St. Bernard student qualifies for National Merit Scholarship Program

Mackenzie Bockhold, a junior at St. Bernard Prep School, recently qualified to advance in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program competition.  Bockhold was among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants of some 1.5 million program entrants.

In October of 2012  St. Bernard juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT which is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test.   Students with a selection Index score of 203 or above have qualified. 

Of the more than 50,000 high scorers nationwide, about 16,000 will be named National Merit Program Semifinalists, representing the top scholars in each state, and approximately 34,000 others will be commended for the performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.    Semifinalists and Commended Students in the 2014 national Merit Program will learn of their standing in September.  Semifinalists will be the only students who will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 8,300 National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2014.

Headmaster, John Tekulve has known Mackenzie since her 7th grade year at St. Bernard.   “Mackenzie possesses great intelligence but, more importantly, she is a disciplined student, “ Tekulve said.  “She has capitalized on her God given abilities by being a dedicated student who demands excellence from herself. I am proud of Mackenzie’s achievements and  am sure that many more will follow.”

Bockhold  is the daughter of Donald and Sandi Bockhold of Cullman.

 

 

St. Bernard senior places second in art competition

 

St. Bernard Prep School senior, Sadee Spitzer, placed 2nd of 175 entries in the 4th Congressional Art District Competition held recently  in Northport, AL.  Sadee's watercolor is a portrait of herself  in her school uniform peaking in an abbey shop building on the back side of campus.

Sadee is the daughter of Terry and Cheryl Spitzer of Birmingham, AL.  She plans to attend the University of Montevallo  this fall as an art major.

St. Bernard's Savanna Glover signs with Faulkner University

St. Bernard Soccer standout Savanna Glover signed a scholarship with Faulkner University- Montgomery, AL  yesterday.  Glover was the lone senior on the Lady Saint's soccer team this season, which made the school's first-ever soccer playoff appearance last Saturday and finished the year with a 7-5-2 record before falling 4-1 to Class 3A Madison Academy.  To read more see the Cullman Times article written by Jake Winfrey.  http://www.cullmantimes.com/localsports/x6220148/PREP-SOCCER-Saints-Glover-inks-scholarship-with-Faulkner 

Latin is alive at St. Bernard Prep

The so called “dead” Latin language may be a bit challenging for high school students, but several students at St. Bernard are  bringing  it back to life by not only learning the language, but having a clearer understanding of the English grammar, as well as a foundation that will open up their options as they enter college.

Recently, Latin instructor, Br. Leo Borelli was notified by the American Classical League that three of his students had won gold medals for their performance on the National Latin Exam which was taken the first week in March.  Two freshmen – David Schartung and Samuel George;  along with sophomore, Kimie Garcia. 

Other students who won certificates for scoring above the national average on the test were:  Freshmen:  Mary Grace Vinson, Lesley O’Donnell, Anna Gongre, Aaron Crawford, Greer Cauthen, and Christopher Woods.  Sophomores were Ayleana Mami, Nicholas Schweers, Tomas Russell, Bree McPherson, and Megan Butler; Junior, Gabriel Pautler; and Seniors, Nathan Denson and Sean Moriarty.

The National Latin Exam is offered under the joint sponsorship of the American Classical League and the National Junior Classical League.  More than 149,000 Latin students from all fifty states participated this past year, as did  students from thirteen foreign countries, including Australia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, China  Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. This year for the first time, students from Bulgaria and Mozambique also took the NLE.

Photo cutline:  Gold medal winners are from left:  Samuel George, Hanceville;  Kimie Garcia, Cullman; and David Schartung of Decatur. 

Mike Latham accepts St. Bernard Bloomin' Festival grand prize

Fr. Marcus Voss, Director of Development at St. Bernard presented the keys of the 2013 Jeep Patriot to Mike Latham of Birmingham, AL.  Latham was the grand prize winner at the 29th Annual Bloomin' Festival held recently at St. Bernard Prep in Cullman, AL.

29th Bloomin’ Festival Held at St. Bernard

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival may have had a chilly start, but the art-filled weekend at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, Alabama created the perfect setting for a warm welcome to the thousands in attendance.

