2
Dear Alumni , Parents , and Friends of Thornton Academy ,
As the conclusion of another school year draws near , Thornton Academy is preparing for the numerous recognition ceremonies that celebrate student achievement every spring . These gatherings highlight the best of what our students have accomplished in our classrooms , on the athletic fields , and on the stage .
Students whose grades are consistently excellent , who earn the leading roles and make the big plays have undoubtedly worked hard . They are leaders of the student body ; we are proud of them , and they deserve the acclaim . But there are many students whose profound personal achievements often occur with little fanfare . We are proud of them as well .
At Thornton Academy , we advocate for a broader understanding of “ achievement .” Exemplary grades and commendable performances are easy to notice and exciting to celebrate , but many TA students persist despite failures and setbacks . We have students who set and reach remarkable goals even while navigating challenging home situations , and those who make progress in the face many other difficult odds . They also are achievers , and we honor their efforts .
Small but steady opportunities for achievement occur every day . Harvard researchers Amabile & Kramer have studied the phenomenon of success in making small steps forward , and named it the “ progress principle ”: … the single most important ( thing ) is making progress in meaningful work . And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress , the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run ” ( 2011 ).
Making progress in meaningful work is the essence of achievement ; it is our goal for every TA student . The meaning of achievement varies , intrinsically linked to students ’ individual talents , circumstances , and aspirations . Hard work , perseverance , sacrifice , and determination are key , together with the awareness that the result of hard won achievements is not always eye-catching , like earning an “ A ,” being a starter , or winning a solo part . No matter ; genuine achievement in meaningful work is always worthwhile , no matter how gradual .
At TA we foster a learning environment that supports the many forms of student achievement . We hope the drive we cultivate in our students ultimately lasts a lifetime . Soccer legend Pelé reminds us , “ Success is no accident . It is hard work , perseverance , learning , studying , sacrifice and most of all , love of what you are doing or learning to do .” The alumni profiled in this issue of
Headmaster Rene M . Menard ’ 88 proudly shared the Apple Distinguished School recognition with Bonita L . Pothier , Regional Representative of Senator Angus King . Story on p . 4 .
Postscripts have all done just that . They have worked hard and persevered ; all truly love the meaningful work they do .
As you read through this latest issue of Postscripts , I know you will be as inspired as we are by where a TA education can take you . A couple of stories are very close to home . The work of Director of Technology Ben Nasse ’ 93 resulted in TA ’ s recognition as an Apple Distinguished School ; and under the leadership of Director of Campus Safety Jim Trask ’ 80 , TA has been recognized with a Facility of Merit Award . You will also find stories on David Baker ’ 76 , Jim Godbout ’ 80 , and others . We know there are many more stories of achievement and success out there . I hope you will get in touch and tell us yours .
Rene M . Menard ’ 88 , Headmaster
Dear Alumni, Parents,
and Friends of Thornton
Academy, In This Issue
As the conclusion of another school
year draws near, Thornton Academy
is preparing for the numerous
recognition ceremonies that celebrate
student achievement every spring.
These gatherings highlight the best of
what our students have accomplished
in our classrooms, on the athletic
fields, and on the stage. 2
Students whose grades are consistently
excellent, who earn the leading
roles and make the big plays have
undoubtedly worked hard. They are
leaders of the student body; we are
proud of them, and they deserve
the acclaim. But there are many
students whose profound personal
achievements often occur with little
fanfare. We are proud of them as well.
At Thornton Academy, we advocate
for a broader understanding of
“achievement.” Exemplary grades
and commendable performances
are easy to notice and exciting to
celebrate, but many TA students
persist despite failures and setbacks.
We have students who set and reach
remarkable goals even while navigating
challenging home situations, and those
who make progress in the face many
other difficult odds. They also are
achievers, and we honor their efforts.
Small but steady opportunities for
achievement occur every day. Harvard
researchers Amabile & Kramer have
studied the phenomenon of success
in making small steps forward, and
named it the “progress principle”: …
the single most important (thing)
is making progress in meaningful
work. And the more frequently people
experience that sense of progress, the
more likely they are to be creatively
productive in the long run” (2011).
