A native of Patten, Cunningham graduated from Patten Academy in 1917 and furthered his
education at the University of Maine where he received his BA degree in 1923. Upon graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Washburn High School.
Along with teaching agriculture and Science, he coached girls' basketball, 1923-1927; boys' basketball, 1926-1932, and baseball, 1925-1932.
Many students and teachers have received valuable help and encouragement from Everett Cunningham. He has served longer as a supervising teacher in agricultural education than any other in Maine. A large number of his former students and trainees become successful teachers of vocational agriculture.
In 1948, in his 25th year of teaching, Washburn honored Cunningham and presented him with a new automobile. Washburn Future Farmers of America, under his guidance received two Gold Emblem Awards for being the outstanding chapter in the United States for 1947 and 1948. The Washburn FFA Chapter received the Grand Championship Award, State FFA, in 1958 at the University of Maine.
When Washburn's Future Homemakers of America honored Cunningham in 1960, Professor Wallace H. Elliott, head of the Department of Agriculture Education, University of Maine. wrote in part:
"The success of his students and the activities of the Washburn FFA Chapter are a tribute to the leadership of Everett Cunningham. State FFA officers, state farmers, grand championship teams, winners of national awards, and numerous team and individual awards are among their achievements. In recognition of his contribution to the Future Farmers of America, he received an honorary state Farmer Degree in 1937. (first teacher so honored).
"During his tenure at Washburn High School, he has exemplified the highest ideals of the teaching profession. He has served on many educational committees and contributed much to the advancement of his chosen field. In 1948, he was elected state president of the Maine Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers. He is currently serving as state president of the Maine Vocational Association. Thus, he continues to give of himself to his family, his school, his community and the profession he has served so ably for 37 years."
Cunningham has a daughter, Mrs. Llewellyn Woodman (Evelyn) of Washburn, also a son, Charles E. Cunningham of Moorestown, N.J., head of the Research Department in Potatoes for Campbell Soup Co.
He has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is a past president of Washburn Rotary Club, a member for 35 years; a past master of Masonic Lodge and has received a 40-year membership pin; a past president and past secretary of the Maine Vocational Agricultural Teachers Assoc., past president of Maine Vocational Association, past president of Northern District Vocational Agriculture Teachers Ass'n and Northern District FFA advisor (two years), and past president of Washburn Teachers" Club. He flew to Kansas City, Mo., with Governor Reed in 1963 to receive the Honorary American Farmer Degree at the National FFA convention.