SACO — Graduating Thornton Academy seniors Caleb Bailey and Ben Leary already have an edge over other students beginning college in September.

The two young men have been accepted into the University of Maine College of Engineering with sophomore status through a partnership between the college and high school first announced in 2013.

Bailey and Leary completed a rigorous curriculum, taking advanced placement and honors classes and maintaining academic standards.

“It wasn’t just a matter of (just) passing for either of us,” said Bailey. He said it was really important for them to have a complete understanding of the concepts and theories that were taught to them.

The two have completed 30 college credits, allowing them to complete an engineering degree in three years, saving the two not only a year’s time, but also about $24,000.

Leary, who wants to pursue veterinary school after he graduates college with a degree in chemical engineering, said though he was accepted to Cornell University, the offer to bypass freshman year at UMO was an offer he couldn’t pass up.

Bailey plans to pursue a degree in physics engineering and hopes to one day work on space craft.

“I think the hardest part of this was managing the schedule,” said Leary. The two credit Thornton Academy staff for helping them create a plan to accommodate all their requirements, including creating a mixed physics class that allowed them to fit an advanced physics class necessary for completion of the program in their schedule.They also noted the enthusiasm and passion their teachers had for the subjects they taught. “It’s kind of sad to leave teachers like that,” said Leary.

Bailey agreed, though both are enthusiastic about going to UMaine Orono in the fall and starting the next chapter.

“I love the campus, I think it’s gorgeous,” said Leary, noting that his father and two of his brothers attended the school.

This summer Leary will be working at Saco Veterinary Clinic and the Animal Emergency Clinic and Bailey is working toward finding summer job.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.