Portsmouth Abbey School Winter Bulletin 2024

e Power

of Planning

rough a Planned Gift to Portsmouth Abbey School, you may be able to make a more substantial gift than previously imagined. e term “planned giving” describes the union of philanthropy and nancial planning. Explore the many ways in which you can make a meaningful impact at the School while making the most advantageous nancial decisions for you and your family.

Giving through Bequests

Giving through Bequests

Designate a particular asset or a percentage of your estate to Portsmouth Abbey School by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust.

Designate a particular asset or a percentage of your estate to Portsmouth Abbey School by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust.

e Power Manor House Society

rough a Planned Gift to Portsmouth Abbey School, you may be able to make a more substantial gift than previously imagined. e term “planned giving” describes the union of philanthropy and nancial planning. Explore the many ways in which you can make a meaningful impact at the School while making the most advantageous nancial decisions for you and your family.

Bene ciary Designations

Bene ciary Designations

Name Portsmouth Abbey School as a bene ciary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy or donoradvised fund.

Name Portsmouth Abbey School as a bene ciary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy or donoradvised fund.

Real Estate & Personal Property Transferring ownership of real estate or tangible personal property may be a meaningful way to support Portsmouth Abbey School.

Real Estate & Personal Property Transferring ownership of real estate or tangible personal property may be a meaningful way to support Portsmouth Abbey School.

e Manor House Society recognizes the generous forwardthinking individuals who partner with Portsmouth Abbey School to make a lasting impact beyond their lifetimes. It honors all individuals who have included the School in their estate plans, made a planned gift or established an endowed fund.

e Manor House Society recognizes the generous forwardthinking individuals who partner with Portsmouth Abbey School to make a lasting impact beyond their lifetimes. It honors all individuals who have included the School in their estate plans, made a planned gift or established an endowed fund.

To learn more, visit portsmouthabbey.org/support/planned-giving

To learn more, visit

We encourage you to bookmark portsmouthabbey.org or connect with us on social media to keep up with news and information about Portsmouth Abbey School, view information on upcoming alumni events on campus or around the world and learn more about our Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and Reunion 2024.

If you would like to receive Musings, our monthly electronic newsletter, please make sure we have your email address (send to alumni@portsmouthabbey.org.)

To submit class notes and photos (photos must be original high-resolution jpegs), please email to: alumni@portsmouthabbey.org or mail to Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Portsmouth Abbey School, 285, Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

Portsmouth Abbey School @abbeyravens

@PortsmouthAbbey @abbeyravens (twitter)

Portsmouth Abbey’s Alumni Bulletin is published bi-annually for alumni, parents and friends by Portsmouth Abbey School, a Catholic Benedictine preparatory school for young men and women in Forms III–VI (grades 9–12) in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

If you have opinions or comments on the articles in the Bulletin, please email: communications@ portsmouthabbey.org or write to the Office of Marketing and Communications, Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 02871. Please include your name and phone number. The editors reserve the right to edit articles for content, length, grammar, AP/magazine style and suitability to the mission of Portsmouth Abbey School.

Head of School: Matthew Walter P’18 ’20

Director of Advancement: Patty Gibbons P’17 ’19 ’20 ’22 ’24

Director of Marketing and Communications/Editor: Kristine Hendrickson

Editorial Staff and Contributing Writers: Blake Billings, Ph.D. ’77, P’15 ’17 ’18 ’20, Daniel Caplin ‘10, Christopher Fisher, Thomas Foote, Kristine Hendrickson, Carla Kenahan P’12 ’12 ’12 ’23, Daniel McQuillan, Chris Milmoe, Nora O’Hara P’21 ’22 ’24 ’26, Brittany Semco, Gary Sheppard, Ph.D., and Paula Walter P’18 ’20.

Photography: Seminarian Johnathan Arias, George Corrigan, Andrea Hansen, David Hansen, Kristine Hendrickson, Tom Kates, Chris Milmoe, Brittany Semco, Br. Sixtus Roslevich, O.S.B. and Louis Walker III

Some individual photos found in alumni profiles have been supplied courtesy of the respective alumni.

Corrections: In the summer issue, on pages 78 and 82, we incorrectly spelled the names of John Newlin ’62 and Jamie MacGuire ’70. Additionally, an excerpt mentioned in the tribute to Michael Owen Garvey ’70 could not be printed.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Portsmouth Abbey Community,

We have passed the halfway point of the 2023-2024 school year and could not be more pleased with how the year is progressing for our students, faculty, staff and monastery. There is a strong feeling of community and accomplishment on campus. Our Sixth Form students continue to receive college acceptances, most to their first-choice colleges, many of which are top-tier institutions.

Applications for admission to the school have continued to increase and our Office of Admission spent the better part of early March making difficult decisions among many qualified students who are eager to join us at the Abbey. Decisions were sent on March 10 and we will host our admitted students at our “Closer Look” revisit program in April. This is an exciting time at the School and we appreciate the invaluable role that our alumni continue to play in sending mission-aligned families our way. Winter sports teams enjoyed impressive seasons, with our wrestling team earning the EIL championship, our boys and girls varsity hockey teams finishing first in their respective conferences, and our boys basketball team receiving the #2 seed in the New England Class C basketball championship (where they made it to the semifinal game before coming up short in overtime). And we are all looking forward to Brother Benedict’s ordination to the diaconate in early May, the penultimate step toward his ordination into the priesthood.

Our focus on campus this school year has been to strengthen the strong sense of mission and community for which Portsmouth Abbey School is already known. To that end, we have been keeping three concepts top of mind: Sportsmanship, Stewardship and Citizenship. While these have long been hallmarks at Portsmouth Abbey, we all can benefit from a friendly reminder about their importance in realizing our vision of a community characterized by friendship and joy.

v Sportsmanship – how we treat others. Our behavior during athletic, academic and artistic events reflects on us as individuals and as a community. We should be a community that wins with humility and loses with class, participates as a respectful audience and recognizes good play or effort by an opponent. And we should always follow the Golden Rule.

v Stewardship – how we treat the place and the things that have been entrusted to us. With the new Student Center coming on line later this year, complemented by new strength and conditioning equipment in the Healey & Sheehan Fitness Center, a refurbished Carlos X. Araujo ’96 track, and the Moyles Family Scoreboard and press box, we should be mindful of how we use, treat and respect our facilities and be grateful to those who helped make them possible.

v Citizenship – how we treat ourselves and each other. Aptly captured in Grace Notes, the way we conduct ourselves, speak to and about each other and what we do when only God is watching all reflect on how well we are growing in knowledge and grace. We both seek and find grace when we value politeness and kindness, respect the dress code, use cell phones and other technology appropriately and show proper regard for one another’s space and personal items.

These ideals are lived out every day on campus in ways big and small, some of which are featured in this issue of The Bulletin:

v Sportsmanship is most often on display in how one plays the game and treats one’s opponents, but a few of our students are also learning about its importance through one of the School’s newest activities – sports broadcasting.

v Brother Benedict shares a lesson in stewardship, teaching us that “a single tile can never see the beauty of the finished work,” which he learned through his community service project involving mosaic art.

v Citizenship takes many forms on campus, such as when we celebrate the importance of traditions like sit-down dinners. Starting last year, sit-down dinners have taken place once a term and feature entertaining and edifying reflections by a faculty member that often lighten the spirit and deepen the soul.

With gratitude for all whose generous gifts of time, talent and treasure allow us to fulfill our mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace through good Sportsmanship, Stewardship and Citizenship,

I remain yours in Christ and in St. Benedict,

Matthew P. Walter P’18 ’20 Head of School

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

This spring marks 40 years since I arrived at Portsmouth for the first time as a prospective student. I can clearly remember attending the predecessor version of “A Closer Look” in the Winter Garden with my mother. Hard to believe now, but I needed a neighbor’s help tying my tie because my dad was out of town on business. The experience was somewhat overwhelming for an eighth-grader. Little did I realize what a transformational experience I was about to undergo an experience that is still impacting my family and me to this day. Unbeknownst to me then, I had found “my place”.

One of the key steps in becoming a member of a Benedictine monastic community is making a vow of “stability” a pledge that the individual will remain in the community for the rest of his life. Considering the transitory world we live in today it’s hard to overstate what a big deal this is. And imagine how comfortable you would need to be in a place in order to make such a vow. We are so blessed to have had so many members of our monastic community make this inspirational vow over the past 100+ years including the nine members living in our monastic community today. Although the students, faculty and staff make a somewhat less permanent commitment to Portsmouth, inspired by our monastic community, we nonetheless strive to honor this value of stability by creating a welcoming community for them that “feels like home.” While the feeling of community is most powerfully felt when we worship together in a Manquehue prayer group or at an all School Mass, it is meant to permeate the culture of the School in all respects in the classroom, on the athletic fields and in the dorms as well. The key to this feeling of belonging is a sense that every member of the community is accepted and valued for who they are and what they bring to the community. This value of stability will have a particular impact on our students as they move on from Portsmouth into the “real world” because no matter what they do or where they go, they will never lose their place in our community. When you speak to an alum from every generation and ask what they most fondly recall about their time at Portsmouth the answer is almost universally “the community.” This effort to create a stable, welcoming environment led by the example of our monastic community has clearly worked…look at me, 40 years later!

While the value of stability has many social and spiritual aspects, there is a key physical aspect as well. People need to feel comfortable in their home. Part of our job as stewards of the School is to take good care of our campus and our monastery to both preserve our heritage and the hallmarks of “home” that resonate with so many of our alums while at the same time investing in improvements that will serve to make our current community members as comfortable as possible while providing an enticing invitation for potential new members of the community, whether they be students, faculty or members of the monastic community. While there is never enough time (or money) to do everything on the list “right now,” Head of School Matt Walter and his team have been very busy at work. Witness the complete renovation of Manor House, the original building purchased by the monks in 1919, the renovation of the historic cupolas detailed in the article on page 36, the new elevator being installed in the monastery now, the improvements to the entry to campus at the top of Cory’s Lane and of course the new cornerstone of our residential campus, the Student Center that will open this spring and be dedicated in the coming months. Stability requires stewardship; please be assured that the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the School are fully committed to continuing the tradition of what has made Portsmouth special for so long.

Chris Abbate ’88 P’20 ’23 Chair, Board of Directors

MISSION STATEMENT

Portsmouth Abbey School helps young men and women grow in knowledge and grace. As a Benedictine boarding and day school committed to excellence, we embrace the Catholic faith while nurturing reverence for God and the human person, love of learning, and commitment to community life.

Portsmouth Abbey School Board of Directors 2023-2024

Abbot Michael Brunner O.S.B. Portsmouth, RI

Mr. Christopher Abbate ’88 P’20 ‘23 board chair

New York, NY

Ms. Abby Benson ’92

Middletown, RI

Mr. Bernardo Bichara ’92

Monterrey, Mexico

Mr. John Bohan P’20 ’22 ‘26

Newport, RI

Dom Joseph Byron O.S.B.

Portsmouth, RI

Mr. Ronald Del Sesto, Jr. ’86

Washington, D.C.

Dr. Debra Falvey P’18 ’20

Plaistow, NH

Dr. Timothy P. Flanigan ’75

P’06 ’09 ’11 ’19

Tiverton, RI

Mrs. Margaret S. Healey P’91

GP’19 ’21 ‘24

New Vernon, NJ

Mr. Denis Hector ’70

Miami, FL

Mr. Thomas Hopkins ’85

Brooklyn, NY

Mrs. Cara Gontarz Hume ’99

Hingham, MA

Mr. William M. Keogh ’78 P’13

Jamestown, RI

Mr. James Knight ’87

Greenwich, CT

Ms. Linda Li P’25

Cleveland, OH

Dom Benedict Maria O.S.B.

Portsmouth, RI

Father Edward Mazuski O.S.B.

Portsmouth, RI

Ms. Devin McShane P’09 ’11

Providence, RI

Abbot Gregory Mohrman O.S.B.

St. Louis, MO

Mr. Ward Mooney ’67

Westport Point, MA

Mr. Philip V. Moyles, Jr. ’82 P ’22

Rye, NY

Mrs. Mary Beth O’Connor-Lohuis

P’10 ’10 ’21

Quogue, NY

Mrs. Daphne Robbins ’04

New York, NY

Dom Sixtus Roslevich O.S.B.

Portsmouth, RI

Mr. Michael Scanlan ’82

South Orange, NJ

Mr. Felipe Vicini ’79 P’09 ’12 ’19

Miami, FL

Mr. William Winterer ’87

Boston, MA

EMERITUS

Mr. Peter M. Flanigan g ’41 P’75 ’83

GP’06 ’09 ’09 ’11 ’11 ’19 ’19

Purchase, NY

Mr. Thomas Healey ’60 P’91

GP’19 ‘21 ‘24

New Vernon, NJ

Mr. William K. Howenstein g ’52

P’87 GP’10 ’17 ’21 ’22

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Mr. Peter M. Kennedy III ’64

P’07 ’08 ’15

Big Horn, WY

Mr. Barnet Phillips, IV ’66

Greenwich, CT

EX-OFFICIO

Frank and Rhonda Landers P’20 ’24

Parents’ association chairs

STRATEGIC PLAN

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

In conjunction with the Board of Directors’ Strategic Plan for 2022–2026 and independent school best practices, the Faculty at Portsmouth Abbey School collaborated throughout the 2022–23 academic year to develop the Characteristics of Professional Excellence.

Comprised of 11 statements, the CPE document was designed to further unite all faculty on what they believe to be the most important values in their roles as educators.

Aileen Baker, dean of faculty and recently appointed assistant head of school, announced the finalized characteristics at a faculty meeting last fall. The CPE statements were meticulously drafted and debated, including opportunities for all faculty to give input. Baker says the characteristics are intended to motivate, inspire and affirm how faculty help young men and women grow in knowledge and grace. “Understanding that we are all on the same page and guided by the same principles supports our overall collegiality and the desire to devote the necessary time and energy towards our students.”

The most recent student survey, administered in fall 2023, affirms the giftedness and dedication of the School’s faculty. The following results were reported at a recent faculty meeting:

• 94 percent of Abbey students rated their academic experience as positive,

• 96 percent positively rated their teacher’s knowledge of their subject area, and

• 93 percent of students felt they had an adult in the community they could turn to if they had a problem.

At the onset of the CPE development process, Baker said that hiring, mentoring and supporting the School’s dedicated faculty was essential to building a cohesive, dedicated and mission-driven community, particularly after the pandemic.

“Portsmouth Abbey means the world to me,” Baker said, “and the opportunity to make us stronger as a School through the faculty fuels me in my role each day. Attracting positive and enthusiastic teachers who love teenagers and want to be at a Catholic boarding school where our mission is at the heart of all we do matters greatly. It is the reason why we are in this business.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

In conjunction with the Board of Directors’ Strategic Plan and independent school best practices, the Faculty at Portsmouth Abbey School collaborated throughout the 2022–23 academic year to develop the Characteristics of Professional Excellence below. These characteristics represent our aspirations for excellence in support of our Mission.

1 Embraces and fosters Portsmouth Abbey School’s mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace, educating in the Benedictine tradition

2 Strives to be a master teacher, both in craft and content, seeking new ideas and methods to continually improve

3 Exhibits passion for working with high school students and serves as a role model with intention to develop students of high integrity and character

4 Engages meaningfully and enthusiastically with students in academic, residential, advisory, and co-curricular settings

5 Offers high level of consistency, reliability, and professionalism in working with students

6 Nurtures and inspires student learning and growth, reaching students at all levels of achievement

7 Sets high – but not unattainable –standards for students along with clear expectations

8

Delivers clear, relevant, and timely feedback to students in all areas of school life in an approachable manner

9

10

11

Responds to student and parent concerns with courtesy and respect

Supports all colleagues and disciplines, and actively seeks opportunities to collaborate

Pursues professional growth on an ongoing basis

Per the School’s Characteristics of Professional Excellence, the annual faculty art exhibition encourages faculty to share their craft and connect with students on a more personal level.

Painting. Oil on Canvas, by Alassandra Micheletti, Department of Visual Arts

Borden Brook. Injet print, by Mark Nadeau, Department of Visual Arts

Expecting. Oil on prepared Masonite by Ryan Walker, Department of Visual Arts

Wave. Chromogenic photography print, by Elizabeth Benestad, Department of Classics

You Can’t Spell Monastic Without

By Thomas Foote, Department of Mathematics

When Dom Benedict Maria, O.S.B. arrived in Portsmouth, he brought an infectious energy, a commitment to excellence and a pure joyfulness. Within his monastic vocation, he has developed a particular appreciation for Christian mosaic art, a tradition stretching back to the days of the early Church. 4

above: A mosaic created by Dom Benedict Maria, O.S.B. now hangs in the main chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida.

