CONNECTIONS
• Cynthia Perkins Clark ’52
Leaving Perks Behind for Others at Kents Hill Cynthia Perkins Clark ’52
Cynthia Perkins Clark ’52
W
hile you may not know “Perky” personally, if you’ve spent time on the Kents Hill campus recently, you’ve likely felt her impact. Cynthia Perkins Clark ’52 is one of the people who planted the tall pines that now hold up “Hammockville”— the favorite spring, summer, and fall relaxation spot sandwiched between Wesleyan Hall, Reed Hall, and the Bibby and Harold Alfond Dining Commons. The trees were planted initially as a windbreak for the outdoor hockey rink present during Clark’s time at Kents Hill. She says, “Four of us, Frank Avantagio, Cal Hawkins, Carol, and I were taken out of class one morning and we planted that grove of trees. I was glad to see that many of them still stand.” The campus was very different in the 1950s. Clark says, “Bearce Hall, Sampson Hall, Ricker Hall, and the Newton Gymnasium (now known as the Bodman Performing Arts Center) were the only buildings when I was a student and a teacher there.” However, though we’ve added and updated many of our buildings, alumni like Clark are still a presence. In fact, if you’ve visited our newest dorm, Reed Hall, you may have even seen a picture of her! It is an image of the old ski room, consisting of lockers and showers that used to be in the basement of Bearce Hall. Clark was one of the first female ski team members! She says, “I am in the far left corner waxing my skis.”
• CO NN ECT I O N S
Clark has many wonderful memories from her days at Kents Hill. She says, “Oh, so many memories...dorm living in Sampson as a freshman on the uppermost floor and through the years moving down a floor; waiting tables and hoping not to be assigned to Miss Coate/Miss Russell’s table because they were so particular; learning to ski and do many other sports that I never did before; movies in Ricker on Saturday nights; Head of School Dunn meeting the team bus when returning to campus and him asking, ‘Did you do your best today?’ I can still see that jolly face and him asking that question when he met you on campus. He didn’t care if we won but rather that we gave our best try in anything we did); bathrooms in the dorm that housed six shower/tubs, sinks, and toilets. Those are just a few memories and, of course the friends I made and the teachers there.” As Clark noted, she actually taught for a time on The Hill. She says, “I taught for one year, ’56-’57, freshman and eighth grade English.” As an alumna and as an educator, Clark’s wish for the future of Kents Hill is simple. “My hope for Kents Hill is that it remains a place where young people will continue to become good citizens, gain tolerance, and love the place as much as my brother and I did. We were fortunate to be part of a community such as Kents Hill.” Right now Clark is looking forward to her next visit. She says, “I do hope I can return next year for my 70th.”
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Left: Perky visiting campus in June 2021 with Annette Peabody ’52.
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KE NTS HIL L TO DAY
KENTS HILL TODAY
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