Dyer) DiCenso’ 97, pictured top left, owns and operates Portland Pottery, a full-service pottery supply shop and ceramics studio that offers a long list of programs, from classes and workshops, to kids camps, private lessons, and group parties.
Portland Pottery features two Portland studios, and also operates supply shops in Portland and Braintree, Massachusetts.“ Our goal is to get as many hands messy with clay as possible,” says Karen.
After graduating from Thornton, Karen majored in Ceramics at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She worked and taught at Portland Pottery for more than 20 years before purchasing the company in 2023.
Julia( Geaumont) Losardo’ 12, DDM, pictured far right, the newest pediatric dentist at Biddeford-Saco Dental Associates, has been winning over the youngest patients at the practice.
“ Our daughter looks forward to seeing her every time!” said one parent.“ She is incredibly thorough and was amazing with explaining the treatment plan with us.”
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTSKaren(
After Thornton, Julia studied biology at Bowdoin College before attending Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where she was valedictorian of her class. She completed her pediatric dental residency at Nova Southeastern University( Florida), serving as chief resident. Following a stint at a practice in New Hampshire, Julia returned to Saco.
“ Becoming a pediatric dentist has given me the opportunity to give back to the families and community that have helped support me,” says Julia.“ There’ s something incredibly meaningful about caring for children in the town where I grew up."
In addition to her stellar academic career, Julia excelled in athletics. She was named Miss Maine Softball and Maine’ s Gatorade Player of the Year, and was a four-year starter at Bowdoin.
Julia is the youngest of three TA grads, following brothers James’ 07 and Joseph’ 10. Her husband, Kyle, teaches math at Thornton.
Brian Skoczenski’ 02, pictured bottom, is keeping very busy these days. Brian is the Chief Operations Officer at Saco-based Ready Seafood, and also co-owns Schooner Mini Golf in Saco with his wife, Allison. Brian joined Ready Seafood in 2014, and in 2018 worked closely with Saco City Council to move the operation to Saco where it has become one of the city ' s largest employers. He and Allison purchased Schooner in 2022. Brian is also president of Saco Junior Trojans, a football and cheering program for students in grades 2- 8, where over 75 % of the volunteers are TA alumni.