His latest mosaic was created in Boynton Beach, Florida, where he is enrolled at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. When The Very Reverend Alfredo Hernández, rector and president of the seminary requested art to inspire his seminarians, Brother Benedict delivered in a big way. The finished mural measures four feet by three feet, providing bright color and vibrancy to the South Florida seminary campus.

Not many have walked Brother Benedict’s path from his birthplace in India’s Andaman Islands to his vocation on Aquidneck Island. His early years saw him catechized by his family, his teachers, and a culture that placed the Catholic faith at the center of the community. He trained as an engineer at Government College of Engineering,

Brother Benedict stands with the mosaic created for the St. Vincent dePaul Regional Seminary.

A close-up showing details of the monstrance featured in the foreground of the mosaic.

Bargur, Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, Tamil Nadu, he prepared for a career as a software specialist while serving as an assistant coordinator for a regional campus team for Jesus Youth, an international Catholic movement promoting lives of active service. When the multinational corporation he worked for relocated him to Philadelphia, he became involved with a local branch of Jesus Youth and connected with spiritual director Father Anthony Berret, S.J., who eventually helped him find Portsmouth Abbey.

Given his previous work with terabytes, Brother Benedict did not expect to soon deal with tesserae, the technical term for the tiles composing a mosaic. “When a man comes to the monastery, the man and the monastery attempt to discern the same thing: to seek God and that may be in a different way than expected,” he said during a recent interview.

During his postulancy at St. Louis Abbey, Brother Benedict was trained by Brother Symeon Gillette, O.S.B., an artist skilled in mosaics and

stained glass. Under Gillette’s tutelage, he created a pair of small mosaics, including a striking black and white Jerusalem cross that now adorns the St. Louis calefactory. Back in Portsmouth, he produced a two and a half feet by two feet mosaic of Portsmouth Abbey’s coat of arms in preparation for his solemn profession of vows on All Saints’ Day 2021. That piece depicting the black, white, and gold seal the late Father Wilfrid Bayne, O.S.B. designed, is now prominently displayed in the monastery’s central staircase.

His work for the St. Vincent de Paul seminarians is layered with meaning. In fine detail, it shows the patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, who famously said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist,” kneeling in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The seminary chapel sits in the mosaic’s background, featuring a fine array of colors. The seminary’s monstrance is featured in the foreground.

While Vianney’s patronage may have made him an easy choice of subject, other aspects of the project unfurled

Colorful tesserae.

“ ”

I have learned that a single tile can never see the beauty of the finished work. Each tile can only appreciate its singular perspective. We don’t know what God is doing with us, but if we give into that salvific effect, that shaping, we will have something beautiful to offer to God and this world.

Dom BeneDict maria, o.S.B.

Brother Benedict’s assistants ranged from age eight to 70.

in a less expected fashion. Brother Benedict intended to collaborate on the mosaic with young adults from the Jesus Youth movement, but, as he said, “that initial plan was my plan.” Instead, he reflected, “If you are being docile to the Holy Spirit, God shows you a way.” In this case, God’s way meant that his assistants ranged from age eight to 70 and even included baby-wearing mothers. In a manner befitting the body of Christ, he reported that “people of different ages were able to do different things,” and the entire project took shape.

The finished product impacted Father Hernandez and the seminary’s council on such a meaningful level that they decided to give it a place of honor in the seminary’s main chapel. A blessing ceremony was held in November of 2023.

Brother Benedict will be ordained as a deacon on May 3 of this year and a priest in the spring of 2025, deo volente. For him, the idea of mosaic as a metaphor is salient. He built and continues to develop his metaphor, like his mosaics, by beginning with

the individual pieces. While many people may think of a mosaic as simply selecting and gluing tiles to a board, it is not so simple. The tesserae need to be shaped, usually through multiple cuts. “Each tile,” he says, “has its value, its potential. As you work on it, you transform it into a certain shape.”

So, too, it is with God and His children. As mentioned in an article submitted for the Seminary’s magazine “Seeds of Hope,” and when interviewed, Brother Benedict reflected, “I have learned that a single tile can never see the beauty of the finished work. Each tile can only appreciate its singular perspective. We don’t know what God is doing with us, but if we give into that salvific effect, that shaping, we will have

something beautiful to offer to God and this world.” While the individual, or individual tile, may not fully see his role in the broader Church, each is a beautiful, necessary piece.

author’s note

My younger son, John Benedict, born on the feast day of St. John Vianney, partly owes his name to this artist and subject. Excited, therefore, to begin my interview with Brother Benedict, I launched into questioning, but he asked that we pause so he could lead us in prayer. Even in a setting intended to highlight his gifts and work as an artist, Brother Benedict first sought God’s intercession on my behalf during the writing process. Much like Brother Benedict in preparing his mosaic, I had my writing plan, but I was gently and generously reminded to seek God first in all things.

Thomas Foote, Department of Mathmatics

St. John Vianney

SPiRitual Life

Portsmouth Abbey Community Represented at SEEK Conference in St. Louis

Lauren Revay, assistant director of spiritual life and Brother Sixtus Roslevich, on behalf of the monastery, joined 20,000 other parishioners, campus ministers, clergy, missionaries and students at the annual SEEK24 conference in St. Louis over Christmas break.

SEEK is a collaboration by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Revay and Roslevich spent the week attending keynote lectures, breakout discussions, shared meals, fellowship and Mass. This year’s theme, “Be the Light” (Matt. 5:13–16), brought to life The Great Commission to be salt and light in the world.

above: (l-r) Thomas Rich, St. Louis Priory graduate and former student of Brother Sixtus and Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B, Nicolás Matamala Letelier, Matías Grand Vildósola, Vicente Garnham Cifuentes, and Martín Rosselot Saavedra, of Manquehue, and Brother Sixtus Roslevich stand behind Jana Rich and Oblate Michele Rentschler in the Portsmouth Abbey booth.

Roslevich, who has been meditating on the importance of meeting people where they are, spoke to countless young men and women who came to the Monastery’s booth at SEEK to share their stories with him. He noticed many participants were “seeking, discerning, hoping,” he said. “Some were overwhelmed with the sensory overload. They had probably never attended an event of this size and magnitude, let alone in an arena where St. Pope John Paul II had celebrated a Mass in 1999 before many of them were born.”

Though he had “neither silver nor gold to offer them,” he could offer water, a safe, quiet place away from the crowd and a temporary sanctuary. “Just like last year,” he said, “these students were overcome by unashamed emotion while sharing, among

other things, their fears about the future (and the present, too). That 10-foot-square booth became sacred ground and inspired uncounted spiritual moments.” He says this year, he wisely brought tissues.

Reflecting on the Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025 plays into the idea of ongoing evangelization, Roslevich said, “There is indeed hope, and we are all pilgrims of Hope.”

Professional development is highly encouraged for faculty. Developing connections with other Benedictine schools that represent such rich and diverse communities was a highlight for Revay. She looks forward to implementing what she’s learned into the Spiritual Life program.

“The Church is alive and well!” said Revay. 4

The annual SEEK24 conference in St. Louis was held in January with 20,000 parishioners, campus ministers, clergy, missionaries and students in attendance.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth with Winter Family Day 2024

What sets Portsmouth Abbey School apart is the care given to students’ intellectual and spiritual development. “This year’s Winter Family Day highlights that our students’ intellectual and spiritual growth are not separate endeavors. They are two sides of the same endeavor,” said Director of Parent Relations Meghan Fonts P’14 ’17 ’21.

With engaging activities, including a luncheon and insightful presentations, the 2024 program centered on “Growing in Grace: Theology and Spiritual Life at the Abbey.” Parents listened to Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B., describe the relationship between the Monastery and the School, and Dr. Blake Billings ’77, P’15 ’17 ’18 ’20

discussed the Theology curriculum. Additionally, five Sixth-Form student panelists shared how they have grown through the spiritual life curriculum from classroom and co-curricular opportunities such as Lectio Divina and Manquehue.

The weekend also included Church Talks, retreats and meetings with the Manquehue visitors.

A Journey of Faith: Annual Confirmation Retreat Prepares Students for the Sacrament Ahead

On the peaceful campus of Portsmouth Abbey, amidst the hushed whispers of ancient wisdom, a profound journey commenced in late January when twenty-nine Abbey students took part in this year’s Confirmation Retreat.

Led by Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B., along with four members from Manquehue, a lay Benedictine apostolic movement that places importance on the practice of Lectio Divina, the weekend retreat offered a series of experiences designed to

deepen the students’ understanding of faith and fortify their souls for the sacrament ahead.

The retreat entrusted participants with internalizing the sacred teachings that will guide them in their faith journey—in this sense, the weekend assumed an even greater significance—a pressurization wherein minds and spirits are joined and imbued with the sanctity of the students’ impending sacrament.

Form VI students Jonny Miller, James Meko, Sadie Polgar, Mary Davidson and Regan Landers shared how spiritual life at the Abbey has helped them grow during a panel on Winter Family Day.

Taking place inside the Kennedy Classroom Building, where scholarly discourse meets divine revelation, the retreat was anchored by three sessions of guided Lectio and poignant films—“Romero” and “Leap of Faith”—the retreat illuminated the courage, confidence and power that faith can bestow on the human spirit. Through the lens of cinematic narratives, the participating students contemplated and discussed the intricate interplay between faith and action.

Yet the weekend did not merely unfold on film; it was interwoven with contemplation, introspection and camaraderie. Games designed to foster fellowship were played, while the “Bother Father” session with Abbot Michael provided a sanctuary for earnest inquiries and heartfelt revelations. On Sunday of the retreat, as the last moments of sun shone on the monastery, the students stood shoulder to shoulder with the monks, partaking in the

timeless ritual of vespers—a testament to their growing connection with the divine.

This confirmation class notably marked a milestone, boasting the largest confirmation cohort in six years—a testament to the enduring vitality of spiritual life at Portsmouth Abbey.

Snapshots from The Inner City

Blake Billings, Ph.D. ’77, P’15 ’17 ’18 ’20, shares his reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“When I heard that our MLK assembly was looking for a presenter this year, I pushed through some reticence and anxiety and decided to volunteer. I just wanted to share with you a few of my experiences living in what some have called ‘the inner city,’ a few ‘snapshots’ that highlight the impact the experience had on me. It taught me something about Martin Luther King, Jr. and about some of the struggles we need to overcome on the way to achieving that beautiful dream he spoke of so powerfully.

Matías Grand Vildósola, a member of Manquehue offered remarks during a recent Church Assembly and led discussions during the retreat.

My first snapshot is not from the inner city at all. It is my childhood home. I grew up in a small town in Maine, attended Portsmouth Abbey School, and then went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. This provided me with little experience of life in inner city America, nor did it provide much by way of diversity.

After college, I participated in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, joining five other volunteers in West Oakland, California. I volunteered in a parish serving a deeply impoverished set of neighborhoods. Our home there had been one of the headquarters for the Black Panthers: you may know from the film “Black Panther” that they originated in Oakland. My new home was quite a bit different from the one I came from. A lot of community organizing had happened there on Peralta Street where I lived. And even though ten years had passed since Bobby Seale gave political speeches from the front steps, you could still feel the legacy.

My parish, like many in the inner city, like the Black Panthers, organized programs to serve community needs. It took a while for me to become aware of some of these needs and the realities of life there. The parish had a daycare center, trying

to help people keep their jobs. The daycare center was located just next door to the methadone center, which treated addiction. On the other side of the street was high-rise, low-income housing the community had advocated for and helped build to serve those needs. Prostitutes worked the streets all around that area, often right in front of the church. Used drug paraphernalia was routinely scattered on the sidewalks. In the short time I was there, several people associated with the parish— family, friends, acquaintances—were killed in various circumstances of crime and violence. Faced with these realities, I began to recognize I was in a different world there, impacted by what people called “the streets.” I had to recalibrate my expectations and assumptions of what life was really like.

One vivid memory captures some of the rethinking I had to do, particularly about race and the experience of race in this country. While in Oakland, I had been invited to join a soul-gospel group, playing my acoustic guitar: I was the only white guy, traveling to play at various churches— where I was the only white guy. Sunday, Rev. King lamented, is the most segregated day of the week. I remember we were driving out to play at a church in a rough part of East Oakland, and we stopped at an intersection. We noticed a police car approach. My instinctive reaction was to feel safer since the police were nearby. Then I realized the other five people in the car had become extremely tense, hoping the police car would move on. These were wonderful, generous, devout and religious folks on their way to church, very frightened at what might happen in an encounter with the police. It was one of those moments, many moments, when I realized some of the biases and

Dr. Billings’ childhood home in Maine.

assumptions I carried with me from small-town Maine—like the police are there to protect me. Just like it was unimaginable, where I was from, to be accosted by sex workers on your way into your church, it was unimaginable to have to worry about who might be the next murder victim. It was unthinkable to drop off a child at a daycare next door to the center serving the community’s heroin addicts. The unthinkable, in West Oakland, was more often the inescapable.

On the wall in parish rectory offices, there were two photos. One was of the bishop of Oakland. The other was Martin Luther King, Jr. When I first saw that, I realized that I had never in my life been in a rectory, or any other building, that even had a portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr. I began to not only rethink my expectations, I began to rethink my heroes.

I had always admired King’s measured, reflective, prayerful and fearless engagement in the struggle of his community. In his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he calls this approach ‘a more excellent way of love and nonviolent protest.’ In Oakland, that same response, that same dream,

sustained so many of the wonderful people I was blessed to work with there. A remarkable faith, a steadfast working for good, facing risks day after day.

I think we see that faith vividly in the speech—it was, in fact, a powerful, prophetic sermon—that Rev. King gave the evening before he was assassinated. He expressed gratitude that, in all periods of history, he was living in his present moment. Given the suffering and hardships he knew, he acknowledged that might sound surprising. But he said this:

‘The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around… But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.’

I began to see the beauty of that night sky in Oakland. Dr. King’s portrait on that wall, to me, it was the face of that kind of hope. And it is a hope we need to remember in our own days of confusion and trouble. So, I am grateful for this day of recognition, that his star is still shining so brightly. Let us—no matter where in the world we may be from, no matter how deeply rooted and enduring the difficulties we may face—look up to that night sky, take in those stars, and keep alive that dream.”

MLK Day, by Isabella Li ’26

Food for Thought

Sit-Down Dinners Offer More Than a Meal

The tradition of the sit-down dinner is not new to the Portsmouth Abby community. Still, its post-pandemic return is both welcomed and intentional, serving as a deliberate opportunity to foster connections among individuals who may not naturally interact.

“Sit-down dinners are a fantastic opportunity to reinforce valuable life skills around sharing a meal with people you may not know well. With no cell phones in sight, students enjoy a nice dinner in school dress, seated at a table with their schoolmates and one or two faculty members. Live music is provided and the dining hall is filled with conversation,” says Dean of Student Life Paula Walter P’18 ‘20. “We hope students build confidence in navigating shared meals, learn more about each other, and understand the value of breaking bread together.”

above: Students and faculty gather during a recent sit-down dinner.

The evening commences and concludes with prayer while a faculty member delivers remarks during dessert. These remarks often catalyze thought-provoking discussions and deepen students’ appreciation for the individuals addressing them.

Spoken from the heart, each faculty message is both inspirational and relatable. Sharing their experiences thus far include Classics Department faculty Elizabeth Benestad and Katie Zins, Ph.D., History Department faculty Darryl De Marzio, Ph.D. P’26, Derek Gittus P’21 ’24 ’27 and Dom Paschal Scotti, O.S.B., Humanities Department faculty member Mary Catherine Pietropaoli, and Math Department faculty member Elliot Moffie among others.

In his remarks, Father Paschal spoke about managing the pressures of life and reassured those in attendance that God wanted them to be all they could be.

For those in the throes of teenage self-doubt, Humanities Department faculty member Mary Catherine Pietropaoli, also an assistant houseparent in St. Benet’s, shared thoughts on her fear of failure as a high school violinist and how, eventually, she was able to find herself experiencing more authentic joy in music.

She spoke of being the youngest of five “fairly high-achieving siblings” and how the “we” mindset that tends to coincide with larger families or boarding school communities can sometimes contribute to a fear of failure or a lessening of one’s self-worth.

