Student Excellence Across the Arts, Sciences, and Leadership | News | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

"Flow", Wendy (Zihan) Zeng '27, Colored pencil on Sulphite Drawing Paper.

2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Wendy (Zihan) Zeng ’27 received a Gold Medal in the Scholastic Awards Drawing Category for her work titled "Flow". The Scholastic Art And Writing Awards are considered the longest-running and most distinguished recognition program for creative students (grades 7-12). Within the Region-at-Large East, Zeng's piece won a Gold Key Award, representing about 5-7 percent of submissions. As a Gold Key recipient, the work was then considered and awarded a Gold Medal at the National level, an exceptionally rare honor that represents less than 1 percent of the hundreds of thousands of annual art and writing submissions.

Zeng cites her experience within the Portsmouth Abbey School's art department as having an immense part in her growth as an artist. We’re so proud of Wendy for her unwavering dedication to the fine arts, and we cannot wait to see where her artistic journey leads.

u.s. Youth leadership council

Guided by Portsmouth Abbey School alumna and 5th Cohort Inductee Alaina (Enyu) Zhang '25, Adelino Vellis '28 was inducted into the 6th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Leadership Council. The council is a constituent of the Heirs To Our Ocean program, endorsed by the IOC/UNESCO UN Ocean Decade Initiative. The program is designed as a real-world leadership training opportunity for young leaders, emboldening future leaders with the tools and network to execute several environmental protection and sustainability policy campaigns. The 6th Cohort Council, collaborating in action from September 2025 through May 2026, is focusing efforts on advancing ocean and climate literacy as well as inspiring action within local communities. 

Over spring vacation, Vellis and the Youth Leadership Council gathered to advocate for federal appropriations at seven congressional offices, including those of Gabe Amo and Chuck Schumer.

Through his advocacy and leadership, Vellis exemplifies the program's mission, empowering the next generation to drive meaningful change in ocean conservation and climate policy.

Right: Adelino Vellis '28.

2026 Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair (Risef) Environmental Education Award

On March 18, Erica (Jinseo) Kim '27 was awarded the Environmental Education Award in the Senior Division, honoring participatory learning for a sustainable future. Presented by the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Association (RIEEA), the Environmental Education Award is presented to research projects whose works "[address] timely environmental challenges, educating the public, engaging community participation, demonstrating strong critical thinking, and offering meaningful real-world applications." Kim's research, titled "A comparative study of microplastic abundance in coastal sediments and surface water in Third Beach and Narragansett Bay," was facilitated through a science grant awarded by Portsmouth Abbey School, providing students with the tools and resources to develop scientific inquiry.

In addition to the prestigious award, Kim's research project won accolades for the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council Award, winning First Place in the Senior Division, and the Narragansett Bay Commission's Excellence Award, also in the Senior Division.

Left: Erica Kim '27 at the RISEF Competition.

This year was the most successful in student participation and individual award recognition. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication of the following students and award recipients: 

RIMEA 2026 Senior All-State Concerts

On March 22, Portsmouth Abbey students performed in the Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) 2026 Senior All-State Concerts. Hosted this year at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS), the All-State music competitions are highly competitive, prestigious auditions where the top student musicians from the state compete for a spot in honor bands, choirs, orchestras or jazz ensembles.

With intense practice and preparation, our music and choir students familiarized themselves with the required repertoire for State Auditions, including scales, etudes, solos and sight-reading. Each student is judged for their understanding of tone, technique, accuracy, musicality, rhythm and interpretation - skills that necessitate not only technical prowess but the mental fortitude vital to performing under time constraints and stage pressure. From the selected students, ensemble groups prepare four to six pieces to perform at the All-State concert.

The following students were chosen and performed in the Senior category, accounting for grades 10-12 (Forms IV-VI):