Woolwich students celebrate Discovery boat launching

PHIL DI VECE, News Contributor
Fri, 06/19/2015 - 8:30am
Kurt Spiridakis, boatshop manager for the Maine Maritime Museum of Bath, lends his help to students of the Woolwich Central School in the launching of one of the two boats built by the students in this year’s Discovery Boatbuilding Program. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Away they go. Angus Brown mans the oars and Nadia Leiner, left, and Tea Kepler enjoy the ride. The trio of students from Woolwich Central School were participants in the Discovery Boatbuilding Program under the direction of the Maine Maritime Museum of Bath. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper

It’s become one of the rites of spring, the launching of boats built by students of the Woolwich Central School who are engaged in the Discovery Boatbuilding Program.

On Thursday morning, June 18, moms, dads, grandparents and many other well-wishers gathered at the waterfront park behind the Woolwich Town Office. They were there not only to celebrate the launching but to see and touch the handiwork of the sixth, seventh and eight graders.

One of the small boats has already been sold.

A collaboration between the K-8 school and Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, the Discovery Boatbuilding Program is celebrating its seventh year.

Principal Jason Libby called it an “incredible program” where kids develop skills they’ll use the rest of their lives. Over the past seven years, 99 WCS students have taken part in it.

Amy Lent, Maine Maritime Museum executive director, reminded those gathered that boatbuilding has been going on in Maine for 400 years; it’s a long and storied tradition that the Woolwich Central School was carrying on.

“These kids are really doing it, building boats,” she added. “It’s an experience the participants remember for a lifetime.”

This year’s participants were introduced by their advisor Kurt Spiridakis, Maine Maritime Museum boatshop manager.

Spiridakis noted this year’s boatbuilding class of 15 students was the largest one yet. He said how much he enjoyed working with the students and volunteers, but added his favorite part was the boat launching itself at Nequasset Brook.

This year’s student boatbuilders were: Hannah Card, Jared Arnold, Angus Brown, Nadia Leiner, Kaleb Jackson, Taylor Ramsey, Tea Kepler, Naomi Cummings-Tremblay, Mollie Mougalian, Elizabeth Thibeault, Olivia Harper, Haily Harper, Elizabeth Schotten, Helena Eich and Josh Taylor.

Volunteers helping with the WCS boatbuilding program include: Steve Caulfield, Nick Locsin, Kelly Watt, Rick Marco, Rick Cliffe and Richard Spear.

Contributors helping to fund the Discovery Boatbuilding Program include the Bank of Maine, PC Construction and the town of Woolwich.

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