March 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.

Abbey Marks One-Year Anniversary of Wind Turbine with Chafee Award for Conservation Contribution: Portsmouth Abbey's wind turbine project has been selected as a recipient of the 2006 Senator John H. Chafee Outstanding Conservation Project Award for its important contribution to conservation in Rhode Island.  The Senator John H. Chafee Conservation Awards are presented by the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI), a coalition of more than 40 organizations and the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, in honor of U.S. Senator John Chafee, who served Rhode Island from 1976 until his death in 1999.

Dr. James De Vecchi will accept the award on behalf of the School and Monastery at a dinner honoring recipients on Friday, May 4, 2007, at the Providence Marriott.  The award, a unique, hand-cast bronze sculpture, will be presented by U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.  School Director of Operations Mr. Paul Jestings, and Brother Joseph Byron, whose combined vision and perseverance brought the Abbey wind turbine project to fruition, will present a brief overview of the project.

Developed by the ECRI to honor the historic efforts by the late senator and governor to protect and restore our natural environment, the Chafee awards are given annually to companies, organizations, educational institutions and municipal agencies which have recently completed a conservation project or established a conservation program that may become a model for other communities and, in doing so, provide significant benefits to the citizenry, community, ecological system and natural resources of our state, nation and planet.

The Abbey wind turbine "celebrated" its one-year anniversary on March 31, 2007, with Brother Joseph reporting that the turbine had produced 1,293,406 kWhs of energy, resulting in 39.35% less electricity usage, over the past year.  The wind turbine is the first, and still only, utility-scale wind turbine in the state of Rhode Island. 

New Dorm to be Named for Ireland's "Other" Patron Saint:  Portsmouth Abbey Headmaster Dr. James De Vecchi has announced that the new girls' dormitory, still under construction, will be named St. Brigid's, in honor of St. Brigid of Kildare, Ireland's "other" patron saint.

Brigid, which means "exalted one" in Gaelic, was a holy Abbess who founded the first convent in Ireland, in Kildare in the fifth century.  She is revered by the Irish people and is considered by Catholics around the world to be the ideal of all nuns.  Brigid's humility and her special love for the poor are legendary.  Even as a young girl, her compassionate, gentle nature guided her to give away everything she had to those who had less, saying that the poor were truly the representatives of Jesus Christ.  St. Brigid also was a hard worker.  She traveled all over Ireland - although never left the country - spreading God's word.  She founded numerous convents as well as a monastery, which were considered great houses of learning.

"St. Brigid's is a very fitting name for such a wonderful structure placed on a magnificent piece of land," said Dr. De Vecchi.  "We hope that the St. Brigid's naming will inspire the new dorm's residents, and indeed all members of our Abbey community, to strive for the ideals that St. Brigid personified."

A naming ceremony for St. Brigid's will be conducted upon completion of the dorm, which is scheduled for late summer 2007.

2007 Diman Scholar Named:  The Admissions Office is delighted to announce that Ms. Taylor Smariga, of Southlake, Texas, has been named the 2007 Diman Scholar.  Taylor, one of the top 10 students in her school, has been a peer mediator, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and a People-to-People Ambassador to Germany.  A pianist, she also enjoys fencing, drama, photography and creative writing.  Given her penchant for writing, Taylor aspires to be a journalist in the future.  Taylor has also been involved with the Girl Scouts for a number of years.  Outside of her studies at the Abbey, Taylor plans to participate in basketball, softball, and the performing arts.  This summer, she will travel to New Orleans with a high school group from her church to help with clean-up and rebuilding in neighborhoods destroyed by hurricane Katrina.  She has a seven-year-old brother, Trevor.  Welcome, Taylor! (For photos of the Diman Scholar weekend, visit our on-line photo galleries.)

Abbey Math Team Excels at Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament:  Portsmouth Abbey, fielding its first-ever team in the prestigious Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, finished in eighth place out of 43 teams in the recently held competition.  Eight Abbey students - Jason Eun '10, Jina Kim '09, Steve Yang '09, Jonathan Samorajski '08, John Gallagher '07, Traver Tischio '07, Sam Yang '07 and Lucas Zipp '07 - traveled to Cambridge, Mass., to compete in the event, which drew nearly 100 teams from around the country and Canada.  As first-time competitors, the Abbey team entered the B division of the event.  After a full day of individual and team contests, which included Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Combinatronics and General Math, the Ravens finished ahead of 35 other teams in the Team Competition.  Congratulations to our Abbey participants and to Mr. John Platt, Math department head, who coached and accompanied the team! 

Appalachia Service Project Continues School Tradition of Community Outreach:   Every March since 1994, Abbey students, faculty and current parents have spent their spring break helping those less fortunate by traveling to impoverished regions in Appalachia to rebuild and renovate homes.  This year was no different.  Led for the 13^th year by Dean of Students Mr. Clarence Chenoweth, 21 students in the fourth, fifth and sixth forms and seven chaperones spent the week of March 10-17 refurbishing four homes, rebuilding a porch, a ceiling and gutters, sheet-rocking and framing, and painting.

