Monument honors McDonald’s legacy at Windham Veterans Center

By Ed Pierce

Carroll McDonald believed that the greatest legacy that one could pass on in life was not wealth or material things accumulated, but of character. McDonald certainly left that behind and on Memorial Day, his friends and family remembered him by unveiling a monument in his honor at the Windham Veterans Center.

A new monument at the Windham Veterans Center honors
the life of the late Carroll McDonald of Windham, the last
World War II veteran in town, who died in 2024 at the age 
of 99. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

McDonald was the last surviving World War II veteran living in Windham when he died at the age of 99 on Nov. 14, 2024. Born on his parents’ dairy farm in South Windham on March 1, 1925, from an early age he was fascinated by airplanes, and it was something he never lost sight of.

He graduated from Windham High School in 1942 and started classes at Northeastern Business College in Portland that fall, but by the next summer McDonald decided to accept a commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps to become a pilot before being drafted and assigned any job that was needed.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was sent to a U.S. Army flight school in Alabama and then assigned for training as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. McDonald received his flight wings in 1944 and spent the remainder of the war in Fort Myers flying P-51s, a long range, single-seat fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War.

“I joined because it was an opportunity to be well-trained and a chance to fly every single day,” McDonald said.

Though discharged from active duty in 1945, McDonald continued service and in 1951, while fulfilling his military commitment in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant during the Korean War.

“Flying P-51s was the best experience I could have ever hoped for. It was a top-of-the-line aircraft and was really very fast,” he said. “Here I was just a teenager, and I was flying one of the fastest aircraft in the world and serving my country during wartime. It was simply an amazing time.”

Following his active-duty discharge in 1945, McDonald returned to Windham and attended business school using the GI Bill. He joined the U.S. Post Office as a rural postal delivery driver, a job he worked at for 32 years, delivering mail in South Windham and on River Road until retiring. He also continued to pilot aircraft while serving as a mailman and would finish his mail route by 2 p.m. in the summers and then drive to Naples where he would fly sightseeing trips for tourists around Sebago Lake.

During his time on active duty in the military, McDonald married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Steeves and they raised a son, David, and a daughter, Karen.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Post Office in 1980, McDonald volunteered for more than 20 years delivering Meals on Wheels to area seniors. He also became a member of the Presumpscot Lodge of Masons, Windham Hill Church, and Windham Historical Society. He also remained active in the Rural Letter Carriers Association and was elected to serve as State President for that for two years in the 1970s.

McDonald joined American Legion’s Field-Allen Post 148 in 1951 in Windham and eventually served as Post Commander and performed many other duties for the group through the years.

In an interview with The Windham Eagle in 2021, McDonald said he wouldn’t change a thing about his military service or his love for his fellow military veterans.

“I still think it was the right thing to do,” he said. “I am very positive about my time in the military. I enjoyed the structure, the discipline and was very pleased with the training I received. I’m lucky to have served and proud of what we accomplished.” 

Of everything he accomplished during his lifetime, McDonald said he would like to be remembered most as a pilot and for his military service in the defense of America and the freedom it stands for.

Carroll's granddaughter, Maureen Hopkins, and her mother and Carroll’s daughter, Karen Hopkins, were on hand when the monument was dedicated at the Windham Veterans Center. The monument features a drawing of P-51 Mustang airplane for McDonald. <

MSSPA donkey foal’s name fits fiery personality

By Erin Rose

After more than 400 votes and many comments on Facebook, the newest donkey at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) has a spicy name to match a fiery personality.

The donkey foal born in April at the Maine
State Society for the Protection of Animals 
in Windham has been named 'Pepperjack'
following a vote by the public on social 
media. The foal's mother, Diane, was
part of a group of donkeys and miniature
horses that were surrendered last fall
to the MSSPA. COURTESY PHOTO 

The public chose “Pepperjack” from a list of five names, which were selected by the MSSPA staff from names proposed by the organization’s Horse Heroes, monthly donors who support their work and receive special updates from the MSSPA. Members of the public were asked to vote via a link on the MSSPA’s Facebook page.

“’Pepperjack’ was by and large the runaway winner,” said Peg Keyser, MSSPA Advancement Director. “It also means we get to call them ‘Jack and Diane,’ which will be meaningful to music fans.”

