Erskine Academy
Encyclopedia
Erskine Academy is a private high school located in South China
, Maine
.
The high school has a current enrollment of 748 students and serves eight surrounding towns. The campus occupies about 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of land and includes several academic buildings as well as various athletic fields.
The school's motto is "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" (A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body). Erskine Academy's school colors are blue and white, and an eagle is the school's mascot.
In this, John Erskine saw a chance by which his dream of a life-time might be realized. In his own youth he had been denied the privilege of a high school education, and he made up his mind that if opportunity ever came his way he would see that the younger generation had this chance. Mr. Erskine went about his work so quietly and yet so openly that even his closest friends and associates did not realize his great influence and interest in the business at hand.
A body of trustees was established and they went to Augusta, and proceeded to enlist the services of attorneys, Samuel Titcomb, W.S. Choate and Mr. Boardman, editor of the Maine Farmer. These in consultation, drew up a deed of trust that established the school. This being done, the trustees met and organized, choosing Eli Jones, president; J.K. Erskine, vice-president; Dana C. Hanson, secretary, and Samuel C. Starrett, treasurer. The school then secured a building from an old Methodist Church and opened in 1883.
Associate Headmaster: Jamie Soule
Assistant Headmaster: John Clark
Guidance Director: Susan LaGasse
Athletic Director: Doran Stout
competitions, egg tosses, paper airplane throwing, push-ups, crunches, mini-golf in the library
, log throw, and many more. For winter carnival there are three different main days of competition; Indoor Day, Outdoor Day, and the Assembly. Although Indoor Day and Outdoor Day are very critical toward earning points, a large portion of the points are earned at the Assembly on the Friday before February vacation. Also, over the year there is a constant competition dealing with the collection of cantabs. These cantabs are donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children
and also benefit the grades by allowing them to win more points.
There are 5 performing Ensembles: Concert Band, Jazz Combo (Audition Required), Percussion Explosion (Teacher Permission Required), Chorus, Vocal Ensemble (Audition reqiured). There is 1 class: Music Lab.
.
Fall Season
Winter Season
Spring Season
Fling out the banner now for aye!
Long may it wave so proudly in the light
Showing the royal blue and white.
Rah! Rah!
While our exultant song shall bring dismay
Unto our foes what ere their might
The blue and white, get in the fight
And we will make this an Erskine day!
South China, Maine
South China is a village in the town of China in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. It is one of four villages in China.-Communities:South China Lake is home to Friends Camp, a Quaker summer camp currently run by Nat Shed, which has been active for over 50 years. As well, it is the home of a...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
.
The high school has a current enrollment of 748 students and serves eight surrounding towns. The campus occupies about 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of land and includes several academic buildings as well as various athletic fields.
The school's motto is "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" (A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body). Erskine Academy's school colors are blue and white, and an eagle is the school's mascot.
History
Erskine was founded as a result of a trust established following the passing of Sullivan Erskine in 1850. John K. Erskine, a nephew of Sullivan, asked Mary Erskine to bequest a portion of the money to the town of China to be placed in some reliable trust, the annual interest to be used to support and control a free high school for the town. This school was to be located in school district No. 14.In this, John Erskine saw a chance by which his dream of a life-time might be realized. In his own youth he had been denied the privilege of a high school education, and he made up his mind that if opportunity ever came his way he would see that the younger generation had this chance. Mr. Erskine went about his work so quietly and yet so openly that even his closest friends and associates did not realize his great influence and interest in the business at hand.
A body of trustees was established and they went to Augusta, and proceeded to enlist the services of attorneys, Samuel Titcomb, W.S. Choate and Mr. Boardman, editor of the Maine Farmer. These in consultation, drew up a deed of trust that established the school. This being done, the trustees met and organized, choosing Eli Jones, president; J.K. Erskine, vice-president; Dana C. Hanson, secretary, and Samuel C. Starrett, treasurer. The school then secured a building from an old Methodist Church and opened in 1883.
Faculty
Headmaster: Mike McQuarrieAssociate Headmaster: Jamie Soule
Assistant Headmaster: John Clark
Guidance Director: Susan LaGasse
Athletic Director: Doran Stout
Towns
Erskine Academy serves the following towns:- Chelsea, MaineChelsea, MaineChelsea is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,559 at the 2000 census.-History:Chelsea was incorporated as a town on March 1, 1851 separating from a portion of Hallowell. The town was named after the town of Chelsea, Massachusetts...
- China, MaineChina, MaineChina is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,106 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Jefferson, MaineJefferson, MaineJefferson is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,388 at the 2000 census.-History:Jefferson is a town in Lincoln County, incorporated on February 24, 1807, when Thomas Jefferson was President, from Ballstown Plantation...
- Palermo, MainePalermo, MainePalermo is a town in Waldo County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,220 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:...
- Somerville, MaineSomerville, MaineSomerville is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 509 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Vassalboro, MaineVassalboro, MaineVassalboro is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,047 at the 2000 Census. Vassalboro includes the villages of South Vassalboro, North Vassalboro, and East Vassalboro, home to the town library and sports field.-History:...