Mary Catherine Pietropaoli addresses students in January.

Head of School Matt Walter introduces a faculty speaker.

Lorna Liu ‘24 accompanies Alina Wang ‘24

Pietropaoli cited the aphorism attributed to Aristotle, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” She went on to advise students not to use aphorisms in their essays but acknowledged a hint of truth in their application to the human experience. “’Someone else will always be better.’ How many times have we thought or explicitly voiced these words? Or have been devastated to realize that someone is faster, stronger, smarter, better looking? “Someone else will always be better. Well, yes, that is true. But it reflects the reality that being the best is a transitory and ultimately elusive state. Records are broken, pedestals crumble,” she said.

“Perfection is not the same thing as excellence,” Pietropaoli stated. “Excellence reflects the good rather than the perfect. As you likely learned in your Abbey education, both the ancient Greco-Roman thinkers and the great minds of the medieval world articulated the idea that excellence is intrinsically related to virtue. To be excellent is ultimately to be virtuous, and the classical virtues —prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude— require effort and are everevolving. Perfection is unattainable in this life.”

Over-investing in the “impossible ideal of perfection” distracts and disheartens from the good that can be accomplished, leads to self-doubt, and enables either the ragged chasing of an illusion or hiding behind mediocrity,

Pietropaoli argued. “You ARE good and capable of incredible goodness, both in your actions and in your excellence,” she told the audience. “Your worth is not something you must achieve. Regardless of status, money, power, grades, followers, even failures–you are worthy of existence and nothing can change that simple fact.”

Echoing Pietropaoli and Father Paschal, Elizabeth Benestad, head of the Classics Department, shared her experiences with selfdoubt, comparing herself to her siblings and learning to embrace the idea of being true to yourself. “Be who you are. You are unique. You are not your siblings. You are not your friends. You are exactly who you are meant to be,” she said.

If students think they are meant to be famous, the wisdom of Dr. Darryl De Marzio hopefully offered a bit of perspective. “You have to remember that what being famous meant for a high school student in 1992 is something completely different than what it means today,” he shared. “Nowadays, anyone can become famous, whether they wish it or not. We’re all seemingly just one viral video away from thousands upon thousands of views, likes and subscribers,” he said.

De Marzio used a scene from the film “A Man for All Seasons,” which depicts the conflict between Henry VIII and the Catholic martyr St.

Darryl De Marzio, Ph.D., a faculty member in history and humanities, shared his love of the Grateful Dead with students during the fall sit-down dinner.

Thomas More, to discuss the value of small audiences. “More knows the truth: that it is the who of your audience that matters most,” he said. “I like to think now that more than just being destined to teach, I was really destined for small audiences. I hope that I am a humble recipient of my humble gifts. What I have to offer has little mass appeal, perhaps, but has a depth of reach for those whom I am able to reach.”

De Marzio shared what he called one of his most “off-center” gifts: his love for the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead and his self-described “quirky” appreciation for their music, which he compared to a mystic’s knowledge of sacred text. “If you played for me just a minute from one of their over 3,000 bootleg concert recordings, I could almost certainly tell you the year and sometimes even the exact date and venue of that performance. I could talk endlessly about the nuances of their 23-minute performance of “Dark Star” from February 27, 1969, and compare that to their 30-minute version from October 26, 1989. I’ve been wrestling with the question of whether the Dead were better in 1972 or in 1977 for over thirty years, and I’ve just recently come up with a theory as to why 1976 is the most underrated, yet most important year in the history of the band. But, alas, there is a very, very, small audience for such eccentricities, and one that grows smaller as the years roll by.”

His purpose was not to dissuade students from fame or fortune. Instead, it was to remind them that the quality of the audience, not the quantity, would matter most. “Each of us here is known to ourselves, our families, our friends, and God. That is true for all of us, no

matter how popular or famous, no matter how big or small our audience is. Always remember to honor that public first and foremost. Whether you are starting on varsity or coming off the bench for JV-B, whether cast in a leading role or stage crew, each must perform to a small audience. It is to them you owe your gifts, even the humblest and most peculiar,” he said.

Sharing a meal, engaging with others and hearing words of wisdom perhaps when needed most. Sit-down dinners embody the spirit of the Abbey community at its best.

Head of Performing Arts, Jay Bragan P’22‘25 and Bryndol Sones, Ph.D. P’21‘23, Department of Mathematics lead a discussion during sit-down dinner last fall.

What’s So Great About Dogs?

“On most occasions, a dog is a willing participant for play, for exercise, for any outdoor extracurricular,” Caplin began. “But dogs also have this foresight, this ability to see through people. Why: because, in the words of Saint Thomas More, God made animals for innocence. A truly innocent animal, an animal who exists as a symbol of purity, exists both to weed out the corrupt and to serve as an ambassador to joy. They want to sit with you, they want to protect you, they exist to spread joy and to prevent harm. That is why they’re called man’s best friend. A place with dogs is a place welcoming to innocence and joy, open to seeing each moment as a chance to celebrate the full beauty in our existence, accepting every moment as a gift,” he concluded.

With their newfound knowledge, those graduating were encouraged by their second challenge of asking a faculty member to walk or play with their dog. “Dogs are antidotes to the world’s cynicism, the apathy of our age. When you walk with or play with a dog, you choose to be like a child again, and it is through the eyes of children that we see the world anew, as God intended us to do. The seniors who play with the dogs on campus will receive the gift of joy; a welldeserved joy after all of your accomplishments over the past four years.”

Old People

“Old people are these unbelievable treasure troves of wisdom accessible at our fingertips. Society has failed to ensure that respect for the elderly is taught to their young. Instead, our world glorifies those who glorify the present and the future. But old people mostly talk about the PAST. Thus, if you want to step out of the rat race for a moment, sit down and talk with your elders. Their wisdom, the experientially gifted

knowledge that grows and refines when passed down, is far greater than anything I’d ever learned in class,” Caplin stated before issuing the final challenge of asking an older faculty member for stories from their past. He also acknowledged that to the Class of 2024, any faculty member would likely seem “old.”

“I relish hearing stories of Abbot Michael’s haj in New York as a Muslim and a disc jockey. I’m invigorated to relive stories of Mr. Zelden’s Hollywood travails in the entertainment industry. Brother Sixtus was a professional scenic and lighting designer before he became a monk. Mr. and Mrs. Micheletti almost opened a movie theatre in the Midwest but decided to work at Portsmouth Abbey instead. Also, did you know Mr. Wilson played lead guitar in a band called “Blue Lunch” during the 90s? These well-traveled raconteurs have a wealth of knowledge that’s accessible to you; you wouldn’t believe the life lessons they’d impart to you if you only asked for them! I’ve become far more level-headed because of all my conversations with my “elders.”

Caplin told students that Portsmouth Abbey offered something seldom found at an undergraduate institution. Family. “As a student over the past four years, you’ve all experienced the joys and the fellowship that accompanies our fulfilled mission of ora et labora, and the familial graces that abound in our little slice of heaven. The challenges I’ve posed to you can be summed up in one sentence: fully embrace the family you’ve got here before it’s time to say goodbye. If you do indeed follow this advice, if you hold babies, play with dogs, and listen to your elders this spring, you will depart from this place without a single stone unturned.” He bid adieu by reminding them, “You are children of God, and that makes you great, and greatness awaits you in the morning.”

Dom Luke Childs and Kearney Presenters Connected to Bay in Different Ways

Narragansett Bay is integral to the Portsmouth Abbey Community ecologically, educationally and spiritually. The Bay also played an integral role in the messages offered by presenters in the recent Dom Luke Childs and Kearney Lectures on campus.

The Dom Luke Childs Lecture Series is a three-part, general-interest lecture series founded in memory of Dom Luke Childs ‘57, a beloved monk and teacher who passed away from an aneurysm at age thirty-six. Most recently, Portsmouth Abbey hosted endurance swimmer and Rhode Island native Ben Tuff, who shared his story of battling substance abuse and addiction from an early age to conquering the seemingly impossible feat of swimming from Block Island to Jamestown, a grueling nineteen miles in total.

“Picture yourself nine miles away from Block Island with the Newport Bridge looming ten miles ahead,” Tuff instructed the audience. “And your ankle is rubbed raw from a battery pack that electrifies a cable every eight seconds to keep the sharks away. That’s when your paddle-boarding best friend, always with you on these swims, hits you with his paddle and tells you it’s time to make a decision: are you going to swim past the Great White up ahead, or are you going to quit?”

In this vast expanse of ocean, Tuff tested his physical strength, but he also, in a perhaps more meaningful way, tested the power of his inner resolve. Already battling physical discomfort, he confronted the difficult choice of whether or not to quit, and he chose to swim on because he knew he had the inner strength to make it through. He knew this much because he’d survived so much already.

From age seven, Tuff grappled with anxiety and addiction, which began as an escape from the inner turmoil he’d felt over the unexpected death of his best friend. It wasn’t until he found the strength to ask for help years later that he was able to begin his remarkable journey of rehabilitation and resilience.

It was in the rhythmic movement of swimming strokes that Tuff found solace, a metaphorical baptism that marked his rebirth. From charitable swims raising funds for environmental causes to daring feats of endurance

Ben Tuff sets the scene for his Dom Luke Childs Lecture by asking the audience what they would do if they knew a shark was swimming nearby.

spanning Narragansett Bay, Tuff’s swims became a canvas upon which he painted his message of boundless hope and salvation. For one of these swims, he became the first person to swim from Block Island to Jamestown, raising $106,000 in the process. But this message of hope and salvation didn’t resound only with Tuff and his contributors. In 2019, Tuff became the subject of filmmaker Matt Corliss’s 2023 documentary “Swim Tuff: How I Swam My Way Out of the Bottle,” bringing Tuff’s story to an even wider audience.

As Tuff reflected on his life, he stressed to the student body the importance of embracing the impossible. Without setting a significant goal for yourself—something with formidable obstacles—you might never discover the true limits of your ability. He exhorted the audience to find accountability, “so you will have constant reminders of who you are, what your goals are and how you are going about accomplishing them,” he said.

He also talked about the importance of finding personal walls and pain points, citing that humans are conditioned only to 80 percent of what we are capable of doing. “And if you can understand your wall and push through it, you will find freedom there waiting,” he advised. But perhaps most importantly, he underscored the necessity of helping others by inspiring them, igniting the spark of resilience in your friends and family—and in Ben’s case, perhaps even a few strangers—who may feel adrift in their lives.

Portsmouth Abbey also recently hosted Dr. Meredith G. Hastings from Brown University, a distinguished atmospheric chemist and earth, environment and planetary sciences professor who presented the annual Kearney Lecture. The lecture provided a captivating look

into Dr. Hastings’s illustrious career and her groundbreaking research.

As a middle schooler in Miami, Florida, Dr. Hastings discovered her passion for science in the lessons of a dedicated teacher. This passion led her to explore marine sciences and chemistry at the University of Miami, where she immersed herself in research, diving into the intricacies of earth sciences, including oceanography, mud studies and laboratory research, which solidified her scientific aspirations.

Dr. Hastings’s career path then shifted from precise measurements to atmospheric modeling, a shift that highlighted the complexities of climate change research. Prestigious institutions like Princeton University, the University of Washington and Brown University, where she has spent over a decade investigating the intricate interplay between atmospheric chemistry and climate dynamics, have all hosted her groundbreaking work.

Her research centers on the reactive nitrogen cycle and its implications for our climate. She discussed source emissions, geochemistry and the deposition of nitrogen compounds,

Dr. Meredith G. Hastings from Brown University, talks about nitrogen levels in Narragansett Bay during the annual Kearney Lecture on campus.

shedding light on both natural and anthropogenic influences on atmospheric composition. Her pioneering research utilizes isotopic analysis, atmospheric modeling and field observations to unlock the secrets of nitrogen dynamics.

Particularly intriguing was Dr. Hastings’s discussion of her innovative research methods, from gathering and analyzing ice cores in Greenland to studying urban air quality in and around Providence. She also led a study of nitrogen levels in Narragansett Bay, the nation’s largest estuary surrounded by a city, resulting in findings of nitrogen levels nearly double what policymakers had previously claimed. In addition to effecting new state and municipal budgeting and management considerations, this study led to a new understanding of the overall impact of pollution on coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Hastings’s work extends far beyond the walls of academia, evidenced by her founding of the Earth Science Women’s Network, which advocates for gender diversity and inclusivity in earth sciences.

As the lecture drew near to its ending, the engaged audience asked Dr. Hastings questions, eager to understand her motivations, the challenges of climate research, and the imperative to take collective action in addressing environmental issues. Her words especially resonated with the aspiring scientists in attendance, emphasizing the value of perseverance, collaboration and a supportive community in navigating the scientific landscape. Portsmouth Abbey remains grateful to Dr. Hastings for sharing her journey and inspiring positive change.

The Kelp Farm Project

Green Chemistry Students Plant a Kelp Farm in Narragansett Bay

Portsmouth Abbey’s Department of Science established a grant program in 2019 that funds up to ten projects for a maximum cost of five hundred dollars. Students must submit a two-page research proposal based on the NSF pre-doctoral fellowship application describing the background of their idea, research plan, hypothesis and broader impacts. This academic year, the Green Chemistry class led by Susan McCarthy P’15 ’18 ’21 ’27 began learning about kelp, which inspired Alaina Zhang ’25 to apply for a grant. Two months later, the class was on a boat planting their own kelp farm in Narragansett Bay. 4

(l-r) Susan

The Kelp Farm Project initially began when students wanted to grow sugar kelp for a sustainable food science study through the grant program. According to McCarthy, they designed an experiment to test the antioxidant content using the School’s lab equipment. Then, they decided to grow their own kelp on the Abbey’s shorefront. After finding a seed spool supplier, the class met virtually with several industry experts, including Thew Suskiewicz from Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford, Maine, recent Bowdoin College graduate Greta Bolinger and Azure Cygler, owner of Rhody Wild Sea Gardens (RWSG), who consulted the class.

In October, after the students wrote a 16-page proposal, the Town of Portsmouth granted an Aquaculture Research/Education permit and the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) approved the kelp farm. In addition to the rich learning experience, the class hopes to provide data to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to encourage economic incentives for kelp farmers, similar to those offered for oyster farmers. According to Cygler, Sugar Kelp, or Saccharina latissima, “is a proven climate change mitigator.” McCarthy referenced recent studies showing that kelp, like oysters, could effectively remediate phosphorus and nitrogen from the water.

McCarthy, Ryan Ma ’25, Victor Xu ’24, Miguel Cheng ’24, Jennifer Shon ’25, Finn Morrissey, Alaina Zhang ’25, Sauroo Park ’25 and John Paul Devaney ’25.

Kelp seed spools are wrapped around the grow line.

Under the leadership of McCarthy, the class planted 200 feet of Sugar Kelp seed spool on November 15, 2023. Zhang, Jennifer Shon ’25, John Paul Devaney ’25, Ryan Ma ’25 and Victor Xu ’24 carefully coiled the delicate kelp seed spools, made of nylon line, around three ropes. Charlotte West ’24 assembled the kelp seed lines and secured the knots. The day before the planting, McCarthy and her daughter Meghan ’15 purchased the seed spools from Atlantic Sea Farms and were gifted additional seed spools and a cooler with samples of ASF’s kelp-forward food products for the class to enjoy.

“We were immensely surprised to realize the intricate process of kelp farming,” said Jennifer Shon ’25, “from assembling the seed spool to deploying anchors, and how every detail mattered greatly for a successful outcome. Witnessing the speed at which everything happened from seeding the lines to deploying anchors was mindblowing. We are curious about how our kelp will turn out when we harvest it in April.”

Students initially borrowed poly buoys and mushroom anchors from the Abbey sailing team but needed a boat with a winch to deploy the kelp line’s 200-pound anchor. Dr. Nancy Breen P’18, a chemistry professor at Roger Williams University, spoke to Marine Technician Finn Morrissey in RWU’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED), who secured a boat for the project. West said, “Designing the kelp farm was much more complicated than we initially thought. Factors like tide, water depth, and materials made it logistically very difficult.”

After assembling a list of needed supplies, McCarthy took the students on a field trip to the Middletown West Marine during an 8:15 a.m. class and spoke to rigging experts Brandon Ritt and Ava Tash. Ritt later donated his time to make all the splices and thimbles to connect the mushroom anchors and chain to the kelp lines. Morrissey and Ritt spent additional time helping the class with the rig’s design and engineering.

