PostscriptsThornton Academy’s Alumni Magazine • Fall 2013 • Vol. 48, No. 2

Engineering diploma endorsement/University of Maine partnership pg. 16

Apprenticeships: an old idea finds new ground pg. 7

21st Century Library pg. 15

From Curriculum to Career

2 POSTSCRIPTS

Maine experiences significant challenges in inspiring youth to remain in the state and pursue the many occupations that our communities require. From lawyers and engineers to teachers and bakers, from athletic trainers and welders to public safety officers and marine scientists (see p. 4-6), Maine needs them all. Thornton Academy’s new “21st Century Curriculum to Career” initiative helps prepare high school students for the working world, enabling them to “imagine themselves” here in Maine. Encouraging students to pursue an in-state career of their choice not only helps grow our economy, but also stimulates motivation in school. In partnership with dozens of local businesses (see the story on Arundel Machine, p. 7), Thornton Academy is pursuing its mission “to prepare students for a changing world” by offering the new Career Awareness Program (CAP) that helps transition students into the working world. Our guidance and career counselors generate in-depth, future-oriented discussions with students, and facilitate career observation and job

shadow experiences. Community involvement becomes essential, and our business partners support career exploration by hosting CAP students. A companion element of the initiative also challenges students to reach for “diploma endorsements.” A ground-breaking partnership with the University of Maine’s College of

Engineering is the first (see p. 9) of several planned endorsement options; qualified students will be able to accomplish a UM

engineering degree in just three years. Thornton Academy is, characteristically, in the forefront of education in Maine, providing opportunities that address the economic and social challenges of our state. Our 21st Century Curriculum to Career initiative reflects significant research, input from leaders in business, government, and higher education. Yet, we continue to strive. As always, Thornton Academy will lead the field in preparing students for our changing world.

Rene M. Menard ‘88, Headmaster

“From lawyers and engineers to teachers and bakers, from athletic trainers and welders to public safety officers and marine scientists, Maine needs them all…and Thornton

Academy helps prepare them for the working world.”

One component of TA’s 21st Century

Curriculum to Career initiative converted a lecture hall into a

hands-on laboratory for Science-Technology-

Engineering-Mathematics Instruction.

Maine Senate President Justin Alfond visits with Headmaster Menard when Thornton Academy announced its new partnership with the University of Maine College of Engineering at a press conference, and then offered tours of the new STEM lab.

21st century curriculum to career initiative

POSTSCRIPTS 3

In This Issue

From the Headmaster - Rene Menard ‘88 2

Science-Technology-Engineering-Math On the Saco River with Tim Harder ‘98 4 - 5 Thinking outside the box - David Skidgel ‘83 6

Curriculum to Career Initiative Apprenticeship: An old idea finds new ground 7 Partnership with University of Maine College of Engineering

In the Classroom Using the whole page - Beth Bussiere 8 From lecture hall to lab 9

Arts Breaking a leg - Aaron Lockman ‘13 10 Fall play and Friends of the Arts 11

Athletics 75 years between games 12 Junior Trojans dedication 13

TA International Faculty study abroad 14

TA Treasure 21st Century library 15

Alumni in the News Troy Munford ‘80 16 Linda Valentino ‘74 16

Alumni Gatherings 17

Middle School Learning the difference: Malaga Island 18

Class Notes 19-22

In Memoriam 22-23

About the Cover: TA alumnus (and University of New England graduate student) Tim Harder ‘98 gave Postscripts a glimpse of how his research on the Saco River hopes to contribute to planning for the river’s future and coping with large-scale erosion problems that threaten local communities (see p. 4).

Postscripts is published twice a year for Thornton Academy alumni and friends. Its production is

made possible through gifts to the Thornton Fund.

TRUSTEES Eric Purvis ‘81-President

Earle Cianchette Vangel Cotsis ’85

Dr. Brian Dallaire ’75 Philip D. Fearon ’70

Dennis Flaherty Bernard Gaines ’65 Stephen Garland ’64

Robert Gowen Joyce D. Haley ’75

Dr. Jeanne Hey Kenneth Janson ’72 William D. Johnson William S. Kany ’77

Karen B. Lovell James E. Nelson ’67

Dr. Paul Remmes Kathleen Boutet Santamore ’80

Mark G. Willett ’65

ALUMNI BOARD Todd M. Davis ’81, President

Harry Nielson ’69, Vice President Giselle Tardiff ’90, Secretary

Anthony M. LeBlanc ’88, Treasurer Joshua Fearon ’98

Lauren Chenard Folsom ’75 Roberta Sargent Gallant ’62

Diana Grant Walker ‘75 Marsh Cory Gray ‘97 Benjamin Harris ’99 Jessica Janson ’05

Vera Gallant Kalagias ’80 Sean Leblanc ’01

Susan Willey Marston ’62 George Mendros ’76

Christina Dolby O’Brien ’86 Greg Paradis ’91

David Pendleton ’81 Susan Mondor Spath ’67

Nate Tripp ‘00

Designed by: Marissa Gagnon Fortier ’99 and Joshua Pulsifer ‘06

Edited by: Patricia Erikson

Contributors: Brittany Brown, Kathryn Danylik-Lagasse, Patricia Erikson, John Ritzo

Cover Photo: Patricia Erikson

You may read Postscripts online at

www.thorntonacademy.org/postscripts

4 POSTSCRIPTS

Confident and on a mission. That’s how Tim Harder ‘98 looks standing on the deck of University of New England’s (UNE) research vessel belonging to the Marine Science Education and Research Center. This summer, Harder took Postscripts on board to glimpse how he uses science to address local environmental challenges. Harder’s research focuses on the erosion and deposition of sediment within the Saco River. Harder explains, “The Saco River is the main source of sediment to the beaches on Saco Bay, specifically Camp Ellis and Ferry Beach.”

