WMS Odyssey of the Mind team preparing for World Finals in Iowa

By Masha Yurkevich

Creative problem solving is an important part of everyday life that we are not always taught at school. However, Windham Middle School (WMS) Odyssey of the Mind students are working on creative problem-solving skills that will help them later in their life. After competing in the Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament, the team placed first in their division, which qualified them for an invitation to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University from May 27 to May 30.

Windham Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind team who
will participate in the World Finals at Iowa state University
later this month are, from left, sixth grader Byrn Johnson,
eighth grader Fynnleigh Mayo, eighth grader Charlie
Johnson, eighth grader Devon Yates, sixth grader Cora
Miller and eighth grader Colin Miller.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program in which team members present their solution to a predefined long-term problem at a competition that spans many months and involves writing, design, construction, and theatrical performance,” says Rebecca Miller, the coach of this team. “A spontaneous portion of the competition also has the team generating solutions to a problem they have not seen before. Creative problem-solving, perseverance, critical thinking, compromise, and teamwork skills are honed to make this experience successful and beneficial for skills applicable to their future careers.”

Placing first in their division Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament was a very pleasant surprise for the team, given that they had also received an Omer Award for passing on a positive spirit by making and wearing clothes pins that they made.

While Miller is the coach, everything must be student created.

“I am more of the organizer, while the students are the ones who use the saws, nails, screws, and assemble everything on their own,” she said.

Team member Fynnleigh Mayo has been in Odyssey of the Mind for nine years.

“I started in kindergarten and have so much fun every year that I continue to do it. I am very excited for Iowa because of pin trading and competing with other teams from all around the world,” he says.

His teammates have experience too.

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for around five years, and I joined because I wanted to find a fun activity that would work my mind and be able to have fun with friends,” says Charlie Johnson. “I have been to World Finals before, and one of my favorite things was pin trading. I got to interact with lots of cool people and got to get many really cool pins from all over the place. I really recommend that people join Odyssey. It is a super fun and creative brain workout and can help you with things like teamwork, thinking creatively, and working with your hands.”

Cora Miller has been in Odyssey of the Mind since she was in kindergarten.

“It started when my brother had joined Odyssey of the Mind, and he came home talking about a cool project that he and his team did. Being able to compete against teams from all around the world is an awesome experience.”

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for five years, and I joined to build and create with my friends,” says Bryn Johnson. “I really love the pin trading in Odyssey, but my favorite thing is meeting teams from across the world and seeing other performances.”

Devon Yates joined Odyssey of the Mind in second grade and has been a part of it for six years.

“I joined because I had spent years watching my siblings compete and could not wait for the day I could take part, too. In Iowa, I am most excited to meet all the new people and make connections with everyone. I am so thankful for all the community support we have had to help us get ready for this trip; We are so excited to represent Windham at Worlds.”

The community has truly been a big support in assisting this team. However, they still need some help.

"To interact on a World stage with teams from all over the world is truly amazing," says Miller.

But it is also expensive. 

There have been ongoing fundraisers throughout the year to help with different Odyssey of the Mind finances, and there are more coming up. The Odyssey of the Mind team would be grateful to receive donations, gift cards, mileage points for hotel or car rentals, items for our trip, future fundraising events, or raffles, or to match funds raised at one of their upcoming events.

To donate to help the team, contact Rebecca Miller at 207-892-1840 x2460 or send an email to [email protected]. <

PowerServe: A decade of service through the Donnelly Family’s eyes

By Lorraine Glowczak

The special spring tradition of volunteering continues, bringing neighbors together once again and marking 10 years of service rooted in compassion, connection, and community. PowerServe participants will gather for another day of community service, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, on the Windham Historical Society campus before volunteers disperse to their assigned community projects, and return at 1 p.m. for a shared lunch.

