PORTSMOUTH - The Flanigan family of Tiverton is quickly becoming a miniature alumni chapter of Portsmouth Abbey School.
On May 29, 18-year-old Michael P. Flanigan gave the valedictory address and received his diploma from the prestigious Benedictine private boarding school bordered by the waters of Narragansett Bay.
"We've learned that there is such a thing as truth," said Michael, who will be studying engineering this fall at Notre Dame University.
In attendance were his father, Dr. Timothy Flanigan, a member of Portsmouth Abbey's Class of 1975 who is the director of the division of infectious diseases at Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospitals and Brown Medical School.
"I'm so proud of him. He's the most wonderful student and son that I could imagine," said Dr. Flanigan, who is also studying to be a deacon for the Diocese of Providence.
"The Abbey has been a great blessing for our whole family," said Dr. Flanigan, whose two other children, Teresa and Daniel, also graduated from the school.
Dr. Flanigan's father, Peter Flanigan, Portsmouth Abbey Class of 1941, also attended the commencement with several other relatives. Peter Flanigan was Assistant to the President of the United States under Richard Nixon and served as an economic analyst for the Marshall Plan, which resuscitated Europe after World War II.
Peter Flanigan was instrumental in getting his friend, actor-comedian-economist-commentator Ben Stein, to give the commencement address to the 107 graduating students.
Stein peppered his speech with several jokes and lighthearted commentary, but he also focused on the lagging state of public education in the United States.
"We won't remain a first-class power without a first-class education," said Stein, who told the graduates that they would soon be entering a world marked by uncertainty. He added that they had attained a valuable sense of morality and faith during their time at Portsmouth Abbey.
"A firm belief in God is your best teacher and friend," Stein said.
Dr. James DeVecchi, the headmaster, said the graduates hailed from 13 states and 14 countries. He told parents that the faculty had enjoyed teaching and mentoring their children over the previous four years.
"Knowing and being known by one's teacher is part of the culture here," Dr. DeVecchi said, adding that the graduating class had distinguished itself in the classroom, on the athletic fields and in the community.
Michael Flanigan also focused on his fellow graduates' achievements, noting that his class had raised more than $13,000 for charitable efforts. He also had some fun with his classmates, mentioning a few of their hidden talents that drew laughs from graduates and their relatives.
"By the way, the school's motto, Veritas, means truth. I learned that the hard way," Michael said, joking that he finished his speech during the homily at the baccalaureate Mass earlier that day.
Afterward, Michael said he would miss his friends and teachers, adding that they had all become a close-knit community. "It's been a great time," he said.
Dr. Flanigan said Portsmouth Abbey understands the importance of personal growth and formation.
"It's belief in God, belief in determination, friendship, hard work and really trying to do the best we can. The school has really supported that," he said.
Other graduates said they would also miss their times at the Abbey, though adding that they were looking forward to their college years.
"This ending just feels right after these past four years," said Gabriela Gutierrez, 17, who will be studying international relations this fall at Fordham University in New York.
"The people I've met over the years, the friendships, the values, the student community here will always stay with me," said Sean Fredericks, 19, who will study engineering at Rollins College in Florida.
