Pat Moody Foundation creates scholarship in memory of beloved Windham resident

By Matt Pascarella

The late Pat Moody was affectionately called the mayor of Windham and if he could support the town, its residents, and of course, the basketball program, he would give it everything he had. In his passing, the mission of The Pat Moody Foundation is to continue his legacy by empowering youth programs and activities in Windham and the surrounding communities.

The Pat Moody Foundation will be 
offering a scholarship to a Windham
High School student-athlete who 
embodies all the qualities that Pat
himself thought important:
community, volunteerism, school
pride, work ethic and being a 
positive influence for those around
them. The $2,500 scholarship will
be presented at WHS during graduation
week on Thursday, June 5.
PHOTO BY KRISTY LAPRINO OF
KRISTY MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY   

To that end, The Pat Moody Foundation will be offering a $2,500 scholarship to a graduating Windham student-athlete; someone who knows and displays the meaning of community, volunteerism, school pride, work ethic, sportsmanship and is a positive influence on those around them – just like Pat was.

This scholarship is currently targeted towards student-athletes, although athletic achievement is only one of the criteria, and not the primary factor in decision making. They are looking for the most community-minded athlete who is a great role model, not necessarily the most successful athlete. While they do focus on Moody’s love of basketball, the foundation wants to support as many students in as many ways as possible.

“He would be thrilled to see this opportunity provided to someone that he probably watched grow up (at least these first few years),” said Moody’s older sister Tracey Lydon, president of The Pat Moody Foundation. “He would love the fact that the community has supported this foundation in such a huge way that is allowing for these opportunities, but he was always one to do things quietly without fanfare. He would be very much supporting this from the fact that it is helping to bring about positive impacts and change in the community he loved. Imagine the community we can continue to build upon if our first thoughts were about others and how we could support them; this scholarship aims to be a catalyst for change not just to its recipients, but those that choose to apply knowing the expectations asked of them to be eligible.”

The scholarship will be awarded based on personal performance while in high school, but it can be used for starting a business, or getting a real estate license, or any other thing that makes sense for their future. The foundation wants to choose someone whom we believe will make a positive impact because they have a track record of making a positive impact, and that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be going to college next year.

“There was nothing Pat loved more than his family, friends, community, the Celtics and Whoopie Pies,” said his best friend and Pat Moody Foundation board member Tyler Graves. “His sense of kindness was genuine and was truly organic as it was just a natural piece of who he was. It was because of his admirable generosity to others that we felt the need to start The Pat Moody Foundation and continue Pat's selfless acts of kindness. He had an amazing way of making people feel special and included. Pat was able to connect with countless people on a multitude of levels and especially through the medium of sports. Through the foundation we look to give back to civic minded student-athletes, who in-turn give back to their communities and teams much the same way Pat did.”

Graves said The Pat Moody Foundation is funded solely by the kind hearts of not only our local community and businesses, but by many people and establishments throughout the state of Maine. They encourage anyone who knows of a similar youth who may be deserving of help and/or recognition for their acts of kindness to visit The Pat Moody Foundation and reach out to any board member.

"This scholarship is not a celebration of the best athlete or best student, but of someone who consistently makes great choices and makes our little corner of the world a better place,” said Geoff Grigsby, secretary of The Pat Moody Foundation. “No one loved the Windham community, or had more school pride, than Pat Moody. Pat was always just wanting to give of himself, help create resources, give others responsibility so they could become better people; he was a believer in others. This scholarship is just a small token of appreciation for someone who can become that next giver and believer and give them a little jumpstart on shaping our community in positive new ways. I'm sure that looking down on us he feels pride that people cared enough about him to want to be better themselves and continue the legacy of the little acts of kindness, warmth, sincerity, humor, and generosity that he acted out each and every day.”

Scholarship applications have been provided to Windham High School and will be accepted by mail or email. Information will be posted on The Pat Moody Foundation’s Facebook page; all applications are due by May 26.

