Hebron Academy athletic director Leslie Guenther is pleased to announce that returning Hebron Academy coach Katie Coyne (Madison, WI) will become the new head coach of Hebron’s girls’ varsity hockey team. Assisting her will be alumna Louise Roy ’05 from New Gloucester.

“Both women grew up playing prep school hockey, Katie at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA and Louise at Hebron Academy. Both then went on to have successful college careers as well; Katie as captain of the Bowdoin College team and Louise as a member of the Hamilton College (NY) women’s ice hockey team. Katie’s and Louise’s prep school and college experiences along with their knowledge of and passion for the game make them the perfect choices to lead the Hebron girls’ program, and I am delighted that we will have such wonderful role models for our student-athletes,” added Guenther.

Coyne, who has served as assistant coach for two years, is excited to be taking on the Head Coaching role for the 2010-2011 season. “I know these girls very well. I am delighted that our top scorers are returning,” she noted, “and I look forward to working with our new recruits who have immense potential.”

Roy, who played for Hebron from 2002-2005, knows the Robinson Arena well. Proud of what she calls “the best ice in the state,” she is taking on a coaching position where her father, Marc Roy ’78, coached the girls’ team to the New England tournament in 2003 and 2004.

Roy added, “I’m very happy to be back in Maine. My heart has always been at Hebron, and I can’t wait to get back on the ice with this team. I’ve wanted to coach since high school, and I am glad Hebron has given me the opportunity to work with these strong student athletes. It’s also going to be fun to be on the same side as [former hockey opponent] Katie Coyne!”

Returning to the team are local skaters Jenna Bosse (Greene); Mariah Mosher (Auburn); Natalie Maciejewski (Brunswick); and Ally Strachan (Hebron). New Maine skaters donning the Hebron Lumberjack uniform are sisters Jackie and Amber Aaskov of Falmouth, Sara Grover of Biddeford, and Taylor Teixeira from Lewiston.

“Our team will be rounded out by girls from all over New England. Across the board, they have a tremendous amount of experience playing at a competitive level. They are aggressive and we’re looking forward to a great season together,” said Coach Coyne.

The season kicks off at the St. George’s School Tournament in Newport, Rhode Island, in mid-December.

The Middle School year end ceremony took place to a standing room only crowd in the corner Hebron Chapel on a Wednesday evening in mid-June. Middle School Director, and rock musician, Paul Brouwer commenced the evening by thanking the students for their year of tremendous growth and full participation. He proceeded to sing a personalized version of Bob Dylan’s Times, They Are A-Changing, recognizing each of the eighth grade students for various unique features. In turn, each of the eighth graders spoke at the lectern to acknowledge their favorite teachers for their many contributions to the middle school years. This year’s eighth grade, led by Janelle Tardif of Auburn, went on to collectively stand and add a round of applause for their parents.

Eighth grade parent, Andy Wheeler of Greenwood, Maine showed a film he made with the help of the eighth grade students focusing on what was special about the Middle School and what that class will miss most about their Hebron Academy experience: “my friends,” “math,” “Ms. Hemmings,” and “Chicken Patty Day” were amongst the range of answers to that popular question.

The Year End Ceremony is designed to recognize the eighth grade, however what is equally entertaining about this night is that each student in the Middle School in all grades is celebrated, and in some cases roasted. “There is camaraderie in the Middle School that is prevalent from the playground to the classroom,” says Middle School alumnus and rising twelfth grader, Taylor Theriault from Minot, Maine as he watched his younger brother Josh Theriault cross the stage to receive his Hebron scroll.

There were multiple examples of the typical Middle School closeness and humor throughout the evening including a presentation by math teacher and Athletic Director Leslie Guenther describing how she “likes” everyone in the 7th grade for their various antics observed throughout the year. History Chair and 6th grade teacher Stephen Middleton hosted a Game Show of “How Well Do You Know the Sixth Grade?” sharing a variety of little known facts about each student, such as: “Who has a snake named Edgar!?” “Who has been to the Grand Canyon?” and “Who likes Mexican food!?”

The highlight of the evening was the much looked-forward-to Slide Show, offering a bird’s eye view of the entire year, from the opening orientation activities to the fall Acadia field trip, to the Science Fair, the 8th Grade New York City trip, the winter drama production, the soccer and baseball games, the full school Montreal trip, the championship boys’ ski team, and even the final week of school’s overnight camping trip to Hermit Island.

The joy and proud tears of students and teachers hugging and congratulating one another at the end of the night was a heartfelt culmination to a great evening and a great year. Congratulations one and all.

For more information about the Middle School at Hebron Academy, please contact the Office of Admission at 207-966-5225.