If dramatic photos and TV footage of beach destruction and flooding come to mind, then you have a sense for the problem. Harder’s research maps out how silt, sand, and gravel move down the river and “feed” the bay, or not. Says Harder, “I feel that this research is particularly timely

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), mounted on the side of UNE’s Research Vessel (R/V Llyr), enables Tim Harder to use sound waves to measure the depth and velocity of the Saco River’s current. The data that Harder gathers can be used to create a profile of the river channel which Harder then compares with past research to see how the river has changed during the last 20 years.

with the town currently considering another U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to mitigate erosion at Camp Ellis, which carries a price tag upwards of $22 million.”

“I take sediment samples at various points within the river, using a sediment grabber and am currently analyzing them to determine their sorting pattern and mean grain size. This is a traditional, and invaluable tool for geologists to tell me what is happening on the bottom, and perhaps even the source of the sediment.”

On the Saco River with Tim Harder ‘98

STE

M

POSTSCRIPTS 5

STE

M

Harder’s marine science graduate program requires him to find ways to share marine science education with various communities; one opportunity brought him back to Thornton’s campus and into the biology labs to work with students (see right).

-P.E.

About his time in K-12 classrooms, such as this starfish dissection lab at Thornton Academy, Harder said, “It was great to be able to share something that interests me and I am knowledgeable about with some of the students. There were a number of kids who really dove into the material, and genuinely wanted to know about how the animal worked, which is exciting for a person in that field.”

“Between the years of 1992 and 1996, there was a significant amount of material dredged from the harbor anchorage area, in accordance with federal navigational standards. How the Saco

River responds to this type of human activity is not something that is completely understood.”

6 POSTSCRIPTS

Structural engineer David Skidgel ‘83 at Wright-Pierce’s office in Portland.

In the world that structural engineer David Skidgel ‘83 inhabits, the office coffee table is strewn with magazines entitled “Water & Sewer” or “Engineering News Record.” Digital architectural drawings glow on his computer screen, penciled calculations neatly line his notepad, and stacks of architectural plans for the wastewater treatment projects that he designs for Wright-Pierce tower on tables. This summer, Skidgel was one of the people most excited to watch the televised press conference about Thornton Academy’s innovative partnership with the University of Maine College of Engineering (see p. 9, 16). Listening to the University of Maine’s Dean Dana Humphrey speak in Saco in August reminded Skidgel of his days at the University of Maine when he

was earning his bachelor’s degree in engineering there and took courses from Dana Humphrey. That was just the beginning of Skidgel’s engineering career that has included earning an M.S. in engineering and working for 20 years as a structural engineer at Wright Pierce, a civil and

environmental engineering firm based out of Topsham. On his recent visit to meet with Thornton Academy’s science teachers, Skidgel echoed Dana Humphrey’s passion for the importance of engineering. “We need more

science-based people. It’s critical for the future. One of the things that I’ve found is that people think of engineering as purely technical, but public speaking and writing are also essential. Engineers are always presenting ideas to groups.” Science Department Chair Christy Lajoie

agreed with Skidgel. “Engineers can’t just sit in a hole and do math. You have to read well and write well.” Skidgel plans to return to campus and share his structural engineering experience with students. He hopes to encourage them to consider an

engineering career. “It’s a thrill seeing one of my designs built. But the most fun is when there is a wrinkle in a project that forces you to think outside of the box.”

-P.E.

“As a structural engineer, one of the major appeals is the wide variety of projects that

we undertake, and within most projects there is always something new and

challenging. Because of this I am able to think ‘outside of the box’ and design creative

solutions when the situation arises.”

“Thinking outside the box” with David Skidgel ‘83

STE

M

POSTSCRIPTS 7

Nationwide, over 800,000 machining jobs went unfilled last year. According to Marcel Bertrand, President of Arundel Machine Tool, businesses like his are poised to grow, but can struggle without available, skilled labor. As father of Dustin ‘15 and as husband to Tina Hebert Bertrand ‘88, Marcel Bertrand already has a relationship with Thornton Academy. But he has decided to take it to another level by generously donating funds to support the introduction of the National Precision Machining Apprenticeship Training into Thornton Academy’s Curriculum to Career Initiative and hosting students from TA’s Jobs for Maine Graduates program.

(Counter clockwise from upper righ): Arundel Machine Tool President Marcel Bertrand; an example of the precision machined components engineered and manufactured at Arundel Machine; Thornton Academy Jobs for Maine Graduates students at Arundel Machine; an employee working at a precision machine workstation or “cell”)

Arundel Machine supports apprenticeship training

STE

M

Beth Bussiere

8 POSTSCRIPTS

The juniors & seniors of Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry class decided in early May to spend their remaining class time creating ”TA CSI.” The AP students wanted to give their underclass schoolmates in Intro to Bio a chance to see how forensic professionals use chemistry and biology. The AP Chem students created a crime scene, interviewed suspects, and analyzed fingerprints, blood types, and soils. By following the clues, the underclassmen biology students put together a theory and supported it with facts.

When I teach, I face questions such as: why science class? Why learn information that might not be used? And why learn skills for more than just the end of the course? To the students I say: the broader your base of knowledge, the more interesting the problems you can solve. Learn everything you can because the most complex problems are the most engaging. It doesn’t matter where you later apply your problem-solving skills – a kitchen, an airplane, a court of law

- science class will help you be a better problem solver. Don’t be stingy about what you learn.

