Portsmouth Abbey School Winter 2018 Alumni Bulletin

285 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871 www.portsmouthabbey.org Address Service Requested

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PORTSMOUTH ABBE Y SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE! SEPT. 28 - 30, 2018

winter ALUMNI BULLETIN 2018

19481953195819631968197319781983198819931998200320082013

A BB E Y S C HO OL

Calling all Classes ending in 3 or 8 and members of the Diman Club This is your REUNION year!

September 28 – 30, 2018 Please mark your calendar for a weekend of fun and nostalgia with your family, friends and classmates.

Visit www.portsmouthabbey.org/reunion for more information on the schedule of events, accommodations, golf outings, class dinners and more.

Questions? Contact Patty Gibbons at 401-643-1281 or pgibbons@portsmouthabbey.org.

WINTER ALUMNI BULLETIN 2018

MISSION STATEMENT The aim of Portsmouth Abbey School is to help young men and women grow in knowledge and grace.

Grounded in the Catholic faith and 1,500-year-old Benedictine intellectual tradition, the School fosters: Reverence for God and the human person Respect for learning and order Responsibility for the shared experience of community life

BOARD OF REGENTS Rev. Dom Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B. Prior Administrator St. Louis, MO

Dr. Timothy P. Flanigan ’75 P ’06 ’09 ’11 ’19 ’21 Mr. Emmett O’Connell P ’16 ’17 Tiverton, RI Stowe, VT Mr. Peter S. Forker ’69 Chicago, IL

Mr. Shane O’Neil ‘65 Bedford, MA

Mr. Patrick Gallagher ’81 P ’15 Providence, RI

Mr. Peter J. Romatowski ’68 McLean, VA

Mrs. Margaret S. Healey P ’91 New Vernon, NJ

Mr. Rowan G.P. Taylor P ’13 ’17 ’18 Charlestown, SC

Mr. Denis Hector ’70 Miami, FL

Mr. William Winterer ’87 Boston, MA

Dr. Gregory Hornig ’68 P’ 01 West Palm Beach, FL

Emeritus

Mr. Peter Kennedy ’64 P ’07 ’08 ’15 Big Horn, WY

Mr. Peter Flanigan R ’41 P ’75 ’83 GP ’06 ’09 ’11 Purchase, NY

Mr. William Keogh ’78 P ’13 Jamestown, RI

Mr. Thomas Healey ’60 P ’91 New Vernon, NJ

Dr. Mary Beth Klee P ’04 Hanover, NH

Mr. William Howenstein R ’52 P ’87 GP ’10 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Falvey P’18 ’20 Co-chairs, Parents’ Association Plaistow, NH

Ms. Devin McShane P ’09 ’11 Providence, RI

Mr. Barnet Phillips, IV ’66

mission and ensure that students today are equipped with the resources and foundation to make

Greenwich, CT

a difference in the world.

Mr. Peter Ferry ’75 P ’16 ‘17 Republic of Singapore

Mr. Philip V. Moyles, Jr. ’82 Annual Fund Chair Rye, NY

Mr. W. Christopher Behnke ’81 P ’12 ’15 ’19 Chairman Chicago, IL Rev. Michael G. Brunner, O.S.B. Creve Coeur, MO Dom Joseph Byron, O.S.B. Portsmouth, RI Mr. Creighton O. Condon ’74 P ’07 ’10 Jamestown, RI Sr. Suzanne Cooke, R.S.C.J. Washington, D.C. Dom Francis Crowley, O.S.B. Portsmouth, RI Mrs. Kathleen Cunningham P ’08 ’09 ’11 ’14 Dedham, MA

R

deceased

Mrs. Frances Fisher P ’15 San Francisco, CA

REVERENCE

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

Portsmouth Abbey School remains committed to its mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace. Your gifts to the Annual Fund make it possible to fulfill our

Join a committed network of more than 1,500 alumni, parents, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have already given, and make your gift today at www.portsmouthabbey.org/ makeagift. Your gifts to the Annual Fund go to work immediately to directly support our students and secure the strength of our mission for generations to come.

Please contact Director of the Annual Fund Alexandra Karppinen at akarppinen@portsmouthab-

Front cover: Best-selling author Thomas Mullen ’92, whose stories and essays appear in the pages of Grantland, Paste, The Huffington Post, and Atlanta Magazine. His books have been named to USA Today’s Best Debut Novel list, awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical fiction, chosen for the NPR Best Book of the Year list, and shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, and the Indies Choice Book Award. Photo by Jeff Roffman

bey.org or 401-643-1204 with any questions about the Annual Fund.

Fr. Francis (center back) with Fr. Paschal (far left) and the members of the Portsmouth Abbey Culinary Arts Club, Stillman Dining Hall

MY YEAR AT PORTSMOUTH ABBEY

BY FATHER FRANCIS HEIN, O.S.B. IN DECEMBER 2016, ST. LOUIS PRIORY AND PORTSMOUTH

ENERGY TOWARD SUPPORTING BOTH THE MONASTERY

ABBEY ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF A MONASTIC

AND SCHOOL, AND HAS BECOME BELOVED BY OUR MONKS

PARTNERSHIP WHOSE AIM IS TO FOSTER THE GROWTH

AND STUDENTS ALIKE. FATHER FRANCIS WILL STAY WITH

OF MONASTIC LIFE AT PORTSMOUTH ABBEY, WHICH HAS

US AT PORTSMOUTH ABBEY AT LEAST THROUGH THE

BEEN FACED WITH DECLINING NUMBERS AND AN INCREAS-

NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR. WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS FIRST-

INGLY AGING COMMUNITY OF LATE. OVER THE PAST

YEAR IMPRESSIONS ON CORY’S LANE, FATHER FRANCIS

YEAR AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS,

PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT:

MONKS FROM SAINT LOUIS ABBEY WILL UNDERTAKE

As I am frequently asked to compare St. Louis Priory

VISITS TO PORTSMOUTH ABBEY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT

School to Portsmouth Abbey School, I find myself faced

AND STRENGTHEN MONASTIC LIFE AT PORTSMOUTH AND

with a difficult question to answer. Both schools are

TO DEVELOP MORE FULLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE

very much alike: academic excellence, fantastic students,

TWO COMMUNITIES. AFTER THIS INITIAL THREE-YEAR

dedicated faculty and beautiful campuses, and the longer

PERIOD, SAINT LOUIS ABBEY WILL UNDERTAKE TO SEND A

I am here the more difficult it is to remember differences.

GROUP OF MONKS TO PORTSMOUTH ABBEY FOR A MORE EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WITH THE INTENT TO REIN-

First of all, Priory is a day school with around 400 students – all young men – and we start in the seventh

VIGORATE AND STRENGTHEN MONASTIC LIFE AT PORTS-

grade. The typical student takes seven classes per day

MOUTH ABBEY.

with two additional hours of sports. Classes begin around

FATHER FRANCIS HEIN, O.S.B., HAS SPENT THIS PAST ACADEMIC YEAR AT PORTSMOUTH ABBEY AS ONE OF THE FIRST EMISSARIES FROM ST. LOUIS PRIORY. SINCE HIS ARRIVAL LAST SUMMER HE HAS DIRECTED HIS

8:30 a.m., and the day ends around 5:00 p.m. Most of the students are only accepted in the seventh grade, with just a few added to subsequent years, so by the time high school begins, most students have had two years of Latin, and year-and-a-half of a modern language; most are

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 1

Father Francis shows members of the Culinary Arts Club how to make Japanese Milk Bread

basically on the same level in

intimidating aspect of coming to the

mathematics. In high school,

Abbey was teaching young women. In

you begin with biology, fol-

St. Louis, when girls show up to our

lowed by chemistry, then

school to participate in events, our boys

physics. There are no classes

are awkward, shy or act ridiculous; the

on Saturdays, but there are

visiting girls act the same way. Here

usually sporting events or ex-

at Portsmouth, it was surprising how

tra-curricular activities. Many

natural/comfortable the students are

of the teams also have eve-

with each other and, in the classroom,

ning games, so it isn’t uncom-

I am impressed by the girls. I do teach

mon for the boys to be unable

freshmen in St. Louis, and having girls

to start their homework until

in the class raises the bar. The boys are

well into the evening, 8:00 or

better dressed, behaved and focused

9:00 p.m.; receiving an email from a student at 2:00 a.m. is

on work as a result. I admire that the girls call them out

not that rare.

for anything stupid they do (and the boys do likewise to the

Priory’s advisories are a bit different: they consist of two-tothree students from each grade level, so they are generally

girls) and that makes teaching much easier. I love the co-ed environment, and it will be missed when I return home.

composed of 10 to 12 students. The older students help

mentor the younger ones (part of the Tutoria influence of

between Portsmouth and St. Louis is the exploration of

Manquehue). This also gives the advisor an opportunity

the “hard questions.” In St. Louis, possibly because it is all

to see what is happening at all levels of the high school

boys, the students aren’t timid about asking (or even arguing

because the advisees tend to share their opinions.

about) difficult issues. They want to understand why the

I do get homesick for my brother monks. At Priory, we have had 12 to 18 monks teaching in the school, and it is nice to be able to discuss students with them and work on curriculum together. With the founder and early monks still in community, there is a connection to all the students and alumni – something really special about monastic

In closing, the biggest difference I’ve ascertained

Catholic Church teaches what it does about sex, abortion, divorce, gay marriage, etc. These are good questions asked by good people who seek to understand points of view that differ from those of secular society. In my short time here, I have yet to experience this faith-seeking understanding, but I am pretty sure that it is just a matter of time.

schools. Even though I now miss having a lot of monks around, I can see the monks at Portsmouth still have that vital connection to students, their parents and even their grandparents, all of whom are frequent topics of conversation (always in a positive light; monks love their school communities very much!).

In St. Louis, the majority of all Catholic high schools are single sex, so the probability of Priory becoming a coeducational school is pretty slim. Needless to say, the most

PAGE 2

Ever a good sport, Father Francis donned his Christmas spirit for the 2017 Christmas Assembly

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Stay Connected To keep up with general news and information about Portsmouth Abbey School, we encourage you to bookmark the www.portsmouthabbey. org website. Check our listing of upcoming alumni events here on campus and around the country. And please remember to share news with our Office of Alumni Affairs.

If you would like to receive our e-newsletter, Musings, please make sure we have your email address (send to: info@portsmouthabbey.org).

To submit class notes and photos (1-5 MB), please email: classnotes@portsmouthabbey.org or mail to Portsmouth Abbey Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871.

in this issue

My Year at Portsmouth by Fr. Francis Hein, O.S.B. 1 Galileo Revisited: The Galileo Affair in Context by Dom Paschal Scotti, O.S.B. Reviewed by J. Clifford Hobbins

4

Why We Read What We Read: A Teacher’s Take by Kate Smith

5

Alone Together: Professional Development and Technology at Portsmouth Abbey School

8

“Together Together” Insights from the Faculty-Parent Book Discussion on Winter Family Day 2018 by Director of Parent Relations Meghan Fonts

10

The Abbey’s Student Life Curriculum

by Dean of Residential Life Paula Walter

12

Portsmouth Abbey Summer Program

13

Alumni Profiles: Portsmouth Abbey’s Alumni Bulletin is pub-

John Tepper Marlin ’58

14

lished

Thomas Mullen ’92

18

friends by Portsmouth Abbey School, a Catholic

Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10

23

Benedictine preparatory school for young men

Nagle Jackson ’54

29

Jacques de Spoelberch ’54

30

Mary Block ’02

32

Drew Kemp ’08

34

bi-annually for alumni, parents and

and women in Forms III-VI (grades 9-12) in Portsmouth, RI. If you have opinions or comments on the articles contained in our Bulletin, please email: commu-

A Year in Taiwan by Fletcher Bonin ’13

35

Faculty Profile: Susan and Shane McCarthy

40

Please include your name and phone number.

Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture’s 2018 Summer Conference

45

The editors reserve the right to edit articles for

Securing Our Academic Future: Science in the 21st Century at Portsmouth Abbey by Director of Development Matt Walter

46

School.

The Abbey On The Road

49

Headmaster: Daniel McDonough

Fall 2017 Athletics

50

Milestones: Weddings, Births, Necrology

54

nications @ portsmouthabbey.org or write to the Office of Communications, Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871

content, length, grammar, magazine style, and suitabilty to the mission of Portsmouth Abbey

Director of Development: Matthew Walter Editors: Kathy Heydt, Amanda Cody

In Memoriam:

Design: Kathy Heydt Photography: Jez Coulson, Louis Walker, Marianne Lee, Kathy Heydt

Rev. Dom Philip Wilson, O.S.B.

57

David Cantin ’86

58

William Mullen’64 59 Individual photos seen in alumni profiles have been supplied courtesy of the respective alumni.

Class Notes

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60

PAGE 3

Galileo Revisited: The Galileo Affair in Context

by Dom Paschal Scotti, O.S.B. Reviewed by J. Clifford Hobbins William Faulkner once

lenging world all of these

observed that “the past

men endured, and with the

is not dead, it isn’t even

stakes so high, how they attempted to

past.” Father Paschal

blend the startling new with the tradition and wisdom of

Scotti’s most recent

the old. Much was at stake, both on a physical and institu-

work, Galileo Revisited:

tional level.

The Galileo Affair in Context, is proof of Faulkner’s observation.

Portsmouth Abbey History Teacher Cliff Hobbins

Father Scotti gives a balanced and fascinating history of this turbulent and critical time, peopled by colorful and interesting individuals – individuals who made a great deal of dif-

Father Scotti in less than

ference for our time. I wonder what Robert Cardinal Bellar-

three hundred pages calls

mine would have thought of quantum mechanics? Thanks

the reader’s attention

to Father Scotti I know what he thought of the Protestant

to one of the most interesting eras in the history of the

Reformation.

West. Although Galileo’s confrontation with the Catholic Church provides the background for his work the primary

d

emphasis of the book is centered on the context of that

Additional praise for Galileo Revisited: The Galileo Affair

affair. Because of that emphasis, Father Scotti’s work turns

in Context – “Books on the Galileo Saga are certainly not

a humdrum, yet again, once-told tale, into a brilliant, in-

scarce – but Dom Pascal Scotti’s Galileo Revisited: The Galileo

formative, and in this reader’s opinion, an indispensable

Affair in Context is noteworthy for being written by a Bene-

addition to help gain a clear understanding of a crucial

dictine monk, and for its comprehensive review of Galileo’s

time in the development of our civilization.

life and his trial while not sparing either side in the history of the great clash between faith and science.”

Father Scotti has five major themes in his work: There is the Galileo Affair; there is an astute presentation of philo-

– John Farrell , Contributor, Forbes Magazine

sophical issues going back to the ancient world; there is a strong interpretation of scientific issues that had distressed the European intellectual world for centuries; there is a steady interpretation of theological issues, both within the Catholic Church, and outside the Church; and there is a clear understanding of the difficult and dangerous political world in which the 17th century developed.

Father Scotti gives the reader concise and interesting biographies of all of the important players in this drama.

Scotti does not take the much traveled path of mocking the Church. Rather he shows what a dynamic and chal-

PAGE 4

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Dom Paschal Scotti, O.S.B., was ordained a priest in 1989 at Portsmouth Abbey, where he lives and teaches in the School’s History and Humanities departments. He has a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L) from Catholic University of America. Besides various journal and encyclopedia articles, he has a written a study of the Edwardian English Catholic editor, Wilfrid Ward.

Why We Read What We Read: A Teacher’s Take

by Kate Smith “This was a music I’d never heard. Filled with such longing, such unfulfillable longing, it had me trembling. It seemed to me that I was hearing a voice of God.”

How exciting it is to know that in this generation there

From Amadeus, Peter Shaffer

as Conrad’s, as subtle as Woolf’s! New art and new forms

may be a voice as beautiful and wide-ranging as Shakespeare’s, as powerful as Milton’s, as heartbreaking are being created now. But insight grows from knowledge,

W

e teach the Western canon at Portsmouth Abbey and provide our scholars with a fluency in the Western tradition. In doing so, we look not only to the great works of the past but also to those of the future. Rather than skim the surface of the many other profound traditions, we choose to dig deeply into our own with a sense of confidence that it reveals universal truths. We teach students to read carefully and attentively, and to value words’ power on the page; we teach them to be readers and writers, listeners and speakers, audience and performers. We hope to refine and develop their judgment and unleash in them the courage to grasp the reins of the future, to recognize, support, and create the next generation of great works. Because any tradition worth its salt only matters if it lives and breathes.

Every generation finds a way to wrestle with the timeless truths, reshaping them through new voices into art and art forms we have yet to imagine.

and genius springs from work. So our students must learn from the great storytellers and poets of the past how to see truth and recognize beauty. Does it mean that I just want to make sure that years from now, in my dotage, I will have new great books to read and films to watch as I sit, lost in thought, in my over-heated room? Yes. Yes it does.

In the English and Humanities departments, we face a curse of plenty: there is too much brilliance from which to choose.

Why only the Inferno? What about Purgatorio? What about Austen? And Brontë – but which one? Dickens? Of course!

Yes to Tolstoy and Turgenev, but how about Solzhenitsyn?

And no Dostoyevsky? Really? For shame. Isn’t O’Neill or Ibsen worth a read? Cormac McCarthy? Toni Morrison?

Katherine Ann Porter? Hemingway or Fitzgerald or Faulkner? Melville or Hawthorne or Twain or Ellison? And don’t even get us started on the lyric poetry. There is no end to this discussion. And thank God for that.

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In the Fifth Form, we leave the world of translation behind and venture into a survey of sorts in our own American literary tradition. What a vast tradition it is! As Shakespeare is “for all time,” we always read Hamlet, and follow with Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville, Fitzgerald and Wharton.

Along with them, we look at any number of other greats, often including Thoreau, Chopin, Tan, Dickinson, Twain, Faulkner, Hemingway, Whitman, Crane, O’Connor, Bishop, Eliot, Hughes, and many, many more.

So what do we decide? I have taught all four grade levels of English at the Abbey, and each year has a distinct personality. We emphasize skill building to encourage intellectual independence, and we consider the students’ development and state of mind when we shape the book lists. This is what it all tends to look like: In the Third Form, we begin at the beginning, reading a Greek tragedy (with a dash of Aristotle’s Poetics) and The Odyssey to start, then launch into Shakespeare (usually Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet), followed by lyric poetry (ranging from Biblical to contemporary), a little Tolstoy, and maybe some short stories.

The extraordinary Humanities curriculum is terrifying to rising Fourth Formers, and before I taught it, I thought such callow beings could never handle the weight. But literary works such as Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Dubliners alert new readers to the potential that literature holds. If we work slowly and carefully, emphasizing the basics of close reading as we go, the students find a glimpse of the thematic truths simmering in these many pages. Fourth Formers love asking big questions and wrestling with how to search for answers. They learn through seminar discussions and their own writing to access this timeless beauty. I remind them that this is merely their first of many encounters with these texts, and we are just scratching at what will hopefully be a lifelong itch to be challenged and inspired by the greats.

PAGE 6

“Or at a Poetry Out Loud recitation competition, a student will stand up, knees shaking, and bear his Tuck dance heartbreak through the words of a Shakespearean sonnet, breathing life into a four-hundred-year-old work of art, inspired and raw. And I know, once again, all is not lost – human civilization may just survive to see another day.”

The English curriculum opens up a bit in the Sixth Form.

In the A.P. Literature course, students begin to read as budding English scholars. The English Seminar and Thesis course varies from section to section, as each teacher crafts a reading list focused on a particular theme. In many ways, the students’ experiences in these classes resemble a college-level English course, preparing students to use their strong foundations in the canon to ground further exploration, in college and beyond. Sometimes a seminar will consider intensely a single text, giving the students the chance to work closely with masterpieces such as The Iliad or The Brothers Karamazov. Or it might take on a particular period or genre, such as a study of British Victorian Literature or Modernism. Often, the course will pair excellent contemporary works with more traditional fare from their previous years: the transformation of King Lear in

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

A Thousand Acres or Amongst Women; reflections on Dantean tropes of buried guilt and redemption in Jennifer Egan’s work; Shakespeare’s legacy in the modern theater; the powerful and ever-evolving intersection of memory and narrative in works by Marquez, Morrison, Brontë, and Vonnegut. No matter the choices, it is truly a delight to teach students who recognize biblical and classical allusions; they see Milton’s Satan in Ahab, Odysseus in Leopold Bloom, Telemachus in Milkman Dead.

