Portsmouth Abbey School Summer Bulletin 2024

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY

about the cover: (L-R) Thomas Healey ’60, P’91, GP’19 ’21 ’24, Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B., Margot Campau ’25, Robert “Bo” Howenstein ’24, Layla Grilli ’25, Megan Hagerty S’82, P’19 (seated), Head of School Matt Walter P’18 ’20, Jeremy Healey ’91 P’21 ’24, (seated) Christopher Behnke ’81, P’12 ’15 ’19 and Margaret Healey P ’91, GP’19 ’21 ’24 gather around the fire pit following the dedication of the new Student Center. Read more on page 38.

Stay Connected

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

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

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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, 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:

Darryl De Marzio, Ph.D. P’26, Nora O’Hara P’21 ’22 ’24 ’26, Lauren Revay, Brother Sixtus Roslevich, O.S.B., Brittany Semco, Gary Sheppard, Ph.D., and Katie Zins, Ph.D.

Photography: George Corrigan, Andrea Hansen, David Hansen, Tom Kates, Berk Rosenwald, Brittany Semco and Louis Walker III

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

Please Help Us Save Printing and Postage Costs: If the addressee of this publication has moved or if you are the parent of the addressee and they have a new address, please call the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at 401- 643-1269 or email alumni@portsmouthabbey.org so our records may be updated.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Portsmouth Abbey Community,

I trust this message finds you having enjoyed the summer months, and the beginning of fall. Here on the shores of Narragansett Bay, we have been preparing for another school year devoted to helping young men and women grow in knowledge and grace and are excited about the promise a new year brings.

The completion of the new entrance at the top of Cory’s Lane welcomes all alumni, students, parents and guests to a school steeped in tradition but poised for the future. It is not flashy or overly done, but it is substantial, built with an eye toward our bucolic campus and the community surrounding it, particularly our neighbor, St. Philomena School of the Sacred Heart. We hope you will take notice the next time you stop by.

In this issue of the Bulletin, new History Department faculty member Dr. Gary Sheppard authors a compelling article about the new Student Center. A gift from a family that spans generations, the Healeys and Hagertys, this latest addition to campus exists to support future generations. As noted in remarks offered at its dedication by Jeremy Healey ’91 P’21 ’24, the design was intentional on many levels: it is a communal gathering place where innovative ideas, friendships and futures can be developed through interaction whether over a burger in the new Tuck Shop, at the

outdoor firepit, or through collaboration in a club meeting. It promises to serve as the social hub of campus at the top of RavensQuad, complementing the spiritual and intellectual hub of campus to the east defined by the Burden and Kennedy Classroom Buildings, the St. Thomas More Library, the Science Building, the Holy Lawn and the Church of St. Gregory the Great.

Also in this issue, you will find profiles of retiring Faculty: Olen and Kim Kalkus, who, after many years away, returned to Portsmouth where they previously met and married, and Joe DiBiase, who has spent the last six years on Cory’s Lane. Each of these beloved faculty members enjoyed long and distinguished careers in independent and boarding schools as administrators, teachers, coaches and houseparents.

I also want to acknowledge the departure of Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Patty Gibbons P’17 ’19 ’20 ’22 ’24, whose decade of faithful service in Alumni House contributed to record-setting fundraising for ten years in a row. Profiles of new Faculty will be featured in the next issue of the Bulletin.

You will also find a fascinating interview with Darryl De Marzio, Ph.D. P’26, the new executive director of the Portsmouth Institute. Dr. De Marzio joined the Humanities Department at Portsmouth last year from the University of Scranton where he served as a tenured professor. He is the perfect choice to build upon the great work done by his predecessor, Chris Fisher, who expanded the programs and impact of the Institute to national prominence. We wish Chris well in his new role as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Lastly, I know you will enjoy the article about our Oxford summer program submitted by Dr. Katie Zins ’04, who will serve as the new chair of the Humanities Department.

We have recently welcomed nearly 350 students back to campus, more than 115 of whom have joined us as new students. The Rule of St. Benedict reminds us…“Always, we begin again.” Indeed, we shall, as the work of growing in knowledge and grace begins again in the 2024-2025 school year.

I remain yours in Christ and in St. Benedict,

Matthew P. Walter P’18 ’20

Head of School

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

This summer marked the beginning of my fortieth year of association with Portsmouth Abbey School and the end of my first year as Board Chair. As I reflect on my impressions of my first year in the role, I remain enormously optimistic and enthusiastic about the future of the School.

By far, the most notable achievement of the past year has been the completion of our Student Center. Breathtaking in its design and construction, this building will serve as the hub of our community for decades to come. No building on campus serves as a better symbol of where Portsmouth has been and where we are headed. Seamlessly integrated into the classic Belluschi-designed campus landscape, many elements of its innovative and intentional design will provide a gathering space for future generations of students to interact and develop ideas of the future. I would be remiss without offering a huge note of gratitude to the donors who had the vision to make this remarkable building possible, and also to the team of administrative staff, architects and construction professionals who did the hard work to make this vision a reality.

In other news, we are beginning the third of our five-year Strategic Plan, and the progress has been impressive. Led by our Abbot and Head of School, our faculty and staff are reinvigorated and as enthusiastic and mission-aligned as ever. Reimagining the student experience, from admissions to academics, athletics, residential and spiritual life, to college placement, is ongoing and yielding significant success already. I look forward to sharing more specific updates in this magazine’s next issue. Meanwhile, we continue to prepare for our centennial, which is a moment to celebrate and invest in our extraordinary legacy of faith, excellence, and community.

As we do with everything, the formulation of the Strategic Plan and our future initiatives were guided by our Benedictine values. At first glance, the Rule of St. Benedict is a set of guidelines for living in a monastic community. It sets the baseline expectations that serve to form the rhythm of life in a monastery. Over 1,500 years later, these traditions remain incredibly powerful, and, after nearly 100 years of this rhythm unfolding at Portsmouth, these traditions have become the bedrock of the student experience.

Our commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition has been unwavering since my time at the school 40 years ago – not to mention a dress code of coat and ties for boys (most of the year), classes on Saturday, Mass on Sunday, a sacred Holy Lawn, and the ever-popular Fish Fridays.

However, a more intent study of the Rule shows that it is much more than a set of simple guidelines. The wisdom of Benedict’s Rule lies in its flexibility, tolerance for individual differences, and openness to change. For more than 1,500 years, the Rule has remained a powerful and relevant guide for those who would seek God in the ordinary circumstances of life. Many believe that the Rule’s success in remaining relevant for so long lies not within the rigidity of its guidelines but in the flexibility that it promotes.

This balance between honoring tradition while at the same time constantly innovating and improving is at the heart of all we do. Portsmouth has stayed true to its core values for decades – and that has not and will not change. Rethinking and reimagining how we do what we do is a very Benedictine thing to do. Witness the decision to convert to a co-educational school in 1991, the implementation of the humanities program in 2001, and the establishment of our Head Girl and Head Boy program during the 2005-2006 academic year. None of these traditions were present when I was a student, but each innovation has blended seamlessly to the Portsmouth Abbey of the past – and makes the Portsmouth Abbey of today better. This is precisely what we aim to do with our Strategic Plan.

As I head into my second year chairing the Board of Directors, I am more committed than ever to upholding the traditions that have made Portsmouth special for so long – while at the same time collaborating with our team to continually improve the experience of students at our School.

Yours in Christ and in St. Benedict,

Chris Abbate ’88 P’20 ’23

Three Join Board of Directors

Jeremiah Healey ’91 P’21 ’24

Three highly qualified and experienced individuals have joined the Portsmouth Abbey School Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the School community.

T. Jeremiah (Jeremy) Healey is the president of Carbon Limit, a climate tech company focused on de-carbonizing the cement and concrete industries. He leads all non-science teams, including strategy, product sales, carbon credit sales, operations, and finance, focusing on partnerships with institutional developers and investors. Additionally, he is a partner of Healey Development, a multi-generational family office and an affiliate of the Steers Center for Global Real Estate at Georgetown University, where he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board and has previously served as both an ESG Fellow and an adjunct professor of Finance.

From 2013 to 2021, Healey was the CEO of Pacific Oak Residential Trust, a private REIT focused on workforce singlefamily rental housing. He co-founded it after founding and leading a previous investment platform dedicated to multi-family workforce housing. Healey continues to advise on mergers and acquisitions, capital strategy, and corporate structure. From 1996 to 2008, he was an investor in structured real estate products on behalf of hedge funds, including Eton Park Capital and R6 Capital, and banks, including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse.

Healey holds an MBA with honors in finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and bachelor’s degrees with honors in English and theology from the Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences. He also conducted research toward a doctorate in Irish Literature at the University of London. He is an alumnus of Portsmouth Abbey School, class of 1991, and is the father of two Abbey graduates, Jack ’21 and Becca ’24, both of whom are students at Georgetown University. He also counts a father, brother-in-law, niece, and endless cousins among his fellow Abbey alumni. A father of five, he is married to Megan McKee Healey and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Rhonda Landers P’20 ’24

A seasoned executive with more than two decades of experience in leading finance, strategy and operations functions, Rhonda Landers is currently the chief financial officer for e-Zinc Inc., a long-duration energy storage company. Previously, Landers served as the CFO for several advanced technology companies (Nanosteel, Globe Wireless, and Seawave), where she demonstrated leadership in capital raising, strategic planning, scaling operations, and strategic initiatives, including strategic investments, licensing and acquisitions to foster technology maturation and commercialization.

Known for excelling in roles focused on strategically growing companies during transition periods, her experience spans diverse environments, such as large industrial public and private international companies, startups, and turnarounds across a similarly diverse industry spectrum, including advanced materials, communications, education and medical device sectors. She began her career at Price Waterhouse and holds an MBA from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa in Spain and a bachelor’s degree from Babson College. Landers and her husband Frank reside in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and are parents to two Portsmouth Abbey graduates, Nathaniel ’20 and Regan ’24. From 2021 to 2024, she and her husband served on the Portsmouth Abbey Parents’ Association and were its chairs from 2023 to 2024. Passionate about Catholic education, Landers is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Saint Philomena School of the Sacred Heart, an independent Catholic elementary school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

John Servidea P’27 ’27

Originally from New Jersey, John Servidea attended middle and high school at Delbarton School, an all-boys Benedictine school in Morristown. He has spent his entire 25-year career at J.P. Morgan. As the managing director and global co-head of investment-grade finance, his group arranges and underwrites debt financing for corporations, financial institutions and infrastructure projects worldwide. At J.P. Morgan, Servidea has also worked in leveraged finance and consumer and retail investment banking coverage.

Deeply committed to the training and development of junior professionals at J.P. Morgan, Servidea has served as chair of the Analyst/Associate Development Council, chair of the New Analyst Training Program for investment banking, and currently sits on Managing Director selection committee. In his free time, Servidea enjoys reading (particularly presidential biographies and military history), theater, and spending time outdoors with his family. He previously served as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Servidea received his MBA from Columbia University and was an undergraduate at Williams College, where he received a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in history and was captain of the men’s varsity lacrosse team. The father of two Portsmouth Abbey students, Lily ’27 and JJ ’27, he and his wife Kathleen, a corporate attorney, reside in New York and New Canaan, Connecticut.

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

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

Mr. Christopher Abbate ’88 P’20 ’23 board chair Newport, RI

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

2023-2024 g Deceased

Mr. Michael Scanlan ’82 South Orange, NJ

Mr. Felipe Vicini ’79 P’09 ’12 ’19 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Mr. William Winterer ’87 Boston, MA

EMERITUS

Mr. Peter M. Flanigan g ’41 P’75 ’83

GP’06 ’09 ’09 ’11 ’11 ’19 ’19

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 ’24

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 Portsmouth, RI

& prize Day commencement

Blue skies and fair winds welcomed families and friends to Prize Day on Saturday, May 25, as Portsmouth Abbey students and faculty were recognized for their achievements during the academic year.

The Dom Peter Sidler Awards for Excellence in Teaching were presented to history department member and Director of Residential Life Cat Caplin ’10 and Mary Catherine Pietropaoli, who teaches humanities and English. Six members of the Class of 2024 were elected to membership in the Cum Laude Society. Academic award recipients by department are listed on the facing page. Full descriptions are available on the school website at www.portsmouthabbey.org.

Aidan Sainte ’25 holds one of several awards he received on Prize Day.

academic awards

2024 GRADUATES ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

Mary Adams

Nathan Lee

Xike Lorna Liu

Nessa McDermott

Leyu Alina Wang

Charlotte West

THEOLOGY AWARDS

Rebecca Healey ’24

Aidan Sainte ’25

Mabel Harlan ’27

Julia Poore ’27

ENGLISH AND HUMANITIES AWARDS

Sean Brennan ’24

Nessa McDermott ’24

Nathan Heller ’25

Jennifer Shon ’25

Haydn Bordelon ’26

Jack Smith ’26

Whittaker Williams ’26

Paige Gittus ’27

HISTORY AWARDS

Aralyn Bradshaw ’25

Shawn Chen ’27

JJ Servidea ’27

CLASSICAL LANGUAGE AWARDS

Mary Adams ’24

Alina Wang ’24

Jennifer Rui ’25

Aidan Sainte ’25

Jack Smith ’26

Richard Zhen ’26

JJ Servidae ’27

MODERN LANGUAGE AWARDS

Allison Lee ’24

Ella Reikhrud ’24

Mateo Ley ’25

Michael O’Hara ’26

Lukas Thompsen ’26

Jason Xing ’26

CAPT Michael O’Hara, USN and MIDN Alexander Adams ’22 recognize (R-L) Mary Adams and Thomas O’Hara as ROTC scholarship recipients and Kyle Reinecke for his acceptance into the U.S. Naval Academy.

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AWARDS

Helena Cerutti ’24

Rachel Hudson ’24

Nate Lee ’24

Xike Lorna Liu ’24

Nessa McDermott ’24

Ella Reikurd ’24

Leyu Alina Wang ’24

Kevin Xu ’24

Ryan Ma ’25 (2)

Sauroo Park ’25

Alps Qin ’25

Jennifer Shon ’25

Hans Yuan ’25

Mateo Cristiani ’26

Billy Jin ’26 (2)

Lucy Wang ’26

Nathaniel Im ’27

Daniel Kim ’27

JJ Servidea ’27

ART, DRAMA AND MUSIC AWARDS

Sean Brennan ’24

Sophia Capone ’24

Mary Davidson ’24

Christopher Hahn ’24

Nate Lee ’24

Xike Lorna Liu ’24

Nessa McDermott ’24

Mila Smith ’24

Alex Watson ’26

Wendy Zeng ’27

CHARACTER, SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Mary Adams ’24 (2)

Helena Cerutti ’24

Mary Davidson ’24

Daniella Gassó ’24

Rebecca Healey ’24 (2)

Robert Howenstein ’24

Monique Hwang ’24

Regan Landers ’24

James Meko ’24 (2)

Thomas O’Hara ’24

Sadie Polgar ’24

Luke Stock ’24

Aidan Surber ’24

Bruce Taylor ’24

Charlotte West ’24

Margaret Whelan ’24

Niamh Whelan ’24

Austin Zhao ’24

Odunayo Adelaiye ’25

Lila Bragan ’25

Gabriel Devaney ’25

John Paul Devaney ’25

Ryan Ma ’25 (2)

Sauroo Park ’25 (2)

Aidan Sainte ’25 (2)

Jennifer Shon ’25 (2)

Max Varteresian ’25

Hans Yuan ’25

Alaina Zhang ’25

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Sean Brennan ’24

Helena Cerutti ’24

Grace Connaughton ’24

Slade Crouse ’24

Rebecca Healey ’24 (2)

Robert Howenstein ’24 (2)

Regan Landers ’24

Nate Lee ’24

Nessa McDermott ’24

Patrick McDevitt ’24

Jennifer Shon ’24

Bruce Taylor ’24

Readiness Born from Resilience

The Class of 2024 Faces on Their Future

Portsmouth Abbey School held its 94th Commencement on Sunday, May 26. The Right Reverend Michael G. Brunner O.S.B. offered the Invocation and Head of School Matt Walter recognized retiring faculty members Olen Kalkus, Kimberly Kalkus and Joseph DiBiase, before introducing Chair of the Board Christopher Abbate ’88 P’20 ’23 at the onset of the celebratory program.

Like many speakers addressing high school and college graduates this year, Abbate began his remarks by acknowledging the unique experience of the Class of 2024 in the annals of the School’s history. “Certainly, you win the award for “most time in a mask,” he declared, emphasizing the distinctiveness of their journey.

Yet as the clouds cleared and the sun began to shine brightly on the Holy Lawn, it was talk of the extraordinary bonds that formed due to circumstance that resonated most. “As the fog of COVID lifted, your class became a community, and I think many of you believe that you have all made friends here that you will treasure for the rest of your life,” Abbate continued. “You’re right!” he said.

Graduates applaud as classmates receive their diplomas.

James Meko and Maggie Whelan bring up the gifts during the offertory procession at the Concelebrated Mass for the Graduating Class.

The ability of the Class of 2024 to adapt to life at the Abbey as Third-Formers while also adapting to “a new normal” amid the challenge of a pandemic not only influenced their early experiences as Ravens but also their future beyond the Lane. In the days leading up to Commencement, it became clear that while COVID may have been the catalyst, resilience ultimately characterizes these Ravens more than most.

The idea of living holistically and as fully as possible marked their time on campus and will permanently mark their presence via a quote often attributed to the legendary Jamaican singer Bob Marley revealed during the Stone Quote Dedication Ceremony on Thursday, May 23: “Love the life you live – Live the life you love.” Later that evening at the Sixth Form Dinner, the class was reminded by Captain Julian Minondo USA ’14 that no Portsmouth Abbey experience is a solo effort. “Being part of the Abbey is an incredible privilege. A gift made possible only by the sacrifice of your support network. I would encourage you to honor that gift,” the Army Aviator emphasized.

