Monthly Musings

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.

Summer School: This year's Summer School drew students from ten countries including Korea, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, and Taiwan. Our United States students came from all the New England states, but also from as far away as Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, and California. Sixty-one students spent five weeks on campus taking classes in the morning and taking part in recreational activities in the afternoons. The Marine Biology class met each morning in the Boat House, with the waves splashing against the walls of the laboratory-classroom. The Studio Art and Three-Dimensional Art classes presented a closing exhibit of oil self-portraits, folk masks and found-art assemblages that impressed everyone with their sophistication and strong use of color. The Public Speaking students practiced eloquence with Jay Bragan, Portsmouth Abbey's Head of Drama, and Cliff Hobbins, a self-confessed "vaudevillian" and Summer School veteran. Afternoons, the Students swam at Second Beach, learned to sail in Newport Harbor, windsurfed, or stayed on campus for soccer, squash, and tennis. One weekend the school visited Boston, and on the Fourth of July had a campus cookout, followed by the Team USA-Taiwan baseball game at Pawsox Stadium (with a fireworks show after the game, of course). On the last weekend, the school took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard to stroll, shop and bicycle. For more information on this year's Summer School visit the News section  of the School Website. You can also see pictures in the Photo Galleries. For information on Summer Opportunities for 2007, visit the Summer Programs page of our Website.

Students Abroad: This summer a number of Portsmouth Abbey students went abroad to participate in the various programs offered by the School. Five students participated in a summer study program in Spain: Chantra Pimolwatana '07, Jennifer Gerlach 07, Mike Gorman '07, Mike Reilly '07 and Nashan Tiwari '07 spent the month of July in the beautiful city of Salamanca, Spain where they attended classes, receiving up to 8 college credits. Students participated daily in cultural activities and excursions to Segovia, Andalucia, and Portugal. For information on Summer Opportunities for 2007, visit the Summer Programs page of our Website.

Humanities Pilgrims Return to Rome: Peter O'Connor, Head of Humanities, along with Dom Caedmon, Dom Gregory, Cliff Hobbins and prefects Antonio Leal '04 and Brendan O'Connor '07, traveled with 29 student pilgrims to Rome. The hope of the two-week program is to give students a glimpse of the wholeness of their education by living in Rome and participating in those unique and complex structures that continue to call pilgrims to the Eternal City. Pilgrim Jamie Cannarozzi '06 wrote to us about her experience there: "Meeting the group in Rome was our key to the city: Dr. Paul Connell. Once in Rome Dr. Connell expertly and efficiently guided our group through the city.  Expectations were high and Dr. Connell set a quick pace encouraging the students to experience the city as a true Roman. Students became pilgrims, traveling to churches and holy sites by day and retiring to an establishment run by nuns each evening. At many of the stops along the way students were able to use their art kits under the guidance of Dom Gregory. Highlights of the program included a General Audience with the Pope, a trip inside the mosaic studios of the Vatican and the opportunity to travel to each of the seven key churches in Rome." The Program provides Fourth and Fifth Form students at Portsmouth with an intensive interdisciplinary grounding in the language, literature, history, and thought of the West from Augustine in the late fourth century to the present. It also provides the opportunity for the young travelers  to sample fabulous food, shopping and all-around fun. To learn more and to see photos, visit the Humanities Rome Program page of our Website.

More Student Pilgrims in Lourdes: Two groups of students from the Abbey returned this summer from Lourdes, France where they took part in one of the two annual pilgrimages. One trip is sponsored by the Knights of Malta at the initiative of Mrs. Hope Carter. The other is sponsored by Hugh Markey '40 and led by Joe Michaud '90 (see the Summer Bulletin 2006). While there, the students and chaperones assist in various ways the thousands of pilgrims from all over the world, as well as pray together. Some of the students worked in the train station helping the sick and elderly who are traveling from around Europe. Some assisted in the baths, a very special, prayerful part of the pilgrim's experience in Lourdes. Others served meals to the sick.

