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Spring, 2016
Portland High’s “Les Mis”
Sophomore Jeremy Bruce recaps Portland
High’s production of “Les Miserables,”
performed earlier this year.
By JEREMY BRUCE (‘18)
This year the Drama Workshop put
on Les Miserables, a story about a French
man who has just broke parole and is hoping
to start a new life in France. The criminal,
Jean Valjean, played by Ben Griffin, lives
his life on the run from French officer Javert,
played by Ted Crockett. Directors Sandra
Guerra, Jayne Sawtelle, and David Smith
did a great job putting on an intriguing play
worthy of the large crowd it drew. To start,
the acting and singing by Ben Griffin, Ted
Crockett, Holly Hinchliffe, Devon Cohen,
Nate Martin, and Peeper Hersey-Powers,
along with other cast members and the ensemble, made it a very emotional story that
held viewers’ attention until the final scene
of the play. Lighting and sound brought the
action to life by highlighting the drama and
intensity during the play. While the play had
much emotion, it was also exciting to see
the revolutionary battle scenes and the difficult pursuit of Valjean’s freedom unravel
throughout. Although the acting was phe-
nomenal, I found the sets to be quite minimalistic and thought they took away from
the quality of the production at times. I found
the lack of sense of setting confusing to me
throughout the story— it led me to have a
hard time following the storyline. My favorite part of this Les Mis production was
the orchestra. I thought the musicians did
Members of the cast of “Les Miserables” (Rhylee Cole)
2016 One Act Festival
Junior Gracie Cox describes the annual
One Act Festival that Portland High students participated in this year.
By GRACIE COX (‘17)
On March 4th and 5th, students all
over the country will take part in the One
Act Play Festival. The local festival is being
held at Thornton Academy, where a group of
student actors from Portland High School
will compete against eight other schools
that are ranked in Class A. These schools
a fantastic job setting the mood in all of
the scenes, whether it was an intense battle
scene or a romantic love scene. Overall, Les
Miserables was an awesome show which I
would definitely see again. It leads me to
wonder what production Musical Theatre
will put on next year.
have 600 or more students, and each school
brings 15 to 30 students to participate in the
festival. The top two school groups from
this region will move onto the state festival, which is held two weeks later on March
18th and 19th. The competition is described
as a festival due to its structure. Over a span
of two days, hundreds of students perform
and watch others’ acts without having to
move location.
“It is a great way for us to see other
people who enjoy doing theatre without
Continued on Page 3
In This Edition
School News: Page 1
Local News: Page 5
Opinions: Page 8
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 2
What’s the Verdict on
Freshman Seminar?
Sophomore Sam Mermin analyzes the
Freshman Seminar program at PHS.
By SAM MERMIN (‘18)
During the 2013-14 school year,
Portland High School introduced a new
class, Freshman Seminar. Since then, all
freshmen at PHS have been required to
take the class. Portland High School’s
course catalog states that it teaches
students to “navigate high school, develop
self-advocacy skills, and expand the
academic and social language necessary
for success in high school and college”.
The class also involves activities and
discussion surrounding “note-taking, time
management and study skills, technology,
social and human relationships, career
exploration and post-secondary decisions”.
The objective of the course is to
give students some extra assistance with
the transition to high school both socially
and academically and also to discuss the
post-secondary and career decisions they
will face after high school. Yet despite this
seemingly beneficial curriculum, students
and teachers remain unsure whether or not
the class is effective and if it should be a
requirement.
Student opinions are split on the issue
of whether or not Freshman Seminar is
worthwhile. Will Couture, a freshman,
Continued on Page 3
E.C.O. Team Recycling
Senior George Chaison-Lapine discusses a new club at
Portland High that aims to improve recycling.
By GEORGE CHAISON-LAPINE (‘16)
It is no secret that the quality of the Portland High School
Trash and Recycling Program has gradually declined. At one
point, Portland High was the most efficient waste-disposing school
in the city of Portland. With the diligent efforts of Ms. Martin,
PHS became an example for other schools in the district on how to
successfully manage the enormous amounts of waste generated on
a daily basis. One would assume that such a strong program could
go nowhere but up, especially considering its benefits to both the
environment and to the green reputation of Portland High as well.