The value of a support network in building resilience was also evident through topics addressed by student Commencement speakers Sean Brennan ’24 of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Niamh Whelan ’24 of Bristol, Rhode Island. Chosen by their classmates, Brennan and Whelan each touched upon the incredible support from fellow students when times were tough or when they were embracing and adapting to new challenges.

A captain of the cross country and track teams and the recipient of the Coach’s Award for both sports, Brennan is also well-known for his work in Portsmouth Abbey’s theatrical productions. His uplifting speech was peppered with lines from the theatrical productions he starred in. He told his classmates that, “A life worth living is a life that doesn’t go according to plan” and that he was only able to discover his true passion for performing because the Abbey community “always provided me

Graduating Head Boy and Head Girl, Robert “Bo” Howenstein and Becca Healey reveal the Stone Quote chosen by the Class of 2024. Student Commencement speaker Sean Brennan of Newburyport, Massachusetts, reminds his classmates to “live adventurously.”

Being part of the Abbey is an incredible privilege. A gift made possible only by the sacrifice of your support network. I would encourage you to honor that gift.

— army cpt julian minondo ’14

Niamh Whelan of Bristol, Rhode Island walks to the podium to deliver one of two student Commencement addresses.

A life worth living is a life that doesn’t go according to plan. — sean brennan ’24

with the most loving and supportive audience.” He also advised that the most beautiful things in life are often unplanned and that they should not despair if their path seems to veer in the opposite direction they intended. “Find reassurance in the fact that God’s plan for you will never fail, and He will never lead you in the wrong direction,” Brennan said. He also suggested that classmates watch “It’s a Wonderful Life,” dance, or find a friend to teach them to dance and to live adventurously. “If you see an opportunity for adventure, don’t let that opportunity slip through your fingers,” he stated.

Whelan, a day student from Bristol, Rhode Island, excelled as a three-sport athlete in soccer, squash, and track, was captain of both the soccer and track teams and a member of the School’s Model United Nations program. She spoke to her classmates about the value of learning to fail, citing a fall in a hurdles race as a lesson-builder. Several days after her fall, embarrassed by her public reaction, Whelan sought advice from her coach, who told her something she did not want to hear. She learned that she might fall again because

“the more I committed to running fast and winning that race, the higher the chance I had of falling,” she said. “It was hard for me to view failure, the root of so many of our insecurities and fears, as a necessary quality to success, but it is.”

Echoing the words of her classmate, Brennan, Whelan also commented on the support she received from the Portsmouth Abbey community, especially her twin sister Maggie, a fellow graduate. She ended

Katya Skinner, Piper Torrey and Bella No sing with Schola during the Commencement ceremony.

Baily Howell and Sean Oh lead their rows of classmates in singing the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

her address by telling classmates that she hoped they would take their diplomas, knowing that life beyond high school would have many hurdles. “And sorry to tell you, we all will fall a couple of times. But, thanks to Portsmouth Abbey, we know how to get back up, take another leap, and be better for it.”

The Commencement Address was given by the Honorable Ronald K. Machtley, who retired in 2020 after serving as the President of Bryant University for 24 years. A United States Naval Academy graduate and former United States Congressman, Machtley remarked that as graduates of a school “where intellect and heart grow together,” the Class of 2024 was needed in the world. He asked them to always remember two simple words to reinforce their educational experience: What and Who.

Machtley said that what students will be may change as they continue past the first chapter of their lives. Who they will be will also change, but the foundation has been laid through their experiences at Portsmouth Abbey. Still, he advised, it needs to be nurtured every day. “You will find in life that there is often a conflicting struggle for developing both what you want to be and who you

You will find in life that there is often a conflicting struggle for developing both what you want to be and who you want to be – but it is often in that crucible of conflict when great leaders are made and great success and happiness are found.

— the honorable ronald k. machtley

Dean of Student Life Paula Walter pins a boutonnière on Maxwell Osei-Assibey.

Zhuoran “Victor” Xu of Shanghai, China, receives his diploma from Head of School Matt Walter.

Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty Aileen Baker announces the conclusion of the degree awarding.

The Honorable Ronald K. Machtley addresses the Class of 2024.

want to be – but it is often in that crucible of conflict when great leaders are made and great success and happiness are found,” he said. “If you continue to read, reflect, and work on this odyssey of life which God has given you...you can succeed. I, your parents, Abbey teachers and the world look forward to discovering what you become and who you become.”

Ninety-four degrees were conferred to students from the Portsmouth Abbey Class of 2024, who secured acceptances from 213 different colleges and universities, representing 34 states and six countries. One student will matriculate into the United States Naval Academy, and two students earned ROTC scholarships. Twenty-one student-athletes were recruited to play collegiate athletics. While their future is still somewhat unpredictable, there is no doubt that they are better prepared than most to embrace conflict and adapt to change.

for

Fifth and Sixth Form years.

Grace Connaughton, Sofia Capone and Carrie Cahill are all smiles as they exit the tent.

Dr. Stephen Zins congratulates (R-L) Robert “Bo” Howenstein, Angus Oliveira and Slade Crouse.

Joe Verderber ’23 and Lucy Verderber ’24. Nessa McDermott with her parents, Gene and Bronwyn McDermott. She received The Excellence in Scholarship Award for having the highest cumulative academic average

her

Daniella Gassó, Rebecca Li and Alina Wang with Rev. Edward Mazuski, O.S.B.

Class of 2024 DESTINATIONS

American University

Appalachian State University

Assumption University

Babson College**

Bates College

Bentley University

Boston College**

Boston University***

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross****

Concordia University

Dartmouth College

Denison University

Dickinson College

Elon University

Emory University

Fairfield University**

Furman University

George Washington University

Georgetown University****

Gettysburg College

Hamilton College**

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hood College

94

GRADUATES

REPRESENTING 16 STATES AND NINE NATIONS WERE ACCEPTED TO

DIFFERENT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD

23 ARE R.I. RESIDENTS

Ibero-American University

Johns Hopkins University

Lake Forest College

Lehigh University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Miami University-Oxford

Nazareth College

New York University

Northeastern University**

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Providence College

Purdue University

Queen’s University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute**

Rhode Island College

Rhode Island School of Design

Roger Williams University**

Sacred Heart University**

Saint Louis University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall University

Southern Methodist University

Springfield College

SUNY Buffalo State

The University of Texas at Austin

Trinity College Dublin**

Tufts University

United States Naval Academy

University of Arizona

University of Delaware

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Mississippi

University of Pennsylvania

University of Rochester**

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of St Andrews

University of Utah

University of Virginia

Utica College

Villanova University

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wesleyan University

Williams College

*Denotes number of students attending

2

SETS OF TWINS

19

LEGACY GRADUATES

TWO GRADUATES ARE THE 21ST AND 22ND IN THEIR FAMILY LINE TO GRADUATE FROM PORTSMOUTH

MATRICULATED TO 11 DIFFERENT CATHOLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

10 +

21

WERE RECRUITED TO PLAY COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

ONE MATRICULATED TO A U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY

TWO RECEIVED FULL ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS

12

COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAMS AND INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS

ABBEY news and notes Worthy

Indeed

Celebrating the Ordination of Brother Benedict Maria, O.S.B.,

to the Sacred Order of Deacons

On Friday, May 3, members of the monastic and School communities joyously bore witness as the Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence and Archbishop-elect of Boston, ordained Brother Benedict Maria, O.S.B., to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Abbot Michael Brunner of Portsmouth Abbey and Abbot Gregory Mohrman of St. Louis Abbey assisted Bishop Henning.

Beginning his novitiate at St. Louis Abbey, Brother Benedict continued at Portsmouth Abbey, where he made his Solemn Profession in November of 2021. He studied philosophy at Holy Apostles College & Seminary

ABOVE: Brother Benedict Maria, O.S.B., lies at the foot of the altar as he is ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

LEFT: Bishop Henning blesses the newly ordained Brother Benedict Maria, O.S.B.

and is taking theology courses at the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Palm Beach County, Florida. The diaconate is the final step to priestly ordination after one more year of studies.

“You become today an oblation. You are not just offering your service to God: you are offering the entirety of yourself,” Bishop Henning declared at the start of his homily midway through the Ordination Mass.

The love for Brother Benedict was evident through the presence of many students, staff and faculty from all departments on campus. Parents, members of the Board of Directors, oblates and friends of the Abbey from near and far—from down the

street and up and down the coast also attended. Brother Benedict’s parents, Anthony and Geetha Maria, and his sister, Priscilla, made the long trek from India for their second visit to Aquidneck Island. Many personal friends made lengthy trips to share in the special day.

When the time came in the Mass for the Abbot to respond to the question beginning the ordination rite—“Do you know him to be worthy?” —Abbot Michael’s voice was as clear as the St. David bell, which pealed from the rooftop during Mass: “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with his formation, I testify that he has been found worthy.”

A Sacred Milestone

The Portsmouth Abbey community witnessed the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St. Gregory the Great on Sunday, May 12, a celebration marked with solemnity and joy.

Twenty-eight students, the largest cohort to date, stepped forward to affirm their faith, embrace their calling within the Catholic community and be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

ABOVE: Finn Gibbons ’24 (foreground) and John Paul Devaney ’25 prepare to receive communion from Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B.

RIGHT: Bishop Henning confirms Gabriel Devaney ’25 as he stands with his sponsor, Thomas O’Hara ’24.

Students take to the stage during the production of “Curtains,” a murder-mystery musical.

From Little Rhody to the Big Apple, Students Showcased Their Talent in Music and Murder Mystery Mayhem

Whodunits and a trip to perform in “Walk the Light” at Carnegie Hall were among the many highlights on campus this spring, proving that the performing arts are, in fact, alive and well in Portsmouth.

The Abbey Players delighted audience membersturned-sleuths with two witty and action-packed productions: “Curtains,” a delightful murder-mystery musical from the creators of “Cabaret” and “Chicago,” and the hilarious play, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” “Curtains” brought those in attendance back to the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 when the leading lady of a new musical mysteriously expires on stage. Instant suspects, the cast and crew are sequestered in Boston’s Colonial Theatre by a local detective who is also a musical theatre fan.

Packed with glorious tunes and a witty, charming script filled with delightful characters, “Curtains” proved to be a heartwarming production brought to life through

superb performances, an artful set, a live orchestra and fabulous costumes.

In “The Play that Goes Wrong,” opening night was also pivotal for Abbey Players-turned-members of the Cornley Drama Society as they “tried” to produce “Murder at Haversham Manor.” Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, the whodunit set in the 1920s had everything never wanted in a show—an unconscious lead, a corpse that couldn’t play dead and actors that tripped over everything, including their lines. Against all odds and with support from a laughing audience, the actors made it through to their final curtain call.

The fall promises even more comedy with the production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in November.

An unconscious lead was just one of the many mishaps during the spring production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

Abbey Musicians also contributed to school productions and performed at Veterans Memorial Hall in Providence and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Four students were accepted into the Rhode Island All-State Music Festival and performed in chorus, band and orchestra concerts in March. Sophia Wehrs ’27 and Nate Lee ’24 were vocalists in the junior and senior choruses, respectively, and Jennifer Rui ’25 played in the senior band. Jennifer Shon ’25 was promoted to orchestra concertmaster and performed at the senior level.

Eighteen students performed on the world stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Under the direction of Michael Carnaroli, director of music, the Abbey Singers were invited to perform in the National Concert Chorus “Walk in the Light” by National Concerts, a company that arranges groups from schools across the country to sing in performances with well-known conductors and composers.

The Sixth- and Fifth-Form students were rostered in the fall of 2023 and learned five challenging pieces of spiritual music, including “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” by Johannes Brahms. They performed alongside Tracy Wong, composer-in-residence at Carnegie Hall, and co-conductors Marques L.A.

Garrett, artistic director of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus, and Tom Trenney, assistant professor of music and conductor of choirs at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

“I am incredibly proud of our music department for consistently reaching for excellence through our dedication to learning and performing challenging repertoire at a very high level. Our Abbey musicians earned this memorable opportunity through their hard work and commitment,” Carnaroli said.

Students pose for a group photo before going inside Carnegie Hall for their performance.

Eighteen Portsmouth Abbey students performed at Carnegie Hall in the National Concert Chorus “Walk in the Light.”

Science Fairs and Spoken Word Mark a Memorable Year for Jennifer Shon ’25

Most students find their Fifth-Form year hard to forget.

Add in national appearances, awards, and accolades, and it becomes impossible for Jimin “Jennifer” Shon ’25.

In addition to being named orchestra concertmaster during the Rhode Island All-State Music Festival, this year Shon took home the “Best in Fair” title at the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair. She also won the state’s Poetry Out Loud Competition and a national prize for her original poem, ”My Hanbando.”

This was the fifth consecutive year an Abbey student won the science title, earning a scholarship and funds for the School. Shon also earned the American Chemical Society Rhode Island Chapter award for an outstanding Chemistry-related project and the Jackson Memorial Award for the most outstanding project in the Biological Sciences.

Her research on the “Effect of alloferon on the Survival Rate and Flight Performance of Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera)” grew from childhood beekeeping experiences and her fascination with bees, their social hierarchy, cognitive ability and language. Alarmed by current research showing a decline in the honey bee population by up to 50 percent—due to poor nutrition, pesticides, climate change, and varroa mites—she chose her project to help enhance the survival and locomotion of honey bees, as well as their flying activity by feeding them alloferon—an insect-derived peptide with known immunological effects.

After attaining a list of 13,000 RNA sequences, Shon found that alloferon-fed honey bees had a survival rate increase of more than 50 percent, mainly due to locomotive behavior. To verify her research, Shon

conducted her own experiment using RT-qPCR to test honey bee flight performance using a flight mill, in addition to conducting SEM analysis. She found the muscle fiber counts of alloferon-fed bees had increased.

“I was jumping out of my chair when I finally analyzed all the data, which was like piecing jigsaw puzzles, and it seemed like the overexpression of locomotion-related genes was the reason behind the increase in both the survival rate and activity of the bees that were fed alloferon,” Shon said. She traveled to Los

Jennifer Shon ’25 visits an apiculture facility a few miles outside of Portsmouth.

Angeles in May to represent Rhode Island at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.

Switching from science to the spoken word, Shon ’25 also competed nationally in May after winning the Rhode Island Poetry Out Loud competition earlier in the spring. In the first round of the state competition, Shon recited two poems: “Golden Retrievals” by Mark Doty and “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. She was one of five students to go on to the second round, where she recited “Say Grace” by Emily Jungmin Yoon. After careful deliberation by the three judges, Shon emerged as the competition winner. She was

Shon represented Portsmouth Abbey School in Washington D.C. during the 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Finals competition, winning for her original spoken word poem “My Hanbando.”

awarded a $200 prize, and Portsmouth Abbey School received $500 to purchase poetry books for the St. Thomas More Library.

She went on to compete with 50 students from around the United States at the 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. Poetry Out Loud offers an additional competition for original student work for the 2024 National Finals. Each 2024 state champion could submit one original work of written or spoken poetry. Shon won the national competition for her spoken word poem “My Hanbando.” Her entry is viewable through the National Endowment for the Arts at: https://www.youtube.comwatch?v=3lIexoyGR-0. Shon ended her year with multiple awards at Prize Day, including the Maura B. and Robert W. Morey Prize presented to an outstanding Fifth-Form English student in recognition of superior performance, with particular attention to proficiency in written expression, and the Public Speaking award.

New Head Boy and Head Girl

Want to Give Back and Embrace School Spirit

Classmates elected Sixth-Form students Lila Bragan and Andrew Thibeault as Head Girl and Head Boy. They have already taken to their roles and are excited to lead the student body further this year. Both cited a desire to give back and embrace School spirit as reasons to serve in this capacity.

“I ran for Head Boy because I wanted to help give back to the School that has given so much to me in such an abbreviated time. Portsmouth Abbey is an incredible place and I want everyone to feel this way,” said Thibeault, a transfer student and three-sport athlete in varsity football, basketball and lacrosse. In his spare time, he participates in film club, goes to the gym, hangs out with friends, plays Spikeball, or goes to the Student Center for a game of ping pong.1

Andrew Thibeault ’25

New Head Boy and Head Girl (continued)

“I enjoyed planning the Friday assembly games last year, and I was looking for ways to continue to bring the community together,” added Bragan. “The community and the love students have for learning makes the Abbey stand out from other schools. I love how day students have their own space within the dorms, so there is no divide between them and borders. I love the Abbey, and it is certainly bittersweet to be going into my final year,” she said. Bragan plays varsity volleyball in the fall and softball in the spring. She is active in the Winter Musical and dances competitively outside Portsmouth Abbey.

Bragan and Thibeault are day students, which has fueled their desire to build new traditions and bring back older ones, such as “Raven of the Month.” Bragan hopes to unite students through friendly competitions that encourage students to “hang out with their whole Form.” Thibeault also wants to leave a legacy that includes new traditions that will be remembered for years. “From the second you step foot on campus, you can tell how much everyone cares about student success. I absolutely love it here, and transferring has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Through my new leadership role, I hope I can give everybody the best possible experience they can have at the Abbey.”

An Ecology of Ambition

Enyu “Alaina” Zhang ’25 is known for her commitment to excellence in all aspects of her education.

Her adventures this summer as a student at Stanford University’s Humanitas Institute, a U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize competitor in Denver, and an intern at Brown University’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (DEEPS) support her vision to study environmental science and its greater impact at the college level.

In June, Zhang attended a three-week residential program offered by Stanford University’s Summer Humanitas Institute for rising high school juniors and seniors. The program, led by Stanford professors, aims to empower students to better understand the world through exploring the humanities, includ-

ing politics, literature, and philosophy. Zhang said she most enjoyed “exploring philosophies of human happiness and living a happy life.”

As featured in the “Winter Bulletin 2024” Zhang and her fellow students in the Green Chemistry class at Portsmouth Abbey researched, constructed, and deployed a sugar kelp farm in Narragansett Bay. This led her to pursue an internship at Brown, where the team at DEEPS focuses on climate change models and has established a major climate change monitoring hub in New England. In July, she began working on a hypoxia and nutrients-related project to help create a monitoring system and adaptable policies for Narragansett Bay.

