What do Poetry, Sustainability, and Aerial Dance have in Common?

They are all topics for this fall's independent presentations.
Thacher has a diverse set of offerings each term for afternoon activities, including sports, riding, yoga, and community service. Even beyond those normal boarding school afternoon activities, students with an interest not regularly offered at Thacher can apply for an independent afternoon project. The Independent Program allows students to explore a special interest even further or take an existing talent to the next level. Due to the independent nature of such projects and the responsibility and self-discipline required to complete the project, these are only rarely granted to sophomores and are most often granted to juniors and seniors. 

At season's end, students are expected to share their projects with the School. The fall term brought presentations by three students on three very distinct independent topics.

Casey Gaughan '16 presented her work toward developing a sustainability action plan for Thacher. Casey worked closely with Juan Sanchez, director of sustainability, to draft a mission statement, research Thacher's current sustainablity efforts, and begin to develop an action plan to implement more concerted efforts. Casey admitted that despite all her hard work she barely scratched the surface due to the broad scope of her topic. But the work will continue, aided by her input, and we all look forward to her continued interest and efforts to green the School.

Hayton Oei '16 spent the trimester researching and reading Romantic poetry. He narrowed his focus on the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. In addition to presenting a brief biography in which Hayton gave the audience context and insight into the poet, he also shared his analysis of two of Shelley's more famous poems: Queen Mab and Prometheus Unbound.

Colly Smith '16 choreographed and performed two aerial dance pieces. Though she brought prior experience to the topic, Colly was able to delve even deeper into the art. She performed one piece with aerial silks and another with a lyra, or aerial hoop.
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Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.