After the Abbey

Reconnect where you live or travel to see friends. Portsmouth Abbey is on the road several times per year to engage with alumni and welcome prospective families. Whether in an intimate gathering in a historic locale or a chic urban affair, these events take place in various locations around the world and offer a stage for alumni to reminisce and make new bonds. Recent alumni receptions have taken place in Washington D.C., South Florida, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Chile, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, China, Korea, and Manila to name several.   

This year’s Reunion Weekend will be memorable to revisit cherished places and memories and renew old friendships. Join us on campus to honor the legacy of Portsmouth Abbey.   

Accommodations 

Preliminary Reunion Schedule 

Golf at The Aquidneck Club 

Through the generosity of both players and sponsors, the annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at the prestigious Aquidneck Club helps provide a Catholic Benedictine education to students for whom this opportunity would otherwise be out of reach. 

Reserve your spot today. If you’re unable to attend but still wish to participate, sponsorship opportunities are a great way to lend your or your company’s support.  

Player and Sponsor registration form available here. FORM link needed here: https://my.portsmouthabbey.org/events/golf-tournaments/event---2023---registration---golf- tournament- 

"The opportunities and lifestyle at the Abbey also instilled in me accountability, respect, and integrity. Although I missed my family, my four years at the Abbey allowed me to foster life-long relationships and offer stability. My teachers and friends are still some of my closest confidantes and counsel on my professional and personal life." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

Since graduating from the Abbey in 2011, I have received my B.A. in East Asian Studies and a Certificate in Mandarin Chinese from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and relocated to Washington, D.C. I moved to D.C. to pursue a career in international relations, specifically focused on strengthening U.S.-China relations. Prior to law school, I worked at Meridian International Center administering international exchange programs on behalf of the U.S. State Department as well as the Center for Naval Analyses. It was my personal, educational, and professional experience that ultimately led me to the George Washington University Law School where I am a second-year law student. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

As the child of two U.S. Government employees, my family frequently relocated, which is why I decided to attend the Abbey. The Benedictine influence encourages students to practice humility, obedience, and loyalty. The values echo through the halls, across the Holy Lawn, and are instilled in the students and championed by the teachers and coaches. Kindness emanates throughout the campus. The respect for each other and the humanities curriculum facilitated thoughtful intellectual debate and discussion in the classroom while the structured lifestyle taught the importance of discipline. 

The Abbey was my sanctuary to be curious while I also deepened my faith. I explored opportunities I may not have had the chance to like living abroad, for example. I participated in sports that I never dreamed of playing; I performed in school plays; I attended retreats and weekly mass with friends, and I also served as Head Girl. Ultimately, each experience made me more confident in who I am and what I am capable of, particularly how I can better serve others. The opportunities and lifestyle at the Abbey also instilled in me accountability, respect, and integrity. Although I missed my family, my four years at the Abbey allowed me to foster life-long relationships and offer stability. My teachers and friends are still some of my closest confidantes and counsel on my professional and personal life. As we have all recently experienced, there will be ups and downs in life, but the way we treat others, the values we hold dear, and the people we love are what make life worthwhile. My parents shaped me while the Abbey molded me into the person I am today. (Thank you!!!) 

What is a piece of advice you’d give to current Portsmouth Abbey students? 

Be brave, be curious, and be humble! You will accomplish things that you may not even think are possible right now (or are on your radar). Those who have gone before you, like me, will be cheering for you at commencement as well as throughout your other life accomplishments. Believe in yourself. We believe in you, and we want to support you however we can. 

If I may share something that has certainly helped me to avoid certain sticky situations and is in memory of my late father, "You are never in trouble for saying too little, but always for saying too much." (Disclaimer: does not necessarily apply during Confession!) 

"Your potential for experiences at the Abbey is limitless. Take advantage of everything that resonates with you. Opportunities will come your way that frighten or intimidate you but lean on the support the Abbey provides, and step into that discomfort." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

The Abbey opened my eyes to the possibility that the world was bigger than what I knew. I had a few experiences abroad at the Abbey that really defined my path since graduating in 2016. When I left the Abbey, I was concerned about not finding my stride like I had on Cory’s Lane. I continued on the Lourdes pilgrimage every year since my first trip in 2015 (except this year due to Covid), and that experience introduced me to people who really gave me the confidence in myself and in my faith to embrace the opportunities that arose in college. My freshman year at Arcadia University I got involved in The Arcadia Public Art Project, which seeks to implement works of public art within the school’s community and that project really shifted things for me. I participated on the team of the Public Art Project for 2 years and painted two murals with renowned muralist David Guinn. Junior year, I went abroad to Spain for four months and Italy for five. During that time abroad, I started to see that the world, again, was bigger than what I knew. I met people with energizing ideas about creativity and unique perspectives that I had never considered. I started embracing all this inspiration and thinking big. 

When I returned home for my senior year of college, I was invited to sit on the steering committee of The Arcadia Public Art Project, now collaborating with the mentors I had worked with just 2 years prior. I simultaneously began working on my senior thesis about Leonardo Da Vinci and the Salvator Mundi painting. All of these experiences shifted into and inspired my biggest accomplishment yet, writing a book. The Art of Collaboration focuses on harnessing collaboration to reach creative success. I began writing it this year, and it will be published in December 2020 and is available on Amazon. It also features some Abbey alumni! Aside from working with the book, I am also teaching 12th-grade special education at Mastery Charter Schools in Philadelphia and pursuing a certificate in Special Education through the University of Pennsylvania. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about my formative experiences at the Abbey is AP Art History. Prior to taking that class, I knew virtually nothing about the art world, and I had no idea that class would shape my entire path moving forward. I graduated from Arcadia University in May with a Bachelor’s in Art History and a minor in religion, and the reason I chose to study Art History in college was Mrs. Micheletti. My book was even inspired greatly by Leonardo Da Vinci and the Italian Renaissance workshop. I knew nothing about any of that until Mrs. Micheletti’s class. The way we learned to look at art changed the way I looked at everything. All of a sudden, I found myself questioning the intention behind creativity and inspired by subtle details that often go unnoticed. Just one class and one great teacher can really shift things for students and the Abbey is full of those types of classes and teachers. 

Then, of course, I love the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Anyone who knows me is probably rolling their eyes… I never stop talking about this. My first year in Lourdes really changed the way I thought about God, the world, and my place within it. I made friends from around the world and started experiencing faith in a way that I never had before. I questioned the role of God a lot prior to my first pilgrimage, but my first year in Lourdes gave me this clarity that I struggle to explain. That clarity plays a role in my faith but also in my day to day life. Lourdes reinforced a lot of the spiritual lessons I learned at the Abbey and that annual pilgrimage keeps me connected to the Abbey in a really special way. Every year, in the south of France, I get to meet some rising sixth form students and share a really profound week of practicing our faith together. Traditions are such a big part of life at the Abbey and something I really appreciate. Things are constantly changing in the world, especially this year, but awaiting these special traditions gives me hope to get through the uncertainty. 

