FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Academy welcomes alumni, family, and friends to celebrate Homecoming and induct nine new individuals and two teams into FA’s Hall of Excellence this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19.

On Friday, at 7 p.m., the Raider football team will take on the Warriors from Wells at Atwood Stadium under the lights. During halftime, the Fryeburg Academy Alumni Association will provide treats for fans.

On Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the 14th Annual Hall of Excellence inductees and guests will attend a celebratory brunch followed by the induction ceremony held in the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center.

This year’s inductees are Carol Rosenblith ’66, William “Bill” Ela ’68, Dwight “Ike” Roberts ’72, James Osgood, II ’85, Kurt Ela ’96, Brendan Dagan ’00, Mariah Whitney ’03, Stephanie Jette Wetzel ’05, Erlon “Bucky” Broomhall (Significant Supporter, Coach), and the 1963 and 1965 State Champion Football teams.

The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

The Hall of Excellence was created in 2010 to further recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions in the area of extra-curricular activities by the school’s many gifted and dedicated students and friends while maintaining the institution’s integrity. 

At 3 p.m., on Saturday, alumni and guests are invited to Saco River Brewing for a Homecoming reception and to enjoy a complimentary beverage! 

Hall Inductees

Those to be inducted into the Hall of Excellence include:

Carol Child Rosenblith, Class of 1966,to be presented by Dawn Gale.

Entering as a junior, Carol was a high honor student and a National Merit finalist. While at Fryeburg, she was involved in chorus, the musical, the dramatic club, one-act plays, the French Club, and the Mercury staff. After graduation, she earned her B.A. from Bennington College with a major in Music and a master’s in Music from the New England Conservatory in vocal performance. Throughout her career as a lyric soprano, she performed with chamber ensembles and orchestras throughout the East and Midwest, with additional concert performances in London and at the Pro-Corda Festival, Leiston/Aldeburgh, UK. Broadcasts on MPBN and CBC (Montreal). She was a founding member of the Musical Arts Consortium, serving as managing director from 1984 to 1994.

In 1997, Carol and her husband, Eric Rosenblith (a legendary violinist and instructor), founded the International Musical Arts Institute, which was in summer residence at Fryeburg Academy for 17 years. The institute attracted over two hundred musicians over the years, representing some thirty nations on five continents, providing a setting where young, aspiring professional musicians and seasoned artists could collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other.

Carol served as administrative director and performed in various chamber works and concerts. Eric, the artistic director, passed away in December 2010, and IMAI presented its final concert at FA in July 2015.

Carol’s talents extend beyond music. In her late 40s, she took up ice skating. This interest became a passion that led her to begin training under a Boston-based ice dance coach and obtain bronze-level status in ice dance coaching. She taught Basic Skills/Learn-to Skate for over 15 years at the Ham Arena in Conway, N.H., and at various rinks in the Boston area; in addition, she was the head of her own tot/parent and adult programs at the Ed Burns Arena for the Arlington Massachusetts Recreation Department.

In 2008, she began to work with special needs children in the Adaptive Skating Program in Boston, and she continued with that program for the next ten years. She became a certified USFS Learn-to-Skate instructor/coach, and in 2009, she attained a registered PSA (Professional Skaters Association) rating in group instruction.

Bill Ela, Class of 1968,to be presented by Dennis Ela.

Bill is well-known for his golfing talents, but during his time at Fryeburg Academy, he was an accomplished skier and baseball player. Bill raced alpine for all four years of high school and was an important member of the 1967 State Champion team. Additionally, he played baseball for four years (third base), with three years spent on the varsity team. Despite his later success in golf, Bill will tell you that baseball is his favorite sport — a passion he’s had since he was eight.

After graduating, Bill attended the Wentworth Institute, where he earned a degree in Building Construction and Architectural Engineering. He returned to the Mount Washington Valley and established a successful business, building high-end homes for over 50 years. He’s particularly proud of the historic restoration of the Felsengarten property in Bethlehem, N.H.

Although his career as a builder kept him away from golf for nearly a decade in the 1970s, Bill reconnected with friend and golf pro Larry Gallagher, which reignited his passion for the game. Over a span of 25 years, he won the North Conway Country Club Championship 14 times, including at age 68, making him the oldest champion in the club’s history. During his peak, he maintained a 2-handicap, the lowest at the club at the time, and has also been the men’s senior champion for multiple years.

Bill has generously volunteered his time with the Conway Rec Department, supporting both junior ski and golf programs.

Bill and his wife, Kathy True Ela ’78, reside in Conway, N.H., where they enjoy spending time with their two children and four grandchildren.

