Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 28

STORY & PHOTOS BY KATY NICKETAKIS
Kindness Matters
Thornton Academy Middle School is committed to compassion
It’s palpable the minute you walk
in the door at Thornton Academy
Middle School: people are kind here.
Students hold the door open for one
another, treat a blind classmate no
differently than anyone else, address
each other using compliments rather
than insults, and smile and laugh all
day long. Shepherded by Principal
Tiffany Robert ’00 and a devoted staff,
TAMS led the way as the first branch
of the school to adopt and embrace the
Thornton Academy Pil lars: Respect,
Responsibility, Compassion, and
Investment. While all four Pillars
figure prominently in the school
community, no one could enter
TAMS and not notice the compassion
exhibited by both students and staff at
the school.
Recently, the Honors Club initiated a
Random Acts of Kindness week where
students were encouraged to help those
around them. When asked about their
experiences during this week, students
jumped at the chance to explain how
Cameron Beaudoin (left) ’ 22 and Nicole
Lacaillad ’ 21 created masterpieces on Anti-
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SAD day.
Laina Mekonis ’23 drops off her completed
Random Acts of Kindness sheet.
Studios, leadership and martial arts
from Kuma Fitness, outdoor adventure
on the Eastern Trail, cooking and
baking at school, and many other
activities. There was truly something
for everyone. Hamilton said about
the event: “Before the 17 th , I would
walk through the halls and hear
8 th graders talking up the day to 6 th
graders, and it made me anticipate the
day’s arrival that much more knowing
how enthusiastic they were about it.
With our school being a small, close-
knit community, the positivity was
contagious! With the only feedback
I received being that the students
wanted to spend more time at each
activity, I would consider the day a
great success!”
Arundel Student Julien Holmes Receives Courage
Award from Olympian Julia Clukey
they took the trash out for elderly
neighbors, sat with new students at
lunch, and helped their parents with
household tasks. While these may
seem like small steps, purposely and
consistently engaging students at this
age in kindness creates a community of
compassionate individuals who will go
on and spread goodwill after they leave
Thornton Academy.
Annually, the day before February
vacation, TAMS fights winter blues by
hosting an Anti-S.A.D. Day. On this
day, students are able to participate in
various activities to fight the “winter
blues” and combat Seasonal Affective
Disorder (S.A.D.). Organized by
Curriculum Extension Director Jessica
Hamilton ’05, students this year were
able to choose from skating at the Rink
at Thompson’s Point, competitions
at XL Sports, arts at Color Me Mine
Luge Olympian and Maine resident
Julia Clukey shared her “Live Inspired”
presentation with TAMS in March
2017. As part of the assembly, Clukey
presented the Julia Clukey Courage
Award to Julien Holmes ’21 because he
is a role model for other students and
stands up for his beliefs.
“Julien is one of the most caring,
thoughtful students I have worked
with at TAMS. Not only does he
demonstrate a strong sense of what
is right and wrong, he holds true to
who he is and what he believes in even
when outside influences encourage
other options. He is always putting
a smile on the faces of his peers and
teachers! He exudes positive energy
and works hard to make others feel
good about themselves. He has the
courage to be who he is and strives
every day to do the right thing. I could
not be more proud of this young man
and I commend him for having the
courage to be true to himself every
day,” said Thornton Academy Middle
School Principal Tiffany Robert ’00.
From left to right: Principal Tiffany
Robert; Noel and Judi Holmes, parents
of Julien Holmes; Julien Holmes ’21;
Julia Clukey, 2010 Olympian; Maine
legislators Justin M. Chenette ’09
(D-York), Senate District 31; Margaret
M. O’Neil (D-Saco), House District
15; and Donna Bailey (D-Saco), House
District 14.
PHOTO BY NANCY MARSHALL COMMUNICATIONS
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