What is a piece of advice you’d give to current Portsmouth Abbey students? 

Something truly unique about the Abbey is that community and those traditions. When I began writing my book, I reached out to some alumni for help, and they supported me immediately. It really energized me to connect with alumni from all different years, and all have stories and experiences in common. As a young emerging professional, I knew exactly where to go to find support in my professional endeavors. There is a network to tap into and a community that has your back. When you graduate, don’t forget that you are still part of that community, if you want to be. I take great pride in being part of the Abbey community and love connecting with friends and alumni, sharing stories and traditions, and of course, collaborating. 

Your potential for experiences at the Abbey is limitless. Take advantage of everything that resonates with you. Opportunities will come your way that frighten or intimidate you but lean on the support the Abbey provides, and step into that discomfort. Someone once told me “no growth happens in your comfort zone.” When I think of all the ways the Abbey forced me out of my comfort zone, and then look at how much growth followed, it’s really amazing. I emulate my teaching after the teaching I received at the Abbey. Be grateful to your community and teachers, because you might not know it now, but they are shaping your future! 

"At Portsmouth Abbey, you have the unique ability to get very involved in a wide variety of things, and in doing so grow into a multi-faceted leader of your peers. You don’t just get to interact with people in class, in a club, or at practice—you see many of the same people in all of those things, and to top it off you (not me, I was a day student) live with them. Getting to know others and yourself in these different ways allows you to begin to hone leadership skills that will serve you well in the future, if you choose." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from the Abbey, I attended Villanova University on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship and studied Civil and Environmental Engineering. For those who do not know what NROTC is, it is a phenomenal program where the Navy pays for much of your college and you pay back the tuition with several years of active duty service upon graduation. Ask your college counselor if you are interested. My senior year at Villanova I was assigned to serve in the Submarine Force, and I began preparing for that several months after graduation. For the next two years I attended submarine officer training schools in South Carolina, New York, and Connecticut—all designed to teach you how to supervise operation of a nuclear reactor and learn the basics of driving a submarine—followed by Navy Dive School in Panama City, Florida. From there, I moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where I served on the USS TUCSON (SSN-770) for 3 years and completed two deployments to the Western Pacific. I left the USS TUCSON at the end of last summer when I moved to Washington, DC and reported to the Pentagon, where I now work as the aide to the Director of Undersea Warfare. I will be here for two years and am still deciding what to do next, including the possibility of exploring career options outside the Navy. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

  The first thing that comes to mind (aside from the people of course) are the leadership opportunities available in the community. Portsmouth Abbey gave me so many chances to lead, and that allowed for a much more seamless transition into leadership roles in college and in the Navy. To link the Abbey to my current career, being so immersed in the culture, the student body, and the community as a whole is not unlike working on a submarine—both are very immersive, often difficult environments that few people outside of the community understand, in which you are striving to perform well every day in many different disciplines. Both are also small enough communities that a few select personalities can and do make strong impressions on the atmosphere. At Portsmouth Abbey, you have the unique ability to get very involved in a wide variety of things, and in doing so grow into a multi-faceted leader of your peers. You don’t just get to interact with people in class, in a club, or at practice—you see many of the same people in all of those things, and to top it off you (not me, I was a day student) live with them. Getting to know others and yourself in these different ways allows you to begin to hone leadership skills that will serve you well in the future, if you choose. 

Portsmouth Abbey is also where I learned to write. I say that knowing some of the people who taught me to write are likely cringing as they read parts of this. But when I traded the liberal arts-focused curriculum at the Abbey for the College of Engineering and the Navy, it made all the difference. A little bit (okay, a lot) stuck with me through the hours of practice problems and labs in college. Future engineers, please don’t get me wrong: when you’re sitting in a classroom struggling with an exam on structural mechanics, heat transfer, or nuclear physics, no one cares if you can string a well-written sentence together. After all of that, though, it pays dividends. The ability to write has given me an advantage, and I have the Abbey to thank for that. 

What is a piece of advice you’d give to current Portsmouth Abbey students? 

  Full disclosure: I’m not sure if anyone should be taking my advice… but for what it’s worth, first of all thank your parents for caring enough about you to send you to the Abbey. After you have done that, seek responsibility and lead: strive to make an impact on the community. Finally, if you’re like me and can often be a little high-strung, it’s worth taking a deep breath every once in a while and realizing how many incredible opportunities are available to you. 

"The best advice I could give to a current student is to challenge yourself at the Abbey and to never sell yourself short. Being there is such an incredible opportunity and often-times we get distracted as any person would, but really appreciate your time there and make the most of the experience." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2014, I attended Marist College where I studied Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Business. During my time there, I made sure to be a part of many organizations and clubs such as Black Student Union and United Nations. I also wanted to be very culturally aware on campus and went on to join the Mon Afrique organization that holds a yearly event showcasing African culture through music, dance, poetry, and fashion. By my junior and senior year, I became the head of Mon Afrique’s fashion and entertainment department. It was an amazing experience that I wanted to share with the Marist community, and it’s something that I cherished throughout my four years. Music has also been very important to me since before I started at Portsmouth Abbey, and it carried on with me to my time at Marist College. I sang during school events and was also a part of the school’s gospel choir. During my four years, I also studied and interned abroad in London, England. It was a decision that I am so thankful I made, and I wouldn’t have met so many amazing people, or been exposed to opportunities if it wasn’t for the support I received from my peers at Marist College. I graduated in 2018 and really had a passion for public relations and entertainment. I went on to work for a Fashion and Lifestyle company and a Public Relations agency. I also worked for iHeart Radio where I partook in their Jingle Ball event in both 2018 and 2019. I’m currently working at a Public Relations agency and hope to be in law school this fall. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today?   

Portsmouth Abbey School helped me grow into the person I am today because it taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of community. Going to boarding school at fourteen years old was a big step – these are the years where you grew into young women and men. From study hall to daily practices after class, the environment gave us structure and preparation for the outside world. If it were not for the Abbey, I would not have been able to experience Rome, or participate in the Lourdes France pilgrimage. It certainly helped me appreciate all the blessings and the opportunities I do have. 

I remember the first day of school freshman year during assembly. I saw the head boy and head girl up on stage, and I remember saying to myself that I wanted to be head girl my senior year. I never thought I would end up getting that opportunity, but the support I got from my friends and peers allowed me to achieve this goal and believe in myself. Portsmouth Abbey gave me the opportunity to be a leader. By my senior year, not only was I head girl, but I was also a prefect and the captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team. From Ms. Benestad making our basketball team do ten grueling suicides at the end of practice, to Mr. Chenoweth hounding me to finish my Statistics homework, I thank them and all my other professors for pushing me to be the best athlete, student, and individual. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

The best advice I could give to a current student is to challenge yourself at the Abbey and to never sell yourself short. Being there is such an incredible opportunity and often-times we get distracted like any person would, but really appreciate your time there and make the most of the experience. If it wasn’t for the Abbey, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Be present, but also look ahead and know that in the long run every seminar, practice, and study hall is worth it. Appreciate being a part of a tight-knit community and always go to morning Mass! 

