KHS News

KENNEBUNK, Maine - Kennebunk High School junior Quinn Wherley has been selected as Maine's only representative for the 2025 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, a prestigious five-day program taking place June 22-27 in Washington, D.C.

Wherley is one of just 51 high school juniors selected nationwide for the program — one from each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. — which is hosted by Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms. Each scholar receives a $1,000 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation's capital.

The conference features interactive sessions with prominent media professionals, tours of iconic newsrooms including USA TODAY headquarters, and attendance at Freedom Forum's Free Expression Awards gala. Students will participate in presentations by New York Times investigative reporter David Fahrenthold and panels on digital journalism innovation.

"I am honored to represent Maine and Kennebunk High School at this conference," Wherley said. "This opportunity to learn from industry leaders and connect with other student journalists from across the country is truly a dream come true. My favorite aspects of journalism include reporting real and relevant news for the community, as well as seeing the power of the media and its impact on society. This conference combines my passions of traveling, interacting with others, and reporting real-world events, which I am so excited to experience."

The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, established in 1999, selects one scholar from each state and the District of Columbia who demonstrates a strong commitment to journalism and qualities that make them "free spirits." The program has produced more than 1,500 alumni, including award-winning journalists at ABC News, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and other major news organizations.

"We simply could not be prouder of Quinn for her selection for this distinguished program," said Kennebunk High School Principal Scott Tombleson. "This recognition reflects not only her exceptional talent and dedication, but also how seriously we at Kennebunk High School take our commitment to developing well-rounded, engaged students who will make meaningful contributions to society long into the future."

RSU 21 Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper praised the selection as a testament to the district's academic excellence.

"Having Quinn chosen as Maine's representative in this highly selective national program demonstrates the caliber of students we're developing here in RSU 21," Cooper said. "This achievement brings great pride to our entire school community and shows how our students are equipped to be challenged at the highest levels."

The conference agenda includes visits to Capitol Hill, The Wall Street Journal's Washington bureau, and sessions on First Amendment basics and countering media misconceptions. Students will also explore career paths in modern journalism and digital media innovation.

The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is named after the founder of Freedom Forum and USA TODAY. The program aims to inspire and encourage high school students to pursue journalism and media careers while providing ongoing support from Free Spirit alumni networks.

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Kennebunk High School marked a historic milestone Sunday, graduating 177 seniors in its sesquicentennial commencement ceremony on the school's football field.

The Class of 2025 represents the 150th graduating class from Kennebunk High School, a legacy that Principal Scott Tombleson emphasized during his address to the packed stadium.

 

"150 years ago, those who came before us invested in you, Class of 2025," Tombleson told graduates. "Without seeing you, they believed in your potential. Without knowing you, they were compelled to act on your behalf."

The ceremony featured speeches from valedictorian Emilia Ilyas, who will attend Dartmouth College in the fall, and salutatorian Caroline Tabor, who is attending Cornell University to study physics.

Ilyas encouraged her classmates to focus on relationships and character over achievements. 

"People will remember less about what you've accomplished and more about how you made them feel," she said.

 

RSU 21 Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper opened the ceremony by recognizing the community support that helped students reach graduation day, from school staff to family members who provided years of encouragement.

"Your kindness will be your superpower," Cooper told graduates. "The gentle word you speak to someone having their worst day, the helping hand you extend without expecting anything in return — these small acts ripple outward in ways you may never know."

 

Student speakers Cooper Thompson and Makena Garriepy reflected on their class's resilience through constant change, including new teachers, administrators, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected their freshman year.

"We found ways to build strong connections with new mentors," Thompson said. "We stepped up to lead in our clubs, sports, and in the classrooms. We created a sense of community, even when everything around us seemed to be shifting."

Faculty guest speaker Rebecca Moy, a history and social studies teacher completing her 28th year at KHS, shared her passion for sports and her gratitude for being part of students' lives.

 

"I know that I am a much better person having known all of you," Moy said.

