I taught English at Thornton Academy for more than 30 years, from 1975 to 2007. Back then, if I had five students from other countries, that would have been considered a lot. 

I remember one student who spoke and understood no English at all (he was from Spain, if I remember correctly). He never understood a word I said but I gave him a B+. Why? I was asked. I said, well, if he did understand me he’d get at least a B. Some years later, he graduated from a top college after being on the dean’s list for four years. 

I was so pleased to read about many different nationalities of the girls on the Thornton Academy tennis team (“For Thornton Academy girls tennis, embracing diversity is a way of life,” April 29). Great reporting with terrific photography. Thank you.

Chris Queally
Scarborough