The foal’s adorable features, including oversized ears, and impish personality have enraptured the staff at the MSSPA.

“He is the cutest thing in the whole world,” Keyser said. “His ears are adult sized and the rest of him is just catching up.”

Diane delivered the male foal (also called a “jack”) in the early hours of Monday, April 20. She is part of a group of five donkeys and two miniature horses known as the “Thanksgiving Angels” who were surrendered to the MSSPA in November 2025.

The staff suspected the 15-year-old donkey was expecting but had been waiting for a blood test to confirm the news when Pepperjack arrived in the night.

“When donkeys get close to delivery, they typically get a little uneasy, dribble a little water from their udders, they get a little waxy on their udders, and none of that happened,” Keyser said. “She was completely chill with no indication of any uneasiness or anything like that.”

When staff came in to start the morning routine and feed the animals in the outdoor paddock, they were shocked to find an extra inhabitant in the pen.

“Kenny, one of our staff members, came around the corner to begin to deliver the morning breakfast, and did a rub-your-eyes double take as there was little Pepperjack,” Keyser explained, saying that the staff have a group text chat, which exploded with talk of how many speeding tickets would be issued to the team that morning as everyone raced to the facility to get a look at the new baby, who was already walking around and nursing.

“The vet said he was born probably very early morning, likely 1 or 2 a.m., just like they’ve been doing since time eternal,” she said. “By the grace of God, everything went seamlessly.”

In the winter, staff started noticing Diane growing in unexpected ways and suspicions began to grow that the herd would soon expand.

“Around February or March, Diane started getting quite round and everyone noticed,” Keyser said. “She was round in a way that looked like she was carrying a baby and wasn’t just her putting on weight.”

Determining when donkeys are pregnant is challenging, as they carry babies for 11 to 14 months, meaning Diane was likely pregnant when she was surrendered to the care of MSSPA last fall.

“We had zero idea when she got pregnant, so this could have been in April or even maybe July,” Keyser said.

Prior to being surrendered, the two intact males of the farm’s Thanksgiving Angels, Kevin and Finn, were able to freely mingle with the two intact females. While Olive, the other female donkey of the group, arrived with a six-month-old baby named Yahtzee, Keyser explained that “a week after having that baby, she’s available to get pregnant again.”

The staff are now watching Olive even more closely, as they suspect she may be expecting a new baby.

“It’s too early to say for sure, but we’re hoping for a Christmas donkey,” Keyser added, noting that the MSSPA is waiting for the results of a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.

From information received by the MSSPA, they believe this may be Diane’s third baby meaning she was well-versed in the process of delivering the foal.

“She is an amazing mom. He was checking things out, nursing well, and she would push him in the right direction to guide him,” Keyser said. “We reveled in the sight of the paddock, but Diane, God love her, was just saying ‘it’s no big deal.’”

One of the biggest struggles for the Thanksgiving Angels has been developing a positive and healthy relationship with humans, including trusting their caregivers to halter and lead them. None of the equines were handled much prior to their surrender, so the staff at MSSPA have worked hard to build bonds to allow for easier handling.

“Diane was so unhandled and un-handleable that two staff members would each have a lead and try to lead her from the paddock to the barn, and she would drag them,” Keyser said, adding that she wanted nothing to do with humans.

Hours of work from the staff and from Chris Lombard, a professional horse trainer who donates his time to the MSSPA when able, and their limitless patience, helped show Diane how to trust the people around her.

“Diane was such a dramatic transformation,” Keyser said. “She became affectionate, curious, gentle; she began to trust humans.”

“When you have the gift of time to spend with these horses, and they begin to realize that they’re in a different place, a place where they can start to trust that the humans here are nice to them, you can really see the difference,” she said. “Their eyes start to brighten, they become curious. They come to the fence as opposed to standing in the back corner of the paddock and making very clear they don’t want to have anything to do with you.” 

“It’s inside all of these horses; it just takes time, patience, love and skill to peel those layers back,” Keyser said.

Diane has regressed slightly in her amazing progress from becoming a mother, but Keyser said it is to be expected.