Dwight ‘Ike” Roberts, Class of 1972, to be presented by Jinm Stacy.

Ike was a standout athlete whose talent and leadership strengthened every team he played on.

Ike was a three-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball all four years. In 1971, FA’s football team captured the Prep School Championship. During his senior baseball season, Ike was selected as the captain.

Ike’s passion for sports extended well beyond his high school years. For 30 years, he was an important member of Fryeburg’s Men’s Softball League, serving as president and coach while earning MVP honors. He played for another 30 years with North Conway’s Men’s Softball League and was named MVP in 1983. His athletic pursuits were diverse — he played, managed, and was league president in Portland’s Twi-light Baseball League, competed for a decade in Conway’s Men’s Basketball League, and participated in a Conway Men’s Hockey League, as well as the American Legion Post 95 Baseball League, playing with Rich Gale, a future MLB pitcher.

In addition to his athletic contributions, Ike dedicated over 35 years to volunteering as a firefighter, many of those years as captain. He is active in the North Fryeburg Community Chapel.

Professionally, Ike worked for LA Drew in construction for 26 years before launching his own business in 1999 — Ike Roberts Builder. He and his wife, Ruth, reside in Chatham. Their two children, April ’95 and Joe ’99, are proud Fryeburg Academy graduates, as is their grandson, Bryce ’22!

Jim Osgood, Class of 1985, to be presented by Lakyn Osgood Ela.

While at FA, he was a four-year member of the football and basketball teams and played three years of baseball. During his senior year, Jim was captain of both the football and basketball teams. Always one of the first to rally classmates to promote Raider Pride, his classmates selected Jim as the member of ’85 with “Most School Spirit” in the yearbook superlatives.

Jim was also a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council (Class president, three years), Varsity Club (founding member and president), and Yearbook. He was selected as the Boys’ State alternate. Following graduation, he attended Bryant College and the University of Southern Maine, where he earned his associate’s degree in Business.

He married Andrea Smith Osgood ’86 and raised his family in Fryeburg. As his family grew, he coached for 10 years for Fryeburg Recreation — girls’ and boys’ basketball, baseball, and t-ball; spent 20 years on the Fryeburg Recreation Board (four years as president); 20 years on the Fryeburg Academy Alumni Board, (served as president from 2001-2003); and three years coaching AAU Basketball for middle school-age athletes. He also served as the JV girls’ basketball coach at FA.

Jim has served on many committees and volunteered time for community projects, including the Vincent Manoriti Memorial Baseball Field, clearing land for the Fryeburg Rec Field of Dreams, and the Fryeburg Rec Golf Tournament.

In 1987, he began working for the family business, Fryeburg Osgood Brothers, before starting Osgood’s of Ossipee in 1995. He sold the business in 2007 but continues to manage it.

Jim’s three children, Vincent ‘07, Cody ‘09, and Lakyn ’12, are all Academy graduates. He enjoys woodworking projects and spending time with his kids and eight grandchildren.

Kurt Ela, Class of 1996,to be presented by Craig Ela and Rich Ela.

Kurt was a leader in the classroom, on the stage, and on the athletic fields. His enthusiasm and energy were evident in every aspect of his school life, setting him apart as a dedicated and driven individual.

Kurt was a member of the National Honor Society, FA Jazz, and Rock Band. He served as Vice President of his class for three years and then as Senior Class President. In athletics, Kurt was a four-year member of the soccer team, captaining the team his senior year, and a four-year member of the Nordic ski team, where he was also captain his senior year. He also played varsity baseball for two years.

Kurt was the lead in multiple school musicals and theater productions.

Kurt earned his B.A. degree from the University of Southern Maine, majoring in Theater, and then headed west, where he is now a dynamic actor and creative force in the entertainment industry. Best known as a series regular on Paramount’s Side Hustle, Kurt has also captivated audiences with recurring roles in Strange Angel, Mighty Med, and Trial and Error. A highlight of his career was collaborating with the iconic Kermit the Frog on The Muppets TV show, a moment that he will never forget.

In addition to his acting achievements, Kurt is an innovative filmmaker. In 2019, he and Kipp Tribble wrote, produced, and starred in CHAR MAN, entirely shot on iPads and phones, which found distribution with Indie Rights. This project reflects his creative vision and adaptability in the evolving landscape of filmmaking.

Kurt is also active in commercials, with multiple successful campaigns for brands like Quicklane, Ameristar, and Dairy Queen.

Kurt has been married to Gwen Ela for over 12 years now, and they have one son, Kolten, who Kurt coaches in soccer and baseball. When he isn’t forcing his son to hike up a mountain, he has come to realize how much he loves watching birds and looking at plants. But he thinks that could be a sign that he is over the age of 35.