It sounds like a great list of books, and it is. And yet, in the spring, we teachers of English will revisit that book list, and in the late summer, we will all get together with high hopes, ready to inspire these certainly even more driven, even more intelligent, even more ambitious students about to enter these hallowed halls. Blissfully amnesiac about the squirming, goofy, amazing young people who will obsess over which shoes to wear to the Tuck dance more than they will about Descartes’ method, we soldier on, returning to it all, year after year. When they are asked what their favorite book is on the first day of school, Third Formers are just as likely to reference Magic School Bus as they are Pride and Prejudice.

But then something miraculous will happen; I’ll overhear a conversation in the House or on the playing field where a prefect explains to a teary Third Former why it’s always best to tell the truth, even when it means terrible work squad punishment and a painful call home to the parents.

Is she thinking about Adam’s chat with Raphael? Unlikely, but still… Or at a Poetry Out Loud recitation competition, a student will stand up, knees shaking, and bear his Tuck dance heartbreak through the words of a Shakespearean sonnet, breathing life into a four-hundred-year-old work of

art, inspired and raw. And I know, once again, all is not lost – human civilization may just survive to see another day.

If we teachers are honest with ourselves, we admit that the texts are the real teachers. Our job is to be the benevolent guide, to slow the students down and encourage them to read openly and carefully, with great effort and total focus.

If they do that, the words themselves will resonate. Have you ever attended a great performance when, at the end of a particularly powerful moment, there rises from the audience a palpable silence, a universal intake of breath before the applause? That can happen in a classroom as the students discover a brilliant moment in a text. Words in the hands of a master writer have that power, and that pause, like Eliot’s “dance at the still point,” alerts us to the reality of a more profound existence of which we all long to be part.

d Portsmouth Abbey teacher and college counselor Kate Smith earned her English degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She then moved to a New York publishing house to work in editing.

With this professional experience, she switched gears, earning a M.A. at St. John’s College Graduate Institute, in Annapolis, MD, and beginning her teaching career at Miss Hall’s School in Lenox, MA. After a brief stint at the Waldorf School of Garden City, NY, she then taught English and served as English department chair at the Marymount School in Manhattan. Kate joined the Portsmouth Abbey faculty in 2002 and has taught English and Humanities in addition to serving as a houseparent in Manor House and St. Brigid’s House. In addition Kate is a college counselor and is a member of NEACAC, NACAC and ACCIS. She lives on Cory’s Lane with her three boys, Thomas ’21, Sean ’19, and Conor ’17.

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ALONE TOGETHER Professional Development and Technology at Portsmouth Abbey School When the School Committee volunteered to lead a professional development segment for faculty last summer, they knew they wanted to do more than host a program with a guest lecturer.

They wanted to introduce a relevant topic to our community and create a dialogue that could last long after the beginning-ofyear faculty meetings.

Committee Chair Dr. Stephen Zins, along with members Cat Caplin ’10, Michael St. Thomas, Wallace Gundy, and Nick Micheletti ’04, met several times throughout the summer to craft a presentation with lasting, impactful effects. With input from Dean of Residential Life Paula Walter, they found Sherry Turkle, a well-known name in the education world. Her book, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other, seemed like the perfect launching pad for the year’s professional development on technology in the School. And so the faculty reader was assigned, and the Committee went about preparing the presentation.

“The School Committee wanted to look inward as well as outward,” Dr. Zins explains. “And we certainly wanted to avoid a seminar bashing technology and students’ usage of phones.”

As the Committee researched and settled on the best ways to present the seminar to the faculty, they became more aware of their own habits with technology. These revelations were clearly outlined in their presentation, given to faculty in late August.

The presentation began with a reflection on the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone, given by Kale Zelden, dean of faculty. “Everyone in this room knows that this device has changed things… how can we be Together Together when these devices continually pull us away, make us ‘Alone Together?’” he asked. The faculty engaged in a lively discussion about the book and about

PAGE 8

ways to make the digital world meet the world of Portsmouth Abbey in a way that makes sense for everyone.

“REACHING FOR A DEVICE BECOMES SO NATURAL THAT WE START TO FORGET THAT THERE IS A REASON, A GOOD REASON, TO SIT STILL WITH OUR THOUGHTS.” – SHERRY TURKLE

For students – and sometimes for us – real emotion is tied with digital activity. “Their identity is tied to their online profiles,” Wallace Gundy says. “So our challenge is to leverage that as a positive tool.” It is a challenge indeed, as feedback from a student poll illustrated the mixed emotions that come from social media for students. “I don’t like the filtered aspect of social media where people feel pressured to make their lives seem pretty 24/7, when that’s far from reality,” one student responded. “If I don’t get enough likes I will probably question why people don’t like what I posted and if people don’t think I ‘look good’ in the photo. It just makes you ask a lot of questions about your post,” another said. However, the results aren’t all bad: “I like getting different interactions on social media because it means people are thinking about you even though they aren’t with you,” a student responded. So, with so many varied reactions, all tied to social media, how does our community strike the right balance?

It is a challenge, and one that is particularly difficult because this form of technology is still so relatively new. Nick Micheletti reflected on this as he mused on his ten years of teaching teenagers. “I think it will be easier for me in a decade when my kids are old enough for

this issue to become relevant in my house,” he says. “That’s because today’s parents are going in blind, and here we are today trying to figure out what is best for our kids.” Technology is not something that we can all be on the same page about, like minors smoking or using dangerous substances. For those, he says, we have a game plan. We’re on the same page. But technology is a much muddier issue to wade through.

At the end of the day, everyone wants the same thing: for students to be safe and happy. “I felt that [parents] were happy to know this isn’t something they are trying to tackle on their own, and that we are all on a similar page about how to move forward in a technology-driven world,” Cat Caplin says. “I think everyone left this conversation feeling like we had some really good discussions.”

An important component to the discussion is parent involvement. Understandably, parents want to be in touch with their kids often, especially those who live far away. However, there is a concern that students’ days are interrupted constantly by technology, from home as well as their own browsing of social media. To this end, it made sense to expand the faculty discussion to include current parents. On Winter Family Day, a lively group of parents sat with faculty and had an in-depth discussion of technology as it relates to their Portsmouth Abbey students.

Parents shared what they expected of their kids in relation to technology, and how the community can help them meet those expectations. (To learn more about the Parent/Faculty book discussion, read the Parents’ Association article on page 10.)

As the community moves forward in this conversation, there are several important areas still left to tackle. “How we can actively bring technology into the School’s mission of Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility?” asks Wallace. “There are so many gray areas to consider – they’re not necessarily wrong, but they’re embedded in our lives, and as such we need to examine their effects.”

The School Committee hopes to have an annual faculty reader, but this discussion will hardly fade into the background. Technology, for better or worse, is with us for the long run, and we will keep evaluating how the School community interacts with it moving forward.

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL

PARENTS’ WEEKEND 2018

SAVE THE DATE! OCT. 25-27 WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 9

PA R E N TS’ A SS O CI AT ION PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL

“Together Together” Insights from the Faculty-Parent Book Discussion on Winter Family Day 2018

by Director of Parent Relations Meghan Fonts On the third Saturday of January, the Portsmouth Abbey

pect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Abbey faculty

School Parents’ Association hosted the School’s first Winter

members embraced this opportunity and Kale wrote to parents

Family Day. The annual College Counseling workshop was

inviting them to read Turkle’s book as well, and to think about

well attended by our Fourth and Fifth Form parents, rehearsal

“how it would be helpful for all of us to come together as a

of the Abbey Players’ production of A Little Mermaid offered a

community, not so much with easy, ready-made answers, but

sneak peek, and home athletics contests began at 1:30 p.m.

rather as an opportunity to share and to think together.” The

and concluded with a boys’ varsity ice hockey victory. To

faculty saw this as “an opportunity to be ’together together’

complement the day’s events, and at the request of parents,

and share insights and questions on this topic that impacts the

the first ever faculty/parent book discussion was presented to

learning and living environment here at the Abbey, students

offer academic engagement with the faculty in addition to the

and faculty alike.”

typical sideline hellos. The Association asked Dean of Faculty Kale Zelden to present the workshop he and members of the School Committee presented at the summer faculty meeting after reading Sherry Turkle’s book Alone Together: Why We Ex-

Over forty parents gathered for lunch and spent two hours discussing not only their personal takeaways from Turkle’s book, but how mobile technology and social media are remaking our

From left to right: Workshop organizers Claude Franco, Nick Micheletti ’04, Chris Chojnowski, Julie Chojnowski, Steve Zins, Val Franco, Paula Walter, Cat Caplin ’10, Brooke Fink, Lisa Sienkiewicz, Wallace Gundy, Frank Sienkiewicz, Michael St. Thomas, Kale Zelden and Deb Falvey.

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dreds at the click of a button…is really mind boggling if you think about it. We cannot say whether it’s all a good or bad thing, a time-killer or a time-saver, but we are trying hard to figure these things out.” Nick went on to describe how he has seen a shift from face-to-face interaction in the House to more time being spent alone in the dorm room; however, in his Latin classroom, when it is mandatory to turn off phones, “it allows [students] to, for once, be really in the moment.

And they love it.” Nick finished by reflecting on his hope that when his children are in high school, “We’ll all have a better idea of how to handle these rather amazing devices, how to take from them what helps our kids, and push away the things that hurt them.”

“At the end of the event there was a genuine display of concern and collaboration between the Abbey parents and faculty,” remarked Kale Zelden. Our parents and faculty alike are communities. Parents listened closely to head houseparent

thinking about what is influencing our students and continu-

and history teacher Cat Caplin ’10 as she reviewed the statis-

ing to discuss and communicate these relevant topics will be

tics on the use of technology, and they empathized with each

important to do “together together.” The Parents’ Association

other when they heard that a poll of recent Abbey graduates

is grateful to the faculty who presented, and to the parents

exposed that technology today is valuable but can also create

who attended, and we are looking forward to future events,

feelings of disappointment, loneliness and anxiety. Parents

which will offer this positive engagement experience.

too had the opportunity to report out to the group various aspects of their comfort level with technology and when it was helpful or a distraction. One parent commented that she “thought it was a thought-provoking day and took away some suggestions from other parents of their policies at home with electronics.” Science teacher Steve Zins shared that his conversations during the roundtable discussions were his favorite part of the day and an added bonus was clearly getting to know the parents a little bit better. Furthermore, Dean of Residential Life Paula Walter recognized that parents did a great job of grabbing hold of the topic and learned from each other through their group discussions.

As the program concluded, Nick Micheletti ’04 reflected on Ten Years of Teaching Teenagers, and he began by stating, “The one thing I know is that these devices are hands down the most transformative element of our culture. The fact that our students, and really all of us, carry in our pockets at all times: the internet, a video game system, countless social media platforms, and a phonebook with connection to hun-

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PAGE 11

The Abbey’s Student Life Curriculum

by Dean of Residential Life Paula Walter Leadership is something students will always be encouraged to attempt.

There are fall and spring leadership workshops as well as the individual mentoring that comes from houseparents to prefects, coaches to captains, and faculty to club leaders.

In pursuit of growth in knowledge and grace, Portsmouth Abbey School’s Student Life Curriculum embraces wide-ranging topics, from service learning to stress reduction, from grit to gratitude, from morality to mindfulness, and much more. The idea that students need more than academic knowledge to succeed is not a new one.

Portsmouth Abbey School students have benefited for years from the presence of the monks, houseparents, teachers and coaches who have imparted life skills in deliberate and intentional ways, and also by simply sharing their daily lives.

Initiatives labeled social emotional learning (SEL), life skills, soft skills, non-cognitive skills, 21st-century skills, or character development have taken on increased importance in the last two decades as schools grapple with the challenge of helping students learn how to navigate an increasingly complex world. And science supports these efforts as more is learned about the teen brain and its development. Now the inclusion of these skills is supported by independent schools nationwide. The National Association of Independent School’s Principles of Good Practice include skills like media literacy.

The Association of Boarding Schools regularly offers conferences about residential life and an associated curriculum.

The Student Life Curriculum aims to make topics speakable on campus, and provides correct and clear information in a world where teens are often bombarded by misinformation from many sources.

The Abbey’s Student Life Curriculum is inclusive of a host of topics designed to engage students in conversation and offer them tools to live a healthy life. Methods of delivery include the classroom, advisory meetings, assembly, lectures, house meetings and individual conversations. The Student Life Curriculum team includes the dean of residential life, director of medical services, infirmary staff (Registered Nurses, school psychologists, and school physician), houseparents and athletic trainer. This group works together to gather, present and distribute accurate and evidence-based information to students.

There are the standard topics in the Student Life Curriculum that are essential every year. For example, the development of conscience and character, morality, virtues, and the roles of religion and Christian faith in the contemporary world are all found within the Faith and Church, and Faith and Life classes. The opportunity to test these notions, live them daily, and engage in debate about them exists on campus in formal and informal gatherings.

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Mindfulness is an idea that has gained in popularity parallel to increased concerns about mental health, anxiety and stress in young people. Advisory groups talked about mindfulness in the fall, and participated in an exercise together.

The Student Life Curriculum includes education around drug, alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine use and abuse. All students complete alcohol.edu, an online course, in addition to the information they receive in health class.

The infirmary and dean of residential life teamed up in January to host two optional conversations with students about suicide prevention. More than 50 students attended.

This year saw increased attention on vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, because of the skyrocketing popularity and the easy availability to minors. Students were introduced to the topic in health classes.

This spring, houseparents will present information about vaping and e-cigarettes to their residents in a small group discussion format.

The Student Life Curriculum aims to make topics speakable on campus, and provides correct and clear information in a world where teens are often bombarded by misinformation from many sources.

New Student Life Curriculum topics come to the team from the students and current parents. Adults listen carefully for topics of conversation, expressions of concern or curiosity; they look for triggers for sadness, joy or frustration. The infirmary may see a rising trend in an area that spurs a new topic. Or a trend on social media may come to light and find its way into a Student Life Curriculum conversation.

There are always new topics and we are constantly evaluating previous topics and delivery methods.

General information about the Student Life Curriculum can be found on the school’s website under the Student Life tab. For more information, please contact Mrs. Paula Walter, dean of residential life at pwalter@portsmouthabbey.org or 401.643.1380.

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SUMMER PROGRAM www.portsmouthabbey.org/summer

Sunday, June 24 - Saturday July 21 Your child will love the Abbey’s summer program, where he or she will experience a transformational and intentionally-designed program, geared toward rising 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-graders. The daily schedule strikes a thoughtful balance between enrichment and recreation and is rooted in our Benedictine foundation. In addition, your son or daughter will delight in making friends from all over the world!

Sample courses include: Creative Writing, Latin Workshop, Pre-Algebra and Algebra, Apologetics, Robotics, Literature, Photography, Public Speaking, ESL, and Mad Science-Lab Challenge. Classes are taught by Portsmouth Abbey teachers.

The day: Daily assembly and tutorial at begins at 8:15 a.m. Classes run from 9 a.m.-12 noon, followed by lunch and siesta. Afternoon activities are from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner, evening recreation, and study hall from 7:30-9:30 p.m. for our boarders.

Rounding out the experiential program are weekend trips around New England, including whale watching, Martha’s Vineyard, Six Flags, and the Newport beaches.

For more information visit our website or contact the director, Kale Zelden, at kzelden@portsmouthabbey.org.

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FOR JOHN TEPPER MARLIN ‘58, every day breaks with the possibility for growth.

Mere minutes into a conversation with this renowned economist and writer, his joie de vivre is apparent. “I’m 75 years old,” Marlin announces with a rush of enthusiasm. “It’s nice – I like it, I recommend it! By the time you get to my age, you’ve learned a lot, and it’s freeing. We’re prisoners of our ignorance, and gradually over the course of our lives, we escape.”

Marlin has certainly carved quite a path in his escape. One of six children born to Ervin Ross Marlin, a member of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services in World War II, and Hilda van Stockum, an internationally celebrated children’s book author and artist, Marlin has lived and studied on both sides of the Atlantic, amassing a treasure trove of memories and experiences along the way. His zest for life is palpable, his laugh infectious.

“I love to sing, and I love to write – two activities that I carry with me from my days at Portsmouth Priory,” he asserts. “If you leave aside the time I spend eating and sleeping, the remaining hours will be filled with singing, reading, writing, the theater and my family.” John will celebrate his 47th wedding anniversary this year with Alice Tepper Marlin, a Baldwin and Wellesley alumna. They have two children.

Marlin also dedicates a good amount of time to his work as the president and managing member of Boissevain Books, the company he formed in 2010 as executor of his mother’s estate. Today, Boissevain publishes Hilda van Stockum’s books for children and young adults as well as memoirs and biographies of individuals connected to the van Stockum or Boissevain families.

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“My mother was a great influence on me,” Marlin readily confesses. “She was a gifted artist and writer and had a love of reading that was contagious – she encouraged my siblings and me to read from a very early age and used to have us take turns reading aloud to one another. Every Christmas, we would receive books from my mother’s publisher – first Harper Brothers, then Viking, then Constable – which we would read and discuss over the course of the year.”

His mother was also very opinionated, Marlin continues, and loved a good discussion. “I remember her

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John’s selfie taken while visiting Washington Crossing, where George Washington crossed the Delaware River

he confesses with a soft chuckle. Marlin came to the Priory from Gilling Castle and Junior House – today known as St. Martin’s Ampleforth – a Benedictine school in North Yorkshire England led by the monks of Ampleforth Abbey. “They used to say at Ampleforth that the rosary is good for two types of people: those who like to say it, and those who don’t. I’m afraid I was in the latter camp.”

Marlin was met at the Priory by a familiar face from England, lay teacher Cecil Acheson. He also met Father Timothy Horner, who went to St. Louis Priory from Ampleforth. He knew fellow Priory classmate Hugh Ballantyne through Ballantyne’s mother, who was a friend of Marlin’s mother. The transition from Ampleforth to the Priory was fairly straightforward, Marlin remembers. Classes were challenging, if a bit less intimidating than at Ampleforth. “I was surprised to find that Priory students were much less enthralled by the administration than those at Ampleforth.”

visiting Portsmouth one time and getting into a long argument with Father Damian as to who authored Shakespeare’s works. Father Damian took the position that it was Shakespeare, while my mother insisted that it was Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. She was not always right,” Marlin concludes with a laugh, “but she could always back up the opinions she held.”

Marlin admits that he, too, was viewed as something of a handful when he arrived at Portsmouth Priory in 1955 at the age of 13. “I was considered a bit unruly,”

Marlin quickly found himself drawn into his schoolwork nonetheless. “I liked my Christian Doctrine class; it was fun, although I did think the book we used – a text by Wilfrid Sheed – was a bit simple and poorly edited.” In fact, Marlin says, he was so irritated by the tome that he wrote a book review, which he then published in his personal newspaper and distributed to fellow Priory students. “My father had given me a Gestetner printing press when I was still at Ampleforth – it was manufactured in Leeds, not far from York. I used it to publish my own little newspaper, which I called ‘The Crowbar.’ As I had done first at Ampleforth, I would run off a few dozen copies and then distribute them by hand around campus.”

Editorial opinions aside, the Priory faculty was excellent, says Marlin, and prepared him well for his future studies. He was fascinated by Father Prior Aelred Graham’s book Zen Catholicism

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John, at Portsmouth Priory, printing the ‘Crowbar,’ on the Gestetner printing press given to him by his father

of Portsmouth graduates in the same Harvard class has never been equaled before or since,” he says proudly.

and humbled by his seminar on Communism. “I took Father Prior’s seminar and found it to be totally beyond me, which was good because I got to know what I didn’t know!” French teachers Monsieur Cosnard and Monsieur Donato also hold a special place in Marlin’s memories, as does Priory physics teacher and then headmaster Father Leo. “He was very exacting,” recalls Marlin with a chuckle.

