SACO — Thornton Academy Headmaster Rene Menard told high school students the importance of respect Thursday morning, as students assembled at Linnell Gymnasium for the first day of school.

Respect, said Menard, was one of the school’s pillars.

He briefly referenced the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Menard told students they may not be able to impact what happens on a national level, but each of them could make a difference on campus.
“Do the right thing and treat everyone in our school with respect and the dignity that they deserve,” said Menard.

He told students the school’s mission was to prepare them for a changing world.

“The preparation for a changing world begins here and now,” he said. “The positive, tolerant welcoming school cultures don’t happen by accident. They are the result of committed teachers, coaches, counselors with strong values and high expectations and students who aspire to become better people.”

Menard spoke of high school as “formative years” a time when character is born and a person decides what type of person they want to be and how they want others to see them.

He told students to make decisions that strengthen and build character and that support and build up others, not tear them down.

After the assembly a few students shared their thoughts on the upcoming school year.

“I’m really excited,” said sophomore Juliana Cardullo. She said she really liked the classes she had chosen. 

Classmates Megan Bainbridge and Preetica Sharma said they were excited as well for the new school year, but also admitted to being a little nervous for the unknown challenges it could bring.

Fellow sophomore Dominic Dadiego said his goal for the upcoming year was to “stay on top of homework.”

Cardullo said she was working as a lifeguard this year, and would have to balance school with work, but she seemed confident she could tackle the new schedule.

“It should be manageable,” she said.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].