 

KHS Class of 2025:

Alexander H. Adams
Jonas N. Adams
Sasha S. Altschule**
Megan A. Ames
Max M. Andrews***
Caleb M.S. Auriemma
Nicole J. Axelsen
Kyle M. Barron
Emilie M. Barter**
Ella C. Beals
James H. Bertus Trudo**
Mason M. Binette**
Elijah J. Blanchard
Wyatt W. Boulette
Brianna Bundy
Ethan T. Burr
William J. Camp
Addison M. Carbone**
Kylee V. Caron*
Alexandros Cartwright*
Weston M. Church
Ryan C. Clark
Finneas S. C. Coldreck***
Lucia K. Collin Reigosa
Kellen N. Connor*
Aurora B. Crone
Ryan P. Cumiskey-Suscello
Cenzie C. Cunningham***
Anthony T. D’Ella**
Gabrielle F. D’Orso-Palmer**
Blake W. Dallara*
Isabella C. Donnery**
Emily R. Dube**
Philip H. Dyer*
William K. Eagleson**
Jacob A. Emmons
Jacob K. Eon**
Isabel S. Esch~*
Kelsey M. Ewing*
Hank A. Flynn
Otto W. Fontain**
Anna E. Fox**
Sonja M. Frederich*
Makena K. Garriepy**
Nova I. R. Genest
Jacob B. Ghans
Taylor E. Giles**
Mekhi J. S. Gillard**
Wyatt F. Hafer*
Samuel P. Haley**
Noah C. Hammond**
Ryan J. Hansen
Delaney L. Hanson***
Eva A. Havey
Karla Hernandez-Vinajero
Eliza P. Herring
Jonathan D. Hines
Brady W. Holder
Skylar K. Holder**
Simone A. Houdlette***
Camryn G. Houle***
Emilia M. Ilyas***+
Tru L. Jarvis**
Abigail P. Jeannette
Isaac J. Jensen**
Andrew L. Johnson
Benjamin L. Johnson*
Calvin J. Johnson
Ava L. Kane*
Hannah E. Keene**
Talia N. Kellum***
Donovan C. Kendrick*
Elan B. Keys
Maya G. Kimball
Mikayla A. Kimball
Finley W. Knappe
Willow M. Knowles***
Willard G. Kull
Jacob A. Labrador
Logan A. Lefebvre
Elsa M. Liberatore
Aidan M. Lynch
Eva M. MacDonald***
Gavin P. MacDonald**
Audrey E. Madden**
Charles F. Majkowski
Kathryn E. Manning**
Declan M. McGlashan**
Molly E. McKinney**
Norah E. McLeod**
William P. McMann
Gracie I. Mitchell***
Thomas Morin***
Jack M. Mosser
Maeve B. Noble
Charley S. Norton
Grace E. O’Neill
Lorelei  L. Ogden
Emma R. Orendorf**
Katherine A. Orendorf*
Dominique M. Owen**
Novalee N. Page-Auger
Bronwyn E. Parkhurst***
Marcelo G. Pastora Caballero*
Jaipal N. Patel*
Isaac J. Peabody
Riley L. Pelletier
Ian M. Pentland**
Cindy Perez Vinajero*
Cole Perkins**
Samuel J. Pietrowicz**
Juliann M. Pike*
Ella R. Pitchforth
Parker A. Plourde
Robert C. Pollard Jr.*
Theo S. Pow**
Maximilian C. M. Prosnec
Owen K. Quitog**
Maddox D. Ralls*
Jasper S. Raymond
Mario J. Real III*
Collin M. Reetz*
Noah H. Richardson**
Amara E. Roberts*
Luis E. Roberts
Gray I. Rogers
Aaron L. Rosen
Avery A. Rossics***
Melody R. Rousselle*
Cooper J. Samson
Abigaile G. Santerre*
Eliza G. Sayer**
Eric M. Schoener
Cole K. Seltz**
Autumn V. Shaw
Summer Shea**
Anna K. Smiley
Christopher M. Smith*
Madelyn S. Smith***
Shay R. Smithwick**
Alexis D. Snow
Owen D. Snow*
Kaden M. Stevens*
Maxwell R. Stewart
Brady D. Stone*
Owen M. Swain
Caroline N. Tabor^***
Meghan L. Taggart*
Noah G. Tarring*
Kaiden B. Taylor
Connor R. Therrien
Jackson A. Thombs**
Cooper A. Thompson**
Mya B. Todd**
Elizabeth F. Torstensen
William H. Turgeon
Lila G. R. Turley**
Benjamin W. Urban*
Sarah A. Vargonen
Nicholas A. Vasquez
Aubree L. Veilleux***
Alexis R. Vetrano**
Mykyta Vykhodtsev
Bennett Z. Webster
Annabelle M. Welch
Tanner L. Wendle*
Alexandria G. White
Phoenix T. Williams*
Samuel L. Wirth
Shane K. Woloszyn**
Jenna T. Wright
Kellyn M. Zambrano

Key of Symbols:
*Honors
**High Honors
***Top 10%
^Salutatorian
+Valedictorian
~IB Diploma Candidate
Foreign Exchange Student