“That’s because she’s a protective mom,” she said. “She’s not as interested in engaging, but now she’s allowing staff to be with her and be with the baby.”

“All of that training, we had no idea how important it was. Had she had this baby and she hadn’t been handled, it would have been very different,” Keyser said. 

Interest is high in donkeys, but none of the now six donkeys from the Thanksgiving Angels have been adopted yet, due to each of their own unique situations and needs. Olive was only recently weened from Yahtzee, and if she’s expecting again, she will remain under the care of the MSSPA until delivered. While there has been some interest in adopting her, Diane also will remain with the center until Pepperjack is weened and the two can be separated. Finn and Kevin have been gelded and are working to recover from that procedure before being considered for adoption.

The two mini horses from the group have found a new home together after spending some time at the MSSPA to lose some weight.

“It was unusual for us, as they were quite overweight,” Keyser said. “They were like meatballs with legs. They lost a good amount of weight and have been adopted together.

The 501(c) (3) charitable organization uses a combination of donations, bequests, grants and fundraising to provide care and support for equines that have been abused or neglected. Volunteers provided more than 10,700 hours of service to the MSSPA last year. Visitors are welcome to the MSSPA’s facility on River Road in Windham on “Summer Sundays”, which run from May through October from 11 a.m.-2p.m.

For more details about Pepperjack or Diane, or about donating to the MSSPA to support the duo or its other equines, visit www.msspa.org <

WHS sophomore to undertake grueling ‘Ultimate Murph Challenge’ to honor sacrifices of military veterans

By Ed Pierce

Lt. Michael Murphy was a U.S. Navy SEAL officer who tragically lost his life while taking intense Taliban fire to radio for help for his pinned-down squad after his team was compromised and surrounded by enemy forces near Asadabad, Afghanistan in 2005. His story has inspired Nate Plati, a Windham High School sophomore, to undertake The Ultimate "Murph" Challenge, an intense CrossFit workout and fundraising event conducted every year on Memorial Day.

Nate Plati, a Windham High School
sophomore, will undertake the 'Ultimate
Murph Challenge,' an intense CrossFit
workout to raise money for the Windham
Veterans Center on Memorial Day. The
event honors the late U.S. Navy SEAL
Lt. Michael Murphy, a Medal of Honor
recipient who lost his life protecting his
team in Afghanistan in 2005.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Plati plays varsity and club soccer, serves as a class officer and student council member, is a member of the WHS leadership team of Best Buddies, and assists with Unified athletics. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.0 GPA, is a devout Catholic attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and is passionate about fitness and ultra-endurance challenges.

His future plans are joining the U.S. Army Reserves, participating in ROTC throughout college, and serving America in the military following graduation.

“I first thought of the idea of creating the Ultimate Murph after hearing about the Original Murph Challenge, which is a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, 300 squats followed by one more one-mile run,” Plati said. “I then made the decision to create the Ultimate Murph as a challenge to push myself to my limits and promote the importance of doing hard things. With the Ultimate, I’ll be doing the Original Murph 10 times so a total of a 20-mile run, 1,000 pull-ups, 2,000 pushups and 3,000 squats.”

The Original Murph Challenge was designed to be a grueling test of both physical endurance and mental grit and is usually performed while wearing a 20-pound weight vest.

Jeff Cook of Windham, a retired US Navy, SEABEE and the Commander of VFW Post 10643, says that Plati reached out to him a few months ago and wanted to help veterans in Windham.

“He is committed to excellence and making Windham a better place. As a young man with aspirations of attending West Point, I feel we need to help Nate the best we can,” Cook said. “Very seldom do you find a young person with this kind of drive. He has already raised thousands of dollars on his own that he will be donating to the veterans’ organizations in Windham.

Cook says that Plati taking on the Ultimate Murph Challenge holds special significance to him.

“This hit home with me as I was attached to Navy S.O.COM and worked for the SEALS teams and was listening to the radio commands as Lt. Murphy’s mission took a bad turn and everyone died accept Marcus Luttrell only a few miles away from my Forward Operating Base,” he said.

According to Cook, having Plati perform the Ultimate Murph Challenge is something he created on his own and working with school athletics and WHS administration, to date he has raised just over $3,200 toward his $5,000 goal.