And why chemistry? For so many people, chemistry is not an intriguing subject. To understand my love of chemistry you need to know when I met it. I had a great childhood and a great family in all the ways that really matter, but when I reached middle

school I went through a very difficult time. It wasn’t clear what could be counted on. There was still love and joy, but it was mixed with fear, grief, and betrayal. That is when I met the periodic table. For many of you, it is an instrument of torture and meaningless memorization (a task that I would never give my students). For me, the periodic table revealed a fundamental order and beauty in the universe. Everything around me at a

level invisible to the naked eye arrayed consistently through time. Carbon would always have a center with six protons, surrounded by a glimmering cloud of six whizzing electrons. It gave me a profound sense of comfort and safety. Chemistry continues to be surprising, lovely, and reassuring.

An elementary art teacher once shared with me, “When children first arrive in school, you give them a big piece of paper and they draw in a corner.” She smiled, “My job is to help them learn to use the whole page!” I hope that is what I do with my students as problem-solvers and as young people growing to adulthood, to help them to use all they know, all they are, to help them ask good questions and to courageously seek solutions. To teach using the whole page of who we are means simultaneously holding what is visible and invisible in each other, in our students, and perhaps most challengingly, in ourselves.

“Using the whole page” with science

IN T

HE

CLA

SS

RO

OM

For me, the periodic table revealed a fundamental order and beauty in the universe.

POSTSCRIPTS 9

Room 55: From lecture hall to labor ‘sage on the stage’ to ‘guide on the side’

One component of the Curriculum to Career Initiative has been the restructuring of classroom spaces to better support the kind of student learning experience that Thornton Academy wants to ensure.

Room 55 is an excellent example of Thornton Academy’s retrofitting spaces to match current teaching initiatives. Room 55 used to be a lecture hall (see above left) in the Scammon Science Building. That room configuration hosted solely the “sage on the stage” or lecture style of teaching.

This summer, the lecture hall was gutted, its banked seating removed, and the infrastructure reworked to support a Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) Laboratory (see above right). The current STEM

Lab configuration supports the “guide on the side” style of teaching. In other words, students in Everyday Engineering, Honors Engineering, and Applied Math and Science classes have the opportunity for hands-on creative innovation and

design-testing experiences, exactly the skills expected of 21st Century workers.

In conjunction with these classroom changes, TA has launched a diploma endorsement program in STEM.

Motivated, engineering-bound students may challenge themselves in high school while working to earn advanced placement in college.

Thanks to a ground-breaking articulation agreement with the University of Maine, students who

successfully complete Thornton Academy’s most rigorous STEM sequence may gain admission to the flagship university’s renowned College of Engineering program with sophomore standing. This

opens the way for students to tailor their college careers more individually to their needs. Students who are academically qualified and motivated can pursue advanced curricular offerings and interaction with professionals in related fields.

IN TH

E C

LAS

SR

OO

M

Students in Everyday Engineering, Honors Engineering, and Applied Math and Science

classes have the opportunity for hands-on creative innovation and design-testing experiences, exactly the skills expected of

21st Century workers.

10 POSTSCRIPTS

Breaking a leg

Mark your calendar

Monday, Dec. 16th & Tuesday, Dec. 17th 7:00 PM in Garland Auditorium.

The concert will feature the Jazz Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Treble Choir,

Chamber Singers, and the Concert Choir.

Box Office 602-4471

Aaron Lockman ‘13 (left) and Hayleigh McKechnie ‘15 (right) are shown here in the final scene of Lockman’s award-winning play, “Ghost Boy.”

In this inaugural year of the Write On! contest at the Theater at Monmouth, Aaron Lockman submitted his play, The Ghost Boy, which went on to win the Grand Prize for the best student-written play. This summer, the Theater at Monmouth performed a workshop of Lockman’s play on their famous stage (on the National Register of Historic Places). The Ghost Boy is a lighthearted tragicomedy about a girl, her mother, an obnoxious television personality, and the clashes between childhood and culture. There’s also a ghost.

“I’m obviously very excited and really grateful to Thornton Academy. This past June, I directed a performance of The Ghost Boy, along with several other student-written plays. I was able to do that as an independent study for my last semester as a high school student. And it’s really a

testament to the kind of opportunities that are available at Thornton. If I hadn’t put on Student-Written Play Night, I probably would never have finished writing The Ghost Boy, and if I hadn’t been trying to publicize for it, I wouldn’t have sent out the press statement to the Theater at Monmouth. That’s how I learned about the contest. Plays are meant to be performed, and I feel like I didn’t really understand The Ghost Boy fully until AFTER rehearsing, blocking, and discussing it with the actors. My friends and I were really able to delve deeply into the play and create new meaning out of it.”

“I was able to direct a performance in my last semester as a high school student.

It’s really a testament to the kind of opportunities available at Thornton.”

Aaron Lockman ’13 pens a play that hits the famous Monmouth stage

AR

TS

POSTSCRIPTS 11

JOIN THORNTON ACADEMY’S NEW

We invite you to celebrate the work of nearly 1,000 high school students who participate each year in the Arts

program at Thornton Academy. Not only can you support us by attending our events, but also by becoming a Friend of the Arts in 2013-14. The funds raised by the new Friends

of the Arts program will help maintain and extend this extraordinarily successful program.

To join, go to www.thorntonacademy.org/arts or call Doug Stebbins at 207-602-4471.

