March 2025: It's Not the View, It's the Climb

4/1/2025

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. '76

Dear friends,

On Sunday, March 30, we rededicated and blessed the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center. It is a significant event in Archmere’s history. Approximately 300 guests were in attendance for Mass, which was followed by a luncheon in the Patio. I share with you my comments from that day.

Like most things in life, "It's not the view, it's the climb."

The most important part of a journey or challenge is not the final destination or reward, but the process of working towards it, the struggles and growth experienced during the climb itself; it emphasizes the value of the effort expended and the learning that takes place, rather than just the outcome.

When Archmere was founded in 1932, in that first year there were two theatrical productions, "The Rising of the Moon", a 1907 play set in Ireland dealing with questions of duty and loyalty and Irish-Anglo relations in the early 20th century; and "The Valiant", the story of a priest who visits a prisoner on death row, whose guilt is questioned, as is his real identity. Both dealt with timely and ethical questions. A commitment to the arts as an evocative, teaching tool, seems to be a hallmark of Norbertine charism and the foundations of Archmere. However, the Depression, World War II, and a post-Cold War focus placed the arts in an ancillary position in the curriculum of Archmere, though the drama club faithfully continued to present plays.

Then, in 1971, at the invitation of the Headmaster, Father Justin E. Diny, Father Stephen Rossey from Saint Norbert Abbey was asked to come to Archmere to begin a visual arts program that would be incorporated into the curriculum. Just seven years later in the spring of 1978 the first musical was produced: "Brigadoon", in the original 1959 theater in Saint Norbert Hall – a space now occupied by the library and learning commons. Each year thereafter, spring musicals were presented: "Good New", "Irene", "Guys and Dolls", and "Anything Goes". In those succeeding years, an instrumental and choral music program was added to the curriculum, housed in the Manor. It was clear that a new venue was needed for rehearsal spaces and performances. Construction on this facility began in 1982. On November 1, 1983, I was invited to play the organ for the dedication Mass of the then new Performing Arts Center, a significant milestone in the development of Archmere’s comprehensive student experience.

Forty-two years later, we are rededicating this facility – The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center - as a place of gathering, a place of worship, and a place for artistic performances. The climb to get here has included sustained critical fundraising efforts, construction surprises that come with most older building renovations, and new experiences and learning that happen during the pursuit of a goal. Investing in this space is an indication of the value we place on the visual and performing arts, as well as our sense of community and the importance of gathering together for prayer and worship, educational enlightenment, and good entertainment.

With the completion of this renovation, we pause and celebrate our new view, but the climb will continue into the future, with new faces – students, faculty, parents, and benefactors – who will embrace what we have accomplished and build upon it for the next leg of the journey.

This is the first public gathering in this newly renovated space, and it is appropriate that we gather in prayer with Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend William Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington. We are grateful for his presence, as well as the presence of Father John Zagarella, O. Praem, Prior of Daylesford Abbey and former teacher, counselor, and headmaster, and a current trustee of Archmere Academy, Father Joseph McLaughlin, Director of Mission and Heritage, Chaplain, and headmaster emeritus of Archmere Academy.

The Gospel reading today on this Laetare Sunday in Lent is the parable of the Prodigal Son. Inspired by the mercy and love shown by the father toward his wayward son, we can only be joyful and grateful knowing that God’s love for us even exceeds the love that the father has for his son in the parable. We experience that love each day in our school community through your support in words and actions. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Administration of Archmere Academy, I warmly welcome you here today. . .

. . . Thanks to our student musicians for the prelude and Mass, members of the drama club and band who served as readers and ushers, Mr. Demnicki, Mr. Ifkovits, and Ms. Schauber for working with our musicians, and Mr. Brian Manelski, Drama Director, for taking care of lighting and sound.

In addition, I wish to acknowledge the hard work of the advancement staff: Mr. John Jordan, Mrs. Katherine Ball-Weir, Mrs. Ainsley Palladino, Mr. Nicholas Sanna, and Ms. Vicki Leon. Their work was supported by Mr. Fred Voelker, Marketing and Communications Manager, Mrs. Paula Hager, Director of Finance and Operations, Mr. Carl Campion, Director of Technology, and Mr. Dan Lutz, Director of Facilities.

They were instrumental in working with the EDiS project team members: Mr. Michael McBall, Ms. Monika Mikute, Mr. Brennan O’Quinn, and ABHA architects, Mr. Carl Krienan and Mr. Seth Hammonds, and designer, Mrs. Stephanie Foreman.

A significant project that began with a casual email last summer from an alumnus, the glass art piece: Generational Currents: A Colorful Study of Flow, is the creation of Gregory Tomb ’96, glass blowing artist, who conceived the design and worked with our art students in creating some of the glass pieces incorporated into the work. It is quite striking and I hope you will take some time to read the artist’s statement and reflect with the piece each time you visit. We are most grateful to Dr. Robert Dorsch ’61, whose gift in memory of his wife, Candice Mero Dorsch, along with a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Nancy Lagasse ’80, supported this unique and special project.

David Hogan ‘87, Board Chair, shared some comments, including recognizing the leadership of the members of the Board of Trustees. He also shared that, just a short time ago, the thought of renovating the 1983 performing arts complex seemed a daunting project, not just because of the scope of the work and the disruption to the academic programs, but especially considering the cost of renovating a considerable amount of theatrical square footage.

We are grateful for all who contributed to the project. One donor couple, however, Rocco and Mary Abessinio, with their $3 million commitment, gave us the courage and the ability to envision a successful fundraising program that would allow this project to move forward. We were honored to have them and their family members at the event to publicly thank them for their generosity and strong commitment to Catholic education.

After Rocco Abessino offered words of encouragement and his family’s commitment to support quality Catholic education, Mr. John Jordan, Director of Development, shared with guests the successful outcome of the $6 million campaign, which exceeded the goal, with approximately $6.6 million raised. He noted that we “still have work to do” in helping to underwrite the interest expense on campaign pledges, and encouraged everyone to “keep naming theater seats and theater garden benches!” Of the 763 new seats (an increase from the 754 seats in the original theater design), 129 have been “named” with a gift of $1,000 each. There are opportunities to name outdoor benches in the Theater Garden with a gift of $5,000.

For those who were not able to attend the reopening of the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center, you have an opportunity to experience the new theater space this week and weekend with the student production of the musical, “Alice By Heart.” I hope you are able to attend and support our talented students!

With the completion of this large renovation project, the Academy campus has been enhanced significantly for the benefit of students, families, and guests. As included in my comments on Sunday, March 30, with the completion of this renovation, we pause and celebrate, but the work continues “with new faces – students, faculty, parents, and benefactors – who will embrace what we have accomplished and build upon it for the next leg of the journey.”

Gratefully,

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. ‘76

Head of School

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