Amid a busy exam week, McCarthy and her students met Morrissey and Captain Mike McKenna at Safe Harbor in Common Fence Point, loaded up their gear, and sailed on CEED’s 30-foot M/V “InVinceble Spirit” to the Aquidneck Club pier, adjacent to the Abbey’s 525-acre

Victor XU ’24, Ryan Ma ’25, Jennifer Shon ’25, Susan McCarthy and Meghan McCarthy ’15 prepare to wrap seed spools.

John Paul Devaney ’25 and Jennifer Shon ’25 take turns wrapping kelp seed spools around a grow line.

campus, to begin installation parallel to the Abbey beach. While students seeded the grow lines, Morrissey and Captain McKenna operated the vessel, lifted the equipment and deployed the lines. McCarthy and her students said they were elated to see their farm planted and grateful for the many people in the community who helped.

McCarthy said, “The students were really engaged, and it was a beautiful day to be on the water.”

Shon added, “This class and project opened our eyes to the real-world applications of green chemistry as well as environmental science. It’s not just about studying in a lab; we are actually making a tangible impact on our surroundings and contributing to sustainable practices that will extend further in the future.”

The students will monitor the growth of the kelp over the next few months to determine how to conduct the antioxidant and Omega-3 Fatty Acid testing and potentially collaborate with a Roger Williams University student interested in kelp farming. Cygler hopes to incorporate the Abbey’s kelp farm in the water and tissue sampling for the Rhode Island Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Earlier in the term, she introduced the group to J.A. (Reuben) MacFarlan, a principal marine biologist for EQIP in the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Zhang concluded, “I genuinely experienced the strength of community, not just within classrooms, but also within the broader Abbey and Rhode Island community. Beyond the STEM and scientific aspects, I felt the profound impact of love and kindness, uniting all of us who consider Rhode Island our home.”

Science Grants Awarded To Eleven Students

Eight projects were awarded science grants this year. They include:

1 “Bringing the Outside, Inside: A Solution to Lowering Stress Levels” by Grace Connaughton ’24

2 “Ventilation and Indoor Air Pollution: How Poor Ventilation Contributes to the Spread of Disease”

by Dani Gasso ’24

3 “Multiday Sustained Release of Small Molecules from Starch-PCL Composites”

by Ryan Ma ’25

4 “Generation of Infrared Images of Celestial Objects using Artificial Intelligence Techniques”

by Sauroo Park ’25

5 “Affordable and Accessible Smart Beehive Monitoring System for Sustainable Beekeeping”

by Jennifer Shon ’25

6 “Giving Artificial Cells a Central Dogma: Protein Synthesis in Giant Vesicles”

by Hans Yuan ’25

7 “Using Local Sugar Kelp as a Sustainable Biofilter for Wastewater Treatment”

by Alaina Zhang ’25

8 “The value of Multisensory Approaches to Recollection of Information”

Mary Adams ’24, Cecelia Kirchner ’24, Nessa McDermott ’24, Mariana Garcia-Urrutia ’24

Students help lower the grow lines installed parallel to the Abbey beach.

Felicita Wight, class of 2004, always ends her emails with a quote from Albert Einstein:

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

For Wight, a passion for nature reveals God’s handiwork, revealing the beauty of creation and strengthening her spiritual connection.4

The Abbey has long been a fertile ground for inspiration. Here, ideas take shape and grow into impactful endeavors that resonate worldwide. For Wight, her time at the Abbey was no different. Conversations with monks on the intersection of science and faith fueled her curiosity. This early passion eventually led her to co-found Wild Tiger, a wildlife stewardship organization.

Wild Tiger conducts social and ecological research in central India and the United States. Their mission is to engage and empower communities in combatting the illegal trade of tiger parts. They achieve this by utilizing scientific methods and resources to secure tiger habitats, such as measuring forest health, mapping forests using satellite imagery and remotely monitoring land cover at a landscape scale. Because so many people in India depend on forests for income and subsistence, and because they share these forests with the Bengal tiger, maintaining forest health is of the utmost importance to Wight and her partners at Wild Tiger.

One of the organization’s most recent initiatives, Project Dhvani, is a research project that studies bioacoustics, the sound of animals and places, to understand better the relationship between biodiversity and forest management over time and to provide data-driven research insights into India’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Wild Tiger also conduct academic research and fieldwork and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. One such study revealed that from 2003 to 2012, United States customs officials carried out 292 seizures of trafficked tiger parts, amounting to more than the legally permitted number of imports during the same period. The importance of this study in proving the role of the United States in the illegal global tiger trade is that Wight and Wild Tiger can now raise awareness and engage with the public toward improving public policy and law enforcement efforts.

Wild Tiger was born from a shared commitment to conservation. Inspired by her colleague Sarika Khanwilkar’s ties to tiger conservation efforts in India, Wight was drawn to this larger-than-life cause. The organization isn’t just a nonprofit; it’s a commitment to addressing a pressing need, and for nearly a decade, it has implemented programs to support local communities living alongside Bengal tigers.

India is home to 75% of the world’s wild tiger population. The Wild Tiger organization conducts research to help combat the illegal trade of tiger parts.

Wight attributes much of her success to her faculty mentors at Portsmouth Abbey, Shane and Susan McCarthy, who nurtured her nascent passion for science. Their support and guidance propelled her toward academic excellence and a sense of purpose. In her pursuit of wildlife stewardship, Wight finds inspiration in the words of Albert Einstein, quoted previously. To her, nature offers profound insights into the world’s mysteries and allows us to freely ponder the connection between nature and divinity.

Her conservation efforts are driven by her faith and the belief in humanity’s responsibility to act in the stewardship of the earth. She is guided by the timeless wisdom and the sacred covenant between humanity and creation found in Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

For Wild Tiger, the sacred relationship between humanity and nature is central to their mission. “One can’t save a tiger per se,” Wight says. “We are focused on coexistence. The people and the place are just as crucial as saving the species.”

This means that Wild Tiger’s work is constantly changing. During the pandemic, they pivoted to fundraising for local communities in India, providing essential support to hundreds of households. In 2021, they provided needed items, including rice, potatoes and cooking oil, to over two hundred households living in and around Panna Tiger Reserve.

Wild Tiger’s work has recently extended from Panna to the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, where the team is conducting a National Geographic Society-funded project on bioacoustics and storytelling called Soundscapes and Stories. Felicita is not the first Abbey alum whose work has taken them into the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The late Carroll Moulton ’64, whose

extensive excursions in the reserve led to more than two hundred tiger sightings, wrote a book with Ernie J. Hulsey, his spouse and life partner for 45 years, that became Kanha National Park’s guidebook.

As enthusiastic as Wight is over the Wild Tiger mission, she is just as excited to see her organization inspiring others to step up and get involved. Wild Tiger has received significant support from individual donors across the United States, with all donations directly funding research and community engagement programs.

Her journey from the Abbey to bolstering the field of wildlife conservation has often been challenging. Yet, after almost a decade of Wild Tiger, Wight’s efforts are especially noteworthy for their interplay of passion, purpose, and perseverance, inspiring future generations of wildlife stewards.

Studying

Felicita Wight ’04 with her colleague, Sarika Khanwilkar.

bioacoustics, the sound of animals and places, helps researchers understand the relationship between biodiversity and forest management over time.

FaithfulStewards

Rebuilding Cupolas

Preserves Campus Heritage

By Dan McQuillan

The McGuire Fine

Arts Center sits on the northwest side of campus, opposite the soon-to-be-unveiled new Student Center and adjacent to the Healey and Sheehan Fitness Center. It is one of the last buildings students will see on their way to athletic practices. Many will have had classes there earlier that day, most likely an art class and a history, humanities or English seminar.

For all who pass it, the building acts as a quiet mediator between two sides of campus life: the life of the mind and the life of the body. It is also an architectural bridge between the past and present.

Understanding how we treat the place and things entrusted to us is central to the student experience at Portsmouth Abbey School. “The responsible stewardship of our facilities is integral to our mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace and a component of how we teach our students to live that mission by example,” says Head of School Matt Walter P’18 ‘20.

The Rule of St. Benedict calls for an appreciation of and caring for “all good deeds of this place” and asks that we “regard all utensils as if they were sacred vessels of the altar.” The Monastery and School “are always cognizant of the past, and those items that former students, faculty, and staff remember,“ says Monastic Cellarer and Director of Operations John Perreira P’05 ‘13. Still, engaging in historic preservation or adaptive reuse is not always feasible. “There is almost always a way to repair or restore things,” Perreira said. “Sometimes, the cost may

be prohibitive, or the material may no longer be available. Reproduction may then be the best option.” So it was the case with the cupolas sitting atop the McGuire Fine Arts Center.

The McGuire Fine Arts Center is connected in many ways to the earliest days of the monastic community in Portsmouth, where structures built by the Hall family in the early 1900s were adapted and expanded as the community grew. For decades, the main barn stored hay for the animals. But like any barn, the inside temperature needed regulating, especially

during the summer months when there was a risk of the hay spontaneously combusting.

Cupolas are hollow frames that protrude upward from the roof of a building. The word cupola comes from the Latin “cupula,” which in turn is derived from the Greek “kupellon,” meaning “small cup.” The history of the cupola may be traced back to 8th-century Islamic architecture.

Placed atop minarets helpful in announcing the Islamic call to prayer, the earliest cupolas were protective structures believed to have inspired the architectural design of the dome. Their pop-

A 1940s aerial view of the lower campus as depicted in an archived article for the Portsmouth Abbey Monastery magazine “The Current”, which shows the original barn and cupolas (bottom right).

ularity grew following the construction of the Florence Cathedral, built by Filippo Brunelleschi, known as the father of Renaissance Architecture. The design of the cupola is in part determined by the size, shape and function of the building it ornaments. In rural architecture, cupolas originally served as much-needed ventilation systems, allowing warm air to rise and escape through open vents (called louvers) while also allowing fresh air and natural light in.

As the school grew, so did the barn, from hay storage to a hybrid student center and dormitory, office building, faculty apartments and Tuck Shop. In the early 1990s, it was decided that an arts center would be built in its place. Building code issues prevented adaptive reuse, so the structure was demolished. Newport Collaborative Architects, was hired to construct the McGuire Fine Arts Center as envisioned for the School’s future while keeping an eye on its past. In promoting their finished work, the firm noted the building’s creation “within the envelope of the barn,”

The responsible stewardship of our facilities is integral to our mission of helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace and a component of how we teach our students to live that mission by example. head of school matt walter

”

acting as a “transition between farm buildings and the campus designed by Pietro Belluschi in the late 1950s.”

The project earned the Education Design Showcases’ award for Outstanding Architecture and Design in Education.

Anyone who’s been inside knows how unique a space it is. Home to an art gallery, ceramics studio, seminar-style classrooms, a photo lab and an outdoor terrace, it is a oneof-a-kind structure where students can, in a single morning, paint watercolors, dirty their hands on a pottery wheel, study “Hamlet,” explore Rhode Island’s history and view their classmates’ artwork in the McEvoy Gallery—without leaving the building.

Above it all were the original barn’s cupolas, having been saved, preserved and repurposed during construction.

In 2023, with the cupolas visibly deteriorating due to age and weather, the School looked to see if they could be further restored. Extensive erosion, unfortunately, required a complete renovation.

Enter Luis Raposo P’06.

“Louie” (as he’s affectionately known on campus) is a 35-year veteran of the Abbey’s maintenance staff. 1 Peter 4:10 teaches us to use our gifts “to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” As a master carpenter whose works span and adorn the campus, he has learned well.

Born on St. Michael’s Island in the archipelago of the Azores, as a young man, Raposo learned to work with his hands in a local carpentry shop before coming to America at 19. He settled in Bristol, where he lives with his wife, Maria. With the help of an older brother, he built his own home.

He identifies as a finish carpenter, but his woodworking talent says otherwise.

Raposo has a love and affinity for building pieces that last. His work can be seen in the Cortazzo Administration Building, where he built a 14’-3” x 6’ solid slab conference table in his second year at the Abbey. It’s a unique piece, one that has borne witness to vital School decisions over the past 33 years.

Go to the faculty lounge and you will encounter a live-edge sofa table that matches the George Nakashima style of other campus furniture. He built that table using planks from another old barn on campus. The curved planter stands in the Winter Garden are also his work. The low dais beside the altar on which the presider’s chair rests is his work again—made with virgin-growth California redwood leftover from a recent monastery renovation.

1 Peter 4:10 “ ”

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Luis Raposo (center) with his wife, Maria and son, Kyle Raposo ’06.

Rebuilding the cupolas involved a commitment to craftsmanship, a love of tradition and expert handiwork. Raposo and Plant Engineer Sean Morrissette researched the construction of modern-day cupolas and built new structures to match the original style. This time, they used mahogany instead of pine to withstand time and the elements. The last remaining pieces of the original barn are the weathervanes, which are still under repair.

When asked what the most difficult challenge was during the rebuild, Raposo replied without hesitation, “The bird louvers [the vents that allow for proper ventilation while preventing birds from entering]; figuring out how to make them. The hardest part of it was having so many individual pieces.” Wire screens were also added to reduce the likelihood of birds or bats entering the cupolas.

The individuals in operations, facilities and grounds are often the unsung heroes in an institution’s success story, yet they are integral to stewardship on many levels.

In speaking about the staff and Raposo in particular, Perreira said, “Whether fixing a broken window, repairing a broken door, restoring a piece of monastery furniture or liturgical art, they always do the highest quality work.” He described Raposo as a quiet man who fully lives out the mission of Portsmouth Abbey. “One phrase I have never heard him utter is ‘I can’t fix that.’”

Raposo understands the importance of knowing where the School has been and where it is going from a campus perspective. “I think it’s nice to keep the buildings the way they are or make them look better; preserve them as much as possible, espe-

cially the older houses: Manor, Benet’s, the Fine Arts building, which used to be the old dormitory “barn” and was then made to look like the old barn with the cupolas.”

When asked what he liked most about his latest refurbishment, Raposo motioned with his hands and smiled, “The whole thing. I loved it.”

Luis Raposo and Sean Morrissette researched construction of modern-day cupoloas in order to rebuild the structures for the McGuire Fine Arts Center.

HUMANITAS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM

GOD OR THE MACHINE?

Seeking Truth in a Technological

Age

June 14–15, 2024

Hosted at Portsmouth Abbey Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Author of Why Liberalism Failed University of Notre Dame SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

PATRICK DENEEN

MATTHEW CRAWFORD

Author of Shop Class as Soulcraft UVA Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture

D.W. PASULKA

Author of American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology University of North Carolina

Gather with like-minded friends for a memorable weekend of learning, fellowship, and prayer.

Participate in important conversations at the intersection of faith and culture with Catholic leaders and public intellectuals.

Experience the Benedictine life of hospitality, study, and prayer.

“Grow in knowledge and grace” among friends in a beautiful, convivial, and uplifting setting at Portsmouth Abbey, nestled along the coast of Rhode Island’s scenic Narragansett Bay.

No academic expertise is required, simply a “love of learning and desire for God.”

Learn More and Register Today: portsmouthinstitute.org/summer-symposium

The Portsmouth Institute is a Benedictine center for Catholic thought, liturgy, and culture. The Institute is an apostolate of Portsmouth Abbey and Saint Louis Abbey, serving their monasteries, schools, and the Catholic Church.

Institute Prepares for Summer Symposium

june 14-15

In his message for the 57th World Day of Peace on January 1, 2024, Pope Francis spoke to the urgent need for Catholics to consider the challenges technology poses to human flourishing in the modern world:

“We rightly rejoice and give thanks for the impressive achievements of science and technology, as a result of which countless ills that formerly plagued human life and caused great suffering have been remedied. At the same time, techno-scientific advances, by making it possible to exercise hitherto unprecedented control over reality, are placing in human hands, a vast array of options, including some that may pose a risk to our survival and endanger our common home.”

In response to His Holiness’ call for Catholics to lead the global conversation on the proper role and limits of technology in the 21st century, the Portsmouth Institute’s 2024 Humanitas Summer Symposium will convene Catholic scholars, public intellectuals and leaders to consider the challenges and opportunities which rapid advances in technology pose to the social order and the Christian life. Questions we will confront include: How does technology affect our ability to understand the truth? How does technology lead to the loss of critical intellectual faculties — and what are the consequences? What is the relationship between technology and addiction? How can beauty help us to contemplate truth in a digital age? How can students learn in the age of ChatGPT?

