Monthly Musings

This is the third in 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.

Commencement 2003: 68 Sixth Form students eagerly processed into the Camelot-style tent on the Holy Lawn on Sunday, May 25th for the School’s 73rd Commencement exercises.   Headmaster, Jim De Vecchi led the ceremony.  Prior to the ceremony, Abbot Mark Serna, O.S.B. celebrated Mass in the Abbey’s Church of St. Gregory the Great.  The Commencement speaker was Professor Richard J. Light, the Walter H. Gale Professor of Education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  Prof. Light has published seven books.  His most recent book, Making the Most of College, has won the Stone Award for the best book on education and society.  Each member of the Portsmouth Abbey School graduating class received Dr. Light’s book as a graduation gift from alumnus Thomas J. Healey, Class of 1960. View the Commencement Photo Album.
 
Dom David Hurst, O.S.B died on June 12, 2003 at the Monastery.  Fr. David remained intellectually acute until his death and was passionately devoted to the Boston Red Sox until the end.  Born Henry David Hurst, in Bardstown, KY, he earned an MA from Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1943.  He took vows as a Benedictine monk of Portsmouth Priory on June 30, 1942 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1946.  Fr. David taught Classics, served as the Housemaster of the New Dormitory and was Novice Master in the monastery from 1960-67.  He was especially well known for his publications and translations of St. Bede and St. Gregory the Great.  Fr. David is buried in the Monastery cemetery.

Admissions:  The School is filled for 2003-04 with one of the largest, most geographically diverse and academically promising student body in quite some time.  112 new students have been enrolled.   Congratulations to the newly accepted Class of 2006 and all others who will be joining the Portsmouth Abbey School community in September!  If you would like to refer a student to Portsmouth Abbey lead them to our web site at www.portsmouthabbey.org.
 
Portsmouth Athletes Named to All State Teams: John Kinnane ’03 (son of Brendan Kinnane ’77) and Rachael Pickin ’03 were named to the First Team of the Providence Journal All State Lacrosse teams and Kyle O’Neal ’03 was named to the Second Team.  This is the second year in a row for John!  Congratulations. 

Summer School: 44 students ranging in age from 13 to 16 from the USA, Spain, Germany, Japan, Mexico, France, Italy, Korea and the Dominican Republic attended an exciting 5-week Summer School on the Portsmouth campus from June 22nd – July 25th.  Students published a weekly newspaper, created dynamic web sites, studied Marine Biology in the Boathouse classroom overlooking the Narragansett Bay and studied academic subjects such as Algebra II, Latin, Art and History.  They also had the opportunity to learn to sail, play tennis and ride at the Carnegie Abbey Equestrian facility here on campus.  Weekend trips included visiting the new IMAX theater inside the Boston Aquarium, a day on Martha’s Vineyard, Saturday night movies and frequent trips to Newport.  11 students at the summer school will be attending Portsmouth in the fall.  Did you know that children of Alumni receive a discount? 

Westport/Little Compton Reception: On Sunday evening, June 29th, the 2nd Annual Westport/Little Compton Reception was held at the Acoaxet Club in Westport, MA thanks to the generosity of Paula and Red Cummings ’63 P ’83, ‘84. On a spectacular early summer evening 75 members of the Portsmouth community shared stories and enjoyed the sparkling views of the Atlantic Ocean.  Headmaster, Jim De Vecchi made brief remarks and Red Cummings encouraged Fr. Damian to alter some of his 1962 English grades, to no avail.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Westport/Little Compton Scholarship Fund established in 2002.

Celia W. Coll '03 was killed tragically in a one-car accident in Newport on June 20, 2003.  A memorial service, led by Dom Edmund Adams, O.S.B, was held the next morning at the Abbey Church of St. Gregory the Great.  Celia was a vibrant soul and approached life with great enthusiasm.  The Coll family has established a memorial fund at the School in her name.  Donations may be sent to Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI  02871.

Annual Fund Wrap-up: For the second year in a row the Annual Fund came in over the $700,000 mark.  The largest part of Annual Fund goes to support the School’s outstanding teaching faculty.  It also supports our financial aid program.  Alumni and Current Parent participation were up this year.  Thank you to all who contributed!

Hard Hats Only at the newly excavated construction area behind the McGuire Fine Arts Center.  Construction began on July 8th for the new Squash & Fitness Center.  Portsmouth competes in the New England Prep School League and will now have the capacity to host tournaments and expand the Squash program to far greater levels than ever before.  Internationally known Squash Pro, Mike Reilly has been hired to lead this expanded program. For several seasons, Mike has coached and advised our squash teams. To follow the progress of the demolition and construction of the Squash and Fitness Center, click here.

The Third Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, October 3rd.  Proceeds benefit the Portsmouth Abbey School Scholarship fund with the goal to raise the equivalent of at least one boarding tuition (approximately $30,000) each year.  The field is limited to 88 golfers and the fee to participate is $500 per participant.  For more information contact Patrick Burke‘86 at 401.683.2007 or pburke@portsmouthabbey.org.  The tournament will be held right next door at the spectacular Carnegie Abbey Club.  View the course and all its offerings at www.carnegieabbeyclub.com

2003 Reunion: If you graduated in a class year ending in 3 or 8 it’s your reunion year!  We hope you’ll join your classmates and the entire Portsmouth Abbey School community on October 3rd, 4th and 5th for a weekend filled with great activities here on campus.  For more information please contact us at rsvp@portsmouthabbey.org

Did you know... our very own Dom Christopher Davis, O.S.B ’48 spends his summers with his Collie, Molly at the Yawgoog Boy Scout Reservation in Rockville, RI where he is Camp’s Catholic Chaplain.

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please contact Tony Klemmer or Jim DeVecchi. We welcome the opportunity.