An ambitious production,

three choreographed dances,

Elizabethan costuming,

and a large set!

Shakespeare productions have a long history at TA. This 1906 photo shows some of the

student cast for “As You Like It.”

AR

TS

Come to the 2013 Fall Play!

~ Shakespeare’s ~ Much Ado

About Nothing

Thursday, December 5th, 7pmFriday, December 6th, 7pm

Saturday, December 7th, 7pm

Esther Anderson, widow of the 1938 team captain, tossed the coin, and won the toss (right).

It hadn’t happened since 1938, but this fall, Thornton Academy played football on home turf and under the lights.

In 1938, the football team played St. Louis H.S., their second game of the day. Four Saco fire trucks, with ladders extended and lights attached, lit the field and the spotlights kept shattering in the cold.

The newest enhancement to Thornton Academy’s athletic

facilities

POSTSCRIPTS 13

Junior Trojans build & Donate Athletic Facility

Dr. Paul Remmes, assisted by Headmaster Rene Menard ‘88, Thornton varsity football Coach Kevin Kezal , and fellow Junior Trojan supporters Bob Runnells and Guy Picard ‘91 cut a ceremonial ribbon to the appreciative applause of those assembled for this historic occasion on September 28th.

Under blue skies and basking in the glow of the TA Golden Trojan’s varsity football victory over Sanford, a large crowd of Junior Trojan football players, Junior Trojan cheerleaders and parents, joined the varsity football team for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a newly-constructed athletic facility. With a fitting maroon and gold exterior, the new building houses a concession stand, bathrooms and storage overlooking the playing field, and will enhance the Thornton Academy campus and athletic program. Major contributors to the project include the Saco Bay Lacrosse program, which donated $50,000 toward this project, Paul and Holly Remmes, and the TA Athletic Boosters.

Dr. Paul Remmes welcomed those gathered and unveiled a plaque recognizing the long list of businesses and individuals who generously donated to this project, which was 100% privately funded.

ATH

LETIC

S

14 POSTSCRIPTS

Thornton Academy faculty study abroad

Bobbie Rausch and John Raby pursue opportunities to enrich their teaching

Some experiences separate our lives into “before” and “after.” A trip to the Galapagos Island Archipelago World Natural Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve may have been just that for science teacher Bobbie Rausch (above and far right). Bobbie arranged for a professional leave this past spring so that she could participate in

an expedition to the remarkable ecosystem and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.

On these volcanic islands, Charles Darwin originated his theory of the origin of species. Rausch explained, “The islands are a living museum, with unique vegetation and wildlife (see red-footed boobie, left). However, there are also more recent developments that are of interest as well, the effect of humans on these islands, the introduction of non-native species, pollution and climate change.”

Rausch spent time at the Charles Darwin Research Station where she studied the unique organisms that

inhabit each of the islands. She observed the ongoing research there that focuses on biodiversity gain/loss and man-made climate changes. Rausch reports, “The experience will enable me to enrich my teaching for students enrolled in AP Environmental Science, Environmental Studies and students interested in the Environmental Club at TA.”

John Raby heads for Bejing as an American Delegate with College Board ProgramThe College Board has announced that TA History teacher John Raby (right) will join the 2013 Chinese Bridge Delegation, a week-long program in November hosted by the Hanban/Confucious Institute Headquarters. Delegates will develop their cross-cultural education skills and establish meaningful partnerships through various activities, including: visits to Chinese schools, observation of classes, and meeting with Chinese educators.

TA I

NTE

RN

ATI

ON

AL

POSTSCRIPTS 15

TA TR

EA

SU

RE

One hundred years after the then-new gymnasium building was named for George Addison Emery, the Thornton Academy Board voted to update the aging building, recover its architectural beauty, and convert its top floor to a 21st Century library.

Librarian Jill Kehoe reports that students are far more productive in the library’s new location with a vaulted ceiling and towering windows that flood the space with natural light.

16 POSTSCRIPTS

Troy Munford ‘80, Tour & Travel Sales Manager at Sunday River, was presented with the Governor’s Award for Tourism Excellence during a ceremony at this year’s Maine Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Reportedly, his cap has been equally feathered by his successful promotion nationwide of events like the North American Wife Carrying Contest (photo far right).

The Maine Tourism Awards are sponsored by the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Tourism. The Governor’s Conference on Tourism brings together Maine’s tourism

industry for professional development and to commend dedicated service.

Troy was nominated by Bethel-area businesses that benefited from his work, including: Bethel Outdoor Adventures, Maine Mineralogy Expeditions, as well as Sunday River. Troy has increased year-round bus tour business to Sunday River by 400% in recent years and created summer bus tour itineraries that benefit several local businesses. Jeff Parsons of Bethel Outdoor Adventures said Munford “saw the value of Bethel in summer months and promoted it to a wider audience, including bus and tour groups.” Greg

Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association said Munford has brought “well over 100 groups to Maine each year. He is the reason Sunday River’s North American Wife Carrying Championship has been listed on the American Bus Association’s top 100 destinations, an honor reserved for such events as the Rose Bowl and Mardi Gras.”

Munford said, “I was shocked. I received the award in front of about 500 peers…it was an experience I will never forget.”

