SENIOR CELEBRATIONS
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“ The physical closure of our schools was difficult for everyone — especially our seniors — who had been looking forward to year-end graduation events ,” said Headmaster Rene Menard . “ We worked hard to find creative ways to make those graduation events special , despite the challenges we all faced to keep our communities and each other safe .”
A combination of technology and creativity transformed the way TA celebrated the accomplishments of this year ’ s senior class . While virtual events are no substitute for the traditional ceremonies that our seniors and their families deserve , restrictions on group size and the challenges of physically and socially distancing a class of 370 graduates shaped how TA was able to safely celebrate and acknowledge these important milestones .
Senior Assembly
The announcement of Latin Honors and the class Valedictorian were announced via a virtual live stream . Students received department awards and Mike Nelson was named Faculty VIP . Corrine Riddle-Pinkham , Class Secretary , shared the class history .
Baccalaureate
The traditional honors and recognition ceremony also went virtual ; it included a variety of self-recorded speakers , and a performance of the class song , “ This is Not Goodbye ” by the Thornton Academy Chamber Singers and senior class choir members . Student Body President , Mia Taranko , addressed her classmates and asked them to recall the lessons they learned while at TA , and to use them to shape the future they want for themselves .
Graduation Filming
Seniors donned their caps and gowns and walked across the stage to accept their diplomas in a series of filming days scheduled to allow graduates to march to “ Pomp and Circumstance ,” hear their name called over the loudspeaker , and witness their families cheering from the sidelines of Hill Stadium .
Drive-In Graduation Viewing
The Saco Drive-In hosted graduates and their families for a special watch party of the video created to commemorate their graduation from Thornton Academy . Split between two evenings , spectators were able to view a compilation of traditional Commencement speeches , the prerecorded conferring of diplomas , and the traditional senior slideshow . The video was streamed live on the school ’ s Facebook page and is also available online .
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