Support Thornton Academy

Dear Friends, 

While the end of my senior year has not ended the way I had ever envisioned due to the Coronavirus, this experience has opened my eyes to all the ways that make Thornton Academy special—its traditions, opportunities, and above all, the people the make up this resilient, maroon-and-gold community. I know Thornton’s ability to quickly adapt to the uncharted waters of remote learning during these challenging times have all been made possible because the investments you have made to Thornton Academy and my future every day.

Through your gifts, Thornton Academy has truly fueled my curiosity, confidence, and creativity in and out of the classroom every day. The vast opportunities Thornton offers its students, and the supportive faculty, allowed me to stretch well-beyond my comfort zone, and inspired me to become the best version of myself as a student, an athlete, and a leader in the world today. That guidance never stopped when we transitioned to remote learning in March. My teachers were challenged to change course on a dime, yet they never stopped giving it their all for me and my classmates.  The support they offered extended well-beyond their curriculum, making sure each student had emotional support, as well as access to food and technology from home.

Your gifts to the Thornton Fund have provided classroom updates, expansive programming and clubs, athletics and arts opportunities, and the free breakfast and lunch program for food insecure students. They also allowed for the technology, and the adaptive and trained faculty and staff that were needed to complete my senior year safely from home.

In September, I will be attending the University of New Hampshire to study health management and run track as a UNH Wildcat. While I am excited for what lies ahead in my future, it’s certainly bittersweet to leave a significant chapter in my life behind. All in all, you, and the entire Thornton community of donors, alumni, faculty, and staff have given me a powerful, one-of-a-kind high school experience that I will never forget. Thank you.

Sincerely,

GIVE NOW
 

Dear TAMS Supporters,

Soon I will be entering the Upper School and my days at TAMS will be behind me. For three years, I have walked the halls at TAMS and felt at 

home. In September, after this extended time away from school, I will rejoin my small group of classmates as freshman in the Upper School at Thornton Academy to begin our journey together as high schoolers. While many other kids will be joining us as the “TA Class of 2024,” my fellow “TAMS’sters” and I will always share a special bond. I feel like I have gained a support system for life.

Some people may say that being in a bigger school is better, but TAMS has shown me that that is not always the case. TAMS is small enough to make every student feel special (every teacher says “good morning,” “hello,” and “how are you?”) but strong enough to give each student so many awesome opportunities. There are so many clubs to get involved with and the teachers encourage you to try new things. With their support, and the opportunities that are provided through the TAMS Annual Fund, I was able to grow at TAMS as a student, a musician, and an athlete.

My favorite activity has been participating in the musical, which I have done for all three years with Mr. Stebbins. Mr. Stebbins is amazing. He is the music teacher, the band teacher (I play the violin), and the performing arts teacher.

He takes the time to help every student be their best and makes class a lot of fun. Having a strong and supportive teacher like Mr. Stebbins and Mrs. Cram (the musical’s Co-Director) is not unique at TAMS—so many teachers have supported me along the way, including the Principal, Mrs. Robert. I always felt I could talk to all my teachers at any time. They all celebrated my successes and helped me when I struggled.

As I prepare to leave TAMS behind, I know I can come back any time and be remembered and welcomed. In a different school, I am not sure I would have had the same one-on-one support from teachers, chances to learn through lots of clubs and activities, and deep friendships with my classmates. Even during these challenging times using remote learning, I have felt incredibly supported. Gifts to the TAMS Annual Fund help make all these things possible—and so much more—like small class sizes, access to technology, and help for kids in need. Together, your support at home, and gifts made to the Annual Fund, have given us the best opportunity to succeed and helped create a place where I feel safe to be myself.  On behalf of all my fellow TAMS’sters—we thank you. 

Sincerely,

Hannah Kurkul '24