Troy Munford ‘80 receives Governor’s Award

Troy Munford (left) receives award from Governor LePage (right)

ALU

MN

I IN

TH

E N

EW

S

Wife-carrying contest at Sunday River

Senator Linda Valentino ‘74 at press conference announcing ground-breaking agreement with the University of Maine.To the assembled crowd and television cameras, Chair of the Workforce Development Committee Senator Valentino said, “This committee work was one of Senate President Justin

Alfond’s top priorities of the session. The (LD 90) legislation addresses ways to close the so-called skills gap between the State’s workforce and the needs of the State’s employers. One of

the committee’s findings was that STEM-related education is critical in order for Maine to compete globally, create jobs, and fill current vacancies in high-tech positions. This press conference announces an exciting new partnership that I believe fulfills the vision of the legislature, Senator Alfond,

my committee, and Maine Industry Partnerships. Part of the Maine Industry Partnerships was to coordinate initiatives with post-secondary education and I am pleased that Thornton Academy has taken the lead on this.”

Senator Valentino introduced Senate President Justin Alfond who said, “Thornton Academy has a proud history - over 200 years - an independent school with a public school mission. Thornton Academy’s incorporation of STEM education into its regular curriculum, forging new partnerships that will benefit its students is an ideal model. I’m particularly pleased to see the partnership with Maine’s flagship university.”

POSTSCRIPTS 17

On Saturday, August 10th, Thornton Academy held its first Annual TA Reunion Day. All classes celebrating a reunion in 2013 were invited back to campus for tours and a barbeque. About 100 people returned to celebrate their reunion and to see what has changed since they walked the halls. Attending alumni toured newly-renovated classrooms, including the Arts & New Media Center and the library. A similar event next summer will host those classes celebrating a reunion in 2014!

On Saturday, September 21, 185 alumni stepped back on campus to celebrate the 20th Annual Senior Alumni Reunion. Classes represented ranged from 1936 through 1962. Senior Alumni Reunion invites alumni back to campus who have celebrated their 50th reunion and beyond. On this sunny fall Saturday, Alumni gathered in the Atrium to reconnect with classmates and reminisce with old friends. A short program in the Auditorium included a Pledge of Allegiance by Fred Clark and an illustrated discussion about new and improved academic spaces and their history by

Headmaster Rene Menard ‘88. Alumni then moved to the cafeteria where Sue Marston ‘62 led the singing of the TA Alma Mater and FLIK dining service provided a fantastic

lunch. After lunch, tours were offered for those who were interested in our newly-renovated spaces, such as the Arts & New Media Center and

the Library (the old Emery Gymnasium). Members of these classes

were able to spend the afternoon reconnecting with classmates and friends while reliving some of the memories that the halls of TA hold. See the reunion slideshow at www.youtube.com/tatvsaco.

Thornton Academy Reunion Day

2013

Senior Alumni Reunion Day 2013

ALU

MN

I GA

THE

RIN

G

(Left photo) Robert Poitras ‘55, Kenneth Poitras ‘57, Rose Poitras Chenard ‘59, Roger Poitras ‘62. Courtesy Jill Brady Photography; (middle photo) Vincent Franco ‘56; (right photo) Kenneth Turgeon ‘54 and Jesse Philbrick ‘41.

18 POSTSCRIPTS

Malaga Island: Learning the difference

Malaga Island descendant, Marnie Voter (right), shares family oral history with Thornton Academy Middle School students in the Malaga Island: Fragmented Lives exhibit at the Maine State Museum in Augusta.

Thornton Academy Middle School students learned the difference between “evidence” and “interpretation” when they traveled to the Maine State Museum in Augusta to participate in the Malaga Island: Fragmented Lives exhibit program. Situated just off the coast of Philppsburg, Maine, Malaga Island became notorious in the late 19th/early 20th century press nationwide for the poor living conditions of its mixed-heritage population. Why is the history of Malaga Island controversial? How did the people make their living there? What happened to them and why is it still important today? TAMS 7th grade social studies students researched historic photographs, documents, and archaeological artifacts (see below), interpreted the evidence, and

described the experience of Malaga Islanders. Rumors and stereotypes about islanders who made their living as fishermen, lobstermen, carpenters, laundresses, and masons contributed to the forced eviction of the residents in 1912. Evicted residents dispersed (or were institutionalized at The Maine School for the Feeble-Minded or what later became known as the Pineland Hospital and Training Center). TAMS students were one of the first school groups to listen to oral history from a descendant of Malaga Island (see above). TAMS faculty Heidi Brewer said, “It was exciting to see students delve into this story and fit the pieces together to create a full picture of what happened and why.” -P.E.

Students also examined Malaga Island archaeological artifacts and historic documents (see left) as part of their own research in the museum gallery.

MID

DLE

SC

HO

OL

POSTSCRIPTS 19

Class Notes

The Class of 1948 held their reunion on campus in September. In this photo the attending alumni/are touring the Arts & New Media Center.

Class of 1945Helen Lundy Boyd writes, “I am a Great Great Grandmother of a Boy named Caiden”

Class of 1946H. Elise Edfors Brower writes, “I am very well and enjoying my status as a very old person. I am the music Director of the Unitarian Universalist Church and I direct and participate in a variety of musical groups. My husband had a stroke in May 2012 however he has improved tremendously. He lost most of his vision so he needs lots of help from me and a variety of caregivers.” Barbara Googins Caldwell writes, “ I am taking water aerobics 3x a week and recently celebrated the birth of a great-granddaughter.” Jovis Gerry writes “I have been pretty busy, my wife Rosa Fortier Gerry ‘48, had a stroke while playing golf. I stayed with her in the hospital and in Rehab. She was able to come home 2 days before Christmas. We continued therapy for two more months, it mostly effected her throat and speech. She is doing quite well now. Other then that everything is fine. We are looking forward to getting back out on the golf course soon!” David A. Patriquin writes “ I am living a busy retirement in Vermont. I am currently on the Board of Trustees at the Town library, Board of Directors for the local Habitat for Humanity, an active member of

Brattleboro Kwanis Club, and I work in the town emergency operation center for disaster management. I am still trying to retire so I can take care of my garden, lawns and firewood! Fred Clark would like to thank the Class of 1946 for their generous donations to the Thornton Annual Fund. Annual fund supports our academic programs, the arts, athletics and helps to ensure a successful future for Thornton Academy. Keep up the good work!