2
From the Headmaster
4
Achievement
Headmaster Rene
M. Menard ’ 88
proudly shared the
Apple Distinguished
School recognition
with Bonita L.
Pothier, Regional
Representative of
Senator Angus King.
Story on p. 4.
At TA we foster a learning
environment that supports the many
forms of student achievement. We
hope the drive we cultivate in our
students ultimately lasts a lifetime.
Soccer legend Pelé reminds us,
“Success is no accident. It is hard work,
perseverance, learning, studying,
sacrifice and most of all, love of what
you are doing or learning to do.”
The alumni profiled in this issue of
Postscripts have all done just that. They
have worked hard and persevered; all
truly love the meaningful work they
do.
As you read through this latest issue
of Postscripts, I know you will be as
inspired as we are by where a TA
education can take you. A couple of
stories are very close to home. The
work of Director of Technology Ben
Nasse ’93 resulted in TA’s recognition
as an Apple Distinguished School;
and under the leadership of Director
of Campus Safety Jim Trask ’80, TA
has been recognized with a Facility of
Merit Award. You will also find stories
on David Baker ’76, Jim Godbout ’80,
and others. We know there are many
more stories of achievement and
success out there. I hope you will get in
touch and tell us yours.
Rene M. Menard ’88, Headmaster
28
Kindness Matters campaign, Julia
Clukey Courage Award
30 TA Treasure
32 Alumni In The News
15 NEASC Update
TA adopts pillars and clarifies its
mission
14
Finance
10th annual Thornton Fund
Auction, Good Shepherd
Parish donation
TAMS
Ben Nasse ’93, David Baker ’76,
Jim Godbout ’80, Christine (Babcock)
Blake ’91, Daisy Blake ’17, Jim Trask ’80
16
Making progress in meaningful
work is the essence of achievement;
it is our goal for every TA student.
The meaning of achievement varies,
intrinsically linked to students’
individual talents, circumstances, and
aspirations. Hard work, perseverance,
sacrifice, and determination are key,
together with the awareness that the
result of hard won achievements is not
always eye-catching, like earning an
“A,” being a starter, or winning a solo
part. No matter; genuine achievement
in meaningful work is always
worthwhile, no matter how gradual.
COVER PHOTO
Mary’s Walk dedicated to longtime
volunteer Ken Janson ’72
Brooks Landry ’00, Jennifer
(Conley) Burnett ’98
33 1811 Society
Steve Cote ’64
Arts 34 Gatherings/Reunions
Carmen (Cassette) Johnson ’72,
Elizabeth Roy ’18 20 Athletics 36 Class Notes
22
Michael Laverriere ’17, Nick
Bartholomew ’17, Libby Pomerleau
’16, Gary Stevens
School Sweethearts
David Verrill ’46, Anna (Kosta)
Verrill ’46
24 International
26 Technology
Mitchell Dehtere ’14, Syed Banoori ’13
38 Class Agent Spotlight,
Faculty Notes
39 In Memoriam
Jeff Christenbury ’03, Josh Pulsifer
’06
Postscripts is published twice a year for the Thornton Academy community by the
Communications Office. Please contact [email protected] with
corrections or story ideas. This issue was designed by Emma Deans. Read the online
version at: www.postscriptsalumnimagazine.com.
Benjamin Nasse ’93 serves as Director of
Technology at Thornton Academy and
is a Dorm Parent in Stasio Hall. Under
Ben’s leadership, Thornton has been
recognized as an Apple Distinguished
School. Read the story on p.4. Cover
photo by Ben Nasse.
CONTRIBUTORS
Postscripts Editor and Designer
Emma Deans loves hearing
stories about TA alumni. On the
weekends she enjoys reading,
walking in the woods, and playing
with her golden retriever Annie.
After 11 years in the classroom
as a teacher of French, Spanish,
Geometry, and Geography, Katy
Nicketakis will step into a new role
as Associate Director of Marketing
and Summer Programming this
spring. She is particularly excited
to share the stories of Thornton
Academy with the world and help
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