Monthly Musings

This is one in an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School’s constituents.  Current parents, alumni, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often.  It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.

From the School Library: Roberta Stevens, Library Director, asks that alumni check their bookshelves for two yearbooks, 1953 and 1964. The school library has an archival set of the yearbooks except for these. The 1953 edition was titled Portsmouth Yearbook, and 1964 was titled just Yearbook. The very old editions were named the Annual and for three years, interestingly, it was named The Cowl (1950, 1951 and 1956). Since 1961 the yearbook has been named the Gregorian. Please contact Mrs. Stevens at library@portsmouthabbey.org if you should have the 1953 or 1964 book that you would like to donate to the set. You can also visit the Library Pages on the Portsmouth Abbey School Website.

Open House Attendance Grows: We are pleased that each year the attendance at the Admissions Open House grows.  On Saturday, October 23rd, nearly 300 visitors were welcomed to our campus.  The Open House program provided prospective students and their families an opportunity to listen to two panels of faculty and administrators – one that addressed curriculum and another that dealt with student life.  After campus tours given by Admissions Red Key student tourguides, a panel of current students and parents allowed the visitors to have their questions and concerns addressed. The Admissions officers have been busy visiting schools and fairs throughout the country this month and will be hosting receptions in Boston, Cape Cod, Greenwich, CT and New York City in the coming weeks. Please visit the Admissions Pages on the School Website for further information.

Dom Benedict enters St. Clare's Home, Newport: Abbot Mark Serna announced in November that the Rev. Dom Benedict Lang, O.S.B, has taken up residence in St. Clare's Home, 309 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840. Abbot Mark issued the following statement: "As you know, Fr. Benedict's health and stamina have been gradually getting more precarious over several years…His spirit is remarkably good and, as you know, he is always ready to bestow a blessing on those near and far. He is truly a living ministry of prayer." As Fr. Benedict has become more physically fragile, he has needed more care than can be provided for him here, and so, in consultation with his caregivers and physician, the decision was made that he should be in a professional nursing care setting. The Abbot adds, "He has accepted this change with great trust in God's providence and with a peace of heart that is moving beyond words. Please pray for him and may we be the beneficiaries of his intercession for us." Dom Benedict can be contacted by mail at the address above.

Brown Model UN Attended by Portsmouth Abbey School Students: In November, fourteen students, headed by Alex Leonard, attended the Brown University Simulation of the United Nations. Other members of the delegation included Allison Chaplin, Laura Curren, Julie Dufresne, Hee Jung Hong, Hyo Jung Hong, Zack McCune, Ann Power, Stacey Beletsky, Julia LeBouvier, Michelle LeMeur, Grady McCune, Kaitlin Rok, and Lucas Zipp. Most delegates represented the People's Republic of China; however, Alex Leonard represented Botswana in the simulation of the African Union, Laura Curren represented Secretary of State Colin Powell in the simulation of the US National Security Council, and Zack McCune represented a Spartan in the special historical simulation of the Peloponnesian War. The delegates representing China sat on various committees and addressed such issues as genocide, free trade and the developing world, Palestinian sovereignty, and militant Islam. Brown undergraduates served as chairs for each of the committees, run according to parliamentary procedure. To be an effective delegate, these students had to research their countries and issues before the conference, prepare and give speeches, write working papers and resolutions, and negotiate with the delegates of other countries, all aiming toward passing resolutions on the issue. Dr. Zilian served as their advisor. Please visit the Photo Galleries on the School Website for pictures of this event.
 
Alumni Reception in Boston: A reception was held at Abe and Louie's Steakhouse in Boston on November 16th. The event was hosted by Chuck '77 and Carla Kenahan, and attended by over 100 guests and 18 School faculty. Many young alumni/ae now attending the many Boston schools were there, using the opportunity to catch up with old friends, and teachers, while enjoying delicious food and drink. Dr. De Vecchi spoke of recent happenings on the School campus, and gave a sample of items discussed at School assemblies. To see pictures of this and other happenings at the School, please visit the Photo Galleries on the School Website.

McBean Grant Approved For Church Restoration Project:  It was with great joy that Portsmouth Abbey School received the news that the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust has approved our grant proposal, agreeing to fund an engineering project that will allow the School to begin the preservation of the Church of St. Gregory the Great, to the sum of $135,000. This much needed engineering work will allow plans to be drawn up outlining work that needs to be done, in particular to the cupola.

Winner of Gift Certificate for School Bookstore Announced:  In last month's Musings and in the Alumni Community on the Website, the Communications Office asked for help from our alumni/ae, by answering a question about the writing program at Portsmouth Abbey School. The contributions will help us in producing the Winter Bulletin, and the response was overwhelming. How nice it is to know that our alumni/ae still love to write! All submissions were entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to spend at the Portsmouth Abbey School Bookstore, and the winner is Cristina Craig, from the class of '98. Congratulations Cristina, and thanks to all who took the time to communicate with us.

Alumni Receptions Coming to Your Area: Remember to plan to attend the Greenwich Reception on December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of Creighton '74 and Anne Condon and the Abbot's Reception at the New York Yacht Club on December 14th from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  For more information regarding these, or any other Portsmouth Abbey School events please contact Sarah McDonough at 401.643.1276 or smcdonough@portsmouthabbey.org.  We look forward to seeing you near your home soon! Please visit the Alumni Community on the School Website for up-dated news on these and other upcoming events. 

Successful End to Fall Athletics Season: In review, the fall season was a successful one. Girls' Varsity soccer advanced to the SENE playoffs by upsetting the #1 seeded Wheeler team in the semi-finals and then fell 1-2 in a heated Championship match against Moses Brown. Varsity football finished the season with a 6-1-1 record being the best recorded in 6 years. They advanced to the playoffs defeating a strong Hebron Academy team, 22-14. In addition, Varsity field hockey had an exciting winning season under first year coach, Becky Swissler. Ms. Swissler brought new coaching techniques and a fresh attitude making the season a thrilling one. We appreciate the effort of all the athletes and wish them great accomplishment for the winter season. Go Ravens! Please visit the Athletics Pages of the School Website for the most recent results and news.

The Answer to the October Musings Question: "At what temperature is the Portsmouth Abbey School ice rink maintained, and how does this compare to other rinks?"
mitch Kriner, Hockey Rink Supervisor, tells us that he keeps the Portsmouth Abbey School hockey rink ice at a temperature of 16°, whereas most local rinks keep the ice at 24°, so it is no coincidence that we are known as having the coldest rink around. However, we have good reason: the colder ice means a stronger and smoother surface for competitive hockey players, rather than pleasure and figure skaters, and that is why high schools and colleges love to play our rink.

The November Question of the Month: How much did Dom Leonard Sargent pay for the property that has become Portsmouth Abbey School? Please email answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org

If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.

Kathy Heydt Director of Communications

Nicky Piper Asst. Director of Communications

For all issues related to the School, please contact Tony Klemmer at tklemmer@portsmouthabbey.org or Jim De Vecchi at jdevecchi@portsmouthabbey.org at any time. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Tony Klemmer '73 Assistant Headmaster Institutional Stewardship

Jim De Vecchi Headmaster

Visit our web site at: www.portsmouthabbey.org