Class of 1948Rosemary Fettinger Worth writes “Jim Sterling and I committed to each other in a Commitment Ceremony on November 20th 2012.

Class of 1950JoAnn Polackwich Oswald and her husband Dick recently celebrated

their 57th wedding anniversary. Joann is the author of a book titled, “ God, Whitey, and me.” Robert Pate writes “The graduating class of 2013 was 367, in 1950 we graduated 108, at the time it was the biggest Class TA had. We were a great class and I’m very proud to be part of it. As the years go by it would be nice if we knew what everyone was up to. Lets use postscripts to keep each other up to date! It helps us all stay together. Mail your updates and life stories to me at P.O. Box 58, Saco Me 04072. Love to hear from you all.”

Class of 1951Patricia Hobbs Bedell, Virginia Brown Dupee, John Edfors, Constance Tripp Farrington, Helena Cardin Gannon, Nancy Guiney Grant, Mary Atkinson Johnson, Kenneth Meserve, Arlene Maddox Murchison, Muriel Thompson Nado and Arnold Shapiro enjoyed visiting and catching up at the Senior Alumni luncheon. We were saddened by news of the passing of Nancy Smith Burt. Unable to attend but others in touch were Audrey Cole Fogg, Anita Tito Ifantides, Marjorie Lamb Burgin, Harvey Lamontagne, Josephine Chute Chase, Nancy Calderwood Kovalcik, Mary Ellen Black Twomey. We were glad to know that Nancy Kovalcik in Colorado did not suffer flood damage. Arnold Shapiro has moved to Portland and Ken Meserve has moved back to Saco.

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Clark ‘46 join Friends of the Arts 2013-14As part of honoring his wife for their 65th wedding anniversary, Fred donated generously and named one of the seats in Garland Auditorium in Connie’s honor. If you would like to do the same, please contact Doug Stebbins at doug.stebbins@thorntonacademy.org or 207-602-4471.

CLA

SS

NO

TES

20 POSTSCRIPTS

TA Alumni: Fill Us In!look up your agent at

www.thorntonacademy.org/classagents

or contact us at:

Thornton Academy 438 Main Street

Saco, ME 04072-1565

Kathryn Danylik-Lagasse KDL@thorntonacademy.org

207-602-4460

CLA

SS

NO

TES Class of 1957

Robert Wilbur is currently living in an assisted living facility where he is being treated for a problem with his leg. They are helping him exercise so that he can continue with the use of his leg.

Class of 1963If anyone would like to be a friend to Judy Maguire Schnell she is a publisher and would like to hear from the class! jschnell@stackpolebooks.com. Peter Atwater has been coaching a very successful pro-am basketball team in Utah with his sons called the AtwaterBoys. They are a recreational adult basketball team from Northern Utah that has dominated the region for nearly 20 years. This year they advanced to the Taylorsville Pro-AM Championship game by beating Westminster College.

Class of 1968Charles Tufts is bidding farewell to his home for the past 3 1/2 years, in Saigon, Vietnam. He will be heading back to Maine to rejoin Coldwell Banker Team Real Estate as CFO and VP of Marketing. Over the past 2 1/2 years Charles has been restructuring Skechers S.A.R.L., a Swiss subsidiary of Skechers USA, operations headquartered in Saigon, handling product development and production in Cambodia and Vietnam. During that time he had the privilege of traveling extensively in Malaysia, Thailand,

Cambodia and Vietnam.

Class of 1974Stephen R. Dupuis and Helen Heffernan were married at their residence on Stacy Street in Saco on Saturday, April 13th 2013. Performing the ceremony was Denise Rondeau Fontaine.

Class of 1975Janice L. Pendleton recently competed in the National Senior Olympics in Cleveland, Ohio. The sport she competed in was AA Division Basketball, age group 55-59. Her team Quicksilver took home the gold medal in their division. Janice played basketball her four years at Thornton. She has been employed at LL Bean for the last 27 years, currently serving as a supervisor. Janice resides in Brunswick. Al Sicard was noted in the local Courier about the Shuttlebus-Zoom bus service. His firm, Rocky Coast Marketing, raises some $250,000 annually for the non-profit operated by the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Transit committee. RCM handles all aspects of placing clients in transit advertising for the bus service.

Class of 1976Janet Leary-Prowse writes “Spencer and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on June 18th 2013. In May our oldest son, Kendall graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in Bioethics. He will take a few years off working in the Industrial Hygiene lab at Dupont before applying to medical school. Our youngest son, Graham is a senior in high school. College visits and applications coming up!”

Class of 1978Andrea Boucouvalas Coreau has been named Senior Vice President of retail banking at Fairfield County Bank. She is responsible for the administration and operation of the entire network of 20 branch locations.

Class of 1979Edward Dubé retired from the Saco

Fire Department after 40 years of service. He started at the age of 12 as a mascot for the Camp Ellis Volunteer Fire Department. He started full time with the Saco Fire Department just four days after graduation. He retired on September 28th as the Deputy Fire Chief, He is now working with some of his classmates at Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank as a facilities

technician.

