Construction 10/23
Thetford Academy
Winter Alumni Snapshots
February 2010
Alumni Snapshots
Construction Update
'86 Alumna Bio
1989 Reunion
Founders' Day
Final Basketball Games
TA Trivia
Notes from Wendy
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Alumni Snapshots
Flags
TA alumni have spread far and wide, and this issue we focus on a graduate who lives and works half way around the world.

You can view some excellent photos of the construction project that is well under way. The class of 1989's twentieth year reunion photo is here, along with a fun shot of four '89-ers Thinking Safety! Read about the Founders' Day  fairy tale, and two alumni returning to a standing ovation. As always, you can 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 Alumni Director, at [email protected].
Construction Update
The foundation for the new gymnasium is being laid. You can see Anderson Hall to the left and the Daniels Science Building under renovation to the right.
Construction 10/23

An aerial photograph of the construction project shows the outline of the new gymnasium and an addition to the Daniels Science Building.

Construction Aerial

Plans for the buildings and renovations, along with more aerial photos of the whole campus, may be found on the new Thetford Academy website!
Alumna Bio
BOOM construction Erika Hoffman-Kiess
Class of 1986

Erika Hoffman graduated from Thetford Academy in 1986 and headed off to Goucher College in Maryland to further her education.  She graduated from Goucher in 1990 and married Mike Kiess later that year.  After Erika and Mike spent four years living in Portugal, they moved back to the United States so Erika could attend the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, and earn a Master of Public Administration degree.
 
In 2002 she joined the USAID-funded, IRIS Center at the University of Maryland-administered JOBS Project, an innovative private sector development project in Bangladesh. When USAID funding ceased in 2005, she was the Founding Director, and later Country Representative, of the JOBS Trust in Dhaka, Bangladesh. JOBS Trust is an independent, locally registered organization working to increase employment and income-generating opportunities for vulnerable populations through support for private sector growth. Currently Erika is phasing out of hand-on control and turning operations over to local management.
 
In 2005 she also became the Founding Director of JOBS-ICT Private limited based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This for-profit company is a human resources training and placement firm for the information and communications technology sector in South Asia.
 
In 2007, she became the Founding Director and Representative-at-large for JOBS International based in Washington, DC. This organization is a consultancy firm dedicated to expanding the scope of impact for JOBS partner organizations in Bangladesh, providing technical guidance and management support for projects and partnerships in other countries.  Currently she is working in Pakistan addressing workforce development challenges through technology, and in Pakistan and Uganda supporting farmer groups to add value to crops through processing and product development.
 
She and Mike presently live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Of her current home, she says, "Cambodia is where I go to recover from my work in other places. It is a great country; the people are wonderful and it is very easy to live here as a foreigner, though I do have to say that the tropical weather is a bit hard to take for my Vermont body and mind!"
 
You can visit the websites for her two projects at www.jobs-group.org and www.jobs-ict.com.
Class of 1989 Reunion Celebration
Class of 1989

"The class of 1989 celebrated their 20th High School Reunion this summer. It was our first attempt at a reunion and it was a huge success, just about all our classmates showed up for the festivities.  Some took a tour of the TA campus and were happy to see all the old buildings before the renovations. We even put on safety goggles in the shop classroom to honor Fred Teft.  We had an adult cocktail night at the Salt Hill Pub, which oddly enough happened to have an 80's theme, lucky us!  This was followed up with a fun family picnic day at Treasure Island. We had a wonderful time reminiscing and enjoyed getting to know each other again, as adults!"

-Sheri Lewis '89

Think Safety

Left to Right: Sheri Davidson Lewis, Pam Dexter, Donna Vance Davis, and Lauren Matyka Shangraw, all Class of 1989.

If you would like help planning your reunion, contact Alumni Director, Wendy Cole at [email protected].

You may also check out our new alumni page on the Thetford Academy website for news, events and updating your contact information.
Founder's Day Fun and Frolic
Hazel and Helen
Thetford Academy celebrated its 191st birthday at its 66th annual Founders' Day celebration on Friday, February 5. The day, which centered on the theme of "Classic Fairy Tales", was filled with skits, songs, snow sculptures, murals, games, dances, cakes and competitions presented by the students and
their respective classes.  The traditional Candle-Lighting Ceremony opened the day, and the festivities concluded with an all-school banquet in Anderson Hall.

Classmates and friends Hazel Linton Lewis of Stafford and Helen Grant Sawyer of Quechee, TA Class of 1941,were among the feted guests at the banquet.  Hazel and Helen were roommates in their student days at TA, went on to be college roommates as they furthered their post high school education, and they continue to be loyal and dedicated supporters of their alma mater to this day.

Students and faculty alike honored them with a standing ovation as they were introduced at the start of the banquet.  After the meal, both enjoyed meeting some of the students and listening to the fine music of the TA Stage Band.  Hazel ended her visit by dancing with Head of School Martha Rich. Both Hazel and Helen look forward to celebrating TA's 192nd birthday next year.

Thetford Academy's class of 2010 celebrated enthusiastically as they were announced the winners for the first time in their six years at TA!

2010 Founders' Day Winners
The Last Basketball Games
Anderson Hall Join us for the last basketball game to be played in historic Anderson Hall, Friday, February 19th at 7pm. The Thetford Academy boys will play Lamoille Union High School. PreGame ceremony at 7pm. Half-time program and celebration at 7:45.

We will be commemorating alumni with thousand point scores, championship teams, and varsity coaches. We will also be honoring Peg Joiner-Claflin for the first basket scored in Anderson Hall.

Would you like to play one last time in Anderson Hall?

Join us for the annual Co-ed Varsity vs Alumni Basketball Game!

Friday March 12
6:00pm
Anderson Hall

Fun, Food, and Fabulous Family Entertainment
Players wanted; get those sneakers out of the closet!
Benefit:  TA Project Graduation
TA Trivia

October's Answer: Anderson Hall was built in 1954. Good work to all those who answered correctly!

What famous explorer visited Thetford Academy in 1930?
Charles Lindbergh
Orville Wright
Admiral Richard Byrd

Send us your answer with your mailing address. We will pick a winner to receive a special prize from the Alumni Relations office!
Notes from Wendy
BOOM construction The Alumni Office would like to connect TA graduates who have furthered their educations and are willing to share information about their respective post-TA days with current Academy juniors and seniors interested in the same colleges and universities.  This past year we were able to connect a senior interested in Bryant University with a TA/Bryant alumna, and some very helpful information was exchanged.

If you'd like to be on our list of contacts, please respond to Wendy Cole, either by phone at 802-785-2600 or by email at [email protected].  Include the college or university you attended, what years, and the best way to contact you.