Thetford Academy
Thetford Academy
Summer Alumni Snapshots
October 2009
Alumni Snapshots
Groundbreaking
'89 and '93 Alumni Bio
'97 Alumna Bio
2009 Reunions
Director of Alumni Relations
TA Trivia
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Alumni Snapshots

Thetford Academy has produced many wonderful alumni, and we want to share their stories with you. This October, we are focusing on alumni that are giving back.

Adam and Julie Corcoran (classes of '93 and '89) and Kelly Ware Curtis ('97) are examples of alumni with truly special organizations. We encourage you to check out their websites, and consider helping them with their causes.

Information and a photo from the groundbreaking for the new buildings and renovations on campus are included in this edition. You can also see a photo from this year's reunions and test your campus knowledge with TA Trivia!

If you would like more information about Thetford Academy activities or to be featured in Snapshots, please contact Wendy Cole, the new Alumni Director, at [email protected].
Groundbreaking
On June 12th, Thetford Academy celebrated the graduation of its ninety-first class. The following Monday, beneath sunny skies, groundbreaking for the much anticipated building project commenced.

BOOM construction

Plans for the buildings and renovations may be found on the new Thetford Academy website.
Alumni Bio
Julie Adam and Michele Adam and Julie Corcoran
Classes of 1993 and 1989


Adam Corcoran graduated from Thetford Academy in 1993 and attended the College of St. Joseph. He has a daughter, Kaitlyn, who is 15, and is a sophomore at Rivendell Academy. He married Julie Tilden on September 15, 2001. Their son Cody is a 1st grader at Thetford Elementary School. Quinn, their daughter, turned 4 in August and is in  her second year of preschool at Caring Community Preschool in Post Mills, VT. They built a log home 6 years ago next door to Julie's parents in Post Mills, VT.

For the past five years, Julie has been working at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, as a secretary. Adam previously worked at Staples as sales and general manager, and he then worked at Thrifty Car Rental.

They most recently have started their own business which sponsors the Michael A. Corcoran Scholarship Fund. Adam started this organization in April 2009 in honor of his father. Michael passed away in 1994 from a cancer he contracted due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his tours of duty in the Vietnam War.

Adam began raising money for the scholarship by placing candy vending machines in businesses and organizations in the Upper Valley. The organization also raises money through individual donations, benefit dinners, raffles and coin drops. Since the organization started with candy machines, Adam and Julie have adopted the phrase "Candy For A Cause" as their motto.

"Candy For A Cause" funds a scholarship program that honors high achieving students which is demonstrated through their pride, work ethic, team work, academics, community service, and overall school spirit, and who are decedents of Vietnam Vets and their families. The second mission of "Candy For A Cause" is to donate to organizations that research cancers which impact the Veteran community. The organization will be donating money to fund research at the Veterans Hospitals and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

On June 11th of this year, Adam was presented with the 2009 Upper Valley Outstanding Service Award by the American Legion in White River Junction, Vermont. They chose Adam and the organization for the outstanding efforts "Candy for a Cause" is making in the Veteran Community in the Upper Valley.

Please visit their website: www.michaelacorcoranscholarshipfund.com. They also have a group on Facebook, and can be contacted at [email protected].
Alumna Bio
Curtis Family Kelly Ware Curtis
Class of 1997


After graduating from Thetford Academy in 1997 and Plymouth State University in 2001, Kelly (Ware) Curtis moved to Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston, Kelly worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and met her husband Ryan.  Ryan is a graduate from the University of Virginia where his lacrosse team won a NCAA National Championship in 1999.  After college he joined the Boston Cannons in Major League Lacrosse and has been on two world teams. Ryan, Kelly and their daughter Morgan moved to Burlington, Vermont in 2006 when Ryan was offered the head lacrosse coaching position at the University of Vermont.    

The year after Ryan began coaching, a member of the University of Vermont men's lacrosse team was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  Kelly called one of the doctors she used to work with and the player was quickly fit into her schedule. With a treatment plan from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and incredible strength and determination the player is now in full remission. He went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and was able to start for the team that spring. After seeing how this disease can effect folks and the people that care about them, the University of Vermont men's lacrosse team took it upon themselves to help educate other student athletes about this disease. 

Ryan and Kelly Curtis started the Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For A Cure in 2008. It was an opportunity to raise awareness for testicular cancer and provide New England college lacrosse teams a local option for great competition. The University of Vermont Men's Lacrosse Team rose money throughout the year to donate to the cause. The participating teams also made generous donations.  The Catamount Classic charged admission to the tournament with the combined efforts raised nearly $20,000. All of the proceeds of this tournament were donated to testicular cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.   

The second annual Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For a Cure held at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, on October 11 raised nearly $40,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 3,000 fans attended the 11-team tournament. 2009 teams included the University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts, Sienna College, Holy Cross, Providence College, Colgate University, Albany, Robert Morris University, Bentley College, Western New England College, and Adelphi University. Our vendors this year included the Boston Cannons, The Boston Blazers, Brine, Warrior Lacrosse, Adrenaline Lacrosse, Maverik, Powerade, GB Web Creations and many more! Some of our generous sponsors included Direct Invest, U Rent It, The UPS Store and Thayer Academy.

The Catamount Classic also provided the Vermont Cancer Center and The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber with signed event t-shirts and four Maverik lacrosse sticks as gifts for their pediatric patients.

The goal this year is to send testicular cancer screening information out to as many students as possible. Although the target is high school and college students, it is hoped to educate as many men as possible with these efforts. Testicular cancer has a much higher remission rate if it is caught early.

Please visit www.catamountclassic.com for more information or e-mail [email protected]. You can also visit their page on facebook. The Catamount Classic is always looking for volunteers; please let them know if you would like to help! If you would like to donate to the cause you can donate through Paypal on the Catamount Classic website or send a check to the address listed on the donation page.
2009 Reunion Celebration
The classes of 1959 and 1999 held their fiftieth- and tenth-year reunions this June in the yard at Goddard Hall on Academy Road. Here we have captured a photo of alumni from the two classes!

1999/1959

If you would like help planning your reunion, contact Alumni Director, Wendy Cole at [email protected]
New Director of Alumni Relations
BOOM construction Wendy Cole won't need any introduction to many of you as she steps into the role of Director of Alumni Relations.  She's been involved with TA for many decades as a volunteer, staff member and parent of alums:  Adam 1994; Nathaniel 1996; Jordan 1999; Maria 2008; and daughter-in-law Kristin 1999.

This July, she moved from a part time position as Community Relations Director to this full time position with Sarah Clarke in the Development Office.  With that move, she brings her rich knowledge of the Thetford Academy community and an unbridled enthusiasm for the task at hand. 

"I am excited to be making connections with so many of you...and I encourage you to renew your association with Thetford Academy," says Wendy.  "I really enjoy the opportunity to keep alumni abreast of all the news at TA." 

As she points out, these are vibrant times at TA, as we watch our new gymnasium and renovated science building become a reality, and we strengthen relations between alumni, townspeople and friends. 

Wendy encourages you to contact her by phone 802.785.2600, email [email protected] , snail mail PO Box 190 Thetford, VT 05074, or in person, and she is always looking for updated information on you and any other alumni with whom you are in contact.
TA Trivia
Anderson Hall
In what year was Anderson Hall Built?

1960
1954
1948

Send us your answer with your mailing address. We will pick a winner to receive a special prize from the Alumni Relations office!