Page 20 - Priorities #46 2010-March/April

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Wayne & Cindy Davison, Rick and Amy Magnuson, John Kriewall and Betsy Haehl, Andy Verhalen and Janet Brownstone, and Hank and Lisa Plain, among others. “It was great to see the Priory community be so generous,” says Magnuson.
The fundraising was a community effort, and so was the planning. Says Brother Edward, “Those three buildings are not what we thought, when we started. We thought: one. But look at it now! That was being open to what people in town had to say. Dialogue, communication, that’s part of Benedictine stability.” The process was collaborative throughout, says Tom Carter. “Even when people had vehemently contrasting opinions, we found a way to work it out.”
The Benedictine values came through in the design as well. Architect Steve Kelley noted how the value of community manifested in the plan for Father Egon Square, the gathering space between the three buildings. He also appreciated the value the monks placed on environmental sustainability, and their openness to hearing green building ideas from student science groups. In the end, everyone agreed upon a living roof for the PAC. Also called a green roof, this natural technology cleans rainwater, makes the building more energy efficient, and helps the structure blend into the landscape.
The green roof was an “extra” that could have easily been removed, says Kelley, especially given the rapid rise of construction costs during the years the project was happening. The fact that it remained part of the plan is a testament to the school’s commitment to the environment and the project overall. Donor Rick Magnuson admits, “Costs mounted. But there was not a reaction to scale back the project or scale back the quality. There was an attitude to do things right. We just had to raise a bit more money.”
Finally, all the permits were secured, the money was raised, and the Performing Arts Center began to take shape. Donor Betsy Haehl says, “It was so exciting to see the PAC come to life. We realized early on that our daughter wouldn’t benefit from the facility but we were thrilled to know that so many other students would. We love the way the buildings have come together to form Father Egon Plaza. And I love to come by school during the day and see all the backpacks near the PAC. I know how much the kids are benefitting from the new classrooms and practice rooms.”
Given that the Peforming Arts Center is only three years old, it’s too early to measure its full impact on Priory as a school and a community. But already, the Rothrock Performance Hall has allowed Priory to host national talent such as Grammy nominated jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, Priory ‘02, and tap dance legend Jason Samuels Smith, whose visit was arranged by Priory Dance teacher Kendra Anderson. Student participation in the performing arts is at an all-time high, whether through classes, plays, or the monthly Open Mic in the Black Box open to any and all Priory students.
With the construction of the PAC, Priory has put the performing arts front and center, and in doing so, continues strongly in its tradition of Benedictine education. Father Martin says, “If you notice, when there are cutbacks in funding, even in the universities, the first thing that goes is the arts. That is a terrible mistake. The arts allow students to function as more than just students. Here, the whole culture has changed. It’s done wonders for what the kids are able to do. They can have a place where they can really develop their skills. It’s a great facility. And the seats are nice,” he laughs.
John Sugden says, “I feel the arts serve the Benedictine values as well as anything I know. We’re very much about nurturing individuals and the individual creative process. At the same time, there is nothing that is not the work of many hands that goes into an orchestra, or a choir, or a theater piece.” It’s about hospitality, too. “We really stress a sense of ensemble, and a sense of being kind and welcoming to all. It’s not the same three kids getting the leads every time. I want everyone to explore this experience and have it be positive and enriching.”
Tina Paulson also sees the Benedictine values as central to her work as a teacher. “My ultimate goal for students is that they understand it’s not just individuality, not just community, but those things together that make this music, this art, this expression happen. I want them to understand that it’s a very human thing, a very connecting thing they’re doing. And it’s not just with each other, it’s with the audience, it’s between them and the people who wrote the music and what the music is for, and the people who wrote the text.”
She adds, “It’s always encouraging to look at a community which cares enough about the performing arts to do something like this. To deem it worthy enough to have a space where students can practice and grow and learn in the best way possible. Since this place has been built, I’ve seen an amazing shift in community—and not just school—community support for the performing arts. We’re showing, not just saying, that it’s important, and showing that these skills that kids are developing by being on stage and in choir and in orchestra are valued and helpful, even if every kid isn’t going to be the next Yitzhak Perlman. These buildings show that the community truly believes in the value of the performing arts.”
As one of the major donors and initiators of the project, Ray Rothrock is thrilled about the way it has all turned out. “Words cannot describe how good Meredith and I feel about the outcome,” he says. “The PAC changed Priory. It changed how the school feels about itself. But most importantly, it changed the opportunity set before the kids. Priory is about the kids and giving them everything they need to become lifelong learners and great citizens. I believe we added to that 1,000 year-old goal in some small way. As they say, timing is everything, and it clearly was Priory’s time.”
Eileen Dimminger speaks for many others when she says, “I often wish I could go back and be a student at this school!”