Brendan Dagan, Class of 2000,to be presented by Amy Wright-Mead.

Brendan had a stellar career on the cross-country course, wrestling mat, and track. He was a four-time All-State wrestler, the 2000 State Champ, and the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler, with 118 career wins. He was named to the All-Conference team during 11 of his eligible 12 seasons running and wrestling. He was a two-time state champ in track and field, a two-time New England 6th-place finisher, and part of the 4x800 track state championship record-holding team.

Brendan graduated from Hofstra University, where he was the team captain and the 10K school record holder from 2001 to 2006. At Hofstra, he also met his wife, Jen, a fellow cross-country runner.

Brendan continued with his love of running, making it a career with his wife; the couple worked as independent contractors, working and timing hundreds of road races throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. They moved to Long Island and co-founded Elitefeats, a successful NYC area endurance event company. Elitefeats is the largest organization in the country, working with small road races. Last year, over 150,000 participants crossed their finish lines — more than the Boston Marathon, NYC Marathon, and Chicago Marathons combined!

The USATF National Track and Field Officials Committee has recognized his service to the sport with an Outstanding Service Award and the USATF Long Island MVP Award.

He is a USATF-L1 Board member and co-founder of The Never Stop Running Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. Brendan recently served as a running coach for an athlete qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Mariah Whitney, Class of 2003, to be presented by John Weston.

Mariah left her mark as both a top student and an accomplished athlete. As captain of the 2002 girls’ state cross-country championship team and a member of the 2001 and 2002 state champion Nordic ski teams, she played an essential role in securing these titles. She was also part of the 2003 Telstar Relays Mixed Team Championship and the 2001 Maine J2 team. Mariah earned All-Conference honors in 2003 in both cross-country running and Nordic skiing. In addition to her leadership on the Nordic and cross-country teams, she was a four-year member of the track team.

Academically, Mariah was equally impressive, receiving the Gibson Medal and the Western Maine Conference Citizenship Award. Outside of sports, Mariah was actively involved in plays, the National Honor Society, and the Interact Club.

Mariah attended Colby College, graduating in 2007 summa cum laude with a B.A. in French Studies and Art. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and skied on their D1 Nordic ski team for two years.

Mariah resides in Portland, Oregon, with her children, Tilda (8) and Roger (6). She is a self-employed accountant working for women-owned, small businesses. She continues to give back to the skiing community, serving as treasurer and youth ski coach at Teacup Lake Nordic Club in Mt. Hood, Oregon, where she also acts as a liaison with the U.S. Forest Service.

Stephanie Jette Wetzel, Class of 2005, to be presented by Bill Reilly.

Stephanie was a four-year Cross Country running team member and captain for two years. She won All-Conference and All-State honors and was a three-time New England qualifier. Stephanie was also a two-year varsity basketball player before switching to Nordic skiing in her junior and senior years, qualifying for the New England Championship in 2005. She earned four varsity letters in track, along with All-Conference and All-State honors, and was the 2005 All-State Champion in the 800-meter race and a four-time New England qualifier. In 2005, Stephanie became the first athlete to represent the Academy in indoor track at the New England Championships in the 800 meters. At graduation, Stephanie received the Senator George Mitchell Scholarship and many other awards.

Stephanie attended USM for a year before transferring and graduating from UMO. While at USM, she was second in the record books for the 1000-meter race. At UMO, she was part of the New England champion 4x800 team. She earned top-five performance honors in Black Bear history in the 1000-meter and 4x800 relay, was on the All-Academic team, and earned Dean's List status six times.

She returned to Fryeburg in 2013 as a math teacher, dorm parent, and Mountain Biking coach. She also coached the Molly Ockett ski team for two seasons.

She continues to train and compete, racing in the pro-cyclocross circuit. She was the road cycling New England champion and a multi-time Queen of the Mountain Achievement Award winner in stage races including the Tour of the Dragons, Killington State Race, and Tour of Washington County. She has also won the race up the Mount Washington Auto Road and pro-stage races in Colorado, California, and throughout New England, Ireland, France, and Belgium.

Stephanie and her family live in Somersworth, N.H. She is in her 15th year of teaching and is the proud mom of James and Matilda!

Erlon “Bucky” Broomhall, Significant Supporter, to be presented by Matthew Broomhall.

One could write a book about Bucky Broomhall’s contributions to the history of youth skiing in New England, particularly in Nordic skiing. His remarkable influence has earned him a place in multiple Hall of Fames including the Vermont Ski Hall of Fame, the Vermont Principals Association’s Hall of Fame, two Hall of Fame selections in Colorado, and the Maine Ski Hall of Fame. Over the years, Bucky has been recognized countless times for his pioneering contributions to the sport.

