CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou High School alumnus Christopher Pelletier recently donated an all-expense-paid trip to a leadership camp in Windsong, Ariz., to a student of the faculty’s choosing.
Pelletier, a Class of 1985 graduate, is a senior communications manager at Microsoft, and wrote in an email to Principal Travis Barnes that he had spent time at the “ME to WE” camp, which inspired him to “extend this experience to a student attending Caribou High School.”
The camp is part of the non-profit organization “WE,” which works with Microsoft. In Pelletier’s words, “WE” works “to inspire students to develop a lifelong passion for service, and confidence in their ability to change the world.”
Caribou High School Guidance Counselor Mark Pinette said he was thrilled that a successful alumni hadn’t forgotten their roots and was reaching out to help a student at the school. When Pelletier suggested choosing a freshman, sophomore, or junior for the task, Pinette decided it would be best to go with a junior, as they would be the most mature, while still “able to bring leadership skills back to Caribou High School, and use those newfound skills during their senior year.”
School officials notified every junior at the school and invited them to write an essay on leadership.
The high school, after careful consideration, chose 11th-grader Riley McNeal, who Pinette believes exemplifies the necessary leadership skills and maturity.
“She’s very involved,” Pinette said. “Just knowing Riley and her level of maturity, when she takes something on, you can almost guarantee that it will get done. We didn’t want to approach this to just go for the trip, and I believe she’s going to extract much more from this than a trip to Arizona.”
McNeal’s mother, Buffy Huntress, said her daughter was immediately excited when she learned of the opportunity for students in her grade to attend this camp.
“That’s just a testament to her personality,” Huntress said. “She’s very interested in travel and in any opportunities available to her while she’s at Caribou High School. She’s very involved, and I think she’s a great choice.”
“Of course,” Huntress admitted, laughing, “I’m biased.”
“No, she’s correct,” Pinette said. “[McNeal] will represent Caribou High School very well.”
McNeal said her essay delineated each of her leadership roles within the high school, her approach to each, and how she believes the camp will only strengthen her abilities in those areas.
“I’ve been on student council since freshman year,” McNeal said, “and am a prospect for president in senior year. I wrote that I was optimistic about using this as an opportunity to lead our council next year.”
McNeal has also been on the class executive board since ninth grade, and wrote of her experience as a leader in the school’s various athletic teams.
“I’m especially proud of her because freshman year was difficult for her,” Huntress said, “and now, seeing how she can multitask everything is amazing. I think this leadership camp is perfect for her. It’s a great opportunity.”
McNeal said it felt “surreal” when Pinette told her she’d been selected.
“As soon as he told me, I was like ‘This is real; this is actually happening,’” McNeal said. “I get to go to Arizona and meet all these people, have all these experiences, and come back and use it to help the school.”
She added, “Going out to volunteer in cities in Arizona will put our issues in perspective to theirs. Being so close to the Mexico border, I’m sure there will be a lot of differences.”
While the ME to WE camp works with Microsoft, it is a primarily unplugged affair, with a focus on nature and helping nearby communities.
“They have technology,” Huntress said, “but it’s about that pure leadership experience. It’s a relatively small place. They’ll be in bunks, and it looks like they really go back to basics. Everyone has their own chickens and goats. It’s really neat.”
McNeal said the camp incorporates being mindful of one’s own self, and Pinette added that campers will be taking a trip to the Sonoran Desert.
“It’s going to be warm,” he said.
The camp will begin July 2. McNeal said she’s a “little nervous” about going on a plane by herself for the first time, but is ready for any unanticipated issues.
“There are always going to be layovers,” McNeal said. “I’m just going to roll with the punches and take things as they come.”
Huntress said she appreciates that an alumni thought so highly of their roots to donate this trip.
“It’s good to see that someone doesn’t forget where they came from,” Pinette said. “He’s up there in the Microsoft organization and is still thinking about giving back to Caribou.”