Lila Bragan ’25

“This internship will continue until I graduate from high school. The lab group I’m working with at Brown is brilliant and welcoming! I’ve been able to get a glimpse into real-life research because of them,” Zhang said. “During my internship, I started building a more advanced model for the sugar kelp project, which I presented at the National Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Colorado.”

The U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) was founded in 1997 and is the world’s most prestigious award presented to a high school student for a water research project. The competition attracts tens of thousands of entries from students aged 15-20 from approximately 35 countries who have developed research projects to help solve major water challenges. Although different from a traditional science fair with multiple areas of study, Zhang commented the Stockholm Prize focuses on environmental science, ensuring all state finalists share a passion for the water environment. She represented Rhode Island at the National competition in Denver. Zhang said the trip was the favorite highlight of her busy summer. “I’ve made many friends who are intellectual, innovative and share my interest in the environment.

We’ve gone hiking, watched sunrises, hung out for food, and worked hard together in a brief period, forming friendships and relationships that could last a lifetime.”

Her experiences over the summer months confirmed Zhang’s commitment to studying environmental science in college, specifically exploring how it connects to real-life opportunities and changes. After the Stanford experience, Zhang has also gained new interests in pursuing philosophy and East Asian studies after establishing herself in the field of environmental science.

The state finalists for the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

Enyu “Alaina” Zhang ’25 with faculty member Susan McCarthy during the deployment of a sugar kelp farm in Narragansett Bay.

Meet Our Newest Ravens

STATES AND COUNTRIES REPRESENTED WHO THEY ARE STATES COUNTRIES

NEW STUDENTS

The Class of 2027 meeting for the first time at the Opening of School student reception in 2023.

Our Fondest Farewells

As Portsmouth Abbey bids farewell

to some of its most cherished educators, we celebrate the remarkable careers and contributions of three retiring teachers. Their dedication to teaching, leadership and service has profoundly shaped our School and leaves an enduring legacy. As they retire, we honor their journeys and the lasting impressions they have made on the lives of countless students and colleagues. We pay tribute to their distinguished careers and their invaluable roles in the Portsmouth Abbey community. 1

ABOVE: Olen Kalkus and Joe DiBiase coaching girls JV soccer.

Joe DiBiase – MATHEMATICS

by nick micheletti ’04

Although Joe DiBiase had already put in more hours than most teachers do in their careers prior to his appointment at Portsmouth Abbey School, he arrived fully committed to the numerous responsibilities required of boarding school life. After a long, distinguished career as a boarding school teacher, the last six of which were spent at the Abbey, he was ready to retire.

Whether in the classroom teaching Geometry Honors, AP Statistics and AP Calculus, coaching girls varsity basketball and JV soccer or boys JV basketball, serving as a houseparent in St. Leonard’s or simply at the dinner table in the cafeteria sharing a meal, students, faculty and staff have benefitted from DiBiase’s wisdom and experience.

Always showing genuine care for his students and their growth, he lives out the belief that each and every student can overcome all obstacles to learning. He almost never ceases to think of ways to help learners learn more deeply and independently. A collector of books on the science of learning and the history of education, he will never let go of any of these tomes. While most of them would gather dust on the shelves of other teachers and administrators, DiBiase has relentlessly taken in what they have to offer, seeking better understanding of professional educators’ best methods and tactics. He has, over many long conversations, expanded colleagues’ viewpoints on the craft of teaching. When he writes his own book, it will be based on years of committed service and the wisdom that comes with trying anything and everything to teach kids how to learn, an endeavor he was ultimately successful at accomplishing during his career.

OLEN AND KIMBERLY KALKUS

Kimberly and Olen Kalkus are also retiring this year after distinguished careers in education. Their presence and contributions have significantly enriched our School community. The Kalkus love story began when they met during their first tenure at Portsmouth Abbey in the late 1980s. It has come full circle as they concluded their careers where they created a life together. They have three children and two grandchildren whom they look forward to spending more time with.

Joe DiBiase with the JVB basketball team and fellow coach Ryan Walker.

Kimberly and Olen Kalkus during their early years at Portsmouth Abbey.

Kimberly Kalkus – MODERN LANGUAGE

With a career spanning 33 years in education. Kimberly Kalkus’s journey at Portsmouth Abbey began in the late 1980s. The School welcomed her back for a second time in 2021, and she made the decision to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.

Her passion for the Spanish language and dedication to her students have left an indelible mark on the Portsmouth community. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature from U.N.H. Plymouth and a master’s from S.U.N.Y. Binghamton, Kalkus enriched her teaching with extensive studies in Madrid and Salamanca, Spain. Her career took her to various corners of the world, including Colorado, New Jersey, Miami, and even the Czech Republic, where she inspired students to explore and appreciate the Spanish language.

Through her innovative methods, her students have experienced the thrill of learning Spanish, from language acquisition to engaging with Spanish literature and improvisational theater. Her enthusiasm for Spanish art, music, and culture has ignited a similar passion in her students, making language learning a vibrant and joyful experience.

Her love for teaching extended beyond the classroom. She also served as the head houseparent in St. Benet’s, sharing her interests and hobbies in ways that have contributed significantly to student and community life.

Her enjoyment of cooking, reading, paddle boarding, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, gardening, community outreach and choral singing has influenced her holistic approach to education.

Olen Kalkus – MODERN LANGUAGE

Olen Kalkus’s return to Portsmouth Abbey in 2021 marked the continuation of a remarkable career dedicated to education, language, and leadership, culminating in his role as a Spanish teacher during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Serving as the dean of students in the 1980s, he also taught Spanish and psychology and coached tennis and soccer. His passion for education and student development was evident early on and has remained a cornerstone of his professional life. Throughout his 48 years in independent education, he dedicated eight to Portsmouth Abbey, significantly enriching the School’s academic and extracurricular programs. His enthusiasm for coaching boys tennis this past year exemplifies his commitment to student engagement and mentorship.

Before his most recent tenure on campus, Kalkus demonstrated exemplary leadership as headmaster at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida, for seven years and at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, New Jersey, for sixteen years. His commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic development has left a lasting legacy at each institution he has served.

His academic credentials are a testament to his dedication to lifelong learning. He holds a B.A. from Colby College, majoring in Government and Spanish, an M.A. in Human Development from Salve Regina University, an M.Ed. in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Columbia University, and a Certificate in Spanish Literature and Philology from the Universidad de Salamanca, Spain. Notably, he completed all his graduate work while working full-time, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to professional growth and development.

His multifaceted experience includes teaching in Spain, serving as a coach and instructor at Salve Regina University and volunteering with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Residing in St. Benet’s House with his wife, Kimberly, he helped create a nurturing environment for students and staff alike.

Oxford: There and Here

By Katie Zins, Ph.D. ’04

“And that sweet city with her dreaming spires!”

So wrote the 19th-century poet Matthew Arnold in his poem “Thrysis” about Oxford.

This oft repeated, though peculiar, epithet speaks to the city’s soaring profile, where spires and pinnacles top buildings both secular and religious, both old and new. Originally a staple of medieval church architecture, the tall and pointed spire was the cake topper stretching the astonishing height of the cathedral closer to the heavens. Yet the Gothic cathedral is no Tower of Babel. And so, the spire is not a display of human ambition, but an architectural animation of the human yearning for unity with the divine. Drawing the eyes of pedestrians upward in wonder, the spire declares the telos of the church building and human being alike. Inside the cathedral, the floating, light-filled interior presents a vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem, preparing the worshipper for a transformative encounter with Christ through the liturgy.

But what is a “dreaming” spire? “Dream” is a word with many dimensions. Essentially, to dream is to transcend the here and now—whether to visualize an aspiration, to enter an imaginative stage of unconsciousness, or to receive a mystical revelation. A dream is a mode of vision, often centered around

an image, either mentally formed or supernaturally inspired. So how might Oxford, with her “dreaming spires,” invite us to participate in a deeper dimension of reality? This is the question that filled my mind during my first visit to Oxford, where I accompanied a group of eighteen Portsmouth Abbey students last summer.

The backdrop to our adventure in Oxford was our daily discussion of Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel, “Brideshead Revisited.” The story begins at the University of Oxford, where the main character Charles Ryder befriends the wealthy and cultured Sebastian Marchmain. This friendship unlocks for Charles a “low door in the wall…which opened on an enclosed and enchanted garden.” Sebastian invites him to Brideshead (the grand Marchmain estate) to a life of leisure where art, beauty and good wine abound. On a terrace overlooking the lakes, with a “glittering” Italian fountain—Charles is awakened to a “new-found” sense of beauty, which surges like a “life-giving spring” and inspires his painting career. Yet, without the Catholic faith of the Marchmains, without a higher truth to ground his experience in love and beauty, Charles soon rejects this enchanted world

Summer 2023 Oxford Participants. FRONT ROW L-R: Patrick Forbes ’25, Alvaro Cabezut ’25, Kale Zelden and Katie Zins

MIDDLE ROW L-R: Allison Miller ’25, Lila Bragan ’25, Hannah Zelden ’25, Helena Cerutti ’24, Summer Magriby ’25, Fr. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B. (St. Louis Abbey)

BACK ROW L-R: Mirna Decker ’25, Daniella Gassó ’24, Sadie Polgar ’24, John Blake ’25, Tommy O’Hara ’24

that he first sought at Oxford. When Charles revisits the abandoned Brideshead estate years after his estrangement from the Marchmains, he is drawn to the chapel, where the “small red flame” of a copper lamp, extinguished long ago, was “burning anew among the old stones” before the tabernacle. This flickering light is the final image of everlasting grace that gives hope to the otherwise tragedy of Charles’ life.

Our close reading of Waugh’s novel in the mornings primed our eyes for exploration on foot in the afternoons. In the Ashmolean Museum, we marveled at the dazzling reliquary casket of Thomas Becket, whose shrine was the destination of pilgrims in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”. At a sacred music concert in Exeter Chapel, time seemed

unhurried as the setting sun filtered through the stained glass, slowly down the mosaic walls. All around, the well-trodden paths recalled how this place sparked and stirred those who came before—Addison’s Walk, where conversations with J.R.R. Tolkien about myth planted the seeds for C.S. Lewis’ conversion; the treacle well at Binsey that reappears in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Our longest walk led us into the countryside, where the quiet village church of St. Margaret’s awaited. Inside, an Abbey student played on the idle piano and others signed their names in the guest book, accepting the invitation to participate in a long line of pilgrims stretching back to the 13th century. Finally, a more strenuous ascent up 127 steps of the tower of University Church presented us, quite literally, with a new perspective, a view of the whole.

Ashmolean Museum of Art.

The 2024 Oxford Participants.

BELOW: Tessa Reid ’26, Kate Conway ’26, and Charlotte Spencer ’26 observe Oxford from the tower of University Church.

Indeed, our journey followed a robust itinerary, but the pilgrimage is never merely a tourist’s to-do list. In his essay “Leisure” (read by all Fourth-Form students in the Humanities course), the German philosopher Josef Pieper speaks about a contemplative vision of reality that differs from the mechanistic way of knowing that dominates our technological age. One is a receptive attitude, open to beholding the wholeness of creation as it is revealed; the other is a calculating effort, imposing the rational self upon the world. John Henry Newman calls the former a poetic disposition, rooted in the Benedictine tradition, which positions us “at the feet” of creation, “that we should feel them to be above and beyond us, that we should look up to them.” Through this lens, the created world becomes “not the thing itself,” as Lewis writes, “but only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” In our affirmation of the present, we are offered a glimpse into the beyond.

Back in Portsmouth, the memory of Oxford calls us to see the familiar in a new light, to see Oxford there and here. Stained glass roundels in the Stillman Dining hall, wooden paneling in the Linenfold Room, a rounded library with medieval treasures on display. Even wooded paths and expansive views. In the Church of St. Gregory the Great, the flame rekindled at the end of Brideshead glows through the skylight onto the altar, held up by the old stones of the foundation. The light assumes visible form in the wiry rays of Richard Lippold’s sculpture of the levitating cross. The image evokes the Psalmist’s words that compose Oxford’s motto, sculpted on doorways and inscribed in books throughout the city: Dominus illuminatio mea (“God is my light”).

The cross radiates purpose and meaning onto the daily rhythm of Abbey life, where the Benedictine love of learning is yoked to a desire for God. The church stands elevated above the east end of the Holy Lawn, while other buildings—classrooms, student Houses, dining hall, gym—surround the sacred ground of church and lawn. This conception of campus architecture as a coherent whole,

organized around a grassy quadrangle, first appeared at the University of Oxford in the 14th century and remains the blueprint for the modern college campus. But this architectural plan finds its true origins in the monastery, an apt model for the early university, which envisioned itself as a community devoted to study and worship. At Portsmouth Abbey, where monastery meets school, this tradition is living, in the way our buildings are designed and the way we are called to live. St. Benedict begins the Rule with the exhortation to “listen carefully…and incline the ear of your heart.” Though St. Benedict directs his command to the monk so that he might obey the words of the abbot, this listening posture is the disposition of attentiveness that governs us in all spaces on campus.

Even amid the rush of a typical academic day, the bells can be heard by those who listen. Even at a distance from the church, something lofty and “dreaming” draws our eyes upward: the spire beckons. 1

Editor’s Note:

Dr. Zins returned to Oxford with 16 students and colleagues

Lauren Revay, Father Edward Mazuski O.S.B and Kale Zelden in July 2024. The Oxford Program is sponsored by The Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture.

A Conversation About Humanities with Dr. Katie Zins ’04

Born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island, Dr. Katie Zins graduated from Portsmouth Abbey in 2004. She received a B.A. in Art History, French, and Classics from the University of Rhode Island in 2008. Attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of art history, she earned her M.A. and Ph.D. at Penn State University. Her graduate work focused on Italian art from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Combining her interests in mendicant patronage, hagiography, and fresco painting, her doctoral dissertation explores how the Order of Augustinian Hermits represented their self-proclaimed founder, St. Augustine, in images from 14th- and 15th-century Italy. Supported by several grants and fellowships, her research brought her to libraries, churches and museums across central and northern Italy. Her extensive travels have fostered an ever-growing love for all things Italian – the food, art, landscape, history and culture.

In 2016 Zins returned to Portsmouth Abbey to teach Humanities and Latin. She is now taking the helm as Chair of Humanities. Dr. Gary Sheppard, history teacher sat down with her to learn a bit more about her thoughts on the program and on being the first graduate to hold the position.

GS: Can you tell us briefly about what inspired you to build a career in education?

KZ: My desire to be a teacher grew from my love for the classroom experience. My grandfather, though he was never able to finish high school, somehow recognized education as one of life’s great blessings and he preached this to our family. So, from an early age, I had this sense that school was not merely an obligation but a gift. I was doubly blessed to have inspiring teachers, starting here at the Abbey, where I learned that a good education could shape not just a career but a life. Teaching allows me to remain a lifelong student at heart in fact, such a calling requires it. I am constantly learning — from the books we read and discussions with my students, colleagues, and the monks. Second, through teaching, I am able to give back some of the gifts that I received through my own education. It’s a different gift a privilege to witness our students’ growth in the classroom.

GS: Many recent alumni (and some parents) speak of Humanities with a peculiar mixture of sentiments. There is an acknowledgment of great difficulty, yet also great appreciation. For many, it was their favorite academic course at the Abbey. There’s also a sense of pride around it. Can you explain why this course elicits such intense emotions?

KZ: The Humanities course is one of the great shared experiences at the Abbey. Right away, the Form IV students feel like they are entering into something bigger than themselves and that this experience can be transformative if they are open to it. (The fact that four of our six Humanities teachers are alumni is a powerful reminder of this.)

The pilgrimage is one of the themes of the Humanities course (we start the year by reading about Dante’s trek through Hell in the “Inferno”) and pilgrimage is an apt metaphor for the student experience. It is a (often communal) journey that, though difficult at times, leads to a deeper under-

standing of ourselves and the world around us, a reward that comes from embracing the process on the way to the final destination. On the first day of class, the students are often astonished at the extended reading list on the syllabus. And yes, it comes with some difficulty. They are reading some of the greatest works of Western literature, philosophy, theology, and history. Many other schools think that Fourth-Formers cannot read these great books, but we witness what they are capable of year after year. They are animated by the reality that these texts written across 2,000 years all speak to who they are as humans in the present.

The course also fosters a sense of community since the students in each cohort are together for two blocks in their schedule, and the course is grounded in a discussion-based format. By the course’s end, students feel a sense of accomplishment after reading such a long and impressive list of books. Still, the real accomplishment is that they have developed reading, thinking and writing habits that they will carry beyond the Humanities classroom. I think for some students, their genuine appreciation for the Humanities doesn’t really begin until after they leave our classroom, once they realize they’ve formed a framework through which to engage with other courses in various disciplines. So, it’s this combination of challenge, reward and community that gives students a sense of pride.

GS: Your article did a great job of exploring the features of Oxford that appear in some format on the Abbey campus as well. What does a student bring back from the Oxford experience? How has their formation changed?

KZ: Traveling to a new place should always be eye-opening because we see the unfamiliar for the first time. The Oxford trip brings to life the disciplines at the heart of Humanities— literature, history, philosophy and theology in a way that only traveling can. It is one thing to learn about medieval theology in a classroom and quite another to sit in the choir stalls at Westminster Abbey during Evensong. Through an extraordinary itinerary, the trip encourages students to cultivate the mode of seeing that we foster in Humanities and that lies central to the Benedictine life— an

attentive openness to what lies before us, whether it is a book, artwork, piece of music, vista or new acquaintance. The trip presents wonderful opportunities for students to see connections across disciplines, eras and cultures, just as we do in the Humanities course.

