St. Bernard Prep to host Half Marathon – March 9, 2013 @ 7:30 a.m.

The first-ever half-marathon race to happen in Cullman County is about to take place at St. Bernard Prep in Cullman, on the renovated and newly-created trails of St. Bernard Abbey, Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 a.m.

For the past three years Cross Country Coach William Calvert, and  noted “Trail Boss” Roger Blalock, along with countless other volunteers, have recovered and restored existing trails through the Abbey’s 800 acres of Treasure Forest  and constructed at least five more miles, doubling the trails in size.

The Trails of St. Bernard Half-Marathon will showcase the expanded scenic trail system of St. Bernard Abbey.  Calvert  said  the old trails and forest roads have been improved, and the new trails will take participants  into the more remote areas of the 120-year old campus.

 Blalock, the volunteer “Trail Boss,” has been the catalyst in improving the old trails and dozing  the new ones.  Along with a core group of volunteers that include St. Bernard coaches, teachers,  parents and local runners, Blalock has added about five new miles of trails to the system through the use of a small bulldozer and back-breaking work with shovels, rakes, picks and axes.

Calvert said Roger loves the outdoors,  and building trails is a passionate hobby  for him.  “We certainly appreciate all of Roger’s hard work and dedication.  He has built some beautiful  scenic trails through streams with waterfalls and huge boulder rocks. “

There have been several water bars put in place to re-route water off the trails to nearby streams.   “Conservation of land has been a major concern in this process,” Blalock said.   These trails are solid, but according to Blalock they aren’t finished yet.   “Because of erosion, some sections of the older trails will be totally rebuilt to preserve them.  That said, these trails are in great shape, some of the best in the southeastern states.”

Blalock’s experience with operating heavy equipment and with engineering the building of trails has been a blessing for our program at St. Bernard.  “Back in the 80’s, Roger was involved in the layout and building of trails in the Bankhead Forest,” Calvert said.

While running or walking the trails, one can notice the dirt which has been removed from underneath one of the huge boulders by the creek.  “We hit charcoal and feel sure that this could have been a perfect Native American home years ago,” Blalock said.  “It was perfect since they loved facing south and near the water, but as the need for more dirt increased, it has been pulled from underneath the huge bluff rock.” 

The wooded 13.1 mile course has ten unique bridges with names like No Hands Bridge and Gear Up that span some of the stream crossings.  Rustic wooden signs nailed to cedar posts with names like Lost Creek Trail, Rock Quarry and Little Magnolia point runners and hikers in the right direction.  The course of rolling hills and mostly-hardwood forest adds to the challenge but also to the beauty of the trails.

Calvert said the half-marathon route will challenge runners,  but  is a fair course with good footing.  “It’s a great  course for first-time trail racers,  and will be a fast course for the more experienced.”   

Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners, Masters male and female winners, and grand masters male and female winners, as well as medals to the top three finishers for male and female in each age group. 

Age groups are 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over. 

A pre-registration fee of $40 is due on or before 3/01/2013; the fee is $45 after 3/1/2013.  To register online go to www.raceit.com/Register?event=17275  or to register by mail, print a registration form at  www.stbernardprep.com.

For more information,  contact Race Directors, Roger Blalock, blalockroger@yahoo.com -256-734-1200 or William Calvert, wcalvert@stbernardprep.com - 256-612-3028. 

Peel, Matz push Saints to impressive finish at regional championship

Saint Bernard Middle School students Sarah Peel and Morgan Matz participated in  a landmark weekend for the Saints swimming program recently leading their school to 14^th out of 40 teams at the Southeastern Middle School Swimming Championship in Chattanooga, TN.

Peel, 7, and Matz, 8, reached the finals in both of their events.  Peel torpedoed to second in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 100-yard breaststroke, while Matz glided to fifth in the 100-yard backstroke and 15^th in the 50-yard freestyle.

In addition to the duo’s swimming prowess, Coach Carson Glasscock said Peel and Matz are exceptional students.

“I am really proud of Sarah and Morgan.  Both put in outstanding performances in a very tough regional meet,” he said. “It really shows the future of competitive swimming at St. Bernard.  I am most proud that both these girls were on the AV honor roll for the fall semester.”

St. Bernard Middle School - Honor Roll First Semester 2012-13

St. Bernard Middle School Honor Roll
1st Semester 2012-13

 

7th Grade All A's

Eva Barck
Leahrose Mami
Cailin O'Donnell
Olivia Tafazoli

 

7th Grade All A's and B's

Anna Faulk
Victor Fentanes
Luke Marti
Eli Mechelfelder
Sarah Peel
Avy Whaley

 

8th Grade All A's

Clint Crumbley
Brooke Edwards
Jalen Lee
Graham Sanders

8th Grade All A's and B's

Isabella Cline
Megan Brockway
Hee Jung Kang
Asher Kyte
Morgan Matz
Luke Merrill



 

                                               

Tafazoli wins Spelling Bee

 

Olivia Tafazoli, a seventh grader at St. Bernard Prep,  recently won the school spelling bee.  Olivia will compete with other students in Cullman County on January 28 at Fairview High School Auditorium.  Pictured with Olivia are Ms. Martha Ann Warnke, Spelling Bee Coordinator, and Principal William Calvert. 

