Andrea LeBarge is an ORHS honor student. She will be attending the University of Rhode Island next year to pursue a degre in Coastal Studies. Andrea holds 17 swimming records with the Oyster River Otters, placed 7th in the state meet in the 100 butterfly and 5th in the 100 Freestyle. Andrea also races crew competitively and enjoys bicycling and hiking.

In addition to her sport interests and accomplishments, Andrea is an enthusiastic trumpet player - having performed in Oyster River's Concert and Jazz bands all four years of high school. Andrea also participated in an exchange program to Severodvinsk, Russia during her sophomore year. While in Russia, she studied deforestation in-depth and discussed environmental issues and solutions with Russian professors, media, and government officials. It was this trip which solidified her career interest in environmental science and natural resource preservation.

Excerpts from Andrea's Application Essays:

"I have loved the outdoors since childhood. My parents always encouraged me to spend time outdoors appreciating the world around me. We went hiking in the mountains, biking along the beach, and boating around the bay. I have many stories to tell about great outdoors adventures, but my most memorable experience was hiking through the mountains of St. John in the Virgin Islands. Here we stayed in an environmentally friendly resort, which had tents and boardwalks. It was incredible to hear the crash of the waves and the chirps of the frogs directly outside the tents. The quiet beach was a place to snorkel, and kayak. On one day we kayaked all the way out to a tiny deserted island to explore the coral along the shore. On the way back we got caught in a huge storm and had to embrace the waves.

The most spectacular adventure was hiking through the mountains although they were not very tall. We walked along the beach through forests filled with lush tropical plants, mongoose, and donkeys. The mountains there are unique in that they ascend very quickly, having very steep slopes. We were not fully equipped, but when we reached the top the view was beyond belief. We could see all the way out to where we had kayaked the day before, and all of the boats in the harbor. The treacherous journey through the humidity of the forest was well worth the view." (Andrea LeBarge)

Kathleen Kilmain is an ORHS honor student and will be attending the University of Mary Washington to study English. Kathleen is an accomplished swimmer, rower, and basketball player. She was captain of the crew team in her junior and senior years of high school, and received the "Most Disciplined Crew" award. She also holds a position on the Board of Directors at Great Bay Rowing, where she has served as summer crew camp counselor. Kathleen is also the recipient of the ORHS Coach's award in swimming and the NHIAA Sportsmanship Award for basketball. In addition to these sports, Kathleen is excited to begin exploring her awakening interest in hiking after an inspirational jaunt up Mt. Chocorua during her St. Paul's Advanced Studies program (see essay #1 below).

Kathleen has a passion for photography. She served as photo editor of the high school newspaper in 11th grade and was art editor of the ORHS literary arts magazine. She hopes to pursue writing/teaching English as a career.

Excerpts from Kathleen's Application Essays:

Essay #1

"Must...Reach top...first, was the phrase I repeated over in my head as I discovered my new love for hiking mountains. I was with my class from St. Paul's Advanced Studies program last summer when I hiked Mt. Chocorua. The boys sprinted up the mountain. I was stuck between the sprinting boys and the nature observing girls. It was our fourth week at the summer program, and none of us had done anything that was extremely physically intense. The physical activity they had scheduled during the day was notheing compared to what I was used to. I was excited. For the first time that summer, my competitive energy streak broke and I was determined to be the first girl to reach the top. My goal echoed in my head with each step. I coached myself through the throbbing in my legs. They were burning, but I had hope that the satisfaction of reaching the top would be similar to the completion of a rowing race. I was right. I reached the top just as they boys were sitting down for lunch. I had made it. I was the first girl. My determination made the view from the top even more beautiful." (Kathleen Kilmain)

Essay #2

' I know so many people, still trying to live on in the past...stop dreaming, and live on in the future...don't look back' - Van Morrison, 'Don't Look Back'

"Fall rowing season 2003; the best season of my four years with the crew team. Why? The team simply meshed. Not only were we each others source of energy on the water, off the water we were practically family. Between comparing blisters and exchanging layers for chilling rows, we managed to squeeze in many spaghetti dinners accompanied by t-shirt/uniform design time. We loved being with each other. Season later, things changed.

A teammate died, our coach left, and half the team was graduating. Death had hit us hard. I wanted the innocence of that 2003 fall season back. Van Morrison's song made it clear to me that crew would never be like it had been. I learned through experience and through the lyrics, that the only way to continue enjoying crew would be to set goals. I have been looking ahead, working hard and having fun. I plan to row through college. The past was great, now I'm excited for my future." (Kathleen Kilmain)