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, PowerServe hopes
to complete at least 35 service projects with 250 volunteers
at its community service event on May 9 in Windham. 
COURTESY PHOTO  

0 Although the focus is community service, PowerServe has been more than a volunteer event. From the very beginning, the organization has also been a story about people, purpose, and the ripple effect of one teenager’s belief that caring for a community can create lasting change.

This annual volunteer-driven initiative continues to live out its mission of “caring boldly and serving strong.” Often described as a spark of light in the community, PowerServe began as a way to simply turn grief into action.

Launched in 2016 after the unexpected passing of 16-year-old Shane Donnelly, the effort started when Kristine Delano of YoungLife Sebago saw the impact on the students at Windham High School and the wider community and felt called to respond. Inspired by the power of community service, she created a day in early May 2016 to unite the community in kindness and connection in Shane’s honor.

For the Donnelly family, PowerServe is deeply personal – a legacy of compassion that began with a vision to help others and has grown far beyond what they imagined. Each year, they watch that spark spread, drawing in about 200 volunteers and strengthening community bonds through projects like yard cleanups, painting, and small repairs for Windham neighbors and nonprofits.

“When you lose a child, you enter a kind of grief you never imagined,” Shane’s mother, Kim Donnelly said. “But out of something so tragic, something unexpectedly beautiful has grown. People experience loss every day, yet what PowerServe has become is a reflection of community – where nearly two-thirds of the volunteers are youth and students serving alongside adults, all working together.”

Shane’s sister, Maddie Donnelly, a senior at WHS, who was 7 years old at the time of his passing, said her brother carried a quiet, steady outlook on life that was rooted in the outdoors and a deep caring for others. 

“Whether he was talking about college, dreaming of becoming a Maine Game Warden, or simply enjoying time outside, he found a sense of peace and tranquility in nature,” she said. “He was also known for offering kind words and giving others the benefit of the doubt, always choosing compassion first.”

Maddie shared that his compassion for others truly lives on in the spirit of PowerServe, and she is determined to keep that spirit alive by spreading the word about the organization. This year, she did so through her Senior Capstone Project, a graduation requirement.

“It felt like an easy decision to choose PowerServe as my capstone topic,” she said. “Sharing PowerServe and helping people learn about it just made sense. It speaks to the kind of person Shane was and it feels good to make others feel good in his honor. He loved serving others and being outdoors – this is something he would have truly enjoyed doing.”

She said that PowerServe is not just about the projects being completed, it’s about the people being present with one another. It’s about connections.

“Watching volunteers and recipients sit down, talk, and truly connect is what stays with you, Maddie said. “Some of the most meaningful stories come afterward from neighbors who didn’t just receive help, but also shared time, laughter, and a sense of being seen.”

Maddie agrees with her mother, saying that she enjoys connecting with the recipients.

“Our conversations are so much fun and we create lasting memories,” she said. “Sometimes we spend at least an hour talking with each other. It leaves everyone feeling genuinely uplifted.”

As for the requests for assistance, the Donnellys say that it is often a friend, neighbor, or loved one who makes the request for others. 

“People who need help with gardens, painting, etc. generally do not want to burden family, and once we step in, we keep checking back to see how they’re doing, even helping them enjoy flower gardens they haven’t been able to tend to in years,” they said. 

PowerServe, which recently became an official nonprofit, allows all donated funds to stay in Windham, and is hoping to complete at least 35 service projects with 250 volunteers at its community service event on May 9.

“The more volunteers, the more projects we can do and the more people we can help, the better able to make a greater impact and difference in our community, which exemplifies Shane’s personality and would make him so happy,” Maddie said.

As PowerServe celebrates a decade of service, its impact is measured not just in completed projects, but in the relationships built, the gratitude shared, and the reminder that meaningful change often starts with a simple decision to show up and help.

For more details about PowerServe, to volunteer to help, or to request a project, send an email to [email protected]. <

Global Beauty Awards honor Windham fashion brand founder

By Ed Pierce

Katie Winchenbach of Windham believes she can change the world and is not letting anyone tell her otherwise.