My travel experiences have been some of my most memorable and moving educational experiences. My first trip abroad, which brought me to the island of Rhodes in Greece when I was nineteen, sparked a particular joy I had not felt before. The joy that comes from exploring old streets, trying local food, turning a corner onto a jawdropping view and encountering artworks that I recognized from a book or screen. Fortunately, my studies later allowed me to live in France and Italy, where I traveled extensively in graduate school. My idea of fun is a long walk through a foreign city that culminates in a magnificent view or a glorious church. And then enjoying the cooking and hospitality of a local. This is a true form of celebration. It is my hope that the Oxford trip sparks something similar in our students — that it inspires their love for learning and allows them to see the liberal arts as something living and transformative.

GS: What do you see as the role of the Humanities in approaching the tension between tradition and innovation? Is there a balance to be struck?

Is it more complex than that?

KZ: Our department (and School) believes in the power of the great books of the past to speak to us in the present on the universal question of what it means to be human. Today, as many schools move their focus away from the Western intellectual tradition, we are innovative in that we still uphold the value of a classical education. From its origins, Humanities is unique in its grounding in primary sources for each discipline of literature, theology and history. The beauty of these great texts is that, despite being written centuries ago, they lend themselves to relevant discussions about the challenges we (and even more specifically, teenagers) face in the modern age. Just look at St. Augustine’s thoughts on what makes a good friend, Blaise Pascal on our addiction to diversions, or Josef Pieper on the modern obsession

A Conversation with Dr. Katie Zins ’04 (continued)

with work. Though the particulars of class discussions may evolve from year to year, the texts remain fruitful fodder for meaningful conversation. We believe that close engagement with these texts develops the critical thinking and writing skills that will help students become intelligent, reflective and compassionate humans, even in a rapidly changing world.

GS: What are your primary goals and vision for the Humanities department under your leadership?

KZ: As an alumna of the course, I can attest to the value of the Humanities model, with its focus on close reading and intensive writing. As a teacher in the department for the last eight years, I am even more certain of its value as we enter an age where teenagers are reading fewer books (even in school), and ChatGPT threatens the development of writing skills. I hope to navigate these challenges through a continued commitment to the building blocks of this course.

Furthermore, I hope to enrich the interdisciplinary scope of Humanities by drawing on the rich backgrounds of our faculty and collaborating with other departments. Our group of Humanities teachers has an exciting range of educational specialties, including literature, philosophy, history, art history and classics. I think these conversations within and outside the department will also clarify the place of Humanities within the School’s larger curriculum and its contribution to the overall growth of students during their four years here.

GS: Who have been your biggest mentors and supporters throughout your career? What advice would you give to students who are passionate about pursuing the study of the Humanities at the collegiate level but are unsure about their career prospects?

KZ: My graduate advisor at Penn State, the late Brian Curran, exuded an excitement for his subject that was

contagious to everyone, whether or not they knew anything about art. He was a reminder that amid the toil of the everyday, there should be joy and a sense of discovery at the center of the classroom. What’s more, in addition to being an excellent scholar, he cared deeply about his students, even amid unimaginable physical challenges at the end of his life. His constant encouragement and support were instrumental for doctoral students navigating a long and sometimes uncertain academic path. He remains, for me, an inspiring example of a teacher whose love for his students was at the heart of his craft.

When I came back to the Abbey to teach, I entered a new role in a familiar place, full of people who already knew and supported me, former teachers and classmates now turned colleagues. It was the ideal place to begin my high school teaching career. I already knew what I admired about my favorite teachers from my student experience, but I now appreciated them as role models in a new sense. Their example taught me how to live out our mission to guide students in both knowledge and grace and the importance of humility to the success of these efforts.

As far as pursuing the Humanities beyond high school, Josef Pieper reminds us that the English word for “school” comes from the Greek word scola, which means “leisure”— that which gives meaning to life and ought to be the end of work. In the true sense of the word, then, schools should aim to develop the whole human person, not just our productive capacity. The liberal arts certainly work toward this end. At the same time, Pieper recognizes the necessity of practical concerns for human flourishing. In this regard, the Humanities develops skills in critical thinking, writing, and oral expression that lend themselves to any career.

The Power

of Planning

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

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.

Beneficiary Designations

Name Portsmouth Abbey School as a beneficiary 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.

House Society

The 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.

Student Center Vision Becomes Realit y

By Gary Sheppard, Ph.D.

AND INNOVATION:

Whether you’ve recently visited or you have been away from campus for a while, there’s a familiar scene that’s so easy to imagine. It’s early evening and the clamor of the afternoon has settled to a welcome contemplative hush. You go for a walk to feel the zephyrean breeze on your skin and to hear that crisp autumnal whisper of windblown leaves rustling across the ground. Perhaps you find yourself standing at the bottom of the quad between St. Brigid’s and St. Martin’s, dubbed RavensQuad during Covid, facing east, your back to the Bay, scanning up the hill toward campus. Turn left, and you see the glory of Manor House standing there for over a hundred years, its beaming brilliant white façade bathed in the soft vermilion of the setting sun, a grand Victorian residence, and the first building on campus. Its ever-adaptive interior has served a myriad of purposes over the years, currently housing the Office of Admission, student and faculty residences, as well as guest quarters. Ninety-eight years ago, Fr. Hugh Diman stood at the front porch and welcomed Portsmouth Priory’s first class of 16 students. One has a difficult time not imagining those first boys somehow sitting meditatively on that porch, taking in those sunsets evening after evening, imagining what would become of the world around them, what would become of their lives. 1

Now, shift your gaze from the oldest building on campus directly ahead, back up the gentle slope of RavensQuad, and see the newest addition to the Abbey campusscape, the Student Center. Its modern design, with extensive use of glass and contemporary materials, initially gives the impression that, among what some might deem

the more traditional examples of architecture on campus, there exists, maybe in the spirit of things, something protean, something shifting, something in a state of becoming.

But this shifting should not signal a shifting away from our history, tradition or nature. On the contrary, this

building, hopeful and aspirational yet contemplative in its design approach, draws nearer to the Abbey’s identity by way of its deft aesthetic balancing of the tension between tradition and innovation. It poses the question: how do we remain true to ourselves while continuing to dream big in a way that respectfully integrates with our environment?

Members of the larger Portsmouth Abbey community gather following Prize Day ceremonies for the dedication of the Student Center.

ABOVE: Former Board Chair W. Christopher Behnke ’81 P’12 ’15 ’19 addresses the crowd during the dedication of the new Student Center.

RIGHT: Abbot Michael Brunner O.S.B., Head Girl Rebecca Healey, Head Boy Robert “Bo” Howenstein and Head of School Matt Walter cut the ribbon opening the new Student Center.

a vision realized The story of this project began when Head of School Matt Walter P’18 ’20 and former Board Chair W. Christopher Behnke ’81 P’12 ’15 ’19 held a series of talks with the Healey and Hagerty families about how they could work together to bring a new Student Center to campus. The Healey family has always believed in the power of not just enhancing student experiences but creating spaces that inspire and transform people. Years ago, they played a pivotal role in bringing a state-of-the-art student center to Georgetown University, which has become a beloved hub of student life since opening in 2014.

Delivering remarks during the Portsmouth Abbey Student Center groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, Jeremy Healey ’91 P’22 ’24 stressed not only the

Reflections of older campus buildings appear in the windows on the terrace where students will gather to contemplate on what matters most to them.

social importance of a new Student Center on campus but also its spiritual implications. Invoking the community-oriented homilies of Saint Bede the Venerable, he said, “Every moment of openness is also a hazard, both a risk and an act of faith. To take that risk, it helps if our students have a dedicated space – a domuncula – a place set aside to share the things they love the most, in the same way that Philip could barely wait to offer the gift of faith to Nathanael.”

Conceived as both a “student porch” and a modern interpretation of the singlestory community wigwams built by the Algonquin-speaking Narragansett people, the 8,000-square-foot Student Center was completed in May 2024. The building boasts a central, double-sided fireplace, a new Tuck Shop with a full service grill, and multi-modal common spaces for study, meetings, dances and casual socializing. The expansive, covered terrace offers one of the best views of Narragansett Bay from anywhere in Rhode Island.

The new Student Center sits on the site of the former St. Bede’s. Students from the Classes of 2012-2014 in front of the former St. Bede’s. Pictured are: Michael Sheerin ’13, faculty member Ryan Dolan, Frank Padula ’13, Kevin Jantz ’14, Andrew Lowis ’13, Will Parsons ’12, Ford Bauer ’12, Coleman Clark ’13, Dylan Pexton ’12, Sean Knowlan ’13, Hugh MacGillivray ’14 , Justin Mistikawy ’13, Jason Mercier ’14, Jake Gudoian ’14, Peter Barlow ’13, Will Shaw-MacGillivray ’13, Tommy Biagetti ’14, Nick Medley’13, Joe Yates ’13, Dan Jackson ’13, Fletcher Bonin ’13, Mike Galuska ’14, Nolan Banky ’14.

designing with purpose

The Healey family’s vision, the School’s needs and the architects’ expertise converged to create a building that respects the Abbey’s architectural heritage while introducing a fresh, modern design. The design process was a collaborative effort between the School and the New York-based architectural firm ikon.5, which also designed the Georgetown Student Center as well as other high-profile projects for Cornell University, Louisiana State University and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The School scouted and selected the site of the old Saint Bede’s House in part due to its ideal location between boys and girls Houses and its sitting on a beautiful axis that runs from the east end of campus, where the School’s academic and spiritual life is centered, with the Monastery and Church of St. Gregory the Great leading to the Holy Lawn followed by the Kennedy Classroom Building, to its eventual terminus on the west end of campus, where student life is centered.

The resulting build is a single-story structure of glass, wood, stone and copper that seamlessly integrates through its use of copper solar screening, floor-to-ceiling windows, fieldstone walls and board and batten siding with the existing campus buildings designed by noted architect Pietro Belluschi, who also designed New York City’s famed MetLife Building and served as dean of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Planning. Through its more modern bay-side appearance, it also subtly and deftly pays homage to the campus buildings that fall outside of the Belluschi idiom, serving as the unifying element of all campus architecture.

A large retractable screen can be lowered in front of a double-sided fireplace to allow for the watching of movies or live events.

But it also does more than unify the existing architecture. It transitions the individual’s perspective from the interior of campus out to the greater world beyond our walls. This is accomplished by matching the board and batten of the east side of the building with the Belluschi idiom while opening up the west side of the building to expansive views of Narragansett Bay through the size of the windows and a terrace that overlooks the Bay. The result of this “opening up” is the feeling that the Bay is somehow brought even nearer to the heart of campus.

The building has already become a marquee piece of the campus architecture, and even though it’s set back from Cory’s Lane quite a way, it extends an invitation for all who enter the campus to enjoy its views and many other benefits. Head of School Matt Walter said that the beauty and grandeur of the building speak for themselves, but if one were to offer some words on behalf of this project, they might be “Welcome to Portsmouth Abbey. This is our front porch to the world.”

If one were to offer some words on behalf of the project, they might be ’Welcome to Portsmouth Abbey. This is our front porch to the world.’

head of school matt walter

Table tennis has already become a favorite pastime in the new Student Center.

Tables and chairs provide comfortable spots to take in the views of Narragansett Bay.

a hub of student life

The new Student Center has quickly become a central gathering place for the community. Students are frequently found there taking in the view among friends, socializing, playing ping pong and foosball and meeting with study groups and student clubs. Walter said, “Faculty, staff and students adapted well to having to walk around the construction site, to avoid using RavensQuad and it’s been well worth the wait.” The space has already hosted “Closer Look” Admissions events for prospective Abbey families along with luncheons, summer groups and new faculty orientation. “But,” Walter stressed, “It’s still brand new. We’re only just beginning to discover the many ways the building will be used to enhance our student experience, and welcome alumni and the broader Portsmouth community.”

Students enjoy a quick game of foosball and table tennis after classes.

Design and intention are certainly worthwhile elements of a new building project. They are the primary ways through which the School guarantees its Benedictine heritage will remain present and visible in all aspects of our campus. At the end of the day, with a building like this, what matters most is how the students like it. In the brief time the Student Center has been open, students have enjoyed using it throughout the school day and into the evening, appreciating its exceptional beauty as well as its utility. The great hall holds an immense interior volume with 24-foot ceilings. The north side is designed for play and casual, comfortable seating. As students move past the double-sided fireplace, they experience a subtle volumetric transition through the hall’s open space. Long tables provide opportunities for a more formal set of potential uses. On the southern end of the building, the

study rooms, decked out with fully accessible smart AV setups, offer the most formal spaces in the building. The transition from play to work – or work to play, depending on your schedule –provides a continuum that extends from the open and community-oriented spaces to the more quiet and enclosed spaces of the study rooms.

Many alumni will remember, in various iterations over the years, the Tuck Shop. Now, newly enhanced by the addition of a full-service grill and dedicated seating, it has a permanent home in the Student Center. Any new iteration would be incomplete without honoring the memory of Betty Barreto, who managed the Tuck Shop for over three decades and passed away in 2022, a

Plenty of seating in the Tuck Shop for conversations over an evening snack.

The Student Center space is comfortable and multi-functional.

L-R

Miguel Bichara ’94 P’25, Betty Barreto, Rodrigo Bichara ’09, and Jorge Carabias Garcia-Quiros ’10

beloved fixture of the Portsmouth Abbey community. A framed photo of her will hang on the wall, serving as a permanent recognition of her longtime service and her embodiment of the Portsmouth Abbey ethos.

looking forward

The new Student Center is not just a building—and certainly not a building only for the sake of building a building. It is a reflection of Portsmouth Abbey’s dedication to enhancing the student experience with the most sustainable projects and practices. While the project has already surpassed all initial expectations, becoming an integral part of campus life and fostering a stronger sense of community, its opening has left a vacancy on campus.

The old Student Center space, located between Manor House and the Healey and Sheehan Fitness Center, will be converted into a new home for the Music Department. The School has begun the planning process for

All paths lead to the Student Center.

converting the space and the eventual conversion will allow the Music Department to move out from the basement below the auditorium to an above-ground space where everyone may better hear their melodies.

The new Student Center is a beautiful demonstration of the School’s, as well as the Healey and Hagerty families’, commitment to merging Portsmouth’s rich history with forward-thinking innovation. It brilliantly punctuates

one critical aspect of what the Abbey strives to be: a place where tradition is honored in exciting and innovative ways. As students and faculty alike begin to use and explore the Student Center’s many features, their excitement has spread infectiously around campus. Their reviews are in: it’s not just a building it is a bridge between the past and the future, a place where traditions will be made and remembered, a platform from which they will both contemplate life deeply and live it deeply. It enriches the

student experience and fosters a deeper sense of belonging, serving as a hub of ideas, creativity and friendship.

Fledgling friendships begun here will mature into a lifelong community of Ravens a “conspiracy,” if you will that transcends the physical space of the campus. As much as it is indeed all of these things, the new Student Center is a thrilling and inspiring harbinger of all that is yet to come for Portsmouth Abbey School.

Dr. Darryl De Marzio Takes the Helm as Executive Director of the Portsmouth Institute

Dr. Darryl De Marzio P’26 is the new executive director of the Portsmouth Institute, Portsmouth Abbey’s Benedictine center for Catholic thought, liturgy and culture. He assumed the role on June 16 after serving as a faculty member in the School’s Humanities Department and as the Portsmouth Institute’s inaugural Leclercq Fellow for Benedictine Education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darryl as our new executive director to build on the great accomplishments of the Portsmouth Institute, especially as we dedicate ourselves to advancing a vision of Benedictine education in service to students, teachers and lifelong learners,” said Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B., the superior of Portsmouth Abbey Monastery and chairman of the Portsmouth Institute. “Darryl is deeply knowledgeable about the philosophy and practice of Catholic education, has extensive experience in designing transformative experiences for students and teachers, has led liberal arts programs in continuing education, and knows our community, having served as a faculty member since 2022.”

Before joining the Abbey community, De Marzio served on the University of Scranton faculty as professor of the Foundations of Education, where he taught courses in philosophy and educational theory for fifteen years. He also served as chair of the Education Department and director of Undergraduate Programs at the University of Scranton. He has published articles in journals such as Educational Theory, Teachers College Record, and Studies in Philosophy and Education, and has edited two books. He has served on the Committee on Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy of the American Philosophical Association and is a past president of the Middle Atlantic States Philosophy of Education Society.

On a sunny afternoon overlooking Narragansett Bay, he sat down with Dr. Gary Sheppard in the great hall of the new Student Center, amidst a week bustling with the Institute’s “Pietas” programming, to share his thoughts on his new role and his vision for the Institute.

GS: What interested you in serving as executive director of the Portsmouth Institute?

DD: It was foremost my admiration for and belief in the Institute itself that interested me. My first connection to Portsmouth Abbey was through the Institute. As a professor at the University of Scranton, I met Chris Fisher (the outgoing executive director of the Portsmouth Institute) through an Institute-sponsored symposium on John Henry Newman and Benedictine education. I was very much engaged by what I saw and heard during that symposium and began following the work of the Institute. This interest led me to discover an open teaching position at Portsmouth Abbey School. I was appointed to that position in the fall of 2022 while also working with the Institute on their teacher formation programs. My background is in teacher education, specifically what I like to call humanistic teacher education, which is the idea that traditional teacher education looks at teaching as a technical exercise without any real avenues for teachers to be formed in the humanities or a humanistic tradition. My academic background is in the philosophy of education, and my approach has always been to educate teachers in the humanities and to think about ways in which the humanities form, sustain and improve the work and practice of teachers.

And this is really what the Portsmouth Institute summer teacher formation programs are all about: to invite teachers— whether they’re younger and aspiring to become better teachers or they’re more seasoned teachers—to explore the Catholic intellectual tradition and to draw intellectual and spiritual nourishment from it in hopes that it will deepen their sense of vocation and sustain them in troubling times. There are drastic declines in enrollment in teacher education programs at colleges and universities, and there’s burnout. The current career span of teachers is the same as that of National Football League players: around four years. Fewer and fewer are entering the profession and more and more are leaving. The Portsmouth Institute programs can help teachers become stronger and more wellequipped.

So, considering my background and scholarly interests alongside the work that the Institute already does so well, it seems like a natural fit for me.

GS: What is your vision for the Portsmouth Institute over the next twelve months?