The scholarship winner will be announced on Senior Awards Night at Windham High School on Thursday, June 5 during Graduation Week. <

2025 PowerServe volunteers power through rainy conditions

By Ed Pierce

As steady rain fell and damp conditions persisted, the enthusiasm and willingness to help others of more than 200 PowerServe volunteers was evident on Saturday, April 26 in Windham.

Members of Windham High School's varsity and JV baseball
teams were among 200 volunteers from throughout the
community who pitched in to assist with various projects
to help neighbors and the town during the 2025 PowerServe
event on Saturday, April 26. PHOTO BY CHRIS DOUGHTY 

PowerServe was created in the memory of Windham High School sophomore Shane Donnelly, who was 16 when he passed away unexpectedly in May 2015. Shane’s family says he was passionate about helping others and he cared deeply about his community.

To show their love for Shane, his family helped to create and organize the very first PowerServe in 2016, It was intended to be just a one-day event where volunteers served Windham area organizations and individuals who needed assistance by performing various tasks ranging from painting to yard work to household repairs and few other projects benefiting the town.

But because of an outpouring of volunteers willing to donate their time to help their neighbors, PowerServe has become an annual event held in Windham every April that completes dozens of meaningful projects and tasks throughout the community.

“Despite the rain, we had over 200 people turn out to do almost 30 service projects this year,” said Kim Donnelly, Shane’s mother. “A couple of them had to be moved to another date when it wasn’t pouring out, but we were so excited at how positive the volunteers were and how happy the recipients of the projects were. There were great connections made between the volunteers, getting to know not only the homeowner, but those people on their teams that they worked alongside that day.”

She said the number of projects that PowerServe volunteers worked on this year were the most since the event started in 2016. Some of their projects included building bridges and performing a trail clean-up at Black Brook Preserve. Past projects performed by PowerServe volunteers include work on the community basketball courts/skate park, building conduits for the 302 Rotary holiday lights, at the Historical Society Community Gardens, on RSU 14’s Cross Country trails, at Manchester School and various plantings at Windham High School.

Volunteers were organized into teams that went out from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to work together on the projects and then they all met back on the Windham Historical Grounds to share stories and enjoy a free barbecue for their work.

“The majority of our projects are for Windham residents who are in need of spring clean-ups, outside light stain or painting, spring plantings and mulch, power washing, and more,” Kim Donnelly said. “These are people with disabilities, sickness, who are elderly, an educator or public servant that we want to show our thanks for or just don't have the help and support needed to take care of these projects around their homes. Each year we go out to the town, community, and local businesses requesting nominations for projects for Windham residents to help with.”

She said PowerServe was fortunate to have Chuck Daigle serve on its planning committee this year.

“He quickly secured the Windham Town Hall gymnasium for our registration and the free barbecue afterward for PowerServe volunteers.

Because of the weather, Kim Donnelly said that there were two projects that PowerServe needed to push off until last weekend.

“Both have been completed with the help of Fuller House volunteers and then a larger project at Dundee Park with the help of Andrew Daigle, Sean McGuire and his team from McGuire Home Services was finished,” she said. “This included a new stage for entertainers at the Dundee Park Concert Series in the summer.”

Many of the homeowners and recipients of PowersServe projects were so surprised that the volunteers showed up despite the rain.

“I think that added to a feeling of pride from the volunteers that come rain or shine, they committed to helping these individuals and they showed up to do it, like a real Mainer would do,” Kim Donnelly said.

With the success and even bigger outpouring of volunteers and projects to be completed, the organization has already scheduled next year's PowerServe event, which will be its 10th year anniversary. The 2026 PowerServe will be conducted Saturday, April 25, rain or shine.

“My family and I feel so blessed to live in such a kind and compassionate community that gives back and supports its neighbors in need,” Kim Donnelly said. “Shane would be so touched by the outpouring of love and support for those around us. This is a life lesson for all of the youth in our community who volunteer. I bet they received so much more than the few hours they gave that day.”

To see more photos from the 2025 PowerServe, visit their Facebook page or go to www.powerserve.me. <

WHS graduate dazzles in leading role in new Broadway musical

By Ed Pierce

Robyn Hurder is a shining example of someone who has worked hard to achieve her dreams and is now dazzling audiences in a starring turn in a hit Broadway musical in New York City.

