Fryeburg Academy Celebrates Student Achievements through Experiential Learning Programs

Fryeburg Academy proudly announces significant student achievements that reflect its commitment to experiential learning and personal growth.

The Academy's chess team recently excelled at the regional tournament, with Alimzhan Amirkul (Class of 2026) taking first place at the Maine Chess Championship on April 25-27. He achieved a score of 4.5, becoming the #1 rated chess player in Maine and earning the National Master title. He ranked in the 99.8th percentile among over 78,000 players nationwide.

On March 22, Alimzhan also captured first place at the 2025 Maine Scholastic Individual Player Chess Championship at the University of Maine at Orono. Fryeburg’s chess team, including Alimzhan, Simon Hung Xuan Ngo ’25, Hao Thien Do ’27, and Quang Duong ’27, won first place at the 2025 Maine Scholastic Chess Team Championship.

 In March, the Annual Prize Speaking Contest showcased public speaking talents. Zoe Daigle '25 took first place, followed by Barbara Zhalezniak '27 in second and William McDonnell '26 in third. Honorable mentions went to Sarah Priestman '25, Elise Dunn '26, and Camila Luna '27. 

Fryeburg Academy's Science and Engineering Fair (FASEF) featured 164 students presenting original research addressing crucial global issues. The finalists presented their projects on May 6, with awards given for the top three: -First Place: Ayten Solylemez '26 for "Detecting Sign Language Using Machine Learning Methods and AI." - Second Place: Tomona Arai '27 for a project on radiocesium distribution.  Third Place: Joseph DellaValla '26 for "Nomophobia Nation: When Phones Outperform Focus."

These achievements illustrate Fryeburg Academy's dedication to fostering hands-on learning experiences. Joseph Manning, Head of School, stated, “Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our students thrive academically and in extracurricular activities that build community.”