SANFORD — Out there in the world, either at home in Sanford, in a community nearby or several states away, there are upward of 1,500 alumni of St. Thomas School.

The school, located at the corner of Cottage Street and North Avenue, is embarking on an alumni drive to gather life stories of its own graduates and assemble a database for the school and 1,490 students involved.

Now that the parochial elementary school is in its 44th year, those with ties to the school thought it was time to establish a St. Thomas Alumni Association.

A reception for alumni has been scheduled for April 2 at St. Ignatius Gym on Riverside Avenue.

“As an alumna, and now the parent of a pre-K student, I have been so inspired – and energized – by the amazing momentum surrounding St. Thomas,” said Ericka Prefontaine Sanborn, Class of 1992. “With the seventh- and eighth-grade expansion project unfolding and the continued promise of an academicallystrong, values-based education, it’s the perfect time for alumni to become involved and rediscover their connection to St. Thomas.”

Established in 1972, St. Thomas is the parochial school for St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. It educates youngsters from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, and there are plans to add grade seven this fall and grade eight in fall 2017.

“History has shown that Catholic and, in general, reli- gious education is at its strongest when the alumni share their time, talents and treasure with the new and growing school population,” said Bruce Carlson of the school’s development council.

St. Thomas School was created when there were three Catholic parishes in Sanford and Springvale Village, and three Catholic grade schools. In 1972, the three schools combined to form St. Thomas. The three parishes united into St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish several years ago.

Claire Auger, also of the development council, attended school in the building, graduating from sixth grade in what was then Holy Family School back in 1956.

About 10 years ago, she and her husband Gilles embarked on a project to update an alumni list of the old grade schools and the former St. Ignatius High School.

“Gilles and I knew a lot of people, and added St. Thomas alumni,” she said.

And they’re still adding folks.

The parish has an email program, Constant Contact, which gives updates to about 125 former students, and a newsletter that goes out to 1,667 parishioners and always features a St. Thomas alumnus, Auger said.

For more information about the April 2 reception, call the school at 324-5832 or check the website, saintthomassanford.org.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.