These questions and more will animate deep reflection and conversation throughout the symposium weekend. In addition to keynote lectures and panel discussions from top public intellectuals in the field, participants will have the chance to discuss how to apply timeless ideas in the Catholic intellectual tradition to contemporary challenges during breakout sessions led by faculty from Portsmouth Abbey School and Providence College. Plentiful hospitality and the Benedictine monastic liturgies at Portsmouth Abbey will cultivate a convivial environment of learning, fellowship and prayer.

For fifteen years, the Portsmouth Institute’s annual Humanitas Summer Symposium has been New England’s premier gathering of Catholics interested in the intersection of faith and culture.

From stimulating lectures and energetic discussion sessions to beautiful liturgies, sacred art and, of course, our signature Benedictine hospitality, the Humanitas Summer Symposium is more than just an event: it’s a transformative experience of the truth and joy of Christ.

Attendees come from across the world, and feature prominent Catholic thought leaders, professionals, clergy, religious and students. We are especially delighted to welcome back so many parents, grandparents and alumni of Portsmouth Abbey School who return each year for intellectual growth, spiritual renewal and a chance to reconnect with friends in an environment of fellowship and joy. I hope you can join us

In Christ and St. Benedict,

Chris Fisher Executive Director

Enhancing our Culture of Student Health and Safety

Positive Relationships Empower Students for Life

Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a two-part series examining community health and safety at Portsmouth Abbey.

One of the best ways to instill values in adolescents is for the adults around them to exhibit sound social, emotional and interpersonal skills. Navigating the social-emotional landscape can be challenging in any high school setting, which is why Portsmouth Abbey School prioritizes its community’s overall health, safety and well-being.

Understanding positive interpersonal relationships and their social-emotional awareness can help students stay on a successful path throughout their educational journey and adulthood.

Training for employees, candid discussions with students, and a deliberate focus on best practices are all evidence of the efforts undertaken at the Abbey to help navigate a social landscape influenced by popular trends, peer pressures, and social media. Additionally, the school now has two

“

If we give our employees and students the tools to anticipate and recognize red flags, then they will be prepared to deal with them.”

— paula walter, dean of student life

employment attorneys specializing in training and investigations for advisement and programming when needed.

In a survey of more than 3,000 high school students and young adults conducted by Harvard University’s Making Caring Common project, the vast majority of survey respondents indicated that they had not had a conversation about what to do if they were catcalled, groped or bullied in sexual ways, and had never been advised on matters about the sexual harassment of others. “We want to ensure our students are informed and empowered, so they are not part of that unfortunate majority,” says Portsmouth Abbey’s Dean of Student Life Paula Walter P’18 ‘20.

Conversations around sexual discrimination, exploitation, harassment, violence and retaliation are never comfortable, yet they are essential at all levels of an institution. “If we give our employees and students the tools to anticipate and recognize red flags, then they will be prepared to deal with them,” Walter says. “We have given community members the framework and tools to put together a plan of action should any of them find themselves in a delicate or dangerous situation,” she added.

Elizabeth Canning is a lawyer and human resources professional with extensive experience creating and leading the Title IX and Equity offices for public and private colleges and universities. She received her juris doctorate from Boston College Law School and her

bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. Canning has trained thousands of students and employees on policies and laws relating to misconduct, including discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and retaliation.

Using reputable case studies and a review of School policies and sanctions, Canning provided training to all employees in the fall. The sessions included frank discussions about sexual misconduct and its effects on students and adults. She reviewed prevention tactics, ways to report and receive reports, mandatory reporting, and state laws.

In January, attorney Kristie McCann shared her background and knowledge with students in two sessions according to form year. McCann attended Mercy High School in Connecticut and earned her law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame. Each session was designed to be age-appropriate, with the Fifth-and Sixth-Form presentation also focusing on navigating and preparing for college life.

McCann spoke to students about staying safe and helping keep others safe. She talked about healthy boundaries, what constitutes sexual harassment and sexual assault, how consent is defined and determined, how drinking impacts risk, and how students can be as prepared and protected as possible. She also offered specific ways for students to stay safe.

Her presentation concluded with the Catholic position on premarital sex, how to navigate dating as a Catholic, fostering healthy dating relationships, and a discussion around consent, chastity and the covenant of marriage in accordance with Catholic teachings.

McCann believes that by working together, parents and schools can provide the best mechanisms for supporting and protecting young people of all faiths.

Providing accurate information and training empowers young people and has been proven to help protect them. Still, Portsmouth Abbey aims higher. “Many institutions will teach about consent,” Head of School Matt Walter P’18 ’20 acknowledges. “And while that is valuable, it cannot be the end of the learning nor the full understanding of what is expected in human relationships. Our respect for others and our recognition of the inherent dignity of others is not limited to just a ‘yes’ or a ‘no,’” he added. “We want so much more for our students.”

He references the idea of a relationship ‘from consent to covenant.’ “We want to be that steady and true voice in a storm of social media and pop culture depictions of relationships as nothing more than transactional.” He says, “As part of growing in

knowledge and grace, we want to give our students accurate information and the wisdom to know that our interactions with others have great meaning. We are so fortunate that we can engage with students about how to love our neighbor and about God’s design for how that love should be expressed.”

Ensuring students feel connected and cared for within the School community is vital to their success. Director of Residential Life Cat Caplin ’10 recently completed her certification requirements with Praesidium, a School partnership program designed to help administrators and personnel stay current with best practices in community health and safety. “It was a difficult but important process,” Caplin said of the certification training. “I look at things a bit differently now, which is part of the intended consequence. I’ve also been active in trading information with our peer institutions. I’ve found a collegial and valued community of Residential Life peers, which has sparked many good discussions here on campus about student well-being.”

Caplin says that so much of what happens in Residential Life begins with two fundamental things: first, provide a safe, consistent place for young people to grow, and second, plant seeds of healthy and productive thought daily.

“We know that young people thrive when they feel safe, heard, recognized, held accountable and celebrated,” She said. “As adults, we work to provide that every day. I frequently speak with advisors and houseparents about how to best support our students regarding safety and interpersonal relationships.”

“We may not see the results of our efforts in the four years we have a student with us. But we are confident that what we do now will be seen in the future. When alumni return to campus, they often tell us how something they learned at the Abbey affected their lives long after graduation. We hear it from students who graduated last year and those who graduated many years ago,” Caplin said. “The consistent theme is remarkable, and I want to work hard to maintain it or make it even better for each incoming student.”

Kristie McCann speaks to Portsmouth Abbey students.

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Photos:

1 Jack Beauchamp ’24, captain of the Raven varsity golf team, tees off at The Aquidneck Club.

2 Patrick Forbes ’25, is the captain-elect for the 2024 season.

3 Liam Fitzgerald, ’26, finishes a shot during a competitive round for the Abbey golf team.

Golf Assembly Speech Evokes ‘The Bard’

While William Shakespeare’s connection to golf is not well-documented, a section of the book “Confident Century: Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club 18841994” by John Gee suggests clear references to the sport in some of his works and a demonstrated knowledge of the game. Among the most familiar is “I know you by the waggling of your head,” an allusion to a characteristic St. Andrews gesture in “Much Ado About Nothing,” and the query “What subtle hole is this?” in “Titus Andronicus.” Perhaps even more telling are the phrases, “Put in their hands the bruising irons of wrath” in “Richard III,” and the statement “I’ll call for clubs” in “Henry VI Part 2.”

During the fall sports assembly, Head Golf Coach and Head of Humanities, Kale Zelden, brought the house down with his own allusion to classic coursework printed below.

“As I’ve noted before, we love sports because they reveal the truth. Two foes enter the arena...only one can emerge...you know, all of that. But golf is a little more complicated

And so golfers themselves tend to be a bit more complicated

While on the course, I often wonder what a young, depressed prince of a certain Nordic country, grieving the loss of his dear father... might think about this sport after a tough round at The Aquidneck Club.

I asked him, and he sent me this:

To Play or Not to Play: that is the question:

Whether ‘tis nobler on the course to suffer

The shanks and chunkchips of outrageous lies,

Or to take driver against the bay on 18,

Or, by laying up bet’r approach then? To putt, to score;

No more; and by an approach well landed

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to, ‘tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish’d. To golf, to die;

To golf: perchance to eagle: ay, there’s the rub;

For in that game of golf what dreams may come

When we have hacked our way off this mortal course,

Must give us pause: there’s the respect

That makes calamity of a golfer’s life;

For who WOULD bear the whips and scorns of a round?

We do, ladies and gentlemen. We golfers bear the whips and scorns of many rounds of golf, even when we don’t have our A-game. Golf humbles all who play, but especially those who compete.

It humbles us, but this is a good thing: for as my students know, the root of humility is self-knowledge.

You can’t have too much of that.

We have indeed grunted and sweated our way through tough competition. I’m proud of our team and how they developed throughout the season.”

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Fall 2023 Sports Awards

Boys’ Cross Country

Coaches Award: Sean Brennan ’24

MIP: Thomas Chamberlain ’26

Captains Elect: John Blake ’25 and Aidan Sainte ’25

Overall Record: 13-2 EIL Record: 7-1

EIL All League: Sean Brennan ’24 and Kyle Reinecke ’24

EIL All League HM: Joey Levreault ’26

Girls’ Cross Country

Coaches Award: Alessandra Cristiani ’24

MIP: Sadie Polgar ’24

Captain Elect: Tilly Holling ’26

Overall Record: 15-1 EIL Record: 12-1

EIL All League: Tilly Holling ’26 and Brooke Marston ’27

EIL All League Honorable Mention: Alessandra Cristiani ’24 and Sadie Polgar ’24

Field Hockey

Gontarz Girls Field Hockey Trophy: Lucy Verderber ’24

MIP: Laney Harrold ’24 and Megan O’Connor ’26

Captains Elect: Layla Grilli ’25 and Kate Verderber ’25

Overall Record: 13-9 EIL Record: 10-3

EIL All-League: Lucy Verderber ’24, Laney Harrold ’24 and Charlotte West ’24

EIL All League HM: Jayden Elias ’26 and Layla Grilli ’25

NEPSAC All League: Lucy Verderber ’24

NEPSAC All League HM: Laney Harrold ’24

Football

John M. Hogan Football Trophy: Chris Barnes ’24

Coen MIP Award: Gil Bianchi ’25

Captains Elect: Hank Martin ’25, Logan McManus ’25 and Kian Murphy ’25

Evergreen Record: 2-6

Boys’ Soccer

Williams Franklin Sands Memorial Soccer Trophy: Sean Oh ’24

MIP: Luca Mestrandrea ’25

Captains Elect: Gabriel Devaney ’25 and John Paul Devaney ’25

Overall Record: 8-8-2 EIL Record: 5-4-2

EIL All League: Gabriel Devaney ’25 and Keynan Musingo ’26

EIL HM: Luca Mestrandrea ’25

Girls’ Soccer

Hannaford Girls Soccer Trophy: Abigail Lawler ’24

MIP: Rachel Hudson ’24

Captains Elect: Aralyn Bradshaw ’25 and Ella Liuzza ’25

Overall Record: 9-11 EIL Record: 4-8

EIL All-League: Lily Atwell ’24

EIL All-League HM: Aralyn Bradshaw ’25 and Jenny Rivera ’26

NEPSAC Jr. All-Star: Aralyn Bradshaw ’25

Boys’ Golf

Coaches Award: Jack Beauchamp ’24

MIP: Michael Foley ’26

Captain Elect: Patrick Forbes ’25

EIL Record: 5-5

Volleyball

Coaches Award: Dakota Ormiston ’24

MIP: Charlotte Spencer ’26 and Summer Magriby ’25

Captains Elect: Lila Bragan ’25, Gwen Canuel ’25, Cammie Cotton ’25 and Summer Magriby ’25

Overall Record: 16-6 EIL Record: 10-1

EIL All League: Bailey Howell ’24 and Grace Connaughton ’24

EIL All League HM: Dakota Ormiston ’24 and Summer Magriby ’25

All-NEPSAC: Grace Connaughton ’24

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Bailey Howell ’24

Junior Varsity Awards

Boys’ JV Cross Country: Yikai Huang ’27

Girls’ JV Cross Country: Wendy Zeng ’27

JV Field Hockey: Sienna Chin Gerding ’25

JV Football: Dean Russolino ’26

Boys’ JVA Soccer: Sebastian Kamdani ’27

Boys’ JV B Soccer: Noah Jimbo ’25

Girls’ JV Soccer: Odunayo Adelaiye ’25

JV Volleyball: Dani Gasso ’24

Charlie Townsend ’24 scored his 1000th point in an Abbey uniform on February 8 during the Boys Varsity Basketball game against Pingree.

Winter Team Photos

standing (l-r): Erin Wood (Assistant Coach), Dylan Galbreth ‘25, Lindsey Babine ‘27, Elle Martin ‘26, Grace Connaughton ‘26, Alex Watson ‘26, Ryan Wood (Head Coach), Darryl DeMarzio (Assistant Coach)

seated (l-r): Jessy Rivera ‘26, Lily Atwell ‘26, Avery Royal ‘27, Helena Saitas ‘27, Jenny Rivera ‘26

not pictured: Kasey Bernat

Andrew Foley ‘26, Joey Levreault ‘26, Chris Hahn ‘24, Patrick McDevitt ‘24, Luke Stock ‘24, Carter Stangle ‘24, Yoan Pavesio ‘25, Nate Heller ‘25, Noah Jimbo ‘25

‘24, Brooklyn Murphy ‘27, Lucy Verderber ‘24, Dakota Ormiston ‘24, Zoe Rosenberg ‘24, Lucy Hudson ‘25, Lily Comfort ‘25, Clara Corbin’26, Ryan Duffy ‘27, Kurt Carter (Head Coach), Taylor Steadman (Assistant Coach)

seated (l-r): Sienna Chin Gerding ‘25, Helena Cerutti ‘24, Brooke Martson ‘27, Caroline Kelleher ‘24, Mila Smith ‘24, Sophia Capone ‘24, Lexi Taylor ‘27, Layla Grilli ‘25, Joules Parent ‘27, Sophia Wehrs ’27, Jayden Elias ‘26, Anna Hutton ‘27

not pictured: Samantha Lloyd ‘25, Jillian Muglia ‘25, Heather Zhang ’26 (Team Manager)

standing (l-r): Dr. Stephen Zins (Assistant Coach), John Devaney ’25, Jack Hamilton ’26, Felix de Villegas ’26, Malcolm Rainchild Maboula ’26, Jack Sams ’26, Andrew Thibeault ’25, Jonny Miller ’24 (Team Manager), Clarence Chenoweth (Head Coach)

seated (l-r): Keynan Musingo ’26, Max Osei-Assibey ’24, Charlie Townsend ’24, Slade Crouse ’24, Angus Oliveira ’24, Levi Maguire ‘25

standing (l-r): Sam Funnell (Assistant Coach), Drew Hayden ‘26, Derrick Gittus (Assistant Coach), Archie MacDonald ‘25, Noah Fehringer ‘25, Logan McManus ‘25, Luca Mestrandrea ‘25, Hunter McCarthy ‘25, Andrew Smith ‘25, Connor Nolan ‘27, Thomas Aubut-Lavin ‘25, Callum Coyle ‘25, Colin McKay (Assistant Coach), Michael Foley ‘26, Zach Cappelli (Head Coach)

seated (l-r): Drake Almeida ‘26, Matthew Burgner ‘25,

standing (l-r): Olivia Vipond ‘25 (Team Manager), Julia DellaRusso (Assistant Coach), Megan O’Connor ‘26, Mabel Harlan ‘27, Avery Wilkinson ‘27, Abby Lawler ‘24, Laney Harrold

standing (l-r): Richard Zhen ’26, Wayne Turner (Head Coach), Gage Polgar ’25, Bo Howenstein ‘24, Ryan Ma ‘25, Charles Chamberlain ‘26, Liam Caldwell, Steven Li, Billy Jin, Thomas Chamberlain ‘26, Jonny Mammen ‘24, Bryndol Sones (Assistant Coach), Kevin Xu ‘24 seated (l-r): Sam Bishop-Grande ‘27, Shawn Chen ‘27, Moises Gavilanes ‘27, Tim Wang ’26, Alex Wang ‘26, Austin Zhao ‘24, Victor Xu ‘24, Mateo Cristiani ‘26, Kevin Luo ‘26, Ethan Gerrior ‘26, Ethan Kang ‘26, Anthony Vanatta ‘27

