SACO — For years, Thornton Academy graduating seniors have marched in the commencement ceremony in maroon and gold, with maroon reserved for young men and gold reserved for young women. That tradition may change this year, and some students are hoping they have a say in the matter.

Thornton Academy is a private school in Saco that admits publicly funded high school students from Saco, Dayton and Arundel through contracts with the municipalities and privately paid tuition students from other parts of the country and internationally.

Thornton Academy seniors Laura Fortier and Shannon Roche, both of Saco, said they learned at an assembly Thursday that the school’s board of trustees decided that this year, all graduating seniors would be marching in maroon gowns.

The two seniors said they have heard a few reasons regarding the decision: one being that there have been complaints about the gold robes, and another that the school wanted to have the gowns be gender neutral.

Fortier said graduation is a special day, and the decision regarding gown color should be one made by the students, and should go out to a student vote, like she’s heard has been done at other schools.

The graduation gowns and caps are paid for by class dues, and according to Roche and Fortier, students have already received order forms to fill out for the gowns.

Fortier and Roche said if the students voted to have all maroon gowns, they would be fine with the decision, because it was made by the students.

“We want to have a voice,” said Fortier. “Graduation day is one of those big things you will remember the rest of your life.”

Roche agreed, noting that the students vote on senior superlatives and who speaks at graduation, and it should be the students, not the board, who gets to vote on the gown color or colors.

“At the end of the day, the students are the ones wearing it, and paying for it, not the trustees,” said Roche.

Fortier created an online petition on Friday asking people to sign if they think the school should allow students to vote on whether they want the robes to be all gold, all maroon, or both colors with each graduating senior choosing their preferred color. As of Monday afternoon, there were 189 signatures from Thornton students, alumni and community members.

“We’re aware of the student petition and we’re still looking at options,” said Headmaster Rene Menard in an email statement.

Board of Trustees President Eric Purvis also stated in an email that school officials are aware of the petition.

“Our administrative staff is considering the petition and other alternatives to the choice of gowns at graduation. No final decisions have been made at this time,” said Purvis.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.