The teams were led by Sixth Formers Ryan DaPonte, Anna Buckley, Stacey Beletsky, Paige Fournier, Raoul Oloa, Ian Parks, Jay Popham, Julia LeBouvier and Caitie Silvia.  Members of the hard-working crews included Dan Bernard '08, Jimmy Buckley '08, Katie Collins '08, Beneva Davies '09, Ben Fernandez '08, Brittany Hunt '08, Claire McCarthy '08, Emily Pederson '08, Brianna Rok '08, Katie Strong '08, Sarah Taddei '09 and Corrigan Van Sant '08. The teams were assisted by Abbey faculty members Mr. Chenoweth, Mr. Paul Jestings, Ms. Feryal Sacristan and Mr. John Platt.  Parents who volunteered their time to help supervise were Mrs. Sheila Buckley (P Anna '07 and Jimmy '08), Mr. Seraphin DaPonte (P Ryan '07 and Ethan '10), and Mrs. Margaret Strong (P Katie '08 and Matthew '05).

According to both Mr. Chenoweth and Mr. Jestings, "the real leaders were the students," who provided impressive amounts of enthusiasm, drive and dedication throughout the week.  The families being assisted were deeply touched by the group's efforts and showed their gratitude by bringing lunch to one team and small souvenirs to another.  For one mother, who had lost custody of her children because her trailer did not meet safety codes, the Abbey team assigned to her home worked relentlessly to finish the job so that her trailer would have the necessary front and back steps and her children could be returned to her.  Mr. Jestings said, "It's a lot of work and, yes, a lot of responsibility (as a chaperone), but seeing our kids in action and working with them side-by-side is one of those life experiences I would never miss...we make a difference, in the lives of the people we help and the experience we give our students."

Hard-hats off to Mr. Chenoweth, our faculty, parent chaperones, the companies who provided building and safety supplies for our crews, and most of all, our students!  See photos showing our Abbey Appalachia crewhard at work. 

Florida Receptions Well Attended:  Members of the School community who traveled south for the School's three Florida gatherings in March brought back glowing reports.  Jim and Deb DeVecchi, Polly Carter, Pat Hewett '00 and Father Damian represented the Abbey at receptions in Naples, Miami and Vero Beach, all of which were well attended by school parents, alumni and friends.  Sincere thanks are extended to our gracious Florida hosts:  Peter '55 and Rosemary Fagan, who hosted a lovely brunch on the terrace at La Playa Resort in Naples; Chris Block '96, Colin O'Higgins '97 and Sean O'Higgins '99, who spearheaded the young alumni get-together at the Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes in Miami (where even Dr. De Vecchi bowled a few frames!); and James '79 and Susan Mulholland, who provided fantastic food and hospitality at their stunning Vero Beach home. View photos from the Florida receptions. 

Winter Sports Awards Assembly:  The School community gathered on March 22 to recognize and congratulate all those who participated in winter-term sports.  Dr. De Vecchi hailed the hard work and camaraderie that was in full evidence in all of the School's winter teams, giving special kudos to the Boys' Varsity hockey team, which had its best season in more than one decade, the Girls' Varsity squash team, which captured the New England Division "C" Tournament, and the Boys' and Girls' swim teams, which earned first- and second-place honors, respectively, in the SENE Championships.   

Raoul Oloa'07 and Bryan Kriner '07 were hailed for their individual contributions to Ravens winter athletics.  Oloa eclipsed the 1,000-point mark this season on the Boys' Varsity basketball team, one of only a handful of Abbey hoops players to achieve that milestone.  Kriner was named First Team, All-New England for the 2006-7 hockey season, the first Abbey hockey player to be so honored. See photos of the Winter Sports Awards Assembly here.

2006-07 Winter Athletic Award Winners:

Girls' Ice Hockey
MVP - Caroline Greene '07
MIP - Genna Kyriakides '10
2007-08 Captains - Liz Childs '08, Liz Demetro '08
 
Boys' Ice Hockey
MVP - Bryan Kriner '07
MIP - Andrew Post '08
2007-08 Captains - Pierce King '08, Bryan Abraham '08, Jon Jaxtimer '08

Girls' Squash
MVP - Jen Gerlach '07
MIP - Catherine Kennedy '08
2007-08 Captains - Isabella Maegli '08, Catherine Kennedy '08
 
Boys' Squash
MVP - Zach Bazarsky '07
MIP - Ben Fernandez '08
2007-08 Captains - Teddy Taylor '08, Ben Fernandez '08
  
Swimming
MVP - Jimmy Buckley '08, Anna Buckley '07, Lori Rich '07
MIP - Cat Malkemus '10, Quent Dickmann '10
2007-08 Captains - Maggie McCarthy '08, Jimmy Buckley '08
 
Boys' Basketball
MVP - Raoul Oloa '07
MIP - Brendan Kinnane '07
Captains - n/a
 
Girls' Basketball
MVP - Katie Chiumento '07
MIP - Stacey Beletsky '07
2007-08 Captain - KK Behan '08
 
Model U.N.:  Portsmouth Abbey School was once again well represented at this year's National High School Model UN, held March 7-10 at the New York Hilton Hotel.  According to Mr. Greg Kierstead, Abbey Model U.N. advisor and chaperone for the trip, "The students really enjoyed the Model U.N.  Some were a little wide-eyed at the start, but they all quickly became engaged in the activities, helping to draft resolutions or working papers.  Students also got a chance to see a bit of the city, either going to the Museum of Modern Art or just sightseeing.  What students said they liked best was both the diversity of the conference (other delegations came as far away as California, England and Colombia) and going to the actual United Nations used by the General Assembly, for both the opening ceremonies and for the final session where they voted on the resolutions on which they had worked so hard during the week." 