Happily, the Priory’s rigorous coursework paid off.

Marlin graduated in 1958 and entered Harvard College, one of five from his Priory class of 36 students to do so that year. Subsequently, two more Portsmouth alumni were added to the Harvard Class of 1962 via advanced placement. “We hold the record. That number

Though Marlin is grateful for the educational opportunities he enjoyed, he also admits that if given a choice, he would have pursued his undergraduate study after a year off. “I applied to Harvard when I was 15 years old, and one of my lay teachers at the Priory, Cecil Acheson, informed me that I was too young to go to college. He was right! I would much rather have stayed on at Portsmouth for another year or done a year of study elsewhere, but in those days, a gap year was not an option, so off to Harvard I went.” Another 16-year-old who entered Harvard that year was Theodore John Kaczynski, better known as the Unabomber.

Marlin started Latin and Greek at Ampleforth and entered Harvard intent on majoring in Latin, Greek and philosophy, but quickly found himself pulled in other directions. “As a young student, I was deeply influenced by my classmates, and they were all interested in economics, politics and the like, of which I knew little,” he recalls. “I told myself, ‘You can go back and learn more Latin and Greek later – it’s more important to learn economics and modern history now.’”

Marlin graduated Harvard with his A.B. in history and literature, then went on to earn his B.A. and M.A. in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford (Trinity College) and his Ph.D. in economics

John (far left) in 1949 with his five siblings, his father, Ervin Ross Marlin, a member of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services in World War II, and his mother, Hilda van Stockum, an internationally celebrated children’s book author and artist

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John’s Portsmouth Priory yearbook description: When he is not beating his typewriter to death in the Art Library, John (The Mouse) can usually be found churning out the ‘Crowbar’ in the comparative safety of his room. The independent publication, founded on the principle of freedom of speech, is the product of his bubbling effervescence and his fierce drive for self-expression. (Wah!) Since joining the Fourth Form in ’55 John has risen to the top sections of French, Physics, Greek and Latin. However, his great ambition – to swear in a dozen languages – has been understandably hindered by reluctant faculty members.

Scorning the title of “prepster,” John has pitched his camp outside the pales of conformity. Nevertheless, he continues to have fun in his own inestimable way. Next year John journeys to Harvard where he intends to pursue a literary (or, at least, a literate) career.

from The George Washington University. He subsequently made a career in economics, becoming an early pioneer in the theory and measurement of corporate environmental and social responsibility and an expert on the economies of New York and other large cities.

economic issues in his widely read blog, CityEconomist. “In writing about economics, the key lesson I learned is that to have influence you can just write for a single elected official who needs an economist,” Marlin wryly observes.

Not that Marlin confines his interests to economics. He also blogs on children’s literature at Children’s Book Authors, offers insights into World War II history at NYC Time Traveler, and is currently researching two works of non-fiction: a biography of William Woodin, the first Secretary of the Treasury under Franklin D. Roosevelt, and a book on the activities of his relatives in Holland, some of whom were leaders of their country’s Resistance in World War II. “I start my writing process by blogging, and if the story becomes a book, that’s okay,” Marlin explains. “It’s the research that’s fun – the book is a bonus. I find the entire process akin to prayer – it’s good for the person who is praying as well as the one being prayed for.”

Asked to share a few parting words of advice with Abbey students, Marlin doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t be afraid of getting old…it’s fun,” he chortles. “Learn languages early, and remember that hard work pays off. And whatever you do, learn to write!”

a John and Alice Tepper Marlin at the Portsmouth Abbey Vero Beach Reception in February 2018. John and Alice will celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary this year. An amateur heraldist, in April John is scheduled to be in London addressing alumni groups from both Oxford and Cambridge about their colleges’ coats of arms.

Over the course of his career, Marlin has served in a series of high profile positions: an economist for the Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, and SBA; chief economist and senior policy advisor in the Office of the New York City Comptroller; and senior economist to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. He has also taught, at Catholic University, Baruch College, Pace University and New York University’s Stern School of Business.

And always, Marlin wrote. He has authored or edited ten books on cities and their metrics.

Since 2011, he has covered public policy and

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THOMAS MULLEN ’92

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FOR BEST-SELLING AUTHOR THOMAS MULLEN, the yen to make a life as a novelist set in early. “As a grade schooler, I hand-wrote imitation Hardy Boy mysteries in pencil on loose-leaf paper,” he recalls with a chuckle.

“Then, when I was in 5th or 6th grade, my parents got our first computer and I started typing my stories on that.”

These days, Mullen is playing to a much larger audience.

His stories and essays appear in the pages of Grantland, Paste, The Huffington Post, and Atlanta Magazine and his books meet with critical acclaim. His first, The Last Town on Earth, was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today and awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical fiction. A more recent novel, Darktown, published in 2016, was recognized as an NPR Best Book of the Year; shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, and the Indies Choice Book Award; and characterized as, “a brilliant blending of crime, mystery, and American history,” by novelist Stephen King. Rights to the novel have also been optioned by Amy Pascal and Sony Pictures Television, with Jamie Foxx as executive producer.

While Mullen is obviously no longer writing imitation mysteries, he is still probing dark corners and seeking to shed light on unanswered questions. Nowadays, however, he draws his inspiration from the pages of history, ferreting out interesting kernels that allow him to explore the tension between individual and societal rights. “I like to use storytelling to illuminate complicated socio-political issues,” he says simply.

Mullen admits that he never knows when or where he’ll stumble across the next informational nugget that sets his mind turning. Take The Last Town on Earth, for example, which is set in a remote logging town in Washington state during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. “That story would never have come to pass if I hadn’t forgotten to take something to read to the gym.” As a twenty-

something living in Boston, Mullen explains, he frequently worked out at the Huntington Avenue YMCA. “One day I neglected to bring my book or iPod, so when I stepped on the treadmill, I grabbed an issue of TIME magazine that someone had left behind. I started reading a piece on antivirals that included several paragraphs about the 1918 flu epidemic and a couple of towns that were cordoned off during the outbreak.” The rest, for Mullen, was history… mixed with a hearty dose of imagination. His novel Darktown – a story of race relations set in the post-war, pre-civil rights Atlanta Police Department of 1948 – sprang from a similarly random encounter. “I was reading a fat book on the history of Atlanta and came across a brief news item that piqued my interest and set me off on a new research trail,” he explains.

Mullen is sometimes characterized as a Southern writer, and many of his stories are set in the South. But in reality, he’s a native New Englander, raised in Barrington, Rhode Island, just 30 minutes up the road from the Abbey. His parents still reside in Bristol. “I’m Southern in that I live in Atlanta now, but I’m still a huge Patriots fan, and I’m back in New England visiting family and friends several times a year.” Atlanta also has such a large international population that the community is much more complex than many Northerner’s outdated notions of the South, notes Mullen. Nevertheless, he concedes he’s a bit surprised to find himself living outside New England. “During my time at the Abbey, I never would have guessed that I’d eventually be living south of the Mason-Dixon line.”

Mullen’s time as an undergraduate at Oberlin College in Ohio first brought him outside New England; he then lived in Boston; Chapel Hill, NC; and Washington, DC; moving to Atlanta in 2008. After majoring in English and history, Mullen continued to traffic in the written word, doing stints as a consultant and then a publisher for several industry newsletters. Then in 2005, he landed his

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first book deal, and aside from a brief period as a marketing copywriter, he has made his living as a full-time novelist ever since. “There’s nothing I’d rather do,” he asserts, “and I’m incredibly grateful that I now have the freedom to dedicate my time and energy exclusively to this work.”

To those eager to follow in his footsteps, Mullen offers encouragement, albeit with a caveat.

“Working fulltime as a writer is terrific, and I love it, but it’s imperative to have a back-up plan,” he cautions. “It’s hard to make a living doing any kind of writing – it’s a high-risk field – now more than ever. I didn’t just decide to become a novelist.

I got my bachelor’s degree and focused on making a living first, then worked my way up to my present position.”

His childhood vision notwithstanding, Mullen credits Portsmouth Abbey for instilling many of the skills and habits that have helped him realize success as a writer. Artists oftentimes struggle to focus their creative energies, he notes, but thanks to his time at the Abbey, that has never been an issue for him. “The course of study was very rigorous and the requirements – mandatory participation in sports, half-day classes on Saturday, etc. – forced me to develop good time management skills and establish a strong work ethic.”

As a writer, you are your own boss, which can oftentimes be a challenge, Mullen continues. “You have to be self-motivated; there are no guarantees, and inspiration can sometimes

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prove elusive. People often romanticize writers – they imagine we’re crazy drunks pounding away on our laptops at midnight, with a bottle of bourbon by our side. But for me, that’s simply not true. It’s work. I love what I do, but it’s a job like anything else.”

“My sophomore English teacher Stephen Muller was great. He was fresh out of Princeton, young, and passionate about reading and writing. He brought the same kind of energy to his classroom that Robin Williams had in the Dead Poets Society – it was inspiring.”

In addition to fostering good habits, Mullen says that Abbey faculty also offered valuable encouragement and helped him to refine his craft. “My sophomore English teacher Stephen Muller was great,” he recalls. “He was fresh out of Princeton, young, and passionate about reading and writing. He brought the same kind of energy to his classroom that Robin Williams had in the Dead Poets Society – it was inspiring.” Fifth-Form English teacher Father Ambrose Wolverton was also a mentor. “He loved literature and was incredibly supportive. He gave me copious amounts of constructive criticism, carefully typed in red ink, on the front of every paper.”

Mullen is hopeful that other aspiring writers now fill the seats of the Abbey’s classrooms, and to them he offers this simple advice. “Read and write… a lot. If you want to write good stuff, you must immerse yourself in good writing – read it, study it, figure out what works and what doesn’t. And pay attention to what you like. It takes a long time to become a good writer,” concludes Mullen, “but then so do most things that are worthwhile.”

d

Lori Ferguson is a freelance writer who, in addition to her contributions to several Portsmouth Abbey School Alumni Bulletins, has served as the communications manager for newsletters and conferences at Harvard Business School Publishing and has worked as public relations director for two museums.

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Excerpt from From Darktown, 37 Ink / Atria Books, © Thomas Mullen: Late one night in 1948, rookie “Negro Officers” Boggs and Smith, on foot, have stopped an erratically driven car that just struck a light pole:

Boggs opened his mouth and was about to ask for the driver’s license and registration when he saw that the driver was white.

That he hadn’t expected. What he had suspected, that the driver was drunk, was correct. Boggs was bathed in alcohol fumes as the portly white man gazed at him with something between annoyance and contempt.

“May I have your license and registration, please, sir?”

The driver’s gray homburg was tipped high, as if he’d been rubbing sweat from his forehead. Which he needed to be doing more of, because his skin was still shiny. Hair light gray, blue tie loosened, linen jacket wrinkled. He seemed sweatier than a man driving a car should be, Boggs thought. Like he’d just been doing something strenuous.

On the other side of the car, Smith visually frisked the man’s passenger. She wore the kind of yellow sundress that always made him so thrilled when spring came along, and even here in the depths of summer he was not a man to complain about the kind of heat that allowed the women of Atlanta to walk around half naked. She was short enough to cross her legs in the front seat, the hem above her knee. Light glinted off a small locket that looked stuck to the dampness at the small of her throat.

She made eye contact with Smith for only the briefest of seconds, just enough for him to gather a few facts.

She was light-skinned and young, early twenties at most. The right side of her lip looked a shade of red that didn’t match her lipstick. Red and slightly puffy.

Although Smith could not yet see the driver, he divined the man’s race based on the subtle change in Boggs’ voice when asking for the license. Not exactly deferential, but more polite than was otherwise warranted.

The driver answered, “No, you may not.”

Boggs was cognizant of the fact that the man’s right hand was at his side, on the seat, and therefore out of view. Boggs decided he need not comment on this yet. Hopefully Smith could see it. The man’s left hand casually rested on the steering wheel, the engine still running.

“You hit a light pole, sir.”

“I mighta glanced against it.” Not even looking at Boggs.

“It’s leaning over and will need to be fixed, and—”

“You’re wasting my time, boy.”

Nothing but a crescendo of katydids for a moment, and only then did the white man deign to look at Boggs.

Just to check out how that had registered on this uppity Negro’s face.

Boggs tried not to let it register at all. Normally you weren’t supposed to look white folks in the eye. But Boggs was the police. This was only the third time he and Smith had dealt with a white perpetrator. Colored officers only patrolled the colored parts of town, where whites were infrequent visitors.

“I need to see your license and registration, sir.”

“You don’t need to see anything, boy.”

Boggs felt his heart rate spike and he told himself to stay calm. “Please turn your car off, sir,” he said, realizing he should have started with that.

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“You don’t have the power to arrest me and you know it.”

On the other side, Smith took this as the proper time to beam the back seat. He didn’t see anything there.

Smith aimed his light at the front seat, where the woman had been staring ahead, her hair blocking his view. He had hoped the light would startle her into looking at him, so he could better study her injury and look for others, but she turned further away.

“I do have the authority to issue you a traffic citation, sir, and I intend to do that,” Boggs said. “I also have the ability to call white officers here, should your arrest be required. I wouldn’t have thought that necessary for something as minor as a traffic violation, but if you want to push things up the ladder with your tone then I can oblige you.”

The white man smiled, entertained.

“Oh. Oh, damn. You’re one of the smart ones, huh?” He nodded, looking Boggs up and down as though finally laying eyes on a new kind of jungle cat the zoo had imported. “I’m very impressed. Y’all certainly have come a long way.”

“Sir, this is the last time that I’ll be the one asking you for your license and registration.”

Still smiling at Boggs, still not moving.

On the other side of the car, Smith asked, “What’s your name, miss?”

“Don’t you talk to her,” the white man snapped, turning to the side. All he could have seen from his vantage was Smith’s midsection, his badge (yes, we really are cops, sorry for the inconvenience), and perhaps the handle of Smith’s holstered gun (yes, it’s real).

“Are you all right, miss?” Smith asked the woman. Let’s see how the white man likes being ignored. Her face he still couldn’t see, though her breaths occasionally made her hair move just enough for him to see the right, bruised side of her lips. Yet she refused to turn.

Smith glanced up at his partner over the car roof. Both of them would have loved to see this blowhard arrested, but they weren’t sure if Dispatch would bother sending a white squad car for an auto accident whose only victim was an inanimate object. And Atlanta’s eight colored officers hated calling in the white cops for any reason whatsoever. They did not appreciate the reminder that they had only so much power.

Smith leaned back down and said, “Your friend isn’t very friendly, miss.”

The white man said, “I told you not to talk to her, boy.”

“Sir,” Boggs said to the back of the man’s hat, trying to regain control (had he ever had it?), and annoyed at his partner for escalating the situation, “if you do not show me your license and registration, then I will call in—”

He didn’t get to finish his pathetic threat, the threat he was ashamed to need and far more ashamed to use, because in the middle of his sentence the white man turned back to face the road, shifted into gear with his right hand, and the Buick lurched forward.

Both cops stepped back so their feet wouldn’t be run over.

The Buick drove off, but it didn’t even have the decency to speed. The white man wasn’t fleeing, he simply had tired of pretending that their existence mattered.

“ ‘Stop or I’ll call the real cops?’ ” Smith shook his head. “Funny how that don’t work.”

Learn more about Thomas Mullen and his work at www.thomasmullen.net

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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10 Over the past several years Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10, two writers at different stages of their careers, have forged a friendship based on their love of the written word. They decided to interview each other about their roots at the Abbey, the influences that inspired them and the challenges of maintaining successful writing careers.

Leila grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, she spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. Leila is the author of the young adult novels Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start author, Nantucket Red, and Hello, Sunshine, as well as the Forget - Me - Not Summer middle grade series and Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon, which is part of the Disney’s “Tangled” franchise. Her next book, Rapunzel and the Vanishing Village, is forthcoming in June. Leila lives in Los Angeles with her three - year- old son, Henry.

Visit Leila’s website at leilahowland.com Rosaria grew up in rural North Carolina, homeschooling with her single mother by day and working alongside her at the local movie theater by night. Her first stories were written in the theater loft beside a whirring film projector. Inspired by a flyer in the mail, Rosaria wound up at Portsmouth Abbey, and although it offered Latin rather than Ancient Runes, she found it pretty magical anyway.

After that, she majored in political theory at Princeton University, wrote academic research on fanfiction, Tolkien, and J.S. Mill, and married the classmate who had become her best friend. They live in Chicago with their cat, Puffy. Visit Rosaria’s website at rosariamunda.com.

LEILA I was so thrilled to learn about your book deal, Rosaria. I was in the third graduating class with girls at the Abbey in 1994, so when I entered the work force there were hardly any Abbey women ahead of me. Hearing about your success in publishing made me very happy. It’s wonderful that more Abbey women’s voices are being heard. Congratulations!

We both write for young audiences. My books for teens, Nantucket Blue (Disney-Hyperion, 2013), Nantucket Red (Disney-Hyperion, 2014), and Hello, Sunshine (Disney-Hyperion, 2017), are in the contemporary realistic genre. They all draw on my own high school experiences, even though there is very little, if any, crossover with

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

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Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10

actual events that occurred in my life. Someone once told me that when a writer begins a work of fiction it is often ninety percent autobiographical, but at the end of the process, if all has gone well, that figure is more like ten percent or even less. I’ve found this to be true in my own work. In fact, if I stay too close to what I remember as “what really happened,” the writing feels flat. Ironically, it’s only by inhabiting my fictional characters that I am able to uncover some truth.

As a writer of fantasy, how much and in what way do you draw from your own life experiences?

ROSARIA Thank you so much, Leila. I’ve appreciated your support from the start while I was trying to get published, and as a 2010 graduate I have nothing but admiration for the earliest graduating female classes at the Abbey! A long time ago I did an article about them for the “Beacon” and the stories rustled up were fantastic – you all were such trailblazers.

Your thoughts about writing from experience vs. imagination offer so much to unpack. In some ways I think writing fantasy made me come at it from the opposite direction – my debut novel, The Dragonlord’s Son (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2019) is based on premises that have absolutely nothing to do with real life experience. But those premises only came to life when I could zoom in on the character level and portray emotions and experiences that were closer to home. And that meant drawing on my time at the Abbey. The characters in my book ride dragons and are training to join the highest ranks of government, but at the same time they are going through many of the same boarding school experiences I did. Forging deep friendships and discovering new ideas, but also sometimes missing their families and wondering if they’re not good enough. Particularly as a scholarship student from the rural South, I remember experiencing New England in general and the Abbey in particular as a strange, elegant world that I was at once thrilled and intimidated by.

The memory of that experience is what guided me in writing the narrative of one of the two main characters, an orphaned peasant who tests into an elite dragonrider training program. So I guess I could say that while on the structural level, I relied on more theoretical and academic inspirations, when it came to writing about the emotions and relationships between the characters, I relied a lot on experience.

I’m curious to pass the same question back to you, since your most recent novels are middle grade fantasy rather than teen contemporary. How has the experience of drawing on experience and inhabiting a fictional character changed as you made the transition to a different genre and age group?

LEILA Oh, The Dragonlord’s Son sounds wonderfully imaginative and complex! I can’t wait to read it.

I love your remark about the Abbey seeming like a “strange, elegant world.” Even as a native Rhode Islander, it sometimes felt like that to me. There was a level of ritual and formality at the Abbey that I wasn’t used to, and as one of the few girls among so many boys, I often felt like an outsider.

Disney tapped me to write a middle grade novel based on the world of “Tangled,” the movie and TV series about Rapunzel. They pursued me for this assignment based on my contemporary realistic middle grade books, The Forget-Me-Not Summer series (HarperCollins, 2015, 2016, 2017), because they loved the charm and heart of those books. I leapt at the opportunity to work

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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

for a Disney franchise, but was intimated by writing fantasy. I rarely even read in this genre, never mind write in it. There was no way I was going to let my fear get in the way of the job, however! To my surprise, I didn’t find writing fantasy to be too different from writing contemporary realistic fiction. However, I think this was due to the fact that the world had already been fully imagined by Disney – and world building is what scares me most about writing fantasy. In addition, the executives were very clear that they wanted a grounded story with very limited magic. So, there I was, back to focusing on the characters’ inner lives, relationships with one another, and the timeless issues of self-knowledge, finding one’s place in the world, discovering one’s purpose, and learning how to be a good friend.