“I am a true believer that to succeed in life you must be able to do hard things and push yourself beyond your limits,” Plati said. “If you can overcome physical adversity, challenges you face later in your life become much more manageable. I believe no group accomplishes this better than the United States military and I am a huge supporter of the people who serve our country.”

Plati will break the challenge up into 11 parts. Each part will consist of a 1-mile run, 20 sets of 5 pull-ups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats, and each set has a minute of rest. After doing this part 10 different times, the final 11th part will consist of a 10-mile run.

He will be doing the event on the Windham High School Track on Memorial Day, Monday May 25 starting at 6 a.m. and running until about 4 p.m. with spectators and supporters welcome and greatly appreciated.

“I believe the hardest part will be after the first 10 parts,” Plati said. “Mentally it is going to be difficult knowing I have done 1,000 pull-ups, 2,000 pushups, 3,000 squats, and run for 10 miles, and still have another 10 miles to run. I am going to overcome this by remembering that I am doing this challenge for something greater than myself.”

Passionate about the U.S. Army and hoping to attend West Point after high school to become a combat engineer officer in the Army, Plati says that he would love to serve a full 20-year military career. 

“I enjoy the thought of an intense physical job with structure that will allow me to push myself, as well as open up many opportunities for me,” he said. “At the same time helping people and serving my country is a true passion of mine.”

He’s been training for this challenge six to seven days a week since the middle of January while still focusing on his high school studies.

“My favorite subjects are math and history,” Plati said. “I like problem solving in math and I love to learn about how the world works around me in history.”


As far as the Ultimate Murph Challenge goes, Plati says the key takeaway he wants people to remember is the importance in doing things greater than yourself especially to help those around you.

“Two quotes that have gotten me this far are ‘Do it for those who can’t, and to honor those who did’ and ‘1 Peter 4:1 Therefore since Christ died in the flesh for us, for you arm yourself with the same thought and purpose. For whoever has suffered in the flesh is through with sin,’ he said.

Plati believes the public should support and donate to his Ultimate Murph Challenge as a measure of respect for those Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States in the defense of freedom.

“This is about giving back to our veteran community who served our country and put their lives on the line so we may be free,” he said.

To learn more about Nate Plati and donate to his Ultimate Murph Challenge, visit https://givebutter.com/plati-murph-challenge. <

From rookie to role model: WHS mock CSI unit creates a full circle return to the scene

By Lorraine Glowczak

“When will I ever use this after high school?” It’s a question that teachers have heard echo through classrooms for decades. From math equations to lab reports to literary analysis, students often wonder how today’s lessons will matter in their future. But what happens when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the real world – where students are exposed to the ways math, science, and English are not only useful, but needed to succeed?

Corporal Hailey Penney, a 2022 Windham High graduate now
serving in the Maine Correctional Center's Special
Investigations and Intelligence Unit, returned to WHS as 
an expert in the annual Mock CSI event, a career-connected
curriculum she participated in as a student four years ago. 
She helped student 'rookie' detectives refine their\
questioning skills and share how others can follow a 
similar career path. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

To help students see the real-world value of their learning, Windham High School teachers John Ziegler (math) and Adrianne Shetenhelm (alternative education English) launched a hands-on interdisciplinary unit in 2016. The collaboration brought their classes together for a mock CSI experience that challenged students to apply math, writing and critical-thinking skills to a simulated crime scene.

“As the project proved its impact over the next few years, the partnership grew to include Lauren Ruffner’s science, along with real-world support from the Windham Police Department and the Windham Fire Department, transforming the unit into a fully immersive learning experience,” Shetenhelm said.

This collaborative interdisciplinary unit continued again this year on Thursday, April 30 with the “crime” occurring in the parking lot at the Windham Veterans Center. But what made this year’s unit so special was a meaningful turning point when one of Shetenhelm’s former students, Hailey Penney, a 2022 WHS graduate, joined in on the collaboration.

“A full-circle moment for me this year was having Hailey back on the scene, four years after she was in the unit as a student; she came back as an expert,” Shetenhelm said.

