A Cape Elizabeth senior who has played soccer since he could walk is hoping that a new, non-traditional program at the high school this year will be a good first step toward achieving a lifelong goal.

“Basically what I plan to do is start my own business,” said Will Gibson, who is originally from England. “I have always been interested in soccer. It’s just been a part of my life. What I want to do is sell retro, or really vintage, soccer cleats and equipment.”

Gibson, a member of the GPS Portland Phoenix club soccer team, which plays at Deering High School, noticed while doing research to purchase his own equipment, that vintage soccer cleats are in high demand worldwide.

In the Portland area, other than Dick’s Sporting Goods, he said, there aren’t many stores that sell soccer equipment. And the stores that do carry it, he added, have a limited selection.

“It would be really cool if I was to open a store that would (offer) mainly soccer equipment and cleats, especially the retro ones that have come back in style,” as well as limited edition cleats, Gibson said. “They are really quite hard to find.”

The first day of school in Cape Elizabeth, Tuesday, Sept. 8, also marks the start of the new extended-learning program at the high school. Coordinator John Holdridge will oversee the pilot program, in which juniors and seniors will have the opportunity throughout the school year to work on a project of special interest to them.

The program’s genesis came about last winter after Ben Raymond, high school special education teacher, asked other teachers to share their ideas about alternative ways for students to learn. About 10 teachers visited Portland charter school Baxter Academy, where students work on independent learning projects every Friday, as part of what’s called “Flex Fridays,” Holdridge said.

“We were absolutely wowed by what we were seeing,” said Holdridge.

Among several other innovative projects, some students in Portland worked on building wooden surfboards, while another group designed and built a 3-D printer that the school plans to use, he said.

In Cape Elizabeth’s version, students will earn credit for their projects, which they will work on during school or on weekends under an assigned mentor. Students will meet with Holdridge regularly to report their progress.

“It’s taking the place of one of their six academic classes,” he said, of the program. “We are looking at an equivalent of six to 10 hours of solid work per week.”

“We are really trying to make it a social learning experience” for students, Holdridge added. “I am excited to see where the students can take this.”

There is no budget to support the program, he said, but the hope is to eventually start a fundraising group to raise money for the projects or apply for a grant through the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation. Supplies and resources students need, like video cameras, he said, are readily available at the school.

Rising upperclassmen were notified of the new program in early June, and soon after, began submitting their project proposals to a panel of educators, including high school Principal Jeffrey Shedd, for consideration.

Shedd said about a dozen students will be pursuing independent study initiatives for the first time this year that allow them to explore their individual passions.

One student plans to build a fully operational single-person helicopter; another will explore football analytics; one will study how to become a math teacher in the 21st century, and others will be writing and producing films.

Senior Stephen Bennett, a member of the high school’s comedy improv team, plans to create a short film with two other students this year. From July 31-Aug. 2, Bennett and a group of young filmmakers competed in Portland’s “48 Hour Film Project,” where they were required to make a film in two days based on certain criteria.

Students in the new program will begin brainstorming their ideas for the film when school starts next week. Once the film is created, Bennett said it will likely be entered into local competitions or film festivals.

“We are all really excited to see how it goes,” said Bennett. “Filmmaking is something I have always been interested in.”

Gibson, along with a couple other students, is planning to research how to start his business, Willinton Boots (a name he made up using his name, as well as his mother’s and father’s first names, Linda and Tony.)

Soccer has always been a passion of Gibson’s. After high school, he plans to pursue the sport in some capacity, whether playing on a team or starting an apparel business.

Gibson, who intends to study business in college, said he began thinking about his project last year when he was cleaning out his wardrobe.

“I had a load of soccer equipment,” he said. “I was listing a lot of my stuff on eBay and I realized I was really successful in selling a lot of my (equipment).”

Soccer cleat suppliers like Nike and Adidas release limited-edition cleats every month, he said, and from those companies’ websites he could buy cleats in bulk, which he would in turn sell from his own store or website, which he plans to design throughout the year.

According to Gibson, the student-driven learning program is a good way for students to begin working toward achieving their dreams and add real-world experience to their resume.

“Any tips or advice would be really helpful,” Gibson said. “I am interested to learn how (starting a business) works and whether it’s an achievable goal or not. I want to look into this more and develop it further, because right now it’s only an idea.”

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A Closer Look:

The first day of school in Cape Elizabeth is Tuesday, Sept. 8, for students grades 1-12. Kindergartners return to school on Friday, Sept. 11. See www.capeelizabethschools.org or call the school department at 799-2217 for more information.

Stephen BennettWill GibsonRetro, or limited-edition soccer cleats, like the ones shown here, are what Cape Elizabeth High School senior Will Gibson envisions selling through Willinton Boots, a sports apparel business he plans to begin creating this school year.Retro, or limited-edition soccer cleats, like the ones shown here, are what Cape Elizabeth High School senior Will Gibson envisions selling through Willinton Boots, a sports apparel business he plans to begin creating this school year.

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