As for writing for tweens instead of teens, the fundamental approach to the characters is the same. I have great respect for children and wouldn’t dream of talking down to them. Working with children as a librarian nurtures this respect and also gives me access to their language and concerns. I have also been lucky to work with brilliant editors who are quick to call me out on any false notes. If anything, I find writing tweens more natural than writing teens, but I’m not sure I can explain that.

I am so impressed that you landed a book deal at such a young age! I’d love to hear more about your journey to publishing. Did you always know that you wanted to write young adult books?

Was The Dragonlord’s Son the first book you wrote? How did you get the idea and how long did it take you to write the draft that you ultimately submitted to agents? Was it difficult to find an agent? And for how long was it out on submission?

ROSARIA I’m so impressed with your getting tapped by Disney! I’ve always admired how they produce such consistently well- told, thoughtful stories across the board. And to work on such time - honored characters – what a treat that must be!

I’ve wanted to be a published author since I was a little kid. The obsession followed me through high school, as many current Abbey teachers can attest. I still cringe a little to remember asking Laureen Bonin to read one of my “novels” (I was fourteen) – over her Christmas break. Now that I’m a teacher myself I can imagine how she must have wanted to kill me! But she only ever showed enthusiasm and support, and even asked Michael (her husband and fellow Portsmouth Abbey English teacher) to read it over his break, too.

As far as the type of book I wanted to write, I think my loyalty just stayed with the age and genre that I remember having the most powerful effect on me as a reader growing up – they were, to borrow a phrase from Dan McDonough, my “quake books.” The inspiration for The Dragonlord’s Son solidified somewhere in college, when I thought of setting up Plato’s Republic as a YA novel about Guardians (the young people training to be virtuous rulers in his theoretical city) and added dragons. Because obviously a big practical question is: why would adults ever set up a society where they train teenagers to rule over them? And the answer could be: because it’s a dragonriding culture, and you have to start training dragonriders young.

The book was on submission to literary agents for two years, and those two years were absolutely exhausting and awful! There were a lot of rejections and worse, manuscript requests that left you hopeful for months but that turned into rejections, too. But I learned so much. And when

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Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10

I felt most hopeless, I ended up finally figuring out a proper career path to pursue, a can I’d been kicking down the road for as long as I could remember – which was good for both my emotional and financial stability! When I finally got the offer from an agent, I was so stunned that I actually managed to read the whole email as a rejection letter first.

After that, it was insanely smooth sailing. We went on submission to publishers and heard back from one of them two days later. Within two weeks we had interest from enough publishing houses to have an auction. It was a crazy two weeks and the auction was a crazy day, and part of what kept me sane were a whole lot of Abbey teachers. I was in touch with Laureen Bonin, Kate Smith, and Kale Zelden throughout. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better cheering squad, and they’ve been there for me for over ten years now, from start to finish.

I’m curious to ask, now that I’m on the other side of a book deal and am learning how to juggle obligations as a teacher and a writer: How do you do it? You have been insanely prolific over the last few years! How do you move between your writing and your work in school? Do you ever find it challenging? Did you always want writing to be a part of your career, or was it an interest that came to you later through to your work as a librarian?

LEILA I always wanted to be a writer. However, I’m a very social person and love being a part of community. Vast deserts of alone time are not good for me – creatively or otherwise. I’m convinced that my librarian job came to me through divine intervention. It creates a wonderful feedback loop with my writing, and I thrive in a lively atmosphere. I enjoy the controlled chaos and constant surprises of working with kids. I love the immediacy of my days, hours, and minutes. I’m in my element helping third graders work through conflict on the yard or assisting a shy seventh grader with finding the perfect romance novel. That being said, I also love being part - time. I don’t think being a full - time schoolteacher would allow me to have a writing career. I work at a small Catholic school and it’s a very tight community – not dissimilar from the Abbey. Connecting to something larger than myself feeds me and provides me with the spiritual freedom to be a creative person who is attempting to do my part, and in the words of the great Catholic theologian Teihard de Chardin, build the earth.

ROSARIA What a beautiful answer. I just read it aloud to my husband because it resonated so deeply with my own experience – I also seek community and love the immediacy of the school day, and I also teach part time at a small Catholic school. What a blessing to have discovered these joys at the Abbey, and that we both have found them again later in our lives! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful words about writing and teaching, and I wish you all the best with both.

LEILA Thank you, Rosaria! I wish you great success and will be following your journey!

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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Rosaria’s book is too early in the editing process to share an excerpt, but she was able to share her query letter. A query letter is what a writer sends to literary agents when seeking representation, and because an agent is pretty much necessary to be considered by any major publisher, the query letter is often the biggest hurdle for an aspiring author. In many ways, it is trickier to write than the book itself!

Pitching a story is very different from telling it, and together with the strict word count limit (between 250 and 350 words) and the importance of showcasing your writing ability as you pitch, it’s an incredibly challenging letter to compose. Rosaria went through many unsuccessful drafts before she arrived at this one (with rejections from over 70 agents), and reading a lot of examples of other query letters helped her improve on the way. Here’s the query that finally got her an offer:

Attn. Ms. ------: I’m seeking representation for my fantasy novel for older YA audiences, THE DRAGONLORD’S SON. Because of your interest in stories about characters questioning their assumptions, breaking mental chains, and challenging systems of oppression, I thought my story might be a good fit for your list. Its main character is a boy born into privilege who, when faced with its injustice, makes the choice to turn his back on the system that would have empowered him.

THE DRAGONLORD’S SON puts the Targaryens in Ender’s Game.

In the aftermath of a bloody revolution, dragons are no longer ridden by a single aristocratic family. Instead, children chosen for their intelligence and character train to become the City’s next generation of dragonriders – now called Guardians. When they are ready, they will rule.

At fifteen, Lee is the most talented dragonrider in the Guardian program. Aristocratic by birth, his identity concealed, Lee finds himself a rising star in the very regime that once massacred his family. When presented with the opportunity for betrayal, his choice should be easy.

But Lee has come to value a system that rewards merit rather than birth. Nor can he dismiss what he has learned of his own family’s bloody legacy from the orphans it has left in its wake – among them his closest friend, Annie. Lee may be the only one who can avenge his family, but he is also the only one who can atone for his father’s crimes.

With war looming and his own loyalties wavering, flying turns out to have been the easiest part of Lee’s training. Now he must learn to choose between evils. He must decide, when deaths are inevitable, which lives matter more. And he must come to terms with the bitterest truth of all: that in opposing one unjust regime, he may have placed himself at the forefront of another.

Complete at 93,000 words, THE DRAGONLORD’S SON is the first part of a planned trilogy. In tone and intended audience, it is most comparable to RED RISING and THE RED QUEEN. The first ten pages are pasted below.

Sincerely, Rosaria Munda

Leila Howland ’94 and Rosaria Munda ’10

Excerpt from Leila Howland’s

Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon “I think so?” I said.

Later that night, after dinner with my parents and a stroll with Eugene in the gardens to retrieve my shoes, I settled into my bed with the poetry book. I had just opened it when my mom knocked on the door.

“Good. I’ve decided to appoint Cassandra,” Mom said.

“The captain’s daughter?” I asked, though I doubted there could be two Cassandras in the same kingdom—at least, not if one of them was the girl I’d met today.

“Sweetheart,” Mom said, poking her head in. “Are you awake?”

“Yes,” I said. Instinctively, I tucked the book inside my covers, though I’m not sure why.

I just wasn’t ready to share it.

My mother entered my room, beamed at me, and sat down next to me on my bed. She took my hands in hers. “Darling, the time has come for me to assign your lady-in-waiting.”

Mom nodded with an easy smile.

“Okay,” I said. I remembered the strength of her throw and the fire in her eyes. Maybe having a lady-in-waiting wouldn’t be so bad if it was her.

“Okay.”

“Cassandra is a wise and brave girl,” Mom said. “She knows the ways of the castle and how this kingdom works.”

“I see that,” I said.

“Already?” I asked, sitting up a little straighter. “I mean, I know I had a rough day today, but I can try harder.”

“A lady-in-waiting isn’t just someone who helps you,” Mom explained. “She’s a constant companion.”

“I know you do,” Mom said.

“Cassandra is my lady-in-waiting,” I said, smiling to myself as I imagined her teaching me how to throw a shot or handle a sword.

“But I have Pascal for that,” I said.

“Perfect,” Mom said.

Pascal smiled up at Mom from a nearby ottoman. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure what I would do with a constant human companion. I was pretty good at entertaining myself.

“I know,” Mom said. “But you have an awful lot of occasions coming up. You’re a princess now. I really think you’ll need someone to help you navigate these sometimes tedious but necessary ceremonies, and to be your friend and confidante.”

“I know I can handle it, Mom,” I said.

“You have a responsibility, Rapunzel,” Mom said. “To this kingdom. And as much as I love Pascal, you need a guide.”

I felt her words like a weight. I wasn’t ready to hear about responsibility—I was just learning to live in more than one room! And yet her eyes were full of kindness and truth.

“The entire kingdom has been awaiting your return. Do you understand?”

PAGE 28

“Yay!” I said.

“You can announce tomorrow at dinner,” she said, kissing my cheek. “Until then, it’s our secret.”

After she left, I pulled the book out from under my covers and tried to read the next poem. The words were foreign, but I decided to speak them aloud anyway, and as I did they made a kind of music. When I closed my eyes I wondered what it would be like for Cassandra to be my lady-in-waiting. Would she teach me her warrior moves?

Would she tell me everything she knew about Corona?

Would she eventually be a little friendlier?

I took several deep breaths and at last drifted off to sleep.

That night I dreamed of water, and of a secret that swam like a silver fish inside it.

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Nagle Jackson ’54 I WROTE MY FIRST SCRIPT FOR THE STAGE

at Portsmouth, along with my friends Malcolm Kennedy, Tom Barry and David Colby – all Class of ’54. We decided to create and stage a musical revue called “Breaking Loose,” the title suggesting our imminent graduation. Malcolm composed the music; he and I did the lyrics, all of us wrote comic sketches. For some reason the school authorities allowed us to stage the show which we did with the entire Class of ’54 as our cast. I think I staged most of it, so this was probably my first directing job as well. It was a great success and we even have a cast recording. It’s a tribute to the faculty and administration of the School that we were given the leeway to follow our creative instincts. That kind of trust and access is not always available in academic institutions. We were blessed.

My ambition, however, going into college, was to be an actor, but I did not declare a theater major, nor do I ever advise it. What one needs as a theater artist is a broad background in the humanities; theatrical technique can be picked up later in grad school or, as in my case, “on the job.” My major studies in college were English and French.

It was only after several years as a performer that I felt the urge to direct and was given my novice opportunity by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where I had begun as an actor right after college.

The minute I staged my first professional production, Ben Jonson’s “Volpone,” I knew my place was in front of the stage, not on it. I continued to perform for a few years to pay the rent and raise my growing family, but in 1967 I became a full-fledged director with the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. One of the highlights of my directing career was staging “The Glass Menagerie” in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), Russia. This was right before the Soviet Union crumbled, and it was fascinating to see the cracks beginning to form. I loved my Russian cast and the production remained in their repertory for 20 years.

The playwriting began around the time I became artistic director of the McCarter Theater in Princeton. I have no memory why, except that I found myself with time on my hands and an idea for a farce.

That play, “At This Evening’s Performance” went rather well and is still performed today from time to time.

I don’t think one can really direct without having acted. I don’t see how you can tell someone what to do if you don’t know what it “feels like” to do it. I don’t think one has to have been a great or even very good actor; but you have to know what the demands, physically, mentally, and emotionally really are. Surely my experience in both occupations help me as a playwright; I can visualize in detail how a scene will play, what the physical demands will be, etc. The rest is imagination.

My advice to young persons thinking about a theatrical career is always: “Go for it.” You simply have to jump in, create your own opportunities if necessary, make a lot of mistakes, and learn. It is not a glamorous profession; it is a constantly enriching one. I have never done anything else.

Nagle has directed at major theaters throughout the U.S., on Broadway, and in Europe; he was the first American ever invited to direct in the Soviet Union. He served as artistic director of both the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre, Princeton, before he began his dual career as playwright and director. His play, Opera Comique, debuted at A.C.T., San Francisco and then played the Kennedy Center under Nagle’s direction. His play, The Elevation of Thieves was awarded the $150,000 Onassis Foundation International Playwright’s award, presented to him by the president of Greece. Seven of his plays are regularly presented both here and, in translation, abroad. He was a Fulbright Fellow for theatrical studies in Paris, and holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Whitman College. Nagle lives in Princeton Junction, NJ, with his wife, Sandy, and never misses his yearly lunch date in Paris with old Portsmouth friend and classmate Basil Carmody !

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PAGE 29

Jacques de Spoelberch ’54

In an article Jacques wrote for the 2008 Portsmouth Abbey Alumni Bulletin, he recalled, “My father, a Belgian pioneer aviator who flew (and reportedly jousted) with Charles Lindbergh, died in l939 when I was two. My mother, a Main Line (PA) beauty whose will was as resolute as her heart was big, whose grandfather, as head of the Pennsylvania Railroad, installed the tunnels under the Hudson and East Rivers through which countless travelers have journeyed in the last hundred years, and whose great aunt was the belatedly recognized artist Mary Cassatt, died in 2000 when I was a mere sixty-four – a seemingly unfair distribution of time on the part of the Deity who handles such matters.”

to say, with my parentage. At the outset of WWII my mother was U.S. on the last passenger ship to leave the port of Genoa, Italy, in June of l940. But at the conclusion of that conflict, she reminded us that we were Catholic (she herself was Protestant) and Belgian, and we returned immediately from Bryn Mawr, PA, to Brussels. Within months I found myself deposited in the Benedictine Abbey School of Maredsous, which made the Priory, little less today’s Abbey, look like a

ment when I wondered what on earth I was doing up here, right now. Unfortunately that moment occurred when a tackle needed to be made, which the estimable Coach Ralph Hewitt made all too public in his half-time comments.”

“How I arrived at the Priory in the fall of 195l had to do, needless able to get herself and her two sons to the

rain-lashed day in late November. Nor forget the existential mo-

“I studied hard at the Priory,” he says “and I particularly enjoyed my English courses with Mr. Kelly and those in French with Mr. Treo.

My favorite priests were Father Andrew, Father Aelred Graham and Father Hilary.”

Upon graduation from the Priory, Jacques attended Princeton, majoring in English and comparative literature, and writing a substantial thesis on the origins of the realistic novel his senior year. In late 1959, Jacques joined Houghton Mifflin in Boston and soon became an editor there and in the New York City branch office. He left the traditional Houghton

modern spa. “

Mifflin world in 1972 to become the editorial

Jacques played on the Priory football team

in New York. At ILM, Jacques built a small list

his first fall and the baseball team in the spring. “I’ll never forget a 7-0 loss to St. George’s on their high plain overlooking Newport and the bay on a gloomy, windy,

PAGE 30

director of International Literary Management of writer clients and also cobbled together biographies and autobiographies of celebrities in the worlds of sports, business and fashion.

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Jacques’ yearbook: President of the Senior class – this has been but one of Jack’s many accomplisments since he arrived three years ago. His IV Form saw him first string end on the varsity football team (never having played football before), and during the spring, his powerful arm and accurate batting eye put him behind the plate on the baseball team. Since then, due to trouble with his knees, he turned full attention to studies and extracurriculr activities, to name a few: Cum Laude Society, editor-in-chief of the Beaverboard, and sports editor of the Raven. An ardent drummer, he has played with the Choral Group orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Albrecht and also set the beat for the songs in Breaking Loose. Perhaps we best remember Jack for the good-natured way in which he attacked anything he did, whether in studies or in carrying our responsibilities.

Accepted at both Harvard and Princeton, he chose Princeton – probably to stay close to his dear Philadelphia Phillies.

But in 1975 he moved to Connecticut and started his

Witwer, and Heather Clarks’s biography SYLVIA

own small literary agency, J de S Associates, Inc.

PLATH: Her Life in Art.

As both editor and agent within his own agency,

“As editor, my most challenging author was

Jacques has maintained broad-based interests,

unquestionably James Dickey,” according to

leaning toward what he characterizes as “gen-

Jacques. “Working with him as he assem-

eralist fiction and non-fiction, both literary

bled and wrote his novel Deliverance over a

and commercial, but with the occasional

half-dozen years was nerve-wracking and

penchant towards the mischievous, the co-

patience intensive. My most fun rapport

medic, the idiosyncratic, and even the noir.”

with an author was with Cornelia Otis Skinner, whose best-selling works Elegant

In building his career and reputation, Jacques

Wits and Grand Horizontals and Madame

has represented such renowned authors as

Sarah (la Bernhardt!) were as delightful as

the historical novelists Dorothy Dunnett and

was their author.

Margaret George.

“As I approach my 60th college reunion in May

Recently his successes have included Laurie Wilson’s biography, LOUISE NEVELSON: Architect of Shadows, Joshilyn Jackson’s novel THE ALMOST SISTERS, and Michael Witwer’s EMPIRE OF IMAGINA-

and almost the same span in the literary world, I’m happy to say that I soldier on as best I can in a world in which the placing of good books is becoming

TION: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons. For

more and more difficult,” he says. “Still, as I look back on the Bene-

this year and 2019 he will see published Michael Jon Varese’s debut

dictine experience that began at Maredsous right after WWII and

novel THE SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHER, John Heminway’s IN

continued with Portsmouth Priory, I think that what I learned at

FULL FLIGHT: A Story of Africa and Atonement, Haroon Ullah’s

both is how to be a tad more ready to handle the ongoing unreadi-

HOUSE OF HEROIN: Inside the Secret Billion-Dollar Narco-Ter-

ness that life brings to all of us and, on occasion, to do so with some

ror Empire that is Killing America, Peter Shinkle’s IKE’S MYSTERY

spirit and civility.”

MAN: Robert Cutler, Eisenhower’s Keeper of Secrets, Stanley Chapman’s THE FRAILTY OF ALL THINGS: A Novel of Mary Shelley, Margaret George’s THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK: A Novel of the Emperor Nero, a huge visual history of Dungeons & Dragons by Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer, and Sam

Above: A caricature of Joltin' Jacques from his days playing USTA-sanctioned 3.5 senior doubles tennis for the Norwalk Lobsters. Jacques has always been athletic, going back to his early days at the Priory. In his teens, he nearly became "the first Belgian Viscount to become a Major League ballplayer when I had a series of tryouts with the Philadelphia Phillies!"

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 31

Mary Block ’02

MARY BLOCK’S POEMS have been

University. All the while, Mary has been writ-

featured in Serious Daring (Oxford University

ing, sending out poems for publication, and

Press), RHINO, Sonora Review, Rattle, and Con-

slowly building the manuscript for her first

duit, among others.

book.

After graduating from the Abbey in 2002 Mary

When asked what prompted her to pursue po-

attended Boston College, where she majored

etry as a career, Mary responded, “As corny as

in English with a creative writing focus. She

it sounds, I think poetry is one of those things

then moved to New York City, where she pur-

that chooses you. I’m not sure that I set out to

sued a master’s degree at NYU’s Creative Writ-

be a poet. It’s just something that I always felt I

ing Program, writing her master’s thesis under

could do, and should do.”

the direction of Sharon Olds. While a graduate student, Mary taught creative writing to NYU’s undergraduates. She was a 2012 finalist for the Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation and a Pushcart Prize nominee.

PAGE 32

Mary’s list of favorite poets includes Sharon Olds, Ada Limon, Mary Szybist, Tracy K. Smith, Yusef Komunyakaa, and, recently, Morgan Parker and Ocean Vuong. “There’s some really terrific, exciting poetry being written today.

In 2016, she moved home to Miami to began

I really love Mary Szybist’s ‘Incarnadine’ and

teaching introductory-level writing at Barry

Tracy K. Smith’s ‘Life on Mars.’”