Penney, now Corporal Penney, works for the Maine Correctional Center in the Special Investigations and Intelligence Unit. She was invited to join mock CSI day to help the “rookie" detectives and evidence techs in refining their questioning techniques. She talked about her career pathway and how other students may follow a similar path if they are interested.

“After contacting the Maine Correctional Center to see if we could have someone speak to our students, it was clear that Hailey would be the perfect choice,” Shetenhelm said. “Hailey's superiors spoke so highly of her capabilities and her speedy progression in the field. I was not surprised, and I am so proud of her.”

Corporal Penney said that she doesn’t remember being interested in law enforcement before the mock CSI event. “I believe this is because of my prior lack of knowledge as to what law enforcement officers do. Being introduced to WPD Detective Andrews and Sergeant Fournier and learning about what they do in their careers significantly changed my perception. I was inspired to make a difference.”

She added that being a part of a “real-life crime scene”, gathering information and interviewing witnesses and suspects sparked an interest in her that she didn’t know she had. “Before this, I remember feeling as if I had not found my passion yet. I am very grateful that I was involved with this event because I’m not sure if I would have considered a career in corrections or law enforcement otherwise.”

Being an expert now, Corporal Penney said that she enjoyed talking with the students about her story and how her career became a passion.

“There were so many students who were engaged in this event and open to speaking with me. I gave two students Maine Department of Corrections challenge coins because I was very impressed with their thought processes and efforts that went into this year’s mock CSI unit,” she said. “My hope is that students were able to take something away from our conversations and have a better understanding of law enforcement, like I did when I experienced the CSI event.”

It’s Shetenhelm and Ziegler’s hope for their students too. As a result, they plan to continue this annual career connected learning as long as they can. To do so, they will begin to write a new “crime” this summer.

“Each year, we write a new narrative over the summer and recruit staff volunteers and actors in the fall,” Shetenhelm said. “We begin working with the WPD and other experts to ensure the story is realistic. By the fourth quarter, the unit begins—preparing English students to investigate and interview witnesses while math and science students learn to analyze evidence. On the day of the field trip, one question remains: Have we prepared them enough to connect the dots on their own, just as they must after graduation?”

Shetenhelm says that they hope to team teach with Corporal Penney again next year.

“I couldn't be prouder and more honored to be a part of her story and to be working alongside her,” Shetenhelm said. 

Raymond voters to weigh short‑term rental ordinance aimed at balancing tourism and neighborhood peace

By Dina Mendros

As short‑term rentals continue to expand across Maine’s lake communities, Raymond residents will soon vote on a proposed ordinance designed to regulate the fast‑growing industry. Supporters say the measure would protect neighborhood character and ensure accountability, while critics argue it adds unnecessary oversight for responsible property owners.

Raymond residents will vote on June 9 on a proposed
Short-Term Rental Ordinance that would establish a
comprehensive registration and enforcement system
for any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive
days to ensure they operate safely and responsibly.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

The proposed Short‑Term Rental (STR) Ordinance was placed on the warrant by a 2–1 vote of the Raymond Select Board and will be voted on by residents June 9. It outlines a comprehensive registration and enforcement system for any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and Select Board Vice Chair Kaela Gonzalez said the goal is not to eliminate STRs but to ensure they operate safely and responsibly.

“A Short‑Term Rental is defined as a permanent dwelling unit that is rented to guests for a period of time less than thirty consecutive days for compensation,” Gonzalez explained. “STRs must register annually, provide septic data, and proof of insurance. Some of the rules include providing a 24‑hour emergency contact, occupancy limits, off‑street parking, and displaying Good Neighbor guidelines.”

Raymond, like many Maine towns, has seen a surge in short‑term rentals as platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo attract seasonal visitors. The ordinance’s stated purpose emphasizes the town’s desire to preserve “the peace and quiet character of residential neighborhoods” while acknowledging that many property owners rely on rental income.

“To preserve the fabric of residential neighborhoods and to protect the safety of existing residents and visitors, the Town of Raymond believes the operation of short‑term rentals must be monitored,” the draft ordinance reads. It goes on to stipulate that the proposal aims to “balance the desires of the property owners who wish to rent their properties… with the desire for residents wishing to preserve the character of their residential neighborhoods.”

