SBP students and coach medal at Fairview

Four students at St. Bernard Prep and their coach, Jeff Taylor participated in the Fairview Labor Day 5K. All students medaled. Will Faulk, Jake Killebrew and Ayleana Mami won first place in their age divisions. Oscar Perez, ran a close second to Faulk. Faulk and Perez were third and fourth overall for the race. Coach Jeff Taylor and Faulk’s parents, William and Paige, won first place in their divisions as well.

SBP participates at Scottsboro 5K

The St Bernard Saints Cross Country team began their 2009 season with excellent results in both the girls and boys divisions in the Scottsboro Invitational.

The girls team was comprised of 7th grader Ayleana Mami, who began her career by leading the way for the Lady Saints with a fine time of 25:19.35 , and finishing 86th out of 158 runners over the 5K course. Caitlin Varquez followed with a 26:41.00 (112/158), and, Katelyn Rusk with a time of 33:19.31 (149/158).

The boys team finished strong coming in 7th out of 8 1A-3A teams, but more importantly, 14th out of 25 1-6A teams barely missing out on a top 10 finish by less than 12 points. All-State runner, Will Faulk continued his mastery of the trails with a great season-starting time of 18:52.34 finishing just out of medal contention by less than 8 seconds. Teammate Oscar Perez ran another sub-20 5K with a time of 19:54.02. Louis Yutiamco had a fine showing with a 21:36.69. Michael Varquez began his season with a strong 22:04.37, John Russell ran a 22:29.18. Ethan Arndt began his career with a 23:23.03 and Madison Pride finished with a 27:24.29.

Coach Jeff Taylor said both teams look forward to their next meet at the Chickasaw Trails Invitational this next weekend. “Even with running a 'skeleton crew' at this time of the season, this fine showing is a portend of great things to come!”

Saints place a Brooke Hill 5K in Decatur

St Bernard Middle School’s Ayleana Mami and Arabella Holsonback both of Cullman placed first and second respectively in the Brooke Hill 5K race held in Decatur, Alabama this past Saturday. St. Bernard Prep School’s Jake Killebrew, a senior from Birmingham, also placed first in his age group. St. Bernard’s Cross Country team will participate in their first meet of the season on Saturday, September 5 at Scottsboro High School.

Saints Football Team

Support the 2009-2010 Saints Football program as they travel to Verbena, AL on August 21, for a jamboree game!

St. Bernard to host BSC Conservatory Program

St. Bernard Prep School in conjunction with Birmingham Southern College’s Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts will offer lessons in piano, voice, organ, band instruments and violin at St. Bernard beginning this fall.

St. Bernard is the first school in the Cullman area to offer this program. Lucy Victory, Director of BSC’s Conservatory Program said, “We offer the conservatory program in Birmingham, and are delighted to offer a satellite program in Cullman.” The Conservatory Program at BSC has a 104 year old standing tradition and has placed itself in the forefront of music education in this area and the Southeast.

The quality of the faculty is one of the reasons the Conservatory has earned such an outstanding reputation through the years. Most faculty members hold masters degrees and some hold doctorates. The dedication of faculty members help to make the Conservatory a special place for the students. Private instruction will be in half hour time slots. Students must register through Birmingham Southern College to participate. Applications may be printed by visiting www.bsc.edu. Click on conservatory.

St. Bernard off to good start

Students began the 2009-10 academic year at St. Bernard Prep in Cullman on Monday, August 10. Fr. Joel Martin, Headmaster at the School, said given the current economic downturn, he is very pleased with enrollment and the quality of faculty returning to the classrooms. “We have three more students than we had last year which is outstanding considering the current economy. “

Boarding students moved into the dorm rooms Sunday, and began their first day of class on Monday. Each year students move into their dorm rooms the day before school begins, to get acquainted with their new surroundings as well as to meet new friends from around the world. St. Bernard Admissions Director, John Arndt, said “The school community has 152 students enrolled. The high school enrolled 119 students – fourteen of which are international, and our Middle School has thirty-three students.”

Headmaster, Fr. Joel Martin, said students were pleased to find many physical improvements in the classroom building as well as to meet three new faculty members. “Our school building was totally renovated to include new paint, new flooring, new classroom space and a new look for the foyer. The computer writing lab was relocated to the library and the old writing lab space is now being used for classroom space.”

Two monks were added to the faculty. Br. Anselm Kuehler , who will profess simple vows as a Benedictine monk on August 15, returned to teach religion and serve as Student Government sponsor. Fr. Bede Marcy, a recent graduate of St. Meinrad Theologate, is teaching religion to freshmen and sophomores as well as serving as the school chaplain.

Katie Hawkins from Canton, Mississippi comes to St. Bernard from Bishop Byrne School in Memphis, Tennessee. Hawkins graduated from Spring Hill College in 2007 where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and minored in Spanish/Psychology. She recently received her Master’s Degree from Christian Brothers University.

John Tekulve, principal at the middle school, said his thirty-three students arrived eager to get the year started. “Students pre- registered, and appeared eager to get the new year started. We have a solid program in place that will prepare middle school students for high school.”

Fr. Joel Martin echoed Tekulve’s words by stating, “It’s good to see the students so excited about being at St. Bernard. I know our faculty will provide them with the necessary tools they need to succeed at St. Bernard and to prepare them for college.”

St. Bernard Prep is a private school for grades 7-12, and accepts students of all religious backgrounds. For more information visit the website www.stbernardprep.com or phone the admissions office at (256)739-6682 ext 7128.

SBP teachers gather for In-Service

Teachers at St. Bernard Prep School are meeting today for their annual inservice meeting. St. Bernard welcomes three new teachers to our community. Br. Anselm Kuehler, Fr. Bede Marcy and Miss Katie Hawkins.