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Mary remembers several great influences from

The Mosquito Bite

her time at the Abbey. “Mr. (David) McCarthy

by Mary Block ’02

was such an extraordinary teacher and role model to us in the early years of the Humanities program, she says. “And Mr. O’Connor

I said, trust me like the little dog has to, having been so denatured. Having so little

just totally rocked our worlds when he came to

to do with a wolf. Follow me

the Abbey – he had us reaching for connections

and make a home where the weather hums,

and concepts beyond anything we’d tried to

where the leaves grow monster-wide.

do before. He really taught me how to think

In a city slipping, feet-first, into the sea.

about literature. And of course, the inimitable

Like you I put my faith in larvicide and lizards,

Father Damian gave us the foundation for

in the tongues of frogs. I built a house

everything that followed. Although he did give

from salt and fossil shells.

me a triangle for a grade on a poem once.”

These days Mary juggles her career with moth-

Outside the bullfrog sings for his bride,

erhood. “Right now I have a nine-week-old,

for the mouse and the limp-tailed rat.

so I’m in that new-baby ‘twilight zone’ where

The tail of a cat or some animal flicks

you’re just living from one feeding to the next.

at the slats of our bedroom window.

But I plan to finish the manuscript for my first book by the end of 2018 and start sending it out to publishers.”

I told our boy, in so many words, the fate of foxes.

I told him the tree frog is a friend—

Mary’s advice to aspiring writers: “Writing is,

that even poison has its place.

by its nature, a very lonely pursuit. Your world

But still he woke with a red ring rising

can get very small, very fast. Find a community

from his side.

of writers that encourages both your work and your perception of yourself as an artist.

An MFA program is a great way to do this, but it’s not the only way. However you find them, these friends are the people who will remind you who you are, and keep you writing.”

Mary currently lives in her hometown of Miami, Florida, with her husband, her two children, and her dachshund.

A ring of roses is either an amulet or a nothing. Either way I hung a wreath outside our door.

I said trust me like the little dog has to.

Trust me, son, to be the mother that all soft animals require and the little dog laughed.

PAGE 33

Drew Kemp ’08 You can find Drew Kemp ’08 manning the greeter desk at the

ample, the original collection

historic Redwood Library and Athenaeum – but his daily job

was acquired by purchasing

requires much more than a friendly wave and a smile. “I am

used books, not new ones,

the first contact for visitors, and oftentimes there will be ques-

due to the expense of books

tions regarding the use of our electronic resources and other

at that time. In addition,

technical issues,” Drew says. “I answer queries regarding our

the façade of the building

current exhibitions and lectures and am responsible for the

despite resembling stone

daily tours. Sometimes they’ll be only two visitors and other

is actually made of wood.

times a decent-sized group. But it’s a new an interesting ex-

Sheaths of pine were cut

perience each time.”

and textured to give the appearance of stone. “As an

Drew first experienced the Redwood library as a young boy, when he took chess lessons on the weekends. At the time, he did not realize the value that the library provides the community, or the history that went along with it, but he is grateful for the opportunity to recognize its importance more each day.

The Redwood Library is a private subscription library on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, founded in 1747. It is the oldest community library still occupying its original building in the United States. The building was completed in 1750 and is a National Historic Landmark. “It’s remarkable to work in such a historic setting,” Drew says. “Every day is a reminder of the amazing work that has been accomplished here over the centuries. One of the great things I’ve noticed is that whenever someone visits the library for the first time, when coming in he always look up – understandable with our ceilings over 30 feet! But it’s always a great reminder of the awe of the place where I work every day.”

Even in a place as rich in history as Redwood, there is still a fear that libraries are undervalued in today’s digital age. Drew is quick to point out the advantages of having such a historic place – something that technology simply can’t compete with.

“There is so much that cannot be accessed online. We have a collection of historic documents in our vault, which are an invaluable resource. We have vintage books, which are still in circulation and perhaps not available elsewhere. And if a request is received which cannot be handled in house, we are part of a vast interlibrary system so we are still able to handle those

Athenaeum, we are a modern think space hosting a variety of lectures; mounting numerous exhibitions in our two galleries…we are both the oldest and the newest!”

Drew credits his time at the Abbey for preparing him for the work he faces daily. “My time at the Abbey, and the structured schedule, definitely helped with my time management,” he says. “But the biggest takeaway is an appreciation of history and art, understanding the context in which they were made, and how we can still appreciate them today. This was really emphasized by Mr. O’Connor on the summer Humanities Rome trip!” Drew goes on to name Peter O’Connor as one of his greatest influencers among his Abbey teachers: “The huge imprint of the literary classics like Dante’s Inferno or the works of James Joyce have had a massive impact on all aspects of western culture, in particular, in the way we interact with intellectual concepts such as beauty and mortality. Mr. O’Connor encouraged me not to take what I read at face value but to dive deeper into the themes.”

In the future, Drew hopes to remain connected to these works of literature by transitioning to the preservation side of things.

“There are so many digitized versions of things these days, but the very old and precious materials are too fragile to digitize.”

He would love to work on preserving these historical treasures that remain rooted to our country’s history.

requests as well.” However, Redwood is not simply a storage

Drew encourages students and community members to swing

unit for relics of the past; the library offers members a number

by the library for a tour – especially those who are interested

of electronic resources, e-books, magazines, and music.

in library work. “Your best bet is going to your local library and

As a tour guide, Drew knows a lot of interesting facts about the building and its collection that one can’t find online. For ex-

PAGE 34

volunteering. It gives you a feel for the place, and it illustrates that libraries are not as simple as they appear!”

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

A YEAR IN TAIWAN

by Fletcher Bonin ’13 A rooftop view of Daya Lake

Ever since the premier of such classics as “Charlie Bit My Finger,” “Potter Puppet Pals,” “Lazy Sunday” and countless others, YouTube.com has established itself as one of the Internet’s greatest triumphs. Most people frequent the site in search of viral videos by which to distract themselves from the monotony of the human experience. I would guess that very few could attest to stumbling into overseas employment after watching one of the millions of short clips YouTube offers. However several video comments, a few emails, one Skype session and 8,000 miles later, I found myself putting down a security deposit on an apartment in Taiwan. Even for an Internet-trusting Craigslist veteran like myself, this was new territory. But let me back up.

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 35

View from a lookout point at Longyin Temple

Being the studious Portsmouth Abbey graduates

that we are, naturally we began our research on YouTube.

After watching several harrowing videos of teach-abroads gone wrong (fake schools, no paychecks, surprise roommates), we discovered Chopstick Travel. This YouTube channel was – and still is – piloted by Luke Martin and Sabrina Davis, an upbeat, food-loving couple from New Brunswick, Canada. Their videos particularly interested us with their focus on the local cuisine to be found in the streets and night markets of Taiwan. They too were teaching abroad and their food videos had garnered a substantial YouTube following.

To what depraved depths had Julia (Thompson,

also class of 2013) and I sunk that we were plumbing YouTube comments for a job? Julia had just graduated from College of Charleston with a degree in Biology and I had spent the year less remarkably, becoming the aforementioned Craigslist veteran. I should add here that if you’re a Liberal Artist like myself, you too might want to seek out employment abroad - Craigslist is saturated with the likes of us. Like many of our unemployable millennial contemporaries, we refused to tolerate the idea of working in a cubicle or succumbing to ‘The Man’ (I know, eye-roll). Even working forty hours a week felt a bit excessive.

We had spent the previous fall blowing our savings

on a three-month stint in Europe and we retain scars from the travel bugs that bit us. At first whimsically, we began scanning sites like teachaway.com, gooverseas.com, and our personal favorite, Dave’sESLCafe.com. Each search revealed ecstatic testimonials from teachers in Beijing, Hanoi, Bangkok, and Singapore. Slowly we became enamored of the idea of relocating to the Eastern Hemisphere. Having lived for years in Rhode Island where you can hardly leave the house without bumping into a familiar face, we were intrigued by the possibility of total anonymity. Teaching abroad felt like a great way to further ward off the so-called ‘real world.’

PAGE 36

Julia and I, spending a Saturday afternoon in the mountains at Bantianyan Ziyun Temple

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Two orders of Turkey Rice, the famous dish of Chiayi, Taiwan, with a side of miso, seaweed soup, and greens

hour direct flight, we collapsed into the backseat of a black van directed by a man holding a sign on which our names were scribbled. From there we were driven through three hours of darkness to Chiayi, our new home. Despite the beginning of a dark movie plot that this sounds like so far, there was no point at which we felt the need to call Liam Neeson. Luke and Sabrina greeted us upon our arrival. Like most Canadian stereotypes they were immediately friendly and effortlessly hospitable, even in a country where they too were foreigners. Jetlagged and overwhelmed, we fell almost immediately asleep.

In the weeks that followed, we gradually settled into

life as foreigners in Taiwan. Besides showing us the ropes of the new job, Luke and Sabrina took us to their favorite After binge-watching and drooling over several of their clips, we decided to reach out.

restaurants, taught us how to drive a moped and essentially introduced us to Asian culture. Chiayi is considered rural by Asian standards, situated at the foot of one of the gratuitous

It was Julia who first commented on one of their

mountain ranges of Taiwan rather than along the coast like

videos, seeking advice on how they had managed to find

most of the country’s larger cities. However, with a population

what appeared to be such a stable, enjoyable and delicious

of over 300,000 people, it’s the largest city in which Julia and

teaching job. Within the hour, Luke messaged us back. He

I have ever lived. The night markets are alive with hundreds

explained that their contract in Chiayi, Taiwan would end

of hungry locals and tourists, shuffling from vendor to vendor,

in August and they intended to take their YouTube chan-

peering into pots to elucidate the origins of those incredible

nel on the road, showcasing flavors throughout Asia. He

smells. The streets teem with mopeds and bustling restau-

suggested that we take their spot, a couple filling in for a

rants from early in the morning until late at night. Chiayi feels

couple. Perhaps only in the context of a YouTube comment

anything but provincial to our suburban upbringings.

can the idea of moving halfway across the world sound so blasé and possible.

One of the more surprising things we discovered

We exchanged emails and soon enough we had a

life. It is here that one pays bills, mails packages, meets

Skype date with our new boss Vicky Cheng. She toured us

friends for a coffee or a beer and even buys train tickets. In

around the school and we talked with Luke and Sabrina over

America I’ve never had much use for 7/11 other than buying

the grainy video feed. At first we wanted to be in a big city

regrettable hotdogs at 2am.

was the centrality of 7/11 convenience stores to everyday

like Bangkok or Hong Kong. But as a rare destination for tourists and lacking in the international influences of the bigger cities, Chiayi, Taiwan would provide us with a truly authentic experience of Asian culture. After several more encouraging

From the city, and on days when the pollution isn’t

too bad, the mountainous backdrop appears purple. However, a fifteen-minute drive outside the city reveals vast green

emails from Luke and Sabrina, we signed the contract.

peaks straight out of a Jurassic Park flick. Taking the moped

Three months later we landed in the thick August

expect King Kong to appear out of the lush greenery. So far

humidity of Taipei. Our brains still numb from the fourteen-

only a few macaques have made themselves known to us,

up quickly narrowing roads and around hairpin turns, we half

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 37

Lakeside Aboriginal home, just outside city limits

in Charleston, SC. This was one of many unglamorous stops on my way to becoming a Craigslist veteran. As the only English speaker surrounded by a flurry of Mandarin, that back kitchen was a microcosm of my new life in Taiwan. Then too I should have made more use of the opportunity to learn common expressions rather than the simple sentences I butchered to get through a shift.

Phrases such as “the drain is clogged” and “can I go home now?” are of little use to me now. laden with fruit as they hustle across the road. Banana groves

give way to cartoonish palms, hiding roaring waterfalls and

our day before noon, we have successfully avoided the

clapboard farmhouses of the aboriginal Taiwanese. Massive,

American workweek. Meanwhile, our students’ schedules

colorful Buddhist temples rest on plateaus and hide down

are anything but relaxed. The school where we teach is ac-

uncertain roads, enticing visitors with rich-smelling incense

tually what most westerners would know as a ‘cram school’.

and melodic chanting played over loudspeakers. Julia and

Students will attend their regular schools until around two

I have made a habit of driving up to the mountains nearly

or three, upon which they will be ferried in buses and on

every weekend. Typically we go for a swim in the turquoise

the backs of mopeds to the ‘cram school’ to continue study-

lagoons formed at the waterfalls’ basin or simply take in the

ing for several more hours. Students as young as five might

landscape that is so different from our New England home.

stay in class until nine at night, perhaps in part aided by

Back downtown we might as well be on a different

Working thirty hours per week and rarely starting

the delicious and caffeinated bubble milk tea that they drink

planet altogether. Chiayi is fairly off the grid in terms of notoriety. Thus, as two of the few foreigners in the city, Julia and I draw a fair amount of attention anytime we leave the house (so much for anonymity). Most often the locals just stare but on several occasions we have been asked our “cm” (centimeters). Our height remains a consistent source of interest to the Taiwanese. My students have taken to pulling at the hair on my arms and legs, fascinated by the difference compared to their bare limbs. Julia’s curly brown locks have received similar attention from her students, and her green eyes have drawn compliments in both Mandarin and English. At least we think those Mandarin ones were compliments.

Prior to moving to Chiayi, it would be generous to

call my Mandarin limited. One of the many gifts Portsmouth Abbey imparted was the opportunity to learn alongside students from all over the world. Many of my fellow Ravens hailed from Beijing and Shanghai, and I regret now not asking them to teach me anything other than curse words. My only other experience with the language had been during

Hitomi and Emma, two of my first grade students, enjoying birthday cake

my short-lived stint as a dishwasher at Osaka Asian Bistro

PAGE 38

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

seemingly from infanthood. And this is just their English cram school, as they go elsewhere for math studies. Not to mention music lessons, ballet, Tai Kwan Do and the heaps of homework and tests they receive. The work ethic of these kids continues to impress us. At that age I was knee deep in mud the moment I hopped off the bus for the afternoon, and happy to stay there until dinnertime.

a Cheers tribute bar on our street called Chase’s.

Despite our inadequacies with the language and

our blatant fish-out-of-water looks, the Taiwanese people could not be more friendly and welcoming. Unable to read menus (until we downloaded a life changing translator app), cooks simply brought us plates of food they thought we’d enjoy. Plenty of times strang-

Julia and I both teach about fifty

ers have engaged us in rapid

students each. The students span in age

Mandarin for a passionate, one-

from five to thirteen and are distributed

sided conversation. Most days

among five different classes. Their Eng-

see us gesticulating wildly with

lish levels vary from class to class. While

our hands and smiling apologeti-

‘Teacher Julia’ rolls off their tongue as

cally. With such savory dishes as

though they’ve known it since birth, my

soup dumplings, oyster omelets,

name continues to elude them. They latch

turkey rice, and sesame noodles,

on to both sound and amusement, call-

the food is always worth the em-

ing me ‘Teacher Fat’ and ‘Teacher Fish’

barrassing interactions.

before even attempting the two syllables

Five months in we occasionally

of ‘Fletcher’. But I suppose I should feel

crave a good bagel, a menu we

lucky given that Ed Sheeran’s name is

can read and a conversation with

translated here only as ‘Red Hair Ed’ and

friends and family that doesn’t

Justin Beiber is better known as ‘Small

need to be orchestrated around

Justin’. Our students are quick learners

the thirteen-hour time difference.

and seem to enjoy our relaxed teaching

Nonetheless, Chiayi has come to

styles. By ‘relaxed’ I am, of course, refer-

ring to the Hokey Pokey, a core element One of many roads less travelled, deep in the Taiwanese mountains, searching for waterfalls but first contemplating an ominous tunnel of our curriculum.

feel like home and we would recommend a vacation in Taiwan to anyone willing to listen to us gush

Our boss Vicky has been extremely helpful from the

for several minutes. And if you can’t make it to Taiwan

moment we set foot on Taiwanese soil. After she secured us

anytime soon, any of the above mentioned YouTube vid-

a moped and Luke and Sabrina gave us a few lessons, it was

eos could probably provide an effective distraction. Who

time for our baptism by fire. While at first we were shaky, we

knows, one could just change your life. While the circum-

now blend right into the hoards of mopeds flying about the

stances that brought us here were certainly unorthodox,

streets. We have seen exactly one stop sign since moving

we haven’t for a moment regretted hitting play.

here. Traffic laws are treated more like traffic suggestions and soon enough we were skirting red lights with the locals.

She also helped us find our apartment in the expat community of Wenya Street. Pretty much all of the nonTaiwanese faces in Chiayi can be found here. Generally they are all either teachers like us or missionaries from Utah.

Fletcher Bonin grew up on the Portsmouth Abbey campus where his parents, Michael and Laureen, teach English. He graduated from the Abbey in 2013 and holds a B.A. in English Literature from Salve Regina University. In addition to teaching, Fletcher works as a freelance writer.

There is a decent burger joint, a few brunch places and even

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 39

PAGE 40

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Faculty Profile

Susan and Shane McCarthy For seventeen years – and counting – the McCarthy family has been an essential part of Portsmouth Abbey, woven deep into the fabric of the community.

Susan and Shane McCarthy teach math and science at Portsmouth Abbey School, and Shane coaches boys’ and girls’ varsity golf. St. Hugh’s House was their home for seven years, and Shane is now an affiliate houseparent. With their children Meghan ’15, Shane ’18, Kaely ’21 and Keegan, Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy have built a life on campus – yet it’s not the life they’d planned. Shane and Susan are grateful for the October afternoon that inspired them to choose the path that led here.

Shane and Susan began their careers in environmental management in Susan’s home state, North Carolina.

After receiving his master’s in environmental management from Duke, Shane worked with the North Carolina Divisions of Water Resources and Water Quality. A chemical engineer, Susan started her career at the state’s Division of Air Quality.

“Shane and I met at an office potluck in 1993, just before I began working for the department of air quality,” Susan recalls, “Shane was working in water quality.” Shane breaks in, “I remember that party very well.

Susan was standing in the doorway. I kept trying to talk with her, but she mostly ignored me.” Susan laughs.

“Shane would come and chat with me in my office, before everyone else arrived to work. I’d come in earlier and earlier, and before long I was skipping my morning swim. After a few months, he invited me to go mountain biking in Duke Forest. He seemed to like me, even after I fell off my bike.” As their relationship grew, Shane moved to the private sector as Louisiana-Pacific Corporation’s

regional environmental coordinator, overseeing facilities from Alabama to Maine. They married in 1996.

Four years later, Susan was working from home with two kids under age three: “I was writing Title V permits for large industrial facilities,” she remembers. “Shane was managing a new mill, 45 minutes away. I remember he’d leave before dawn to beat the 6:00 a.m. shift change, and often get home long past dinnertime.” Something had to give. Shane’s brother, a teacher, invited them to visit him at Connecticut’s Canterbury School. Strolling the campus on a perfect October day, they enjoyed a football game and trick-or-treating with friendly faculty families. They asked each other, why shouldn’t we have this life? Shane recalls, “I thought about all the times I’d been called in to handle an emergency at the mill. Two years in a row, I had to get up from the table during Christmas dinner.” After a wide search, the young family landed at Portsmouth Abbey in 2001.

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 41

Faculty Profile Shane takes his Marine & Environmental Sciences students to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute each year.

The learning curve was steep. They were surprised to discover that Abbey students stand up when a teacher enters the room. “I had to get used to being addressed as ‘Mr. McCarthy,’” Shane says. “We’d burn the midnight oil, preparing lessons, grading tests. Meghan was a toddler, but she’d sit and do ‘homework’ with us! We’ve got a picture of her asleep on the living room floor, holding a pencil.

I guess those early years helped her develop good study habits,” he laughs.

Teaching science, Shane found he could relate his environmental management experience to classroom topics, sharing insights from fieldwork, inspecting spills or wetlands mitigation. His Marine and Environmental Science class builds small-scale wind turbines, inspired by the Abbey’s wind turbine that provides significant, clean-energy power.

A favorite spring project is building remotely-operated vehicles and testing them, first in an inflatable swimming pool and then in Narragansett Bay. In 2016, Shane embarked on a five-day adventure on URI’s research vessel, Endeavor, with a group of high school teachers collecting oceanographic data.