"You have so many tools at your fingertips that few have. After leaving the Abbey you’ll have an exceptional skill set that you can do anything with. Look at your classmates and roommates, and think about how together you could make a small impact on the world." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey in 2016, I started my studies at Brown University. At Brown, I continued my passion for painting that I developed in Mr. Calisto’s Advanced Art course, a course I took senior year. I am now majoring in visual arts; I’ve walked two fashion collections at the Brown fashion show, taken courses at RISD, and had the opportunity to study painting in Paris at the Sorbonne for a semester. I also became very interested in tech while at Brown and took some computer science courses and classes in entrepreneurship at the engineering school. This led me to an internship at a startup at Y Combinator (the tech accelerator that produced Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit). So in the summer of 2019, I found myself in the heart of Silicon Valley working on a software start-up.  
  
I decided to start my own venture, one that felt more meaningful and close to home than a corporate software company. Intimately.co, my small startup, is an online retailer that sells undergarments for women with disabilities. Women with disabilities need different types of underwear because of their lack of mobility; bras and underwear are so hard to get on for many women and current designs of undergarments can be super uncomfortable especially for these women. But the underwear Intimately.co sells allows women to get dressed by themselves and is functional for their needs. 
  
Intimately.co has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, the Today Show blog, and Thrive Global. I’ve had amazing mentors, one being Genevieve Gralton, Portsmouth Abbey class of 2009, who started her own undergarment company too. We were able to connect over our Portsmouth Abbey experience and she gave me exceptional advice about my company. I have a Kickstarter campaign currently running that ends January 15. This campaign will allow Intimately.co to reach and serve more and more women. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today?   

When I was a sophomore at the abbey, I went with Dr. Billings to Lourdes, France on a pilgrimage to help the sick and disabled. We dressed, fed, bathed, and befriended folks with illnesses and body differences; it especially opened my eyes to how hard it was for many of the patients to get dressed.  
  
I often reflect on this trip and think about the impact it’s had on my life and ultimately my venture. Intimately.co embodies a lot of what I learned at the Abbey through its Catholic values: including those who are marginalized, loving your neighbor like yourself (no matter their abilities or differences) and of course like the Bible says "I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me" (Matthew 25:36).  
  
But the Abbey also taught me to think critically and challenge the world around me, especially in the infamous sophomore Humanities course. Although I’m not reading Alexis De Tocqueville or Dante in my everyday work with my venture, the writing skills, critical thinking and analyzing skills that I developed in Humanities allow me to continue question myself and my venture, which ultimately helps Intimately.co grow. The papers, readings, and plenaries at the time seemed tedious-- but these skills allowed me to recognize a problem, offer a solution, iterate, and eventually create Intimately.co. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

You have so many tools at your fingertips that few have. After leaving the Abbey you’ll have an exceptional skill set that you can do anything with. Look at your classmates and roommates, and think about how together you could make a small impact on the world. I’m so fortunate for my Portsmouth Abbey friends, like Genevieve, for help and advice with Intimately.co so I can make a difference. As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." 

"Portsmouth Abbey's emphasis towards ethics and community has allowed me to always be conscious about giving back both to the School and to other causes that I care deeply about."  

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2005, I attended Loyola University in Chicago and studied accounting. While there, I was a walk-on for their division 1 basketball team. After my time at Loyola, I went on to complete my Masters in Taxation at Bentley University and secured a job at the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. I spent the next four years gaining vast experience in finance and auditing roles at companies like Ernst & Young, Starwood Capital Group, and Becton Dickinson. 

Today, I currently run my own CPA/Accounting firm in Newark, NJ called Coombs CPA, PC (www.cpacoombs.com). My firm does taxes for individuals, businesses, financial audits, government audits, bookkeeping, payroll, CFO outsource and fund administration. I am happy to announce that I was recently highlighted in the NACVA 40 under 40  (http://annualconsultantsconference.com/40Under402019/index.php).     

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today?   

Portsmouth Abbey School did an excellent job preparing me for the world we live in today. The School's rigorous academics provided the tools I needed to succeed in this world. Additionally, Portsmouth Abbey's emphasis towards ethics and community has allowed me to always be conscious about giving back both to the School and to other causes that I care deeply about.  

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Work hard, pray, give back, and appreciate life. 

"The Abbey provides the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of people, cultures, experiences, and particularly classes that provide one with a solid foundation for life and a community you can always rely on."  

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

It has not been a straightforward path but through careful career analysis, sheer hard work, and taking calculated risks, I have been able to continue to grow in my career in the sciences. I have a passion for science and wildlife and couldn’t have found a better place to start than the University of Rhode Island, which allowed me the hands-on fieldwork with experts. However, I waited to get my Master’s Degree because I wanted to know what career options were available. 

I volunteered a lot as it was key to get real-world experience, to see what I like, what I didn’t like, and where my strengths were as a career professional. I started at an environmental consulting firm based in Rhode Island working on a few projects, and then I moved to Florida to pursue my Masters and ended up overseeing a small nonprofit nature center in Florida. After that, I found an opportunity in Washington D.C. working for a large association developing and executing an international and organizational-wide program. We live in a world where we can carve our own path, and finding opportunities outside work has been just as crucial to personal happiness as is it is to professional success. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today?   

The Abbey provides the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of people, cultures, experiences, and particularly classes that provide one with a solid foundation for life and a community you can always rely on. The rigorous academic program instills fundamental skills and value for quality work. In later years, those skills provided the confidence and abilities to conquer career hurdles while managing life obstacles. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Maximize your study hall hours. I still give myself study hall hours. Anything in the world is possible if you can sit down for two hours and focus on it. I apply this philosophy to other aspects of life as well such as physical fitness, a hobby I want to peruse, or a committee or group I want to join. This is most helpful when you need to put your nose to the grindstone. 

"The Abbey's emphasis on both math/science and the humanities gave me a well-rounded background for pursuing my intellectual interests in college and beyond." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey, I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where I studied mathematics and physics with a minor in philosophy. During my summers in college, I did research in physics as a part of MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. As my college career came to an end, I realized I wanted to continue pursuing my study of physics, so I applied to Columbia University's PhD program in physics and was accepted. I pursued my Ph.D. in physics working on numerical simulations of cosmic inflation in the early universe under my advisor Brian Greene. 
 
As my time in graduate school drew to a close, I realized I was more interested in using the math and programming skills I had learned in the industry than in pursuing a career in academia. I researched the career opportunities which built on these skills and was attracted to work in quantitative finance. After spending a few months preparing for interviews, I interviewed for my current job at Goldman Sachs and received an offer. My current role is on the "strats" team within Goldman's private wealth management. I apply the skills I learned in college and graduate school by developing software used internally at the firm and providing in-depth mathematical analysis of any issues that arise for our team. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

Portsmouth Abbey played a vital role in making me the person I am today. The Abbey's emphasis on both math/science and the humanities gave me a well-rounded background for pursuing my intellectual interests in college and beyond. I also benefited greatly from the school's emphasis on Catholic values, which allowed me to form a strong ethical foundation for my life. I'm especially thankful to former headmaster Dr. DeVecchi and current headmaster Mr. McDonough for my experience in their mathematics classes.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to current Portsmouth Abbey students?