DD: I want to start by saying that the Institute is in a really good spot. The former executive director, Chris Fisher, did an incredible job building what we have. So, my immediate priority

is to build on the foundation he helped establish and expand the Institute’s reach—for example, the teacher formation programs. We have a really good model. I do not want to re-make it. Rather building upon this model; let’s do more. One top priority for me is this: most teachers and most schools don’t have the opportunity to send teachers here for five days in the summer. And most teachers can’t afford the time or price tag either. So I’d like to take the Pietas model, carve out units, and present it on-site at schools for one- or two-day professional development workshops.

We have such a good thing going; we need to focus on expanding outreach. We need to initially focus on re-connecting and re-establishing a bond with students, alumni and parents of Portsmouth Abbey School. Once we’ve done that, we can look at how to expand our outreach efforts even further. We have an excellent foundation for social media outreach. Dan McQuillan, who used to teach English at the Abbey but now lives in Ireland, is our social media person, and we’ll be working with him to broaden our social media reach.

GS: On the topic of expanding student outreach, what Institute programs or resources are currently available to Abbey students?

DD: Portsmouth Institute sponsors the Oxford Summer Program and the Center for Science for the Liberal Arts, a joint enterprise between our organization and the Science Department at the Abbey. We offer financial support through grants to faculty and students researching how science and the humanities inform each other. We also provide lectures and visits from scholars and researchers from universities. We offer the Hildegaard Forum, which is an opportunity to contribute to the School and the lives of students. Again, we already have such a strong foundation in the programs we need to focus on expanding their reach.

GS: In its current programs, publications and other work, the Institute pays great attention to interdisciplinary thought. Why is this so important?

DD: This is an institute for faith and culture. Faith without culture, and culture without faith, become impoverished. So, we want the Portsmouth Institute to be that point of contact essentially for the mission of the monastery to the broader culture. Faith can’t close its doors to what’s happening in the culture. Making contact and starting a conversation with the culture could mean discussing technology, science and healthcare, law and politics, or other faiths. As an institute of faith and culture, we see it as our mission to meet the culture to nurture and be nurtured by it as well.

GS: What educational issues do you believe the Institute is particularly well-poised to address?

DD: We are witnessing a renewal of Catholic education. We have seen enrollment in Catholic schools increase recently,

coinciding with a decrease in enrollment in public schools. A lot of that is due to demographic shifts, but some is due to shifting attitudes in Catholic education. When I say the “renewal of Catholic education,” what we’ve been seeing is a broader increase of interest in alternatives to public education.

For example, more Catholic classical schools have recently opened. Chesterton Academies are now a big thing. More and more people are envisioning what Catholic education is. A lot of it is about returning to a classical understanding of education that is part of the Western intellectual educational tradition. So we’re seeing Catholic education being renewed in that sense. This is just one example, but there are trends and fashions in education, so I think our attention is going to be aimed at being mindful of our purpose and mission and using the Institute’s network to allow Catholic education to be grounded in mission and identity with an understanding of its intellectual foundations.

Of course, there are other issues, such as: Do Catholic teachers experience a sense of vocation, a true sense of calling? Catholic schools today face a number of fiscal challenges, and teachers end up feeling the burden. How can we be a source to help Catholic teachers sustain themselves, given all of the challenges they face?

GS: You mentioned your love of education and educational philosophy, especially as they intersect with Catholic thought. What energizes you the most about these ideas?

DD: For me, it’s not only about teaching or about work in education. It’s more of a question of work in general. How does the work that we do contribute to our human flourishing? I think a very modern concern (and when I say “modern,” I mean from the French Revolution to today) is this question of whether our work and professions help fulfill our humanity or help nurture it. Or are they exploiting our humanity in some way? That question has always fascinated me.

I’ve also been fascinated by how many people turn to teaching to answer that question. I started as a doctoral student in the fall of 2001. This coincided with my teaching as an adjunct professor in the philosophy of education. I remember so many people telling me during that time that they went into teaching because they were previously in a profession where it was not clear how the work was helping them in their quest to live well and have a meaningful and purposeful life. And so I noticed that people would enter teaching as a way of answering that question. They wanted to do work that was meaningful and purposeful.

This triggered, for me, a view of education and teacher education with an immense ethical sense of personal fulfillment and meaning. We analyze education by looking at these large social categories. But I really thought of education as a more existential enterprise. It’s more than just training for a profession; it’s really about the formation of human beings. It seems to me that people turn to teaching as part of this formation, so it has to be educative in some way for them. We have to be more intentional about how we educate teachers. So much sacrifice and self-renunciation goes

into teaching and the other so-called “helping” professions

People tend to lose sight of the fact that those who sacrifice salary, prestige and social recognition for the sake of others are also human beings who live lives of meaning. In some way, their education has to address that.

I’ve been fascinated by teacher education and the extent to which teaching contributes to human flourishing. Not just the flourishing of students but also for the flourishing of the teacher. That question is the one I’ve been chasing throughout my career, whether it’s as a scholar, as a teacher or in my current role at the Portsmouth Institute.

GS: Can you tell us of any interesting reads or any research you’ve been working on lately?

DD: I’m a little hesitant to answer that because I have been working on a few things, but I haven’t sat down and dwelled on them long enough to know what they might be for me. For example, I recently read a book by Anne Carson, a poet entitled “Eros: the Bittersweet.” And the title says it all. Love is both. Sometimes it isn’t enjoyable and sometimes it’s sweet. Pain and joy. Suffering and ecstasy.

I read that book and I would see graduating students crying during Commencement. Part of you wants to say, “Why are you crying? This should be a very happy moment.” But it’s almost as if the response is, “No, it was the recognition that they loved this school.” They loved the experience. They completed the four years. I don’t think anyone at that moment would have traded any amount of money to go back to Third Form and do it all over again. But it showed the sense that love expresses itself in these bittersweet fashions.

This study ended with me reevaluating my understanding of love. What could be more important than, you know, taking time to think about love? I mean, I’m married. I have children. I love them dearly. I want to love the place where I live and work. I want to love my colleagues. So, thinking deeply about what this means has been very interesting to me.

GS: I want to ask what excites you the most. It could be about your new role or about anything else.

DD: An old headmaster at my high school, with whom I still keep in touch is a mentor figure in my life. He’s neither a Catholic nor a religious person that I know of. He’s really more of a fellow philosopher. When I told him about this new work I’m beginning with the Portsmouth Institute, I was struck at how he responded with an admiration for the Benedictine way of life. He said, “It’s increasingly becoming a necessary antidote to what’s happening in the world. I really encourage you to lean into this work.” This gives me a sense that the world really is yearning for what the Institute has to offer. It makes me really excited. There’s real hope in what we’re doing and there is a desire for what we can offer.

Institute Celebrates 15 Years of Humanitas Summer Symposium

The Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture presented its 15th annual Humanitas Summer Symposium on June 14 and 15. In response to the call from Pope Francis earlier this year, the Institute gathered preeminent Catholic scholars, public intellectuals and leaders to engage in a conversation on the proper role and limits of technology in the 21stcentury. Featuring keynote addresses from Patrick Deneen of the University of Notre Dame, NY Times best-selling author Matthew Crawford, as well as panel discussions and breakout sessions led by Portsmouth Abbey School faculty, participants explored the challenges and opportunities that endless technological advancement presents to Christian life and society.

Physics teacher Stephen Devaney in foreground listens to a presentation during the Humanitas Summer Symposium.

The Symposium concluded with a lively performance on the Student Center porch from the Hillbilly Thomists, a band of friars of the Order of Preachers.

Catholic Educators Attend Pietas Retreat

One week later, the Institute hosted its annual Pietas Intellectual and Contemplative Retreat for Teachers from June 23 to 28. Catholic educators from around the nation attended lectures and seminars on Benedictine education and spirituality led by faculty from Portsmouth Abbey School and the University of Dallas. Participants read and discussed classic works in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, including the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Thomas More, St. John Henry Newman, and more, to enter deeper into the questions that all Catholic educators face, such as “What is the purpose of Catholic education?” and “How can we bring the wisdom of Catholic education into our classroom?”

For more information on these and other programs at the Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture, visit portsmouthinstitute.org

Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B. celebrates Mass.

NY Times best-selling author Matthew Crawford addresses the audience.

Patrick Deneen of the University of Notre Dame delivers his keynote address.

The Thomas More Fellows attend Mass in the Church of St. Gregory the Great.

Attendees listen to a presentation addressing the purpose of Catholic education.

Humanities faculty member

Kale Zelden leads a discussion during the Pietas Retreat.

ATHLETI CS

Spring Signing Day

Raven athletes representing ice hockey, sailing and squash participated in Spring Signing Day, celebrating their commitment to play their sport at the collegiate level. “The nature of the college admissions process, particularly this year, made it difficult for all student-athletes to commit fully to a specific program until the spring term,“ said Director of Athletics Chris Milmoe. “We always want to ensure that all student-athletes moving on to play at the college level are celebrated for their hard work and dedication to their sport or, in some cases, to multiple sports. Our Spring Signing Day, in addition to our Winter Signing Day, allows us to do just that. We could not be prouder of these Ravens—and all 21 graduates entering college athletic careers.” Participating in the event were Class of 2024 members Jancy Grayson, who will be sailing for Roger Williams University; Laney Harrold, who will play ice hockey at Buffalo State; Zoe Rosenberg, who is attending Williams College and will play ice hockey; and Victor Xu who will be attending the University of Rochester and playing on the squash team.

Athletic Awards

The Cross-Country Coach’s Trophies

Sean Brennan ’24 and Alessandra Cristiani ’24

The Girls’ Field Hockey Trophy

Lucy Verderber ’24

The John M. Hogan ’54 Football Trophy

Christopher Barnes ’24

The William Franklin Sands Memorial Soccer Trophy

Sean Oh ’24

The Girls’ Soccer Trophy

Abigail Lawler ’24

The Boys’ Basketball Trophy

Charlie Townsend ’24

The Pfeffer Cup

Grace Connaughton ’24

The Andrew M. Hunt and Carol Meehan Hunt Hockey Trophies

Sophia Capone ’24, Patrick McDevitt ’24 and Zoe Rosenberg ’24

The Carlos Xavier Araujo ’96 Memorial Squash Trophy

Victor Xu ’24

The Girls’ Squash Coach’s Trophy

Mary Davidson ’24

The Girls’ Volleyball Coach’s Trophy

Dakota Ormiston ’24

The Wrestling Coach’s Trophy

Sean Oh ’24

The Baseball Coach’s Trophy

Drew Pepi ’24

The Dorment Golf Trophy

Madison Harkins’24

The Golf Coach’s Trophy

Jack Beauchamp ’24

The Frost Family Trophy

Ethan Berry ’24 and Bruce Taylor ’24

The Hannaford Family Trophy

Sadie Polgar ’24

Victor Xu, Zoe Rosenberg, Laney Harrold and Jancy Grayson.

The Robert Price ’71 Sailing Trophy

Mary Davidson ’24 and Charlotte West ’24

The Softball Coach’s Trophy

Laney Harrold ’24

The Tennis Coach’s Trophies

Alessandra Cristiani ’24

Ryan Ma ’25

The Track Coach’s Trophies

Sean Brennan ’24 and Sophia Capone ’24

The E. Thomas Kearney, Jr. ’45

Equestrian Scholarship

Isabella Li ’25

Scholar-Athlete Award

Slade Crouse ’24 and Charlotte West ’24

The Portsmouth Abbey Athletic Association

Grace Connaughton ’24, Alessandra Cristiani ’24, Mary Davidson ’24 and Angus Oliveira ’24

Photos:

1 Christopher Barnes ’24 received The John M. Hogan ’54 Football Trophy. He will play football at Dickinson College.

2 Director of Athletics Chris Milmoe congratulates Charlie Townsend ’24. A shooting guard, Townsend scored over 1,000 points in three years and was the recipient of the Boys Basketball Trophy.

3-4 Class of 2024 athletes

Alessandra Cristiani (3) and Sean Brennan (4) received the Cross Country Coach’s Trophies in addition to awards in tennis and track respectively. Cristiani was also named to the Portsmouth Abbey Athletic Association.

5 Madison “Madi” Harkins ’24 of Portsmouth received The Dorment Golf Trophy.

ATHLETI CS

Spring Team Awards

Baseball

MIP: Connor Nolan ’27

Captains Elect: Mitch Canuel ’25, Gil Bianchi ’25, and Levi Maguire ’25

EIL Record: 7-3, third place EIL

EIL All League: Mitch Canuel ’25, Noah Jimbo ’25

Girls Golf

MIP: Panya Zhu ’27

Overall Record: 2-5-1

Boys Varsity Lacrosse

MIP: Logan McManus ’25

Captains Elect: Andrew Thibeault ’25, Michael Foley ’26 and Liam Daly ’26

Overall Record: 17-3 EIL Record: 6-1

EIL All League: Bruce Taylor ’24, Luca Sanders ’24, Charlie Townsend ’24, Angus Oliveira ’24

Girls Varsity Lacrosse

MIP: Anna Hutton ’27

Captains Elect: Lilly Coward ’25, Layla Grilli ’25, and Kate Verderber ’25

Overall Record: 7-8 EIL Record: 4-5, sixth place EIL

EIL All League: Lilly Coward ’25 and Dakota Ormiston ’24

EIL All League HM: Julia Poore ’27 and Avery Royal ’27

Varsity Sailing

MIP: Serenity Backman ’26

Team Racing Record: Eighth out of 71 Schools

Fleet Racing Record: Fourth of 75 Schools

SheWolf Regatta: First of 18 Schools

Qualified for Herreshoff Finals

Softball

MIP: Lila Bragan ’25

Captains Elect: Kasey Bernat ’26, Lila Bragan ’25, Gwen Canuel ’25, and Allison Miller ’25

Overall Record: 10-3 EIL Record 7-1, second place

EIL All League: Laney Harrold ’24, Allison Miller ’25, Gwen Canuel ’25, Kasey Bernat ’26

Boys Varsity Tennis

MIP: Samuel Bishop-Grande ’27

Captains Elect: Ryan Ma ’25 and Steven Li ’25

Overall Record: 4-8 EIL Record: 2-4 Non-League 1-4

EIL All League: Ryan Ma ’25, Chris Chau ’24

Girls Varsity Tennis

MIP: Rachel Hudson ’24

Captains Elect: Susy Bichara ’25, Charlotte Spencer ’26 and Eva Madden ’26

Overall Record: 7-6 EIL Record: 5-3

EIL All League: Ale Cristiani ’24 and Bella No ’24

Track and Field

Boys MIP: Slade Crouse ’24

Girls MIP: Becca Osei-Assibey ’26

Boys Captains Elect: Matt Burgner ’25 and Gabe Devaney ’25

Girls Captains Elect: Odunayo Adelaiye ’25, Ella Liuzza ’25, and Jillian Muglia ’25

Overall Boys Record: 4-2-2, third in NEPSTA

EIL Record: 2-2, second place in championships

Overall Girls Record: 7-1, tied for tenth in NEPSTA

EIL Record: 3-1, third place in Championships

EIL All League Boys: Slade Crouse ’24, Gabe Devaney ’25, Malcolm Maboula ’26, Keynan Musingo ’26

EIL All League Girls: Sophia Capone ’24

EIL All League Boys HM: Hadyn Bordelon ’26 and Tommy O’Hara ’24

EIL All League Girls HM: Jillian Muglia ’25, Zoe Rosenberg ’24, and Lauren McGee ’27

All NEPSAC Boys: Slade Crouse ’24, Gabe Devaney ’25, Malcolm Maboula ’26, and Keynan Musingo ’26

ALL NEPSAC Girls: Sophia Capone ’24, Jillian Muglia ’25, Zoe Rosenberg ’24, and Lauren McGee ’27

ALL NEPSAC HM: Brooke Marston ’27

JV Awards

Girls JV Lacrosse: Cece Finnegan ’27

Boys JV Lacrosse: Archie MacDonald ’25

Girls JV Tennis: Cece Cord ’26

Boys JV Tennis: Jack Forbes ’26

Girls JV Track: Paige Gittus ’27

Boys JV Track: Mason Mitchell-Laplante ’27

JV Sailing: Luca Donadio ’26

New School Record Holders:

Gabe Devaney ’25: 300m Hurdles (39.80)

Lauren McGee ’27: 100m Hurdles (17.83)

Lacrosse Coach Al Brown Achieves 500-Career Win Milestone and Receives Distinguished Service Award

On May 18, Head Coach Al Brown of the varsity boys lacrosse team achieved a historic milestone, securing his 500th career victory in a resounding 17-1 win over Austin Prep. In June, The Rhode Island Lacrosse Officials Association (RILOA) presented him with the Scott A. Shemenski Distinguished Service to Lacrosse Award.

A highly respected figure within the lacrosse community, Brown’s dedication to the game is clear. He has 47 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels. He was honored as the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year at the collegiate level. Since joining the Portsmouth Abbey community in 2000, Brown has led nine Abbey teams to lacrosse league championships. Many of his players go on to play in college. He received honors from US Lacrosse in 2010 and 2013 and from the EIL in 2008, 2011 and 2022. In November 2022, he was rightfully inducted into the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association (NILCA) Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on Coach Brown’s remarkable milestone, Portsmouth Abbey Athletic Director Christopher Milmoe said, “Al Brown crossing the 500-career win mark is an unbelievable achievement. It speaks to his commitment to the sport of lacrosse and Portsmouth Abbey. The impact he has had on the Raven community is immeasurable.”

When asked his thoughts on winning 500 times, Coach Brown responded with characteristic modesty and focus, “I am fortunate to have been surrounded by excellent coaches, student-athletes, player families, and my wife Linda and my children. Their support has been the key to my being a coach for 47 years. My goal has always been to help my players grow to be responsible and caring people, love the game and understand the value of being a great teammate. Winning is important. And I am proud of all the people

who have played a part in my career. I am blessed to have spent half my coaching career at Portsmouth Abbey. It is a special place.”

