Thornton’s four-year battle with cancer ended May 15
In addition to naming the hall outside of his former classroom Thornton Drive, Thornton’s calculus students from the past school year were moved to do something special for his daughters, Ansley, 7, and Ellery, 4.
The students pooled their resources and created two unique blankets for the girls over the summer. The blankets were emblazoned with his daughters’ names, math equations and quotes that Thornton was fond of.
It was those students that he offered encouragement to before they took their state math exams in May, just before he was hospitalized. He treated them to donuts on test day.
His wife, Allison, and the girls were moved by the compassion exhibited by the students, especially those who had graduated earlier this year and returned to the school for the event.