Thank You: Portsmouth Abbey School thanks the hundreds of alumni, parents, and friends whose generosity helped the School reach its $1,100,000 Annual Fund goal. Your generosity is reflected in the classroom, on the athletic field and stage, and in every friendship built in our student Houses. Each year, your participation ensures the continuation of Portsmouth Abbey School's unique educational opportunities and is a display of your support for the Portsmouth Abbey community. On behalf of every student, teacher and monk, thank you. Special thanks to the class agents, the reunion fundraisers, and the parent volunteers whose dedication made this year a tremendous success. Visit the Alumni & Parents Website for further information.

New Academic Journal Published: July saw the debut of Portsmouth Abbey School's academic journal, scriptorium. This collection of student scholarly writing features essays from across grade levels and disciplines on subjects ranging from Irish cultural history to literary criticism and Newman's The Idea of the University. The editorial team of Micaela Adams, Nicole Biewenga, Michelle Brereton, Isaac Holmstrom and Emily Pederson of the Class of '08 and faculty advisor Bowen Smith look forward to drawing upon the best of the Abbey mind for their follow-up issue this spring. Download scriptorium or request one of the remaining hard copies from the Alumni Office.

Inaugural Garman Lecture Takes Place: Last May, before students completed exams and departed for their well-earned summer break, the first Garman Lecture of the US History Course was held in the Science Lecture Hall. Three students in the course, Bryna Hautau '07, Chantra Pimolwatana '07, and Sam Simone '07,  wrote top papers and each gave a short lecture to the class. Bryna spoke on "Flappers and the 1920s," Chantra addressed "the Ku Klux Klan," and Sam examined "Music as a Tool for Social Change in the 1960s." Jim Garman, who taught History at the school for 39 years and retired two years ago, attended the lecture. For more news of campus happenings, visit the News section of the Website.

Faculty Sabbatical: Congratulations to Geri and Fred Zilian on completing their 14th year at Portsmouth Abbey School. Geri, Director of Admissions, and Fred, Head of the History Department, had a marvelous sabbatical trip to Italy and Greece, June 24-July 15. They were able to combine visits to historical sites (ancient Rome, Pompeii, medieval Tuscan towns, and the site of Hannibal rout of the Romans, the Acroplois, and Delphi), with recreational trips, refreshing swims, and relaxing dinners. Fred and Geri send many thanks to Portsmouth Abbey for making their trip possible.

Teeing-off for Scholarships: On Friday September 15th Portsmouth Abbey will host its 6th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament to be played at the Carnegie Abbey Club. This event provides Portsmouth's alumni, friends and families a truly unique opportunity to play one of the countries most prestigious, beautiful and demanding golf courses while also providing meaningful support to present and future Portsmouth Abbey students. To date this event has generated an impressive $125,000 in revenue for Scholarships. The event kicks off at 9:30 with a welcome brunch to be followed by an 11:30 shot-gun start. The Post-Tournament reception in the Carnegie Abbey Club House will include an awards ceremony and silent auction. The cost for the day's events is $500 per player or $2,000 per foursome. If you are interested in participating please RSVP by September 1st by registering online or contacting Pat Hewett in the Alumni & Development Office at 401.643.1235 or at phewett@portsmouthabbey.org. For more information on this event visit the Golf Tournament page of the Alumni Website. Also, contact Pat for more information on the few remaining tournament sponsorship opportunities.   

Is this your Reunion Year? September is approaching fast and, with it, the Portsmouth Abbey School Reunion for all classes ending in 1 or 6. Come back and meet up with your teachers and classmates, as well as see the amazing developments taking place on campus. Register online today to take advantage of our Early Bird Special Pricing.

Answer to the May Question of the Month: What unusual species of tree lines the Monastery Walk and the Holy Lawn? The Holy Lawn is lined with English Oaks.

Summer Question:  How many years has Portsmouth held a Summer School?
Please e-mail 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

Tony Klemmer '73 Assistant Headmaster External Affairs

Jim De Vecchi Headmaster