April 2007

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.

Annual Fund Countdown:  Only two months remain to make your 2006-7 gift to the Portsmouth Abbey School Annual Fund and help us reach our $1,300,000 goal.  Your participation is crucial to the School's continued success.  Many thanks to the 890 alumni, parents, and friends of Portsmouth who have already contributed.  For more information about the Annual Fund, please contact Polly Carter in our Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at pcarter@portsmouthabbey.org or 401/643-1204.  Please visit www.portsmouthabbey.org/makeagift to make your donation now. 

The Bookstore is Open: Commencement Gifts are Here!  Looking for the perfect gift for your Abbey graduate?  Head to the Bookstore, where a wide range of commencement presents will be sure to fit the bill!  Send your college-bound son or daughter off in fashion with an Abbey Under Armor Hooded Sweatshirt  or Ravens Under Armor Jacket with School Crest.  Or purchase a School Pen, or Pen & Pencil Gift Set, to help with those thank you notes.  A handcrafted Cross Moline in 14-kt. gold or sterling will be a beautiful reminder of your daughter's Abbey years.  Then there are our custom-made Vineyard Vines Abbey ties, canvas bags and belts, all with the Ravens or School logo; stunning Eglomisé colorprint wall mirrors featuring a Portsmouth campus scene; heirloom Heritage Chairs and lamps with School logo and your graduate's name; School umbrellas, flip-flops, stadium blankets and throws, teddy bears, travel mugs, and much more.  Our extensive assortment of commemorative wearables and memorabilia are sure to please every taste and budget.  Visit the Bookstore, or shop online.  Order your commencement gift now - while supplies last!

Admissions Office Hosts "Closer Look" for Accepted Students:  The Admissions Office hosted two "Closer Look" events for accepted students for the 2007-08 academic year.  Accepted day students were on campus on March 27, 2007, attending classes with current students while Dr. De Vecchi hosted the parents for brunch.  Accepted boarding students visited campus on Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, attending classes and social activities with their student hosts.  We are pleased to report that nearly 100 students have enrolled for next year in Forms III, IV and V. 

On April 22-23, 10 secondary school placement officers and educational consultants visited our campus as part of an independent boarding school tour of Southeast New England.  These officers and consultants work closely with prospective students and their families who are interested in attending boarding school.  Our visitors enjoyed golf and dinner at the Carnegie Abbey Club and toured campus with our Red Key students.  For photos of the day student and boarding student "Closer Look" events, visit our online photo galleries.     

School Earns Accolades for Conservation Efforts Through Wind Turbine:  Portsmouth Abbey has recently earned several recognitions from local and national conservation groups for its energy-saving efforts surrounding the School's wind turbine.

The New England Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected Portsmouth Abbey School to receive an Environmental Merit Award in recognition of its exceptional work and commitment to the environment in 2006.  The Merit Award was presented at a special ceremony, held at Faneuil Hall in Boston, on April 18.  Chairman of the Board of Regents David Moran '71 accepted the award on behalf of Portsmouth Abbey.  He was accompanied by Brother Joseph Byron and Director of Operations Paul Jestings; Assistant Headmaster John Perreira; Sixth Formers Grady McCune and Geoffrey Larson; and others.

The School is also the recipient of the Senator John H. Chafee 2006 Outstanding Conservation Project Award for its important contribution to conservation in Rhode Island.  The award will be presented by the Environmental Council of Rhode Island at a dinner in Providence on May 4 honoring the recipients.  Brother Joseph will accept the award on behalf of the School and Monastery.

In addition, the Garden Club of America has designated Portsmouth Abbey and School as the recipient of its 2007 Conservation Award. The citation, to be presented on May 16 at the Annual Meeting of the Newport Garden Club, will recognize the wind turbine project and the Monastery's and School's renewable energy initiatives.  Dr. De Vecchi will be present at the Carnegie Abbey Club to accept the award.

Of these recognitions for the School's conservation efforts, Brother Joseph said, "We are blessed to live on a truly beautiful piece of property.  As monks, we have always felt ourselves to be stewards of this place, preserving it for future generations of monks and students.  The turbine project extends that stewardship to a much broader population in a society concerned about larger environmental worries.  It is nice to get recognition from these organizations which are so committed to preserving natural beauty."
 