Katie Winchenbach of Windham, founder of fashion'
brand 'Fearless by Katie Winchenbach' was honored
as the 'Best Rising entrepreneur' at the 2026
Global Beauty Awards in Seattle, Washington
on April 18, rec0ognikzing her growing impact
in the fashion and business world.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
 

Winchenbach, the founder of fashion brand “Fearless by Katie Winchenbach” was honored as the “Best Rising Entrepreneur” at the 2026 Global Beauty Awards on April 18 in Seattle, Washington, recognizing her growing impact in the fashion and business world less than a year after launching the brand.

Known for its high-quality, statement clothing designed for special events at more accessible pricing, the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach brand’s signature line of vibrant, colorful dresses, all under $300, reflects Winchenbach’s commitment to making confidence and standout style attainable for more women.

She said she is humbled by this recognition.

“This award means so much because it reflects the heart behind the brand,” said Winchenbach. “Fearless was created to give women that extra layer of confidence. Not just in how they look, but in how they show up in their lives.”

According to Winchenbach, she launched the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach fashion brand in 2025 with a clear mission of creating clothing that empowers women to feel confident, capable, and unapologetically bold. Her designs focus on flattering a variety of body types while helping women “own every room they walk into.”

Her journey to this point has been one of persistence and determination.

Winchenbach grew up in the small town of Milford, near the University of Maine in Orono, and moved to Windham in 2021 with her husband Jared. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maine, a Juris Doctorate law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University.

She became a corporate attorney while also working as a podcast host.​

“My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. I took that literally, becoming the first in my family to attend college and law school,” Winchenbach said. “Being a first-generation student challenged me, but it also inspired me to help pave the way for women like me who are chasing big dreams.​”

One of those dreams was realized when she entered and won the pageant title as USOA Mrs. Maine 2024, which gave her a platform to advocate for women’s empowerment, provide critical leadership opportunities, and to break down barriers to women’s success.

That led to her entering the National United States Mrs. 2025 Pageant representing Maine and she won that title too, cementing her idea of advancing women’s leadership, breaking barriers, and inspiring confidence in women of all ages.

She says that deciding to compete for the National United States Mrs. title gave her the opportunity to evaluate the impact that she was making on my community and challenged her to find new ways to tap into my passion for supporting rising women leaders.

“As a result, I created a podcast titled Lead Fearlessly in which I invite women leaders from all over the world to share their stories, their struggles, and their tips,” Winchenbach said. “My goal is to give women all over the world the leadership support that I once needed. This podcast has opened so many doors for me including giving me the opportunity to present my first TEDx talk on leadership and confidence, and a clothing line she called Fearless by Katie Winchenbach.”

During a recent television interview, Winchenbach said that as a 5-foot-1, size 12 woman, she wasn’t a “stereotypical pageant girl” so she had difficulty finding clothing that made her feel confident.

"That's what led me to start my own clothing line," she told the television interviewer.

In under a year, the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach fashion brand has drawn significant national and international attention, with runway showcases and partnering with Supermodels Unlimited at New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week, and her debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Now the Global Beauty Awards have paid tribute to Winchenbach and called further attention to what she is trying to accomplish. The Global Beauty Awards is an international awards program that celebrates excellence across the pageant, beauty, fashion, and business industries. It brings together professionals from around the world and recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and impact in their fields.

Winners of Global Beauty Awards are selected through a formal nomination and voting process involving industry members and peers.

Through it all, Winchenbach’s husband has been so incredibly supportive, not just of her pageant participation, but of everything that has resulted from that, including this latest award for her fashion brand. 

“He was front row in Miami when I launched my clothing line, he holds down the fort at home when I travel for appearances and events, and of course, he was right there in the audience when I won this national title,” she said. “I've poured a lot of time and effort into my podcast, my service work, and my pageant preparation. I wouldn't be able to do that without knowing he has my back.”