An Army veteran, teacher and head lacrosse coach at Bishop Hendricken High School, Scott A. Shemenski co-founded the Rhode Island Youth Lacrosse League in 1989 and remained a coach in that program until his death in 2001. He helped organize the RIIL’s interscholastic lacrosse program, directed the Rhode Island Indoor Lacrosse League, and was treasurer of the Rhode Island Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse.

In recognizing Brown as the recipient of the award named in Shemenski’s honor, RILOA Vice President E.J. McQuade III noted Brown’s profound influence on players throughout his 47-year career, particularly at the high school level, and the shared spirit between the two coaches. “Scott played such an important part in the growth of lacrosse in Rhode Island, and you, Coach Brown embody the same service to lacrosse on and off the field – not to mention 500 wins.”

Players pose during the 2024 alumni lacrosse game.

Coach Al Brown with a few of his players following win number 500. (lower left-right) James Meko ’24, Brown, Angus Oliveira ’24, Luca Sanders ’24, and Ethan Berry ’24. (back row) Bruce Taylor ’24, Hunter McCarthy ’25, Milo Gardner ’24 (manager), Kian Murphy ’25, Logan McManus ’25.

ATHLETI CS

Six Ravens Named to Providence Journal Independent Schools

All-States Team

For more than 80 years, The Providence Journal has recognized and celebrated the top student-athletes across Rhode Island through its annual naming of All-State teams. Six Ravens were among the athletes named to the 2024 All-States Independent Schools All-State team. The newspaper’s sports staff determined first- and second-team members with help from the coaches associations representing the various leagues.

Gil Bianchi ’25, Mitch Canuel ’25, Grace Connaughton ’24, Gabriel Devaney ’25, Layla Grilli ’25, and Charlie Townsend ’24 were all first-team members and also nominees for Player of the Year in their sport. Each was also invited to attend the June High School Sports Awards show.

Bianchi was nominated for his efforts and leadership on the varsity baseball team. As the team’s catcher, he earned All-EIL (Eastern Independent League) honorable mention and was elected captain for the upcoming season. Canuel, his teammate, helped anchor the Raven defense as the shortstop, earning All-EIL honors. Connaughton was named to the team for her success in varsity volleyball and varsity basketball. As captain of both teams, she

Hanging Up His Cleats Longtime Equipment Manager

Matthew “Matty” Peterson Retires

displayed poise and confidence while leading fellow Ravens on and off the courts. She earned the prestigious Abbey Athletic Association prize at the end of the academic year. She also earned All-EIL honors in both sports.

Devaney was also nominated for his efforts in two sports. He earned All-EIL honors as a soccer defender and took first place in the 300m and 110m hurdles in the EIL Championship and, as a track athlete, took first place NEPSAC Championship. He also set a school record in the 300m hurdles (39.80)

Grilli earned accolades for advancing, supporting, and leading others in field hockey. She received an All-EIL honorable mention and was elected captain of the fall 2024 team.

Charlie Townsend scored over 1,000 career points in three years at Portsmouth Abbey, earning his nomination for varsity basketball. As an attack player for the Raven lacrosse program, he scored 50 goals and had 44 assists, earning his second nomination by The Providence Journal. He also received All-EIL honors in both sports.

After more than three decades of dedicated service as equipment manager for the Ravens, Matthew “Matty” Peterson has retired. While well-deserved, his absence from the daily routine on campus will surely be felt.

He first joined the Portsmouth Abbey School community in 1992. Throughout his tenure, he has ensured that every student, athlete and staff member had the tools they needed to succeed, going above and beyond more times than anyone can count.

Peterson’s commitment to the Abbey left an indelible mark on the community. Although equipment may have been in his title, many students and alumni will attest that he managed much more than that. He calmed fears, coaxed confidence, and fostered a supportive environment for all.

“It is bittersweet that I announce the well-deserved retirement of our esteemed colleague, wrote Director of Athletics Chris Milmoe to the School community. “Matty has been at the heart of our school’s athletic operations; he has been a mentor, friend, and cornerstone of the Abbey athletic program. He has also served as an outstanding coach of our football and baseball programs. His presence and history with the school will be deeply missed.”

Raven alumni and current Red Devils Parker Polgar ’22 and Charlie Baughan ’22 celebrate winning the Centennial Conference Championship after the Dickinson College Men’s Lacrosse team defeated Gettysburg in May.

Drake Manning Almeida ’26

Represents the United States in Slovakia

Drake Manning Almeida ’26, grew up loving ice hockey. In the summer months without ice, he would play street hockey to stay in shape and hone his skills. At the time, he had no idea where this pastime would take him.

Now, Almeida is a member of the U18 United States national ball hockey team. Ball hockey is a more formal name for the street hockey of Almeida’s childhood. Like ice hockey, it is a fast-paced, competitive sport, except it is played on foot, not skates, on a non-ice surface, and with a ball instead of a puck.

He recently returned from the 2024 ISBHF Ball Hockey World Junior Championships in Zilina, Slovakia, where he led the United States team in scoring with nine points in six games and was named the tournament’s best forward. “Drake is fast and athletic, one of the top

An image used in the logo design for the U18 Ball Hockey team after winning the silver medal at the 2024 ISBHF Ball Hockey World Junior Championships. (credit: USA Ball Hockey)

five players under the age of 18 in the world,” said his coach, Eddie Costa.

The United States had a perfect record of 5-0 heading into the finals against Canada after previous wins against them and teams representing Switzerland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and England. However, Canada avenged their earlier loss with a 5-1 victory in the championship game, leaving Team USA with a silver medal. Still, the team was only one of three in the organization to make it that far.

While the outcome was less than expected, the players were proud of their accomplishments. “One of our goals was to win gold,” Almeida said. Last year, we did not even get a medal because we came in fourth. But this year, we won silver. I’m happy with it.”

Portions of this article were featured in Steven Sanchez’s article in the Herald News, available at: https://www.heraldnews.com/story/sports/ local/2024/07/23/usa-18u-ball-hockey-team-wins-silver-medal-in-slovakia-fall-river-natives/74448336007/

Margot Appleton ’21 Competes in the Olympic Trials

Margot Appleton ’21, representing the University of Virginia, competed at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials, held in June at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. The trials were broadcast in prime time on the NBC television network.

Appleton looked to continue her outstanding performance this season as she competed in the 5000m at the trials. She finished fourth in the event at the NCAA Championships after winning back-to-back gold medals in the 1500m at the ACC Championships and earning a bronze in the 5000m. She entered the competition with a personal best and school

record time of 15:18.21 for 5000m set earlier in the season.

In a highly competitive field of women athletes, Appleton finished ninth in her heat and 32nd overall, just shy of making her first U.S. Olympic Trials semifinal. While her season may have ended, this back-to-back 1500m ACC Champion and All-American had an impressive and memorable junior year.

Margot Appleton ’21 has entered her senior year as a distance and cross country runner for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. (credit: University of Virginia Athletics)

Drake Manning Almeida ’26 in his Team USA jersery.

ATHLETI CS

From Portsmouth to Paris with Olympian Juan Maegli ’07

Juan Ignacio Maegli ’07 is a five-time Olympic sailor who has represented Guatemala in the Laser/ ILCA 7 class. He is also a six-time Pan American Games medalist, earning three gold medals (2007, 2015, 2019) and three bronze medals (2003, 2011, 2023) during his career thus far.

His sister, Isabella ’08, also a sailor, represented Guatemala in the Tokyo Olympics, and their father, Juan E. Maegli ’75, is a three-time Olympian, having competed in sailing events in 1976, 1980 and 1984.

Having won his first international medal as a senior-level sailor at the age of 14, this Raven sailed for Portsmouth Abbey, graduated, and a year later made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008. In 2012, he was a flagbearer at the London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, and in 2013, he was named USA College Sailor of the Year while attending the College of Charleston. He later competed in the 2016 Olympic Games and again in the 2020 Tokyo Games (2021), where he carried the flag again during the opening ceremonies alongside his sister.

“Being a flagbearer for my country has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” he said in an interview with residencecentrovela.com. “It is a great honor not just in terms of sporting level but also because it reflects the values I represent when I compete.”

Juan Ignacio Maegli ’07 sails during an ILCA 7 dinghy class practice race during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Marseille, France. He finished 16th out of 43 sailors.

PHOTO: CAROLYN KASTERSTAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A few days before leaving for Paris, he shared his thoughts about how being a Raven student-athlete helped him to pursue his Olympic dreams.

PA: Where did your love of sailing begin?

JM: My love for the sport came from my father’s family. They were all sailors and my dad was a 3-time Olympian himself. I started sailing with my dad, also an Abbey alumnus, at five. I’ve been loving sailing and water sports ever since.

PA: How did your time as a student-athlete at Portsmouth Abbey prepare you for your sailing career?

JM: Going to Portsmouth Abbey at what now seems like a very young age definitely helped me mature at a faster pace than my friends at home. During my time at the Abbey, I already knew I wanted to pursue an Olympic career. I had to make many important decisions and work hard at a young age. My time at the Abbey was vital in making those decisions correctly, and I became an Olympian right after graduating in 2007.

PA: As you prepare for the 2024 Games in Paris and your fifth Olympics, what advice would you give young Raven sailors today?

JM: First and foremost, I would tell them to take the time to enjoy sailing. The Abbey has an excellent sailing venue with good conditions perfect for improving your skills and fitness. But most important at this stage is to have fun. If you are serious about pursuing an Olympic dream, there is time to get serious about that later when you are in college or even after. It is such a demanding sport that the only way you will reach your goals, whatever they may be, is if you enjoy it, have fun with it and try to learn as much as you can while participating. The most challenging but rewarding thing about sailing is that every day presents different conditions and new opportunities to improve.

alumni legacy profile

For the Rooney family, Portsmouth has been more than just a place to receive a world-class education; it has been a springboard for a multi-generational story of the relationship between a family and an institution, the essence of which is decidedly marked by the question of giving back to the place that once shaped, and continues to shape their lives. 1

ABOVE: Three generations of the Rooney family represented by Patrick ’65 with grandson Jack ’26 (left), daughter Kate ’98 and son Sean ’96.

From Patrick Rooney in the 1960s to his children Sean and Kate in the 1990s, and now to Sean’s daughter Sofia and Kate’s children, Jack and Lucy Sams, the Rooney legacy at Portsmouth is a poignant tribute to the lasting values and transformative experience the School offers.

Patrick Rooney ’65 entered Portsmouth Priory in 1960, showing an early aptitude for football, basketball and baseball. His time at the school was one of personal growth, helping him develop a steadfast devotion to those around him, whether that be his family, who lived locally in Portsmouth, or his teammates on the athletic fields. He describes himself as a student more naturally inclined toward sports than academics. He considers himself lucky to have lived close to campus, which allowed him both day-student and boarding-student experiences during his education. “I was both a day student and a boarder in my five years, from Form II to VI,” he recalls. “Living so close, I preferred living at home when I was old enough to drive.”

“

It’s among my fondest and proudest moments to have watched my children and to now watch my grandchildren enjoy their Abbey time.

”

— patrick rooney ’65

There were ample athletic opportunities through which the elder Rooney picked up crucial lessons on leadership and also learned how to challenge his character in the face of adversity. He acknowledges this critical aspect of Portsmouth’s role in his life. “The Abbey prepared me for life beyond high school and got me into Boston College.

His strongest aspirations these days revolve around witnessing his grandchildren take advantage of the seemingly endless opportunities the School offers for young, aspiring minds. “It’s among my fondest and proudest moments to have watched my children and to now watch my grandchildren enjoy their time at the Abbey.”

His advice to current students is simple yet profound: “Take advantage of all it offers and appreciate the beauty of the campus.” His journey from a student with modest academic achievements to the head of a successful local business, JT’s Lumber Yard, underscores the significant growth and character development that can result from an Abbey education.

Following in his father Patrick’s footsteps, Sean Rooney ’96 recalls that his experience as a Portsmouth Abbey student was marked by hard work and a deep appreciation for the School’s uncompromising academic environment. “The best thing my parents ever did for my education was to send me to summer school there before my Third Form year.”

The younger Rooney’s years at the Abbey were enriched by inspiring teachers like Cliff Hobbins, Jim Garman and John Perreira. He fondly remembers classes in Asian History and Marine Biology as standout moments in his education. He noted that as he has gotten older, he has “developed a deeper appreciation for the focus on humanities that the School offers.”

The challenges he faced, particularly in managing time between academics, sports, and social life, ultimately became areas of strength. “The ability to read below the surface on a subject and explore your own interpretation was my greatest takeaway,” he says. This skill has served him well in his career first at JT’s Lumber and then at Riverhead Building Supply, where he works on high-end millwork projects.

Sean Rooney’s involvement with the Abbey did not end with his graduation. He returned to work in the Office of Admission and served as Head Houseparent in St. Bede’s House, the former house for day students. In a fortuitous and, to some degree, charming stroke of fate, the site of

St. Bede’s, where he spent so many hours on duty, has now been transformed into the new Student Center, where his daughter Sofia, who begins her Abbey journey this fall, will no doubt spend a great deal of time. Reflecting on Sofia’s start at the Abbey, Rooney expresses a deep sense of pride at the continuity her enrollment represents. “The Abbey was a very important time in my life as a student, and it offered me a great job after college. To see Sofia continue following in my and my dad’s footsteps is great.”

Kate Rooney-Sams ’98, also speaks about her time at Portsmouth Abbey with a tone of both pride and honor. As a local day student, she enjoyed the stability and comfort of living at home while benefiting from her brother’s presence at the School. “Having a sibling in the same school made the transition smoother,” she reflects. “Sean was a valuable resource for navigating school life, from understanding the unwritten rules to having someone familiar to turn to.”

herself as an average student who kept up with the curriculum but occasionally needed to seek help. “The Abbey provided access to the resources and encouragement I needed to succeed and feel valued during my high school career,” she said. Building independence and exposure to diverse viewpoints were among the most significant rewards of her Abbey education. “After the Abbey, I felt like I had the maturity, confidence and independence to move onto the next stage in my life,” she added.

Her fondest Abbey memories include the sense of community and belonging the School created. “My most lasting impression is that it was one of the best times in my life, and that had everything to do with the community, the culture, and the sense of belonging the School provides,” she recalls. Her mentor, former headmaster Dan McDonough, played a crucial role in her development. “He was a teacher who never gave up on me, a coach who pushed me, and a friend who trusted me,” she says.

Her advice to new Abbey students, including her daughter Lucy, is to embrace the School’s opportunities and not be afraid to take risks. “The Abbey provides so many opportunities for the students,” she notes. “Be inquisitive, be kind and trust yourself.”

As the third generation of Rooneys attend the school, Sofia and Lucy are set to build on the legacy of excellence established by Patrick, Sean, and Kate and by Jack Sams, Kate’s son, now in his Fifth-Form year.

The Rooney patriarch is immensely proud of his grandchildren’s achievements. “I am very proud of my granddaughters for getting into the highly competitive Abbey and of what my grandson has accomplished in his two years,” he says. His son echoes this sentiment, hoping his daughter, Sofia, will have an experience she can look back on with pride. “I know the Abbey is a positive step in that process of growth,” he says.

Now an established realtor at Gustave White Sotheby’s Real Estate in Newport, Rhode Island, she describes

The story of the Rooney family’s commitment to Portsmouth is a delightful yet powerful reminder of the lasting impact the Abbey has across generations. Their journey highlights the School’s ability to nurture academic excellence but also and perhaps especially— to light the way for personal growth and making lifelong connections.

Kate and Sean Rooney in 1996.

milestones

J

1993

A boy, Vincent Gabriel Gonzalez, to Lindsay Winters and J. Kristian Gonzalez

May 12, 2024

2000

A girl, Moriah Danielle Ortiz, to Sonia Gnamien and Joseph D. Ortiz

May 31, 2024

2006

A boy, Atlas Berger McCune, to Larisa Berger and Zachary McCune

May 24, 2024

A boy, Casey Brenden Raposo, to Liliana and Kyle B. Raposo

June 26, 2024

2007

A boy, Patrick William Genco, to John and Kaitlin A. (Rok) Genco

May 3, 2024

births

A boy, Theodore Finch Koenig, to Max and Katherine A. (Coaty) Koenig

April 4, 2024

A boy, Paxton Pinter, to Lexi and Brian A. Pinter

April 28, 2024

2009

A girl, Kinsley Rae Goddard, to Hunter Goddard and Ally Boglioli

May 2024

A girl, Thea Lydia Serpa, to Russell Serpa and Josephine E. B. O’Reilly

May 1, 2024

A girl, Henley Rowe Villareal, to Vanessa and William R. Villareal

June 17, 2024

2010

A boy, Henry Lorenzo Stone, to Robert Stone and Rosaria P. Munda

July 6, 2024

weddings

2011

Teresa M. Lonergan to Paul Hoy

July 18, 2024

2015

Madison E. Fairbanks to Theodore Batchelder

June 15, 2024

’06 | Zachary McCune’s son, Atlas Berger McCune.

’10 | Rosaria Munda’s son, Henry Lorenzo Stone

’15 | Madison Fairbanks wedding to Theodore Batchelder with Abbey friends in attendance.

Douglas F. Bachem ’47

October 7, 2022

Thomas F. Black III ’56

Brother of David K. Black ’71

June 11, 2024

Hans Brenninkmeyer

Father of Elise M. Brenninkmeyer ’95 and uncle of the late Douglas Brenninkmeyer ’91

December 24, 2019

Susan S. Brenninkmeyer

Mother of Elise M. Brenninkmeyer ’95 and aunt of the late Douglas Brenninkmeyer ’91

July 1, 2023

Barbara D. Bryan

Mother-in-law of Portsmouth Abbey’s staff member Mitchell Kriner and grandmother of Bryan M. Kriner ’07

July 14, 2024

Robert E. Cadogan, Sr.

