Raider Report Issue #20

Raider Report

March 19th, 2026 “The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword.”— Edward Bulwer-Lytton Issue #20

Lilia Vishnyakov '26, Daruk Seyar '26, Ikram Abounouh '26, Mateusz Jedrzejowski '28, and Peter Priestmen '29 at BOSMUN (Photo - Greg Huang-Dale)

Boston Model United Nations

By Peter Priestman '29

On February 6th, 2026, five students traveled the three hours down to Boston with advisor Greg HuangDale and chaperone Francesca Meier. The Boston Model UN conference was hosted at the Marriott and Sheraton with conferences held in both hotels. On the first day, the group arrived at around six o’clock giving the Fryeburg Academy delegates just enough time to get dinner together and navigate to the first of five sessions over the weekend. The five delegates from Fryeburg were Peter Priestman ‘29, who took part in the African Union conference, Mateusz Jedrzejowski ‘28, who was a part of the

United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs, Doruk Seyar ‘26, who did a reenactment of the battle of Constantinople, Ikram Abounouh ‘26 who participated in the Commission of the Status of Women, and Lilia Vishnyakov ‘26 who was part of the SCOTUS reenactment of Buckley V. Valeo (1976). The second day is by far the most productive and busy day of the conference for delegates. Day two features three three hour long sessions, with breaks for lunch and dinner, during which the majority of the work gets done with some committees even passing a bill/ paper before the end of the last day. At the end of the second day, there is a dance that takes Cont. School Life 1

STUDENT LIFE

Raider Report Behind the Scenes

By Lilia Vishnyakov

’26

The Raider Report has come a long way since its founding at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. From a group of ten writers and a single grammar and layout editor to a team of more than thirty people in various roles, publications have developed into a strong and unifying force of independent student journalism. Cont. School Life 1

SCHOOL LIFE

Continued from front page: Students visit the State House

place in the same hotel which all delegates are invited to attend. Truthfully, most — after almost ten hours of debate — are more than happy to go back to their rooms and get some rest for the next day. Day three of BOSMUN is by far the least intensive: committees are either finishing or have already finished with their topics. Once these committees have completed their duty, a Model UN tradition known as fun MUN begins. This is where there can be games such as hot seats, debates on fun topics like the funniest delegate, the most serious delegate or sometimes even the most annoying delegate and musical chairs. After the delegates have been dismissed from the fifth and final session they all get back in the van after packing up and take the long drive back to the Fryeburg Academy campus and dorms.

RAIDER REPORT STAFF

President and Manager of Publication:

Holym Han ‘26

Vice President and Manager of Writing:

Lilia Vishnyakov ‘26

Layout Designer and Assistant Manager of Publication:

Serena Di Nucci ‘27

Senior Editors: Will McDonnell ‘26, Arthur Osborne ‘26

Aspen Hazlewood '26

Visual Media Manager: Sy Stevens ‘27

Club Advisor and Publication Supervisor: Ms. Ayer

Continued from front page: Raider Report Behind The Scenes

As graduation approaches, the large team of senior staff are looking towards next year. Currently, the focus is transitioning to a team of underclassmen leaders. Headed by Serena Di Nucci ‘27, in coming issues the Raider Report will begin to rely more heavily on these staff trainees, meaning that issues may look a bit different. As the Report segues into a new era, exciting creative developments are emerging.

A new team of section editors will take over the writing department, with Thomas Hubbell ‘27 on Athletics, Olivia Stacy ‘27 on Arts, and Jacob Palestrant ‘27 on School Life. As Senior Editors, they are responsible for a team of writers, ensuring articles are submitted on time, factually accurate, and interesting to read. They edit for grammar and clarity. The team will be held together by Writing Manager Benedikt Arnason ‘27, and is looking bright. All signs point towards many successful years to come for the Raider Report.

Most excitingly to many, Maks Bondarev ‘27 and Sy Stevens ‘27 are making their debuts as cartoonists, designing comics and cartoons relevant to school life that will bring a new rush of humor and relatability to publications. Building from his previous responsibilities handling photography, Sy will be stepping into the role of Visual Media Manager. Along with Maks and Anhelina Kalishchuk ‘27, all directed by Head Layout Designer Serena, the publication team is stepping up to new levels of depth and efficiency. Across the board, the transition to next year is coming along well, and the entire Raider Report staff appreciates the continued support from the school and community as they work towards high standards of journalistic quality. Thank you!

Ukrainian Week

By Anhelina Kalishchuk '27

This February 24th was the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On this day, at 9 AM, during the minute of silence, the Academy honored the courage, strength, and resilience of Ukrainians. We remembered all the innocent lives that have been lost during this war. The War continues after 12 years and gets increasingly worse with passing time.

Ukrainian week is an initiative at FA seeking to raise awareness about the tragic sit-

ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER

"We were fundraising money for people who suffered from the Russian invasion to Ukraine," says Dasha Kolosovska '26, "refugees, injured people, etc. We fundraised around a thousand dollars."

Soon all of the proceeds will go to a charitable foundation, Come Back Alive.

Your donations make a difference. Thank you for supporting Ukraine.

