By Kevin Sullivan '10
By Rick DaSilva '89, faculty
Greetings from Tabor! I wanted to take a moment to share with you a very meaningful experience that my advisor group took part in during Tabor’s recent Day of Service.
Last year, our group helped paint a map at the playground at our nearby elementary school, but this year I opted for a more communal and hopefully profound experience that would give our students an opportunity to connect with people. Rising in the early morning darkness of 5am, with a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts, we headed off to Mercy Meals in New Bedford to help with their daily breakfast service.
Mercy Meals provides meals for people in need in the greater New Bedford community. I was curious how our students would react in a setting that was going to connect them with people who were from so many different situations and so unlike the people they interact with every day.
What happened upon our arrival was, to put it simply, amazing. As soon as we walked through the doors, our entire group engaged immediately setting up tables and unfolding chairs. It was incredible to see how quickly they jumped in to help and to greet and introduce themselves to all the other volunteers, all while helping in every way they could, whether asked or not. Our volunteer cooks started learning how to make omelets, french toast, sausages and pancakes, while the rest busied themselves finishing the table setting and prep. By 6:45am the cafeteria was ready to serve all who came through the doors.
After a short morning prayer, breakfast began and every seat at the seven tables was filled. The students were confident and ready now; taking orders with kind smiles, serving coffee and juice, preparing eggs to order, and flipping pancakes and french toast. All of the 150 or so people that came through the doors at Mercy Meals were met with happy faces, ones that represented not just those they might be familiar with, but also our new faces, ones they did not know, faces from near and far: Africa, Korea, Japan and China. Conversations began, hands were shook, and laughter could be heard over the calls for orders and the often quiet but genuine thank you's. After 40 minutes, it was over as quickly as it had begun. The dishes were cleared, washed, and put away, the griddles were cleaned, and the tables and chairs were returned to their places. The kids were all smiling and laughing with the regular volunteers and staff who praised them for their kindness and their willingness to work so hard feeding people they didn't know and would never see again.
When we all got back into the bus, I took a moment to tell them how proud I was for what they had done and, more importantly, how they had done it. My praise was met with smiles. Mercy Meals’ motto is to “Begin the Day With Hope,” and from what I witnessed and heard from the other volunteers, this group helped make that happen.
As advisors, we often have experiences like this with our advisees, when truly incredible events happen and the students rise up and prove themselves, but usually the moments get forgotten as “you should’ve been there” moments. I hope this post will let this moment live a bit longer.
I could not have been more proud of our students.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Service Learning
For the Veterans Day Chapel Program this year, on November 11, faculty member Nate Meleo ’95, a military veteran himself, would like to recognize the military contributions of Tabor alumni throughout the generations by featuring reflections, thoughts, and stories about their time in service and the meaning of Veteran’s Day. To do this, Nate needs your help! If you are a TA alumni military veteran and would like to participate in this project, simply email Nate both a photograph of yourself in uniform (if you have one) and whatever thoughts or story you would like shared during the chapel program. Nate will then work with current TA students to create and deliver the program, made up entirely of your own words, for the TA community to reflect on and celebrate.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Faculty News
The Board of Trustees unanimously elected Carmine Martignetti ’71, a valued trustee at Tabor since 2006, as our next Chairman at their summer meeting. “I am delighted to serve Tabor, which has been such a significant part of my life, as well as to work with our dedicated trustees and our outstanding Head of School John Quirk.”
Topics: Tabor Academy, Alumni
Eileen Neville Marceau joined the Tabor Academy faculty July 1 as Dean of Studies. Mrs. Marceau completed her position in June at Charlotte Country Day School as their Upper School Director of Studies, a role she had held for the past six years.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Eileen Neville Marceau, Faculty News
As we welcome new faculty, and get ready to open school with the start of our Opening of School Faculty Meetings today, I thought I would share some of the interesting work Chris McEnroe (at right) is bringing to Tabor through his interest in digital media.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Faculty News
A student-led endeavor, using recycled materials, and benefitting local businesses was a wonderful way to raise awareness and pride in Tabor Boy during her 100th Anniversary year.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Tabor Boy, Fundraising News
It’s always nice to be able to help someone who has helped you. It may not be in equal measures, but you do what you can do. Tonight, Tabor faculty worked with our friends at Gifts to Give to figure out a way we could give a little something back to them for all they have done for us. We enjoyed the second annual fundraiser for Gifts to Give, held in Hoyt Hall at Tabor. It was a night of music featuring a local talent Tommy Booth, along with two faculty musicians: our Head of School John Quirk, and math teacher and hockey coach Gerry Dineen. I understand it was organized in part by Tabor house parents Eric and Nicole Long.
Topics: Tabor Academy, Gerry Dineen, Faculty News, Service Learning
Reunion 2014 was a record breaking success for Tabor! We had the largest turnout of any reunion with over 600 people attending. The classes of 2009, 2003, 2004, 2005, 1989, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1979, 1974, 1964, 1959, 1949, 1944 and all Admirals were on hand to celebrate in grand fashion.
The success was all thanks to our alumni volunteers who stepped forward early on to help encourage classmates to come back, as well as to help support Tabor's fundraising efforts through the Fund for Tabor. Class committees were formed and monthly conference calls were scheduled to keep the teams on track. It was great to have so much involvement and we appreciate the effort from each of our volunteers.
Another factor in our success was the faculty. The weekend was moved up two weeks in order to be able to allow more faculty participation. They eagerly stepped forward to run fun activities with their former students such as kayak tours, teaching about our new oyster farm, small boat sailing, our famous Tabor Boy cruises, fun runs, yoga, a museum quality archive display, a golf outing, pottery demonstrations and so much more. Bruce Cobbold gave his "Last Lecture" at the Alumni Memorial Service, and alumni shook his hand and wished him well in his retirement as they exited Chapel, a wonderful moment for Mr. Cobbold. And Chef Andrew joined the fun to do a cooking demonstration!
Finally, I think the retooling of Reunion for our youngest guests was a smashing success. Noel Pardo, Director of Tabor Summer Programs, organized a mini-camp managed by his best camp counselors. The kids did arts and crafts, they swam and learned about the critters in our touch tank, they were all over campus enjoying all that Tabor has to offer.(Heads up to the moms and dads: we just might have put some ideas for their future education into their little heads!!)
Reunion Weekend is a time that all of us in the Advancement Office absolutely love. No matter what the activities, our alumni come back engaged and happy to be at Tabor. It is the spirit that makes the weekend so special. Everyone is happy and ready to have some fun, and eager to visit and catch up with faculty and friends. We eat, drink, dance, talk, relax, and just generally enjoy each other. It is the best of times and you really just shouldn't ever miss it! I think we should rename it the Tabor Family Reunion, because that is really what it is after all!
To enjoy more photos from the weekend, please visit our page on Facebook: Tabor Academy Alumni. Or visit our Shutterfly share site to view our photos and add your own.
Next year, our plan is to return to the classic format of five year reunions.
0's and 5's: YOU'RE UP!
Topics: Tabor Academy, Events, Tabor Reunions