Class of 1980Troy Munford received the Governor’s Award for Tourism Excellence. See full story in Alumni in the News.

Class of 1983Randy S. Eastman writes “ 2013 has been an interesting so far - moved from Biddeford to OOB during the Blizzard of 2013 in February. I retired from the Naval Reserves on March 1st 2013 with 20 yrs 3 mo and 28 days of service. I have enjoyed some fun events this summer locally & out of state and also volunteering for the Mothers SeaDog 5K, 6th Annual Ride n Rock, and going down to Fenway to assist with the 50/50 Raffle with the Red Sox Foundation. I enjoyed my 30th Class Reunion - it was great seeing classmates whom I haven’t seen in 30 years and others I see or chat with regularly, thanks to Facebook. Now as Fall 2013 approaches I enjoy attending TA Football. My new venture will

POSTSCRIPTS 21

Class of 1983, Clambake Restaurant, Scarborough

Class of 1993 Reunion

All the ElementsIf you’ve visited Biddeford lately you may have noticed the Heart of Biddeford downtown revitalization efforts underway. Hopefully, while you were there, you visited TA alumnus Mike Macomber ‘94 who opened his business Elements in February 2013. Elements features gourmet-style, single-pour coffee, as well as books, and hosts live music and serves alcohol at night. Macomber hopes that by combining all of these elements, as well as operating into the evening, he can garner the revenue and customer base to succeed.

be volunteering when I can for the Wounded Heros of Maine program.”

Class of 1984Colonel Greg Zehner was married to Emily Clise on May 26, 2013 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.

Class of 1985Kevin Letellier writes “I have just moved to Winter Haven, FL with my wife Nancy to be closer to my parents and to add a new chapter in life’s journey.”Angela Boudreau Searles writes, “Now that my youngest of eight kids has started school, I began writing again. I am a member of the Romance Writer’s of America as well as the local chapter here in Raleigh, NC. In March I went under contract with Mountain Springs House Publishing to write a series of children’s books call The Adventures of Happy Valley Glen. The first was released in ebook and print in May 2013. I also had my debut historical romance novel released on May 24th called Once Upon a

Highlander.”

Class of 1989Elizabeth A. Lowe Baran writes, “My husband Ted and I and our two kids Kate, and Jed live in Lakewood Ranch, FL. I have been working as an independent change management consultant but I am now starting my own career, coaching practice for working moms....stay tuned!”

Class of 1990Shawn Hanlon recently opened a branch of his Auto North dealership here in Saco called Auto Mile Motors. Jeffrey Nasse received his PhD in August 2013 from Florida Atlantic University. He is a Dean at Broward College. He lives in Boca Raton with wife Krista and daughters Karissa and Angelina.

Class of 1993Kathy-Joe Boisvert Cameron writes,

“My husband, Joe, has retired from the Army after 23 years of service. We have moved to New Hampshire and are excited to reconnect with friends

and family.” Kirk Purvis writes, “The Class of 1993 held its reunion the weekend of August 9-10 and had a great turnout. Through the generosity of its classmates, the class was able to donate $500 to The Power of Elle, a nonprofit organization set up to honor the life and memory of Eleanor Clare Paye, the daughter of our much loved classmate Beth Savage.”

Class of 1996Angie Dube Levesque and her husband Ken welcomed their third child on May 8th of this year, Tyler James.

Class of 1999Heather Martel writes “ I was married in July 2012 to Brett Balfour and we are currently residing in Saco. I graduated from USM School of Social Work with Masters degree in May 2012 and I am currently employed by Spurwink Services as a School Based Clinician providing counseling services to students at Jameson Elementary School in Old Orchard Beach.”Arianna Vakas Middleton writes, “My husband Jeremy and I welcomed our first child, a son, Troy Andrew Middleton, this July. We still live in Fairfield, CT”

Class of 2000Jeffrey Pellerin opened Saco Bay Brewing a homebrew supply shop, on Main St. in Saco in June of 2012. He is also engaged to Anna Caraszi of Madison CT, they plan to marry in September of 2014. Alethea Parker

CLA

SS

NO

TES

IN M

EM

OR

IAM

22 POSTSCRIPTS

In Memoriam Connor Chretien’s life was short – he was only a freshmen from the Class of 2016 – but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of life far exceeded the quantity of time in which he lived. His smile, sense of humor and boisterous laugh melted the hearts of those around him, and even though his speech was limited, his voice and thoughts were always understood by many. With his courage, he led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. The Thornton Academy community and family celebrated Connor and honored his memory in a number of ways, including the memorial gathering on campus this spring (see right). Also, the Connor Chretien 1st Annual Memorial Scholarship

Walk ‘n Roll & Tree Planting Ceremony took place on October 5, 2013 (Connor’s birthday) at Thornton Academy. The event included a two-mile walk along the Eastern Trail located behind the school followed by a tree planting ceremony by the Class of 2016.

Deasey and her husband Ryan are expecting their second child in December.

Class of 2001Hanako Sargent Cashin writes, “ I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2005 and currently work on the Field and Shared Services Training team at Unum. I’m happily married to my college sweetheart, Mike Cashin who is a physical therapist at Saco Bay Physical Therapy in the Kennebunk office. We have a two year old daughter named Abigail. We enjoy spending time together as a family with our Boston Terrier, Brodie.”

