Athletes who have won KVAC Championships this year were on hand to receive a check for the Raise the Bell campaign from First National Bank. Back row from left: Nathaneal Clark (boys cross country), Pablo Iglesias Martin (boys soccer), Rath Schoenthal (boys soccer), Jonas Stepanauskus (boys cross country), Will Clark (boys cross country). Middle row from left: Jayden Lafrenaye (wrestling), Eliot O’Mahoney (boys cross country, indoor track), Eric Richmond (wrestling), Gavin Peck (indoor track). Front brown from left: Maddy Kallin (girls cross country/indoor track), First National Bank’s Senior Quality and Control Associate Erin Blomquist, Branch Manager Jessica Day First National Wealth Management’s VP and Senior Portfolio Manager Gary Stone, and Mya Bessey (girls cross country/indoor track).
The First National Bank of Damariscotta presented a $5,000 donation to Lincoln Academy’s Raise the Bell campaign on March 4, 2024.
“LA is so thankful for our business and alumni supporters who understand what our bell tower means to our community,” said Heather D’Ippolito, Lincoln Academy’s Director of Community Engagement and Development. “We could not take on a project of this magnitude without their generosity.”
“We’re proud to support Lincoln Academy’s Save the Bell campaign,” said Tony McKim, President and CEO of First National Bank. “The bell tower stands as a beacon of Lincoln Academy’s rich history, spirit, and community tradition. We’re looking forward to seeing its preservation and safe return on top of the hill.”
LA athletes who have won KVAC and State championships this year were present to receive the check from the First. “We know that for our students, this moment does not replace ringing the bell, and we want to acknowledge what they’ve missed,” said D’Ippolito. “It has been a very successful year for LA athletes (not to mention the Robotics, One Act, and Math teams) and we feel the bell’s absence. We look forward to hearing it ring again soon.”
The bell itself is a Hooper Bell that was cast in Boston in 1854. It has been restored and will soon ship back to Newcastle. Meanwhile engineers assessed the tower and belfry in late December. Two local contractors have met with the engineers and are developing proposals for the building project.
“We’re hopeful that work on the tower will begin as soon as the building empties for the summer. We don’t know the exact date when restoration will be complete, and the bell restored to its perch,” said D’Ippolito, “but we are all looking forward to hearing it ring again!”
Fundraising continues for the Raise the Bell campaign. To find out more or make a donation, visit https://lincolnacademy.org/support/raise-the-la-bell.
