Annual Report 2013-2014
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St. Anselm’s Abbey School 2013-2014 Annual Report . Mission Statement St. Anselm’s Abbey School seeks to promote the spiritual, personal, and intellectual development of young men with demonstrated academic achievement. Our school, serving grades six through twelve, with its roots in the values of the Christian Gospels and Catholic tradition, strives to create a community built on respect for truth, love of learning, regard for human dignity, and tolerance. We pursue this goal by leading our students through a challenging and balanced program of study in the arts, sciences, and theology that gives them a solid preparation for the demands of college. By living and promoting the Benedictine spirit, we strive within our school to create an atmosphere of peace, a sense of service to community, and a willingness within our students to work toward a balance in mind, body, and spirit. 2013-2014 Board of Trustees Mr. Stephen Kinnaird, ’80, Chairman Mr. Daniel Attridge, ’72 Sr. Mary Bader, DC Mr. James Boland, ’67 Mr. Herbert Brooks Dr. Inés Bustillo Dr. Joseph Chalmers, ’60 Mr. Marco Clark Mr. Mark Commins, Secretary/Treasurer * Dr. Leo Eskin, ’76 Mr. William Fennell, ’66 Mr. Jean Gaetjens Very Rev. Dom Michael Hall, OSB, ’56, Prior Mr. James Hearn, ’77 Mr. Stephen Kearney, ’74 Mr. James Lucier, ’82 Mrs. Sylvia Mahaffey Mrs. Margit Nahra Mr. William Crittenberger, Headmaster * Rev. Dom Philip Simo, OSB Rev. Dom Peter Weigand, OSB, President* Rt. Rev. Dom James Wiseman, OSB, Abbot Dr. George Wright, ’62 Rev. Dom Christopher Wyvill, OSB * ex officio Please note that donor information contained in this Annual Report reflects cash gifts received by the School between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. We sincerely apologize for any errors and/or omissions that may occur herein. Photography in the Annual Report has been provided by the St. Anselm’s Abbey School development, yearbook, and Priory Press staffs, as well as by David W. Powell. Special thanks to Yakntoro Udoumoh, ’13 and Constantin Miranda, ’16. Design and layout by Kristin Kennalley and James Leathers, ’04. Printing and production by Camera Ready Graphics. St. Anselm’s Abbey School admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, program, and activities generally accorded and made available to students at the school and the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and 2athletic | St. and Anselm’s other school-administered Abbey School programs. St. Anselm’s Abbey School, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. President’s Message Celebrating our Benedictine Tradition The first of all things to aim at is to love the Lord God with your whole heart and soul and strength, and then to love your neighbor as you love yourself… Give help and support to the poor… Keep the reality of death always before your eyes, have a care about how you act every hour of your life… You should take delight in listening to sacred reading and in often turning generously to prayer… These are the guidelines to lead us along the way of spiritual achievement. The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 68 July 11th, 2014 + Feast of Saint Benedict Dear Alumni, Parents, Students, Benefactors, and Friends of St. Anselm’s Abbey and School: As I write this introduction to the I want to take this opportunity to 2013-2014 Annual Report, the thank Mr. Bill Crittenberger, who monks are joyfully celebrating our completed another most successful Patronal Feast of Saint Benedict of year as Headmaster. Bill took office Norcia (480-547). The Rule of St. on July 1st, 2012, as the tenth Benedict has proved so wise and Headmaster of St. Anselm’s, and for balanced that it has served as the the past two years has led the School foundation of practically every attempt with warmth, with enthusiasm, and at Western religious communal living with vision. We are blessed to have for over 1,500 years. It recognizes him at the Abbey School. that people strive for perfection but often fall well short. The Rule aims to In late August 2013, the school year be “for beginners” in which even the began with 248 young scholars. These least perfect and least able can grow in academically motivated young men spiritual stature. broke the summer silence of our hallowed halls with robust eagerness. The Rule of St. Benedict has much to say—it drags We are grateful that among all the possible school one’s eyes up to the stars but keeps one’s feet firmly choices, St. Anselm’s Abbey School is their preferred on the ground—it calls us to perfection but keeps us destination. I am pleased to report that our mission of sane. I am confident that this Benedictine monastery academic excellence