Thornton’s four-year battle with cancer ended May 15
The Perry Meridian High School “family” united for a special ceremony Friday to name a school hallway in honor of longtime math teacher and wrestling coach Dave Thornton, who died May 15 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
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.
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.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TINA TONTE Allison Thornton (front) and daughter Ellery are seen outside of Dave Thornton’s former classroom with the students who made the blankets. The name of the hallway, Thornton Drive, is posted above the door.
Ellery Thornton points out her name on her blanket, which is held by Cody Donald (left) and math teacher Steve Taylor
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