Alumni

Stephanie Hawke, Class of 1984

After graduating from Boothbay Region High School in 1984, I spent a few years in Florida before returning home to help open The Carriage House Restaurant. I married Andy Hawke, and together we raised three children — Nick, Lelia, and Andrew — all graduates of BRHS.

In 2008, we opened Hawke Motors, which continues to operate today. During the summer months, I also help Andrew and Lelia at Dunton’s Doghouse. Family has always been at the center of my life, and I’m proud to now have five grandchildren and several beloved grand dogs.

One of my greatest accomplishments has been building a strong family, lasting friendships, and successful businesses, while also serving four years in the Maine State Legislature. BRHS holds many special memories for me. It’s one of those places you don’t fully appreciate until years after you walk out the door. I still stay in touch with many classmates, and whenever we get together, there’s always plenty of laughter and stories about the “good old days.” ( I don't want to get in detail because we could still get in trouble .)

The advice and mentorship I received throughout school have stayed with me over the years. Still to this day I remember some tidbit that helps me get through whatever I'm dealing with, so take in all you hear and file it until you need it. 

My advice: 

• Before you walk out the door: remember you are making some of the best memories and some of the worst, learn from it all, they will shape you into what you will be; 

• Stash $20 week into a retirement fund, when you hit that age you will be so happy you did. 

• Don't take life for granted, tomorrow does not always come so be kind and don't get hung up on the little things and always, always, always give back. 

• Encourage other people, you don't know what they are fighting.

• Most importantly: be happy.

When asked if she would be a mentor, Stephanie said: yes — I would gladly mentor anyone who is looking for guidance or support.

Grace K. Campbell, Class of 2023

Grace K. Campbell, is a scholar, researcher, and community leader from Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She was born on July 22, 2005. Currently a student at Bowdoin College, her work is defined by a passion for humanizing the past and a commitment to preserving the stories of her 

hometown and the broader historical record. Grace is the daughter of Jason and Tricia Campbell. Her family has a deep academic and community legacy in the Boothbay region:

• Her great-grandmother, Mildred Delano, was the valedictorian of the Class of 1928.

• Her grandmother, June Rose (Webster), was the salutatorian of the Class of 1958.

• Her mother, Tricia Campbell, served as the principal of Boothbay Region High School

• (BRHS).

• Continuing this tradition, Grace was named the Salutatorian of the BRHS Class of 2023.

• At Bowdoin College, Grace is a dual major in History and Archaeology. Her academic focus spans the medieval period to the material culture of ancient civilizations. In 2026, she traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a semester-long study abroad program. In Scotland, she enrolled in an "Archaeology-In-Action" training course. This program provided her with technical skills that smaller colleges often can't offer on-site, including:

  • Fieldwork & Lab Analysis: Hands-on training in excavation and processing artifacts.

  • Archaeology Passport: Upon completion, she will receive a certificate allowing her to work on professional dig sites worldwide.

• Grace’s work is driven by the belief that history should be accessible to everyone, not just academics. Key highlights of her career include:

• The Boston Post Cane Project: For her high school independent study, Grace conducted extensive research on the history of the Boston Post Cane in Boothbay Harbor. Her documentation of the recipients dating back to 1909 is now a permanent resource at the Boothbay Region Historical Society.

• The Bowdoin Preservation Collective: Grace co-founded this student organization to make history approachable. The club offers walking tours of Bowdoin’s campus and works with local history centers to highlight the stories of the land and its people.

• Joshua Chamberlain Exhibit: She helped curate the exhibit “Chamberlain: The Man Behind the Moustache,” which used personal artifacts (like letters written in purple ink to his daughter) to show the human side of the Civil War hero.

Though she recently trained in the rugged landscapes of Scotland, Grace maintains a fascination with Roman Spain, which she views as an underrated melting pot of Phoenician, Celt, and Greek influences. Looking ahead, Grace aims to pursue a PhD and a career in museum curation, continuing her mission to uncover and share the human stories housed within the narratives and material items of the past.