Re-Founding Fathers

In 1980, those closely connected with John Bapst High School faced an important decision. The school had just been closed by the Church, and the challenge faced was whether a private school could reopen in its place in time for fall classes. Four men got to work. John F. MacKay, Earle Hannigan, Joseph Sekera ’62, and the late William Lindsay, with the support of countless others, were able to reopen the school as John Bapst Memorial High School in September 1980. Earle Hannigan recently observed, “John Bapst was important in 1980 for Bangor and the community, and it still is today.”
John MacKay echoed this message: “We had a dream the school would survive; it is now very much alive.” Looking ahead to the school’s next generation of students, Joe Sekera added, “Something’s going to happen here….Now is the time to address the shortcomings of our current athletic facilities and expand our vision of technology being a key to our students’ future successes.”

Owen Lynch ’17: This Campaign Is Important To Me

“The school’s mission has an interesting phrase in it: to encourage students to ‘respect themselves
and others’. This is where sports and physical education have such an important role to play. To respect yourself, you have to feel good about yourself.
To respect others, you have to interact with them. All this happens in that old- fashioned thing we used to call gym class and through teamwork. We just need a better space to
do all this!”

– Owen Lynch ’17, Veazie, Maine

Coco Yang ’13: Home Away From Home

An early applicant to the international boarding program, Coco Yang from northwestern China, recalls her years at John Bapst fondly. It was her first exposure to life in America.
John Bapst provided a happy home for Coco, and her parents in China were satisfied, too. Favorite memories include emceeing Chinese New Year parties with fun performances and dumplings, along with numerous weekend outings.
In December 2016, Coco graduated early from Michigan State University with a major in hospitality management. “John Bapst’s diverse and peaceful environment is full of opportunities, and the encouragement from teachers and friends built up my confidence,” says Coco. “At college, I didn’t feel shy talking to American friends. And thanks to John Bapst, I already knew how to write an essay!”

– Ke “Coco” Yang ’13, Kuytun, China

Emily ’12 And Elise’13  Tilton: No Such Thing As Average

Among many other successes, sisters Emily ’12 and Elise ’13 Tilton were standout field hockey players while at John Bapst. It’s that connection with the school that encourages their involvement with the capital campaign today.
“John Bapst shaped me into who I am today, “ Emily said. “I learned to work a little harder and that character is as important as intelligence, sportsmanship is as valued as talent, and that there is no such thing as average. When I’m talking about my alma mater, it feels like I’m bragging and that’s a pretty neat thing.”
Elise added, “John Bapst provided me with a wonderful education. My success at the University of
Pennsylvania is attributed to the commitment Bapst made to me, and I to them. I’m sure that the
valuable skills and tools that I left Bapst with will stay with me as I continue to grow.”

Marcus Curtis ’05: What John Bapst Means To Me

“John Bapst was perhaps the most influential time in my education. The beauty of the building, the quality of the faculty, and the dedication to the students shone through in everything we did. The charm of John Bapst and the quality of my education prepared me for working with community in ways that I call on to this day. I cannot thank everyone enough for investing in our community. The impact that Bapst has on its alumni reaches far and wide.”

Marcus Curtis ’05, St. Louis, Missouri
Co-Founder, Citizen Carpentry

John Bapst’s Economic Impact On Greater Bangor And Maine: $15 Million Per Year

According to economists, each dollar paid in wages by an educational institution generates another dollar in wages in the local economy and injects another fifty cents in indirect economic benefit.
John Bapst is an $8 million institution educating over 500 students and employing 70 faculty and staff. A vital component is the international boarding program, bringing in $2.2 million in net tuition revenue. The economic upside for Bangor is greater still: more than $5,000 per boarding student spent on travel to Bangor International Airport, hotel rooms for family members (well over 100 nights of bookings per year), and spending on shopping, meals, and music lessons.