Despite all the acclaim and recognition that she has received, Winchenbach remains committed to uplift, empower, and inspire rising women leaders and it is at the heart of everything she does.​

“I think when you are in a male-dominated field like the legal profession it's easy to get caught up with trying to fit in and I definitely did that,” she said. “It wasn't until I started competing in pageants that I realized I wasn't being my full, authentic self. I have always loved fashion, modeling, and design. I actually went to undergrad with the goal of becoming a fashion writer. When I joined the legal profession, I felt like I had to leave that part of me behind, but pageantry made me see that wasn't the case. I finally found the confidence to show up as who I was meant to be. Now I'm proud to be a successful attorney and a podcast host, model, designer, and advocate for women.” <

Restored 1802 Windham map focus of historical presentation

By Ed Pierce

Famed American author Brené Brown once said that "Maps are the most important documents in human history as they are the history of human perception." That may be the case right here in Windham as a new presentation on Monday night will examine a 224-year-old map of the town.

During a presentation at the Little Meetinghouse in Windham
on Monday, April 27, participants will be able to see an 1802
map of North Windham drawn on fabric. The map was 
recently discovered by Raymond Philpot of Windham 
among a box of family artifacts. SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Windham Historical Society member Carol Manchester says that earlier this year, Raymond Philpot, a lifelong resident of Windham, discovered the map when he was given a box of historic Windham items by a family member and an 1802 drawing of the North Windham section of town was contained among the artifacts.

“He believes it was sketched on some sort of fabric,” Manchester said.

Because this document is important to the Windham Historical Society, but very delicate and expensive for them to restore, a decision was made to turn the map over to the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at the University of Southern Maine for restoration and display with a commitment that the historical society would be given a representation or copy of the map.

The map was conserved by Green Dragon bindery of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts and features an 1802 drawing and manuscript map by Lothrop Snow of the plans of the last division of the town of Windham.

Libby Bischof, Executive Director of the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at USM has examined the map and will offer a free presentation open to the public and lead a discussion about the map starting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 27 at the Little Meetinghouse, 719 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. Bischof’s presentation is called “Mapping Windham Across Time.”

Bischof is a history professor and the inaugural University Historian at USM where she has taught courses in Maine History, History and Photography, Popular Culture, and Public History for the past 18 years. A visual and cultural historian of the 19th and 20th centuries, Bischof is interested in the way in which friendship informs cultural production, especially in relation to landscape and place. 

She believes deeply in site-based, hands-on education and the ways in which teaching local and regional history can lead to deeper civic engagement. In an earlier program for Windham Historical Society, Bischof gave a presentation regarding the history and manufacture of postcards.

Prior to being settled by Europeans, most of Southern Maine, including Windham, was land of the Abenaki tribe of Native Americans. Associated with the Algonquin Nation, the Abenaki lived from the Maritime Provinces of Canada through upstate New York and Ontario.

There were many seasonal Abenaki settlements between the White Mountains and Casco Bay with local lakes and rivers used for travel for thousands of years.

Historians say that the Windham area was first settled by Europeans in 1737. Massachusetts Bay colony granted land to a group of individuals and families primarily from Marblehead, Massachusetts. These settlers named the township New Marblehead, and the township was incorporated as the Town of Windham in 1762.

Windham’s early economy in Windham focused on agriculture and forestry, but the next phase of Windham’s growth centered on industrialization and manufacturing driven by power generated by the Presumpscot and Pleasant Rivers.

By 1940, Windham’s population of Windham was about 2,000 people and since then it has increased to more than 19,000.

Those attending Bischof’s presentation will be able to see the newly conserved map in person. Light refreshments will be served and although the event is free, a $5 donation is suggested at the door.

