Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 8

Summer camp participant Adam Jirovec discovers the secret life of lobsters on the Lucky Catch Lobster Boat. Summer camper Ines from Spain loves the lobster life in Maine! INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM UPDATE Megan Montoya ’21, Genevieve Danler ’19, Olivia Montoya ’20, and summer campers Emma Lin and Shirley Wang enjoying game night. INTERNATIONAL 8 Thornton Academy’s international exchange programs began in 1962, setting the foundation for the international community that Thornton Academy has become today. The first exchange programs included students from Chile, Sweden, Germany, and several African countries. In 2007, Nelson Hall, TA’s first residence hall, opened its doors and served as the starting block to a residential program that now includes two additional oncampus dormitories, two off-campus housing units, and a robust host family program. Today, TA is home to more than 200 international students from 31 countries during the academic year. In addition to TA’s traditional school year programs, increased interest in short-term cultural and language experiences led to the development of international summer programs in 2013. That first year, 20 students participated in an English Language Learning (ELL) Program structured to prepare them to excel in Thornton Academy’s diverse and challenging academic program. For the past six years, these students have also been joined by groups of students from Thornton Academy’s international partner schools who come for periods of one to four weeks to study English and learn from TA teachers in STEM and arts. Over this time, TA has welcomed more than 500 students from 17 different countries to learn, grow, and develop independence during a summer program. Science teacher Corey Jones has been involved with the programs for four years. He has noticed the benefits of these summer experiences for our students. “To witness bonds form between these students through their shared experiences of the program was truly something special,” he said. In addition to morning classes, students participate in fun and educational afternoon and evening activities and are joined by local TA students. Some favorite activities include going out on a lobster boat, watching the sun set over the ocean, playing mini-golf and eating ice cream, and white water rafting down the Kennebec River. Thornton Academy alumnus Daniel Picard ’15 has been involved with the international summer programs since their inception in 2013. “The summer programs make up some of the best moments of my year! Having the opportunity to meet new students from all around the world and share the experiences that Maine and TA Story by Katy Nicketakis · Photos Courtesy of TA International Summer Programs Staff can offer them is lots of fun. You know it’s been a great summer when in just a few short weeks everyone at summer camp feels like a big family and shares bittersweet goodbyes,” he said. Thornton Academy’s short-term international programs are growing and expanding into the academic year as well. Complementing the existing exchange programs with schools in France and Germany, Thornton Academy now welcomes groups of students at both the middle and upper schools throughout the year. These visiting students often shadow a current TA student, observe club and athletic events, and get to know the Southern Maine area by participating in on- and off-campus activities. Our alumni know the benefits of a Thornton Academy education, and we are proud to be able to offer a small taste of this experience to students from all across the globe—promoting world peace, new friendships, and the power of education. WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Learn more about Summer at TA at thorntonacademy.org/summer. Questions? Contact Katy Nicketakis at [email protected].