Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Summer 2009 | Page 5

alumni news
the added perspectives of international students in the classroom.
To help our visitors feel welcome,
Thompson says that faculty, staff and
students will need to make an effort
to meet and befriend the new people
on campus.
“For them a simple ‘Hello’ in the
hallway can make the difference between a good day and a hard day
thousand of miles from home,” he explains. “Conversely, making friends
from other countries can change
the life of a young person. I remember getting to know Gonzalo, a Venezuelan exchange student in my high
school. Suddenly I had a practical application for my new Spanish skills
and I quickly gained confidence as a
second-language speaker. This experience helped direct me to the life I
live today.”
Corrigan is hard at work organizing events and activities that will
help the students feel acclimated to
life in the U.S. The week students arrive on campus, there will be trips to
Funtown/Splashtown and to Boston,
a movie night in Hyde Library, and
dinner at an Old Port restaurant. The
incoming boarding students will also
participate in freshman orientation,
which will help them become familiar
with TA’s campus, and visit the Maine
Mall to buy what they need for their
dorm rooms.
“Our goal is to introduce kids to
the staff who will be part of the residential program. We want to really
bond with them that first week. There
will also be a lot of outreach projects
with teachers and after-school clubs
once the school year begins,” she
says.
Corrigan is also organizing student ambassador and host family programs, which will also help
boarding students feel at home away
from home. Kimberly Dao ’10, whose
parents emigrated from Vietnam, is
among those ready to enthusiastically greet the newcomers.
“I hope that they get to experience
everything good about the American
lifestyle,” she says. “They may lead
sheltered lives compared to kids who
grew up here in Maine. We want to get
them out of the dorm and have fun!”

The James E. Nelson Residence Hall, October 2008-Present
Construction began on Thornton Academy’s dorm in October 2008. It
features space for 38 students, four faculty apartments and two common
rooms for living and learning.

Postscripts

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