Fast forward a decade, however, and you’ll find that the early
Members of the PHS E.C.O. Team (Aidan Richman)
Continued on Page 4
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 3
One Acts, Continued
having to travel all around Maine,” says Mr. within five minutes. After all the plays director, has been working to cut down the
Smith, the technical director of the produc- have been completed, each school group is original show in order to fit it within the 40
tion. Mr. Smith explains that he is more given 20 minutes with the judges to reflect minute time limit. The Portland group has
interested in the Portland students’ experi- on its performance, ask questions, and get been practicing 3-5 days a week after school
ence at the festival than the competition tips. Not only do the judges award trophies since the end of January and will continue
aspect. He did, however, share the school’s for the top two groups and two runners- rehearsals until the day of competition.
previous successes. “In the last 18 years, up, but they also honor groups for various ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ consists of a
we have come in
variety of characters
second place three
and relationships and
times and first place
an intricate plot. It
once at the regional
will be a challenge for
festival.” Not only
the PHS team, who
will Mr. Smith be
are all experienced achelping with the set
tors and actresses.
and lighting, he is
Oona
Mackinnonalso a main chaperHoban, a junior at
one for the Portland
PHS, has been a
students throughprominent member
out the entire festiof the One Act Show,
val experience.
Shakespeare
Club,
Each perand school drama
formance is rated
performance. Oona
by a panel of three
describes ‘Much Ado
judges. The judges
About Nothing’ as, “a
grade the perforcomedy, all about love
mance on a rubric
and misunderstanding
that analyzes not
with a really interestonly acting, but also
ing cast of characters.
technical aspects,
. . . We have a great
costumes, blocking,
cast, and the show itsounds, and lightself is very fun to be in.
ing. After each play,
It’s one of my favorite
Oona Mackinnon-Hoban and Teddy Crockett (Aidan Richman)
the points from the
plays by Shakespeare.”
judges are added, and the team with the technical aspects and select individuals to The festival is a wonderful opmost points wins. The plays must be 35 an all-festival cast.
portunity for young adults interested in the
minutes long, with a five-minute grace pe- PHS is planning to perform an arts, specifically acting, and it offers sturiod. If any act exceeds these time limits, interpretation of Shakespeare’s ‘Much dents the chance to express their enthusithe school is disqualified from the com- Ado About Nothing’.
The Portland asm and love of theater.
petition. This requirement challenges the Shakespeare Club performed the same
students to put up and take down their sets show in December. Peter Brown, the play’s
Freshman Seminar, Continued
described the course as “awesome.” He
added that “it helps with other classes,” and
that he “didn’t know how to take other kinds
of notes before”. Ashley Chadbourne, a
sophomore, looks back on her experience
of Freshman Seminar fondly. Her favorite
aspect of the class was that it helped her
meet new people.
Other
students
were
less
enthusiastic. Greta Donatelli, a freshman,
said that the class was just “okay,” and
Caitriona Moran, a sophomore, doesn’t
think it should be a required course. She
said middle school teachers should decide
whether each freshman needs to take the
class based on his or her study habits and
how prepared he or she is for high school
work.
Teachers were more supportive of
the program, claiming that it has had a clear
positive effect. Ms. Braceras likes the class
because it “equalizes the playing field”
and partially makes up for the fact that
some students come from more rigorous
academic backgrounds than others. Ms.
Lee-Winship thinks the class has been a
welcome addition to the PHS curriculum.
“The study skills, the career exploration,
and the research skills that are learned
were missing before, and these [skills] help
Continued on Page 4
PHS School News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 4
Freshman Seminar, Continued
students navigate high school.” She also
points out that the techniques learned in
Freshman Seminar can be applied in other
classes. “I can have them practice those
skills in my class and assume they’ve been
taught the things I’m asking them to do.”
Freshman Seminar has received
mixed reception from students, but teachers
stand by it. They claim that it has already
had noticeable impact on students’ success.
It is safe to say that Freshman Seminar has
been a positive addition to the schedule of
every PHS freshman, whether the students
see it that way or not.
