Upward Bound: Thorne Middle School Graduates 280 to Hero's Theme

The 317 proud young eighth grade Middletown students of Thorne Middle School's Class of 2011 graduated today in a commencement ceremony in Brookdale Community College's Collins Arena, Lincroft. 

The theme of the commencement was that students lived up to the honorable legacy of Corporal Horace M. Thorne, the school's namesake. Thorne was a war hero who was raised on the grounds of a former farm where the middle school now sits. He posthumously won a Medal of Honor in World War II. Two of Thorne's sisters, Mrs. Anita Keyser and Mrs. Verna Jean Mauro, were guests of honor at the commencement.

"These eighth grade students have lived the PRIDE acronym that we use at Thorne — the acronym that is hung on signs all over the building," said principal Thomas Olausen, "P for Pride, R for Respect, I for Integrity, D for Determination, and E for Excellence. I  have seen tremendous growth in this group in these areas since September."

Olausen recounted a once in a lifetime event the class of 2011 participated in a month ago, with over 80 survivors of that battle present. He said one of the veterans approached him and said he never saw a group of students more well behaved and respectful than this group — a commendation that would have made .

"As a former graduate, I am very proud to graduate you today," Olausen said. "Thorne PRIDE will always be a part of you. You can take the student out of Thorne, but you can't take Thorne Middle School out of the student."

Keeping in step with the World War II theme, Board of Education president Joan Minnuies closed the ceremony with an inspirational bit from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"Franklin Roosevelt once said 'there are many ways of moving forward, but only one way of standing still'," Minnuies quoted. "Thorne eighth grade class of 2011 — it is time for you to move forward."

Patch wishes all the graduates good fortune in the years ahead. See the sights of the graduation in the photo gallery above, and a list of award winners below.

Academic Excellence Award (Highest GPA)

Daniel McCormack

Thorne Service Awards

Thomas Aleo, Lucia Bent, Steven Davis, Sophia D'Alessandro, Michael Marano, Cecelia Falikson, Daniel McCormack, Kaitlyn Hennessy, Thomas Mongeau, Haley Sheehan, Jesse Scala

Community Service Awards

Paige Brady, Sydney Cochrane, Aidan Cole, Tara Engelken, Sydney Feimer, Ryan Hussey, Mark Knoll, Anthony Nota

Department Awards

Mathematics: Ariela Immordino, science: Kaitlyn Hennessy, language arts: Brianna Wellauer, social studies: Daniel McCormack, physical education: Thomas Aleo, French: Christopher Peterson, Spanish: Ariela Immordino, art: Lauren Lewis, choral music: John Mimes, instrumental music: Sophia D'Alessandro, computers: Riley Earle

Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award

Lucia Bent, Daniel McCormack

Alpha Iota Improvement Award

Valerie Pedretti, Amanda Povlich

Corporal Thorne Award

Halie Palmer