Robyn Hurder, a 2000 graduate of Windham High School,
is the star of the new musical "Smash" which debuted on
Broadway in April. She started taking dancing lessons at
a young age and expressed a desire to appear on Broadway
stages as a young girl.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND PAUL KOLNIK   

Growing up in Windham, Hurder leads the cast of the new musical “Smash” that opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 10. It’s a role that secures her place in Broadway history after years of performing in the cast of 22 Broadway shows and receiving a Tony Award nomination in 2020 for her part in “Moulin Rouge.”

Hurder graduated in 2000 from Windham High School and is a former member of the Windham Chamber Singers and studied dance at the Maine State Ballet.

Her mother enrolled Robyn at age 7 in a dance studio in Scarborough. She says that she liked the tap and ballet lessons there but by age 8, she wanted out to spend time playing with her friends from school. Robyn’s mother was adamant that she continue her training in dance, and when the dance studio added jazz dance that spring, her interest in choreography intensified.

When she saw the musical “CATS,” Hurder says she figured out her life’s path.

“I’m that girl – who saw ‘CATS’ and said, ‘I’m gonna do that for a living.” she told Dance Magazine in 2020.

Dr. Richard Nickerson, the director of the Windham Chamber Singers, said Hurder was a special talent.

“There are some students that, from the moment you meet them, you know they are destined for greatness,” Nickerson said. “Robyn was one of those students I knew that she could do whatever she set her mind to.”

He said that Robyn was no different in high school than she is now and that's one of the things that makes her unique.

“She is as genuine a person as you will ever meet,” Nickerson said. “She has a positive energy about her that lights up a room. She always worked incredibly hard yet never complained. She is the kind of person that everyone wants to be around because she always makes you feel like a better person. I remember her singing voice, but what really sticks out in my memory is her laugh. She truly loves life.”

According to Nickerson, while Robyn is what he calls a triple threat for acting, singing, dancing, he believes that her greatest strength is her personality.

“She works in an industry that is extremely competitive, yet has remained positive,” he said. “That's not to say that she hasn't had struggles. She hasn't let those struggles define her. It has been inspirational to watch her hard work be rewarded.”

RSU 14 Superintendent of Schools Chris Howell had Hurder as a student when he taught Biology at Windham High School.

“She was a fantastic student who worked really hard in my class to be successful in mastering the content,” he said. “It has been exciting to follow her career over the years and see how far she has gone with her talents.”

After graduating from WHS, Hurder attended the University of New Hampshire for two years before moving to New York City and auditioning for Broadway shows. In 2003, she landed a part in a national tour of “Starlight Express” and her professional career was off and running.

She was a member of the original Broadway cast of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in 2005. That was followed in order by parts in productions of “Spamalot,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Chicago,” “Grease,” and “A Chorus Line.” During a tour of “A Chorus Line” Hurder married her castmate and Broadway actor Clyde Alves.

By 2010, Hurder was a veteran performer and appeared in 12 more productions over the next decade before originating the role of Nini in “Moulin Rouge” at the Al Hirschfield Theatre on Broadway in 2020. That performance earned Hurder her first Tony Award nomination for Best featured Actress in a Broadway Musical.

In her next role, she won a Chita Rivera Award for Dance and Choreography as Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show when she appeared as Neil Diamond’s second wife, Marcia Murphey, in “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” in 2023.

She’s also appeared in dramatic roles on television in such shows as “The Equalizer” and “Fosse/Verdon” and been interviewed on “CBS Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley,” “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Now she is currently starring as Ivy Lynn, who plays actress Marilyn Monroe in the new Broadway show “'Smash.”

The Broadway musical “Smash” with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman is based on the 2012-2013 NBC television series “Smash” created by Theresa Rebeck. It includes songs from the TV series and original songs written for this new production. Like the television series, the musical follows the creation of a musical about the life of actress Marilyn Monroe.

Nickerson and his wife saw “Smash” last week and he said it is outstanding.

