When Mrs. Corie McDermott-Fazzino, Avery Dey's advisor and college counselor at Portsmouth Abbey, asked Avery what areas of interest she would like to pursue in college, she realized that she did not have enough information and experience to answer the question; she soon learned that many of her friends felt the same way. This led to the formation of the Abbey's first speakers bureau, conceived and coordinated by Avery. "This speakers bureau will give students the opportunity to experience and network with a breadth of professionals in order to redefine success," says Avery.
Inspired by the formal lecture series that exists for the School community at the Abbey, Avery, now in her Fifth Form (junior) year, developed the concept of the talks that would inform students about a variety of courses of study and career choices that might be available to them in college and beyond. According to Avery, "A large part of creating a post-high-school plan is exploring different fields of interest. Lists and statistics should not be the only way students choose career paths. Often students are swayed to professions they are not passionate about because of the illusion that money constitutes success. The objective of this lecture series is to redefine success and vocation while allowing Abbey students to network and connect with established professionals."
Over her spring break from school, she began contacting professionals whom she felt she and her classmates might find interesting – some from her hometown of Westport, MA, and others whom she found online. She was delighted by the many positive responses from professionals in a wide range of careers, and after many hours of phone, letters and internet exchanges, Avery had coordinated a full roster of speakers for Portsmouth Abbey students. The series is structured so that, during the lecture, the speaker gives a ten-to-fifteen-minute talk about his or her work and then opens the floor for questions from the students.
The lectures take place one evening per week, and the series will continue through the fall of 2015. The initial lecture of the series took place on Thursday, April 16, with a talk by Tiffany Peay, who received a BFA in metalsmithing and glassworking in 1993. Tiffany Peay Jewelry has been featured in many national magazines and blogs including Travel & Leisure, Quintessenceblog.com, The Boston Globe, InStyle, Brides, Victoria, Self, and JCK, as well as several Japanese publications and TV editorials.
Other speakers in the series include:
Nancy Paull, CEO of Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR), a non-profit health care and social service agency in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that provides a quality continuum of care and support to all people, especially those affected by addiction, by responding to their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Scientist John Miller, who was instrumental in the development and execution of the first Lunar Landing, Apollo 11, on July 20, 1969.
Fashion Designer Katherine Wuersch Flener, who is the head designer for the Joan and David Asian Market. She has also designed apparel for Ellen Tracy, Caractere, Episode, Nine West, Steve Madden, B.A.S.H., and others.
Carole Fiola (D – Fall River) is a Massachusetts State Representative of the 6th Bristol District. Her committee assignments are Economic Development and Emerging Technologies; Mental Health and Substance Abuse; and Public Service.