focused on raising money for future class events, such as homecoming, prom and senior events. This requires them to host several fundraisers during the school year. Last year around late winter they held a “Roller Skating Night” at Happy Wheels in Westbrook.

“The event turned out pretty good, but it was not a completely private event.” Ward said. “We only received some of the proceeds because of this.”

This year, the Class of 2027 has planned an “Ice Skating Night” at William B. Trough Ice Arena in Portland.

“This time we have rented out an arena and the event will be open to the entire community, kids, families, etc.,” Ward said. “The private event is different from the roller skating event since it is more focused on Windham and Raymond.”

During the winter months, it can be difficult to find ways to exercise and plan fun events with others. Ice skating is a way to not only enjoy your time with others but also stay active while doing so.

“We thought an ‘Ice Skating Party’ would be perfect for this time of year,” Ward said. “I am most looking forward to the outcome of this event. I am hoping it brings our community together even more and overall turns into a fun night for everyone.”

Students involved with the community is an important part of learning and Ward said it can increase engagement, make lifelong friendships and improve overall attendance.

“Everyone should feel welcome and hopefully enjoy their time,” she said. “Hopefully, we will have a nice turnout and raise some good money for our class that will help us with prom and many other events in the future.”

One positive impact that events such as the “Windham Skating Party” has is for students to get out and to interact with others. Being able to get around new people and trying to step outside of your own comfort zone is vital in teenage years.

“It is also a great event to go to with your friends and grab a bite to eat after,” Ward said. “Another thing I think will be nice is that it is a way for people to learn to skate if they already don't know how.”

The “Windham Skating Party” will be from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at William B. Trough Ice Arena, 225 Park Ave. in Portland. Ward says that throughout the event there will be music, food, and a few raffles. Skates will be included but students may bring their own pair if they choose to.

WHS Class of 2027 advisors Jennnifer Long and Chris DiBernardo will oversee this event as they have helped coordinate this event and others in the past. <

Aroma Joes partners with Raymond Parks and Rec for winter pop-up event

By Kendra Raymond

When it comes to winter fun, Raymond Parks and Recreation Department has it covered. After a recent snowstorm caused the cancellation of a field trip, Parks and Rec staff members jumped into action to save the day.

Eager sledders Emerson Crocker and Acadia Carroll took
part in the recent pop-up sledding event during the Camp
Raymond After School Program. PHOTO BY RILEY SILVIA 

Camp Raymond After School is a program designed to keep children active and occupied following school hours. Activities take place in Raymond, but occasionally special trips are planned. The recent surprise storm derailed the group’s trip to the Children’s Museum in Portland, which was planned during a scheduled half-day at school.

Raymond’s Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Riley Silvia said that the partnered event just sort of evolved.

“This event was part of our after-school program, which provides kids with fun, enriching activities after school. We had originally planned a field trip that day, but when the snowfall made travel difficult, we turned the day into a winter adventure instead,” she said. Parks and Recreation Director Joe Crocker went out and got sleds, and we transformed the afternoon into a classic snow day experience right at Camp Raymond After School.”

Silvia recalls that “snow day” feeling from her childhood. She said she thinks that it is important to encourage wholesome traditions while spending some time outdoors with friends.

“Many kids look forward to snow days and all the traditions that come with them, sledding, hot chocolate, and cozy movies, so we wanted to recreate that special feeling,” she said. “Since they only had a two-hour delay, we made sure they still got to enjoy the winter fun.”

The fun didn’t stop there. Quick thinkers Crocker and Silvia figured that the chilly sledders would want a way to warm up and get some refreshment after all the excitement. Enter: Aroma Joe’s, home of delicious beverages right in Raymond.

“After flying down the slopes, we warmed up with delicious hot chocolate from Aroma Joe’s in Raymond,” Silvia said. “They have been a longtime supporter of our programs and always find ways to give back to the community. When we told them about our impromptu snow day and asked if they’d be interested in helping, they didn’t hesitate to step up,” she said. "They generously provided hot chocolate for all the kids, making the day even more special. It’s partners like Aroma Joe’s that make our community so great, and we’re incredibly grateful for their support. We finished the day with a bracket-style movie vote, letting the kids decide on the perfect film to wrap up their snow day adventure.”

The Raymond Parks & Recreation Department Facebook page posted, “Today was SNOW much fun! Shout out to @aromajoescoffee for providing us with hot cocoa for this snowy day.” The gratitude didn’t stop there, as Aroma Joe’s was featured as the Raymond Parks and Recreation Sponsor Saturday highlight posting, “This week we’re shining the spotlight on Aroma Joe’s Coffee, a fantastic supporter of our programs! Not only do they sponsor teams in our leagues, but they also go the extra mile by providing hot cocoa and snacks to their team at the end of the season. Plus, their generosity extends beyond sports - Aroma Joe’s donates hot cocoa to our community events, helping to keep everyone warm and smiling. Be sure to stop by and support them, just like they support us!”

Silvia is dedicated to keeping things exciting for the youngsters.

“The kids get out at 12:10 every Wednesday, so we try to be creative with activities and trips,” she said. “We started this program in September, and I have been the director.”

With the rapid growth of the Raymond Park and Rec Department, Silvia said that her responsibilities are increasing.

“My tasks in the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director position are growing as our department is growing, so I have dropped down to working Wednesdays and Fridays,” she said. “Jill Lambert has become our Program Leader, covering the other three days."

Silvia says she’s happy to get so much positive feedback on the recent pop-up sledding event and hopes to keep the momentum going with more engaging activities this year.

“I never thought the kids would be excited when I told them a field trip was canceled, but they were absolutely thrilled to have a sledding day instead,” she said. “They were laughing and soaking up every moment of fun in the snow. Parents have told us how much they appreciated that we turned an unexpected change into such a fun opportunity.” <