Originally from Rumford, Bucky dedicated his career to creating opportunities for young skiers. Although his time at Fryeburg Academy spanned only two seasons, he established a team model and culture that left a lasting impact on FA’s Nordic program. His legacy at Fryeburg extended far beyond those seasons, as his vision for a comprehensive cross-country and ski jumping program set the foundation for future generations.

Bucky served in the Korean War from 1951-55 and then enjoyed a successful collegiate career racing for the Western State College Cross Country Ski Team. In 1966, he moved to Bennington, Vt., to oversee a total ski program for children of all ages, from kindergarten through high school. Under his leadership, the school’s ski teams excelled. He coached cross-country, jumping, and downhill, winning five Vermont high school state championships and guiding at least 25 skiers to the Junior Olympics. In 1968, he was one of the first coaches in the nation to develop a girls’ team, taking the first girls’ team to the Junior Olympics.

During his time at FA, with the full support of Headmaster Phil Richards, the Academy’s Board of Trustees, and local landowner John F. Weston, Broomhall began creating a cross-country ski course. Collaborating closely with Howard Ross, head of Fryeburg Academy’s Maintenance Department, Broomhall helped clear a three-mile Nordic trail next to Stark’s alpine slopes. Without modern mechanical grooming equipment, the course was packed entirely with snowshoes sourced from an Army surplus store.

Once the cross-country course was complete, attention shifted to building a 20-meter ski jump. Using plans developed by the United States Ski Association, Broomhall oversaw the construction of an artificial jump hill and outrun, requiring significant excavation. The jump was situated in such a way that skiers would gain speed after landing, and the jump record was believed to be an impressive 72 feet.

In an amazing feat of coordination and effort, Fryeburg Academy hosted the 1961 State of Maine Class A Championship Ski Meet, marking the beginning of a legacy that would influence the school's Nordic and skiing programs for decades to come.

The 1963 (Class C) and 1965 (Class B) Football Teams, to be presented by Gerry Durgin.

In the early 60s, Fryeburg Academy football celebrated two state championships. Coached by the late Joseph “Buck” Austin, himself a member of the Hall of Excellence member, the teams dominated the Class C and then Class B South before capturing state crowns in 1963 (7-1 record) and 1965 (8-0 record).

1963 Team — Coached by: Coach “Buck” Austin, Coach Hammond, Coach Godfrey, Coach Harrington (JV Coach),

Arnold “Sonny” Pendexter ’64, Clyde Arnold ’64, David Hicks ’64, Harold Foster ’64, Colin Hurd ’64, Robert Hatch ’64, Fred Locke ’64, Geoffrey Sutherland/Captain ’64, William Gibson ’64, Robert Mitchell ’64, Larry Gallagher ’64, Ronald Colter ’64, Gary Linnell ’65, Phillip Wilson ’63 PG ’64, Dana Hoyt ’65, Carey Graffam/Manager ’65, John Roberts ’65, Peter Clifford ’64, Stephen Smith’65, Kit Foster ’65, Jeffrey Shaw ’65, Kenneth Tinker Kiesman ’65, Richard Smull ’65, Herman Leo Coombs ’65, Brian Smith ’65, Cecil Barker ’65, Donald Bean ’65, Robert Wheatley ’66, Jeremy Colpits ’66, Maddison Anthony Stalmuke ’67,   David Pineo ’67, Joseph Austin ’67, John Watson ’67, Dale Locke ’67, Albert Brewer ’66, Stephen Feeney ’67, Wendell Sweatt ’67, Roderick Cleveland, II ’67, Stephen Dearborn ’63, Bruce Smith ’67, William Newbegin ’66, John Pendexter ’64 /Manager.

1965 Team — Coached by Coach “Buck” Austin, Coach Hammond, Coach Soule, Coach Theobold, Coach Godfrey, Joel Bean ’66, Bob Gerry ’66, Frank Joyal ’66, David Greenidge ’66, John Phelan ’66, Joseph Tinker ’66,

Thomas Larkin ’66, John Roy ’66, Lawrence Perry ’66, Kenneth Knight ’66, Russell Ross ’68, Stephen Feeney ’67, Brian Hill ’67, Joe Austin ’67, David Casano ’67, Robert Kolodjay ’67, David Edward Malo ’67, Gerry Durgin ’68, Bob Magavero ’68, Herbert Rathbun ’68, Brent Horten ’68, David Morway ’69, Peter Neff ’70.