- Whitefield, MaineWhitefield, MaineWhitefield is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,273 at the 2000 census. Whitefield is named for the celebrated British evangelist George Whitefield, who inspired the colonists before the town was settled in 1770, mainly by Irish Catholics...
- Windsor, MaineWindsor, MaineWindsor is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,204 at the 2000 census. The town was formerly known as Malta, and gave its name to the "Malta War", a minor rebellion against the Massachusetts state government in Boston over settlement and land ownership rights in...
Winter Carnival
Every February, Erskine Academy holds its Winter Carnival. It consists of a series of games played during the week before February Vacation. Winning games results in winning points, and when Winter Carnival is over whichever grade (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) has accumulated the most points wins Winter Carnival. The events in Winter Carnival include skits (performed by each grade), volleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
competitions, egg tosses, paper airplane throwing, push-ups, crunches, mini-golf in the library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, log throw, and many more. For winter carnival there are three different main days of competition; Indoor Day, Outdoor Day, and the Assembly. Although Indoor Day and Outdoor Day are very critical toward earning points, a large portion of the points are earned at the Assembly on the Friday before February vacation. Also, over the year there is a constant competition dealing with the collection of cantabs. These cantabs are donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit hospitals across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’...
and also benefit the grades by allowing them to win more points.
Academic Departments
- Music Department - The music department consists of one instructor, Jim Johnson. He is aided by his wife, Bridget Convey. She accompanies the Vocal Ensemble and ChorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
.
There are 5 performing Ensembles: Concert Band, Jazz Combo (Audition Required), Percussion Explosion (Teacher Permission Required), Chorus, Vocal Ensemble (Audition reqiured). There is 1 class: Music Lab.
- Theatre Department - The drama department consists of two classes taught by Ryan Nored. The classes are Introduction to Drama and Advanced Drama. Advanced Drama students must have taken Introduction to Drama or have been a member of the EA Theatre Club.
- English Department - The English Department is a busy department because students need to take four English classes in order to graduate. A.P. Literature and CompositionAP English Literature and CompositionAdvanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
and A.P. Language and CompositionAP English Language and CompositionAdvanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
are offered. - Math Department - Students need to take three math classes to graduate. A.P. CalculusAP CalculusAdvanced Placement Calculus is used to indicate one of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC....
and A.P. StatisticsAP StatisticsAdvanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
are offered. - Science Department - Students need to take three science classes to graduate. A.P. BiologyAP BiologyIn the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
is sometimes offered. - Language Department - Students need to take two language classes to graduate. EA offers Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, German, and in the past has offered Italian after school.
- History Department - Students need to take three history classes to graduate. A.P. U.S. HistoryAP United States HistoryAdvanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
is offered.
Athletics
Erskine Academy offers several sports, and is a member of the Kennebec Valley Athletic ConferenceKennebec Valley Athletic Conference
The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference is a high school athletic organization, featuring schools from the towns that surround the Kennebec River in the state of Maine...
.
Fall Season
- Soccer (Varsity Boys, JV Boys, Freshman Boys, Varsity Girls, and JV Girls teams)
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(Boys and Girls teams- a will be cut sport) - Field HockeyField hockeyField Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
(Varsity Girls and JV Girls teams)
Winter Season
- BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
(Varsity Boys, JV Boys, Varsity Girls, and JV Girls teams) - WrestlingWrestlingWrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
(One main team open to boys and girls) - CheerleadingCheerleadingCheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
(Varsity and JV teams open to boys and girls) - Indoor Track (Girls and Boys teams- a non-cut sport)
- SwimmingSwimming (sport)Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
(Girls and Boys teams- a non-cut sport)
Spring Season
- BaseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
(Varsity and JV teams) - SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
(Varsity and JV teams) - Track and FieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
(Girls and Boys teams- will be cut sport) - TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
(Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls teams) - GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
(four teams open to boys and girls) - race car(track in building]
Extracurricular activities
- AFSAFS Intercultural ProgramsAFS Intercultural Programs was established in 1915 by A. Piatt Andrew, a onetime economics professor at Harvard University and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury...
- American Field Services helps sponsor students from other countries to come to EA and students from EA to travel to other countries. Normally, they hold several fundraisers throughout the year. Traditional activities are the AFS Slammer at homecoming, volunteering at the Common Ground Fair, a yearly trip to Quebec, Canada, and several meetings throughout the year which normally have a guest speaker discussing the culture of another area of the world. This year several members are traveling to El SalvadorEl SalvadorEl Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
to do volunteer work. Sonia Stevenson is this group's advisor. - Amnesty InternationalAmnesty InternationalAmnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
- AI is a fairly new group at Erskine. It was started during the '07-'08 school year. This group has urged students to sign petitions to make their voices heard and spread knowledge of human rights. Several meetings are held throughout the year where the group may watch movies, make T-shirts, or learn about the problems in the world and what we can do to help solve them. Ryan Nored is this group's advisor. - Art & Lit - Art & Lit gathers several short pieces of writing and drawings or pieces of art and publishes a yearly magazine near the end of the school year. Emily Foss and Mary Oches are this group's advisors.