Portsmouth Abbey students represented the country of Qatar at the National Model U.N.  The students, their committees and their resolutions were:

Disarmament and International Security:  Caroline Mason '08 and Chantra Pimolwatana'07
"The Importance of Border Security" and "Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration"

Economic and Financial-Trade Liberalization:  Michelle LeMeur '07
"Financing Development in Corrupt Regimes"

Social and Humanitarian:  Kaitlyn Soares '07 and Julia LeBouvier '07
"Global Literacy" and "Implementation of Programme to Combat Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance"

Special Political and Decolonization:  Margaret Power '08 and Marisa Edmonds '08
"The Basque Movement" and "Migration Reform" 

Legal:  Emily Pederson '08 and Andrew Carson '07
"Legal Standards for Implementation of Economic Sanctions" and "Prisoners of War"

Commission on the Status of Women:  Katie Collins '08 and Brianne Rok '08
"Honor Killing" and "Women and Armed Conflict"

New Dormitory Construction Update:  Mr. Paul Jestings, Abbey director of operations and new dorm project manager, offered that "construction continues 'full-speed ahead.'  Cold weather and high winds in early March did little to slow the pace of our hard-working construction crew.  Plumbing rough-in is well underway, electrical work has begun and will pick up speed once the building is weather-tight.  The roof will be weather-tight soon, the windows have been delivered and are being installed, and the elevator pistol will soon be lowered into position.  The project is moving along very well and will undoubtedly pick up even more speed with the return of warmer weather in the next week or two."  Check out the great-looking dorm under construction; click here for photos and to see real-time video.

Annual Fund Reminder:  Only 87 days until the close of the 2006-7 Annual Fund.  Thank you to those of you who have already made your gift(s).  If you have not yet done so and would like to make a gift please visit www.portsmouthabbey.org/makeagift or contact Polly Carter in the Development Office at 401.643.1204 or pcarter@portsmouthabbey.org.  Click here for more information about the Portsmouth Abbey School Annual Fund. 

Development News:  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, please visit out our Web site or contact Anna Jones in the alumni and development office: 401-643-1280 or ajones@portsmouthabbey.org.  There are a variety of options from which to choose, and our Development Team will welcome the opportunity to speak with you about what might be best for you.

Reunion '07:  The magnets have been mailed, and all classes ending in '2 or '7 should have marked on their calendar the weekend of October 12-14, 2007, to return to campus and enjoy Reunion '07!  Events will include golf outings, class dinners, athletic contests, tours of the campus and wind turbine as well as family programs and the big Reunion Dinner under the tent.  Things to do to get ready:

-  Make reservations at one of the hotels where we have blocked-off rooms.
-  Contact the Reunion Committee for your class to organize your off-campus event for Friday night.
-  Make your special Annual Fund gift for your Reunion Class.

We can answer any questions you may have.  Please contact Kate Spinella, Alumni and Parent Program Officer, at 401-643-1276 or rsvp@portsmouthabbey.org.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you!!

Upcoming Alumni/Development Events:  The Alumni and Development Office will be on the road again at the end of April and beginning of May. On Wednesday, April 25, John '82 and Megan Hagerty and David and Mary Beth Lohuis P'10, will host a reception at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ, from 7 to 9 pm.  On Tuesday, May 1, Adam '83 and Elisabeth Carter, Outerbridge '71 and Georgina Horsey, and Michael '72 and Rosemarie Bartlett will host a gathering at the Metropolitan Club in Washington, D.C., from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  Members of the School faculty and monastery will attend both events.  If you will be in the area, you are invited to join us!  Please contact Fran Cook at 401-643-1281 or rsvp@portsmouthabbey.orgif you would like to attend.

Answer to February Question:  What infamous event marked the opening day of the 1938-39 School year?  Answer:  The 1938 Hurricane, one of the most catastrophic disasters in American history, slammed into the northeast USA on September 21, wreaking unprecedented damage to Long Island, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Packing sustained winds of 120 mph, the fast-moving tropical cyclone killed between 600-700 people, injured thousands, destroyed 75,000 buildings, and obliterated entire coastal communities. At Portsmouth Priory, the arrival of students was delayed, numerous boats and trees were destroyed, and the School was without electricity for one week.  (While the '38 Hurricane did more damage than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it received very little media attention, with Hitler invading Czechoslovakia the following day.)

March Question: What Ravens team went undefeated during the 1998-99 School year?  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