Former Portsmouth Abbey School faculty member

April 24, 2024

John M. Callagy

Father of J. Morgan Callagy ’90 and uncle of Peter O. Burke ’92 April 28, 2022

Sally R. Campau

Grandmother of Jon R. Campau ’16 and Margot J. Campau ’25 May 30, 2024

necrology

Monica G. Cavanagh

Mother of Jose Juan C. Cebrian ’90 and C. Brady

Cebrian ’94, daughter of the late Carroll J. Cavanagh ’32, sister of the late Carroll J. Cavanagh, Jr. ’60 and cousin of the late John L. Cavanagh ’58 and Lawrence D. Cavanagh ’61

June 6, 2024

Nicholas H. Childs ’52

Brother of the late Daniel R. Childs ’53, the Late Dom Luke Childs ’57 and the late Jeffrey S. Childs ’65, uncle of Frederick C. Childs ’75 and Hilary T. Childs ’86 and great uncle of Alexandra Macdonald ’02, Margaret R. Macdonald ’06, Elizabeth B. Childs ’08 and Ian D. Macdonald ’08

March 29, 2024

Sandra K. Crane

Former Portsmouth Abbey

School faculty member

April 24, 2024

John B. Cummings, Jr. ’63

Father of John B. Cummings ’83 and David C. Cummings ’84

July 20, 2024

JoAnn S. Curley

Grandmother of Christian F. Davenport ’06 and Johanna E. Davenport ’08

December 5, 2023

Dom Christopher

Davis, O.S.B. ’48

Brother of Charles N. Davis ’51 and cousin of Spencer L. Jones ’61 and the late Joseph L. Jones ’64

July 14, 2024

Paul D. de Give ’64

Brother of the late David B. de Give ’60 and cousin of the late John B. McKeon ’66

April 4, 2024

Nellie Delgado

Mother of Jose E. Delgado ’73 and grandmother of Jose Paolo L. Delgado ’00

May 24, 2024

J. Andrew Downey

Father of Manuela I. Downey ’12, nephew of Michael J. Downey ’48 and brother-in-law of Manuel A. Almenara ’98

July 1, 2024

Armando B. Heredia

Father of Abigail M. Heredia ’99

June 2, 2024

Arthur J. Kaufman

Father of James R. Kaufman ’83 and grandfather of Coleman Hayes ’23

June 4, 2024

Benjamin T. Kernan ’60

Brother of the late Francis Kernan ’53 and cousin of Gilbert Butler ’54

July 28, 2024

Colin P. Kerr ’67

Brother of the late Christopher D. Kerr ’63, the late John M. Kerr ’67, Gilbert A. Kerr ’71 and Gregory J. Kerr ’77

April 30, 2024

John H. Lyons, Jr. ’46

May 9, 2024

Brian J. Madden ’65

Brother of John J. Madden ’64 and Michael R. Madden ’67

July 16, 2023

Nora A. Mahon

Mother of Triona A. Mahon ’97

March 31, 2024

Raúl J. Minondo

Father of Isabella Minondo ’11 and uncle of Elena Minondo ’08, Martin I. Minondo ’09, Eugenia M. Minondo ’11, Antonio Minondo ’13, Julian Minondo ’14 and Inés Minondo ’19.

April 2024

James E. Murphy

Father of James E. Murphy, Jr. ’74, John O. Murphy ’77, and Cornelius M. Murphy ’90, father-in-law of James F. Buckley ’73, and grandfather of Anna E. Kendrick ’07, James L. Buckley ’08 and Sean T. Buckley ’12

June 3, 2024

Hugh V. Murray III ’59

Brother of Mark H. Murray ’69 and Nicholas S. Murray ’76

March 15, 2024

William M. O’Neill III ’53

May 19, 2024

William E. O’Reilly

Father of Sophie O’Reilly ’06 and Josephine E.B. O’Reilly ’09, brother of J. Timothy O’Reilly ’57 and uncle of E. John O’Reilly ’83

December 7, 2023

James F. Riccio

Grandfather of Ethan Gerrior ’26 and Harrison Gerrior ’28

June 18, 2024

Faust F. Rossi

Father of Christopher F. Rossi ’82 and Matthew A. Rossi ’83

March 6, 2024

Frank E. Salerno

Father of Steven F. Salerno ’85

April 2024

Judith Q. Sullivan

Wife of Christopher J. Sullivan ’79, mother of Christopher J. Sullivan ’14 and Molly Q. Sullivan ’15 and sisterin-law of James M. Sullivan ’78

April 10, 2024

Rocco G. Tomazic

Father of Jonathan Tomazic ’93

March 9, 2024

Joseph N. Vecchione

Father of former Abbey staff member Felisa E. Kerr, father-in-law of former Abbey staff member Jeffrey A. Kerr, and grandfather of Caellum D. Kerr ’16 and Emma R. Kerr ’20

June 1, 2024

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IN MEMORY OF REVEREND DOM CHRISTOPHER DAVIS O.S.B. ’48 (1930-2024)

Just after noon on July 14, 2024, at the Grand Islander Center in Middletown, Rhode Island, the Reverend Dom Christopher Davis O.S.B.’48, a deeply cherished and venerable monk of Portsmouth Abbey, went from this world into the eternal embrace of his Creator at the age of 94. He left behind a legacy that includes 70 years of monastic devotion and 66 years of priestly service, the very evidence of life lived in full pursuit of his calling.

A man of sonnets and big smiles, Father Chris was a living embodiment of the joy and peace he preached. His infectious enthusiasm, readily recognizable laugh, twinkling eyes, and cheerful spirit were a source of comfort for all who knew him.

William Nathaniel Davis was born at the Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia on April 6, 1930, and spent his childhood in that historic city. He remained a devoted Philadelphian and was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, open to those descended from an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was the son of William Davis and Anna (Dempsey) Davis.

He entered Portsmouth Priory as a legacy, subsequent to an earlier donation by his uncle Basil Harris that had enabled the construction of Saint Benet’s dormitory in 1931. His arrival as boarding student Bill Davis from Philadelphia in the fall of 1944 truly opened the course of

his entire life. He would speak of the large personalities he encountered – Doms Hugh Diman, Peter Sidler and Hilary Martin, who were involved in his entry, and Aelred Wall, who had deeply impressed and motivated him as his houseparent while in the School.

He graduated from Portsmouth in 1948 with a clear and unwavering path. Having remained in contact with the monastery throughout his college years at the University of Toronto’s Saint Michael’s College, he entered monastic life shortly after graduating in 1952.

Father Chris went through the novitiate and took solemn vows in 1954. Bishop Russell J. McVinney ordained him into the priesthood on May 31, 1958, within the grandeur of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, Rhode Island. This moment, steeped in the rich traditions of the pre-Vatican II Church, was a highlight in his lifelong spiritual journey. He later humorously noted that it was also the first time a camera had been included as part of the event to record it, providing a massive distraction to all participants.

Portsmouth became the crucible of his calling. Through classroom instruction, he imparted the wisdom of Christian Doctrine and instilled a love of sailing in many young Raven hearts. In the 1960s, he also served as chaplain at Elmhurst Academy, nurturing the spiritual growth of

young women on Aquidneck Island. One might conclude, however, that he discovered himself to be an extrovert in a monastic vocation that is more tailored to introverts. While he maintained a deep devotion to his monastic community, his spiritual journey took him across the country for a quarter century.

In these sojourns, he served as a chaplain in North Dakota to a community of Benedictine sisters. He then studied theology at the University of San Francisco, a time he remembered fondly, where he met Paul Beauchamp, a professor he repeatedly affirmed as the greatest teacher he had ever encountered. After completing these studies in 1975, Father Chris found himself in Texas for two decades, serving the Diocese of Fort Worth in various capacities, including hospital ministry and parish life. These formative years in parish work and direct ministry left a deep impression on him.

He returned to Portsmouth in the 1990s, where his presence became a steady anchor within the monastic and scholastic communities, although the contemplative cloister still could not contain his apostolic orientation.

His engagement in the extended community of the area was extensive and edifying. He served as chaplain at Roger Williams University and assisted in the School’s admission office. Many of his summers also allowed him to volunteer at the Yawgoog Boy Scouts

Camp, his enthusiasm captured in the headline of an article in the Providence Visitor: “Benedictine thrilled to be a camp chaplain.” For many years, he also served as chaplain for Saint Philomena School on the other side of Cory’s Lane. He kept on his bed, always visible to all his visitors at the Grand Islander nursing home, the St. Philomena throw blanket given to him upon receiving a “Lifetime of Service Award” from the school in 2015. For several years, he became a staple participant at the Bristol Fourth of July parade, relishing the festive rides in classic cars.

He was known at Portsmouth Abbey School as the “#1 Sports Fan” at athletics competitions, waving a pennant as he was driven around the grounds by a student volunteer when his mobility became reduced. He had the uncanny ability to somehow appear in photo after photo of various alumni and parent social gatherings. Often in attendance at School assemblies, he was there when students were warned to be careful of the placement of their backpacks in the dining hall, “so Father Chris will not fall,” and was heard to respond with a grin, “Well, any publicity is good publicity!”

Not all were aware of the artistic interests and talents he maintained. An ordination vacation to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire and a subsequent visit to Geneva, Switzerland, inspired in him what would become a lifelong love for outdoor photography. With a humble spirit,

Brother Joseph and Fr. Chris.

Fr. Chris and the late Betty Barreto, Tuck Shop manager.

Fr. Chris wears a t-shirt from students.

Fr. Chris proudly holds his award from St. Philomena School.

Blessing the boys varsity lacrosse team.

CLOCKWISE:

he once shared with the Portsmouth Arts Guild his devotion to this craft: “Never with a subsidy, always using funds cobbled together from ’earnings’ in ministry; and never, to my knowledge, placing an opportunity to take a picture above a ministerial duty; I have had many, many years of happiness as an amateur in the strict sense in which I understand the term: someone who does something simply for the love of doing it.” His camera, a constant companion, bore silent witness to the beauty he perceived in God’s creation.

He also turned his hand to poetry, producing a beautiful series of sonnets. Perhaps not as well-known was his Marian devotion. Father Chris had been deeply moved by pilgrimages to Medjugorje in his early monastic life and by Lourdes later, often reflecting on the impact of these experiences on his spiritual life.

Indeed, one often found Father Chris reflecting with deep gratitude on the experiences that shaped his life. It is as if each venue became a “favorite place” and each ministry a cherished moment to grow in grace. Even at the Grand Islander, one found him engaged, attending every event on the calendar, speaking highly of each of his roommates, ever cheerful and grateful to receive a visitor, ever the outgoing conversationalist – evidence of the Benedictine charity and hospitality that so visibly shaped his character.

He was predeceased by his brother Michael but is survived by his brother Charles ’51, their spouses, many nieces and nephews, and his dear cousins Spencer ’61 and Sally Jones and Katherine and Newcomb Stillwell. Portsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to his family.

On July 23, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, followed by interment in the Abbey cemetery.

As we remember Reverend Dom Christopher Davis O.S.B., we are called to reflect on a life lived according to faith, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to the service of others. Let us cherish the silent beauty of his journey and how he lived and embraced his vocation. His spirit will remain entwined with Portsmouth Abbey and the larger community he helped build.

RPortsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Davis family.

Fr. Chris and Jeff Salvatore ‘12.

IN MEMORY OF NICHOLAS HITCHCOCK CHILDS ’52

(1934-2024)

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With profound sorrow, we remember Nicholas “Nick” Hitchcock Childs, a distinguished alumnus of the Class of 1952. Born on April 7, 1934, in New York City to Frederick Robbins Childs and Mary Alixandra Hitchcock Childs, Nick was the eldest of four brothers, including the late Dom Alexander Luke Childs, O.S.B ’57, who served as a monk of Portsmouth Abbey until his passing in 1976.

Nick entered Portsmouth Priory in September 1947 and spent five formative years at Portsmouth, where he cultivated many lifelong friendships and developed a passion for tennis, soccer, and squash. After graduating in 1952, he continued his academic development as an undergraduate at Harvard University. His studies were briefly interrupted by his patriotic service in the United States Army, where he was stationed in the 4th Infantry Division in Alaska. Upon completing his service, Nick returned to Harvard, earning his degree in 1959.

Nick’s professional life was as varied and impactful as his academic pursuits. His work at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York was a testament to his commitment to healthcare and community service. It was during this time that he met Andromeada “Andro”

Theresa Childs, a remarkable woman whose life was equally dedicated to service and community. Nick and Andro married on September 14, 1963, and together they shared a rich and fulfilling life, both in New York and later in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Nick passed away on Good Friday, March 29. Andro died peacefully at home less than 3 months later on June 23, 2024.

In St. John, Nick was a pillar of the community. He was a passionate educator, volunteering at the Sprauve School and teaching at the University of the Virgin Islands. His love for the arts was evident in his work within the St. Thomas arts community and his creative writing workshops for local children. Nick’s bar, “Gulliver’s,” was not only a business but a hotbed for local poetry and expressive arts. His editorial contributions to local newspapers, including St. John Tradewinds News and Virgin Islands Daily News, reflected his deep engagement with pressing social issues in and around the community he loved. Portsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Childs family.

Nick and Andro Childs.

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IN MEMORY OF THOMAS F. BLACK III ’56 (1938-2024)

The Portsmouth Abbey community remembers Thomas F. Black III, class of 1956, who passed away on June 11, 2024, following a long illness.

Tom, as he was affectionately known to the many who benefited from his tireless efforts as President of the Horace and Ella Kimball Foundation, was a pillar of generosity and thoughtful philanthropy. His dedication to aiding the homeless, senior citizens, veterans, food banks, animal rescue facilities, first responders, historic preservation and the Wood River meaningfully and positively influenced countless lives.

A crucial figure in the Rhode Island Bar Association Foundation, Black ensured the continuation of the scholarship named in honor of his father, Thomas F. Black, Jr., a prominent Rhode Island lawyer and former president of the Old Stone Bank in Providence. Through this scholarship, many aspiring lawyers have received financial support to pursue their careers.

Before his philanthropic work, Black was a familiar voice in Providence news and was the owner and broadcaster at a Pawcatuck, Connecticut, radio station. His early years in the radio business reflected his passion for communication and community engagement.

A proud graduate of Portsmouth Priory, he played football and served as business editor for the “Raven” and the “Cowl.” He then graduated from the University of Rhode Island and was a veteran of the Rhode Island Air National Guard.

Following his father’s interest in sailing, he was an avid sailor for many years and loved powerboating to Long Island, Block Island, and Newport.

A scholarship in memory of Thomas Black III, honoring his commitment to nonprofit leadership in the state, has been established at the University of Rhode Island. This scholarship aims to cultivate future leaders who embody his dedication to ethical leadership and community service.

He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth, his brother, David K. Black ’71, and several nieces and nephews. His older sister, Margo, predeceased him.

RPortsmouth Abbey extends its prayers and condolences to the Black family.

Yearbook photo 1956.

RIN MEMORY OF JOHN B. “RED” CUMMINGS, JR.

’63

(1945-2024)

An oft-described “colorful” character, Class of 1963 member John B. “Red” Cummings, Jr. was gifted not only with locks befitting his moniker but, perhaps more importantly, an effervescent personality that aided his success through multiple careers and profoundly touched the lives of those who knew him and those for whom he served.

A true New Englander, he was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in the first month of 1945 to Attorney John B. Cummings and Angela King Cummings. He and his wife of 44 years, Paula (Francoeur) Cummings of Somerset, Massachusetts, established their Bay State home in Westport, where he was welcomed into the arms of our Lord on July 18, 2024.

After attending Sacred Heart Elementary School in Fall River, he entered Portsmouth Priory during his Second-Form year in 1958, qualifying him as one of the “old boys.” Classmates wrote about his “seemingly magnetic attraction to extra-curricular activities not attached with learning.” These included basketball, tennis and watching television in the basement of “The Red.”

His leadership qualities were also documented and praised by his peers. He was a well-respected prefect, served on the editorial staff of “Beaverboard,” where he held the role of layout editor during his Sixth-Form year and participated on the staff of the “Raven.” Athletically, he gained attention for his skills on the basketball court, which earned him varsity status earlier than most and on the tennis court, where he played at the varsity level for two years.

After graduating from Portsmouth, he left New England to attend Regis University in Denver, Colorado. His education later continued at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he graduated cum laude at the age of 51 in 1996.

Cummings began his professional life as a Fall River Trust Company banker. He then joined the former Fall River National Bank, becoming the youngest vice president in the bank’s 150year history.

From 1978 until 1996, he served as the chief professional officer of the United Way of Greater Fall River, Inc., where his fundraising for the betterment of the Greater Fall River community doubled the national average.

He continued at the United Way for ten more years as the director of planned giving, establishing an endowment fund for which he was nationally recognized by the United Way of America. Following his 27-year career and over 30 million dollars raised at the United Way of Greater Fall River, he and Paula became owners of Cummings Group Realtors in Westport, enjoying 30 years in real estate.

Building from the foundation laid by his experiences at Portsmouth, his love of Southern New England and perhaps, his enjoyment of Dick Tracy, Cummings turned his attention to writing once he fully retired. He earned national writing awards for “The Last Fling – Hurricane Carol 1954 Stories from Westport,

IN MEMORY OF JOHN B. “RED” CUMMINGS, JR. ’63

Massachusetts,” and produced a DVD about the 1954 hurricane to accompany the publication. His historical book “Cream of the Crop – Fall River’s Best and Brightest” became part of the history curriculum at Durfee High School, and Cummings would arrange for guest speakers featured in the book to lecture at the school. History was also the focus of his books about the Greater Fall River Development Corporation, the Acoaxet Club, and the Moby Dick/ Back Eddy Restaurant in Westport.

As an author, he was often requested to speak at local gatherings and discussion groups, particularly after finishing a three-volume true crime murder series titled “Murder, Manslaughter, and Mayhem on the Southcoast.” His last book, published in 2020, is a memoir honoring his mother, “Just Angy: A Momoir.”

Numerous civic and charitable endeavors benefitted from his membership and collaborative spirit, including the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, Fall River Historical Society, and the Greater Fall River Development Corporation, where he served as board chairman. He founded the Ad Club of Southeastern Massachusetts and was a long-time incorporator of Bank Five. He was chairman of the Fall River Conservation Commission and the Fall River Task Force on Sports and Recreation.