The Abbey also played host to part of a statewide wind energy conference held April 19 and 20.  The conference, From Local to Global:  The R.I. Model for Harnessing Wind Power Worldwide, convened leaders and experts on wind energy along with local, state and federal officials at the University of Rhode Island to address an array of complex issues surrounding the local development of clean renewable energy.  The Abbey hosted the Thursday evening reception and Keynote Address given by Jim Gordon, CEO of Cape Wind.  Brother Joseph and Paul Jestings spoke about the School's first-year experience with the wind turbine, the first utility-scale wind turbine in Rhode Island.  Brother Joseph also gave a tour of the turbine prior to the reception.

The wind turbine marked its one-year anniversary on March 31, 2007, with the report that its operation had reduced the School's electrical energy usage by 39.35% over the past year.  In addition to the energy savings generated by the turbine, the School's new House, St. Brigid's, is being built with a wide range of "green" and energy-efficient systems and features that adhere to strict standards for energy consumption and conservation, resource preservation and healthful environments.  For photos of the Wind Energy Conference, visit our online photo galleries.

2007-08 Head Girl, Head Boy Elected:  Corrigan Van Sant '08 and Marco DiMattino '08 have been elected Head Girl and Head Boy, respectively, for the 2007-08 School year.  The results were announced on April 26 by the Office of Student Life following an All-School election, during which each candidate spoke to the student body about their qualifications for the position and why he or she wanted to be a School leader.

Corrigan and Marco, both boarding students from Portsmouth, RI, have been involved in an array of activities during their time at Portsmouth Abbey.  Corrigan has participated in basketball, cross-country and lacrosse, worked on the Beacon, and has been a member of Red Key.  Marco has played football, squash and tennis and is a member of the New England Math League.  

While all candidates offered their own ideas about how to enhance the Portsmouth Abbey experience for the entire student body, common themes in the candidates' speeches included a love for the School, School pride, and wanting to give back to the community that has given them so much.  Candidates, all currently Fifth Formers, for Head Girl and Head Boy also included:  (Girl) Liz Childs; Katie Collins; Elizabeth Dennis; Marissa Edmonds; Brittany Hunt; Colleen Kennedy; Naseemah Mohamed; and Margaret Power; and (Boy) Harry Holden; Ray Klemmer; Ricky Kriete; and Kevin Walsh.

Congratulations to Corrigan and Marco, and thank you to all candidates for your efforts!

Who Was Your Favorite Portsmouth Teacher? The theme for the next issue of the Bulletin will be "A Celebration of Education."  As part of that, we would like to hear from our alumni community.  If you have a special recollection, anecdote or quote attributed to a favorite Portsmouth teacher, please share it with us!  Email your thoughts by May 16 to communications@portsmouthabbey.org. Thank you!

Abbey Students Set Good Example Through Teens Leading Children (TLC):  This spring, Abbey students have again teamed up with fourth-grade students at St. Philomena School in Portsmouth for an educational substance abuse partnership called TLC, Teens Leading Children.  For five weeks, Portsmouth students who have completed a special training program visit with the fourth-graders to lead them through a variety of topics, all of which, through presentation, discussion, role-playing and at-home projects, are intended to help the children learn more about the dangers of taking alcohol and drugs; drinking and driving; and peer pressure, problem-solving and making the right choices.  The two schools have conducted this partnership for more than 10 years.  Of the special program, one St. Philomena fourth-grader said, "I like having the big kids come in to teach us.  They help us learn how to take care of ourselves and stay away from things that can hurt us.  They make us want to be like them."  For photos of our Abbey TLC students in action, visit our online photo galleries.

Alums Go Green in Boston:  On Wednesday, April 11, more than 25 members of the Portsmouth Abbey alumni community converged on the TD Banknorth (Boston) Garden for a night of live NBA action and catching up with old friends. The group of mostly recent college grads and college-age alums met before the game at The Fours Pub, the legendary Boston haunt. The Celtics lost the game (as you might expect) to the Philadelphia 76ers, but no one's spirits were dampened by the loss. Check out the Celtics gathering in our online photo galleries.

