The Form of 2007 Plaque

The lower section of the 2007 plaque depicts Hargate with an “Open” banner on its roof, representing the reopening of the building after extensive repairs due to the Mother’s Day Flood of 2006.  Above Hargate, on the far left and right, the initials “X” and “C” to commemorate the success of the girls and boys cross country teams.  The upper center depicts the Earth surrounded by a recycling symbol, marks the beginning of the Environmental Stewardship program at SPS. The upper left features the Henley shield, representing the girls and boys crew teams at the Henley Royal Regatta. The upper right corner shows the first iPhone, which was released that year with great fanfare.

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2007 Plaque Progress: Carving Completed

The carving for the Form of 2007 plaque is now completed. The representatives from the Form of 2007 chose the following events to be illustrated on the plaque:

• Upper left corner: The Henley shield, commemorating the boys and girls crew team trip to England to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta
• Upper right corner: Commemorating the release of the first iPhone
• Center: The earth, shown enveloped in the arrow symbol for recycling, represents the beginning of the Environmental Stewardship program at SPS
• Lower: Hargate is shown with an “Open” banner on the roof, commemorating the reopening of the building after extensive repairs from the damage caused during the Mother’s Day flood of 2006
• Center left and right: Initials “X” and “C” commemorate the success of the girls and boys cross country teams that year

Now that the carving process is completed, I will apply a painted finish to the plaque to have it ready for presentation at the 2017 Anniversary Weekend at the beginning of June. Stay tuned for updates on the completion of the plaque!

2007 Plaque Progress: Design Completed

The design stage is complete for the 2007 form plaque. I worked with representatives from the Form of 2007 to come up with a list of events, and the following were chosen by them to represent their 6th Form experiences at SPS:

• Upper left corner: The Henley shield, commemorating the boys and girls crew team trip to England to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta
• Upper right corner: Commemorating the release of the first iPhone
• Center: The earth, shown enveloped in the arrow symbol for recycling, represents the beginning of the Environmental Stewardship program at SPS
• Lower: Hargate is shown with an “Open” banner on the roof, commemorating the reopening of the building after extensive repairs from the damage caused during the Mother’s Day flood of 2006
• Center left and right: Initials “X” and “C” commemorate the success of the girls and boys cross country teams that year

I will be posting photos of the carving process here on the Form Plaque Project blog and on the Form Plaque Project Facebook page when I begin working on the carving process of the 2007 plaque.

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The Form of 2004 Plaque

Below is a photograph of the completed plaque for the Form of 2004. The plaque is being dedicated on May 31, 2014 and hangs in the Middle Dining Hall of Coit (The Upper) above the panels that contain the names of all the members of the Form of 2004. Below the photo is the description of the elements incorporated in the plaque design.

The central feature of the 2004 plaque is a wild boar, representing the revitalization of the Boar’s Head dinner tradition in 2002 by members of the Form of 2004. In the upper left corner is the State of Massachusetts divided into rainbow-colored stripes, representing the passage of marriage equality on May 17, 2004 – the first state with such a law. The right side has the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup displayed on top of a shield with the Henley-on-Thames coat of arms, representing the boys crew win at Henley. The bottom left section has the Democratic donkey, representing the presidential run by John Kerry ’62.

The Form of 1994 Plaque

Below is a photograph of the completed plaque for the Form of 1994. The plaque is being dedicated on May 31, 2014 and hangs in the Lower Dining Hall of Coit (The Upper) above the panels that contain the names of all the members of the Form of 1994. Below the photo is the description of the elements incorporated in the plaque design.

The center vertical design element of the Form of 1994 plaque is the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, displayed atop the Henley shield, representing the win by the boys crew. In the background is Kehaya House, dedicated in January of that school year. A compass in the upper left corner represents the Thompson Island Outward Bound trip made in the fall of 1993. The upper right corner features the flag of South Africa, adopted as part of the April 1994 general election. This symbol, combined with the ribbon in the lower right and left sections, marks the end of Apartheid. Carved into the ribbon is an excerpt from a quote by Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”

2004 Plaque Progress: Plaque Completed

The Form of 2004 plaque is now completed.  The above photograph shows a sample of the painted finish on the plaque – the central image of the boar representing the revival of the  Boar’s Head Dinner tradition.

The completed framed plaque will be revealed on Anniversary Weekend on Saturday May 31st – at which time photographs of the finished plaque will be published online.  Thank you to the representative from the Form of 2004 for your help with this project –  I am looking forward to seeing members of the Form of 2004 at the SPS Anniversary event to celebrate your new Form plaque!

1994 Plaque Progress: Plaque Completed

The Form of 1994 plaque is now completed.  The above photograph shows a sample of the stained finish on the plaque – the center element featuring the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup from the Henley Royal Regatta.

The completed framed plaque will be revealed on Anniversary Weekend on Saturday May 31st – at which time photographs of the finished plaque will be published online.  Thank you to the representative from the Form of 1994 for your help with this project –  I am looking forward to seeing members of the Form of 1994 at the SPS Anniversary event to celebrate your new Form plaque!

1994 Plaque Progress: Carving Completed

The carving for the 1994 Form plaque is completed.  The photos below are of the finished carving, with descriptions of the symbols used in the design.

The upper right corner of the plaque features the flag of South Africa – adopted as part of the April 1994 General Election, marking the end of Apartheid.  Below the flag is the right side of Kehaya House.

The center vertical section features the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup atop the Henley shield, shown in the picture below it. The left edge of this picture has a section of a compass, representing the Thompson Island Outward Bound trip.

The bottom left and right sections contain a banner with the words “Education is the most powerful weapon” excerpted from the full quote by Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Behind the banner below is the left hand side of Kehaya House.

Now that the carving is completed is will be oiled and stained before being put on display for Anniversary/Graduation weekend at the end of May.

2004 Plaque Progress: Carving Completed

The carving is completed for the Form of 2004 plaque. The photo above is of the completed carving which represents the following elements:

Upper left: The outline of the State of Massachusetts divided into (what will be) rainbow colored stripes to represent the passage of marriage equality on May 17th, 2004 – the first state to do so.

Right: The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup  which sits on top of a shield featuring an emblem from the Henley-on-Thames coat of arms – representing the win at Henley for the boys’ crew team.

Center: A boar presenting a platter of food – representing the revitalization of the Boar’s Head dinner tradition in 2002 by Form of 2004 members.

Bottom left: the Democratic donkey symbol with “1962”  – representing Secretary of State John Kerry’s run for president.

Now that the carving phase is done I will oil the plaque and then work on the painted finish. More to follow as things progress!

1994 Plaque Progress: Design Completed

The design stage is complete for the 1994 Form plaque. I worked with members of the Form of 1994 to come up with a list of events, and the following was chosen to be featured on the plaque:

• Center Vertical: The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup atop the Henley shield
• Center Horizontal:  Kehaya House
• Upper Left: A compass, representing the Thompson Island Outward Bound trip
• Upper Right: The flag of South Africa – adopted as part of the April 1994 General Election, marking the end of Apartheid
• Bottom Left and Right:  The words “Education is the most powerful weapon” excerpted from the full quote by Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

I will now begin working on the carving process, with the plan to have the finished plaque to present at Anniversary weekend in June this year. Photos of the process will be posted on the blog, so stay tuned for more information!