SACO — Katarina Leach recently received the Carl J. Stasio Award at the Thornton Academy Middle School graduation.

The Carl J. Stasio Award is named in honor of Thornton Academy’s former headmaster who retired in 2012 after 26 years of service to the school. The award recognizes a student who exhibits a strong academic drive, participates in activities that extend beyond the classroom, and exemplifies the school’s pillars of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Investment.

 “Katarina is one of the most invested students we’ve ever had,” said TAMS Principal Tiffany Robert. “She is a self-disciplined, diligent, and courteous team player with a genuine love of learning.”

Katarina is one of 80 students who graduated this month from Thornton Academy Middle School.

Thornton Academy is a private middle school and high school located at 438 Main St. in Saco. The school serves both public and private-pay students in grades six through twelve.

Compiled from community reports. Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.