Page 24 - Priorities #63- Winter 2016

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Sophomore Elizabeth Duncan appreciates that the new building has “a very natural feeling.” She notes the natural tones, the use of reclaimed wood from the old faculty building, and the advantage that as she says, “Mr. Marsheck can just open a wall, so even though we’re in a classroom, we feel like we’re in nature. It’s a spiritual feeling.” Her classmate Lena Bhagat elab- orates that the building “embodies Benedictine spir- ituality. We even witnessed how the monks did the blessing of it.” Last spring, everyone was alerted in time to witness the raising of the cross at the top of the building—the first cross on campus to grace one of our buildings. The construction crew members paused in their work, knowing this moment felt momentous, while down below spectators watched, smiling, some even making the sign of the cross.
With a different focus, senior Gigi de Fort-Mena- res noticed the environmentally friendly details that are mindful of the Priory’s goal to use less energy and foster a more sustainable campus. “There’s a sensor in the ceiling that adjusts the lighting,” Gigi comment- ed. “I really like the new building because the light switches adjust.” A daylight sensor in each room actu- ally dims or brightens the lights automatically in order to save energy. The lights also shut off automatical- ly each night, as does the HVAC system. And those round pits in Schilling Square aren’t just more pretty landscaping: they are bio-swales that filter rainwater, capturing contaminants more safely than if the water drained straight down storm drains. Priory Sustain-
ability Coordinator Hovey Clark adds that the new classrooms and their surrounding grounds have been designed with an emphasis on sustainable construc- tion and operations over their lifetimes. From climate control and solar panels to lighting, insulation, and window choices, these new campus areas will be ex- tremely energy efficient—potentially generating as much energy as they require.
Other details of the new building caught the eye of some of our athletes. “The elevator is nice because when I’m sore I don’t have to walk up the steps,” notes sophomore JR Brandin. Freshman Andrew Cheng also loves the elevator, but for a different rea- son. “I like the declaration on the door, especially be- cause it’s in different languages,” he says. Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, Hungarian, and English define Priory students as intelligent, honest, faithful, fuertes, tranquilos, drôles, sains, and egyhazi, among many other adjectives. The words give students something to look at while waiting for the elevator, but more importantly, they reinforce a positive iden- tity that matches Priory values.
After years of planning and ten months of con- struction, the new building officially opened for use in August, just in time for this school year. The “Building Ingenuity” capital campaign headed by Mike Calbert included donations from all members of the Priory community: parents, families, alumni, administration, and staff—and came in under budget. In this way, the building symbolizes our Benedictine values as the whole community rallied to make it a reality. “I think most importantly, the kids have more pride in their school,” says history teacher Damian Cohen. The new building is a showcase piece we can all be proud of.
Priory community members were also invited to leave their mark—quite literally—on the building as it went up. After chapel last spring, everyone on campus had the opportunity to pick up a Sharpie and sign the bare wooden wall of what would become the faculty lounge and classrooms. The monks went first, inscribing Brother Edward’s name in remembrance alongside theirs. “Having his name signed on the wall assured that his presence will always be with us,” stated Father Martin.
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