Carol Reardon Thomson '79 Honored as Archmere Academy Alumna of the Year
On June 2nd, Dr. Michael Marinelli '76 presented Carol Reardon Thomson '79 with the 2013 Archmere Academy Alumna of the Year Award. Carol is only the second female graduate to receive this award. Carol was honored for her unwavering commitment, her sincere dedication, and her deep-rooted beliefs that have enriched the Archmere Academy experience and have advanced the mission to "cultivate empathetic leaders - young men and women 'prepared for every good work' (2 Timothy 2:21)."
On June 2nd, Dr. Michael Marinelli '76 presented Carol Reardon Thomson '79 with the Archmere Academy Alumna of the Year Award. Carol is only the second female graduate to receive this award. Carol was honored for her unwavering commitment, her sincere dedication, and her deep-rooted beliefs that have enriched the Archmere Academy experience and have advanced the mission to "cultivate empathetic leaders - young men and women 'prepared for every good work' (2 Timothy 2:21)."
A Delaware native, Carol attended Brandywine High School before transferring to Archmere during her sophomore year. As a member of the class of 1979, the first graduating class to have co-ed enrollment for all four years, she was among the group of women pioneers that helped transform Archmere from an all boys boarding and day school to a co-ed day school. She played varsity volleyball for the AUKS under Coach Walsh and was one of two girls to play on the all-boys’ Archmere tennis team for the 1977 and 1978 seasons. On the boys’ team, she played second doubles and was the only girl at the state tournament her junior year. She was a key player on the first Archmere girls’ tennis team, formed in 1978.
After graduating from Archmere, Carol attended St. Joseph's University to study accounting and later attended Hahnemann University and earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, and worked for a number of years as a physical therapist.
Over the years, Carol remained connected to Archmere through attending class reunions every five years and maintaining a close-knit group of friends from the class of 1979. But she missed being part of the community in the way she had been as a student, until 2004, when her oldest child enrolled in Archmere as a freshman. Carol welcomed the opportunity to become involved with the Mothers' Guild and specifically as a leader of their annual Garage Sale.
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A Delaware native, Carol attended Brandywine High School before transferring to Archmere during her sophomore year. As a member of the class of 1979, the first graduating class to have co-ed enrollment for all four years, she was among the group of women pioneers that helped transform Archmere from an all boys boarding and day school to a co-ed day school. She played varsity volleyball for the AUKS under Coach Walsh and was one of two girls to play on the all-boys’ Archmere tennis team for the 1977 and 1978 seasons. On the boys’ team, she played second doubles and was the only girl at the state tournament her junior year. She was a key player on the first Archmere girls’ tennis team, formed in 1978.
After graduating from Archmere, Carol attended St. Joseph's University to study accounting and later attended Hahnemann University and earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, and worked for a number of years as a physical therapist.
Over the years, Carol remained connected to Archmere through attending class reunions every five years and maintaining a close-knit group of friends from the class of 1979. But she missed being part of the community in the way she had been as a student, until 2004, when her oldest child enrolled in Archmere as a freshman. Carol welcomed the opportunity to become involved with the Mothers' Guild and specifically as a leader of their annual Garage Sale.
Under her leadership, the Archmere Mothers’ Guild Garage Sale returned to its roots as an estate sale, with more furniture donations than ever before. From recruiting more parent volunteers and bringing in more donations, to promoting the sale to the community and collaborating with the Fathers’ Club for furniture pick-up, Carol's tireless efforts led to two record-breaking years for the Garage Sale. The 2012 and 2013 events combined raised over $62,000. In her words, she explained, “For me, it’s about building the community. It’s about bringing as many members of the Archmere community together to have fun and do something for the school.”
As an active member of the Mothers’ Guild, Carol has brought an incredible energy to the Archmere community. Her creativity, drive, and willingness to go above and beyond for the school have contributed to the success of the Archmere parent organizations, the alumni program and the entire school community. Many times her ideas and her leadership have sparked initiatives and programs that have contributed to the betterment of the Archmere Academy.
And Archmere has truly become a family for this year's Aluma of the Year. Before she enrolled as a student, she did not have any relatives who had attended Archmere. As of today, Carol has had a sister, a brother-in-law, three nieces, and two sons graduate from Archmere Academy, with two nephews currently attending, and one daughter who will be here in a few years.
As an active member of the Mothers’ Guild, Carol has brought an incredible energy to the Archmere community. Her creativity, drive, and willingness to go above and beyond for the school have contributed to the success of the Archmere parent organizations, the alumni program and the entire school community. Many times her ideas and her leadership have sparked initiatives and programs that have contributed to the betterment of the Archmere Academy.
And Archmere has truly become a family for this year's Aluma of the Year. Before she enrolled as a student, she did not have any relatives who had attended Archmere. As of today, Carol has had a sister, a brother-in-law, three nieces, and two sons graduate from Archmere Academy, with two nephews currently attending, and one daughter who will be here in a few years.
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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