standing (l-r): Hugh Richardson (Head Coach), Gersende Chanfrau (Assistant Coach), Marge Gilligan ‘26, Olivia Tonelli ‘26, Charlotte Spencer ‘26, Panya Zhu ‘27, Sadie Polgar ‘26, Regan Landers ‘26, Ainsley West ‘24, Niamh Whelan ‘24, Eva Madden ‘26, Ale Cristiani ‘24, Maggie Whelan ‘24, Jennifer Rui ‘25, Alix Holling (Assistant Coach), Becca Healy (Team Manager) seated (l-r): Jennifer Shon ‘25, Lucy Wang ‘26, Elise Beland ‘25, Lily Servidea ‘27, Alli Miller ‘25, Charlotte West ‘24, Bella No ‘24, Serenity Backman ‘26, Ella Liuzza ‘25, Tilly Holling ‘26, Alina Wang ‘24

not pictured: Mary Davidson ‘24

standing (l-r): Jack Conway ’24 (Team Manager), Travis Varteresian ’27, Tomlin Anya ‘26, Max Varteresian ’25, James McEachen ‘25, Colin Lally ’26, Sebastian Gonzalez (Assistant Coach), Ben Sprague (Head Coach)

seated (l-r): Keegan McCarthy ’27, Aidan Surber ’24, Brody Cimaglia ’26, Henry Picotte ’27, Jack Dring ’26, Dean Russolino ‘26

not pictured: Mickey Yang ’27, Reed Heelan ’26, Joey Noonan ‘27

standing (l-r): Joe DiBiase (Assistant Coach), Henry Picotte ’27, Daniel Kim ’27, Dylan Hong ’27, Nathaniel Im ‘27, Ryan Walker (Head Coach)

seated (l-r): Konner Dempenaar-Doyle ’27, Joseph Noonan ’27, Dylan Watson ’27, Trey Bartkiewicz ’26, Brandon Aruta ‘27

not pictured: Philip Chamian ’27, Seamus McKeating ‘27

standing (l-r): Shane McCarthy (Head Coach), Zoe Tabery ’27, Georgia Johnson ‘26, Rebecca (Becca) Osei-Assibey, Kate Conway ’26, Wangechi Gitona, Susan McCarthy (Assistant Coach)

seated (l-r): Yingxuan (Riley) Li ’26, Whitaker Williams ’26, Charlotte Bonny ’26, Celia (CeCe) Cord ’26, Junyao (Joy) Zhu ‘25

standing (l-r): Abby Harrison ‘25, Avery Holz ‘24, Hannah Zelden ‘25, Ale Torres ‘25, Summer Magriby ‘25, Ekaterina Skinner ‘24, Madison Harkins ‘24, Maren Townsend ‘26, Olivia Murray ‘26, Ava Gallagher ’25, Daniel Caplin ’10 (Head Coach).

seated (l-r): Caitlin Gillooly ‘24, Shea Heelan ‘24, Rachel Hudson ‘24, Lilly Bohan ‘26, Gwen Canuel ‘25, Vanessa Niemiec ‘26, Mia Torello ‘24

standing (l-r): Colin McKay (Head Coach), Liam FitzGerald ’26, Blaze Ormiston ’27, Zachariah Chatterton ‘26, Nash Sutherland ‘25, Shane Roman ’26, Sawyer Leonard ’25, William Plumb ’27, Brian Torello (Assistant Coach)

seated (l-r): Liam Daly ’26, Mitchell Canuel ’25, William Diana ’27, Arcturus Marco-Schappa ’26, Aiden West ’26

not pictured: Jake Atwell ’26, James Barry ’27, Steve Cheon ’24 (Team Manager)

standing (l-r): Mike McLarney (Head Coach), Mason Mitchell-Laplante ‘27, Jason Xing ‘26, Kyle Reinecke ‘26, Gabe Devaney ‘25, Sterling Noff ‘26, Atticus Bonny ‘24, Jerry Zhao ‘26, Jinn Park ‘26, Dave Wilson (Assistant Coach), Mary Adams ‘24

kneeling (l-r): Will Kelly ’24, Cody Vetrano ‘26, Chris Chau ‘24, Sebastian Kamdani ‘26, Tommy O’Hara ‘24, Sean Oh ‘24, Daniella Gasso ‘24, Ronald Nixon ‘25, Mirna Decker ‘25, Michael Biehn ‘27, Aidan Sainte ‘25

seated (l-r): Joseph Wennerlund ‘24, Eli Nyairo ‘27, Dino DiMarzio ‘26, Suzie Bichara ‘25

not pictured: Hunter Leviss ‘24

standing (l-r): Roberto Guerenabarrena (Head Coach), Margaret Sheppard ’06 (Assistant Coach), Bridget Devaney ‘27, Grace Vieau ‘27, Yikai Huang ‘27, Luca Donadio ‘26, Aliise Pikat ‘27, Nicole-Marie Kouassi-Brou ‘27, Abigail Fitzgerald ‘27, HannahLee Bradshaw ‘27, Grant Beland ‘27, Monique Hwang ‘24, Zara Liu ‘26

seated (l-r): Natalie Frost ‘26, Sidney Torres ‘25, Alejandro Del Castillo ‘27, Owen Barry ‘26, Daisy Jin ‘27, Isabelle Munger ‘27, Stella Park ‘27, Avery Bell ‘26, Philip Chamian ‘27, Erica Kim ‘27

not pictured: Magnolia Pin ‘27

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Winter Signing Day

Sixteen Ravens participated in Winter Signing Day held on February 6. A relatively new tradition on campus, Winter Signing Day highlights those athletes who have committed to play at the collegiate level. Given the nature of the higher education admissions process, a second signing day is also held in the spring. “Signing Day is one of the proudest days as an athletic director,” said Chris Milmoe, director of athletics at Portsmouth Abbey. “We are so happy for our studentathletes and thankful to those parents, faculty and friends in attendance today as we celebrate their future athletic careers. It’s a great day to be a Raven.”

Sixteen talented Sixth-Form student-athletes celebrated College Signing Day on February 6. Along with their classmates who will sign later this spring, this group of Ravens represents 18% of the Class of 2024 going on to play at the collegiate level. That is six times the national average.

The West family celebrates future regattas at Dartmouth and Boston College along with coach Greg Dietrich ’74.

Chris Barnes answers interview questions after signing to play football for the Dickinson College Red Devils.

Jack Beauchamp, captain of the boys’ varsity golf team, speaks after signing to join the Assumption University Men’s Golf Team.

Collegiate Sports Signings

Lily Atwell Nazareth College Soccer

Christopher Barnes Dickinson College Football

Jack Beauchamp Assumption College Golf

Ethan Berry Gettysburg College Lacrosse

Sophia Capone Utica University Ice Hockey

Alessandra Cristiani Babson College Tennis

Finn Gibbons Bates College Lacrosse

Patrick McDevitt Wesleyan University Ice Hockey

Kyle Reinecke United States Naval Academy Sailing

Luca Sanders Denison University Lacrosse

Charlie Townsend Pace University Lacrosse

Angus Oliveira Springfield College Lacrosse

Dakota Ormiston Hood College Ice Hockey

Piper Torrey Hobart and William Smith Colleges Sailing

Ainsley West Boston College Sailing

Charlotte West Dartmouth College Sailing

Shoots! Scores! Streams? Students Establish Portsmouth Abbey Sports Network

By Thomas Foote, Department of Mathematics

“Listen, my son, with the ear of your heart…” To the timeless opening of St. Benedict’s Rule, a new team of Portsmouth Abbey students might add to “watch with the eye of the heart.”

The student sports broadcasting program has become a hit on-and-off-campus since Patrick “Patty” McDevitt ’24 and Director of Athletics Chris Milmoe revitalized it in the spring of 2023. While some Abbey games had been livestreamed in the past, there was not much momentum before McDevitt spoke to Milmoe about getting involved. Milmoe, McDevitt remembers, was “super enthusiastic” about it. The recently christened “PASN”—Portsmouth Abbey Sports Network—quickly grew from a one-person operation to teams of five students in each of the last two seasons, with further expansion plans already underway. 4

The varsity wrestling team captured the EIL League Championship earlier this month. Team captains Sean Oh ’24, Thomas O’Hara ’24 and Daniella (Dani) Gasso ’24 presented the league trophy to Head of School Matt Walter at the all-school assembly on February 12.

Dino De Marzio ’26, Ronnie Nixon ’25, Kyle Reinecke ’26, and Gabe Devaney ’25 took first place. Overall, thirteen wrestlers qualified for the New England Championship. Four students traveled to the 2024 National Prep Wrestling Championships February 23-24 at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Fifth-Former Mirna Decker grabbed the Girls Runner-Up Trophy, becoming the third All-American from the Abbey in as many years. Other Ravens competing were Dani Grasso. ‘24, Dino De Marzio ‘26 and Stefanie Jimenez Lopez ‘26.

Patrick (Patty) McDevitt ’24 films the boys’ varsity basketball game against Greens Farms Academy during the NEPSAC Tournament.

In the fall, McDevitt was joined by Alana Collins ’25, Jancy Grayson ’24, Carter Stangle ’24 and Luke Stock ’24. The winter’s new crew includes Carrie Cahill ’24, Bella Clark ’24, Noah Ierfino ’25, Hank Martin ’25 and Luca Sanders ’24 Notably, all the announcers are varsity athletes in other seasons, which they credit for their love of sports announcing and appreciation for the hard work their schoolmates display. Milmoe explains that the production now “shows a wider audience the incredible things that are happening here, helps harness social media to put a face to Portsmouth Abbey Athletics and allows families around the world to see their Ravens play.” Parents, Milmoe continues, are incredibly grateful, as the broadcasting—complete with student-provided play-by-play—“makes athletics come alive in a way they never thought possible.”

The production currently airs over Instagram Live, an effective medium for reaching families, alumni, potential students and

other friends of the school. Everyone following @pabbeyathletics gets a notification as games go live, and fans have quickly caught on. Each athletic season has seen new viewing records, with one league championship game reaching the triple digits. Audiences are also international, as the account has drawn viewers from all six inhabited continents. The student broadcasters even inspired one parent to get directly involved: Mike Capone P’24, father of Sophia Capone ’24, recently called one of his daughter’s ice hockey games.

In addition to positive feedback from growing audiences, the PASN crew benefited from connections orchestrated by several members of the school community. Milmoe arranged for Rich Lerner, the play-by-play announcer of the Golf Channel, to share his expertise and Director of Marketing and Communications Kristine Hendrickson brought in the Newport Gulls’ commentators to advise the young announcers. Bryant University Associate Athletic Director for Communications Tristan Hobbes, husband of Abbey athletic trainer Grace Hobbes ’10, taught the students the importance of focused game experience as they continue their efforts.

While McDevitt has proudly noted his own improvement and his hopes that this may lead to a career in broadcasting, his family history and personal interests made

The PASN team films a football game from the portable scorer’s box and tower courtesy of the Moyles family.

Noah Ierfino ’25, Director of Athletics Chris Milmoe, Hank Martin ’25, Bella Clark ’24, Luca Sanders ’24 and Carrie Cahill ’24 at the outset of the winter sports season.

him a natural fit for the role from the start. His late grandfather, Bob McDevitt, was a longtime reporter, covering the Montreal Canadiens, the Olympics, and other local sports news for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. No matter how big his audience grows, McDevitt particularly loves broadcasting for one fan: as his parents remind him, “Your grandfather is smiling right now watching you do this.”

McDevitt smiles when he thinks of his grandfather and what he learned from him. He is also excited about how much he and his fellow Ravens have improved and the level of professionalism they are all developing. Next year, he will continue his academic and athletic endeavors at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where he will join the Cardinals ice hockey team—just a half hour away from ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol.

But no matter where McDevitt’s post-Abbey journey takes him, the PASN will be well looked after with an impressive list of students able to take over the reins. Each season is another opportunity for aspiring sports journalists or broadcasters to ply their future trades while providing a wonderful service to Raven fans near and far. Athletes and non-athletes who are passionate about play-byplay or love sports and the Abbey Ravens are welcome to join the sports broadcasting program.

John Perik ’20 and Christopher Dring ’21 reunited at the 2024 Newport Gulls Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on February 16. Both spent several years interning with the New England Collegiate Baseball League team. Perik returned to serve as Master of Ceremonies, and Dring assisted with video production during the event. Frank Holbrook ’12 (not pictured) was also recognized as the manager of the 2023 Newport Gulls Championship Team.

Effort Over Everything

Providence College Women’s Basketball Coach

Erin Batth Addresses Abbey Coaches

During Winter Meeting

When it comes to Athletics at Portsmouth Abbey School, this year’s motto, “Effort Over Everything,” speaks volumes about Raven athletes and coaches. An effort undertaken by Athletic Director Chris Milmoe over the past two years has been to include guest speakers during the Winter Coaches Meeting in January to enhance professional development opportunities for those guiding student-athletes. “When I became Athletic Director, I knew I wanted to provide professional development opportunities for the coaching staff. They hear from me all the time, so bringing in an outside voice can change things up in a nice way,” Milmoe said. This year, that outside voice was Providence College Women’s Basketball Coach Erin Batth.

Providence College Women’s Basketball Coach Erin Batth speaks passionately with Raven coaches during an athletics professional development event.

Named Head Coach in March 2023, Batth leads the team in their 50th season as the first Black female head coach in program history and only the ninth Black female head coach in Big East Conference women’s basketball. She played collegiately at Clemson and was the first player drafted from the university into the WNBA. She played professionally and began her coaching career in 2004, eventually joining North Carolina State and the University of Michigan, where she helped both teams advance their national rankings.

Batth was asked to address how one should “motivate the 21stcentury athlete” in an environment where sports are required, and what it means to be part of a “winning culture.” She drew laughs when she shared the advice she had been given by a player before her first meeting with the team, “You should walk in like Beyoncé.” That soon followed with a relatable admission. “I love being here with you – but I don’t have all the answers. I am a first-year head coach. I talk fast, have fire in my heart, and am loud, but I feel like you are my family because we are all coaches.”

Successful coaches love their athletes and build strong relationships with them, Batth suggested. “The best love language

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you can give them is your time. You have to coach them and give them oneon-one time. To motivate, you need to be real,” she said. “You are building a foundation. I am real all of the time. I want my women to be strong and powerful. I tell them I will give them the truth but not to get their feelings hurt. The truth is not always positive.”

Batth also said that she uses her own mistakes as lessons. “My players know all the mistakes I have made along the way, my trials and tribulations. They need to know that I am human and that I am meeting them where they are at. They will run to the wall for me because I will do it for them. I build my foundation by reminding them of who made them and that I am going to love them. My team gets my time. I signed up for it,” she said.

Effort is a two-way street, and athletics is not for everyone. That can be a challenge for players and coaches when participation is required. Batth advised Raven coaches to help each other “get fired up” daily. “Love on each other, too. When things get tough for me, I call the lacrosse coach. He’s my guy.”

Nationally, only about three percent of high school seniors go on to play college sports. Portsmouth Abbey’s Class of 2024 has 18 percent of its seniors continuing at the college level, six times higher than the national average. Bringing in college coaches to share their perspectives is viewed as a way to help the Abbey’s coaching staff learn to be more effective in working with studentathletes.

Grace Hobbes ’10 was the athletic trainer for Coach Batth’s team before taking on her role as athletic trainer at the Abbey. “Coach Batth has so much life experience and a way of connecting with people, showing she cares from the moment you meet her. She delivers tough love, which young women especially need to learn. She is the kind of person you want to go into battle with and for,” Hobbes commented.

A winning culture is about team success rather than numbers, and establishing that is all about being able to connect. “Kids won’t care unless they know you care about them,” Batth stated. She went on to talk about her mentor, former Clemson coach Jim Davis. “He was a white male who coached all Black females and loved us all. All my life, I had been told white men don’t care about you, and I didn’t have a dad. He was my dad – he still is. He did not

Valerie Nainima, assistant coach for the Providence College women’s basketball team, and Head Coach Erin Batth pose with Ryan Wood, head coach of girls’ varsity basketball, and Clarence Chenoweth, head coach of boys’ varsity basketball for the Ravens.

see color and did not care. That is validation for what I am doing. We are all God’s children, and he (Davis) loved all of us.”

Building a winning team culture requires organization and necessitates that everyone speak the same language. “We have a manual and goals and rules,” Batth said. “ For example, I have a rule about AirPods: you can only wear one at a time. It’s about safety, respect and being present.” She also emphasized that each team member needs to know the terminology to sync the team language and pace. “They know the way we do things,” she said.