Freshman Seminar student booklets (Aidan Richman)
E.C.O. Team, Continued
success of the program could not be
maintained. Millennials are the most
environmentally-conscious generation in
history, and the green-waste industry is
booming, so it’s hard to understand why
PHS continues to run a joke of a recycling
program.
Students and custodians blame each other
for the school’s failures, but the trash
bags continue to pile up. Estimated to be
75% recyclable or compostable, countless
bags sit and wait each day to be picked
up by the city, destined for incineration or
landfill. There have been attempts in the
past to try and get the gears turning again,
but until now there has not been a strong
enough group of individuals willing to
take responsibility. Recently, however,
a group of students who operates under
the acronym E.C.O. has emerged and has
begun the waste management rebuilding
process.
E.C.O.-- which stands for
Environmental Cleanup Operation -- is
unique compared to past teams that have
attempted to take on the environmental
concerns of PHS. What separates E.C.O.
is that it is student-designed and led, made
up entirely of students from Ms. Adkins’
Environmental Science class. Aside from
facilitation and minor guidance from Ms.
Adkins, the cleanup project -- including
the networking, research, and media
production -- is coordinated completely by
the students.
E.C.O. has found that the problem
is basic: the school’s custodians have not
been able to recycle most of the recyclable
material due to large amounts of food
contamination. Although the classroom
recycling bins are mostly unaffected by
this contamination, the lunchroom, where
the largest amount of waste is generated,
is where the real problem lies. Currently,
100% of the waste that is produced in
the cafeterias is thrown directly into the
trash. This is an alarming figure that was
uncovered during a research session, which
also revealed that over 60% of this “trash”
is actually made up of recyclable material
like paper, cardboard, and water bottles.
Another 15-20% of the waste is food scraps
that can be composted, leaving the last 20%
as true garbage. If properly executed, the
school could reduce its garbage production
from an average of ten large bags per day to
just two.
The team has been working in
small groups to tackle the vast issue at hand.
One sub-committee has been in contact
with a number of individuals who are in
charge of the work that goes on behind the
scenes, such as Doug Sherwood, the head
of custodial operations for all of Portland
Public Schools. E.C.O. has also reached
out to Brett Richardson, the President
of WeCompostIt!, the company that is
supposed to take the food scraps from the
cafeteria and compost them. WeCompostIt!
has faced contamination issues as well:
bits of plastic prevent the company from
properly composting PHS’ food waste.
Other committees are working on creating
informational posters and a fun video that
is aimed at inspiring the Portland High
community to recycle more and be more
mindful of its disposal habits in general.
The E.C.O. team members have a
substantial amount of work ahead of them
before the trash and recycling program is
restored to a proficient level, but they are
willing to take on the challenge. Although
E.C.O. has shouldered much of the
responsibility, it is up to every Portland
High School student to take part and sort
his or her waste instead of mindlessly
dumping his or her tray and food all in
the same bin. With a little effort from the
entire community, Portland High can be
a leader in the green movement and be
known not only as the best school in the
city of Portland, but also as the cleanest and
most environmentally friendly one as well.
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 5
PHS Students Intern
with Senator King
Junior Nick Archambault explains a
unique internship opportunity given to
select Portland High students.
By NICK ARCHAMBAULT (‘17)
The quality of Portland High’s
students was confirmed once again when,
earlier this winter, it was announced
that Senator Angus King would select
two students from a pool of junior and
senior Bulldogs to work as interns in his
Scarborough office.
In December, junior Oona
McKinnon-Hoban and senior Eamonn
Dundon began the three-month internship.
Each Wednesday, they commute to
Scarborough and work in King’s office
for three hours. Initially, they were tasked
with familiarizing themselves with the
people and responsibilities of the staffers
in King’s Scarborough, Presque Isle, and
Washington D.C. offices. Five weeks into
the program, they have begun research for
their culminating project: a presentation
to King and his entire staff of proposed
legislation regarding tax incentives for
businesses providing extended learning
opportunities (ELOs) to high school
students.
Continued on Page 7
LePage Controversy
Sophomore Sam Mermin reports on recent events regarding
the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage.