Festival Director, Joyce Nix said, “I was very pleased with this year’s event.  We worked extremely hard to make sure we had artists of exceptional quality who came to exhibit at the festival.  In addition, the visitors who attended this year’s show had the opportunity to speak with the artists and learn about their craft.  Our volunteers did a great job in welcoming our guests to the campus as well as to the City of Cullman.”

Dr. Nancy Thornton had this to say about the Festival Director and in particular about the quality of work displayed.  “My mother is a well- known Western artist and does many juried shows in addition to her own gallery.   She commented that your careful selection of talent made the show a serious regional event.  Quality not quantity. Your leadership is to be commended and special thanks given to all of the volunteers.”

Saturday morning St. Bernard held a 5K/10K run.  St. Bernard students, Will Faulk, was the overall 10K winner, and Seamus Russell was overall 5K winner.  Jaden Edge was the female winner in 5k , while Ayleana Mami  finished 2nd in the 10K female division.

The master’s winners in the 5K were Eric Fillinger  and Shannon Barnett both of Cullman. The 10K  overall female  winner was Jenna Woodruff of Cullman.  The master’s winners in the 10K were Kelly Lambert (female) of Cullman and Stan Johnson (male) of Moulton.  A complete listing of times can be found at www.bloominfestival.com.

Winners of the prize giveaway were as follows:  Mike Latham of Birmingham – took the first prize of a 2013 Jeep Patriot; Mary Beckman of Killen, AL won a Kindle Fire HD; Carmelita Watts of Tuscaloosa won a Canon Camera; Lydia Caballo of Tampa, FL received a Garmin GPS; and Linda Mitchell of Centre,  won the IPod Shuffle.

Fr. Marcus Voss, OSB Development Director for St. Bernard said the school utilizes the proceeds from the festival to do the work of education.  “We appreciate everyone who made a donation to our program to make the weekend such a success.” 

Festival dates for next year have been set for April 5-6, 2014.  Keep up to the minute by “liking” Bloomin’ Festival on facebook.

 

 

Bloomin' Festival set for April 20-21

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair on April 20-21, 2013 is a sold out show.  Artists and Craftspeople submitted their applications early in December so as not to miss out on a spot during the  premier show at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, AL.  Bloomin’ Festival has again been recognized at a ‘Top 20 Event in the Southeast’ by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Everything from handcrafted pottery and coin jewelry to children and ladies clothing, birdhouses, fashion accessories, metal art, leather, stoneware baskets, home grown plants, toys, Dahlia bulbs, Art, ceramics, candles, soap and so much more can be found.  Live demonstrations will include:  grinding corn meal and sampling hoe cakes, glassblowing, broom making, and one of Cullman Counties own Blacksmiths, Allan Kress at work.

Parents, monks, students and friends of St. Bernard Prep are gearing up to assist visitors with parking, concessions, train rides, and environmental control. 

A 5K and 10K race will be held on the wooded trails of campus on Saturday April 20 beginning at 7:30 a.m.  Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners; Masters male and female winners; and 1^st and 2^nd Place age group winners.  Entry fee is $25 if received by 4/16; or $30 on race day.

To register go to www.bloominfestival.com or drop by the school to complete an application.

Food is provided solely by St. Bernard Prep School.  The menu consists of pinto beans and hoe cakes make from fresh ground cornmeal onsite; BBQ chicken, polish sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, fresh squeezed lemonade,  and Pepsi!

At the conclusion of the show on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. a drawing for the festival grand prize will be held.  St. Bernard Prep in a partnership with Cullman Dodge will be giving away a 2013 Jeep Patriot, Kindle Fire HD 7”; Canon digital camera, Garmin Nuvi GPS; and an Apple Ipod Shuffle.

Ave Maria Grotto is open the entire weekend for a low admission price of only $3 per person.  Admission to the festival is $5.  All proceeds benefit St. Bernard Preparatory School.  For more information visit www.bloominfestival.com or check out www.facebook.com/bloominfestival.

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival is sponsored by Cullman Dodge, Pepsi, OF Richter & Sons, Kassouf & Company, Richard Electric, Merchants Bank, Cullman Jefferson Gas, Peoples Bank of Alabama,  R. Champ Crocker – Attorney at Law,  and Regions Bank.