Take full advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer. Stay in touch with the people that you meet at the Abbey-- you have a special connection to them from your time together in a unique environment. The School also has a great alumni network that can be invaluable to you years after you graduate. 

"There are a plethora of faculty and students who are of the highest caliber at Portsmouth Abbey. They are your teachers, coaches, houseparents, team captains, prefects, but often they are your teammates, classmates, housemates, and friends. Seek these people out and get to know them well." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2015, I went on to Catholic University in Washington, D.C. for a semester before I moved back home to New York City and transferred to Fordham University, where I’m now a senior. Since the Abbey, I’ve had internships at a real estate development firm (which was run by an Abbey parent), an insurance brokerage house (run by an Abbey alum), and a major insurance group. I’ve also worked a few “odd jobs” in the summers as a sailing instructor, an apprentice in a bespoke tailor shop, as well as a wastewater technician for a water sampling company (also run by an Abbey parent). I also had the privilege of founding and captaining Fordham’s Offshore Sailing team. As for now, I’m currently trying to earn a commission as a Marine Corps Officer and to gain acceptance to the Marines’ Officer Candidate School after graduation.   

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person you are today? 

My experience at Portsmouth Abbey was essential in shaping who I am today. Chatting with Dr. Bonin and Mr. Hobbins showed me a perspective that was far outside of the classroom. Playing football for Mr. Gittus and Coach Brown taught me to push hard, especially when your teammates depend on you. Sailing for Ms. Duncan and the sailing team taught me the value of clear communication. All of these lessons are equally applicable in all professional settings. At a more basic level, dressing appropriately for class, showing up on time and being ready to perform as well as mixing in a healthy balance of work, exercise, and play have proven to be especially helpful. The Abbey also introduced me to the people that helped guide me toward the career I want to get into as well as the friends and mentors that I’ll keep for the rest of my life. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

I have three pieces of advice for current students: 

First, there are a plethora of faculty and students who are of the highest caliber at Portsmouth Abbey. They are your teachers, coaches, houseparents, team captains, prefects, but often they are your teammates, classmates, housemates, and friends. Seek these people out and get to know them well. The faculty will teach you more about life than you would ever learn from reading a textbook. Your friends will be there to keep you warm on your coldest days in the future, of which there will be many. Most importantly, stay in touch with all of these folks; they will be some of the finest people you’ll have the pleasure of knowing. 

Second, the Portsmouth Abbey network and community are, as Cliff Hobbins would say, “most shocking.” Abbey alumni are everywhere and are always eager to help out. They are friendly, bright, and enthusiastic people. Reach out to alums and seek guidance and advice. I have reached out to countless Portsmouth Abbey School alumni who have helped me in my short journey, and I am incredibly grateful for all their help. 

Third, take full advantage of your situation. Life will not always be as easy as it is by the picturesque shores of Narragansett Bay. Enjoy your time at the Abbey, because it is fleeting- but do not neglect your opportunities. You have a world-class education at your hands with some of the finest teachers alongside the best people on one of the most historic and beautiful campuses in the nation. It would be a sin to not take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to you. 

I want to leave you with a couple of quotes that should serve as food for thought. Fr. Edmund used to quote Mark Twain, saying, “Never let schooling get in the way of an education.” An Abbey friend of mine recently quoted Albert Einstein saying, “An education is what remains after you have forgotten everything that you learned in school.” Both quotes are particularly important when you’re getting caught up in the day-to-day of high school life. 

"My experience at Portsmouth Abbey was instrumental in shaping who I am today. The rigorous academics prepared me for a very different academic system in the UK." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from the Abbey, I went on to pursue my undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where I double majored in psychology and art history. Outside of classes, I enjoyed volunteering with DONT WALK, one of the largest charity fashion shows in the UK, as well as traveling. Over the summers, I interned in New York City at Psychology Today and on the south coast of Massachusetts at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Following my graduation from St Andrews, I moved to New York City and worked in market research and consumer insights at Time Inc. I loved working with iconic media brands like Time, Food & Wine, and People. At Time Inc., I discovered my passion for branding. From there, I moved to Merrill Lynch and worked on a team that was responsible for overseeing Merrill Lynch’s brand development and corresponding digital ad campaigns. During my time at Merrill Lynch, the idea for my current company, Underbares, was born. However, prior to being able to launch Underbares, I knew I needed more experience working on a small team, so I moved to Washington, D.C., to work for a growing restaurant group as their brand manager. I enjoyed working on a small team and wearing many different hats, but after a year on the job, my interest in launching Underbares became reality. 

Underbares was born out of the idea that women have the right to feel comfortable in their undergarments (revolutionary, right?!), and that the undergarment industry is a landscape of extremes. Following a year of working full time in my role as a brand manager while balancing product development for Underbares, I launched Underbares this past March on International Women’s Day (March 8). Since the launch, the most exciting aspect of the business has been receiving feedback from customers. It has also been thrilling to receive positive press and reviews in Washingtonian, Real Simple, and Vogue. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

My experience at Portsmouth Abbey was instrumental in shaping who I am today. The rigorous academics prepared me for a very different academic system in the UK. Outside of studies, my passion for running was born at the Abbey (however, my "runs" are more like leisurely jogs, not the hill sprints in the rain, next to the bay that Mr. McDonough would have us endure). Most importantly, at Portsmouth Abbey, I learned a strong sense of self and the value of true friendship. 

What is a piece of advice you'd give to current Portsmouth Abbey students? 

Life at Portsmouth Abbey can feel demanding between academics, sports, extracurricular activities, and trying to squeeze in some downtime. Try to enjoy each moment with friends and faculty and always be yourself. 

"Get to know your teachers and houseparents; they will be your biggest advocates. Work hard, and use the amazing opportunities at the Abbey to serve whatever community or cause is important to you." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

I graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2015, and I am now a rising Senior at Brown University. The summer after my freshman year, I began working with a program called Connect for Health at Hasbro Children’s Hospital where we work with low-income families to find community resources. I also began volunteering at Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, a free clinic that provides medical care to uninsured Spanish-speaking patients in Providence. Working with these organizations made me realize that I wanted to use my love of biology to serve my community by pursuing a career as a doctor. I have recently had the opportunity to take a larger role in these organizations by overseeing fellow Advocates as a Team Coordinator at Connect for Health, and working on grant proposals and data analysis initiatives as a Project Manager at Clínica Esperanza. Last semester, I also had the opportunity to work as a Teaching Assistant in a biochemistry lab course. 

