Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 7

deal to me,” LeBlanc said. “I feel as though I am here,
in part, because of the fundraising and research in the
cancer field prior to my diagnosis. I feel an obligation
to somehow stand on the shoulders of those who came
before me and play my small part in continuing the
work.”
On the day of the event, LeBlanc is certainly not alone.
Nearly 200 Thornton Academy students assemble in
Linnell Gymnasium and provide support for runners,
walkers, and the staff working during the event.
“Since day one there has always been a waiting list of
kids looking to volunteer and help,” said Teri Hogan
Arenstam '77, a Thornton Academy science teacher
and the volunteer coordinator for the event.
It is not unusual to see the students completely fill a
section of the bleachers in the school’s gymnasium as
they get ready to take to the streets and help monitor
the route.
The list of volunteers is long and many of the those
who help with the event have done so for a number of
years. This year, as in years past, this will include Rene
Menard '88, Headmaster of Thornton Academy.
“We often speak to students about the importance of
giving back to their community and we are pleased
to have hundreds of student volunteers helping with
the event each year. Our faculty and staff have been
tremendous supporters of the event as well. They are
the ones who rally the student volunteers. They are the
ones who model the importance of volunteerism and
inspire our students to get involved,” he said.
On the day of the event, the streets surrounding the
school are filled with runners, walkers, and people
pushing strollers with young children. The city’s police
and public works departments come out in force to
lend a hand and the one common denominator for
these thousands of people seems to be the smile that
appears on their face when they connect with so many
of their friends and neighbors.
“Seeing the thousands of participants and volunteers
who gather on our campus each spring is powerful,”
said Menard. “It gives hope to all of us who have been
impacted by cancer and we are grateful to be a small
part of this remarkable event.”
Thornton Academy students volunteering at the 19th annual Mary's Walk
with Interact Advisor Teri Hogan Arenstam '77
Story by David Arenstam · Photos Courtesy of David Arenstam
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