Students and teachers alike are excited about plans for the new science building. “With several new labs, we’ll be able to plan more exciting chemistry labs, and leave experiments set up as long as necessary,” Shane says. The new building will connect to the current classroom build-

Susan teaches AP Statistics as well as problem-set mathematics, where her students solve “rigorous problems as a team.”

PAGE 42

ing through a Science and Humanities Commons, which will emphasize, literally and figuratively, the confluence of the sciences and the humanities. “Kids won’t have to leave the building as often to get to the next class,” Shane says.

The Commons will allow for more unexpected interaction among kids of different ages and disciplines, he believes, hanging out, crossing paths and dropping in. And the new facilities, especially the Student Project Lab, will encourage more independent research. “When that happens,” Susan promises, “my students can run the statistical tests on the results.”

Susan is pleased with the popularity of STEM classes at the Abbey, especially among girls. When Susan was a student, math and science classes skewed male, and so did her field. “I never felt disadvantaged,” she says. “My father is a retired engineer, and he always encouraged his daughters.” Now, she finds the girls in her classroom are every bit as confident as the boys, eager to share a proof or solution. “I love hearing when our female students enter traditionally male-dominated fields, with the confidence to know they belong.”

Several years ago Portsmouth Abbey adapted its mathematics curriculum, using a problem-set model, developed at Phillips Exeter, where students prepare challenging problems each night and share them on the board for class discussion the next day. “When I see kids experience an ‘aha!’ moment, solving rigorous problems as a team,”

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Faculty Profile

Susan says, “it reminds me of my first college chemical engineering class. Four students were required to sign their names to each problem set. We’d work together for as much as ten hours on each one! I couldn’t have had more fun working those problems whose solutions were not readily apparent.” Likewise, Susan feels the Abbey’s new curriculum promotes a warm, supportive learning environment. “I can see students making connections, not only in problem-solving, but with each other. They’re more willing to take academic risks. Students may not realize it yet, but they’re already seeing the “big picture” of how math works.”

Susan’s role at the Abbey has helped her to see more of the world. She’s chaperoned groups of students on the pilgrimage to Lourdes, and led a service trip to Chile through the Manquehue Apostolic Movement. In Chile, under the guidance of new Chilean friends, Susan, six students and six Chileans worked with a family to build a pre-fab house, to provide the family relief from their cramped quarters.

She recalls, “It was winter there, and we slept on the floor in a school without much heat or hot water. We were covered in mud on that first day, digging the foundation in the rain. But, we realized that our conditions were far better than the ones that the family lived with on a daily basis.

You return from these trips a changed person with a new perspective.”

Top left: Shane instructing his Marine & Environmental Sciences class at the estuary near the Abbey boathouse Middle: The Portsmouth Abbey volunteer group in Chile, Susan at far right and Meghan ’15 at center back with black hoodie Bottom: During school vacations, the whole family explores the natural world together, whether swimming with manatees in the Everglades or exploring their 107-acre farm in upstate New York

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 43

Faculty Profile The McCarthy family’s 107-acre farm in upstate New York

s’mores by the campfire. These experiences helped our children grow close, and allowed them to escape the fast-paced school year, read lots of books, and explore.”

Shane’s enrichment travel is closer to home, but just as powerful for him and his students. Marine and Environmental Sciences fieldwork includes marsh exploration and trips to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. “In less than an hour’s drive, we’re out on Buzzard’s Bay in a research vessel,” Shane says. Students collect and observe specimens such as sea urchins, fish, sea stars, crabs, sponges and mollusks.

During school vacations, the whole McCarthy family explores the natural world together, whether swimming with manatees in the Everglades or exploring the family’s 107-acre farm in upstate New York, only two miles away from Shane’s childhood home. After buying the place in 2005, the McCarthys camped there the first summer and upgraded to a pop-up camper in 2006. Shane built a 24 x 24 cabin without electricity or running water, “with a little help from the rest of us,” as Susan says. A half-mile from the cabin, they can take showers in the barn, in the refurbished “cow parlor.” An upgrade is coming: in the last three years, Shane and Shane Jr. have remodeled the 1860s-era farmhouse: kitchen, bathroom, electrical, plumbing, sheetrock, and windows, learning from neighbors and internet tutorials. “We’ve never found a lack of things to do,” Susan observes, “painting a barn, discovering wildlife, hiking Taughannock Falls, picking berries, swimming in the pond, driving a tractor or sharing

PAGE 44

No doubt the third tenet of the Abbey’s mission statement appealed to the McCarthys, in 2001 and ever since: responsibility for the shared experience of community life.

“This is a great place to raise a family,” Shane says. Nineyear-old Keegan goes to his parents’ classes any chance he can. Kaely, a Third Former, has known her teachers all her life. Shane, Jr. is a prefect in St. Hugh’s House, and Susan knows her geometry students can get a little extra help when he’s on duty. “It’s so much fun going to games, church, and events, saying hello to all the students we get to know so well in our classrooms -- the whole campus is like an extended family. The kids have such big hearts, they look out for each other.”

From left, Kaely ’21, Meghan ’15, Keegan and Shane ’18 (in 2018) all grew up on the Portsmouth Abbey campus

“Our students are so confident, accomplished, and purposeful by the time they graduate,” Susan says. Above all, the McCarthys try to impart a sense of confidence and potential to each student. “If you’re passionate and believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything.”

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

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WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 45

A n at o m y o f a Benedictine Building Portsmouth Abbey School broke ground on a new science building last fall, the largest single initiative in the School’s history. At more than 34,000 square feet, the building has been designed to meet current and future curriculum needs by adding 7 labs, 7 classrooms, a student project lab, a seminar room, a conference room, teacher offices, and the Science and Humanities commons. But the building’s design goes beyond merely meeting curriculum needs. It is also designed to be a quintessentially Portsmouth Abbey building.

The Benedictine tradition holds stewardship and community among its key values. The design of the new science building embodies these values, and will instruct and inspire students through best practices in energy conservation, the use of recycled, renewable and natural materials, and the use of space inside and outside of the building.

The Benedictine value of stewardship is reflected most clearly through the building’s energy-efficient and sustainable design. Exceptionally durable, beautiful natural materials, including copper roofing, heavy timber beams, and a stone veneer, will make the building distinctive and hard-wearing, and provide a highly effective building envelope. Thermal comfort will be provided by radiant floors and chilled beams with ventilation by a 100-percent dedicated outside air system with an enthalpy energy recovery wheel. The building will also feature natural gas-fired Viessmann condensing boilers – one of the most economical and clean ways to generate heat – which were first introduced to the campus with construction of the two newest Houses, St. Brigid’s and St. Martin’s.

design with aluminum curtainwall, exterior solar shading and triple-glazing.” Director of Operations Paul Jestings agrees. His favorite features of the new building include the radiant heat, snow melt system and solar shading. But he says what excites him most is that, because of its sustainable and efficient design, “the new science building will have lower direct maintenance and operation costs.” All of these features contribute to create a building that will use 45 percent less energy than a current code-compliant building.

Lead architect Ellen Watts notes that “the expression of the

The new science building fosters another Benedictine tenet –

new science building on the Holy Lawn is at once deferential

community – which is also a key principle of sustainability. The

to its surroundings, including the church and other neigh-

design offers opportunities for flexible gathering, from the new

bors, but also subtly suggests its advanced high performance

commons overlooking the Holy Lawn to the outdoor court-

PAGE 46

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

To learn more, visit www.portsmouthabbeyscience.org

SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

yard and terrace, to the informal study space on the north

OF THE NEW SCIENCE BUILDING

end of both floors overlooking the athletic fields. Ample daylight and views foster health and productivity while providing strong indoor-outdoor connections, accentuating the beautiful campus. The landscaped courtyard will provide an outdoor gathering space while serving as part of the project’s stormwater management system. On the outside, the new building features three entrances, two of which are handicap ac-

High-Performance Building Envelope

X

X

cessible, including an attractive plaza off the Holy Lawn featuring granite paving.

When Watts and her team from Architerra were selected to design the building, they were charged with producing a design that advanced

X

X

X

For more information about the new science building, including naming opportunities and ways in which you can support the project, please visit www.portsmouthabbeyscience.org and con-

Triple glazed windows (with laminated inner layer for wind-borne debris protection for hurricane zone)

X Natural gas fired condensing Viessmann boiler (up to 98% efficient)

values of stewardship and community, and met succeeds on all fronts.

Continuous air/vapor barriers (producing air-tight construction and no energy loss due to infiltration)

Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

the science curriculum, reflected the Benedictine the School’s budget. The new science building

Continuous outsulation (providing 6” thick insulation outside the structure e.g. mineral wool outside metal stud walls, 6” thick extruded polystyrene outside concrete foundation walls, 8-1/2” thick polyisocyanurate nailboard above wood roof decking)

X

X

tact Director of Development Matt Walter at 401-

643-1291 or mwalter@portsmouthabbey.org.

X

High- efficiency, variable speed, magnetic levitation chiller condenser (40% energy savings) Hydronic thermal distribution (energy-efficient radiant floors, energy efficient chilled beams) Ventilation via Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS) which produces a healthy indoor environment, 100% fresh air Total energy recovery of exhaust air stream via a rotary air-to-air enthalpy heat wheel Variable flow fume hoods in science laboratories, reducing energy lost up the lab exhaust stacks

Energy Efficient LED Lighting Durable, Natural and Recycled Materials

X

Wood structure (heavy Douglas fir glulam beams, solid wood purlins, wood roof decking)

X Locally-sourced stone veneer exterior wall base (pattern to match Belluschi)

70 percent recycled copper roofing (including “chimney” enclosures and internal gutters)

X

Aluminum exterior glazing systems (curtainwall, windows, solar shades)

X

Interior woodwork (hardwood trim and veneer paneling at walls and ceilings) as well as 40 percent recycled porcelain floor tiles and 98 percent recycled glass mosaic wall tiles

X

Water Conservation X

Low-flow toilets and low-flow automated faucets

Sustainability Education X

Real-time energy display as a teaching tool located near Student Project Lab

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 47

Donor Profile: Rick Childs ’75 P’08 and Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Childs ’08

In September of 1948, Nick Childs ’52, the first member of the

So when the Science Building Steering Committee approached Rick

Childs family to set foot on Cory’s Lane, began his family’s close

and Liz asking them to help secure the School’s academic future

association with the School and Monastery. His three younger

through a leadership gift in support of the School’s new science build-

brothers, two nephews, and several grandchildren all followed in

ing, their response was immediate and impressive. Rick and Liz part-

his footsteps as Ravens. One brother, Sandy ’57, joined the monas-

nered on a gift that will allow them to name the Physics Classroom

tery to become the Rev. Dom Luke Childs. Another brother, Dan

for Daniel R. Childs ’53. “My father’s long standing commitment to

’53, married Margaret, the sister of ‘Priory Boy’ Carter Burden ’59,

the School as student, parent, grandparent, and head of the Board of

and their son, Rick ’75, continued the family tradition of attending

Consultants in the early 1970s helped to shape the School. To have the

Portsmouth. “Getting to study with great men and Catholic educa-

chance to honor his service while helping continue his work was an op-

tors, like Dom Hilary, Dom Damian, Dom Philip, and Dom Am-

portunity that we had to take,” said Rick. Liz agreed, “I love the Abbey

brose is something that I will always cherish,” Rick fondly recalled.

and I want it to continue to be around and relevant for years to come. I

That generational appreciation for an Abbey education fell to Liz as well. Rick continued, “I believe my grandfather, Frederick Childs, wanted a good, strong Catholic education for his four boys. That strong faith in the Portsmouth Catholic education was passed down

have been able to follow in my relatives’ footsteps at the Abbey, in part, because of their generations’ generosity. I feel very lucky to be able to give back to a place that has had such a positive impact on who I am today and that continues to be a big part of my family.”

to the next generation. And when Liz was looking at schools, Beezie

Like Rick, Liz, and Dan, you too can help “shape the School” by

and I gave her the choice. I think my father helped Liz in mak-

supporting the single largest project in the School’s history – our

ing her final decision!” Liz added warmly, “Teachers played a huge

new science building. Please visit www.portsmouthabbeyscience.org

part in my experience at the Abbey. As teachers, houseparents and

for more information about this transformational undertaking and

coaches they got to know my strengths and weaknesses, and I genu-

to learn more about ways you can help to secure the academic future

inely feel like they wanted to see me succeed.”

of Portsmouth Abbey School.

PAGE 48

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

THE ABBEY ON THE ROAD

ABBOT’S RECEPTION 2017

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY IN LONDON

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, over 250 friends and members of

For the first time in almost twenty years, Portsmouth

the Portsmouth Abbey community gathered at the historic New York

Abbey School crossed the pond to visit with our Abbey

Yacht Club to celebrate the annual Abbot’s Reception. Guests celebrat-

alumni, parents and friends from the United Kingdom

ed the start of the Christmas season with fine food and spirits in the

and Western Europe, on Thursday, January 18, 2018.

stunning Model Room of the 44th Street Clubhouse. Co-host Gregg

Held at Balthazar, in the heart of London’s theatre dis-

Dietrich ’74 welcomed the crowd, and a Christmas blessing was of-

trict, the event included a night of great food, drinks,

fered from Abbot Matthew Stark, O.S.B. Guests were also introduced

nostalgic conversation, and most importantly, fun.

to Fr. Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B., in his new role as the Prior Administrator for Portsmouth Abbey. Fr. Mohrman shared exciting plans for our collaboration with St. Louis Abbey that will support the School’s mission and lend itself to the revitalization of our monastery.

Our hosts for the evening were Mr. & Mrs. Michael W. Whitman P’20 and Mrs. Jenny Walsh Singer ’95.

Alumni guests ranged in class years from the 1960s through 2016. All attendees enjoyed remarks by spe-

Friends and classmates reconnected throughout the evening over

cial guest Dom Christopher Jamison, O.S.B., the Abbot

drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. In the background, a slideshow

President of the English Benedictine Congregation,

played, featuring familiar campus traditions and faces. It was not un-

who spoke of the unique role Portsmouth Abbey plays

common to hear an exclamation or two from various groups as a

in the EBC.

familiar scene lit up the screen! Later, attendees were treated to a

We thank everyone who attended and look forward to

special video presentation of a Christmas medley by the Abbey’s vocal

seeing you all again.

jazz ensemble, Enharmonix.

A special thank you to each of our hosts, patrons and attendees who helped to make this event one of our most successful yet! We hope you can join us this year on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Mark your calendar and see you in New York!

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 49

FALL 2017 ATHLETICS

The Varsity Football team and coaches at the NE Bowl Game vs. King School in Connecticut

Abbey Luth ’18

athletics awards Boys’ Cross-Country Coaches Award: Daniel Rodden ‘18 MIP: David Sozanski ‘19 Captains Elect: James Brower ‘19, David Sun ‘19 Overall Record 10-0 EIL Record 6-0 Third place EIL, Sixth NE Division 3 Girls’ Cross-Country Coaches Award: Abbey Luth ‘18 MIP: Avery Korzeniowski ‘21 Captain Elect: Diane McDonough ‘19 Overall Record 7-6 EIL Record 5-4 Third place EIL, Fifth NE Division 3 Field Hockey

Third Place EIL, Selected to NEPSAC Class C Field

Football John M. Hogan Football Trophy: Logan Kreinz ‘18 MIP: Ted Anderson ‘18 Captains Elect: Jonas Echeandia ‘19, Chris Franco ‘19, Tony Hooks ‘19, Harry Skakel ‘19 Evergreen Bonnefond Record (League): 4-1 tied for first place, Overall Record:7-2

Hockey Tournament

Selected to NE Bowl Game vs. King School, CT

Girls’ Field Hockey Trophy: Faith Cournoyer ‘19 MIP: Emma Humphrey ‘21 Captains Elect: Maddie Burt ‘19, Faith Cournoyer ‘19, Isabelle Fournier ‘19, Ginny Hagerty ‘19 Overall Record 12-7 EIL Record 11-2

PAGE 50

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

Boys’ Soccer William Franklin Sands Memorial Soccer Trophy: Joseph Breen ‘18 MIP: Nicholas Vallone ‘18 Captain Elect: Thomas Kirker ‘19 Overall Record 5-9-2 EIL Record 5-7-1 Girls’ Soccer Girls’ Soccer Trophy: Kate Hughes ‘18 MIP: Abbey Jackson ‘19 Captains Elect: Lilias Madden ‘19, Madalyn Mercier ‘19, Rory O’Neill ‘19 Overall Record 4-9-1 EIL Record 4-6 Boys’ Golf Coaches Award: Thomas Brant ‘18 MIP: Dean Simeone ’20 EIL Record: 7-3-2

Kate Hughes ‘18

Joseph Breen ‘18

Faith Cournoyer ‘19

junior varsity awards The Portsmouth Abbey Junior Varsity Award is given to the athlete who best demonstrates the spirit of Abbey Athletics.

The award recognizes hard work, individual improvement, sportsmanship, and a willingness to do what is best for the team.

Boys’ JV Cross Country: Thomas Filippone ‘20 Girls’ JV Cross Country: Ivana Rasch ‘20 JV Field Hockey: Abby Gibbons ‘19 JV Football: Chris Zaiser ‘20 Boys’ JV Soccer: Evan Boyd ‘19 Boys’ JVB Soccer: Patrick Conlan ‘20 Girls’ JV Soccer: Paynton Black ‘20

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOUIS WALKER III (www.louiswalkerphotography.com/Sports)

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 51

EIL MVP Margot Appleton ’21

POST-SEASON HONORS We had our largest number of All-New England athletes ever this year!

Boys’ Cross-Country David Appleton ‘20, All-League Andrew Aubee ‘18, All-New England, All-League Daniel Rodden ‘18, EIL MVP, All-New England, All-League James Brower ‘19, Honorable Mention EIL David Sun ‘19, Honorable Mention eil Girls’ Cross-Country EIL MVP Dan Rodden ’18

Margot Appleton ‘21, EIL MVP, All-New England, All-League Abbey Luth ‘18, All-New England, All-League

Football

Diane McDonough ‘18, All-League

Ryan Donovan ‘18, All-New England, All-League

Avery Korzeniowski ‘21, Honorable Mention EIL

Chris Franco ‘19, All-New England, All-League

Mia Wright ‘19, Honorable Mention EIL

Logan Kreinz ‘18, Evergreen Player of the Year, All-New England, All-League Matt McKenna ‘18, All-League,

Field Hockey Jane Jannotta ‘18, All-New England, All-League Tyler White ‘18, All-New England, All-League Emma Stowe ‘18, Honorable Mention All-New England, All-League Isabelle Fournier ‘19, Honorable Mention All-New England,

Honorable Mention All-New England Tony Hooks ‘19, Honorable Mention All-New England, Honorable Mention All-League Henry Wilson ‘18, Honorable Mention All-New England, Honorable Mention All-League

Honorable Mention EIL Faith Cournoyer ‘19, Honorable Mention EIL

Jonas Echeandia ‘19, Honorable Mention All-New England Mike Meads ‘18, Honorable Mention All-League Boys’ Golf

Evergreen Player of the Year Logan Kreinz ’18

Thomas Brant ‘18, All-League Shane McCarthy ‘18, All-League Alex Sienkiewicz ‘18, All-League Mr. Shane McCarthy, EIL Coach of the Year Boys’ Soccer Joe Breen ‘18, NEPSAC Senior All-Star Game, All-League Preston Kelleher ‘18, NEPSAC Senior All-Star Game Thomas Kirker ‘19, NEPSAC Junior All-Star Game, All-League Nick Vallone ‘18, Honorable Mention EIL Girls’ Soccer Kate Hughes ‘18, All-League Taylor Yates ‘18, All-League Maria Maldonado ‘18, Honorable Mention EIL Jill McRoy ‘18, Honorable Mention EIL

PAGE 52

The Abbey’s First Volleyball Team

FALL 2017 ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS Varsity field hockey finished the season in second place in the EIL with an 11-2 record. They qualified for the first ever EIL Post Season Tournament. They were also the first Abbey field hockey team to qualify for the NEPSAC Class C Tournament.