For more details about the Windham Historical Society, visit https://www.windhamhistorical.org/ <

Volunteers provide backbone for Riding To The Top equine therapy center

By Erin Rose

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) is celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week, marked nationally from Saturday, April 19 to Saturday, April 25, by showcasing the significant contributions their dedicated volunteers give to the center and to the patients who receive equine therapy there.

Volunteers Fran Maxwell, Pat Niboli and Sara
Treat get Carrot cleaned up before a lesson on
a muddy day at the Riding To The Top equine
therapy facility in Windham.
COURTESY PHOTO

“The impact of these volunteers is visible every day,” said Kelly Johnson, Development Director for RTT. “A rider taking their first independent steps, a child gaining confidence in communication, or a veteran finding peace being in the presence of our horses – these moments are made possible because volunteers show up, week after week, ready to give their time without expecting anything in return.”

Last year, the center’s 200 specially trained volunteers donated over 14,000 hours of time to assist its more than 250 clients. The time was spent helping to lead horses while clients ride or in walking alongside the horse to ensure the client feels secure and confident. The volunteers also provide care for the center’s 17 horses, complete chores in the barn, or by helping with administrative support or with special events.

“Volunteer Appreciation Week is not just about saying ‘thank you,’ though gratitude is certainly deserved,” Johnson said. “It is also about recognizing that organizations like RTT simply could not operate at their current level without volunteer support.”

“Volunteers are not just helpful additions, they are the backbone of the organization, making it possible for RTT to fulfill its mission of improving the health and well-being of children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted services,” she said.

The center’s programs include therapeutic riding, where patients are helped through horsemanship and riding activities. Therapeutic Carriage Driving provides the opportunity for patients who cannot ride to harness and drive a horse from a cart or carriage. RTT also offers Equine Assisted Learning, where interaction with the horse, both mounted and unmounted, helps in the development of life skills, and Hippotherapy, where the horse’s movement is used as a therapy tool.

“Volunteer Appreciation Week serves as a reminder that behind every success at RTT, there are volunteers helping to make it all possible,” Johnson said. “Each volunteer brings unique skills and heart to the program, forming a community rooted in kindness and purpose.”

The volunteers gift the center with a precious resource, and through their generosity, help enable RTT to provide high quality services for its patients. 

“In a world where time is often one of the most valuable resources, the volunteers of RTT demonstrate what it means to give selflessly,” Johnson said. “Their dedication ensures that RTT continues to be a place where challenges are met with encouragement, and where every rider has the opportunity to reach new heights.

“It reflects commitment, patience, and a shared belief in the transformative power of human-animal connection,” she said. “Each hour volunteered helps create a safe, supportive environment where participants can grow physically, emotionally, and socially.”

Founded in 1993, RTT is the only center in Maine accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) solely dedicated to Equine Assisted Services. The center’s facility includes a heated indoor arena and an outdoor riding ring on 50 acres of land on Lilac Drive in Windham.

“Human-Animal Interactions are at the core of RTT’s work and are made possible because of our professional staff, dedicated volunteers and incredible horses,” said Sarah Bronson, RTT’s Executive Director. “We witness on a daily basis the health and wellness benefits of Human-Animal Interactions for our clients, their families, our volunteers and our staff.”

To learn more about RTT, its programs, make a donation, or to inquire about volunteering, visit www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <

Local robotics team ‘brainstorms’ way to regional championships

By Erin Rose

A group of seven local high school students will be competing for the first time in FIRST Robotics’ New England District Championship in West Springfield, Massachusetts which started Wednesday, April 15 and runs through Saturday, April 18.

A team of area high school students, including some from
Raymond, are part of a new team led by Maine Community
Robotics competing this week for the first time in the
FIRST Robotics' New England District Championship
in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Being selected to be one of the 100 teams competing at the district event in the team’s rookie year was a surprise for Stephen Goss, the Executive Director of Maine Community Robotics (MCR), a non-profit organization that was founded to support the FIRST Robotics program locally. He organizes and manages the team.