Gonzalez says that Raymond is not alone in pursuing STR regulation.

“Many municipalities are creating and passing similar ordinances,” she said. “The Select Board directed the Planning Board to create a draft ordinance. After a lengthy process with the Planning Board, it was brought to the Select Board for consideration.”

If approved, all STR owners – existing and new – would be required to register annually with the town.

Registration would include:

• An application and fee

• Septic system information or proof of public sewer connection

• Evidence of insurance

• An inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer

A registration certificate would list the approved occupancy and must be displayed inside the rental.

The ordinance also outlines performance standards. Occupancy would be capped at two overnight guests per legal bedroom or the septic system’s permitted capacity, whichever is lower. Owners must provide off‑street parking for all guests and supply a local emergency contact able to respond promptly. Subletting and event hosting that interferes with parking would be prohibited.

The ordinance establishes a complaint process through the town’s Code Enforcement Officer, who would maintain records and determine whether violations warrant suspension or revocation of a registration. Violations - such as operating without registration, excessive noise, trash issues, or advertising higher occupancy than allowed - could result in fines, with each day counting as a separate offense.

Supporters say this structure gives residents a fair and accessible way to address problems.

The Raymond Short‑Term Rental Initiative, a local advocacy group, argues that the ordinance “restores accountability to you, the environment and the community.” The group says that with the ordinance in place, “the town has a way to collect critical data on this expanding industry, provide guidelines for them to follow, and recourse if they fail to operate properly.” They emphasize that residents would finally have “a method of recourse that won’t cost you a fortune to pursue if you’re being negatively impacted and ignored by an unresponsive STR owner with deep pockets or their unruly customers.”

The group also contends that responsible STR owners stand to benefit: “These minimum standards will improve the industry in town, allowing owners to charge a premium and promote the continuity that standards bring to the market.”

As Raymond prepares for its vote, residents face a choice that will influence the town’s character, economy, and quality of life for years to come.

The complete text of the proposed short-term rental ordinance can be found online in the Raymond Voter Guide at raymondmaine.gov/news/voter-guide. Voting takes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 at the Jordan-Small Middle School Gymnasium at 423 Webbs Mill Road in Raymond. Also on the ballot are Municipal Election of Officers, Select Board (two 3-year terms; one 1-year term to fill a vacancy), Budget-Finance Committee (one 3-year term; two 1-year terms to fill vacancy) and RSU 14 Board of Directors (one 3-year term); the Annual Town Warrant; RSU 14 Budget Validation; and the State Primary. <

Veterinary student finds confidence through bodybuilding

By Ed Pierce

When Mikayla Baiguy first started lifting weights during the pandemic, she had no idea it would eventually lead to a bodybuilding title and winning her pro card in the sport.

Mikayla Baiguy, a 2019 Windham High School graduate,
placed first in figure novice and first in figure open, 
earning her a pro card, while competing in the OCB
Blaze of Glory bodybuilding competition in Bridgeport,
Connecticut in April. She will earn a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine degree at Tufts University this month and hopes 
to become a veterinarian in New England.
SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Baiguy, Windham High School’s Class of 2019 Valedictorian, is wrapping up work this month to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Tufts University and she also competed in two bodybuilding competitions this spring. In March, she placed second in figure debut and figure novice and was third in figure open at the OCB Shamrock Classic in Durham, New Hampshire, then followed that up by placing first in figure novice and first in figure open, which earned her a pro card, at the OCB Blaze of Glory in Bridgeport, Connecticut in April.

It’s an interesting hobby for Baiguy, who hopes to become a small animal general practice veterinarian in either Maine or New Hampshire upon graduation from Tufts.

“When I first started lifting, I never imagined that I would end up here or how much this sport would mean to me. I started lifting during COVID-19 as a way to get out of the house and stay active,” Baiguy said. “At first, I felt so out of place in the gym, but the longer I went, the more I started to enjoy it. I slowly started educating myself on the bodybuilding lifestyle, including both lifting and diet. The more I learned, the more invested I became, and started to fall in love with the process.”

Baiguy says that she never considered competing in a bodybuilding competition until about two years ago, mainly because she had not had enough time to develop her physique to a point that she was confident to step on stage.