By SAM MERMIN (‘18)
A few weeks ago, while discussing the growing heroin
epidemic in Maine, Governor Paul LePage made a raciallycharged statement about heroin dealers. He said “these are guys
with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty – these types of guys
– they come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here,
they sell their heroin, they go back home. Incidentally, half the
time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave, which
is a real sad thing because then we have another issue we have to
deal with down the road.”
The final sentence of the statement implies that LePage thinks of
heroin dealers as being only black men. It is horribly offensive to
say that all drug dealers are black, and the implication that it’s only
a problem if they impregnate a white girl is equally disgusting.
The racism in LePage’s comment is impossible to ignore, and it
received national attention.
When asked about his comments, LePage claimed that he meant
to say “Maine” girl rather than “white girl,” and that it was an
understandable mistake because about 95 percent of Maine’s
population is white. Even though most women in Maine are in
fact white, LePage’s use of the word emphasized that the drug
dealers in question were black, and that the fact that the girls were
white made their pregnancies bigger issues than if their race were
different. Furthermore, the words “Maine” and “white” do not
sound alike in any way. The idea that the use of the word white
was simply a slip-up is completely absurd.
Whether one agrees with his conservative views or not, LePage’s
recent statement was unacceptable, and students at Portland High
have been quick to condemn him. Sophomore Sam Shaw said
the governor “should be impeached”. Ms. Braceras described
him as “out of control,” and added that his statements have “no
regard for the facts”. Aaron Hoekstra, a sophomore who has very
conservative political views much like Governor LePage, said that
the governor “says too many stupid things for anyone to take him
seriously about politics.”
Governor Paul LePage (Aidan Richman)
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 6
The Front
Room Review
Sophomore Nori Hilton retells her experience at The Front Room restaurant in
Portland.
By NORI HILTON (‘18)
The Front Room, located at 73
Congress Street, is a small, sophisticated
brunch spot. Though best known for
brunch, the restaurant also serves dinner
and has an active bar. The menu consists of
classic American food with a gourmet twist.
Owner Harding Lee Smith established
The Front Room as well as three other
restaurants in Portland. I have been to the
restaurant many times with my family and
often with out-of-town guests. We like
to take friends there because it is a great
representation of Portland’s new, upscale
dining scene.
I was there recently with my mom and
brother, Leo. It was about 11:45 am on a
weekday, and there were only a few other
parties in the restaurant. The atmosphere
was bright, friendly, and homey. The smells
wafting from the open kitchen were just
as promising as the delicious food at the
occupied tables. We were seated at a square
table, right next to the window looking in
on the chefs. I found it hard to decide what
to order because the menu is packed with
mouth-watering options such as omelettes,
gnocchi, and “silver dollar’ pancakes. I
chose biscuits and gravy, served with two
fried eggs. My mom selected an omelette
with goat cheese and smoked salmon, and
my brother opted for a hamburger.
The food arrived quickly, the waitress
smiling cheerfully as she slid the hot plates
onto the table. My plate was oval, white,
and piled high with two biscuits and two
eggs, covered in thick, steaming gravy. The
food was delicious, filling, and satisfying.
The Front Room is a great place for Sunday
brunches, as well as for elegant dinners.
You can always expect great food, a
friendly atmosphere, and a good time.
The Front Room in Portland, Maine (Aidan Richman)
Delayed Starts Over Snow Days
Sophomore Ben Fisher discusses the Portland Public School
Department’s new utilization of delayed starts.
By BEN FISHER (‘18)
This year at Portland High School, it’s possible that
snowstorms may result in delayed start times rather than in the
cancellation of an entire school day. This change could result in
fewer snow days, allowing students more classroom time over
the course of the school year and bringing an earlier beginning to
summer vacation.
If the change is implemented, school days would start one hour
later than usual, and students would go home at the regular school
end time. But the district won’t do away with cancellations
altogether. When the weather is severe, the practice of cancelling
school will be continued.
Families will be made aware of a delay by a “robo” phone call
at 6:00 a.m. Ms. Braceras, a science teacher at PHS stated, “the
delay of schools would be a great idea; if we can save some of our
snow days, we will definitely be thankful when we get out earlier
in June. I don’t mind a few snow days here and there, but I don’t
want it to be like last year with a snow day basically every week.”