When discussing team goals, Batth highlighted the importance of individual goals as part of the larger picture. “You have to write them down and make them real—short-term and long-term. You have to put the work in. We have game goals all the time. We talk about them and then remind the players that they are each critical to achieving those goals by giving awards at practice. Getting their names on an award wall is a great motivator.”

As the evening began to wind down, Batth reemphasized the importance of educating students and having open conversations about the world around them and what they may see from other athletes. “A lot is going on out there. You must have the relationship to talk to them about difficult things.” She said.

To get the best from their athletes at this stage, coaches should understand that young adults need the freedom to grow and discover who they want to be. “Just be you,” Batth advised. “Have energy. Thank your Maker. Your words and your time are everything. What you say and do will change people’s lives. Give yourself grace even if you feel like a broken record. Always offer something positive before you part.”

The presentation ended with thundering applause and additional time for coaches to mingle and ask questions. When asked about the address, the response from coaches was unanimously, “Outstanding.” Athletic Director Milmoe was equally impressed. “Coach Batth was so full of energy and spirit for coaching and working with young adults,” he said. “She was honest and personable, and that feeling was contagious.”

Reunion Weekend naturally lends to reflection and reconnection not just with friends and classmates but also with place. Our campus serves as the place where we live out our mission, and we could not have been more delighted to welcome the classes ending in 3s and 8s back to our beautiful grounds nestled along Narragansett Bay.

Accompanied by their caddy, Ted Howard ’63, John McCabe ’63, and Curtiss Roach ’63 pause for a picture-perfect moment during their round of golf on Friday morning.

A few members of the Class of 1998, celebrating their 25th reunion, gather during the cocktail party while waiting to take their class photo.

Members of the Class of 1963 celebrate their 60th reunion at the beautiful Aquidneck Club on Friday evening.

Chris Long ’73, Keith Barnes ’73 and Tony Klemmer ’73 proudly wore joyful smiles and vintage Abbey swag on Saturday afternoon.

With nearly 200 alumni returning from as far as Australia and the Philippines, Reunion Weekend was by all accounts a great success. The Classes of 1963 and 1973 kicked off their respective 60th and 50th Reunion celebrations on Friday evening with a special dinner at The Aquidneck Club. Simultaneously, the newly introduced Welcome Back Party held under the Reunion tent featuring live music and food trucks was well-received by all other Reunion classes.

Our faculty welcomed back alumni to the classrooms for the opportunity to remember how much fun Saturday classes can be. Other highlights from the day included a traditional New England Lobster and Clambake, a construction tour of the stunning new Student Center, lively athletic contests, an impressive Student Panel Q & A, Requiem Mass and Vespers, Class Photos during the Cocktail Party and a festive Dinner Dance under the Reunion Tent.

The weekend concluded with Mass in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, where alumni and students gathered to pray as a community, followed by a Jazz Brunch showcasing faculty and student jazz musicians and a bubbly mimosa bar. Based on the long and heartfelt goodbyes, the weekend felt too short!

Graduating classes ending in 4s and 9s and members of the Diman Club, please mark your calendar for September 27-29, 2024!

Class of 2018’s Ben Varieur, Sam Ding, Lucia Billings and Adam Suh share the sidelines and a laugh with Assistant Head of School and Dean of Academics, Nick Micheletti ’04

Cameron Taylor ’88 P’24 and Taylor Taylor P’24 get a sneak peek of the new Student Center construction.

Jay Buckley ’73 and son, Jimmy Buckley ’08 share the same reunion cycle and moment with wife and mom, Sheila Buckley.

Members of the Class of 2018 enjoy Saturday’s dinner under the tent.

Bolles

For additional photos of Reunion Weekend visit our online gallery: https://abbeycommunications.smugmug.com/ 2023-Reunion-Weekend

Father Bernard Murphy ’73 concelebrates the Requiem Mass with Abbot Matthew Stark

Allison

’13 and Hannah Niles ’13 indulge in lobster and the company of their class.

CLASS OF 1973

Back Row: Cushing Condon, James Buckley, Anthony Klemmer, Donald Macdonald, Keith Barnes, Bernard Murphy, Christopher Regan, Eric Sandeen ’66, Vincent Arone, Peter MacGuire, Gust Stringos, Rodney Willoughby, Martin deVegvar

Front Row: Thomas Anderson, Joseph Griffith, Ed Delgado, Mark Howe, Christopher Long, Douglas Simmons

CLASS OF 1963

Back Row: William Cannon, Robert Skinner, Martin Paul

Front Row: Edwin Howard, Michael Ray

CLASS OF 1983

Nicholas Moore, Matthew Rossi, Adam Carter, Steven Cotta, Paul Anghinetti, James Kaufman

CLASS OF 1988

Back Row: Robert Sheppard, Marc Indelgia, Gregory Carroll, Timothy Leahy, Paul Dotson, Christopher Abbate, Patrick Sartor, Philip Bonanno, Felix Urena, William Devine, Keith McRae, Cameron Taylor, Jason Laboissonniere

Front Row: Jamal Titus, Stratford Wallace, Michael Goss, Joseph Calderone, Charles de Casteja, Keith Cardoza

CLASS OF 1998

Back Row: Ashley Hart, Nicholas Altschuller, Manuel Almenara, Matthew Kavanagh, Tristan Mouligné, Janine Willard, Griffin Flynn

Front Row: Michael Roberts, Roberto Kriete, Tara Winston, Kathleen Grandin, Nicolas Urrutia

CLASS OF 2003

Shannon Ruggieri, Kellie Simeone

CLASS OF 2013

Kelsi

CLASS OF 2008

Naseemah

CLASS OF 2018

Back Row: Emma Stowe, Theodore Anderson, Martin Bulanowski, Taylor Yates, Parker Harkness

Front Row: Elizabeth Mullally, Thomas Teravainen, Tyler White, Alicia Ponte, Adam Suh, Sam Ding

Nikolov, Allison Bolles, Hannah Niles

Mohamed, Kunwoo Kim

Abbot’s Reception

Many members of the Portsmouth Abbey community associate the Abbot’s Reception with Christmas in New York City. Legendary in tradition and location, hundreds of alumni brave the holiday bustle to make their way to West 44th Street.

True to its reputation, the evening of Thursday, December 7, did not disappoint. The historic model room at the New York Yacht Club was beautifully decorated with enormous trees, twinkling wreaths and, most especially, the festive attire of the more than 200 members of the Portsmouth Abbey community. In addition to the delightful cocktails and fare, guests enjoyed conversation with former classmates, parents, faculty and members of our monastic community.

After a welcome from co-host Bill Keogh ’78 P’13, a Christmas blessing was offered by The Right Reverend Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B. Head of School Matt Walter P’18 ’20 offered updates on the School with an accompanying slideshow presentation that included a jolly message from students, faculty and staff.

We extend a sincere thank you to all of our Hosts, attendees and a record-breaking number of 77 Patrons who contributed to the success and warmth of the evening.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2024 ABBOT’S RECEPTION

Wednesday, December 11

ABOVE: Co-Host Bill Keogh ’78 P’13 welcomed guests and introduced Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B. and Head of School Matt Walter.

Sean Eno ’88 and Rob Sheppard ’88

Drew Fonts ’17, Harry Skakel ’19, Noah Krienz ’21, Coach Al Brown, Daniel Locke ’17, Joe Jannotta ’16, and Chris Franco ’19

Matt Cunningham ’85, Joe Moore ’85, Tom Hopkins ’85, and Ed Lyons ’85

Claire Davidson Hall ’16, Mary Kennedy ’15, and Grace McGuirk

Ron Passaro ’95, Daryl Barnes ’91, and Riqui Barnes

Adam Conway ’94 P’24 ’26, Beth Conway P’24 ’26, Patricia Conway P’94 ’96 GP ’24 ’26, and Francis Kang ’96

2006

A girl, Rachel Louise Rumbut, to Callie and Joshua Rumbut

January 3, 2024

2007

A boy, John Anthony Kennedy, to Erin and Matthew Kennedy

June 9, 2023

milestones

Jbirths

’10 | Charles Weeden’s daughter, Penelope Grace Weeden.

weddings

2007

A girl, Genevieve Kerry Memoli, to Ryan and Helen Heuer Memoli

October 23, 2023

2010

A girl, Penelope Grace Weeden to Sheena and Charles E. Weeden

December 26, 2023

1965

Oren Root to Carter Crawford

October 14, 2023

’65 | Oren Root and Carter Crawford at their wedding reception in Oct 2023.

2010

Cameron Shirley to Sara Rasmussen

July 7, 2023

’10 | Cameron Shirley and wife Sara Rasmussen surrounded by 2010 classmates (L-R) Matthew Rosenthal, John LeComte, Spencer Lambrecht, Catherine (Stern) Silva, Ethan DaPonte, Ryan Silva and Luke Gleason.

Albert L. Artis ’76

October 4, 2023

Sarah W. Bartlett-Manzo

Mother of Sawyer A. Bartlett-Dunn ’17

February 9, 2023

Helen Brzys

Mother of former Portsmouth Abbey faculty member

Nancy Brzys

November 29, 2023

Lawrence W. Butler

Father of Daniel S. Butler ’77

October 24, 2023

Louise B. Carey

Mother of Timothy B. Carey ’76 and Christopher F. Carey ’78

January 28, 2023

William Ward Carey

Father of W. Ward Carey ’82

March 25, 2023

Maria Castellanos Grandmother of Adrian A. Castellanos ’20

November 21, 2023

William J. Demetree Grandfather of Grace T. Benzal ’17

December 30, 2023

William F. Denney, Sr. ‘51

Cousin of the late

John D. Denney ’48

December 22, 2023

Norma G. Doire

Grandmother of Claire N. Doire ’16

September 11, 2023

Ronald E. Drake, Sr. Grandfather of Andrew K. Thibeault ’25

September 26, 2023

necrology

Constance R. DuHamel

Wife of the late N. Young DuHamel ’44 and sister of Robert M. Skinner ’63

February 6, 2024

Katherine N. DuHamel

Daughter of the late N. Young DuHamel, Jr. ’44 and niece of Robert M. Skinner ’63

October 8, 2023

John J. Fenton

Father-in-law of faculty member Blake B. Billings ’77 and grandfather of Fenton Billings ’15, John M. Billings ’17, Lucia Billings ’18, and Teresa A. Billings ’20

December 25, 2023

Michael A. FitzGerald ’89

Brother of K. Patrick FitzGerald ’93 and Maura FitzGerald Blackler ’97

September 4, 2023

Lillian Rarity Hargrove

Mother of Portsmouth Abbey Staff member Kaye Caplin, grandmother of Robert W. Caplin ’07 and Daniel R. Caplin ’10, and grandmother-in-law of Catherine L. Caplin ’10

December 1, 2023

William C. Heizmann III ’54

Father of Edward S. Heizmann ’88

August 13, 2023

Cathleen G. Keogh

Mother of Thomas F. Keogh, Jr. ’76 and William M. Keogh ’78 and grandmother of Isabel M. Keogh ‘13

June 12, 2023

Gregory H. C. Knox ’65

Brother of M. Geoffrey Knox ’71 and uncle of the late Laurence L. Lacaillade III ’91

September 2023

James Mataronas III

Father of Gregory J. Mataronas ’99 and Brandilyn A. Mataronas ’04

December 24, 2023

Thomas L. McCarthy

Father of faculty member Shane P. McCarthy and grandfather of Meghan L. McCarthy ’15, Shane P. McCarthy, Jr. ’18, Kaelyn M. McCarthy ’21, and Keegan T. McCarthy ’27

August 2023

James W. McCormick, Jr. ‘48

Brother of the late John L. McCormick ’53 and father of Daniel J. McCormick ’79 and Peter S. McCormick ‘81

July 13, 2023

Michael P. McDonough

Great-grandfather of Avery B. Bell ‘26

February 4, 2024

Michael C. McIntyre

Father of Danielle E. Luther ’95

January 4, 2024

Charles E. Powers ’67

October 21, 2023

Andrew T. Rock

Father of Taylor T. Rock ’98

September 26, 2023

Thomas J. Schuchert, Jr. ’74

Father of Cassandra O. Schuchert ’16 and brother of Stephen J. Schuchert ’77 and Matthew J. Schuchert ’86

January 14, 2022

Victor P. Thompson

Father of faculty member Susan G. McCarthy and grandfather of Meghan L. McCarthy ’15, Shane P. McCarthy, Jr. ’18, Kaelyn M. McCarthy ’21, and Keegan T. McCarthy ’27

August 2023

Mabel M. Thorpe

Grandmother of Joseph H. Yates ’13 and Jennifer M.T. Yates ’16

August 26, 2023

IN MEMORY OF EDUARDO LLACH HILL ’56 (1938-2022)

With reverence and gratitude, we reflect on the life and legacy of Eduardo Llach Hill, a member of the Class of 1956.

Eduardo, affectionately known as “Papi” to his cherished children, embarked on his educational voyage at Portsmouth in 1952. Here, he immersed himself in the pursuit of knowledge, guided by dedicated mentors such as Father Andrew, whose passion for mathematics ignited his intellectual curiosity. Within these classrooms, the seeds of ambition were sown, germinating into a lifelong love for learning and discovery.

Eduardo’s children recall how a smile always appeared on their father’s face when he spoke about his time at Portsmouth. He often remembered with a deep sense of gratitude the time Father Andrew drove him to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a campus visit at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Among the tapestry of memories Eduardo wove during his tenure at the School, soccer also emerged as a vibrant thread, woven with the camaraderie shared among his cousins Jamie and Harold Hill and many more. His reminiscences often bore witness to the warmth and fellowship that permeated campus, forever etching Portsmouth into the fabric of his being.

Despite his early interest in M.I.T., Eduardo continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania. Armed with the foundation he laid

at Portsmouth, he continued to cultivate his intellect and nurture his passions. Following his graduation in 1960, he embarked on a transformative odyssey in El Salvador alongside his family.

In the verdant landscapes of his home country, Eduardo’s spirit found fertile ground to flourish. A titan in the agricultural sector, he emerged as a beacon of innovation and leadership, pioneering advancements in cotton, coffee and lime farming. Yet, amidst the rigors of his professional endeavors, Eduardo found solace and joy in polo and aviation, piloting high above the fields aboard his beloved Beechcraft planes.

Eduardo’s indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to his family and friends continue to inspire, resonating in the hearts of those who knew him. In the embrace of fond recollections, his memory is cherished by his brother Roberto and his six beloved children –Eduardo, Debby, Maria, Ceci, Andrea and Antonio. May his spirit abide in the hearts of all touched by his kindness, wisdom and boundless zest for life.

Portsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Llach Hill family.

Yearbook photo 1956.

IN MEMORY OF JAIME URRUTIA MONTOYA ’60 (1942-2023)

Jaime Urrutia Montoya, a global leader in business and member of the Class of 1960, passed away on May 1, 2023, at 80.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1942, he was one of five children born to Ambassador Francisco José Urrutia Holguín and Genoveva (Montoya) Urrutia.

His educational journey at Portsmouth was characterized by exemplary leadership and academic excellence. His notable roles as the editor-in-chief of The Raven and the president of debating showcased his sharp intellect and eloquence from an early age.

He pursued higher education at Harvard University, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature in 1963. These academic achievements laid a lasting foundation for his subsequent endeavors in the corporate realm.

With unwavering dedication and astute leadership, he contributed his expertise to the Rotterdam-based multi-national company Hunter Douglas N.V. for 27 years, ascending to President of Latin American Operations. His tenure underscored his acumen in navigating the complexities of international business, further cementing his reputation as a stalwart in the field.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jaime’s commitment to education and familial values resonated profoundly. A family legacy at Portsmouth spans three generations, beginning with he and his brothers. “The school, the monastic community and the faculty have been very important to us – my brothers and myself my sons, their brother, my grandson, my nephew, and many more to come.

There, we learned values and the importance of intellectual excellence, made friends for life and came to admire and love some outstanding teachers,” he wrote in an email to administrators before his passing.

He is survived by his wife Maria, daughter Sofia, sons Francisco, Nicolas, and Manuel and their families, including grandchildren Mauricio Posada ’11, Luisa Posada ’13 and Laura Posada ’14, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Yearbook photo 1960.

Portsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Urrutia family.

IN MEMORY OF BENEDICT ROBERT FITZGERALD ’67 (1949-2024)

Hollywood screenwriter and member of the Class of 1967, Benedict Fitzgerald, died at home in Marsala, Sicily, following a long illness on January 17, 2024, at 74.

