ABBEY LIFE
ABBEY LIFE
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Head Boy and Head Girl 2012-2013
This Year’s Abbey PG’s
By Jake Kim Staff Writer
Katherine Rodrock
Brian O’Connor
How did you come to the Abbey?
I came to the Abbey through a program called US Naval Foundation, which gave me a list of schools to choose for a prep year. The Abbey has been preparing me for the Naval Academy life. It is similar to the Academy in its academic and daily schedule, such as the privilege system by grade, check-ins and study hall. I also learned to be away from home.
Head Boy-Elect Fletcher Bonin
Head Girl-Elect Dorothy Dickmann
Speeches By Fletcher Bonin
H
ello friends, For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Fletcher. I apologize if I don’t know your name, because I make it a point to try to learn everyone’s name as I walk around campus. I even try to know everyone’s nicknames, like our friend James Maguire. And I would love to be your Head Boy next year. I like to think of our student body as an actual body, and a strong one at that. Joe Yates and Steve Cho make up the brain of our body. Tiernan O’rourke, Sophia Diadotti, and Rasaanh Matra are the do re migos that make up our vocal chords. Zack Tipton is no doubt the heart and soul of this body. The powerful legs of our student body are supplied by our favorite stallion, Sean McDonough. Our gorgeous hair comes from a tie between Gaby Perez and Will Locke’s formidable mane. Justin Mistikawy is our appendix, because he doesn’t do much, but he’s always there. And of course, Coach Brown is our mustache. Finally, I would be the ears, not only because I have large ears, but also because I will listen to your ideas and act on them in Student Council to better our school. Given the opportunity to be Head Boy, I would like to create more dorm bonding and increase school spirit. To do this, I would like to increase the number of Ravens Cup events, perhaps adding a tuck shop games-triathlon in the Fall, including ping-pong, pool and foosball. In the winter, perhaps the trivia bowl and a dorm decorating competition for Christmas or Halloween. In the Spring, we could have outdoor basketball or soccer tournaments. The old, one Raven’s Cup event per term is way too mainstream for a school as hipster as we are. And your ideas for inter-dorm competitions would
of course be welcome. Basically, we’re looking for maximum opportunities for Michael Stark to wear double shooting sleeves and eye-black. I also think that student council could set up some kind of group on Facebook for Abbey students to voice their opinions and we could take polls on how we can make your Abbey experience better. The Student Council page could even “like” your comments and posts to give you high self-esteem. I want everyone here to be involved in the student government, because that’s justice. Now, nobody’s perfect. My torso is far too small for my disproportionately long arms and legs. I’ve been told that I say “haha” too much when I text. And by default, I am a member of St. Brigid’s girl’s dorm, not by choice. And is it sad that I’ve seen “Hot Rod” over 12 times? No, but it is sad that I’ve seen it over 16 times. And I can only apologize for the short-sleeve button-down shirts. However, I have two years of experience in Student Council, and I would like to strengthen its influence on the student body next year. I am willing to work hard to turn your opinions and desires into actions. This is a job I will take seriously, and a responsibility I’m willing to take on. As far as assembly goes, I will read the announcements with energy and skill each Monday and Friday, including the hard to pronounce schools such as Marionapolis and Choate. A vote for me is a vote for your own ideas to be represented in student council, and I promise you I will listen. I honestly love this place so much, which is why I almost never leave, by choice, and I want all of you to love this place as much as I do. And plus, when my brother and sister aren’t home, I am my mom’s favorite child. These are all great candidates up here, good luck voting and thanks for listening.
