The BUZZ: News from The Hive

Building Trust, One Evolution at a Time

Morning Convocation on November 9 kicked off the next chapter in Building Bridges, an initiative involving St. Benedict’s Prep, the New Jersey State Police and Victory Road Leadership Development Group that seeks to build trust and understanding between communities of color and law enforcement. The pilot program began in July when a group of Gray Bees and state troopers completed a 30hour WILDE (Wilderness Inspired Leadership Develop Expedition) in Sandyston, N.J.

Now, with seed money from New York-headquartered law firm Davis Polk and the Other Fellow Foundation in Summit, N.J., an immersive challenge called BEAST brought kids and state troopers together again for a day of team training at 520 MLK Boulevard. In this latest evolution, 14 state troopers were paired with students from the Girls and Boys Prep Divisions for a series of mental and physical challenges designed to foster communication and connection. BEAST was facilitated and led by Victory Road; its acronym represents the goals of the evolution: Build relationships, Educate and create Awareness, and accelerate Synergy and Trust. Since BEAST took place on the Property, state troopers partook in Convocation in full dress uniform, and members of the St. Benedict’s community witnessed training contests like the water challenge that took place in the HAB pool and Kim’s Game, a memory exercise practiced by the military and intelligence agencies. By the end of the day, more Gray Bees expressed interest in participating in the second BEAST challenge that took place on December 7.

“In this time of division, Building Bridges offers a sign of unity, something everyone in the country needs to see right now,” said Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. ’63. “Communities that historically have been far apart, can come together to connect and learn from one another.”

The BEAST evolution concluded with a debrief involving all participants. The long-term goal is to develop Building Bridges into a national model that can be replicated locally, regionally and nationally. Davis Polk is partnering with us as part of its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

THE SPENCER VESPOLE ’09 MEMORIAL CUP

The water polo team held its first Spencer Vespole ’09 Memorial Cup on September 11. The competition — a round robin event involving St. Benedict’s Prep, Pingry and Germantown Academy — celebrated the life and legacy of Mr. Vespole, who succumbed to cancer in 2019. An All-American water polo player at Bowdoin College, “Spence” joined the St. Benedict’s Prep faculty full-time in 2013 and was a beloved teacher, mentor, alumnus and coach.

Literacy is Everyone’s Business

There is a reason meteorology students read Isaac’s Storm, the gripping story of the 1900 Galveston hurricane, and freshman math classes emphasize arithmetical vocabulary and language. Since 2014, literacy education has been a core focus of Student Performance Objectives at St. Benedict’s Prep.

“Critical reading and writing touch every academic discipline,” said Associate Headmaster for Academics Michelle Tuorto H ’16. The Middle States reaccreditation process provides the vehicle for St. Benedict’s faculty to develop new courses, like the required Freshman Writing Seminar, as well as integrate literacy education into every class. “Students need to see it everywhere,” explained Mrs. Tuorto. “That’s been a big shift for us. Everyone has a role in developing a culture of reading and writing.”

That’s reflected in the Professional Learning Community (PLC), which has grown from six faculty members to two dozen teachers in the Elementary and Middle Divisions. A new PLC, which meets regularly

“Everyone has a role in developing a culture of reading and writing.”

to share expertise, develop interventions and monitor progress, was established in the Prep Divisions this year. “The PLC is how we learn to become better teachers of reading and writing,” Mrs. Tuorto added. Middle and Prep Division students sat for the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests in October to measure progress in improving students’ critical reading and writing skills. The results will be used to counsel individual students on strengths and areas for improvement and will inform instruction as St. Benedict’s heads into its next reaccreditation cycle.

ST. BENEDICT’S IN THE NEWS, AGAIN

The Hive continues to be a source of inspiration for national news outlets and magazines. In May, The New York Times ran an extensive profile on the return to The Trail amid COVID-19. The story appeared in print and online and an estimated 257,000 people read or saw the photo essay.

St. Benedict’s Prep graced the cover of the September 2021 issue of America magazine with the story written by Benedict’s own religion teacher, Stephen G. Adubato. The insightful article connected the Benedictine monks’ commitment to stability to the success of St. Benedict’s today. The progress and growth of the crew program also drew attention from numerous media outlets. Head Coach Craig White ’04 and senior oarsmen appeared in segments for “Good Day New York” on FOX 5 New York, “The Upside” on The Today Show online, News 12 New Jersey, and TAPINTO NEWARK.

FIRST SEASON IN THE BOOKS FOR GRAY BEE VOLLEYBALL

Gray Bees showed the grit and tenacity Benedict’s athletics built its reputation on during their inaugural varsity volleyball season. Led by Head Coach Nia Grant, a professional volleyball player and twotime NCAA champion at Penn State University, the team concluded its first seasonon October 27.

The team’s first varsity victory, a defeat of Blair Academy in straight sets, was pivotal, according to Coach Grant. “It showed we were capable of winning,” she stated. Director of Athletics Tom Leahy ’77 is excited about the program’s prospects. “Our teams have a long tradition of success, and we have the same expectations for our new girls teams as our longstanding boys programs. You need coaches who can bring student-athletes along to meet those expectations. Clearly, Nia Grant is doing that for girls volleyball.”

For now, Coach Grant is taking a break from professional competition. The Ohio native and world traveler recently moved to Bloomfield, N.J. “This was my first opportunity coaching a high school team,” she said. “I’m glad it was with St. Benedict’s. I really like how the School runs their athletic programs.”