“Once I did get to a point where I was thinking about it, I went to watch my cousin compete in her first show. I had so much fun watching her, and she had such an amazing experience; that was when I decided for sure that I wanted to go for it,” Baiguy said. “I started making plans, picked a show date, dialed in my diet and workouts, found a coach, and never looked back.”

In competing for the first time, she said she decided to enter the bodybuilding events this spring with no expectations.

“My only goals were to look like I belonged on stage and enjoy the process,” Baiguy said. “I never imagined that I would end up with my pro card at the end of it. As proud and excited as I am for the win, this prep has meant so much more to me than just that. I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people in the bodybuilding community, forming connections and lifelong friends through a shared passion for this sport. It has shown me how lucky I am to have so many friends and family in my corner cheering me on throughout the process.”

She said bodybuilding has taught her so much about herself and pushed her past limits, both mental and physical, that she never knew she had.

“I love this sport because it is proof that results are a direct reflection of the work that you put in, that as long as you keep showing up, you cannot fail,” Baiguy said. “This discipline is something that I have been able to translate to all other aspects of life as well. This sport has become a safe place for me, giving me consistency and structure when the rest of life feels overwhelming or out of control, and for that I am forever grateful. I am so thankful for everything this life has given me so far and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

According to Baiguy, bodybuilding has never felt like a burden or something that interferes with her academic studies.

“If anything, it improves my academic performance by giving me an outlet to take a break from the stress of school and provide me with a better work-life balance. Some weeks are busier than others when it comes to academics, and I may have to flex my gym schedule a bit or skip a day here and there,” she said. “But at the end of the day, success in bodybuilding isn't about any single day, it's about the consistency and time put in over many years. I love this sport, so it's never been difficult to make it a top priority in my life in addition to academics. That being said, I don't have the same flexibility with my gym schedule during prep as I do in the off season. I purposely planned my prep for a time I knew that I would be slightly less busy with school so that it interfered with my academics as little as possible.”

She’s found that nutrition is essential to bodybuilding success.

“It doesn't matter how long you've been training for, if nutrition isn't dialed in you'll never be able to build muscle efficiently or get lean enough to step on stage,” Baiguy said. “When preparing for a competition, it is essential to keep protein high to maintain as much muscle mass as possible. Common protein sources include chicken breast, lean ground beef or ground turkey, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and protein powder, among other things. Carbs and fats will start off higher at the beginning of prep and slowly drop down as you get closer to the show. Common carb sources include rice, sweet potatoes, oats, and fruit. Healthy fat sources include eggs, avocados, and nut butter. Having lots of vegetables is also important and can help with satiety because you can eat a high volume for relatively low calories. As far as drinks during prep, I stick to water, black coffee, and other zero-calorie drinks. The diet during prep is so strict; there is no room for extra calories in drinks.”

To best prepare for the events that she planned to enter this spring, Baiguy worked with a bodybuilding coach, Kevin Richards, for about 6 months from November to April while preparing for the competitions. Prior to that, she was entirely self-taught and had never worked with a coach or trainer. During her preparations, she would spend about two hours a day or between 13 to 15 hours every week at the gym. 

“Personally, I find it best to stay busy during prep, which was not hard for me, given my crazy school schedule,” she said. “Keeping busy allows less time to overthink the little things, less stress about the day-to-day fluctuations, less time to dwell on the feelings of hunger or overall burnout that your body is experiencing. Having a coach also took a lot of mental strain from me as far as not having to worry about my weekly progress throughout prep. I trusted him to make the necessary changes to get me where I needed to be. All I had to do was sit back and follow the plan. Having him with me on show day was also a huge weight off my shoulders because he was able to guide me through everything. I didn't have to worry about all the little details and timing of everything, so I could just relax and enjoy the day.”

As far as her future in bodybuilding is concerned, Baiguy hopes to continue to improve herself and expand her knowledge of bodybuilding, including both training and diet.

“I hope to have my pro debut at some point in 2027. I would love to continue to compete as long as I am able to but I don't have any specific expectations aside from continuing to grow and get better one day at a time,” she said. “I am going to take the rest of this year to allow my body to recover from this prep that I just finished and allow time for growth before my next show.” <