The school serves more than 200 students.
By Samantha C. DePoy
Staff Writer

NEW SHARON – The sugary scent of butter-cream frosting hung in the air at Cape Cod Hill School Thursday as staff and students celebrated the 10th anniversary of the school by wedging open a decade-old time capsule and eating a birthday cake.

The school, which first had students in its colorful hallways on Dec. 14, 1992, serves more than 200 students in grades K-6 from the towns of New Sharon, Vienna and Chesterville. In addition, about 20 teachers and nine support staff toil during school hours.

Though it sits high above the green fields off Route 134, for the town of New Sharon, the school stands as the cornerstone of the community, hosting weekly basketball and volleyball games, potluck suppers and the town’s annual meeting in March.

Despite the heavy traffic, CCHS doesn’t look worse for the wear.

“It certainly is a wonderful school and something this community should be proud of,” said SAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier in his speech to the crowd of more than 50 young students, parents and community members who came out to celebrate. “It is 10 years old, but it doesn’t look 10 years old.”

Making reference to a quote from Winston Churchill, Cormier said that people shape their buildings, and then their buildings shape the people. “We are fortunate to have this building shape us,” he said.

After watching a movie about the construction of the school, CCHS students joined together to sing a version of the children’s classic, “Inch by Inch.”

“We are here to celebrate, share our pasts and share our fates, here in Vienna, New Sharon, too, the glory of this day. When we are done, watch us grow, before your eyes we’ll bloom just so, give is tools and watch us fly, our limit’s in the sky.”

Principal Cheryl Pike said she can’t put her finger on it, but there is something special about Cape Cod Hill. It’s a joy to work at a new school where teachers and staff can spend their time educating students, and not worrying about building problems, she said. “It’s certainly been a fun school to be in,” she added with a grin.

Former Principal Nora Thombs, who was at the helm from the first day through the ninth year, retiring last June after working for New Sharon schools for 39 years, said it really doesn’t seem possible that it has been 10 years already.

Then, like a child tossing aside the caramel corn for the treat in a Crackerjack box, Thombs began delving through the frayed paper and trinkets students had tossed into a metal time capsule, buried on school grounds, 10 years ago.

Among the goods were used pencils and erasers, a warped videotape of a rap music video performed by students, Polaroid photographs and part of an old hot lunch tray.

“One of the nicest things about being principal here was the staff,” said Thombs, as former CCHS students and teachers pawed through the capsule’s contents. “They have always been supportive of each other and the No. 1 priority is always the kids.”

Last June, at her retirement party, the gymnasium/cafeteria at the school was dedicated to Thombs. It makes here happy to know her memory will live on here. “I am very proud of it. I am glad to always be a part of this school. I hope part of me will always be here.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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