One of the defining moments of my college career so far was when I took “Beyond Narnia: The Literature of C.S. Lewis,” a class taught at Brown by Infectious Disease doctor and fellow Portsmouth Abbey alumnus Dr. Tim Flanigan ’75. I got more involved in the Brown RISD Catholic Community, and Dr. Flanigan even sponsored a trip to NYC for Brown students to see a play about C.S. Lewis. In the summer after my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Flanigan and his colleagues at Miriam Hospital as they helped patients with infections like HIV and Lyme Disease. This experience helped me realize how much interest I have in this field, and I decided to choose a concentration in Immunology within my Biology major. 

Dr. Flanigan also introduced me to another Infectious Disease doctor at Brown, Dr. Sanchez, who coordinates a medical exchange program in the Dominican Republic. This summer, I received funding from the Brown International Scholarships Committee to conduct research at an HIV clinic in a large public hospital in the Dominican Republic. We interviewed patients about adherence to their medications to better understand the factors that affect their ability to remain in care. We found that transportation is a major barrier as many patients have to travel long distances to avoid going to a local clinic because the discrimination against people living with HIV is so great. It is our hope that the results of this study will capture these narratives in a way that will help to make HIV-related healthcare more accessible. 

After I graduate this May, I plan to spend a year continuing to do clinical research before applying to medical school. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

My time at Portsmouth Abbey set the groundwork for all that I have done since graduating. My parents Susan and Shane are currently faculty members at Portsmouth Abbey, teaching Math and Science respectively. From an early age, I loved to help them set up chemistry experiments for their students, and it was in the same lab where I found my love of science in Ms. Brady’s AP Chemistry class. Señor Guerenabarena’s class has inspired me to take a Spanish class each semester in college, which allows me to easily communicate with Spanish-speaking patients in the clinics where I work. Humanities and history classes taught me how to think for myself and speak confidently. Going on trips to Lourdes and Chile during my high school summers informed my ideas about service and faith. My eight years as an Altar Server were also formative in my Catholic faith, and being a Prefect in St. Mary’s allowed me to form the strongest friendships in my four years at the Abbey. The academic rigor and full days of classes and sports taught me time management, which has enabled me to have so many fulfilling extracurricular experiences alongside my academics. Most of all, I believe my education at Portsmouth Abbey gave me a sense of purpose and a desire to engage in meaningful work. 

What is a piece of advice you'd give to current Portsmouth Abbey students? 

It has only been three years since I’ve graduated from the Abbey, so I can’t speak to working in the “real world” quite yet. However, I do know that the Abbey taught me perseverance and hard work. I felt extremely well-prepared when I began college, and the study skills and work ethic I gained during my time at Portsmouth Abbey School helped me immensely. The opportunity to go to the Abbey is so incredible and unique, so be sure to take advantage of all of it. Immerse yourself in the community life, and give yourself time to explore what you’re passionate about. Get to know your teachers and houseparents; they will be your biggest advocates. Work hard, and use the amazing opportunities at the Abbey to serve whatever community or cause is important to you. 

"The humanities program at Portsmouth Abbey School is life changing. It's fair to say these courses had opened up a new way of thinking for me. I have yet to experience such high-quality courses even at Cornell." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School, I attended Cornell University to pursue my passion for humanities and social science but ended up stumbling into the technology industry. Since then, I have been fascinated by how design can empower technology to make positive social impact. I've launched products at large companies such as a self-service that expedites and scales the new restaurant onboard experience at Grubhub. At Facebook, I redesigned their events sharing and consumption experience. And at Bloomberg, I created infographics and new media content through visualizing Bloomberg Terminal data with CSS and JS/D3. Along with working within these large companies, I built products from scratch for a wide range of small startups. At Cornell, I am the co-founder of two student organizations which aim to promote and empower design education and awareness. Currently, I am also leading a team of 6 developers and designers in building a fitness application for students at Cornell. 
 
A designer in the tech world is a lot more technical than traditional design... It's more like designing systems and experiences! 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

The humanities program at Portsmouth Abbey School is life changing. The courses in Humanities taught by Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Cowan, American History by Mr. Gittus, and American Literature by Ms. McDermott are three of the best classes I have taken in my life. It's fair to say these courses had opened up a new way of thinking for me. I have yet to experience such high-quality courses even at Cornell. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

High school can be stressful with rigorous academics, extracurricular activities, and the daunting process of college admissions. That being said, it is really important to still pay mindful attention to what you love and what you don't. I encourage you to build strong relationships with the faculty; treat them as your best ally. The relationship I built with Ms. McDermott in my last two years at Portsmouth Abbey School was transformative; I told her about my goals and dreams, and she didn’t hesitate to call me out when I made mistakes. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

"Portsmouth Abbey not only gave me a strong academic background rooted in Humanities, which transitioned well into a liberal arts environment, but also instilled in me a work ethic that propelled my career." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School, I was accepted to Wheaton College and earned a double major in US History and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Economic Theory. After Wheaton, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in or career path to pursue. I reached out to Mr. O'Connor who had an opening in the Summer School program and he brought me on board to teach History and English. While I was happy to deposit my first “real world” paycheck, spending six days a week with students, who weren’t exactly thrilled to be spending their summer in a classroom, was exhausting. This was a learning experience both for the students and me. I have even more appreciation and admiration for my former teachers having gone through a summer in their shoes. Additionally, just one month in the classroom setting helped me to realize: I did not want to teach. 

Throughout the summer program I would pop into the alumni office and say hi to the faculty and staff. Although I was not actively looking for a job (and at the Abbey, no less) I was asked to and applied for a position in the Development and Alumni Affairs Office, which turned out to be a perfect fit. After two years as a Development Officer, advisor, and coach, I was ready to move in another direction. Knowing only that I wanted to graduate from small town living to the “big” city, one of my teachers turned colleagues, Ms. Chris (aka Mrs. Reiser), told me that her husband’s company was hiring and that he could get me an interview. I interviewed with Sovereign/Santander Bank in Boston, MA as an entry level Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Analyst and was hired the next day. Eight years, three banks and seven promotions later, I found myself in Miami, FL as an Assistant Vice President, AML/BSA/OFAC Supervisor. As I continued to climb the corporate ladder, I realized there was still something missing from my professional development. In the fall of 2017, I was accepted to and enrolled in a Juris Master program through Florida State University College of Law focusing on Financial Regulatory Compliance. 

After eight years in banking, I recently decided to enter the start-up space full-time and work on my company BettorHalf, a sports betting platform for novice gamblers. This company is the marriage of my love of sports and desire for compliance; two passions the Abbey helped to cultivate. This summer, I relocated to New Haven, CT and continue to use my Portsmouth Abbey connections as I move forward with this new venture by reaching out to fellow alumni, and even parents of alumni, with startup and venture capital backgrounds. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

Even before I attended, I had been told that “the Abbey teaches you how to study.” Upon seeing that I was never officially registered for “study hall” as a day student, I immediately called BS and was frustrated that no one was going to show or tell me how to study. 

