April 2006
Monthly Musings
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REVERENCE FOR GOD AND THE HUMAN PERSON
RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School's constituents. Current parents, alumni/ae, 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.
Students Get First-hand Look at Nobel Prize: Few people get a chance to hold a Nobel Prize, but, thanks to Science Department Head Robert Rainwater, our students were treated to a first-hand look. Robert's father, James Rainwater, was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1975 for his work in the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei and the development of the theory of the structure of the atomic nucleus based on this connection. Robert showed the official presentation folder written in Swedish, which included an artist's rendering of the atomic nuclei. He also allowed students to hold the weighty solid gold medal that was presented at the ceremony at the royal court in Sweden. Robert's mother was seated next to the King of Sweden at that ceremony. For photos of this day, please visit our online Photo Galleries.
And Speaking of Nobel Prizes...Gorbachev Visits Carnegie Abbey: "I want us to look to the future. I don't want us to look back at the bad things that happened in the past." So spoke former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev during his April visit to Carnegie Abbey. As part of Carnegie Abbey's World Leadership Guest Series, Gorbachev spoke to six hundred members and friends about the need to be positive about the past and to have a global approach in the future. Among those attending were faculty (including Robert Rainwater, Bowen and Kate Smith, and Jim De Vecchi) and students of Portsmouth Abbey School. Also present were current parents and board members John and Mary Power and Rick and Beezie Childs, as well as members of the monastic community Fathers Caedmon and Julian. "Not only is politics local, but every family depends on what is happening elsewhere in the world. We all have common interests." A message that resonates with all Portsmouth Abbey School friends that accept the "responsibility for the shared experience of community life". For pictures of this event, visit our online Photo Galleries.
Wind Turbine Up and Running: As of yesterday, two plus weeks into operation, the Portsmouth Abbey School wind turbine has generated over 70,000 kWh and the highest gust it has seen so far is 45.2 mph. Impressive early statistics...given that the 164-foot tower, three 77-foot long blades, and the turbine itself only arrived on campus from all around the world on March 23rd. The wind turbine now stands proudly behind the hockey rink, protruding 240 feet from the ground to the tip of the blades. Congratulations and thanks go to Brother Joseph Byron and Paul Jestings, Director of Operations, for their tireless and hands-on work to ensure this mammoth project went seamlessly. Watch our Website for more news and pictures.
Appalachia Service Project: Nicole Beletsky '06 was one of twenty-three students who made the ultimate charitable donation this Spring Break - that of her time. Her account of the experience follows:
"Twenty- three students and seven chaperones traveled to Perry County, Kentucky, an area of great need in the Appalachian Mountains, to join in helping build houses for poor families for a week through a program known as the Appalachia Service Project. Students in the Sixth and Fifth Forms were accompanied by Mr. Clarence Chenoweth, Mr. Paul Jestings, Mr. John Platt, Mr. John Gralton, Ms. Elizabeth Benestad, Ms. Corie McDermott, and Mrs. Mary Jean McDonough. We drove for two days to reach Chavies, where we were divided into three groups to accomplish different goals. One group spent the week working on a roof nailing in row after row of shingles. Another did finish-work inside including sheet rocking and laying tile, carpet and floorboards. Another group spent the week rebuilding beam work, setting a ceiling, running electrical, and extensive sheet rock work on extremely uneven walls sinking into the mountain mud beneath. We all left every day with noses clogged by coal smoke, still the main form of fuel in the area. It was an important experience for many who had never seen areas as needy in the U.S." Visit our Website for photos of this trip.
A special thanks goes out to Mark Horan of Horan Building Co. in Newport, RI for his generous donation that helped to make the trip possible. For more information on Horan Building Co. visit www.horanbuilding.com or call 401-265-6475.
Annual Fund Up-date: Thank you to the many alumni, parents, and friends who have already made gifts or pledges in support of the 2005-2006 Annual Fund. The School is currently 75% of the way to its $1,100,000 goal with 72 days remaining until the close of the fiscal year. If you have not yet had the opportunity to make a gift please visit the Giving Pages of our School Website, and make your gift today. We would also encourage you to visit the new Annual Fund Progress Thermometer which displays funds raised to date; keep an especially close eye on this page as June 30th approaches.
2006 Haney Scholarships: As regular readers of Musings and the School Bulletin are aware, Bill Haney '80 created a fellowship in 1998 to honor his parents, Irene and William Haney Jr. who was at Portsmouth Abbey from 1968 to 1991 as a chemistry teacher, houseparent and golf coach. Every spring Irene and Bill choose fellowship recipients from the Fifth Form who will embark on a unique educational experience during the summer before their Sixth Form year. The 2006 Haney Fellow Scholarships have been awarded: Sam Simone '07 will take part in a language immersion program in Italy; Ryana Barbosa '07 will attend the National Student Leadership Conference in International Diplomacy at Fordham University; Claire Chung '07 will attend the USC Exploration of Architecture Program; and Lucas Zipp '07 will take part in the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Sciences. Congratulations to all, and we wish you an informative and fun learning experience.
Accepted Students Get a 'Closer Look' at Our School: On March 28th and 30th, the Portsmouth Abbey School Admissions Office hosted its annual "Closer Look" program for families of accepted boarding and day students. This year 43 families joined us for the day student program and 40 for the boarding program. While the accepted students spent the day with our current students, the parents listened to various presentations from the different departments of the School. The accepted boarding students had the opportunity to socialize at "Casino Night", go to "Tuck" before spending the night in the dormitories, and attend Saturday classes. Both days were successful and the Admissions Office has already enrolled 94 new students for next year. The Admissions Office would like to thank everyone who made these two days possible, especially our students, teaching faculty and monastic community, dorm parents, current parents and the dining and facility staff. Pictures of these days are available in the Photo Galleries of our Website.
Springing Into the New Athletics Season: Athletics are off to a great start, despite the usual rainy spring days. With all the teams approaching full weekly game schedules, there is sure to be some exciting news to come in Portsmouth Abbey School sports. For updates and rescheduled games, please check the Athletics Website.
Upcoming Regional Events: Jeremy F. Kinney '63 and Holly Arnold Kinney will be hosting a dinner at their restaurant, The Fort, on April 27 in Denver, CO beginning at 6:00 pm. Mr. and Mrs. John V. Phelan '80 will host a reception at their home in Princeton, NJ on May 9 beginning at 6:00 pm. For more information on any of these events, or to register Online, click here.
March Question of the Month: Where was St. Benedict born?
Answer: Nursia (Norcia), Italy
April Question of the Month: As the Spring tennis season gets underway, it is a good time for a tennis question. In what year did the first tennis coach begin at Portsmouth Abbey School? Bonus question: Who was it?
Please e-mail answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
