Teacher Sees Greatness in Former Student and Recent Bonny Eagle Graduate

Leanne wanted to give a former student some well-deserved recognition.

Leanne Pouliot was Delaney Hesler's 4th-grade teacher. Delaney was a 2022 graduate of Bonny Eagle. She's known Delaney since she was about two and stayed close to her and her family throughout her schooling.

I met Leanne at Girls on the Run where Delaney was her daughter's running buddy. Her kids adore Delaney and it was a big deal that she was able to do this. You will learn why in a bit. But more about Delaney.

She was an incredibly hard-working student and holds herself to the highest standard. That's how she graduated from Bonny Eagle ranked 3rd in her class with a 4.2 GPA. That's not a typo. On top of this, Delaney is a literal track and cross country star. She is a 3-time class A cross country team state champion and THE individual class A state champion in cross country.

To finish out her senior year, she ran a 4:56 mile to become the state champion at that distance. That's insanity! 4 minutes, 56 seconds! She was also the state champion in the individual 800 on that same day. It was the next day that the Girls on the Run 5k, the first one in person in a couple of years, took place. Yes, she was exhausted, but she got up and went to Brunswick just to surprise Leanne's daughter. Leanne's daughter thought her mom was her running buddy. She was beyond excited when Delaney snuck up behind her and asked if she knew where the starting line was. Adorable.

Then it was off to the New Balance Nationals meet in Philadelphia where her team competed in the 4x800 relay. They finished in first place! This ranked them as the second fastest time ever by a team from Maine. In her four years at Bonny Eagle High School, she has conquered over 7,000 miles.

Delaney was scouted by division one colleges across the country wanting her to join their track teams. She chose to attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall where she will major in elementary education while she leaves everyone in the dust on the track.

It's so great to see a teacher so proud of a former student and take such an interest in her life. Leanne told me,

I have had a lot of students in my time and Delaney is a special one that has always stayed close and allowed me to be a part of and celebrate her successes with her. Proud isn't a big enough word to describe how I feel about Delaney right now. I know she has done huge things so far and it is only going to get bigger and better from here. I can't wait to watch it play out.

The Wildcats are lucky to have you, Leanne! To your success!