I thought nothing more of it until my freshman year of college where it became very clear: I had an advantage over my peers as I was accustomed to balancing homework, sports, travel, and social life thanks to Portsmouth Abbey’s structure. Although I was not a varsity collegiate athlete, I was still able to compete in club and intramural sports, earn scholarships and stipends to travel the world, and graduate magna cum laude with a double major and minor. 

Portsmouth Abbey not only gave me a strong academic background rooted in Humanities, which transitioned well into a liberal arts environment, but also instilled in me a work ethic that propelled my career. Whether you know it or not, you're learning a great deal both in academic and life lessons right now. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Don't think you have to have everything figured out right now (I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up). All of my friends are successful in one way or another, and half of them aren't in a career related to their college major. It's about how you take what you've learned and apply it moving forward. Being able to pivot is an important quality in life. 

Most importantly: use the network and resources the Abbey gives you throughout your academic and professional careers. Every step of the way, I have utilized my connections whether they are teachers, coaches, classmates or alumni for advice, career leads and overall moral support. They have given me the confidence to excel both personally and professionally. My high school friends have been and remain the strongest friendships in my life and I am incredibly grateful to Portsmouth Abbey for that. 

With that, I will close with a constant reminder that it's always a great day to be a Raven. 

"I was unbelievably prepared for the rigors of college classes from the four years I spent at the Abbey." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating in 2010, I moved to Indianapolis, IN to attend a six year Doctor of Pharmacy program at Butler University. Butler's small school feel appealed to me after my time at the Abbey, but I also appreciated the opportunities a big city like Indianapolis could provide. During my six years at Butler, I also opted to complete my MBA and take a few classes focused on data analytics. A business analytics internship with Roche Diabetes Care after my fourth year of the program was the catalyst in my decision to pursue a non-traditional pharmacy career. After graduating from Butler in 2016, I began a post-graduate fellowship with Myers and Stauffer, a CPA firm specializing in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement. In November 2017, I began my current role with McKinsey & Company as a junior associate in their Healthcare Analytics and Delivery sector. My current role allows me to combine my business acumen, passion for analytics, and pharmacy background. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

My drive to pursue a STEM career grew during my time at the Abbey. Some of my favorite classes were those with a lab component which allowed for hands on learning. My time at the Abbey fostered an intellectual curiosity that will remain with me throughout my life. I learned both in and outside the classroom how to lead and how to work as part of a team. I learned how to communicate effectively through writing and speech. Most importantly, Portsmouth Abbey taught me how to manage my time effectively. Time management was an invaluable skill in college and continues to be crucial in my career today. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Your hard work now will pay dividends in the future. I was unbelievably prepared for the rigors of college classes from the four years I spent at the Abbey. That being said, don't forget to appreciate all of the opportunities that Abbey provides. Stay humble and be thankful for the support of your parents, teachers, houseparents, and coaches.

"Get to know a monk, or more than one, if possible. My relationships with the monks of Portsmouth Abbey have had the most lasting impact of any part of my Abbey experience." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School, I went to the University of Notre Dame for my undergraduate studies. I majored in Mechanical Engineering, minored in Theology, and spent my junior year studying Spanish literature in Toledo, Spain. During my senior year, I took my first steps into engineering research while completing my undergraduate thesis in control theory. More importantly, I met my future wife, Christina, in the spring of 2008. We were married in 2009, and Dom Ambrose Wolverton, OSB was the celebrant at our nuptial Mass. 

After our wedding, we set out for Cambridge, MA, where I began graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at MIT, while Christina studied theology at Harvard. Our oldest daughter was born just after we finished the first year of our masters programs, and another daughter and a son joined her before I finished my doctorate. For my graduate research, I focused on planning and control of legged robots. I was privileged to be a part of MIT’s team for the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). In the DRC, top robotics labs from around the world competed to field a robot that could perform selected tasks in a disaster recovery scenario. I received my Sc.D. in 2016, just a few months after our first daughter started kindergarten. 

I now work as a research scientist at the Toyota Research Institute (TRI). As part of the robotics group at TRI, I research robotic solutions to in-home tasks, with the goal of giving elderly adults more independence. 

In the years since I left Portsmouth Abbey School, I’ve been fortunate to be able to return on a fairly regular basis, as my parents still live in Portsmouth. I also had the honor of giving a talk entitled “Beings Non-Human: What Can Robotics Teach Us About the Human Person?” at the Portsmouth Institute’s 2017 Summer Conference. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today? 

The academic groundwork I received at Portsmouth Abbey School was extremely helpful in college and graduate school. Math and science courses put me in good stead for my studies in engineering, while courses in the humanities gave me a broad base to build upon in my undergraduate studies. Christian Doctrine courses, especially Fr. Paschal’s course in my Fifth-Form year, gave me a strong grounding in the philosophical and theological truths that form the basis of the Catholic worldview, and more broadly of Western culture. 

Music was another part of my Abbey experience that has had a huge influence on my life since then. Singing with the Abbey Singers, in the winter musicals, and in voice lessons put me on the path to one of my favorite pastimes in college and beyond. Whether it’s singing in a liturgical choir and an a cappella group at Notre Dame, or singing with our kids during nightly prayers, music is an important part of who I am, and I’m very grateful to the Abbey helping me explore it. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Get to know a monk, or more than one, if possible. My relationships with the monks of Portsmouth Abbey have had the most lasting impact of any part of my Abbey experience. These are fascinating, scholarly, industrious men, who have devoted their lives to praising God through their prayer and work (which may include teaching you). I had Fr. Ambrose for Music 1 & 2, as well as Sacred Music. We remained in touch after I left the Abbey, and his quiet holiness was an inspiration to our entire family. It was a great joy for us that our son, whose middle name is “Ambrose,” had the opportunity to meet his namesake before Fr. Ambrose passed away in 2016. 

"I still remember lessons I learned in our humanities classes about how to be more attentive readers and thinkers, something I found to be immensely valuable during my liberal arts education (and beyond)." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

I went on to Providence College where I played tennis for four years and graduated with a Humanities degree (right in the midst of the recession). Given the lack of jobs I decided to head back and get my MBA while working in the athletic department at PC. During an economics project I interviewed a local micro finance company, Capital Good Fund, and ended up working for them and growing the company for the next four years. From there I made the difficult decision to actually leave Rhode Island and moved to NYC. In New York I ended up joining Blackstone where I worked with Portfolio Managers in a new fund to fund group. Most recently, I left New York to head west to Portland, OR with my partner (now fiancé!) and landed at KeyBanc Capital Markets working in emerging technology research for institutional investors. I love my job which allows me to travel, learn new things, and meet new people! I've been incredibly lucky and value everyone who helped me along my path, which includes a ton of Abbey grads! (Patrick Hewett ’00, John Edenbach ’96, Heather Hawes ’96, Heather Breen ’96, Chris Abbate ’88, Whitney Connell ’04, Chris Fleming ’04, Chad Wood ’04, and Kelley McShane ’05.) 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

I still remember lessons I learned with Mr. O'Connor and Dr. Billings in our humanities classes about how to be more attentive readers and thinkers, something I found to be immensely valuable during my liberal arts education (and beyond). I learned to be a (respectful) competitor at the Abbey, competing in sports gave me a perspective on resilience, teamwork, and persistence I think has been critical in my career. And I learned from the diversity of friendships, visiting friends all over the world and staying in touch with people who knew you at your dorkiest (me, freshman year) has been incredible.  

