Sailing Through the YearsHighlights from 76 Years of Trick’s End yearbooks bridge time and the student experience.by Billy R. Sims
Sailing Through the YearsHighlights from 76 Years of Trick’s End yearbooks bridge time and the student experience.by Billy R. Sims

WE REVIEWED EVERY page of each Trick’s End yearbook to select some of the most noteworthy images for this special section of Mariner.

The breadth of this experience summoned two conclusions: from 1941 to the present, the scope of learning at MMA has been one of adaptation and innovation, constant changes to keep pace with the needs of the maritime and related industries, and yet many traditions and student experiences transcend the years. The regiment on parade is as impressive today as it was 78 years ago, and being a MUG has always presented rigorous challenges.

Also the same is the arduous work required by the editors to bring each Trick’s End to life. “Spell check, patience, and a good amount of coffee,” recalls Cristin Wright ’18, who edited the 2018 edition. “It took a lot of planning with campus clubs, faculty, staff, athletics teams, and the regiment to schedule times where yearbook members were able to take group photos. The formatting and editing process was time-consuming, but very rewarding.

“I hope when people look back at the yearbook, they will see the photos from Navy Ball, Ring Dance, Ship Jump, and Cruise and remember the friendships they gained along the way.”

Rear Admiral Warren C. Hamm Jr. ’49 was the editor of his class’s Trick’s End, and shared a similar goal. “We wanted to come up with a publication that would be of value in the future so that we could all look back, remember the times, and see the positive side of Maine Maritime.

“We carefully wrote the [student] bios to reflect the real thing, but not to say anything that would hurt someone’s feelings or one’s children’s or grandchildren’s feelings in the future.

“I’m proud that those little bios truly positively reflected the individuals. And then, on the dialogues on the cruises, the good and the bad were mentioned, and I think that brings back excellent memories. It makes you feel good about what you did for those years.”

The photographs featured show Maine Maritime as viewed by students, often with pride, always with a mix of humor and honesty that will spark personal memories for alumni.

Trick’s End

Yearbook Covers

Trick: A period of time spent at the wheel (“My trick has ended”).

Enjoy Your Yearbook Online
Easily access searchable volumes of Trick’s End via your computer or mobile device. mainemaritime.edu/alumni/yearbooks

Training Cruises

Scenes from training cruises are often the most creatively produced and memorable features of the yearbooks.

2000 - From the ’99 cruise to Europe: “What am I getting myself into ??!!”
1953 - “Bull-Session Parties”
1981 - Yearbook opener made a splash with this shot of State of Maine
1967 - Lisbon
1956 - TS State of Maine, ex-Comfort, served as academy training vessel until 1962
2006 - dockside distress signal training
2000 - From the ’99 cruise to Europe: “What am I getting myself into ??!!”
1953 - “Bull-Session Parties”
1981 - Yearbook opener made a splash with this shot of State of Maine
1967 - Lisbon
1956 - TS State of Maine, ex-Comfort, served as academy training vessel until 1962
2006 - dockside distress signal training

Academics

MMA programs have focused on blending chalkboard concepts and real-world experiential learning.

1991 - “Machine tool operations has been a requirement for engineers from the school’s inception;”
1962 - waterfront work
1976 - license exam: “In The Hot Seat!”
1950 - Coming at lab work from all sides
1951 - “So when applying right ascension…”
1962 - waterfront work
1976 - license exam: “In The Hot Seat!”
1950 - Coming at lab work from all sides
Learning at MMA has always been hands-on, minds-on.

1991 – “Machine tool operations has been a requirement for engineers from the school’s inception.”

Movers & Shakers

Yearbooks often acknowledge and are dedicated to those who have supported the college in myriad ways, day-to-day and year-over-year.

1964 - two pillars of MMA, Senator Margaret Chase Smith and Ralph A. Leavitt, one of the founders of MMA
1981 - Comdr. Sawyer, who in a subsequent dedication “taught us to be professionals by accepting nothing less than perfection”
2016 - dedication to Deidra Davis, first women’s basketball coach (now Dean of Student Services)
1989 - Kenneth Curtis, MMA President 1985-1994, a period of tremendous growth.
1964 - two pillars of MMA, Senator Margaret Chase Smith and Ralph A. Leavitt, one of the founders of MMA
1981 - Comdr. Sawyer, who in a subsequent dedication “taught us to be professionals by accepting nothing less than perfection”
2016 - dedication to Deidra Davis, first women’s basketball coach (now Dean of Student Services)
1989 - Kenneth Curtis, MMA President 1985-1994, a period of tremendous growth.

Regiment of Midshipmen

Although the style and look of the regiment has changed over the years, the shared experiences cut across the decades.

1947 - Sharp-dressed battalion man salutes
1990 - “Freshman Year” smiles
1959 - “Just Thin The Top, Sir"
2016 - RPT in the rain
1947 - Sharp-dressed battalion man salutes
1990 - “Freshman Year” smiles
1959 - “Just Thin The Top, Sir"
2016 - RPT in the rain

Student Life

What’s MMA life without special social events, good song, and companions, balanced with a little solitude?

1966 - Junior Ring Weekend
1977 - Senior Houman Farjah, like many, challenged authority during a turbulent decade
2001 - “Students at work and at play!”
1972 - “Captain Croke at work and play;”
1973 - Drill Squad handiwork
1987 - Senior Scott Holdsworth wrote, “Fishing with my best friend — I hope she sees me graduate.”
1966 - Junior Ring Weekend
1977 - Senior Houman Farjah, like many, challenged authority during a turbulent decade
2001 - “Students at work and at play!"
1972 - “Captain Croke at work and play”
1973 - Drill Squad handiwork
1987 - Senior Scott Holdsworth wrote, “Fishing with my best friend — I hope she sees me graduate.”

Sports & Activities

As small and seemingly isolated as Castine can feel, the opportunities for lasting friendship, athletic competition, and service provided by extracurriculars make for a rich community and are vital to the MMA student experience.

1966 - “What was that word? HAUL, er-a, PULL, e-ra, oh ya, STROKE - Rowing Team”
1954 - “Down the bench: Brophy, Gaspar, Pearson, Nixon”
2019 - Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
2007 - Women’s Soccer, 18-game season
1993 - Lacrosse
1966 - “What was that word? HAUL, er-a, PULL, e-ra, oh ya, STROKE - Rowing Team”
1954 - “Down the bench: Brophy, Gaspar, Pearson, Nixon”
2019 - Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
2007 - Women’s Soccer, 18-game season
1993 - Lacrosse

If you have additional information regarding photos in this feature, tell us more via the comment section below or as a letter to the Editor.

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