The team was one of 24 Prep schools selected in three classes to participate.

Varsity cross country’s Margot Appleton ‘21 and Dan Rodden ‘18 finished in first place in the EIL Championship Race and earned EIL MVP honors. Margot also set a new school record, breaking a record that stood since 2008. Both teams finished third in the League. The boys’ team had a 10-0 regular season record.

Boys’ varsity golf finished third in the EIL and Coach McCarthy was named EIL Coach of the Year. Shane McCarthy ‘18 placed third in the EIL Individual Championship held at Carnegie Abbey, shooting 80 in the 18-hole Tournament.

Girls’ varsity soccer continued to improve and placed fifth of 10

Thomas Brant ‘18

schools in the EIL. They added big wins against Concord and Dana Hall this fall.

The JV teams were competitive and the programs will see

Varsity football finished the season 7-1 and tied for the League

many JV athletes move to the Varsity level next year. Of par-

Championship. They were one of 14 schools in NE invited to a

ticular note, JV B soccer was 6-0. Our JV program continues

NEPSAC football Bowl game. They played well but lost to King

to provide our younger athletes the opportunity to develop

School 27-6. Logan Kreinz was selected as Evergreen League

and compete against equitable opponents before moving up

Player of the Year.

to the varsity.

The Abbey added Girls’ volleyball as a club sport. The program had good numbers and good coaching, and will transition to an EIL Varsity sport next fall.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOUIS WALKER III (www.louiswalkerphotography.com/Sports)

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 53

MILESTONES

Greydon Walter Singer with his parents Roland and Monique Singer ’95

BIRTHS 1995 A boy, Greydon Walter Singer, to Roland and Monique Singer May 19, 2017 1997 A boy, Edward Keyser Walsh, to Phoebe and Brian Walsh October 4, 2017 1998 A girl, Sailor Marian Weida, to Kyley and Jason Weida December 12, 2017 A boy, William Augustus Sedgwick, to Scott and Kate Sedgwick November 8, 2017

Above: Daisy Herman, daughter of Sean Herman and Mary Block ’02

2002 A girl, Margaret Catherine “Daisy” Herman, to Sean Herman and Mary Block December 14, 2017

Left: Brian ‘97 and Phoebe Walsh’s son, Edward Keyser Walsh

A boy, Greg Lee Lekavich Jr, to Greg and Erin Lekavich October 18, 2017 2006 A boy, Tucker DiPalma Isom, to Wesley and Abigail DiPalma Isom December 11, 2017

William Augustus, son of Scott and Kate Sedgwick ’98

PAGE 54

Sailor Marian, daughter of Kyley and Jason Weida ’98

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

MILESTONES

From left, Ander Guerenabarrena ’15, Gary Sheppard, Margaret Mahan Sheppard ’06, Mary Guerenabarrena, Roberto Guerenabarrena.

Photo by J Gabeler ’05

WEDDINGS 2006 Margaret Mahan to Gary Sheppard August 4, 2017 2007 Laura A. Rich to Alex Lavoie September 30, 2017 2009 Ryan P. Andrews to Mallory Laurendeau September 23, 2017 2010 Wei Chieh “Andy” Chuang to Yen-Ping Chen December 23, 2017 2011 Christopher Waterman to Marlene Hagen September 30, 2017

Above: Lori Rich ’07 and Alex Lavoie on their wedding day Left: Wei Chieh “Andy” Chuang ‘10 married Yen-Ping Chen in December 2017.

Right: Christopher Waterman ’11 and Marlene Hagen were married on September 30, 2017.

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 55

MILESTONES

NECROLOGY Robert E. Allcock Jr. Grandfather of Robert E. Allcock IV ’17 December 8, 2017 Margaret “Peggy” Breneiser Mother of Kurt W. Breneiser ’98 July 20, 2017 David Cantin ’86 January 12, 2018 Paul G. Charbin ’51 Father of Cedric P. Charbin ’88 November 1, 2017 Hugh A. deManbey ’77 July 28, 2015 Manuel de Pinho Grandfather of Jaxson S. de Pinho ’19 December 1, 2017 James M. Finnerty ’68 Brother of Charles P. Finnerty ’69 August 27, 2017 Thomas D. Goldrick, Jr. ’48 October 17, 2017 Herbert Grabert, Jr. Grandfather of Joanna L. Grabert ’12 November 28, 2017 Anne K. Hill Mother of Andrew C. Hill ’81 William A. Kelly Sr. Step-father of Mary Madeline W. Kelly ’15 October 15, 2017 Marie Loretta Kenerson Mother of Kevin R. Kenerson ’85 September 14, 2017 William “Bill” McCann Father of William J. McCann ’83 August 5, 2017

PAGE 56

Theodore J. Mika ’48 September 29, 2017 Roger H. Moriarty ’50 Father of Michael R. Moriarty ’77 August 11, 2017 Brian P. Morrissette Father of staff member Sean Morrissette November 24, 2017 William C. Mullen ’64 November 1, 2017

Cathleen S. Speer Mother of Eric ’78 and Paul Speer ’74 December 8, 2017 Richard “Hoot” Squire Father of Alexander ’01, Benjamin ’97 and the late Cabot Squire ’96 November 21, 2017 Harry P. Tassell Father of Eric Tassell ’85 November 21, 2017

William O. Murphy Father of James ’86 and William O. Murphy Jr. ’84 Grandfather of Thomas O. Murphy ’19 October 6, 2017

Elizabeth “Libby” Walter Mother of faculty member Matthew P. Walter Grandmother of Matthew Thomas ’20 and John Patrick Walter ’18 September 16, 2017

George W. Pitzer Father of John W. Pitzer ’89 May 25, 2017

Anne Elizabeth Sweeney Ward Mother of Patrick N. Ward ’81 September 16, 2017

Michael A. Rappaport ’84 Brother of John M. Rappaport ’80 January 23, 2018

Rev. Dom Philip Wilson, O.S.B September 22, 2017

Gisela Ryan Mother of Michael Ryan ’86 July 11, 2017 Luc J. Schepens ’57 June 10, 2015 Lawrence “Larry” Silfen Stepfather of Robert “Seth” Van Beever ’94 July 16, 2017 John “Jerry” Slocum Jr. Father of Lawrence G. Slocum ’04 August 5, 2017 Lin Sorensen Husband of Marc B. Leandro ’89 November 10, 2017

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

IN MEMORIAM

Rev. Dom Philip Wilson, O.S.B.

“I remember being slightly late one time. I was completely out of sorts because of it. He turned, smiled kindly and said, ‘Oh there you are, David.’

I was immediately relieved and onward we went.

RIP Dom Philip.”

– David Mazzella ’84

Father Philip Wilson, a monk of Portsmouth Abbey, died at the Village House in Newport on September 22, 2017. He was 92 years old. A mass of Christian burial for Fr. Philip was held on September 28, followed by a reception in the Stillman Dining Hall on campus,

“I remember him best from my time as an acolyte/ thurifer. A kind man who radiated peace.”

– Ryan White ’92

with burial following in the Abbey cemetery.

Born in 1925 and named after his father Frederick, he grew up in Warren, RI, and was a lifelong enthusiast of local history. He graduated from the public school system and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Brown University. After college, he entered Portsmouth Priory (now Abbey) and was professed as a monk in 1948. He completed his theological studies at Oxford and was ordained a priest in 1953. Since then he has lived a life of service to both the Monastery and the School.

The 1990 Gregorian yearbook dedication is inscribed with this tribute: “Few have given more to Portsmouth Abbey than Dom Philip Wilson. For more than thirty years, he has served as teacher, mentor, and guide for generations of Abbey students. As head of the Christian Doctrine department, he has imparted a strong sense of values to countless young men. As a housemaster, his stern but fair counsel was often tempered by

“He was a wonderful person as house leader in St Hugh’s. As juniors and seniors in the class of ’78 we had a weekly Sunday tea and snacks with him for two years, Masterpiece Theater and more. Kind and caring gentleman who inspired critical thinking, love of God and a wonderful sense of serenity. God Bless you Father Philip, you impacted my life more than you knew.”

– Lewis DiSanto ’78

his sensitivity, selflessness, and compassion.”

In addition to his work in the School, Fr. Philip served the Monastery as guest master, director of oblates, and for over 40 years, he directed the Abbey’s liturgical celebrations as master of ceremonies. Please keep Father

“Truly a wonderful kind man. He will be missed. Now the Angels in heaven can watch and enjoy Fred’s filmstrips as we did.

God Bless you Fr. Philip.”

– Christian Groff ’82

Philip in your prayers.

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 57

IN MEMORIAM

Dave with his son, Jack

David Cantin ’86

oldest troop in Santa Barbara. He led many back-country hikes, 50-mile spring-break camping trips,and summer camps at Emerald Bay, Catalina Island, and he annually participated in the Montecito Fourth of July Parade and the Montecito Beautification Day.

Dave Cantin ’86 died as a result of the Montecito mudslides that occurred on January 9, 2018. Dave was 49 years old. Dave’s wife, Kim, and daughter, Lauren, were injured in the mudslides, and his son, Jack, 17, remains missing.

David was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7, 1968 and spent his early years in Warren, Rhode Island. He grew up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in 1986.

Dave also was active in the Santa Barbara adult league baseball team, playing catcher and #4 in the batting line up.

While matriculating at Bryant University, he was awarded an internship with a medical device start-up company called Ultracision, which hired him after he graduated with a degree in management. This company was acquired by a Johnson & Johnson Company, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and it was there he met his wife, Kim. Dave enjoyed over a 20-year career in the medical device industry, where he valued the impact that the various technologies could offer patients – be it a less invasive option or enabling better surgery.

In 1999, Dave and Kim moved to Carlsbad, California; it was in Carlsbad that Dave became the proud father to John (Jack), and two years later to Lauren. It was also during this time that Dave completed his MBA from Xavier University.

The Cantin family moved back to Cincinnati for work, and there Dave made wonderful neighborhood friends and enjoyed golfing and family camping trips. In 2010, Dave and the family relocated to Santa Barbara, California.

Once in Montecito Dave became more involved in Boy Scouts, serving as scoutmaster of Troop 33, the second

PAGE 58

Dave will be remembered for his warm smile and his positive energy. He was the guy who would always make time for people and lend a helping hand. Dave was led by his values of faith, family, and the goal to make a positive difference.

He was a devoted and loving husband, dad, son and friend to many.

Dave is survived by his wife, Kimberly Miller Cantin, and his cherished daughter, Lauren Elizabeth. His son, John (Jack) Cantin, is on the list of missing people from the mudslides.

David was the son of Kathleen Smith Cantin of East Providence and Richard Cantin of North Carolina. David was predeceased by an elder brother, Michael. Additionally Dave is survived by his step-mother, Marie Cantin of North Carolina; his Aunt Patricia, his in-laws, Willard and Anita Miller of Niagara Falls, Canada; several cousins and a host of friends.

A funeral service for Dave was held at the Santa Barbara Mission on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, followed by interment at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Channel Drive on February 5, 2018.

The thoughts and prayers of the Portsmouth Abbey community are with Dave and his family.

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

IN MEMORIAM

William Mullen ’64 “This is a tragedy.

“We had become friends as a result of our class reunion. We had a couple of long, conversation-laden, and highly enjoyable lunches in NYC, always ending with the resolve to do it again soon. He was so smart, he knew so much, and he truly loved the world of knowledge, literature, music, and teaching. At the same time he was worried about the aging process. There were no part-time options at Bard; he had to choose between full-time employment and complete retirement. While he wanted to spend more time in NYC he was worried that he couldn't afford to give up teaching.

“Bill may have been teaching about the ancient world but he was not living in it. He used YouTube as a teaching tool. A few months ago he told me about a lecture he would give on Garcia-Lorca's poetic tribute to a fallen matador in which he would intersperse his remarks with short videos of a woman singing the poem in Spanish, a survey of the art of Spanish art in the 1930s (Picasso, Dali, etc.), and the rise of fascism in Spain. In 50 minutes his students had a head start on the poem, the poet, and the cultural and political context from which the poem arose. I thought it was a tour de force.

“Bill had an apartment in NYC which he would occupy from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon. His landlord did not appreciate Bill's musical tastes and as a consequence Bill was planning to move to a more congenial (and more acoustically private) location.

Music was paramount. One of his favorite activities in NYC was a moveable-feast concert series that would be held in various apartments. An organizer would arrange for Julliard students to play, an program would be distributed by e-mail, and anyone who wanted to come would pay $10 and bring their own wine. It sounded so civilized, and he enjoyed it so much that you wanted to do it with him.

“Bill was a remarkable listener. If you talked about something that he didn't know then the next time you saw him he would have read about it (more likely YouTubed about it) and was ready to take the conversation to the next level. Most recently it was the correspondence between German Baroque music and German Baroque architecture, which is as satisfying to the eyes as it is to the ears but which is amplified exponentially in combination.

“Bill had been my roommate for a semester in our Third Form year, which had to have been one of the great intellectual mismatches in boarding school history (until the next semester when Fr. Stephen paired me up with Carroll Moulton – what was he thinking!). I was flattered that now Bill seemed to enjoy my company. He had so much to offer and was so enthusiastic and generous about sharing it. Bill was a generous person, an impressive scholar, and most recently, a good friend. I am very, very sorry that we will not have the chance to know him better.”

– Sam White ’64 A memorial service for Bill will be conducted at Bard College on May 7, 2018, at 11:00 am.

Leon Botstein, president of Bard College wrote, “All at Bard mourn the unexpected loss of one of the College’s most beloved professors, professor of classics, who had been teaching at Bard since 1985. Bill came to Bard as associate professor of classics in 1985, and was promoted to full professor in 1989. He served as chair of the Presidential Commission on the Curriculum from 1990 to 1993. During his tenure, he introduced Rhetoric and Public Speaking to the Bard curriculum and was instrumental in the development of the Classics Program and First-Year Seminar. He started the West Point–Bard Exchange; he introduced the teaching of rhetoric to the Bard Prison Initiative and brought The Readers of Homer (a nonprofit organization that provides a method for reading Homer’s epics aloud). He served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Air Force Academy, an honor of which he was particularly proud.

“Bill earned his BA degree from Harvard College, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin; He brought to Bard his special interest in Greek and Latin epic and lyric poetry and the classical tradition in Western civilization.

“Bill Mullen was an exemplar of the commitment to liberal education. Bill mirrored the nobility and honor of the vocation of scholar and teacher.”

WINTER Alumni BULLETIN 2018

PAGE 59

CLASS NOTES

46 I C. Carroll Carter is finishing up a book which will be published by the United Sates Capitol Historical Society, titled: Creating Capitol Hill: Place, Proprietors, and People. Carroll writes, “My brothers: Newman ’42, Warwick ’44 and Williams ’44 all came to Portsmouth, but we had our education interrupted by WWII. My three sons: Carroll ’77, Adam ’83, and Casey ’84 are graduates, as well as a nephew, Jimmy Knight ’87, and cousins: George Carter ’85 and Outerbridge Horsey ’71.”

Photo by Brian Brainerd

54 I

Nagle Jackson ’54, “still alive and moderately kicking”

Nagle Jackson reports that he is “still alive and moderately kicking,” and continues to enjoy his annual trip to Paris where he and Basil Carmody make a point of meeting for lunch. For a brief profile of Nagle and his recent activities, visit page 29… Jacques de Spoelberch reports that he sees Father Malcolm Kennedy on occasion, and Nagle Jackson also.

He is “still working away as literary agent to a small list of writers, and enjoying it greatly, even though the book market has become more difficult than ever. A few health annoyances, of course, but spirits are good.” For a brief profile of Jacques and his recent activities, visit page 30.

58 I George Cleary is currently living on a farm in the Andes Mountains in Venezuela. He enjoys a loving wife, three happily married children, and seven grandchildren.

“Hi Ravens, after many years, I’ve been in touch with some of you recently. The situation in our country is disastrous, and we are barely surviving. We are healthy, but the apparent hopelessness of things produces an overwhelming despair in almost the whole population. We are doing our

PAGE 60

best while we can to foment faith, hope and charity, and ask for your heartfelt prayers. May God bless you all. My thanks to John Tepper Marlin, Vladimir Guerrero, and Hugh Ballantyne who have all been very encouraging. Feel free to reach out, I would love to hear from any of you.”

62 I After 40+ years of practicing and teaching obstetrics and gynecology in Arizona, Jim Blute and his wife Karin have made a permanent move to the southern beaches of Cape Cod. “Quite a climate change from the Sonoran Desert to the seashore,” says Jim. Since the move, Jim has taken a position as chair of clinical quality for United Healthcare and is a consultant in women’s healthcare. “A new challenge that is very interesting and rewarding. The area here certainly allows more visits to the Priory (I mean Abbey!). Hope to be able to see some of my old classmates.”

67 I John Canning has entered a new role as director of parish life for St. Agnes Church in Reading, MA. “After seven years of living here, I am starting to set roots in Massachusetts and it’s killing me.

I will always be a Maineac. Maribeth and I are always looking for visitors or dinner partners, so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop on by: 186 Woburn St., Reading, MA.”…Francisco Urrutia earned the Latin Lawyer’s Lifetime Achievement award in September 2017 and was profiled in “Latin Lawyer”magazine.

69 I After exiting his second healthcare start-up last year, Douglas Andrews co-founded another healthcare platform company, DoubleWing Pharma Ltd. Based in London, DoubleWing Pharma markets and distributes China-produced medical devices in

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

CLASS NOTES

Mike Walters ’71 (center) with his wife, Lisa, and their Costa Rican ‘first-mate’, Jorge. “Life is good here in Costa Rica…Pura Vida!”

Europe and European manufactured cosmeceutical products in China. It also offers pharmaceutical investment, commercial and infrastructure consultancy in emerging and frontier markets, with a particular focus on Africa. Douglas writes, “I was pleased to attend the School’s London reception on the 17th of January, meeting with Abbey administrators Matt Walter and Patty Gibbons as well as the head of the English Benedictine congregation, Dom Christopher Jamison.”

74 I

vessel owners, operators and insurers. His eldest son is completing medical school at the University of Florida, his middle son graduated last year with a degree in business from SMU, and his youngest son is a junior at Tulane. Otherwise, he enjoys college football, travelling, and boating on Biscayne Bay.

76 I Ted Mahoney’s son, Chris, was married on June 24, 2017… Frank Tietje’s daughter, Sarah, was married on August 12, 2017.

79 I Craig Mathers is an associate professor of performing arts at Emerson College.

He will be teaching the Michael Chekhov acting approach in Havana, Cuba, at the Teatro Argos theatre, and teaching in Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland, as well.

He will also collaborate with the National Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as at the Chekhov Hudson School and at the MICHA conference at Connecticut College this spring and summer, all as part of his 2018 sabbatical. Craig will also be per-

Phil English, along with his wife Chris, recently enjoyed a high-level political strategy dinner with Rob Ryan in downtown Manhattan. They report that the Republic is thriving. Phil is currently co-chairman of the Government Relations Practice at Arent Fox LLP and co-chairman of the Institute for Representative Government, which oversees inter-parliamentary exchanges and democracy promotion projects for the developing world.

Charlie De Leo’75 boating on Biscayne Bay in Florida

75 I Charlie De Leo continues practicing maritime law at his own firm (www. dkmaritime.com) mainly in the defense of

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86 I

William “Buff” Winterer ’87 on his two-week trip to Antarctica in December 2017

Joseph Gulbin started a new job at Prudential Securities in Shelton, CT. “All five of my kids are doing great. Love to hear from you guys!”

87 I

forming in Joshua Sobol’s THE LAST ACT for Israeli Stage in May 2018 at the Boston Center for the Arts.

82 I

Derek Minihane ’87 joined classmate Mike Riordan at his annual Christmas party in New York City

Philip V. Moyles Jr., board president of Answer the Call, rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange last September. Answer the Call is dedicated to providing financial assistance and a network of support to the families of NYC First Responders killed in the line of duty.

84 I Colonel Dave Bardorf is serving as the current operations officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) based in Okinawa Japan. In that capacity, Dave oversees the daily operations of more than 28,000 Marines and Sailors assigned to III MEF. Dave says, “Kids are doing great: Hayden will graduate from High Point University this spring and Anna will begin high school next fall.”