Wyeth Morgan, a PHS sophomore, disagrees. “A snow day
provides a nice break during the hard, stressful week.”
With spring approaching, PHS students may not have a chance to
experience a delayed start this year.
PHS Local News
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 7
Internship, Continued
What sounds like a confusing role in both their selection to the internship a freshman, he put in nearly 300 hours for
concept to most has the two interns excited. and their interest in the opportunity. As a President Obama’s re-election campaign,
The goal of the project is to create a draft freshman, McKinnon-Hoban went to the and this fall he immersed himself in a
of a bill that would cut taxes for businesses national finals for a Constitution-focused municipal effort by serving on the staff
providing students with internships. oratorical contest, which she said first of newly-elected city councilor Spencer
Dundon, who has researched similar sparked a serious enthusiasm for politics Thibodeau.
programs in other states, believes federal and government. She later served on the
The interns have found that
legislation would be a huge step forward, Senate floor as a page for Senator Susan being part of a Senator’s staff is a unique
providing students with the
experience.
Dundon
opportunities to experience
compared his past work
a professional environment
on the campaign side of
and offering businesses
government with his current
across the nation a reason
position on the elected side
to create and promote
by noting the differences
internship positions. “The
in responsibilities. “You’re
only states where this type
not trying to sell something
of legislation currently
all the time. You’re just
exists are Minnesota and
trying to do your job, so
Ohio,”
said
Dundon.
you have something to run
“Legislation for a federal
on in the next election.
program would cover all
When I worked in the
the states and eliminate
Senate previously, I had
the patchwork programs in
a very defined task, and I
place right now.”
only worked on the Senate
McKinnon-Hoban,
floor without interacting
who has explored ELO
with much of the Senate
programs of businesses in
Staff. Being part of Senator
the greater Portland area,
King’s constituent system is
shares a similar enthusiasm
a really interesting part of
for the project’s potential
politics that I haven’t seen
impact. “I think it would
much of before.”
be great if we could send a
McKinnongenuine piece of legislation
Hoban echoed Dundon’s
to Senator King to see what
statements. “You really feel
he thinks because it might
more involved when you’re
be a really interesting,
working in the office instead
clearly bipartisan piece of
of just as a page.”
legislation to present to
Each
intern
Congress.”
hopes to draw on the
Though the interns
opportunities
and
mostly work on their project
experiences from his or her
Maine Senator Angus King (Portland Press Herald)
without supervision from
work with King’s staff as
the office staff, the experience thus far has Collins.
they continue to focus on politics through
been educational and the staff members,
Dundon also served as a page high school and into college.
welcoming. “They aren’t just having us for Collins, but he says his political
“Politics is all a connections
do busy-work; we’re actually working on background goes much farther back than game,” said Dundon. “I know a lot of
something and investing our time in it,” a few years. “My first campaign was in people in local politics, but this experience
said McKinnon-Hoban. “The staff is also 2004, when I was six. Ever since then, I’ve brings it to a state-wide level. It’s a great
really friendly. I’ve never been talked been hooked on the campaigning side of opportunity to learn about new people
down to, and it feels like I have a purpose politics, even little things like going door and new pathways. And that’s what I’ve
in the office besides just taking up space.”
to door for local candidates.”
definitely learned in politics: take every
Each intern has an extensive
Dundon says that his interest opportunity you can because you never
background in politics, which played a large began to ratchet up in his teen years. As know where it might lead you.”
PHS Opinions
Inside Scoop
on “Les Mis”
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 8
their only opportunity to have that team experience.”
The Musical Theater Program remains one of the most
popular and beloved classes at Portland High School. Our students
continue to amaze the community with their professional-quality
performances. We look forward to more musicals at PHS!
Sophomore Caitriona Moran shares some inside information
on the Portland High Drama Department’s production of “Les
Miserables”.
By CAITRIONA MORAN (‘18)
On Sunday, January 17, the Portland High School
Musical Theater program performed its first ever production
of Les Miserables at the John Ford Auditorium. The play is set
during the French Revolution and demanded both a high skill
level and heavy time commitment from the cast. The songs were
challenging because they are classical. Despite some setbacks,
including a snowstorm cancelling their Saturday performance, the
students of Portland High School were able to pull off a flawless
rendition of the highly acclaimed and well-known musical.