By Dorothy Dickmann
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t surprises me regularly that with the small size of our school and the amount of time I spend on campus, people still slip through the cracks. I know all of you can relate to this: there’re kids that you see walking the paths, or in the dining hall, and you can’t for the life of you think of what their name is. Or conversely, a name comes up in conversation and you’re thinking, “who?” While some of you sitting here right now know me extremely well, others of you, I’m sure, have no clue who I am – perhaps have never even seen me before now. So, for the latter of you, allow me to introduce myself. Hi. My name is Dorothy Carol Dickmann. I know; I have the name of an 80 year old woman who probably has arthritis, lots of cats, and no idea what the internet is. Also, I recognize the hilarity of all of your clever Wizard of Oz jokes, as well as the other, more inappropriate ones concerning my last name. I’m really sorry if I don’t always laugh, it’s just that after the five-hundredth time of hearing “do you have a dog named Toto?” the jokes tend to lose a bit of their punch. I’m a day student. I live less than ten minutes down the road and drive a nineteen-yearold Saab with thumb tacks in the ceiling. I have a tendency to trip over my own feet. I have a sort of absurd and uncalled for love of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I sometimes misjudge the angles and walk into walls, door frames, tables, and people). My face has a horrible habit of turning red at the drop of a hat— even when I’m not embarrassed. Eight times out of ten, my clothes don’t match. Especially during the winter when layers are involved. I
have an annoying habit of humming, whistling, and making other odd, obnoxious, idle noise. I sometimes, or rather, most of the time, have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I’m the girl in your class who always speaks out of turn. For that I am sorry, I realize how irritating it is—it’s a problem I’m working on. Semiunsuccessfully. Now, I know that this seems like a jumble of bizarre things about me that you don’t care about at all. I mean, how do they have anything to do with why you should elect me? If you’re still listening, allow me to relate it. Everything has flaws. I clearly do, you do, Portsmouth Abbey does. No one can deny that. But that doesn’t stop any and all of those things from being great. This school is great. There’re things about them that we don’t necessarily love, that I can’t promise to change, because they never will. Like the dress code, or how easily my face flushes. But there are things that we can change. It’s not just changing things we don’t like, though. It’s also making sure things we love about the Abbey stay, and improving upon the strengths our school already has. I could stand up here and spout off a list of things that I’ve done, and things that I’m involved in, and tell you why I think they would make me the best fit for the job. But what I think I bring to the table can’t be listed on a resume. If you elect me, I will bring with me tons of enthusiasm and determination that I will use to try my best to put everyone’s ideas into action. Because I believe that with the right combination of energy and hard work, this next year can be legendary. So, allow me to ask: please, give me the honor of making your 2012-2013 school year the best year Portsmouth Abbey has ever seen.
Watch the speech on YouTube!
Fletcher’s Speech
Dorothy’s Speech
Smartphone users: Search for “QR Codes” in your Appstore and use those apps to scan the code!
What are your plans after the Abbey and the Academy? In the Academy I am planning to study applied math, political science with international studies, and I want to learn Chinese and Japanese. After the academy, I will be a Surface Warfare Officer, deployed on a ship. I want to travel around the Mediterranean and Asia, especially Japan. How does the Abbey compare to your previous school?
It is definitely very different from my old school. First thing, I don’t have a car! I have been driving since my sophomore year, and now I can’t drive. Also the boarding life, being away from home, and not having my own bed. And I love cooking, but I can’t cook in my dorm. Academics are pretty much the same; they have pretty much the same classes, and they are more or less equally challenging. At the Abbey there are more language class options, and I really like the art classes. It is great that we have a whole building just for art.
What motivated you to join the Armed Forces? Many people from my family served in the military, and the people I lived with and respected are in the military and I want to be like them. I want to serve my country; I don’t want to waste my life, I want to make a difference. And I want to see places.
Being a PG at the Abbey?
For the first month it was weird. I didn’t know anybody but everybody knew me, and I was doing my senior year again. But it is nice that I don’t have to worry about college, and I have gotten to know a lot more about myself and gained a deeper perspective. I am more confident, because I know things are going to work out, so it was a good learning experience.
Something you would like to say to others?
If it is not okay, it’s not the end. When I didn’t get into most of my colleges, I was very disappointed and thought I wouldn’t be going to college. Even if you don’t see it, things will work out.
I was recruited to West Point last May to play lacrosse, but there was no spot this year, so the West Point coach connected me to Coach Brown for a prep year. I win just about every faceoff so faceoff is all I do; I go in, get the faceoff and come right back out. What are your plans after the Abbey and West Point? I am planning to major in chemical engineering, and look at nuclear engineering. At West Point, you don’t have to decide a major until the end of your sophomore year so I have a lot of time. I want to work with chemical weapons during my active service, and then I’ll probably get an engineering job.
Rooming with Whitney?
Rooming with Whitney… (laughter) is very interesting. Whitney’s a great guy, I’ve had a lot of fun rooming with him, and as the entire campus knows, he’s an interesting guy. We’ve gotten along really well, and I would definitely room with him again in West Point.
What motivated you to join the Army?
I came to the Abbey because the West Point coach wanted me to have a year of academic prep as well as to work on lacrosse to prepare for D1 lacrosse at West Point.
What are your plans after the Abbey and college?
