Haney Fellowships 2025 | News | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

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The 2025 Haney Fellowships

Purposeful Vision beyond the Classroom

Each year at Portsmouth Abbey School, a small group of exceptional Fifth-Form students are invited to pause the familiar rhythm of academic life and, instead, step into the world as problem-solvers, artists, and purpose-seekers. The Haney Fellowship, established in 1998 by William "Bill" Haney III ’80 in honor of his father, William Haney, Jr., stands as one of the School’s most distinctive and generous opportunities—one that empowers students to engage with the world in meaningful, self-directed ways.

William Haney, Jr.—a beloved chemistry teacher, houseparent and golf coach from 1968 to 1991—was known not only for his commitment to science and education, but for the way he inspired young people to approach life with curiosity and conviction. The Haney Fellowship carries that spirit forward, awarding merit-based summer fellowships to students who develop compelling project proposals and articulate a vision for impact—locally or globally.

Haney Fellows are selected through a careful review process led by Bill Haney and his mother, Irene Haney, a longtime houseparent and devoted member of the Portsmouth Abbey community. The students chosen each year demonstrate intellectual depth, moral seriousness and a desire to serve beyond themselves—characteristics that resonate deeply with the Abbey’s Benedictine values of hospitality, stewardship and the pursuit of truth.

What distinguishes the Haney Fellowship is not only the breadth of its reach—projects have taken students from Appalachia to Argentina, from South Korea to the South Bronx—but also the personal depth of engagement that each student fellow brings to their work. These projects are not assignments; they are callings. They reflect months of discernment, creativity and courage.

This year’s cohort of Haney Fellows exemplifies the best of Portsmouth Abbey’s commitment to forming young people who are intellectually alive, morally grounded and ready to shape the world:

• Charlie Dai will bridge cultures through literature and art, designing programs in both China and Rhode Island that introduce classic literature to young readers through original comic book adaptations. His work aims to cultivate empathy and mutual understanding across continents.
• Dino De Marzio, a gifted athlete and community leader, will host a free wrestling camp for underserved youth on Aquidneck Island. His camp will foster both physical fitness and character development, emphasizing resilience, teamwork and self-respect.
• Jack Forbes will volunteer at the PALS summer camp in Los Angeles, a vibrant community where young people with Down Syndrome are supported and celebrated. Jack’s work will contribute to the joy and growth of campers while deepening his own understanding of inclusive education.
• Ethan Kang will spend eight weeks in Korea producing a documentary on dog shelters and animal adoption, combining advocacy, media production, and hands-on service at local shelters to improve outcomes for vulnerable animals and inspire others to act.
• Megan O’Connor will lead knitting and crocheting workshops in her hometown, teaching others meaningful crafts and creating handmade comfort items such as blankets, hats and more for cancer patients. Her project interweaves creativity, compassion and community.
• Jinn Park will return to Korea to lead environmental workshops for marginalized communities, focusing on sustainability and waste reduction. Her initiative includes educational programs, community clean-ups and a culminating showcase to promote lasting change.
• Cici Zhou will conduct field research in rural Zhejiang, China, studying sustainable agricultural practices and collaborating with local farmers. Her findings will be shared through a short film designed to educate environmental groups and policymakers.

The Haney Fellowship affirms what Portsmouth Abbey has long known: that when students are invited to lead with purpose, they rise to the occasion. This year’s Fellows remind us that formation does not end with the school bell—it continues wherever our students carry their faith, their intellect, and their hearts.