Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Winter 2008

Thornton Academy POSTSCRIPTS What’s Inside TA’s First Auction is Friday, May 2 Parents, friends, alumni and businesses get involved Photo by Jennifer Hass Students Start to Take Classes Online Using iPods and laptops, students are getting into webbased learning. See story on page 7. Giving Back to TA Beverly Lacy ‘53 has given generously to her alma mater over the years by volunteering, providing gifts to the Thornton Fund and donating school mementos. See story on page 3. Middle School Receives Yearbook Award Thornton Academy’s Middle School won a national award from LifeTouch Publishing for its 2007 yearbook. See story on page 4. Photo by Jennifer Hass This English Course is Just for Boys Faculty and staff hope to learn more about boosting male writing and reading test scores. See story on page 7. TA Quote “Recognizing the athletic achievements of athletes, coaches and others is a great addition to the Thornton Academy tradition.” —Kirk Purvis ‘93, Alumni Association Board member and chair of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. See story on page 11. Thornton Academy is excited about our 1st Annual Thornton Fund Auction on Friday, May 2, at the North Dam Mill in Biddeford. An evening of fun and philanthropy will be highlighted by a live auction, a silent auction and a raffle, which includes a top prize of $10,000. The event theme is “Threads of Success.” Admission for the evening is $30 per person. Those in attendance can enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres and refreshments from a cash bar. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with the silent auction, followed by the live auction. The raffle winners will be announced beginning around 9 p.m. Each raffle ticket costs $100. For nearly 200 years, TA has enjoyed the support of parents, friends, alumni, businesses and other organizations. Philanthropy and a strong tradition of volunteerism are a large part of what makes our independent school unique. Annual giving to the Thornton Fund provides critical support to our educational programs, technology on campus and student enrichment activities. It also allows TA to maintain its historic buildings, grounds and facilities. Saco & Biddeford Savings has encouraged others to get involved by donating $10,000 to the event. Businesses may join the local bank as a Gold Sponsor or consider getting involved at the Silk or Cotton sponsorship levels. It will be an exciting evening with many quality items, products and services up for bid at a variety of price points. Get involved by making an auction purchase, by donating to the Thornton Fund in lieu of your attendance, or by donating an item TA can include in the auction. No matter how you choose to show your support, it will send a message to others in the community that supporting education is of the utmost importance. Those interested in supporting the auction may contact Bill Kany ‘77 at 207-282-1527 or wkany@ sesg.com or Caron Smith Pelletier ’98 at 207-2823661 x245 or [email protected]. Saco & Biddeford Savings Pledges $25,000 to 2007-08 Thornton Fund Annual Giving, Upcoming Annual Auction Get a Boost from Gift Thornton Academy has received a generous pledge of $25,000 from Saco & Biddeford Savings that encourages local businesses to support the Thornton Fund as well as TA’s upcoming 1st Annual Auction. “Saco & Biddeford Savings has been a friend and supporter of Thornton Academy for many, many years,” said Kevin Savage ‘70, President and CEO of the Saco-based bank and Associate Trustee of TA. “We are proud to once again support this fine institution with our challenge grant to help TA reach its 2008 campaign goal, and hope to encourage other local businesses to support this year’s campaign as well.” A large portion of Saco & Biddeford Savings’ gift—$15,000—will match new pledges from businesses as well as increases over pledges made by businesses in 2006-07. This should invigorate the independent school’s 2007-08 Thornton Fund campaign, for which the Development Office hopes to raise $300,000. These gifts support academics, athletics and the arts as well as a wide variety of other campus and classroom needs. In past years, Saco & Biddeford Savings challenged parents as well as alumni celebrating a significant reunion to support TA financially. Another $10,000 from Saco & Biddeford Savings (see story above) will help make Thornton Academy’s 1st Annual Auction a success. The event will take plalce at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2 at the North Dam Mill Complex in Biddeford. Saco & Biddeford Savings wants its involvement as a sponsor to encourage other businesses to get involved. “We’re thrilled about the matching gift and the many years of support that Saco & Biddeford Savings has shown to us,” said Bill Kany ’77, a member of Thornton’s Board of Trustees and organizer of the upcoming auction. “Philanthropy is a key to what makes our school a great one, and support from the greater Saco community allows us to provide students with a host of opportunities in academics, arts, athletics and so much more.” Those interested in learning more about the Thornton Fund may contact Caron Smith Pelletier ’98 at 207-282-3661 x245 or [email protected]. Thanking Students for Their Volunteer Efforts During a school meeting last December, Trustee and Development Committee Chair Stephen Garland ’64 thanked students for all they do—in and out of the classroom—to make our school stand out in the arts, academics, athletics and so much more. He expressed special appreciation to the more than 100 students who have taken part in fundraising efforts in the 2007-08 school year by participating in phonathons, writing notes to alumni and friends, and assisting the Development Office with special projects.