| ACADEMICS | STUDENT LIFE | ALUMNI | ABOUT TA | PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS | GIVING BACK | HOME |
Teams
Extracurricular
Activities
Student Publications
Carpe Diem
TATV
Student Projects
Main Street
Legends
Web site design
Thornton Academy
438 Main St.
Saco, Maine, 04072
(207) 282-3361
STORY BY NICK BELL & ERIC ULDBJERG
DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY DESTINY WOODHOUSE & MICHELLE SCONTRAS
Driving down Main Street in Saco, the contrast between the present day and the past is clear. Old brick buildings shadow the sidewalks and the smell of fast food floats through the air. Some people grow up and leave, never returning or leaving their mark on the community. However, many stay, making it a home for life. Driving down Main Street, it is clear that Leon Hadiaris has left his mark everywhere you turn. For his entire life, he has been an integral part of the town we all call home. He has grown up here, owned businesses, raised and taught children, sent them off to some of the best universities in the nation, and runs marathons just to pass the time.
Leon Hadiaris was born and raised in Saco, and is a graduate of Thornton Academy. Currently, many members of his family live here. He feels that it's "very comforting to know that they are close by if you ever need them." He also has two children who are also graduates of T.A. Jen attends Harvard and J.D. is a student at Colby who is looking at a possible government/ law graduate degree. Hadiaris was a student at the University of Maine at Orono. "I started out wanting to go to school for a degree in physical education, but decided in the end that I would major in regular education." He later married his wife Sue after meeting her at UMO. He continued his education at the University of Southern Maine, getting his masters degree in special education.
After school, he went on to teach in the Auburn school system, then came back to Saco where he has taught for nine years. "After teaching there for a while, I got frustrated during the 80's with the direction special education was heading. It was too much paper work and not enough interaction with the kids." Hadiaris went on a teaching hiatus and became involved with real estate, owning The Plaza Restaurant, The Dairy Queen, and other property in the Saco area. "During the 80's the economy was flourishing. It was a great time to be in businesses. I was lucky to get involved, especially in the Dairy Queen. Even today it's proven to be a good investment for me."
After taking a break from school life, Hadiaris is back in the classroom teaching alternative education. Unlike special education, the program that he works in now allows for much more time working with students at risk and much less time documenting learning plans. "I enjoy helping them to get back on track. It's a great program for students who are committed to graduating."
Hadiaris played football at the high school and college level. He also coached Trojan Hockey and Football for several years. "I was never an outstanding athlete, just average you could say, but I have always respected what sports or commitment to anything are all about." His appreciation for athletics has been expressed by his involvement in running. "I usually run for about 45 minutes a day. It's a great way to relax and get away from my daily work routine." He has run several local races including the recent 2002 Mary's Walk/Run 4 miler, as well as 20 different marathons.
It is obvious that Hadiaris has a love for the Saco community and everything it has to offer. He grew up here, went to college, and came back to raise his family, a common thread with Saco natives. "This is a nice place to live. It has a pull that other places don't. Everyone is close they know each other and their families. The sense of community here is strong and it's all about the people who live here. Many of my classmates have returned because of the pride they have for Thornton and Saco. Even T.A. is unique. Any other secondary school just wouldn't seem right in Saco. Everything here just fits."
Return to Living Legends index