remains pre-eminent as attested to and school continue to exemplify Pope Benedict by articles in The Washington Post listing us as being #1 XVI’s statement that monasticism has long been “the and “most challenging” in the metropolitan area, and indispensable forerunner and bearer not only of cultural 37th in the nation, based upon our Advanced Placement continuity but above all of fundamental and religious courses. and moral values.” The very existence of monasticism is presumed to make the world different. In this sense, The Parents Association held its annual Family Picnic on the mystery of the Church is realized in the history September 8th with ample food and games and other of the world. And as I have said before, by inspiring delights for a huge crowd of teachers, parents, children, young minds, we educate our students to become and guests. At that time, the Association presented moral persons—physically, intellectually, and spiritually the School with a $10,000 check to support the Fall prepared for life in the twenty-first century. Scholarship Gala—all these gifts go directly to support current-year financial aid. Many thanks! In celebrating our Patronal Feast, St. Anselm’s Abbey and School have so many things to be grateful for—Br. The 33rd Fall Scholarship Gala took place on the evening Ignacio took his final solemn vows in May, we have of October 26th. I want to thank once again all the three other monks in simple vows, the school held its parents who worked so hard to make the Gala a success, 69th commencement, graduating 41 talented young especially Mrs. Kay Kalhorn and Mrs. Chris Butler. And men, college placements are high—as you shall see later I want to thank all those who participated in raising in this report. Furthermore, enrollment numbers have over $245,000 for current financial aid. That evening, increased, and the auditors tell me that at the end of this our guests of honor were Mr. James Connell, and Mr. fiscal year on June 30th, the school operated once again Thomas Borger and his wife Gerry. Mr. Connell and Mr. in the black. Borger were both past chairmen of the Board. May I encourage you to mark your calendars now for our 34th In reviewing the 2013-2014 academic and fiscal years, it Gala, “Passport to Adventure,” on Saturday, October is my hope that our readers will be able to share in the 25th. strengths and great accomplishments of this Benedictine “school of the Lord’s service” as the Abbey begins its The Alumni Office, under the direction of Mr. Lawrence 90th year, and the School its 73rd year of academic Hamm, ‘68, had a full schedule of well-attended events. excellence. The annual Career Day was held on September 16th, 2013-2014 Annual Report | 3 when ten distinguished alumni shared their knowledge Likewise, I want to thank Mrs. Carol Ramirez, the and expertise with our Fifth and Sixth Form students. President of the Parents Association, and all the parents A very competitive Damian Crane, ‘55, Memorial Pool who served so generously over this past year on a full Tournament was held on October 24th, followed on calendar of many vital and time-consuming projects and November 30th by the annual Thanksgiving Memorial events. Added recognition must be given to Ms. Sarah Mass and Alumni-Varsity Basketball Game. Bravo to the Elder, mother of Eric Yde, ’12, and Mark Yde, ’14, for Varsity for their victory! her many years of nonstop work and support for our Athletic Program and more recently for coordinating I held Alumni Gatherings in Chicago, Seattle, San the Appalachian Service Project with Mrs. Kathy Dangle Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Reno in the and faculty chaperone, Ms. Janine Dunne. We are truly summer of 2013. Then in January 2014, Mr. Richard blessed to have such dedication and enthusiasm. Stafford, ’53, hosted 16 alumni and guests in New York City; then I went on to Boston for the Model United Most importantly, I must speak about the Brian Devine Nations Conference where I met our participating Family Challenge. Once again in December, 2013, the students, and while there, I met with several smaller School received a Million Dollar gift from the Brian alumni groups. Devine Family Trust. This money has been placed in the Endowed Scholarship Fund, permanently restricted for The Alumni Association hosted its sixth Annual All- need-based scholarship awards. This year, Brian Devine, Alumni Reunion on the weekend of April 25th. That ’59, initiated a Challenge. If the school could raise a Saturday morning, the Peter Samp, ’08, Memorial 5K Million Dollars by December 2014, the Devine Family Race was held. Participating students, alumni, parents, Trust would give the school another Million Dollar friends, and monks had a magnificent morning for the gift.