“I didn’t expect that we would get the invite this year to go to the district championship,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised by that and excited, because it’s well deserved for their hard work.”

Members of the team, named Brainstorm after heavy debate by its members, are Eli Mattia, Cloe Wayne, Shaylee Wayne, Avery Sands, Ben Friedlander, Zach Friedlander, and Nathan Getchell. The team also has six adult mentors, including several who are alumni of the FIRST Robotics program, Erin Friedlander, Arin Friedlander, Beau Fairbrother, Isaac Friedlander, Steven Goss, and Frank Mattia. Their first competition was the Northeast District’s Pine Tree Competition Qualifying Event, which was held at Falmouth High School from March 6 to March 8.

The students, in grades 9 to 12 from Raymond, Standish, and Gray, receive a very basic kit of items from FIRST Robotics, a program that provides STEM education to students internationally from kindergarten to eighth grade. They must build a machine to complete specific tasks. Each year’s challenge differs, so the teams must create new mechanisms annually to achieve the goal. This year, the teams must create a machine that collects balls and then throws them into a large hopper to score points over several rounds. Points are also gained by adding the ability to climb the machines up a structure with three levels.

“There isn’t a manual or instructions from the kit to build it,” Goss said, explaining that the students created their own gears for their robot with the help of adult advisors, computer aided design software, and a 3D printer. “They designed these gears to be the right ratio needed for speed and strength.”

The team’s design depends on the ability for the motors to switch directions, allowing the robot to collect and then throw balls into the central hopper. 

“Their robot sucks orange dodgeball balls into a hopper and then they can reverse some of those motors and that allows them to shoot the balls into the target hopper,” Goss detailed. “They also added a hook onto the side of the robot, so they’re able to climb up the first rung of the ladder.”

In addition to designing and building their machine, the teens also must write the code that tells the robot what to do during the competition. They can add aesthetic details to their robots and team apparel, to show a unified theme. The team added an infinity mirror to their design to help pull the theme together. As a result of the addition, the students won the Imagery Award at the Pine Tree competition in March. The “award celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance; incorporated into all aspects of the team,” according to FIRST Robotics’ website.

Adding the mirror was part of the more than 200 hours that the students spent over the first 10 weeks of the year building their machine. Goss said that the students work three or four days per week after school to complete the robot build in such a short time. There’s also planning before the season begins to develop new ideas based on past designs. 

“There’s lots to be done to get a robot designed and built in 10 weeks,” he said.

The team is seeking both new members and new sponsors to help build the program. Teens interested don’t necessarily have to be interested in STEM or robotics. There are opportunities for teens to build business acumen, through helping to develop a business plan for the team’s year, opportunities to build marketing campaigns to help attract sponsors, and learning to write grants, where the team can receive from $1,000 to $5,000 in grant monies to help pay for the expenses required to compete.

“While the design and the driving piece are the ones that everyone focuses on, it’s not the only important piece” Goss said. “All of it together is what makes a successful team.”

Fundraising is especially important, as the team is entirely self-funded. Registration fees, parts and raw materials for fabrication, tools and equipment, and costs associated with traveling to the different weekend-long events are all paid for by the team. Sponsors are welcome to help the team offset those costs, along with donations from the community. 

“We are always looking for sponsors, since it’s not cheap,” he said, adding that a group of individuals could band together to help sponsor the team. “Being a nonprofit, registered by the IRS and Maine, allows us to accept donations easily.”

MCR will be hosting some open houses in North Windham over the summer which will feature some skills learning activities and computer assisted design (CAD), to allow interested students to check out the team before signing up.

“It’s not just for the nerd herd,” Goss said. “You don’t need to know how to code and you don’t need to know how to fabricate metal to join the team. We’ll teach you what you need to know, and we’ll help you find what you’re passionate about on the team and enable you to go do it.”

More details about Maine Community Robotics, including how to join, a link to donate, and sponsorship information can be found at https://mcrobotics.org. <