Class of 2003Jessica Paul Butler writes, “I just passed my certification test for certified surgical first assistant. I also just received a promotion at work to become the clinic leader of the urology, GYN/OB, ENT specialties at MCMH”. Bethany Lowe writes “ I was recently engaged to Daniel Stotler

of Berkeley Springs, WV. We are planning to get married June 2014 at Foxcroft School in Middleburg, VA.”

Class of 2006 Katie Jannelle has successfully completed a Masters of Science in Global & International Education from Drexel University. Her thesis titled, ‘Adding International,’ looked at the changes at Thornton due to the addition of the international program. Katie has recently relocated to Melbourne, Florida with her fiance, Joseph. A May 2014 wedding in the White Mountains area is planned. Nicholas Laskey and Marisa Bath Laskey are expecting their first child in March 2014. Jill Santamore and Justin Blake were married on September 14, 2013. Richard Strickland III writes “Well I figured since I haven’t talked to many people back in the TA area in over 5 years I would be kind and give an update. I’m currently in the US Army as a Uh-60 helicopter mechanic as well as a Aviation Life Support Equipment tech. I’ve been in for more than 3.5

years now and have a 10 month deployment I returned from earlier this year and set to deploy again next year. I’m stationed in Germany where I have met my wife. I’m also in the process of finishing my degree in Communications and New Media with hopes of transfer to Photo Journalism. Well that’s my last few years in a nut shell. Thank you for the time to read this.”

Class of 2007Michelle E. Gibbons graduated from Boston University with her MS in Speech Language Pathology.

Class of 2009Jacki Cone-Auslender accepted a position as the new marketing director of Hot 104.7 radio station. Rep. Justin Chenette led a successful 10-month campaign to save the Saco Drive-In Theater.

POSTSCRIPTS 23

The names of deceased alumni that appear below have been received by Thornton Academy since Postscripts was last published. We make every effort to notify our readers about alumni and others associated with TA, who are deceased, but we rely on friends and family to send us obituaries, especially for those out of state.

Alumni

1932 Louise Clark Webber of Saco, ME in June 2013 1934 Alice Brown Dolby of Easley, SC in March 2013 1934 Pauline Lee Mariello of Lewiston, ME in April 2013 1937 Walter A. Smart of Buxton, ME in July 2013 1938 Eva Brickates Giovanis of Portsmouth, NH in April 2013 1939 Earl Inman of Hollis Center, ME in June 2013 1939 Kenneth A. Luce of Westbrook, ME in May 2013 1939 Anastasia Hadiaris Tsomides of Saco, ME in May 2013 1941 Arthur Rumery of Saco, ME in June 2013 1942 Catharine Mourmouras Kageleiry of Dover, NH in August 2013 1942 Elizabeth Morse of Ocean Park, ME in April 2013 1942 William T. Merrill of North Wales, PA in August 2013 1943 Reed W. Rumery of Biddeford, ME in July 2013 1944 Peter Tito of Greenville Junction, ME in April 2013 1945 George Gendron of North Waterboro, ME in June 2013 1946 Leon Cook of Lowell, MA in January 2011 1946 Petro Boucouvalas of Saco, ME in August 2013 1947 Jo Anne Pickett Imeson of Saco, ME in August 2013 1948 R. Jeannine Belisle of Bloomfield, CT in September 2013 1949 Patricia Coburn Chase of Buxton, ME in March 2013 1949 Pearl Roberts Manzer of Saco, ME in July 2013 1951 Nancy Smith Burt of Dunstable, MA in August 2013 1955 Raynold Langevin of Biddeford, ME in July 2013 1957 Daniel Peck Jr. of New Port Richey, FL in June 2013 1958 Rose Marie Arel of Tucson, AZ in August 2013 1961 Margaret Peck Brown of Saco, ME in September 2013 1964 Lillian Larouche Labonte of Biddeford, ME in February 2013 1969 David P. Tito of Saco, ME in April 2013 1973 Charles Scontras of Saco, ME in May 2013 1973 Dennis Hill of Portland, ME in February 2013 1982 Robin Langevin Martin of Saco, ME in July 2013 1984 Jo-Anne Fearon Foresman of Saco, ME in January 2013 1999 Carol Bourque of Arundel, ME in April 2013 2000 Courtney Clingensmith of Saco, ME in May 2013 2009 Geoff Almon Holbrook of Arundel, ME in August 2013 2016 Connor Chretien of Saco, ME in April 2013 Other: Heather Edborg of Saco, ME in July 2013 Eunice Kelley of Cape Porpoise, ME in December 2013 Pauline Willett of Saco, ME in June 2013 Raymond Dupuis of Saco, ME in August 2013 Rita Lehouillier of Old Orchard Beach, ME in August 2013 Thomas Winston of Saco, ME in March 2013 Mary Lovejoy of Kennebunkport, ME in July 2013

Donors who wish to honor the memory of a loved one, faculty member, friend, or classmate are invited to make a memorial gift as a permanent reminder of the impact the honoree made during his or her lifetime. A gift in honor or in memory allows donors to express their feelings in a dis-tinctive and memorable way that leaves a lasting legacy of the honoree. Please contact Kathryn Danylik-Lagasse at 207-602-4460 or KDL@thorntonacademy.org or donate in memory online at www.thorntonacademy.org/give

IN M

EM

OR

IAM

S t a y

C O N N E C T E DT h r o u g h S o c i a l M e d i a@TA

Photographs. Events. Video footage.

www.thorntonacademy.org

facebook.com/ thorntonacademy

On Twitter: @thorntonacademy

youtube.com/tatvsaco

TATV

Postscripts