Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 12

J oining Friends of the Arts Chatting with Priscilla and Tom Hickey in their home in Saco—a white saltbox with blue shutters that Priscilla’s father built—the couple’s attachment to Thornton Academy becomes evident. They share fond memories from the school over the years. Priscilla, Class of ‘57, comes from a long line of Trojans beginning with her grandmother Bessie Staples (Class of 1906) and her father Fredrick Haase (Class of ‘33). Priscilla and Tom have attended the Senior Alumni Reunion every year since 2007, and regularly attend sporting events when they are in Maine (for the past 17 years they have spent winters in Port Richey, Florida). But when it came to making a generous financial donation, the couple chose to support Thornton Academy’s Friends of the Arts program, which helps support the costs of running one of Maine’s most extraordinary high school arts programs. Priscilla’s love for the arts extends back to her days at TA; she enjoyed acting in the senior play, although “at that time there were only a few options offered in the arts. [Today], there are so many opportunities to get involved” in music, theater, dance, and visual arts. She wants to help support and further enhance those programs. Headmaster Rene Menard ‘88 visits with Priscilla (Class of ‘57) and Tom Hickey at the Senior Alumni Reunion in the Atrium this summer. Although Tom is not a TA alumnus, he says, “I have adopted Thornton as my own high school” and “I have experienced the wonderful school spirit—Thornton is more than just a school; it’s part of a larger community.” The Hickeys’ generous donation was matched by Prudential, where Tom worked for many years as an insurance agent. After TA, Priscilla attended Gorham State Teachers College, graduating in 1961, and pursued a career in teaching at the fourth and sixth grade levels. Having worked in schools, Priscilla understands the need for additional funding, especially for programs as ambitious as Thornton’s Arts Department. Looking back on her own involvement in drama, she remarks, “I didn’t have many lines, but I did get a few laughs!” Donations to Friends of the Arts help support the costs of running one of Maine’s most extraordinary high school arts programs. Please consider donating online at www.thorntonacademy.org/give or checks can be made out to Thornton Academy Friends of the Arts. Questions? E-mail Arts Marketing Associate Doug Stebbins at [email protected] or call 207-602-4471. Learn more about upcoming performances at www.thorntonacademy.org/arts 12 POSTSCRIPTS