September in #SeawolfNation

Diving into the 2024-2025 academic year, Tabor Academy has embraced “Seawolf Nation,” a unifying collective that embodies the Tabor community and connects individuals from around the world. Whether a student, alum, family member, employee, or friend of Tabor, we hope you’ll take pride in being part of Seawolf Nation. Sporting Tabor swag, attending campus events, and staying connected virtually all foster camaraderie and a sense of belonging, celebrating the unique values and experiences that define Tabor.

It has been a busy first month at the School by the Sea! Let’s look back at what Seawolf Nation has been up to in September:

Opening of School

Welcome back, Seawolves:

This year Tabor welcomed 519 students from 24 countries and 27 states. Select returning students started arriving in Marion on August 29 for pre-season practices, leadership training, and International Orientation.

A few days later, on Sunday, September 1, student leaders, known as Navigators, lined the sidewalks of Front Street to welcome new students. Their bright blue shirts, warm smiles, and excited cheers transformed the drizzly day into a celebration of new beginnings and friendships. After receiving their prox cards, moving-in to dorms, and checking in with affiliated Day Houses, new students and their families all gathered in Chapel where Head of School Tony Jaccaci formally introduced them to Seawolf Nation. He was joined by Associate Head of School Tyrone Black; Directory of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) RoseMarie Wallace; and student Co-Heads of School Elizabeth Livaditis ’25 and Garrett Salit ’25.  From there, students said bittersweet goodbyes to their families and gathered in groups for orientation activities with Navigators. Orientation continued the next day, Monday, September 2, as the rest of the school was welcomed back.

Campus was bustling by the first day of classes on Tuesday, September 3. The entire school community met in Chapel for Convocation, where they learned and sang the school alma mater.

Campus is Abuzz

The fun didn’t end with the Opening of School:

On Friday, September 6, a club fair was held in the Martignetti Student Union. Leaders of student affinity groups, clubs, and affiliated organizations decorated posters and invited new and returning students to sign up and make Tabor a more inclusive, dynamic, and exciting place for all.

The third year of TaborX (Tx), Tabor’s experiential learning program, kicked off on Saturday, September 7. Grade 10-12 students engaged in their groups both on and off campus—participating in offerings like metalsmith, canoe building, archery, hiking, and sports medicine. Meanwhile, “Tabor and the World,” the Grade 9 Tx program, traveled to the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a day of connection and discovery. It set the stage for a year of place-based learning in and around Southeastern Massachusetts.

The theme of connection continued Sunday, September 8, as the Class of 2025 headed to the Hale Education Facility in Westwood, MA. The primary focus for this experience was to prepare the Class of 2025 for a successful senior year through class bonding, team building, and development of greater familiarity for their classmates.

A week later, following Chapel on Monday, September 16, the International Center handed out mooncakes and Thai iced tea in honor of the Mid-Autumn Festival, enhancing global understanding within the Tabor community. 

The second annual Health and Wellness Day at the School by the Sea took place on Wednesday, September 25. Like last year, students participated in a shared experience themed around mindfulness. Some of the wellness fair activities that returned included reiki, yoga, and tai chi. New to the agenda this year was an interactive improv comedy session with a duo known as “Watermelon Alligator.” The pair led Seawolves in physical and cerebral warmups that aimed to help them focus, improve communication skills, and create a sense of belonging amongst peers. Smoothies, games, and puzzles rounded out the day as part of the Community Connection session, which promoted relaxation and forging new friendships.

Arts and Athletics in Action

Braitmayer, Tabor’s hub for visual arts, continues to ignite the artistic spirit of the community:

Visual Arts Teacher Mike Bodall curated a gallery that has been on display in Braitmayer since the Opening of School. The exhibit showcases work created by Tabor faculty and staff, like jewelry from Art Teacher Tricia Smith, ceramics from Ceramics Teacher Kevin Arnfield, and photography from Director of Advancement Stephen Ginter.

On Friday, September 6, the visual arts program hosted Gopal Shrestha, leading ceramic artist in Nepal and father of Shushank Shrestha—Tabor’s Ceramics Teaching Fellow during the 2023-2024 academic year. Students had the opportunity to ask the artists about their life in Kathmandu, their creative process and techniques, and experience exhibiting around the world. This artists’ visit deepened students’ global understanding and underscored the value of learning from diverse perspectives. Read more about the Shresthas’ visit here.

On the other side of campus, Tabor athletics are alive and thriving. Over the summer construction updates were made on several of our facilities—from Duffy Turf on the fields to the weight room in the Fish Center—to ensure they were safe, game ready, and held to the same high standards Tabor community members uphold.

The fall athletic season is officially underway, with games happening every Wednesday and Saturday, and the occasional Friday. For game details, schedules, and score results, visit the Tabor athletics calendar.

Seawolves Show Up

It’s not just the school community that has been coming together since the start of school:

On Thursday, September 19, alumni, families, and friends connected at Tabor Together South Coast at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery.

The following Saturday, September 21, a memorial was hosted for G. Richard “Duff” Duffy ’56, P’87. Almost 100 members of the extended Tabor community traveled to campus in honor of Duff and the scholarship in his name. The day began with a run around the fields that share his namesake, followed by a memorial service in Wickenden Chapel, and ended with a football game and reception on Duffy Turf.

On Sunday, September 22, families were invited to join students for the International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC). Every year, Tabor joins 17 million ICC volunteers around the world in a global effort to remove debris from Earth’s waterways. To do their part in helping leave spaces better than they found them, Tabor volunteers hosted a clean-up at Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven, MA.

Other September highlights included a Virtual Back to School Night—an opportunity for families to meet with their student’s classroom teachers and learn a little about what is happening in class—and an Admissions Open House that welcomed nearly 300 prospective students and their families to learn about the Tabor Way of Learning.

Next month, we look forward to welcoming families to campus for Fall Family Weekend, Athletic Hall of Fame, Tabor Day, and much, much more. Stay connected by following us on Instagram and Facebook.