I would like to study International Relations in college and after my time at the Army I would like to get a political position, or go into business or law. How does the Abbey compare to your previous school? My old school was very big, and I didn’t know some people even until graduation. But the Abbey is really small and even after 7 months of being here I feel like I know everyone and I’m somewhat friends with everyone. I met a lot of good people and made many friends that I would keep in touch with after graduation. The athletic teams are smaller here, coaches are closer to kids and it helps a lot with team chemistry.
Rooming with Brian
(Throughout the interview, Ryan continuously accused Brian of being an avid knitter, a perfect summary of their life together.) I really enjoy my experience with Brian. Brian’s very easy to live with, and we help each other out. We’ve gotten very close, and I would definitely room with Brian again.
Being a PG at the Abbey?
What motivated you to join the Army?
How does the Abbey compare to your previous school? My old school had three thousand two hundred kids, so that’s a huge difference. I know we’re planning on getting a new one, but I think the science building is good here. In my old school we just did our labs in our classrooms, we didn’t have specific lab rooms.
Being a PG at the Abbey
Anything you would like to say?
Something you would like to say upon leaving?
I’ve been having a lot of fun. It’s really good to come here as a PG, especially going into service, because it is so different from a public school. In public school there weren’t rules besides at home, but everything is structured here. This is a good transition for me.
Take life as it comes to you. I found out that I had to do another whole year of high school less than a month before graduation, when I thought I would be going to college. I could’ve gotten upset but I took the best case scenario; and I think it helped me get ready for West Point.
pressed his concern on the Abbey’s perception of the club. Carnegie serves as a venue for tennis, golf, and the occasional relaxation day by the pool. With just as pretty a view of the bay as we have, Carnegie is the perfect site for such a resort. But none of this comes cheaply. Just as we students have to pay an annual tuition fee, members pay a large amount to be a part of this resort. As an exclusive site, one can only become a member when 23 years old and must meet the financial qualifications. The club isn’t as “exclusive,” as it may seem, but membership is no walk in the park. My family has been members of the club for about six years now, way before I even knew
views resumes and will eventually travel to meet possible candidates. As Dr. Bonin explains, “Resumes and recommendation letters can only tell you so much—you have to meet people face-to-face.” At the end of the search, Mr. Becker will review all the applicants and provide the Search Committee with a list of top candidates. The committee will interview these candidates and recommend a finalist to the full Board. The Search Committee emphasized the importance of the entire Abbey community having a say in the search. On January 27 Abbey students, faculty, staff, parents, regents, alumni, and friends were invited to complete a survey about what they would like to see in the next Headmaster. The survey results were made available to the Search Committee, and were used to help shape the job description for the Headmaster position contained in a long document entitled “Head of School Leadership Opportunity.” The Head of School Leadership Opportunity consists of appealing information about our school. It describes the Head of School position; the history of the Abbey; the Monastery and monks; the School’s Statement of Phi-
How did you come to the Abbey?
I originally wanted to be in Air Force because I wanted to be a fighter pilot. But going into my senior year I got recruited to West Point, and now that I’ve looked into both of them, I think West Point is a much better fit for me and that I’ll be much happier there.
By Kat Haines Staff Writer
Benevides, Continued
Ryan Whitney
How did you come to the Abbey?
That Other Abbey
Apart from fancy graduation brunches, golfers, and the constant reminder of the blatant Tower, most Abbey kids don’t know much about Carnegie Abbey. All of our Abbey grounds were established in 1900 by the Benedictine Monastery, but it was not until recently that Peter de Savary bought a 99-year lease from our monks. Given 500 acres, Carnegie Abbey is a luxurious resort built on Abbey land. Currently, Mr. Brian O’Neill is the owner, and enthusiastic about Abbey life. Personally, I had the good fortune to sit in on one of Mr. O’Neill’s meetings about the construction of the Carnegie Tower, which sticks out like a sore thumb on a mass of flat land. Mr. O’Neill ex-
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about Portsmouth Abbey School. I believe it serves as a great way to be introduced to the Abbey though; I remember going to little kid summer camp on Abbey grounds. The meals in the dining hall were definitely the highlight of that program. Despite the introduction, as a member, my Abbey life and club life are pretty much isolated from each other. Both the Abbey and Carnegie are national historic sites for the Revolutionary War. Crashing a golf cart into one of the trees in “Bloody Run Dam” when I was younger frequently reminds me of where the Battle of Bloody Run took place. Dr. DeVecchi even found a cannon lying around the grounds when out for a walk. However much we may seem isolated, our common land will connect us for however long Carnegie Abbey exists. As a member, ending a Spring Warm Weather Dress day sitting by the Carnegie pool doesn’t get much better.