Students who participated in the play cited the wonderful
camaraderie and work ethic they gained from the experience.
Rosalie Turner said she “met some really cool people and practicing
the songs was fun.” Devon Cohen, one of the lead actors, said that
the Musical Theater Program “can help students gain confidence,
improve public speaking skills, and acquire a love of the arts.
Also, for those students who don’t do any sports, this might be
Members of the cast of “Les Miserables” (Rhylee Cole)
Joe Esposito: PHS
Man of the Year
Senior George Chaison-Lapine describes
fellow Senior Joe Esposito’s various impressive accomplishments.
By GEORGE CHAISONLAPINE (‘16)
Who is Joe Esposito?
Who is this PHS hero who has
continued to captivate local sports coverage
since September? With countless awards
and accolades, a 96 grade point average,
and leadership skills on the field and in the
classroom, it’s hard to find fault with this
young man.
Joe and I go back eight years
to the mud-filled practice field behind
Breakwater School, where we played
youth football together on the Portland
Cowboys. As a fifth grader, it was my first
time strapping the pads on, but Joe was
already a hardened veteran of the game.
Now a senior, I have had the honor of
playing alongside this warrior for almost a
decade, culminating our time together with
a shot at the Maine State Championship
this fall against the Thornton Academy
Trojans. My relationship with Joe as both
a teammate and a friend has given me the
unusual advantage of seeing his progress
both on the field and off it, and I hope this
article does his high school career sufficient
justice.
Let’s begin in the fall of 2013, our
sophomore year when Joe began his varsity
career. Playing alongside his cousin and
fellow PHS athletic great Justin Zukowski,
Continued on Page 9
PHS Opinions
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 9
PHS Basketball: A Player’s Reflection
Sophomore Quinn Clarke reflects on his time on the PHS boys
basketball team.
By QUINN CLARKE (‘18)
The Portland High School Boys basketball team has
achieved great success over the past several seasons. PHS was the
Class A State Champion in 2014 and had a chance to defend the
title again last year before losing in the finals.
With that history, the team was under pressure to perform
well again this year. They were ranked number one in the state in
the pre­season Portland Press Herald rankings even though league
co-MVP Stephen Alex and other key players had graduated.
Expectations were running high, and this year’s team has
not disappointed. The boys finished the regular season 17-1, with
their only loss coming at the hands of Gorham in January.
This year the Bulldogs are part of a new super conference
called AA, which has taken the biggest schools from last year’s
Class A and grouped them together. In the new conference, the
Bulldogs own the best record and are perhaps the most dominant
team. Seniors Amir Moss and Joe Esposito lead the team along
with sophomores Terion Moss and Griffin Foley.
Junior John Bento, who has been with the program for
three years says, “This team is different than our two previous
teams because there isn’t as much individual star power. Everyone
works together really well as a unit.”
At the top of the league, along with Portland, is crosstown rival Deering, which enters the postseason with a record
of 16-­2. These two teams have faced off twice, both times with
emotions running high. A game was played at each court, and
both times the stands were packed with fans from each team. Our
Bulldogs won both games, handing Deering its only two losses of
the season.
Freshman Simon Chadbourne comments on the
experience of those games. “It was like nothing I had experienced
before. The energy from all of our players, the student sections
yelling back and forth to one another; it was a great experience
for me without even getting in the game.” Both games could
be considered the most important games of the regular season,
considering the quality of the teams.
Although the Bulldogs have four senior varsity players, the team
is also made up of many younger players who look to make the
future bright. Of the fifteen players on the varsity roster, eight are
sophomores or freshmen. So look for the Bulldogs to keep up this
high level of play for years to come.
Esposito, Continued
Joe became a starter at middle linebacker,
where he racked up an impressive number
of tackles. Because of his age, however,
the SMAA did not award him the AllConference honors that he so deserved.
This decision by the SMAA sparked a
flame of determination that would guide
Joe throughout the rest of his high school
career. By the end of his junior season,
he was an All-Conference linebacker and
a gifted running back, a foreshadowing of
his breakout senior year. Joe was chosen
to be a captain for the 2015 season and
continued his prolific junior athletic season
that winter by helping the basketball team
to its second consecutive appearance in the
State Championship game.