Please be on the lookout for more young alumni events coming to your area.  If you have an idea for an event that you would like to propose, please contact Kate Spinella in Alumni Affairs at 401/643-1276 or kspinella@portsmouthabbey.org.  

Peter Shaffer's "Black Comedy" Coming in May:  Mark your calendars!  British dramatist Peter Shaffer's uproarious, one-act play is coming to Portsmouth Abbey, courtesy of the Abbey Players, on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19.  The side-splitting farce recounts the antics of a group at a dinner party in a London flat when the lights go out, except that the stage is, in fact, completely illuminated--and the audience watches as the characters stumble around "in the dark."

The well-known production, first performed in 1965, begins with struggling artist Brindsley Miller (played by Max Kleitmann '07) "borrowing" his neighbor's antique furniture to impress his pretentious future father-in-law, Colonel Melkett (played by Jonathan Hughes '08).  After a fuse blows, pitching the dinner guests into darkness, the neighbor arrives--and the hapless Brindsley must return every piece of furniture in the dark to avoid being exposed, as it were, before the lights go on again.

In addition to Kleitmann and Hughes, cast members include Emily Pederson '08 (as Carol Melkett), Julia LeBouvier '07 (as Miss Furnival), Mike Gorman '07 (as Harold Gorringe), Sebastian Clarke '10 (as Schuppanzigh), Nicole Biewenga '08 (as Clea), and Lucas Zipp '07 (as Georg Bamberger).  Don't miss another great production by the Abbey Players!  For ticket information, contact Performing Arts Director Jay Bragan at 401/643-1218 or jbragan@portsmouthabbey.org .

Abbey Students Hope to Repeat in Aquidneck World Affairs Essay Contest:  Abbey students are hoping to distinguish themselves once again in the Aquidneck World Affairs Essay Contest, in which students from all Aquidneck Island high schools are invited to write an essay 500-750 words in length that addresses a specific world topic.  The annual competition is sponsored by the Aquidneck Collaborative for Education and Salve Regina University's Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, and the author of the best essay receives a $500 savings bond.  Portsmouth Abbey has participated since the contest's inception five years ago, and a student from the Abbey has won four of those five years.  For this year's contest, students must address the following topic:  "Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism (Sir David King)."  Do you agree or not?  Please provide justification for your position."  The following students have submitted essays this year:  Sun Choi '09, Lilli Donahue '09, Robert LeMeur '09 and Libby Sacco '09.  The winner of the 2007 competition will be announced at the World Affairs Symposium and Awards Ceremony on May 10.

Abbey Sailors Host Irish Sailing Team:  Over the weekend of April 14-15, the Ravens Sailing team hosted fellow sailors from the Schull Community College racing squad, a prep school team from West Cork, Ireland.  The stopover in Portsmouth was part of a five-stop tour of schools in the New England area, including Duxbury, MA; Nantucket, MA; Tabor Academy; St. George's; and the Abbey.  The Irish team consisted of eight sailors, seven boys and one girl, ages 14-18, all of whom participate in team racing.  The purpose of their trip, according to their coach, was to gain experience sailing against other teams, improve their standard of performance, and gain the experience of traveling in a new country. 

The two teams raced on Saturday, April 14, out of Bristol Yacht Club, the Abbey's home site.  Following the sailing, the Irish team was hosted overnight by Abbey students and their families, including Matt Rosenthal '10, Molly O'Neil '08, Micaela Adams '08, Meggi Johnstone '09, and Taylor Hansen '08.  Both Abbey students and their Irish guests enjoyed the experience.

College Counseling Application Workshop, May 11:  The College Counseling Office will host a College Application Workshop for our Fifth Form students on Thursday, May 11.  Students will read, discuss and evaluate applications to Fitch College, a small, fictitious, selective liberal arts college.  The class will be divided into five admission committees, each led by an experienced college admission dean.  Our guests will be:

Parker Beverage, Dean of Admissions, Colby College
Mary Karen Vellines, Senior Associate Dean of Admission, Hamilton College
Christopher Lydon, Associate Vice President for Admission and Enrollment Planning, Providence College
Mary Lou Bates, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Skidmore College
Christopher Gruber, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Davidson College

Students will meet with their college counselors in small groups before the workshop to review the applications, familiarize themselves with each application and gain a better understanding of the particular factors Fitch College weighs when making admission decisions.