losophy; the academic program; and the challenges the new Headmaster will have to face. The statement emphasizes Portsmouth Abbey’s commitment to Benedictine Catholic education, therefore the new Headmaster will need to embrace the School’s Mission and work within the School’s tradition. Dr. Flanigan says, “Our School is in a position of power, and the new Headmaster will have to take it to the next level.” In order to do that, the new Headmaster will not only have to sustain the school’s financial status and academic reputation, but he or she will have to fundraise for the School’s Capital Campaign; keep tuition levels in check; embrace 21st century teaching and learning; strengthen admission and college placement; and raise the school’s profile in Catholic and Independent school circles. As we go about our day-to-day business, the search for Portsmouth Abbey School’s future Headmaster continues in the hope of finding someone who sees our School’s potential and will improve our School in the years to come.
I’ve always had deep respect for people who served their country and the opportunity to go West Point presented itself through lacrosse. With getting one of the best educations of the country for free, it wasn’t much of a decision. I get respect from guys when it comes to sports; I feel more responsible. We are held to higher standards when it comes to academics and sports, which is expected. Boarding taught me about responsibility and discipline. . I really enjoyed my time here, I’m very happy I chose the Abbey to go for my prep year, and I’ve made many good friends I’ll keep in touch.
Both the Equestrian Program and Golf program here at the Abbey are significantly woven into Carnegie life. Carnegie employees help these teams reach their goals, specifically the riding coaches at the stables. Mr. Hobbins serves as the equestrian team’s personal driver, crossing the line between the Abbey and Carnegie every day with the girls. As a golfer here at the Abbey, what’s better than a 5-star course in which to practice a round? Staffed with a PGA director of golf and professional coaches, Carnegie Abbey is a great place to start up a golf game on the Scottish links and extremely traditional course. I’m proud to say that I have “parred” one hole, #3, on the Carnegie course, despite its being the easiest. With an 18-hole golf course at the tip of our fingers, many faculty members, such as Mr. Moffie and Mr. Sirois, take advantage of this opportunity.
Mehrtens, Continued den away. These attacks do not solely target women, nor are the perpetrators always men. Yet, while most male victims are splashed on their skin, like shoulders or arms, female victims are often targeted in places that injure their chances of finding a husband, like their faces or genitals. These calculated attacks make it almost impossible for a woman to survive in the masculine society of Bangladesh where they may only hope to prosper through marriage. This patriarchal system leads many women into a cycle of woman-to-woman violence as they target their lover’s “other woman” as a way to solidify their futures and protect themselves from destitution. Both parties are victims of their society. Yet this solely provides some needed context and does not mean these female perpetrators are blameless. Professor Chowdhury emphasized the struggle of finding women willing to speak out on their attacks because many feared for their friends, family, and themselves if they were seen discussing the issue. This prompted one college student to ask whether Professor Chowdhury had ever felt unsafe her-
Carnegie should be a bonus, not a burden. The golf course, fancy lunches, and horseback riding program redeem a bit of the annoyance of the Tower. As Carnegie serves us, we serve them. Many student families have joined the club due to their enrollment in the Abbey. “Portsmouth Abbey is a second home to me, and Carnegie is just an added bonus,” Fifth Former Callie Hall remarks about her membership to the club. It is a great place to which boarders can slip away with their parents upon visiting, especially for international students. Having a golf course on Portsmouth Abbey land is a good way of helping to preserve the beauty of the property in years to come, especially since the community can benefit from its use as well.
self, as a single woman in Bangladesh often traveling to the poorer sections of the city to meet victims. Professor Chowdhury paused, but soon readily admitted that she never felt herself in danger. She confessed that as an upper-middle class, Bangladeshi woman, who lived in a gated area with a car for transportation, her safety was never truly at risk, unlike the victims. Professor Chowdhury concluded her seminar by describing local women’s organizations and international agencies striving to educate women of empowerment, rescue, and rehabilitation. Pictures and stories of survivor-activists and Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States accentuated her message. Acid attacks occur all over the world, including Europe and the United States. However, Professor Chowdhury’s focus to the particular situations and victims of South Asia allows her to probe deeper into the episodes of acids attacks on women and girls, behind the statistics. Her emphasis and diligence in telling their stories does not simply bring awareness, but gives faces to a transnational message against gendered violence.