Mary Alice Bellevue Tripp is the recipient of the 2002 Service Award. She is a Thornton Academy alumni from the Class of 1970. Mary Alice epitomizes the true spirit of public service and volunteerism. Since returning to Saco in 1985, she has volunteered for innumerable organizations and causes in Saco.

As her sons progressed through the Saco schools, Mary Alice helped found the PTO at Young School, and was president for several years. She also organized the Teacher Appreciation Day lunch and the Beary Fun Day fundraiser, events which continue to this day. At Burns School, Mary Alice started the parent newsletter and worked on the building committee for the school addition. She was instrumental in the Adopt-A-Family Christmas drive and continues to provide gifts for the program every year. At Saco Middle School she co-chaired the PTO and co-founded the annual craft show fundraiser. Here at TA she was a hard working member of Support for Academic Achievement, serving as treasurer for six years. She also acted as volunteer coordinator for the Athletic Boosters for several years, managed souvenir and merchandise sales and helped organize the All Sports Banquet and was active with the hockey and lacrosse boosters.

As a member of the Class of 1970, Mary Alice served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1992 until 1998 and acted as vice president for two years. She was instrumental in several alumni events and projects, including the 60s Decade Reunion, the Centennial Celebration and the Centennial of Football. She was managing editor of the 1996 Alumni Tripod, chaired her class effort in the Annual Fund for several years, and even worked on the T.A. Capital Campaign to raise funds, as well as helping to organize her class reunions.

In the larger community, Mary Alice has worked in a number of organizations. A board member of Mary's Walk since its inception in 1999, she is coordinator of walker registration. She is a founding member and mentor coordinator of Saco's JumpStart, a program for first time juvenile offenders. At York County Child Abuse & Neglect Council, she has helped with the annual auction for six years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1998. Maremont Little League benefited from her services as vice president for five years, and she helped organize the annual Christmas tree sale, now a Saco tradition.

In all her volunteer activities, Mary Alice has been creative, dreaming up new ideas and approaches. She is renowned for her attention to detail and sense of excellence. She is incredibly persistent and brings to all her activities a thoughtful, sensitive approach. Most importantly, her voluntarism is selfless; she never seeks the spotlight for her many hours of service. Mary Alice is an example to all at Thornton Academy and in the Saco community.