This program is conducted jointly with St. George's - the Abbey program is in the morning and St. George's is in the afternoon.  The day provides an invaluable glimpse for our students into the mechanics of college admissions and gives the college admissions officers a first-hand look at Portsmouth Abbey School.  For more information, contact Susan Wells in our College Counseling Office at 401/642-1252.

Calling All College Athletes: If you (or your son, daughter or friend) are an Abbey alum and you currently participate in athletics at the college level, please email us with the athlete's name, the college he/she attends, and the sport he/she plays, along with any other relevant information.  Email us at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.  Photos are welcome, too.  Thank you!

Development:  Do you have questions about estate planning?  If you believe in the Mission of Portsmouth Abbey and would like more information about making a legacy gift to the School, check out our Web site or contact Anna Jones in the Development & Alumni Affairs Office at 401/643-1280 or ajones@portsmouthabbey.org.  

The Pension Protection Act is only valid through December 2007.  Donors aged 70-½ or older can donate directly to Portsmouth Abbey School from their IRA without having to report the dollars as income on their tax returns.  There are a variety of gift options from which to choose, and we welcome the opportunity to speak with you about what might be best for you.  

Reunion '07:  For those folks whose graduation year ends in a '2 or a '7, get ready for Reunion Weekend, October 12-14, 2007!  Please visit our website at www.portsmouthabbey.org/reunion or login to the Alumni Community to see who is coming from your class.  Leave an online note for your classmates and contact your Reunion planners!  We can't wait to see you.

Seventh Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament:  Please mark your calendars for Friday, September 28, 2007, for the 7^th Annual Portsmouth Abbey Scholarship Golf Tournament.  Registration will begin in the morning, followed by a midday shotgun start at the Carnegie Abbey Club overlooking Narragansett Bay.  Please contact Kate Spinella at 401/643-1276 or rsvp@portsmouthabbey.org for information on sponsorship opportunities.

Upcoming Campus Events:

Sunday, May 6 - Confirmation; Special Olympics; Sixth Annual Cancer Walk
Saturday, May 12 - Prom
Friday-Saturday, May 18-19 - Abbey Players Present "Black Comedy"
Sunday, May 20 - Springfest
Thursday, May 24 - Sixth Form Dinner
Saturday, May 26 - Prize Day
Sunday, May 27 - Commencement

Correction:  When Abbey parents are kind enough to volunteer their time and talents to our School activities, we want to make sure we give them proper credit--and, in our March Musings, we goofed. Margaret Strong (mother of Katie '08 and Matthew '05), not Margaret Power '08 as was reported, rolled up her sleeves and pitched in as a team leader on our spring trip to Appalachia.  Mrs. Strong graciously offered: "Overall (it was) a remarkable experience and it made me very proud to see those kids all work so hard.  A wonderful compliment to the great students Portsmouth Abbey turns out."  Thank you, Mrs. Strong, for your significant support of our '07 Appalachia trip.

Answer to March Question of the Month: What Ravens team went undefeated during the 1998-99 School year?  The football team, which went 7-1 and was unbeaten in regular-season play.  The Ravens squad--including our own Mr. Patrick Hewett '00, who currently serves as a Development Officer and helps coach JV Football and Varsity Basketball--won the SENE League Championship that year but fell in the New England finals, 35-14, to Middlesex. 

April Question of the Month:  In the '40s and '50s, Portsmouth had a farm, originally established to provide food for the School during WWII.  In addition to an orchard, vegetable garden, pig farm, chicken farm and dairy, the School had an apiary for honey and sugar production.  Who was the School's resident beekeeper in the '50s?  Please email your answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.

We Welcome Your Input:  If you have questions, comments or ideas for Monthly Musings, please send them to the School's Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org .

 

Kathy Heydt Director of Communications

Kathy Stark Asst. Director of Communications

 

Jim De Vecchi Headmaster

Annual Archive
2003-04 Musings
2004-05 Musings
2005-06 Musings