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On a recent business trip to New York, Derek Minihane reached out to a few alumni and joined Mike Riordan at his annual Christmas party. “It was great to see him and catch up especially as he lives in the same apartment that we visited often on weekend trips from Newport.”... Robb Fox married the love of his life Deb (Carbin) in June of 2017. They were married on stage at Roots on the River, a local music festival in Bellows Falls, VT, where they met as festival volunteers. Robb is proud to be an active member in Vermont Freemasonry.

Already a member of the Vermont Grand Lodge, first as grand tyler and now as grand sword bearer, he is also set to become master of his lodge in April of 2018. Last, but not least, Robb is about to reach 22 years as a telephone splice technician for the local telephone company in New Hampshire.

92 I Mark O’Higgins had a great time at the 25th Reunion and hopes to see more of his classmates at the 30th in 2022.

95 I Monique (Roeder) Singer recently moved to London, England with her husband Roland. “We had our first child, a baby boy, Greydon Walter Singer on May 19, 2017.”

See page 54 of Milestones.

97 I Colin O’Higgins received a visit from fellow Abbey tennis teammate Rafael Zubillaga ‘99

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

CLASS NOTES

this fall. They spent time together in Miami with their families and even got in a little tennis.

time for GetHuman, they knew they could do it again. “Each of us had something to contribute,” the brothers say. “Zach pounds out code, software, and app; Ollie is fluent in digital marketing; Christian is bossy and has experience.”

98 I Dan Tortorice has begun teaching as an assistant professor in the economics and accounting department at the College of the Holy Cross… Jason Weida and his wife Kyley welcomed a daughter, Sailor Marian, on December 12. Kyley and Jason have two other children (Bowen, 6 and Alden, 4), and live in Hingham, MA.

02 I Mary Block and her husband Sean Herman are excited to share some happy news with the PAS community. Their daughter, Margaret Catherine “Daisy” Herman, was born on December 14, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

She joins her older brother, two-year-old Jay Henry Herman... Last summer, Erin (Sharpe) Lekavich received a Fund for Teachers grant to attend the English Speaking Union/Globe Education Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance seminar in London. On October 18, she and her husband welcomed a son, Greg Lee Lekavich Jr.

Zachary Allen ’08 & Oliver Allen ’11 Zach and Ollie, along with older brother Christian, put the human in GetHuman. com. The Boston-based startup connects customers directly with a live representative for countless companies, including wireless carriers, cable providers, and store credit card services. In addition, the free app offers services to avoid hold music using a “call me back” option. The paid services include an option for a GetHuman rep to call the company directly on a customer’s behalf and do the arguing for them.

The company was founded by Paul English, an entrepreneur who founded Lola.com and KAYAK.com, among others. Paul’s impetus for the company was witnessing his father, an Alzheimer’s patient, try to deal with customer service and complicated phone menus. Paul made a cheat sheet for his father, which turned into a website, and in 2005, that website became a sensation.

In 2013, Christian Allen convinced Paul to register GetHuman as a company and to give it a shot, believing in the huge problem it was solving for its customers.

Christian, who has a background in software engineering, brought brothers Zach and Ollie onboard. Zack taught himself to write software code, and Ollie handles customer service, digital marketing, and data and content.

Colin O’Higgins ‘97, feeling much less handsome than normal while spending time with Rafael Zubillaga ‘99 (left) in Miami

As it happens, GetHuman isn’t the first time the Allen brothers ventured into the startup world. Zack and Ollie previously built an online app called Libsy, and Christian helped to set up the business. So when it came

The best part of running GetHuman, they say, is getting to work together and to actually help people. “We get to grab coffee with each other just about every day. Not something every group of siblings get to brag about. Or lament about.”

While reflecting on their time at the Abbey, both Zach and Ollie agree that Mr. Kale Zelden was their biggest influence.

“He inspired both of us to want to learn more, ask questions every day, while also challenging us to be creative,” Ollie says.

They also note coach Al Brown as a major influence, who is credited with creating a drive to improve their work ethic.

Although there were no classes about running a startup, the Allens do attribute their success to the intangibles learned at the Abbey: “The Abbey is an incredible institution…it’s fair to say what we learned there we use almost on a daily basis: be smart, be creative. Be mindful of others and quick to ask how you can help them,” Ollie says.

It is clear that Zack, Ollie, and Christian are creative and driven people. Not ones to sit behind desks, they foresee that they will remain in motion for their future. “As long as we get to see each other, share ideas, and keep creating new ideas together, I think our future will remain bright,” Ollie says. “I hope the adventure remains just that – an adventure.”

To learn more about the Allen brothers’ company, visit www.gethuman.com or download the app in the iTunes or Android stores. “Email us at hello@gethuman.com anytime,” Ollie says. “Mentioning that you’re a part of the Abbey family will get you to the top of our inboxes quickly!”

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CLASS NOTES

Lori Rich’s ‘07 wedding party included fellow Ravens (from left) Page Fournier ’07, Anna Buckley ’07, Caitie Silvia ’07, Lori, Abby (Rich) Smith ‘06, Laura’s new sister-in-law, and Katie (Coaty) Koenig ’07.

06 I Margaret Mahan married Gary Sheppard in Bristol, RI on August 4, 2017. They are currently living in Iowa City where Margaret is pursuing her Ph.D. in English at the University of Iowa. In May 2017, Margaret received her MA in history of text technologies at Florida State University…Andrew Brainerd recently finished his PhD in physics at Columbia University. He is currently living in New York City pursuing career opportunities in machine learning/deep learning and artificial intelligence.

07 I Cedric Craig reports that he recently stepped into the role of director of external relations at the Qatar-America Institute, a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization focused on strengthening the U.S.-Qatar partnership…

Margaret Ferrara graduated with a DDS from NYU School of Dentistry last May in the class of 2017. She is now doing a residency at the VA Hospital in Manhattan… Lori Rich was married on September 30, 2017 to Alex Lavoie in Newport at the Bohlin. “Alex and I

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met our sophomore year at Loyola University Maryland. My wedding party was six girls my new sister in-law, Kathleen, and five from the Abbey: my sister, Abby (Rich) Smith ‘06, Katie (Coaty) Koenig, Caitie Silvia, Anna Buckley, and Page Fournier. We also had Ryan Daponte, Mike Gorman, Gus Gleason, Zach Bazarksy, and Ben Fernandez ‘08 in attendance.” … Kaitlyn Soares reports, “I have been fascinated by worlds beyond ours since I was a young girl. Until a few years ago, I didn’t expect that fascination to open the adventure I’m embarking on.” Kaitlyn has moved from NYC to California for her dream job at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“This is a big move that would have been difficult without the support of so many people.

Thank you, so much, for encouraging this space geek to follow her dreams. See you on the West Coast!”… Lucas Zipp shares that a lot has happened in the last couple of years.

“I got married, finished my PhD in Physics, and my wife and I are expecting a baby in the next week or so. We live near Palo Alto in the San Francisco bay area, if anyone wants to stop by.”

09 I Rodrigo Bichara and his brother Miguel Bichara ’94 traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland, in the fall. They hope to see many of their classmates at the next Reunion in 2019!...Kristin Harper is a classics ABD PhD student at the University of Missouri, where she is currently studying ancient religion, classical archaeology, water usage, and ancient recipes. Along with her research, Kristen has been teaching Latin, Greek mythology, and etymology for the past four years to undergraduate students. This summer, Kristen will be studying at the American Academy in Rome and will conducting research for her dissertation on verse epitaphs. She has been recently selected by the faculty as the 2017 winner of the Society for Classical Studies Outstanding Student Award for exceptional achievements in teaching, research, and service.

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CLASS NOTES

10 I Davin Cooke recently decided to leave his job at Frontier Airlines to go back to school to study aircraft manufacturing and business administration. He will be studying at Ivy Tech Community College and then transferring to Purdue’s School of Business…After graduating from Catholic University in 2014, Christopher Larson continued his education at the University of Birmingham, England in 2016 with an LLB (Honours) degree. Chris then moved to London and lived with old Portsmouth Abbey School friend, Ligia Vela ’11 while passing the Bar Professional Training Course at City University of London, England with a ‘Very Competent.’ He was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales as a barrister on November 23, 2017 by the Honourable Society of The Inner Temple. He then returned to the Bahamas (his home country) and was admitted to the Bahamas Bar Association as counsel and attorney.

Chris now practices law at Holowesko Pyfrom Fletcher - a Bahamian law firm where his grandmother, Lynn Holowesko, is a senior partner... Pierce MacGuire graduated law school in April 2017. He and his wife Alexan-

dra live in Dallas, Texas where Pierce is a practicing attorney… In January, Frank Pagliaro began his second semester of conservatory classes at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. He also works in recruitment for Schrödinger, Inc., a software firm that seeks to improve human health and quality of life through the development, distribution, and application of advanced computational methods that transform the way scientists design therapeutics and materials.

11 I Edward Kielb graduated from the honors program at the University of Notre Dame in 2015 with a double major in physics and applied mathematics. He is an actuarial analyst with Milliman Management Consulting in Seattle, WA, and the first author on the article “Comparing Health Care Financial Burden With an Alternative Measure of Unaffordability:” http://journals. sagepub.com/home/inq... Philip Youngberg is wrapping up a seven-month deployment onboard USS SAN DIEGO. The ship, home ported in San Diego, conducted operations with the 15th MEU (Marine Expeditionary

Christopher Larson ’10 at his admission to the Bahamas Bar Association surrounded by his family; including his brother Geoffrey Larson ‘06; his uncles Stephen Holowesko ’85 and Mark Holowesko ’78.

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CLASS NOTES

Stephanie Waterman ’12 received a master’s degree in French linguistics in August 2017

Chris Chen ’12 and his sister Katie ‘16 attended the wedding of Andy Chuang ‘10 to his college sweetheart, Yen-Ping Chen, in Taichung, Taiwan (Andy’s hometown) on December 23, 2017.

Unit) in the Far East, Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean. The ship was also able to make port visits in Vietnam, Thailand, and Greece. “All the best to the Abbey family from the Far Side of the World.”…

Christopher Waterman and Marlene Hagen were married on September 30, 2017 in Charleston, SC. A reception followed on the USS Yorktown. Both Chris and Marlene graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. They are both stationed at the North Charleston AFB in South Carolina.

David Maldonado ’12 out on a drilling rig in West Texas Taryn Murphy ’12 has been selected as a member of the 2018 New England Patriots Boston Marathon Team.

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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

CLASS NOTES

Caitlin Villareal ’12 in her first season for the professional lacrosse team Boston Storm

12 I Jamie Chapman started a new role as the human resources generalist at ClosetMaid, based out of Ocala, FL…Chris Chen and his sister, Katie Chen ‘16, attended the wedding of Andy Chuang ‘10 to his college sweetheart, Yen-Ping Chen, in Taichung, Taiwan (Andy’s hometown) on December 23, 2017. Chris writes, “Andy and I both lived in St. Hugh’s when he was a senior and I was a sophomore. He was my best friend at the Abbey and we’ve stayed in close touch ever since he graduated.” …Sae Yong Lee recently graduated from the San Diego Art Institute in 2017 where she received her MFA degree. Since graduating, Sae has moved back home to Korea…David Maldonado will graduate from LSU class of 2018 with a B.S. in petroleum engineering. After graduation, David accepted a job offer working out of Midland, TX starting this summer as a production engineer for a Fortune 500 oil company. David writes, “Portsmouth Abbey School was instrumental in preparing me for both the rigors of the petroleum engineering curriculum and how to conduct oneself in a corporate environment. I cannot thank PAS enough, and look forward to seeing everyone in May ’18 as my sister Maria Maldonado will be a graduating Raven and con-

Rhoads MacGuire ’13 and Isabel Keogh ’13 enjoyed a ride on the 9 Bar Ranch near Decatur, Texas

tinuing her education at UVA.” …Taryn Murphy has recently been selected as a member of the 2018 New England Patriots Boston Marathon Team. This will be her first marathon, and she is excited to be training, fundraising, and running in the most historic marathon in the county for the 5-time Super Bowl champions in support of The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation! “Any and all contribution not only helps me reach my personal fundraising goal of $7,500, but also ensures that volunteers across New England receive necessary funding to continue to give back to their community.

Thank you in advance for any donation of any size, and for being a part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation effort!”…

Caitlin Villareal is playing for the professional lacrosse team Boston Storm for the second year in a row…Stephanie Waterman received a master’s degree in French linguistics in August 2017. Steph spent the last year attending the Sorbonne University in Paris. She received her degree from Middlebury College in Vermont.

13 I Caroline Hall graduated from St. Michael’s College in May and in June, began working for University Health Plans, a division of Risk Strategies, an insurance brokerage firm specializing in

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Claire Doire ’16 (far left) and her parents at the summit –Uhuru peak (19,341 ft)

higher education healthcare. She regularly visits college campuses in New England including attending new student orientations.

In August, she moved into her new apartment in Boston. “Please come visit.”…Kelsi Harper graduated in May 2017 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Honors College with a degree in food science. Her product development group won the senior ice cream flavor competition for their root beer float ice cream which was produced and sold over the summer by Maple Valley Creamery. This summer, Kelsi went to Las Vegas to compete in the National Institute of Food Technologists College Bowl Competition. Kelsi’s team won the regional competition the year prior while she was at UMASS. Kelsi recently began working in Newton, MA, for Jungbunzlauer, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, a product development company which specializes in producing natural, biodegradable ingredients for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. She is currently in Ladenburg, Germany, training for the company…Francesca Kielb graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 2017, with a major in art and design and minors in art history and museum studies. Francesca is an assistant account executive at Carol Fox and Associates, Chicago’s largest PR firm that specializes in the arts, entertainment, and lifestyles marketing. In 2017, Francesca also published the book 127 Years of Design: The Michigan Daily.

15 I

Ryan Hall ’17 at West Point, at the 2017 Army-Navy football game

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Juan Brenes achieved great success on the soccer team at Mount Ida College and was highlighted on their website for his role on the team this past fall….Elizabeth Kielb is a junior at Purdue University-West Lafayette, IN, majoring in human development…

Taylor Lough has earned several honors for her performance on the Bates College field hockey team, including Longstreth/NFCA Division III Honorable Mention Player of the Week, and on the same day, ECAC Division III North Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. In addition, Taylor has been

named NESCAC Player of the Week, and Division III Offensive Player of the week by Synapse Sport…Frank Loughran had the opportunity to take part in a Class of 2015 get-together over the holidays with Chris Behnke ‘81, Luca Christian, Will Behnke, Bobby Cloughen, Schuyler Jordan, and his dad, Frank Loughran...Harrison Zambarano, a current junior at Elmira College, has been named captain of the EC men’s baseball team for the 2018-19 seasons. He is entering his third season on the team, playing the outfield. The Soaring Eagles will play in the Empire 8 league in the NCAA.

16 I On January 12, 2018, Claire Doire summited Mt. Kilimanjaro along with both of her parents and a large group of family friends – 20 of them in total. The nine-day climb was organized in honor of their friend who passed away unexpectedly in August 2017. “It was definitely the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. There are no words to describe how incredible and emotional it was to be walking among glaciers, high above the clouds, after slogging uphill in snow, sleet, and wind for 9.5 hours.

We owe our success entirely to Tusker Trail and their team of porters, guides, chefs, and runners who supported us around the clock and made it possible for everyone in our party to achieve the ultimate goal.

Another cool thing I witnessed: some of the only animals we saw on the last days leading up to the summit were these massive ravens hopping around our camp.”

17 I Ryan Hall is off to a great start at West Point. He is doing well both in his classes and on the lacrosse field.

P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL

MISSION STATEMENT The aim of Portsmouth Abbey School is to help young men and women grow in knowledge and grace.

Grounded in the Catholic faith and 1,500-year-old Benedictine intellectual tradition, the School fosters: Reverence for God and the human person Respect for learning and order Responsibility for the shared experience of community life

BOARD OF REGENTS Rev. Dom Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B. Prior Administrator St. Louis, MO

Dr. Timothy P. Flanigan ’75 P ’06 ’09 ’11 ’19 ’21 Mr. Emmett O’Connell P ’16 ’17 Tiverton, RI Stowe, VT Mr. Peter S. Forker ’69 Chicago, IL

Mr. Shane O’Neil ‘65 Bedford, MA

Mr. Patrick Gallagher ’81 P ’15 Providence, RI

Mr. Peter J. Romatowski ’68 McLean, VA

Mrs. Margaret S. Healey P ’91 New Vernon, NJ

Mr. Rowan G.P. Taylor P ’13 ’17 ’18 Charlestown, SC

Mr. Denis Hector ’70 Miami, FL

Mr. William Winterer ’87 Boston, MA

Dr. Gregory Hornig ’68 P’ 01 West Palm Beach, FL

Emeritus

Mr. Peter Kennedy ’64 P ’07 ’08 ’15 Big Horn, WY

Mr. Peter Flanigan R ’41 P ’75 ’83 GP ’06 ’09 ’11 Purchase, NY

Mr. William Keogh ’78 P ’13 Jamestown, RI

Mr. Thomas Healey ’60 P ’91 New Vernon, NJ

Dr. Mary Beth Klee P ’04 Hanover, NH

Mr. William Howenstein R ’52 P ’87 GP ’10 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Falvey P’18 ’20 Co-chairs, Parents’ Association Plaistow, NH

Ms. Devin McShane P ’09 ’11 Providence, RI

Mr. Barnet Phillips, IV ’66

mission and ensure that students today are equipped with the resources and foundation to make

Greenwich, CT

a difference in the world.

Mr. Peter Ferry ’75 P ’16 ‘17 Republic of Singapore

Mr. Philip V. Moyles, Jr. ’82 Annual Fund Chair Rye, NY

Mr. W. Christopher Behnke ’81 P ’12 ’15 ’19 Chairman Chicago, IL Rev. Michael G. Brunner, O.S.B. Creve Coeur, MO Dom Joseph Byron, O.S.B. Portsmouth, RI Mr. Creighton O. Condon ’74 P ’07 ’10 Jamestown, RI Sr. Suzanne Cooke, R.S.C.J. Washington, D.C. Dom Francis Crowley, O.S.B. Portsmouth, RI Mrs. Kathleen Cunningham P ’08 ’09 ’11 ’14 Dedham, MA

R

deceased

Mrs. Frances Fisher P ’15 San Francisco, CA

REVERENCE

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

Portsmouth Abbey School remains committed to its mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace. Your gifts to the Annual Fund make it possible to fulfill our

Join a committed network of more than 1,500 alumni, parents, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have already given, and make your gift today at www.portsmouthabbey.org/ makeagift. Your gifts to the Annual Fund go to work immediately to directly support our students and secure the strength of our mission for generations to come.

Please contact Director of the Annual Fund Alexandra Karppinen at akarppinen@portsmouthab-

Front cover: Best-selling author Thomas Mullen ’92, whose stories and essays appear in the pages of Grantland, Paste, The Huffington Post, and Atlanta Magazine. His books have been named to USA Today’s Best Debut Novel list, awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical fiction, chosen for the NPR Best Book of the Year list, and shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, and the Indies Choice Book Award. Photo by Jeff Roffman

bey.org or 401-643-1204 with any questions about the Annual Fund.

285 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871 www.portsmouthabbey.org Address Service Requested

P ORT S M O U T H

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Providence, RI Permit No. 30

PORTSMOUTH ABBE Y SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE! SEPT. 28 - 30, 2018

winter ALUMNI BULLETIN 2018

19481953195819631968197319781983198819931998200320082013

A BB E Y S C HO OL

Calling all Classes ending in 3 or 8 and members of the Diman Club This is your REUNION year!

September 28 – 30, 2018 Please mark your calendar for a weekend of fun and nostalgia with your family, friends and classmates.

Visit www.portsmouthabbey.org/reunion for more information on the schedule of events, accommodations, golf outings, class dinners and more.

Questions? Contact Patty Gibbons at 401-643-1281 or pgibbons@portsmouthabbey.org.

WINTER ALUMNI BULLETIN 2018