- Business Club - The Business Club runs many events throughout the school year such as a dunk tank, school dances, volunteer activities, and has gone on trips to Florida and New York in the past. Roxanne Malley is this group's advisor.
- Chess Club - The Chess Club holds several meeting throughout the school year where students are encouraged to come learn and practice the game of chess. In the past they have participated in state competitions. Bill Childs is this group's advisor.
- Destination ImaginationDestination ImagiNationDestination ImagiNation Inc. or DI is a creative problem solving organization for youth and adults. Destination ImagiNation's educational goals are to foster creative and critical thinking, to develop teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills, and to nurture research and inquiry skills...
- DI is a group that encourages students to use their mind to come up with creative ways to solve issues. Sometimes machines are built and sometimes skits are done. The idea is to learn what you can do with a very limited budget. This group participates in several competitions on the regional and state level. Abby Everleth is this group's advisor. - Math Team - The Math Team meets and practices their math skills throughout the school year. Historically this team has done a tremendous job taking home many first, second, and third place wins on the individual and team level. They are a team to be rivaled at state competitions. Armed with their TI-83s and TI-84s and with Lew Purinton as their advisor, these students impress everyone with their number skills.
- Model StateYMCA Youth and GovernmentYMCA Youth and Government, or Y&G is a YMCA civic engagement and service-learning program in the United States that offers high school students the opportunity to serve in a model government process at the local, state, national, and international levels...
- Model State or Youth in Government (some states call it Youth and Government) is a group in which students get first hand legislature experience. These students write bills and run for positions. The students spend a weekend in May at the State House in Augusta. Here they try to argue for their bills and vote on important issues. Positions that Erskine Academy students have held in the past are lobbyist, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate, House chair for numerous committees, Senate Chair for numerous committees, Secretary of the Senate, Clerk of the House, and even Speaker of the House. Lori Dube is this group's advisor. - National Art Honor SocietyNational Art Honor SocietyThe National Art Honor Society was established in 1978 in the United States by the National Art Education Association for high school students grades 10-12, for "the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art" from the National Art Honor Society...
- NAHS is a national group that only allows certain, very talented artists in. Students must collaborate a portfolio of art which is then judged in order to be allowed in. Emily Foss is this group's advisor. - National Honor SocietyNational Honor SocietyThe National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
- NHS is a prestigious group that chooses students who have been highly involved in the school and community while maintaining an impressive GPA. Students are inducted during their junior or senior year. NHS sponsors a dance, decorates the school for the holiday season, and sells flowers during the school year. Mary Oches is this group's advisor. - Pep Band - Pep Band practices throughout the school year and plays during home varsity basketball games in the winter. This group is student led; it has student conductors that conduct and lead the group. Kelly Clark and Roxanne Malley are this group's advisors.
- Prom Committee - The Prom Committee is made up of juniors who plan the year's prom during May. Kelly Potter is this group's advisor.
- Ski/Outing Club - The Ski and Outing Club travels to the mountains as many times as the weather permits during the winter. Dennis Scates is this group's advisor.
- Speech and Debate - This team goes to several meets during the winter and spring. They have done very, very well in the past. Rod Robilliard is this group's advisor.
- Student CouncilStudent councilStudent council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
- The Student Council is composed of four students elected by the peers from each class. The class presidents are also on student council. They run dances and attend conferences. They do many things for the school and student body, especially during winter carnival. They have also won the Spirit Cup for many, many years. Mary MacFarland is this group's advisor. - EA Theatre Club - Every December or January the members of the drama club perform a three act play. Every March the members participate in the Maine One Act FestivalOne Act FestivalThe One-Act Festival is an annual theatre festival that different high schools and districts all across the United States hold.The different districts are each separated into groups and then compete against each other by doing a one-act play...
sponsored by the Maine Principals' AssociationMaine Principals' AssociationThe Maine Principals’ Association is the governing body for sports competitions among all public and some private high schools in the state of Maine. It is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations...
. They have had success numerous times at the regional competitions, earning the right to move onto the state level. They have won by performing: Impromptu, Childhood (2nd place), Juvie, Competition Piece, and Mother Goose has Flown the Coop. Ryan Nored is this group's advisor/director. - TLC - Teens Leading and Learning through Community Service provides students with opportunities for volunteer service within the local communities. They may spend time at area nursing homes, share afternoons with young children, or assist at local businesses. Kelly Clark is this group's advisor.
- Yearbook - The Yearbook staff work all year round to compile pictures and information for the year's yearbook: The Pinnacle. They work long hours and sell and distribute the yearbooks at the end of the school year. Jenny Sutter is this group's advisor.
School song
Give them a rousing cheer for ol' EA,Fling out the banner now for aye!
Long may it wave so proudly in the light
Showing the royal blue and white.
Rah! Rah!
While our exultant song shall bring dismay
Unto our foes what ere their might
The blue and white, get in the fight
And we will make this an Erskine day!