Peer Advocacy Leaders Continue Their Efforts

This year, the Fryeburg Academy Health and Wellness Center has launched a new program focusing on peer support and engagement, called the Peer Advocacy Leaders, or PALs. You may have seen them around campus sporting green bandanas on their book bags and volunteering at lunch to run events such as the “shred your stress” table during midterms this past semester or, more recently, in honor of Valentine’s Day, spreading the love with Valentine’s crafts and a themed pin-making competition. Currently, the PALs are working on planning more of these events for the coming month in order to support the student body through the longest academic month of the year— no breaks until mid April! Information about events will typically be posted on bulletin boards around the school, in the Daily Announcements, Half-School Meeting announcements, and on the PALs

By Arthur Osborne '26

Instagram page, at the handle @fryeburgacademypals. Additionally, although this initiative has been temporarily suspended due to lack of interest, the PALs are equipped and eager to help out their peers more directly through one-on-one conversations, either in the health building or in an alternate location at your discretion. Making use of these resources lets the Health and Wellness Center know that it is helpful and where to devote their energy, so please do not hesitate to engage and take advantage of everything PALs has to offer. If you yourself are interested in becoming a Peer Advocacy Leader in the 2026-2027 academic year, please reach out to Ms. Scannell or Dr. Curtis by email. A majority of current members are seniors, so there is no shortage of room for new and enthusiastic student leaders! Contact information is linked below.

ascannell@fryeburgacademy.org ccurtis@fryeburgacademy.org

Answer: A blizzard

FA Jazz Competes At Falmouth Highschool ARTS

Dasha Kolosovska ‘26

On the last day before the Winter break, February 10th, the Fryeburg Academy Music Department left campus in the afternoon to compete in the District II Jazz Festival at Falmouth High School. FA’s music program was represented by talented musicians in Big Band, Vocal Jazz, and three Jazz Combos. Most of the students participated in more than one group, making the day even more memorable and exciting. During the festival, all of the groups performed for professional judges from different musical disciplines, practiced improvisation, and received detailed feedback from critics to improve their further performances in an interactive clinic following each performance. The event was challenging; however, it was still fun and entertaining. Students had a chance to hear other bands and combos, creating a supportive atmosphere across schools and ensembles, and grow as musicians outside of the regular classroom.

A participant of FA Vocal Jazz, Lily Bryan ‘26, reflected on the experience: “Vocal jazz has been really important to me in the way that it’s challenged me musically. Not only am I singing with a group of great people, but I’m also improving my sight reading, blend with others, and everything that comes with singing a new genre of music most people aren’t accustomed to.”

Introducing: FA Jazz Competing Combos

As a result, all of the students’ hard work and dedication paid off when they qualified for the subsequent state competitions! Congratulations to the FA music department! This trip was a valuable learning experience and highlighted musicians' passion for music!

Pep Rally

The gymnasium came alive on Friday during the pep rally! Students across all grades held green boomwackers in support of the PALs presentation in support of mental health awareness. Mr. Kenney also gave a presentation commending the Boys Alpine and Nordic Ski Teams for their Maine state championship victories. Ms. Murphy and MC Sally Baptista ‘26 announced victors for the spirit week dress up competitions, for the underclassmen Brittney Bossidy ’29 and for the upperclassmen Annabelle Harnden ’26. The senior class claimed the overall win, boasting an impressive plastic trophy. From pool-noodle jousting to tug-of-war, grades united for an hour of competitive fun!

SPIRIT WEEK

Unified Basketball

On Friday Evening, the Unified Basketball Team celebrated its single senior player, Seth Hunter ‘26, in a game against FA faculty. Players and fans alike were booming with excitement for the dedicated senior. The Unified Basketball Team claimed a strong victory against faculty, with baskets seen all across the roster. Some particular highlights include an impressive three-pointer from Seth, and a thrilling endof-half buzzer-beater from Jackson McBurnie ’27. Congratulations to Seth for a very successful high school basketball career!

SENIORS WIN SPIRIT WEEK

Hexagonal sigma maze with 12 cells side

Copyright © 2026 Alance AB, https://www.mazegenerator.net/

Copyright © 2026 Alance AB, https://www.mazegenerator.net/

RYLAN'S MAZE MANIA

Triangular delta maze with 20 cells side

20 cells diameter theta maze

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Contributors

Alda Dufilho

Andrew Meier

Anhelina Kalishchuk

Anton Liesnoi

Arthur Osborne

Aspen Hazlewood

Benedikt Arnason

Bennett Harper

Brady Chappell

Bridget Wilson

Connor Spofford

Daria Kolosovska

Elise Dunn

Emma Bariteau

Emmett O'Brien

Haley Spofford

Helen Glazer

Holym Han

Jacob Palestrant

Jeehoo Lee

Lilia Vishnyakov

Wasp Harlow

Maks Bondarev

Olivia Eveleth

Olivia Stacy

Pavlo Tsybran

Peter Priestman

Rhett Harper

Rylan McBride

Sally Baptista

Serena DiNucci

Subeen An

Sy Stevens

Thomas Hubbell

Violet Dunn

William McDonnell

Zonder McKenzie