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Appreciate the rigor and uniqueness of your experience. Reading Plato and having your opinion respected, playing three sports and having to travel to other states for away games, sitting in class with someone from another country, even going school on Saturday are things very few high school students are experiencing. Stay in touch with everyone, I was so excited to find that at my five year reunion, everyone felt a sense of camaraderie, even people I hadn't been close with in high school felt like good friends. After the five year, a bunch of us even traveled to El Salvador together to visit a classmate- amazing experience. And finally, reach out to alumni if you need anything. No matter what year you graduate, we all share this truly unique experience of being lucky enough to attend a beautiful school, with amazing staff and students.  

"It is a truly remarkable four years that sets you on a path toward success and gives you the option to pursue what you love the most in life." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey in 2002, I attended Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. I found that my time there was a unique experience, but I can honestly say that I was not ready for that next chapter in my life. I struggled with school and decided by spring of 2003that I should move on from college. I worked odd jobs for a while and then tried school again at Valley Forge Military Academy and Tulane University.  Unfortunately, that ended with the same result. In December of 2006, I decided to put my college education on hold and enlisted into the United States Navy where I was immediately deployed to Sasebo, Japan onboard the USS Essex. 

While on the Essex, I served as an Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handler) for four years, becoming an expert in flight deck operations.  Not only was I responsible for the mentoring of younger sailors, but I had the opportunity to interact and work with our allies around the world. It was a tremendous experience, I felt I had structure in my life, and a firm foundation on which to pursue my career. 

I was honorably discharged in January of 2011 and decided to give college one more chance. I attended the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, majoring in a brand new field offered there, US Government and Homeland Security. This time, I focused on my work and graduated with honors in the spring of 2014. After receiving my diploma, I applied to numerous positions in the Washington D.C. area, which was a hotbed for contracting and acquisitions positions. A few weeks after graduating, I secured a position at the Department of Homeland Security working for the Coast Guard. I worked there for a year and then pursued a unique opportunity with Cydecor LLC, which had a relationship with the United States Navy. 

Beginning in May of 2015, I accepted a position working with Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Small Arms and Combat Support at the Washington Navy Yard in DC. I immediately fit in, working with senior analysts to provide logistics and acquisition support to over 400,000 weapons and over 700 active military units. I really love this job! 

On a personal note, in 2014, I married my fiancé Jennifer and we are eagerly expecting our first child, a baby boy this month! 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

My time at Portsmouth Abbey was an eye-opening experience, one that was exciting and, more importantly, educational in the process. It was here that I learned a little bit of everything while appreciating the insights and guidance from Coach Al Brown and Mr. Cliff Hobbins. Coach Brown was my lacrosse coach from my sophomore year onward. A legend in the world of lacrosse, Coach Brown expected that we give 100% every day in practice and on game-day. I remember countless nights memorizing basic plays, understanding transition offense, and growing together as a team. It was this sense of discipline and teamwork that has stuck with me during my entire career from the Navy to Cydecor! 

Mr. Hobbins was also very influential in my life, as I always enjoyed his enthusiasm for teaching as well as his expertise in economics and world affairs. His simple, yet humorous, approach to teaching such a serious topic as “International Affairs and World History” was memorable. He was able to put into perspective that the world was indeed an enormous place! More importantly, he instilled in me a love and appreciation for our country and its role in international events. It was teachings like this that would motivate me to enlist into the Navy. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Never back down. Portsmouth Abbey School offers students a unique experience. You will receive a quality education, gain incredible knowledge, and make lasting relationships that will remain with you for a lifetime. Live in this moment, embrace it, and enjoy it. It is a truly remarkable four years that sets you on a path toward success and gives you the option to pursue what you love the most in life. 

If I had to take away one thing that I learned while at Portsmouth Abbey School, it’s that despite the rigorous academics, sports schedule, and personal hardships (I was a stutterer), keep pushing forward no matter what. Everyone encounters obstacles at some point, and at Portsmouth Abbey, you may experience some, but while there you will make friends, enjoy mentors, and learn in an environment that will help you grow personally. You will develop a sense of self-confidence where you can look into the mirror daily and say, “I can do anything.” It is this mentality, regardless of all others, that the Abbey has given me that remains the core of my principles to this day. Remember the words of Irish author and playwright Samuel Beckett, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” 

"Portsmouth Abbey set me on a path well prepared for the challenges of the professional world."  

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After leaving Cory’s Lane in 2011, I began my undergraduate studies in the College of Communication at Boston University. Through the guidance of great mentors, I discovered a passion for public relations. These professors helped me secure my first professional experience working at local radio stations, a large software firm, and community organizations. Each role gave me valuable experience and shaped my career development. Beyond my studies, I continued to referee ice hockey and earned the opportunity to officiate at the division one level.  

In 2015, I accepted my first full-time job after graduation. A growing staffing firm in Boston hired me to improve their communication with 500 national employees and their external partners. After two years there, I joined the development and public affairs teams at the Archdiocese of Boston. This dream position allowed me to work in a mission driven environment, embrace new professional challenges and strengthen the Church’s service to the community at large. 

Portsmouth Abbey set me on a path well prepared for the challenges of the professional world.  

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

The extraordinary people at the Abbey, including my peers, members of the faculty and the monastic community, created a safe environment for me to learn, make mistakes and come of age.  

One example of how the community spurred personal growth in my life: As a Third Former at Portsmouth, I struggled to write well. My papers did not measure up to those of my peers' and it frustrated me. During sophomore year, after a pattern of mediocre results, my humanities teachers made a concerted effort to encourage me to make progress. They taught me to write simply and directly. They welcomed me during the conference period to talk through assignments. They reviewed drafts and challenged me to never settle in my work. 

To those teachers, my advisor, the late, great Dom Ambrose Wolverton, OSB, and every member of Abbey community, I cannot express my gratitude enough. My work at the Archdiocese today depends on the interpersonal, communicative and creative skills they cultivated in me at Portsmouth Abbey. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Visit the tabernacle in the Abbey Church whenever you feel burdened in your life at boarding school. Robert Cardinal Sarah, an African Cardinal stationed in the Vatican, says in his new book, “Sacred silence, laden with the adored presence, opens the way to mystical silence, full of loving intimacy.” If you ever need to feel loved in the thick of exams, on the heels of a difficult Tuck Dance or whatever weighs on you I encourage you to take five minutes of your day (lunch or conference periods worked best for me) and allow God to enter your heart in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. 