“Robyn's performance was unlike anything I've seen,” he said. “Her performance filled me with an enormous amount of pride.” <

RSU 14 budget heads to voters on May 14

By Ed Pierce

The RSU 14 Board of Directors have approved a budget for 2025-2026 of $67,861,394 and the proposal now heads to voters in Windham and Raymond for approval on May 14.

Staff members and Superintendent of Schools Chris Howell
at RSU 14's administrative offices in Windham helped to
formulate the school district's $67,861,394 budget for
2025-2026 that will be voted upon by Windham and Raymond
residents on May 14. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

During a meeting of the board on April 9, RSU 114 Superintendent of Schools Chris Howell said the budget represents a 12.75 percent increase over last year’s budget, with a 6.4 percent increase stemming from the construction of the new Windham Raymond Middle School. Also driving up costs are increases in RSU’s Regular Operating Expenses and a Pre-K expansion program.

“This is an unusual budget this year, with a higher than typical increase due to the initial bonds for the new middle school and an expansion to our Pre-K programming,” Howell said. “Both new projects are coupled with increased subsidies for the district. When examining the budget this year, it is best to look at the increase as being made up of three different parts.”

Howell said that first, the budget proposal contains a 5.6 percent increase in year-over-year expenses with the increase largely being driven by an increase in salaries and benefits contained within negotiated contracts.

“This increase, which is in line with proposed increases for other districts in our region, will result in compensation packages that are competitive and on average with other Cumberland County school districts,” Howell said. “In addition to the increases covered in contracts, the increase is also being driven by increased costs for electricity, energy, equipment and supplies.”

The second factor to consider with this proposed budget is it includes roughly a 1 percent increase for the addition of 59 Pre-K enrollment slots which will result in roughly a $620,000 increase to the budget. Howell said $510,000 of this increase will be offset by additional state subsidy specifically allocated for expanding Pre-K programs.

“The additional Pre-K placement slots will significantly reduce our current waiting list of students who are hoping to participate in the Pre-K program,” he said.

According to Howell, a third factor in the budget proposal is the inclusion of the first bond payment for the new middle school construction project resulting in nearly a 6 percent increase.

“Importantly, 90 percent of the cost of this first bond will be paid by additional subsidy from the State of Maine, significantly reducing the overall cost of the project for local taxpayers,” he said. “The total of the three budget areas represents a 12.75 percent increase over the current year, but it does not represent a similar increase in taxation. Over half of the proposed increase for this year will be reduced through an additional state subsidy and fund balance that will be used to reduce taxation.”

The school district began working on the budget in early November. Howell said that each line of the budget was reviewed to look for any possible savings.

“Current enrollment numbers and projected enrollment numbers for every grade level were reviewed,” he said. “Where possible, classroom positions were reallocated from grade levels with lower enrollments to grade levels with higher numbers.”

The budget proposal includes cutting a Day One teaching position and 3 ½ Ed Tech positions while adding an educational interpreter from Support Services. Manchester School will cut a Grade 5 classroom teacher but add a Grade 4 classroom teacher. Raymond Elementary School will cut one classroom teaching position. Windham Primary School will cut one classroom teaching position but add a Pre-K teaching position and add a Pre-K Ed Tech. RSU 14 Technology will add 1 Grade Level of Computers. Overall, the school district will add a part-time assistant cook.

Howell said challenges in putting together this budget proposal included negotiated contracts; taking increasing valuations for Windham and Raymond into account; a reduction in the subsidy the district receives for economically disadvantaged students; and a new 1 percent salary tax to fund Maine’s Paid Leave Act. Other budget considerations were inflation of goods for purchased services, increased energy costs for electricity and motor fuels and ongoing increases in costs for employee health insurance.

The 2024-2025 RSU 14 budget approved by voters was $60,185,403.

Howell said that the 2025-2026 budget proposal is available for review by the community by visiting rsu14.org or by calling the district office at 207-892-1800.

The district will be holding a public budget meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 in the Windham High School Auditorium. All registered voters in Windham and Raymond are welcome to attend. The budget approved at the May 14 meeting will be sent to the voters in Windham and Raymond for the June 10 school budget vote. <