Thomas Thermidor, EHS 2021, Becomes Youngest EHSA Board Member
“Dreams without goals and actions are just dreams.”
Thomas Thermidor and his mother, Marie Therese Philippe, at Fenway Park graduation.
Thomas Thermidor personifies today’s English High School student body.
He came to America from Haiti in 2013 as a teen with his mother and two brothers following several natural disasters including a devastating earthquake and a series of hurricanes. The storms left 800,000 in need of humanitarian aid, and the epic 7.0 earthquake in 2010 killed 250,000 and left 1.6 million homeless. Government instability, violence, corruption and economic issues have led to extreme poverty — and the emigration of millions.
Thomas, EHS ’21, has been elected the youngest member of the EHS Alumni Association Board, announced by Greg Hayes (’67), Board Chair, and by Michael Thomas, EHSA President/CEO and Chair of the 200th Anniversary celebration.
He earned the prestigious Stella and Emmanuel Mavridis Scholarship, presented by EHS supporter George Mavridis whose father was an EHS alum, Class of 1926. Today Thomas is a freshman at Babson College, majoring in Business / Entrepreneurship.
We recently spoke with Thomas.
Q: Which EHS teachers especially helped you at EHS?
Thomas: The teachers who had the most profound impact are Mr. Swoboda and Ms. De Guzman. Their presence in class was tremendous, especially their way of delivering course material. Mr. Horner showed me the world on a broader scope. He introduced us to CEOs and founders of tech companies and introduced me to Shark Tank, which paved the way for my potential career. My favorite quote from him: ‘Take advantage of everything that’s offered to you now.’ I’m now at a prominent place of higher education where I’m learning and growing.
Q: How did EHS provide the right foundation for college?
Thomas: My EHS experience taught me the importance of reaching out to adults and talking about goals and career paths. I took advantage of many opportunities, participating in sports, programs, student government, JROTC, and more. I’m enrolled in three courses, Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship, Writing Across Context, and Principles of Macroeconomics.
Q: What are your career/life goals?
Thomas: As a budding entrepreneur, my mission is to support others as I was supported. Financial success is important but at the end of the day, true success is being able to leave a legacy that will last long after my time. While at EHS, so many resources were poured into my journey, I’m extremely fortunate to be in the position I’m in today. I want to inspire others to give back to their communities, and inspire my community members to approach problems with an entrepreneurial mindset.
One of my plans is to purchase sneakers for the boy’s basketball teams. This act may be tiny, but it’s huge since it speaks volumes to so many. It’s also a motivation for others to do the same in their communities. No one is expecting a freshman college student to do something like this. This all matters because, in the end, this isn’t just about buying sneakers and giving them to players. It’s much bigger. It would show players, adults, and staff that you don’t need to be super successful to give back. From the players’ standpoint, it would mean so much to see their former teammate give back in such a way.
“My parents instilled in me the value of giving back, and working hard to achieve your dreams and goals. That is something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”
Q: Why do you think you were selected as an EHSA Board member?
Thomas: I’m incredibly honored and blessed to have been selected right out of high school. It means a lot to me and my family. The EHS community has a history of producing highly influential alumni, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to be mentioned along with the likes of JP Morgan and so many others. I think I was chosen because I am familiar with the EHS community, the student body, and the adults.
My mother’s strong emphasis on sharing is the same premise of American idealism. It is that fundamental belief that I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. That makes this country work and is the true genius of America. My mom’s eagerness to give to people despite her financial situation has always been a big mystery to me: ‘How can someone be so generous even in hard times?’ Now I want to make it my objective to give back when I’m able to do so. My parents instilled in me the value of giving back, and working hard to achieve your dreams and goals. That is something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.
We wish Thomas a successful, exciting journey, following in the footsteps of so many other illustrious EHS alumni over the last 200 years.
Meet Thomas Thermidor in this inspirational video and read more about him:
Meet the 2021 Stella and Emmanuel Mavridis Scholarship Winners and Finalists
Tutoring Center at English High a Lifeline