"I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to new experiences which ultimately led and gave me the confidence to study abroad my first semester of college." 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2013, Sarah spent her first semester of college studying in London through Northeastern University. Since then she has embraced Northeastern University's global and experiential learning opportunities with the co-op program. Through this experience, Sarah has been able to work at three different companies partaking in different marketing roles in order to determine her own path. Currently, Sarah is on co-op as an Assistant Media Planner at Havas Media Group, and is the Marketing Lead at IDEA: Northeastern University's student run venture accelerator. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

Portsmouth Abbey has taught me that too much work is never enough! I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to new experiences which ultimately led and gave me the confidence to study abroad my first semester of college. Today, I continue to challenge myself and work hard always keeping in mind the Abbey values of growing in knowledge and grace. At the Abbey we were always taught to be professional not just in the way we dress but with our actions, whether that be in the classroom or on the field. These practices have been ingrained in my brain and have been to my advantage. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

Enjoy your time while it lasts because it goes by way too fast! Take advantage of all the experiences the Abbey has to offer, and I know at times it can seem like a tunnel with no end, but once you begin to see the light that is the point when you realize you don't want it to end. I also encourage you to make strong friendships with your classmates and teachers. I often come back to the Abbey to visit my brother and cousins and always love reconnecting with teachers and fellow classmates to reflect on the good ole days. 

"Whether you are doing homework or making your bed, try to focus on doing the little things right everyday and the bigger things in life will fall into place." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2012, I attended Beloit College, a small liberal arts school in Wisconsin. I studied political science and played goalie on the DIII Men’s Lacrosse team. I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to be a team captain all four years, and that experience inspired me to pursue a challenging career with a leadership role. After substantial research, I decided that I wanted to become a Marine Corps Officer. Therefore, I coordinated training for the Marines into my schedule along with academics and athletics. During my summers, I worked many jobs from being a restaurant busser, interning for a legal team at an unclaimed property firm, and working maintenance at my college. After graduating from Beloit College in 2016, I went to Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico Virginia for 10 weeks. I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in March and attended The Basic School (TBS) for 6 months to be trained as a provisional rifle platoon commander. I am currently waiting for my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional that you are today? 

Portsmouth Abbey shaped me in three major ways: communication, critical thinking, and work ethic. As a Marine Corps Officer, a large part of what we do is planning missions and briefing our Marines. This process requires a great deal of critical analysis during the planning phase as well as confidence when briefing our plan to a platoon of Marines. Doing recitations over the years helped me build my confidence in this regard (I still have some of the poems committed to memory to this day). Secondly, the Abbey’s focus on exegesis has greatly helped me during the planning process in the Marine Corps as I am able to better analyze mission situations. The most significant influence I gained from the Abbey however is work ethic. To this day I think of Mr. Hobbins preaching about the importance of doing your job and working hard at everything you do (especially without whining). The structure and discipline required at the Abbey instilled habits in me that made me the person I am today. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

The two pieces of advice I would give current students involves attention to detail and friendship. I have learned that attention to detail is a great way to set you apart from your peers. Whether you are doing homework or making your bed, try to focus on doing the little things right everyday and the bigger things in life will fall into place. Secondly, stay close with your Abbey friends. Throughout college or those who I serve with I am hard-pressed to find closer friends than those I made at the Abbey. Their continued support to this day has been instrumental in getting through hard times.

"The combination of academic and athletic rigor I found and its mission – emphasizing Respect and Responsibility – was essential prep for the highly competitive world we live in." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

After Portsmouth, I graduated from Bard College. From an academic standpoint, my college years were very much a continuation of my experience at Portsmouth – small classroom setting, emphasis on the humanities (bucolic setting). Despite always knowing I wanted to pursue a career in the field of business generally, I stuck with the liberal arts theme at college and doubled-down on many of the concepts that excited me most while at Portsmouth (Thank you, Mr. Hobbins and Mr. Fulweiler), and even studied Classics under a Portsmouth alum. 

After that, as a native New Yorker, I gravitated naturally to New York City where I’ve remained. There’s a strong community of Abbey alums that I cross paths with often. It’s an added benefit to life here. 

My professional career has been broadly focused on the business side of the tech sector. Most recently I’ve been at Oath Inc, a Verizon subsidiary that owns and operates properties such as Yahoo, TechCrunch, and the Huffington Post. I sit in their Global Strategy, Operations, and Partnerships division. It’s a fast-moving industry, and I’ve worked for companies and on projects both large and small. The common theme is the need to innovate. Every day brings new challenges and I find that aspect of my work rewarding. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person & professional you are today? 

It’s hard to overstate the need for critical, nuanced thinking in my professional day-to-day. Despite working in a very numbers-focused and data-driven field, the qualitative side of my job carries tremendous weight. Looking back at my time at Portsmouth, the combination of academic and athletic rigor I found there and its mission – emphasizing Respect and Responsibility – was essential prep for the highly competitive world we live in. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student? 

First, from my perspective, Portsmouth’s edge is its dynamic environment – the people and the location are truly distinguishing traits. The faculty and staff care so much and do such a good job, and the campus is so beautiful. Consequently, I’d encourage every student to take advantage of the unique resources available to them while they can. Second, don’t be afraid to say “yes.” Emerson said that the voyage of the best ship is a zigzag of a hundred tacks. Put another way: Say “yes” even if you ultimately reverse course. Not everything in life is a sure thing, but don’t let that discourage you from trying. Having the courage to “yes” as often as possible is tantamount to new beginnings and leads to knowledge and growth. 

"My experience at the Abbey helped me become the person and the professional that I am today." 

Describe your path since graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School. 

Upon graduating from the Abbey, my goal was to earn a business degree. I did, but I got there the long way round. I went on to the University of Virginia where I majored in Medieval and Renaissance Literature. During my time there, I became aware of a one-year Master’s program in the McIntire School of Commerce, so I took additional classes in order to apply for the program in my fourth year. After acceptance, I dove right into the many great opportunities that were offered to me. I learned about business practices and theories, gained experience presenting to business leaders, and had the opportunity to travel abroad and learn how socio-political factors affect how companies operate in Latin/South America. After the program wrapped up, I started working at American Express in Project Management. After a year and a half, I then switched to work on Data Analytics on their Membership Rewards Team. 

How did your experience at Portsmouth Abbey School help you become the person and professional you are today? 

My experience at the Abbey helped me become the person and the professional that I am today. It instilled in me a sense of integrity and accountability that I carry with me throughout my personal and professional day-to-day life. 

What is the best advice you could give to a current student?  

The best advice I can give to a current student is don’t hesitate leveraging the Abbey’s alumni network. There are thousands of graduates who have come out of the Abbey that are more than happy to work with you and ensure that you succeed. For the students of color, it is even more important that you actively engage with this network of alumni. We succeed if we look out for one another, so don’t let fear or discomfort stop you sending off an email to an alum inquiring about opportunities that are available.