Nandor Gero ’24, Liam Card ’23, Senator Cameron Reny, Abigayle Reed ’23, Isobel Petersen ’23, and Kayla Cruz ’24 at the Independent School Hall of Flags event at the Maine State House on February 7, 2023.
Lincoln Academy students traveled with Head of School Jeffrey Burroughs to the Maine State House on Tuesday, February 7. The group spent time tabling with representatives from other independent schools around Maine to celebrate independent school education. At the State House students had the opportunity to talk to legislators and lobbyists, including local legislators Senator Cameron Reny and Representative Lydia Crafts.
According to Hilary Petersen, Associate Director of Admissions, “We were so pleased to be a part of this event, sponsored by the Maine Association of Independent Schools. It is important for legislators to understand how an independent school education differs from private and public school models, and our student representatives did a great job speaking about the opportunities and experiences they have had at Lincoln Academy.”
“Independent schools are a vital part of the educational landscape in Maine,” added Burroughs. “We serve approximately 10% of all high school students in the state.”
Liam Card ’23 takes a selfie with the other representatives from Lincoln Academy, Abigayle Reed ’23, Associate Director of Admissions Hilary Petersen, Nando Gero ’24, Head of School Jeffrey Burroughs, Kayla Cruz ’24, and Isobel Petersel ’23.
“It was incredibly exciting to meet legislators who interested in what goes on at LA,” said LA senior Liam Card. “I think most people in Maine, especially people that do not live in Lincoln County, don’t really understand life at town academies like LA. It was exciting to get the experience to give anecdotes about my time at Lincoln to the lawmakers.”
After visiting with legislators and networking with the other student representatives from around Maine, students were formally invited by Representative Lydia Crafts to watch the House of Representatives in session from the balcony. They were introduced by Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross and applauded by House members for their attendance.
“The event was very important to me, because I was able to talk about my opportunities and experiences at Lincoln Academy,” said senior Abbigayle Reed. Everyone was excited to hear my story and to know about how Lincoln Academy is different from a public school. It was very exciting to get to sit in and watch the House in session and to get introduced.”
“I have always been interested in how the state legislature works, and this was a nice opportunity to see that,” said Nandor Gero, a junior residential student from Hungary. “We were able to talk to several representatives, and had the opportunity to sit in on a House of Representatives session. It was an amazing experience and I am glad I got to do it.”