By the start of the 2015 football
season, Joe and the rest of the Bulldog
football team was emerging from summer
sessions with expectations of an average
season. A championship run looked like a
distant dream to the rising seniors.
In the first preseason faceoff against
Thornton Academy, the Bulldogs gave up
a touchdown and were held scoreless going
into the second half. But the defending
state champion Trojans refused to play their
starters for the second half of the game for
fear of injury. The physical defense of the
Bulldogs, led by Joe, had clearly done a
number on Thornton’s offensive stars.
That preseason game, though considered a
loss on paper, would set the tone for the rest
of the season. With Mike Rutherford as its
coach and Joe as its captain, the Bulldogs’
defense was respected throughout the
league as the most physical and aggressive
group of players that the state had seen in
years.
For the rest of the 2015 regular
season, Joe led the Bulldogs to a historic
8-0 record, a feat accomplished only
twice in the last century of PHS football.
He ended the regular season with 1,057
rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, earning
Class A North Player of the Year.
Joe’s intensity continued into the playoffs.
In the Northern Maine Conference
Championship game against Windham,
he recorded 17 tackles and two rushing
touchdowns. The Bulldogs surged into
their first State Championship game since
2002.
Although Portland lost a hard-fought state
game to Thornton Academy and was unable
to fulfill its dream of a perfect season, the
emotion and camaraderie that grew from
such a historic run still hasn’t faded. “I feel
satisfied that I was able to get more things
done [this season] than I imagined and was
able to be a part of something special,”
reflected Joe.
Joe culminated his senior season with a
whopping 124 tackles, 1,606 rushing yards,
24 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Such impressive statistics earned him an
avalanche of awards. In addition to Class
A North Player of the Year, Joe was named
the Vinny Allen Team MVP, Portland High
School’s Fall Athlete of the Year, AllConference running back, Portland Press
Continued on Page 10
PHS Opinions
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2016, Page 10
Esposito, Continued
Herald All-State and USA Today All-State
running back, Maine Gatorade Player of
the Year, and James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy
winner. “The ‘Fitzy’ means the most to me
because it is based on a career of excellence,
and it’s amazing to be recognized alongside
such talented finalists,” said Joe.
Now that the football season
is over, we can sit back and watch Joe
dominate on the basketball court as he
tries to lead the Bulldogs to their second
state title in three years. But although
his Portland football career is over, his
impact on this school and on me will be
remembered forever. One memory in
particular, will not be forgotten any time
soon.
It was November 26, 2015, and
the Bulldogs had just beaten the Deering
Rams in the annual Thanksgiving Day
Classic. Joe won the game’s Most Valuable
Player award and returned to the locker
room to undress and pack up for the year.
My locker was next to Joe’s, and as we all
limped into the Portland Expo together, I
looked at him to my left. He was staring at
a discarded helmet that had been thrown on
the floor, and there was a pensive look on
his face. A group of seniors all sat together
in silence at the realization that it was the
end of an era for us as PHS football players.
“I just don’t want to take my pads off,” Joe
croaked finally.
That says it all. It’s not about the
press or the awards for Joe Esposito. It’s
about the love of the game and his team, the
feeling of victory, and never ever wanting
to come off of the field. All of that, and
more, makes Joe an exceptional Bulldog.
Questions? Comments? Want to Write?
Email: [email protected],
[email protected]
Editors - Blakey Bessire
Staff Editors/Writers - Nick Archambault, Peter
Barry, Blakey Bessire, Alex Frank, Elinor Hilton,
Sam Mermin, Caitriona Moran
Guest Writers - Jeremy Bruce, George ChaisonLapine, Quinn Clarke, Gracie Cox, Ben Fisher
Artwork - Daisy Brawn, Evelyn Kirby
Graphics/Layout Editor - Peter Barry
Photography Editor - Aidan Richman
Advisors - Amanda Pendleton and Maryann
Pendleton
On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for reading
Joe Esposito hoists the class AA North
title (Portland Press Herald)
this issue of the Bulldog Edition.