Born in New York City in 1949, his parents were Sally Fitzgerald, the editor of “The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O’Connor,” and poet and translator Robert Fitzgerald, whose translations of Homer, Sophocles and Virgil were described by the New York Times as “standard works for a generation of scholars and students.”

According to classmates, “Ben” arrived at Portsmouth “wildly waving his hands and speaking in a strange mixture of Italian, French and English.” His continental upbringing in Italy and other literary-focused locales afforded him a unique perspective on most topics, and his refusal to yield to the typical academic and social pressures of the Abbey is written to have led to “both curses and praises from teachers and classmates.” He is credited for not losing his individuality while adapting to life at an American prep school and for standing out in many fields, including as an artist for “The Raven” and an athlete on the soccer field.

He attended and graduated from Harvard University in 1971, where he helped start the first in-house film club (Kirkland House Film Society) and began writing screenplays based on his love of motion pictures.

Drawing from his roots and a sense of adventure, Benedict specialized in literary adaptations. He first won acclaim working with his brother, Michael, on the 1979 film “Wise Blood,” an adaptation of Flannery O’Connor’s novel of the same name.

O’Connor had been a close family friend. The brothers worked on the script at night, and when it was finalized, they decided to mail it directly to John Huston, who was semi-retired and living in Mexico. Three days later, they received a call from the legendary director expressing his interest in the film. Michael’s production career and Benedict’s screenwriting took off from there.

Additional works include two television movies, “Zelda,” starring Natasha Richardson and Timothy Hutton, and Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” starring John Malkovich, both in 1993 and a television mini-series of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” starring Eric Roberts and Anthony Edwards in 1996. The latter was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. A second mini-series, “Moby Dick,” starring Patrick Stewart as Ahab, was nominated for 5 Primetime Emmy awards in 1998.

As evident to his classmates years prior, his unique perspective and tenacity served him well throughout his two-year collaboration with Mel Gibson as the screenwriter of “The Passion of the Christ.” Released in 2004, the movie is the largest-grossing independent film of all time and the work for which Benedict Fitzgerald is best known.

In an interview with the Honolulu Star Bulletin at the time of its release, he described himself as being in a “state of abject fear most of the time” because he was undertaking something that was not only sacred but also something he was finding his way back to. When asked what effect he thought the film would have on audiences, he stated, “It could give back the sense that people do have a spiritual side to them. It did for me.”

Benedict Fitzgerald is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters Eugenie, Helena and Olimpia; three grandchildren; and siblings Ughetta, Maria, Michael, Barnaby and Caterina.

Portsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Fitzgerald family.

Yearbook photo 1967.

class notes

1956

The late Martin McAndrews was posthumously inducted into the St. Bonaventure University Army ROTC Hall of Fame on March 9, 2024. A 1960 alumnus of St. Bonaventure, “Red” served for 20 years as an Artillery Officer in the US Army, including two tours in Vietnam. After returning from combat where he earned three Bronze Stars and one Air Medal, then Major McAndrews served as the Assistant Professor of Military Science ROTC at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY from 1970-72. Red retired with full honors in 1980 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was married to Rose, a former Navy Nurse, and together they raised five daughters and welcomed four sons-in-law and eight grandchildren.

1960

Jim Robinson is still working in real estate sales in Washington, DC and VA, as well as managing his own 2 rental homes. “After 39 years as a Realtor, I am proud to say that no client has ever lost a penny obeying my advice. I am still active with the local police, Night Watch, the Crime Advisory Committee and still active on my local Civic Association Board. My kids are 28 and 30, but no grandkids yet. We have just finished two 4-inch snows in a week after like 6 years with no snow and am I happy to see it finally melting.”

1963

John Lamenzo is in semi-retirement, hosting a website by a Mystic named Mary at goddirect.org.

’63 | James Charles Roy’s at the ANZAC beach head on the Gallipoli peninsula, site of some horrific fighting during WWI, the subject of his newest book.

James Charles Roy’s newest book about World War I, “All the World at War,” was published in March 2024. Acclaimed book critic, Allan Massie writes, “This is a rich and thought-provoking book. It doesn’t offer a straight narrative history of the war…But there is a great sweep to Roy’s book, and his character sketches are acute and often –to my mind – fair.”

1964

Regan Kerney writes from New Jersey, “I am supposed to be retired, but I returned to teach at Lawrenceville last year full-time in the spring to cover for a pregnant colleague, and went back again this year to teach a couple of economics courses, along with a course on Vietnam and another on Abraham Lincoln. It keeps the intellectual wheels turning in the perennial effort to avoid senility. I have been researching and teaching about Mr. Lincoln for more than 30 years now, and he has become the hobby that just won’t quit. As for the rest of me, four years of college hockey finally caught up with my knees and much of the rest of my skeleton, and I now move with the shuffling grace of an arthritic pachyderm. Nevertheless, I look forward to Reunion Number 60 next fall, and hope to see all of our surviving classmates there.”

1965

Matt Flynn has two newly published books. “Confessions of a Church Lawyer: In Defense of Christianity” was released this past fall. Matt calls on his experience in litigating Church cases during his 15-year representation of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, “I explain the actual facts of the

’65 /’65 | Mary and Matt Flynn ‘65 met with Beth and Mark Bonner ‘64 in Naples this past February.

abuse cases, discuss the celibacy rule and the exclusion of women from the priesthood, and explain how Christianity is necessary for all humanity. My latest novel, “The Court of Last Resort,” chronicles a Federal Judge who murders defendants. But when the Judge kills a corrupt Supreme Court Justice, he faces unanticipated consequences. Two great vacation reads!”

Mary and Matt Flynn met Beth and Mark Bonner ‘64 for High Tea in Naples, FL this February.

Oren Root married Carter Crawford on October 14, 2023. Oren and Carter, who were widowed in 2009 and 2008, respectively, after long first marriages, met each other through Match in 2019. Classmates Nick Keefe, Stryker McGuire, and Jim Sturdevant, and their wives (Debbi, Julie, and Therese), attended the celebration. Oren jokes that Carter and he are “the oldest newlyweds anyone knows.”

Pat Rooney finds himself on Cory’s Lane more often these days now that his grandson, and third generation Rooney, Jack Sams ’26 (son of daughter Kate Rooney-Sams ’98) is a current Raven.

1966

Jon Gilloon traveled with his family to Ireland, “Wow, I cannot say enough about the fun we had retracing the Gilloon family County Sligo roots, back to O’Rourke’s Table in County Leitrim (1600’s), later to Parke’s Castle, then on to Lissadell, and eventually to gravesites in County Sligo cemeteries.

1969

Pierre Whalon retired in 2019 from ministry as Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe after almost 18 years. “Now I live south of Paris with my wife Hélène and our Golden Retriever and write. Two of my books were published last year, and I am writing two more now. I also write articles for theological journals and I maintain a Medium site as well. I also continue to have some responsibilities with work for our House of Bishops. If you’re interested check out www.pierrewhalon.info. I hope to make our 55th reunion the 50th was a lot of fun! Wishing us all a better New Year!”

1970

After retiring from Maine’s aquaculture industry, Terence Callery wrote four books and published them on Amazon/Kindle (also available in an audio version). Terry explains,

“The first two books are nonfiction memoirs of my first two pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago: “Slow Camino” and “Portuguese Camino - In Search of the Infinite Moment.” The third book is the only historical novel ever written about the 9th century origins of Christianity’s more important pilgrimage titled The “First Pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago.” Just last year I really changed gears and published a futuristic allegorical novel titled “Pandemic - Escape from Maine” which I had the most fun writing.”

’70 | Terence Callery has published “Slow Camino,” a memoir of his pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago.

’66 | Jon Gilloon with his family in Ireland and their wonderful Office of Antiquities Guide, Meg O’Brien (3rd from left, top), and with a local Mullaghmore neighbor farmer (back row, 2nd from left) who knew the last Gilloon farming family relative growing up next door. Behind in the background is the long, green hillside acreage that was the Gilloon farm, with its backdrop, the ancient Sligo mountain Ben Bulben, in the far distance.”

’65 | Oren Root, Nick Keefe and Jim Sturdevant at Oren’s wedding reception.

’65 | Pat Rooney with grandson Jack ’26, on left, daughter Kate ’98 and son Sean ’96 at Parent’s Weekend.

Jamie MacGuire continues to enjoy his work as US Managing Editor and Special Reports Editor for the (UK) Catholic Herald. Most recently, he assisted longtime New York City Ballet chief Peter Martins in writing his latest book, “Balanchine and Me” (Academica Press, February 2024).

1974

Bob Risko has been named the Finance Division’s budget analyst at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA. He lives in nearby Santa Cruz, CA.

Phil English and his wife Chris are splitting their time between Erie, PA and Washington, DC, where he is the Co-Chairman of Government Relations at ArentFox Schiff LLP. “I joined the board of Tax Foundation Europe in Brussels as an

excuse to drink beer at Grande Place. In NW Pennsylvania we expect a great year for ice wine!”

Jan Schwarzenberg and his wife Regina look forward to once again hosting the class dinner celebrating their 50th Reunion at their home in Middletown, RI during Reunion Weekend in September. “All 74’ers welcome! Any class members not in attendance will be roasted in effigy! (Not talking about you, Chomps!)”

1975

Peter Ferry graduated with an M.A. in History from University of Pennsylvania in May 2023. He will be attending Kings College London next year in pursuit of a PhD in British History.

’75 | Peter Ferry at his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2023.

1976

World traveler Jeff Calnan shares the account of a foreign expedition with classmates Shea Farrell and Hank Schmitt, “We had had a terrific transAtlantic voyage in early September 2023 from Portsmouth, RI to Portsmouth, England where we were met by fellow classmate Chris Cooke. The journey was arranged by Hank’s Offshore Passage Opportunity (https://www.sailopo.com/). It was a wonderful PAS micro-reunion in the original Portsmouth, and we all had a chance to visit the historic Portsmouth Dockyards and the Portsmouth Cathedral of St. Thomas!

1978

Allen Chatterton, his wife Bintou, and children Laylah and Zachariah ’26 traveled to South Korea this past summer and were gracefully hosted by Zach’s St. Hugh’s roommate, Ethan Kang ’26 and his family. They celebrated daughter Laylah’s 10th birthday with a Korean barbecue.

’76 | Jeff Calnan and Shea Farrell shared a trans-Atlantic voyage from Portsmouth, RI to Portsmouth, England.

1981

During his recent travels throughout the East Coast, Mike McCauley was able to reconnect with 1981 classmates, Alfred Manns, Jay Lynch, Peter Loos and Rick Abedon. He is happy to report that “all are doing well and not one of them has aged a day since graduation.”

’81 | Mike McCauley met with classmates Alfred Manns in Virginia (above) and Jay Lynch and Peter Loos in Martha’s Vineyard (below).

’78 | Allen Chatterton and his family were hosted by Ethan Kang’s ’26 family in South Korea. Seated left: Allen ’78, Bintou, Laylah, and Zachariah ’26. Seated right, Taean, Hyesoon Moon, Ewan, and Ethan ’26.

1983

Adam Carter hosted the Carter Family Christmas Party this past December in his home in Washington, DC. In attendance were Abbey parents Tom and Brooke Fink and their six daughters, including alumnae Grace ’17, Laura ’21 and Claire Fink ’22

1990

Sean Arthurs, now the Director of Global Education and Training with EarthRights International, is recently back from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the EarthRights team partnered with colleagues at AfreWatch to design and lead the first Congo River School. AfreWatch and EarthRights worked with the 24 participants from communities experiencing the horrific consequences of critical mineral exploitation to design action plans to organize and mobilize community resistance. Sean is headed to Peru to work with the EarthRights’ training program for indigenous leaders fighting this type of harmful development and would love to connect with anyone thinking or acting in similar spaces. His two children, Keegan and Catherine, maintain that they miss him on his travels and respond with at least oneword texts every two weeks.

’90 | Sean Arthurs at the door at the training site, Les Buissonnets Mission, in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

2002

Jose Antonio Belismelis had a chance meeting at Milan’s supermarket this past July, “To my surprise I was lucky enough to see Mr. Cliff Hobbins, one of my two favorite teachers from whom I learned a lot and deeply cherish.”

2006/2008

After marrying in 2022, John Gray Parker ’06 and Margaret Power Parker ’08 with a host of Abbey alumni celebrating their nuptials, they welcomed their daughter Mary Elizabeth Parker on July 7, 2023.

’83 | Adam Carter and Grace ’17, Laura ’21 and Claire Fink ’22 at the Carter Family Christmas Party.

’02 |

’06/ ’08 | John Gray Parker ’06 and Margaret Power Parker ’08 celebrated their 2022 wedding above with with Abbey alumni, and welcomed their baby Mary Elizabeth Parker in July 2023, right.

Jose Antonio Belismelis was suprised to see Cliff Hobbins at Milan’s supermarket.

’07 | Helen Heuer Memoli with husband Ryan, Harrison and new baby Genevieve Kerry.

2007

Helen Heuer Memoli was named the new Director of Accreditation for Graduate Medical Education at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in May of 2023. Helen is excited to also share, “Our family welcomed Genevieve Kerry Memoli into the world on October 23, 2023. She has been an incredible blessing to us, and her presence has brought an abundance of happiness into our lives. Also, Genevieve played the part of baby Jesus in St. Paul’s Catholic Church and School’s Christmas Pageant a heartwarming moment for all of us. Meanwhile, her big brother Harrison has been amazing and is taking on his role marvelously.”

2007/2010

Lucy Wallace ’07 and Bobby Savoie ’10, were crew aboard the San Diego Yacht Club’s boat that won the 2023 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup in September 2023.

2010

Cameron Shirley married Sara Rasmussen on July 7, 2023. 2010 Alumni in attendance included Matthew Rosenthal, John LeComte, Spencer Lambrecht, Catherine (Stern) Silva, Ethan DaPonte, Ryan Silva and Luke Gleason

2014

Hayden Molinari is currently living in Newport, RI and is a Software Engineer II at Attentive, a NYC-based digital marketing company.

’14 | Hayden Molinari

’15 /’23 | Mary Kennedy and Michael Abbate ‘23 outside Mary’s favorite lunch spot in North Carolina.

2015/2023

Mary Kennedy and her mother Carroll met up with fellow Abbey Raven (and fellow Elon Phoenix) Michael Abbate ’23

Mary shared her favorite lunch spot as a student at Elon with Michael, who is currently a freshman. They both reminisced on their love of the Abbey.

’07/’10 | Lucy Wallace ’07 and Bobby Savoie ’10, crewed as members of the winning boat in the Rolex Cup.

’16 | Paulina Power and Nathan Tsung in Kenai Fjords National Park.

2016

Nathan Tsung met up with Paulina Power in Anchorage, AK, where Paulina now lives, for a hike to the Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park.

2016/2019

David Brower graduated from Bowdoin College in 2020 and is currently in Medical School. James Brower ’19 graduated from the University of Georgia with a Masters’ degree in Social Work in 2023 and is currently working with homeless veterans.

’16 /’19 | James Brower ’19 and brother David Brower ’16.

2022/2023

Iván Andarza is enjoying his studies at Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano. “Recently, my close friends Quinn Brighton ’23 and Jack Kelley ’23 had the opportunity to visit me in Lugano. We were able to travel around Switzerland and neighboring Italy. Some of the highlights included touring the UN and CERN headquarters in Geneva, visiting the castles of Bellinzona which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the nearby cities of Zürich and Milan and many hikes. Two of the most notable hikes were ascending Monte Boglia at a height of 1,516 meters (4,973 feet) and Monte Limidario at 2,188 meters (7,178 feet). It was amazing to reconnect with my friends and share these amazing experiences together.”

’22 /’23 | Ivàn Andarza ’22 traveled in Switzerland and Italy with Quinn Brighton ’23 and Jack Kelley ’23.

2023

’23 | Jonathan Kamdani was presented the Company Best Recruit award by a member of the Singapore Parliament and the commanding officer of the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC), Colonel Muhammad Helmi.

Jonathan Kamdani graduated from Basic Military Training in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on December 4, 2023, and was awarded “Company Best Recruit” where he was ranked 1st out of 300 recruits in his Company. The award is based on performance during training, physical fitness and peer reviews. He is currently training in Officer Cadet School (OCS), where the top 10% of the graduating regiment train to be a commissioned officer (2LT and above).