A basketball enthusiast, he served as an assistant coach of the Westport Middle School Girls teams, helping them reach a 133-12 record over seven years.

He founded the Greater Fall River Tennis Association, promoting local tournaments in Fall River during the 1970s, including exhibition matches with Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players. An avid and active tennis player through the 1980s, he was an

Acoaxet Club champion in men’s doubles and father-son tournaments. A portion of his tennis memorabilia collection was donated to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and remains on exhibit.

He was also an Acoaxet golf champion, winning the club’s Class B Championship and Charlton Cup (handicap) on multiple occasions, as well as the Father and Son Championship (low gross) and Bonnar Cup Championship (low net) with both of his sons. A director of the former Quequechan Club, Cummings also served as president (1984-1985) and honorary governor of the Acoaxet Club.

He and Paula enjoyed extensive travel throughout the United States and Europe. Trips included days at Wimbledon in London, Roland Garros in Paris, The Open Championships in Scotland, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. They were also fortunate enough to experience wonderful vacations in the Caribbean and a dream-ofa-lifetime safari in South Africa.

RIn addition to his wife, Paula, he is survived by his sons, John B. Cummings III ’83 (Betsy Fitton) and David C. Cummings ’84 (Holly Tompkins), grandchildren Chloe Cummings Mangold (Lt. Henry Mangold), Max M. Cummings (fiancé Alicia DeSena), Jamie C. Cummings, and Lucy T. Cummings, and great-grandsons Henry “Hank” W. Mangold Jr. and John “Jack” C. Mangold.

Red always felt “right at home” while attending Portsmouth, and his affinity for his Priory family remained steadfast. He embodied the most authentic aspects of the School’s mission and values and will be dearly missed. A Funeral Mass was befittingly held in the Monastery Chapel at Portsmouth in August.

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

John B. Cummings, Jr.

RIN MEMORY OF BRIAN J. MADDEN ’65 (1947-2023)

Brian J. Madden, the former executive vice president of one of the most extensive substance abuse programs in the country, passed away on July 16, 2023, at Calvary Hospital in New York, following a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was a member of the Class of 1965.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to John L. Madden, M.D., and Bertha Madden, he spent his formative years in Manhattan, where he attended Saint David’s School before moving on to Portsmouth Priory. His education instilled in him the values of service, compassion and leadership that he embodied throughout his life.

His activities at Portsmouth included soccer, basketball, baseball, track and touch football. He was a member of the Outing Club and the Zodiac Club and served as sports editor for the “Beaverboard” during his Sixth-Form year. After graduating, he attended Regis College, in Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education, obtaining a Master of Science in social work at Fordham University and a Ph.D. in Gerontology from Columbia University.

He became interested in the plight of the drugaddicted at a time when substance abuse treatment was largely confined to imprisonment. His distinguished career was characterized by his unwavering commitment to addressing addiction from a rehabilitative approach rather than a punitive one.

In 1970, Monsignor William O’Brien recruited him to join Daytop Village, a pioneering, nonsectarian, not-for-profit residential treatment facility for drug addicts. Together, they developed and implemented innovative programs that significantly improved recovery rates and facilitated the reintegration of former residents into society. The success of the initial facility in Manhattan resulted in the creation of eight additional residential facilities throughout the state and two more in New Jersey. Dr. Madden’s leadership in founding the CARES program, which provided meals and assistance to the frail and infirm, exemplified his dedication to holistic care.

As the director of Daytop International, he expanded the organization’s reach, designing tailored treatment programs for countries across Europe, South America and Asia. His expertise and vision were not only recognized globally but also led Pope Saint John Paul II to allocate part of the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, for a Daytop facility. This global recognition is a testament to his pioneering work and the impact he had on the field of substance abuse treatment.

Brian J. Madden

Predeceased by his parents, Brian J. Madden is survived by his five siblings and two daughters, Tara and Courtney.

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

IN MEMORY OF JAMES E. MURPHY (1928-2024)

James Evans Murphy of Austin, Texas, died peacefully at the age of 95 on Monday, June 3, 2024, at home surrounded by family, including many of his children, grandchildren, and most beloved of all, his wife of 68 years, Corinne. He was a devoted, loyal, and sentimental husband, father, son, brother, and friend; a devout Catholic; and a hardworking and business-savvy attorney.

RBorn in East Providence, Rhode Island, in 1928 to James C. Murphy and Mildrena Murphy, his early years at LaSalle Academy saw him excel in both track and cross country, earning a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. His athletic prowess was further recognized when he was named to the All American College and University Cross Country Team in 1948. After graduating in 1949, he continued his education at Georgetown University Law School.

After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1952-1954, he moved back to Rhode Island to begin his law career, working for his esteemed mentor, Cornelius Moore, in Newport. He married Corinne O’Brien in 1955 and they settled in Warren, Rhode Island.

He became an active new citizen in his chosen hometown, serving as a member of the Warren School Committee, the Warren High School Building Committee and the Zoning Revision Committee. He also served as the Town Solicitor and Probate Judge for the Town of Warren. He founded the law firm Carroll, Kelly and Murphy with Ambrose Carroll and his best friend, Joe Kelly. Most of his work was in estate law and he was the partner with chief responsibility for the firm’s operations.

As his family grew in age and size, his volunteer activities shifted to church and schools. He was a trustee of his parish, St. Mary of the Bay in Warren. He provided legal counsel to St. Philomena School in Portsmouth and his alma mater’s alumni association for varsity athletes, the Notre Dame Monogram Club. He was also a dedicated member of the Board of Consultants at Portsmouth Abbey. His knowledge, leadership, and service helped set the course for the continued success of the School and monastic community.

In later years, he and his wife spent winters in Fort Myers, Florida, along with his sister Carole and close friends the Healeys and Kellys, who also wintered there. They had many good times at the Forest Country Club. A move to Austin, Texas, in 2005 saw him and Corrine enjoy many years as members of the Onion Creek Country Club.

When asked in his 90s what he felt was his greatest accomplishment, he said the family he and Corrine created, including nine children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, James E. Murphy is survived, loved and will always be cherished by them. He is also survived by his sister Janice Gilligan of Sarasota, FL, and was predeceased by sisters Carole Flynn and brother Robert Murphy.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mary of the Bay Church in June, followed by a committal service at the church cemetery.

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

1946

John Lewis would love to hear from any classmate at jthornelewis@icloud.com. “I’m still vertical, albeit with a few implanted spare parts. Residing at the very friendly community/club Oak Harbor in Vero Beach, FL after moving from John’s Island three years ago to be closer to my wife, Diana, in the assisted living facility nearby.”

1956

Joseph Healey continues to update his book ”Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa.” The book is updated every month and is available as a free, online digital ebook. It now has 1,651 pages and 1,521 footnotes as of May 31, 2024 on the Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website.

class notes

1958

John Tepper Marlin has been in touch recently with Hugh Ballantyne in Canada and George Cleary in Venezuela, and before that John Charlot in Hawaii. He vows to make an effort to reach out to more of the class this year after recalling their successful 60th Reunion in 2018. John’s newest book was published in February. “’Under Nazi Noses’ is my translation/edit of a Dutch biography of the World War II leader and financier of the Dutch Resistance, Walraven van Hall, who was my mother’s cousin. The book won a star from Kirkus Reviews. Alice and I were in Amsterdam in April and I spoke about the book to a group at the Resistance Museum.”

1960

Tom Healey thoroughly enjoyed being in attendance and watching his granddaughter, Becca Healey ’24, graduate from Portsmouth Abbey School this May after serving as the School’s Head Girl during her Sixth-Form year. Tom remarked on the perfect weather, terrific student speakers, and overall great graduation ceremony.

1963

Curtiss Roach reports that his oldest of ten grandchildren, Roscoe Heuer, just graduated from Lawrenceville Academy and will be attending Cornell University next year.

1964

Tom Weber shared a short remembrance of Paul de Give who died this past April: “Paul’s looks would set many a heart aflutter; and yet, interestingly, he didn’t much care. Because he was a romantic, though that doesn’t say it all. What mattered to Paul was the Woman He Loved (at any time) and the fact, the psychology, the philosophy, the religion of Romance. He was enthusiastic for movies, which define romance. He was enthusiastic for the American West, because it called to this sense in him. For jazz music, because loving and promoting jazz is romantic. He was interested in style and in what he called soul, about equally…I could only envy him slaloming behind a speedboat, the rooster tail shining. Playing good tennis on grass. Riding his beloved black BMW, the exact right motorcycle for a long, scenic ride. I love the idea of Paul in his 20s wheeling along the road across the country, living the present moment, on his own, pursuing something, and I will leave him there.”

’56 | Joe Healey with Kenyatta University students in Nairobi, Kenya.

’64 | Thomas Weber and the late Paul de Give together in Chicago, in 2018.

1965

In ”Hunting Bernie Weber,” Matthew Flynn’s newly published book and the third novel in the ”Bernie Weber: Math Genius” series, protagonist Bernie Weber takes on the CIA itself. Advance praise for the novel: “What John Kennedy Toole did for New Orleans in ’The Confederacy of Dunces,’ Flynn has done for Milwaukee in ’Hunting Bernie Weber.’ Laughing out loud funny.” Available where books are sold.

Joe Patterson just retired after 38 years of teaching astronomy at Columbia (plus 4 more at UCLA and Princeton).

1970

Jamie MacGuire’s newest book, “John Millington Synge, The Aran Islands and His Influences” was published by Academia Press this May. “My second book of the Spring...I think I first read Synge’s poetry circa 1968 when the Library was housed in the Manor House and overseen by Brother Basil Cunningham! It took me awhile....”

’70 | Jamie MacGuire with Rhodes ’13, Pierce ’10 and grandkids.

1971/1980

Rai Reyes ’80 writes in from CT, “I just started cantoring at St Catherine of Siena Church in Simsbury, CT and found out that Tom Lonergan ’71 has been a cantor there for a while now quite a coincidence.”

1974

Ray Bahr sent in an update from MA, “After a 50-year career in Engineering, I am now gainfully unemployed. I split that time roughly 50% in the commercial arena and 50% in the DoD arena. I focused primarily on R&D, and acted as a systems architect designing hardware and software solutions, mainly focusing on high performance embedded systems for most of that time. My wife of 25 years and I were SCUBA diving in Utila, Honduras when COVID caused the borders to close. We eventually got home thanks to an organization called Global Guardians, and that pretty much confirmed that ’life is too short’ and I retired from the MITRE Corp, where I had one of my first jobs back in the late 70s. We live in Carlisle, MA with our three Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and have been here for approximately 25 years. I now spend time woodworking and metal working and working on cars, and healing from various joint replacements the cost of an active life.”

1984

Brian Hetherington is getting ready for this September’s 40th Reunion by seeing Brendan Canning and David Mazzella in Idaho, and Prescott Carter, Chris Sheehan and Don Dowd at the NYYC. He is living in San Francisco, CA, enjoying working at Newfront Insurance and hanging with his family.

’84 | Brian Hetherington, Prescott Carter, Chris Sheehan and Don Dowd at the New York Yacht Club and Chris’ trophy inset.

’71/’80 | Rai Reyes and Tom Lonergan at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

’84 | Brian Hetherington in Idaho with Brendan Canning and David Mazzella.

1989

Marc Leandro made the move from New York City to California a few years back, where he now lives with his twins Max and Otis, who just turned 11. The newest addition to their family is their incredibly cute puppy, Waffles. Recently, Marc founded a nationwide domestic service staffing firm, specializing in placing estate managers, private chefs, executive assistants, and nannies in homes across the country. He extends a special offer to the Portsmouth Abbey School community and you can visit sorensenstaffing.com to reach out.

1992

David Metz was named 2024 Los Angeles Unified Teacher of the Year for the Santee (CA) Education Complex for his “excellence, creativity, and ability to make a difference in the lives of [his] students.”

1993

Charlene McKeating celebrated the Portsmouth Abbey School graduation of her nephew, Aidan Surber ’24, at this May’s Commencement Ceremony with her niece, Sarabeth Surber ’20, daughter Marina ’23, and son Seamus ’27.

1995

Christian Baird sends in an update, “All is well here in DFW. I am very busy with our commercial insurance practice and blessed with steady growth. My wife Camilla has been busy with her floral business and working with the four Tiffany’s jewelry stores here in the metropolitan area. We spent March traveling around Greece as our first real vacation since Covid-19. The Greek islands are worth the trip!”

Marina and John Plummer’s oldest daughter, Siena Plummer, graduated from St. Rose of Lima Middle School (Warwick, RI) in the Spring of 2024 and will be attending La Salle Academy (Providence, RI) in the fall. Their two other children, Jack and Caroline, will be entering 7th and 3rd grades respectively. John recently took a position as a senior claims attorney at Gallagher Bassett and Marina remains an underwriting title attorney at First American Title Insurance Company.

’93 | Charlene McKeating with Marina ’23, Aidan ’24, Seamus ’27 and Sarabeth ’20

’89 | Marc Leandro’s children, Max and Otis and dog, Waffles.

’95 | John Plummer’s children Jack, Caroline and Siena.

2003

Evan Piekara lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and daughter. He works at Nestlé, where he heads up their change management team overseeing the company’s most complex business transformation efforts. He’s had the chance recently to watch the Celtics playoff games with fellow D.C. resident Frank Hoder. If anyone is visiting D.C. or wants to connect, please reach out.

’03 | Evan Piekara teaching daughter Anaiya the finer technique of chipping.

2006

Zachary McCune and Larisa Berger welcomed Atlas Berger McCune to their family. He was born May 24, 2024 in San Francisco, CA.

2009

Alex Gallo currently lives in Charlotte, NC where he works as a data analyst and enjoys all the natural beauty the Tarheel State has to offer. “If any Ravens find themselves in the area, I’d love to meet up for coffee or lunch.”

2012

Jamie Chapman received her SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional) certification in February. In May, Jamie received a promotion to senior human resources manager at Bealls, Inc. and graduated from Bealls, Inc.’s Emerging Leaders program which focuses on building leadership skills in up-and-coming leaders across the business.

Cynthia Holte is currently stationed with the United States Navy in Japan. She was thrilled to welcome Abbey classmate Toni Ramos to visit her there. “I’ve been here for almost 1.5 years and I have two-year orders. I’m a Navy nurse and currently with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. We provide medical support to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. I’m really grateful that I get to have this experience — I’ve been able to learn a lot about operational medicine. More so, I have so much respect for the Marines (my Dad is a prior Marine!), and so it’s been the biggest honor to get to train alongside with them.”

’12

| Jamie Chapman with her Emerging Leaders Program classmates.

’12 | Cynthia Holte at the peak of Mt. Fuji in Japan.

’12 | Cynthia Holte and Tori Ramos in Japan.

78 / ’

2013

Isabel Keogh and Rhoads MacGuire were married last July at Oceancliff in Newport, RI. Since then, Isabel has changed careers and recently graduated with a Master’s in Counseling in December 2023. “I am working as a therapist at a group practice that specializes in treating eating disorders and trauma. Rhoads is working as a team lead in Financial Data Operations for an insurance company. We’ve been in Austin for seven years and are still loving it.

’13 | Isabel Keogh MacGuire and Rhoads MacGuire wedding walk.

2015

Doug Lebo finished medical school this spring at Université de Montréal with an MD. “I’ll be starting a residency in family medicine here in Montréal in July! Very excited to start the last few years of my training!”

2017

Katelyn Heuer was featured as a new professional at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s (NUWC) Division Newport for her work as a computer scientist in the Surface Ship and Aviation Systems test, Evaluation, and Analysis Branch of the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department. In this role, Katelyn and her team work on a tool set that is used for even reconstruction and analysis.

2020

Davy Appleton graduated from Dartmouth College this spring with a degree in mathematics and received a commission as a second lieutenant into the United States Army where he will serve as a field artillery officer. Davy finished his track career at Dartmouth as a member of the Academic All-Ivy Team this spring.

Crystal Chojnowski was selected to give the undergraduate address for Stonehill College’s 2024 Commencement ceremony. Crystal graduated with a major in communication and a minor in business administration.

Kate Driscoll was awarded the Holy Cross Women’s Rowing Crusader Award for Gratitude, Resilient, Accountability, Commitment and Enthusiasm (GRACE).

’20 | Nicole Huyer graduated from The Catholic University with honors.

Nicole Huyer recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Catholic University with Distinguished Honors in her major of International Economics and Finance. She was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, Omicron Delta Epsilon and Pi Gamma Mu honor societies. She is very excited to return to Catholic University for her Master’s in Applied Economics this fall.

Chris Zaiser was a member of Kenyon College’s football team and was named to the 2023 Academic All-District Football Team, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

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13 | Bill Keogh ’78 with Rhoads and Isabel MacGuire ’13 and Michelle Coppedge.

2021

Margot Appleton was the ACC Champion for University of Virginia in the 1500m in both Indoor and Outdoor Track. She earned All-American honors for the third consecutive year in Indoor (1500m) and Outdoor (5000m) Track.

2022 / 2025

While in Washington, D.C. completing in the National Poetry Out Loud contest, Jennifer Shon ’25 and chaperone, Paula Walter, enjoyed dinner with David Yang who, at the time, was a sophomore at Georgetown University. David is double majoring in computer science and economics with a minor in math. He is a TA and will be a research assistant this summer. David plays drums in a band with some good friends and also plays trumpet in the Georgetown Pep Band. He got to see Gwen Bragan (Gwen is in the PC pep band) when Providence College played Georgetown this winter. David keeps in touch with Alex Adams and several other Abbey grads and is looking forward to welcoming the Abbey ’24 students who are now Hoyas in the fall.

’22 / ’25 | David Yang ’22 and Jennifer Shon ’25 in Georgetown.

’22 / ’25 | David Yang ’22 with Jennifer Shon ’25 and Dean of Student Life Paula Walter.

Save Date 0 t he

abbot’s reception

december 11, 2024

new york yacht club

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