DOVER, NH — Close to 200 Portsmouth Christian Academy students, alumni, faculty, friends, and staff gathered April 8 for the 9th Annual McGuinness Walk to honor Thomas McGuinness. McGuinness, a former Navy pilot, was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first of the hijacked planes, which flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. McGuinness was the father of PCA graduates Tommy and Jennifer McGuinness.
Each year, at the end of PCA’s Spiritual Emphasis Days, students take to the streets for a five-mile walk in memory of the fallen co-pilot. They obtain sponsors and walk through South Dover to help raise money for a scholarship created in McGuinness’ name. All proceeds from the walk go directly to a tuition assistance fund to benefit a student who demonstrates high personal and moral caliber, is of strong faith, and has a proven desire for high academic standards. To date, the annual walks have raised over $20,000.
“Over the past few years, we’ve walked in rain, snow, and wind,” recalls Stephen Foley, PCA Upper School Principal. “We’ve walked in Portsmouth and Dover, but it has always been great to walk together as a community in memory of Tom. We walk not to recall his death, but to recall his life.” Each step the students take not only keeps his memory alive, but also gives the young people an opportunity to come together as a community to the benefit of another.
Portsmouth Christian Academy is located at 20 Seaborne Drive, Dover, NH. PCA offers a challenging academic curriculum from preschool through high school along with competitive athletic programs and other stimulating extra-curricular activities. For more information, please call 603.742.3617 or visit the school’s web site at www.pcaschool.org.
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