Olivia is the daughter of Mark and Lori Tafazoli of Cullman, AL.

Caitlin Varquez to represent Cullman County in Distinguished Young Woman Competition

Saint Bernard Preparatory School’s, Caitlin Varquez is headed to Montgomery, Alabama to represent Cullman County in the 2013 Distinguished Young Women’s (DYW) Competition.  Founded in Mobile in 1958, as America’s Junior Miss, it  formally changed its name to Distinguished Young Women to reflect the changes in the lives of today’s young women.  It is the largest and the oldest national scholarship program for high school girls.

For months, Caitlin has prepared for this extreme week long project where young women from each county in the State of Alabama are judged in areas of fitness, public speaking, self-expression, on-stage talent, academics, and a personal interview. 

“This has been a very remarkable experience for me,” Caitlin said.  “I have had an opportunity to meet so many talented young ladies who I must say are incredibly smart and know what direction they want to take in life.”

Caitlin begins her journey on January 11 when she will be moving into her host family’s home in Montgomery with another contestant in the competition.   For the entire week of preparation for the competition, she will have no outside communication with anyone other than the host family and DYW directors.  While Caitlin admits she hasn’t been away from her parents much, she is looking forward to spending time with her new friends. 

Flashing her contagious smile, Caitlin admits the help received from her parents has been phenomenal.  “My Dad has been a huge help with which outfits, shoes, and accessories I will be wearing.  Together we have made a check list of everything I need.”

Caitlin’s platform to the judges and audience members is:  to educate women about the risk associated with heart disease, and to promote wellness and fitness among women.  Being an avid runner and as the daughter of a cardiologist, she understands the importance of  women taking time to exercise and eat properly to stay heart healthy.

Talent wise, Caitlin is no stranger to being in front of a crowd.  However she admits the competition is very diverse.  To her knowledge she is the only contestant performing a vocal and dance number.  Her rendition of “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from Sweet Charity is sure to dazzle the audience.  Caitlin will portray Charity the young lady who has inspirations of bigger dreams. 

Caitlin says the fitness portion is very demanding and creates a big challenge.  “We have been given routines to learn on our own.  It’s very do-able but if you have to do this whole routine and then do this, I can see how hard it would be.”

The interview portion of the competition is not about facts and figures. While those are important, Caitlin says it’s about each individual girl and how confident they are in their beliefs and values.

Contestants are encouraged to bring books to read in down time.  Caitlin plans to take her SAT Test Preparation Book to prepare for the upcoming exam later in the month.

Academically Caitlin is an exceptional young lady with her eyes set on attending Brown University or perhaps the University of Southern California.  She is very involved in school activities, and is open to new ideas.  Caitlin is a member of the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, and is the only senior on the Saintly Visitor Team which conducts weekly visits to area nursing homes.  She recently competed in the regional poetry out loud competition where she placed second; and is a member of the 1A – Runner-Up State Girls Cross Country Team.  Caitlin spent her summer volunteering at the public library reading to children and talking about the DYW program, as well as participating in a National Archery Championship held in conjunction with the Cullman Parks and Recreation Department. 

To date, she has been awarded $4,400 in scholarship funds for winning the competition, talent, and spirit award locally. 

Competition gets underway on Friday, January 18, when all contestants compete with the physical fitness and self-expression portion of the competition.  At 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 she will compete in the talent portion, and then at 7 p.m. the eight finalists will be named.

While communication is non-existent for a week, contestants are allowed receive care packages and letters of encouragement!  Send all correspondence to Caitlin Varquez, c/o Michael and Lisa Jones, 1962 Duck Pond Road, Montgomery, AL  36117.

Caitlin is the daughter of Dr.’s Genero and Mir Varquez of Cullman.

St. Bernard Prep – Private Education in a Serene Setting

Located in the beautiful Appalachian foothills of North Alabama and tucked away on the east side of Cullman County is Alabama’s only Catholic boarding school – St. Bernard Preparatory School.  St. Bernard Prep is a residential and day school for grades 7-12 that was begun by the Benedictine Monks at St. Bernard Abbey in 1891, the year the monastery was founded.  Since that time the call to educate has been central in the work of the monks, including high school, college and seminary education. 

For over 1,500 years Benedictine Monks have been involved in the business of education, keeping alive the love for learning and a deep appreciation for God’s creation and world cultures.  With that solid foundation, the Cullman, Alabama school has declared its mission: “St. Bernard Preparatory School is committed to fully engaging students in learning for the whole person – body, mind and spirit.”

In the year 2005, St. Bernard opened Founder’s Hall and created a wonderful learning environment for students in grades 7 and 8.  The Middle School contains six classrooms, including a music room, science lab, and a newly purchased mobile computer lab.   

The Upper School offers most classroom instruction in the Swisher Classroom Building, with music, art, drama, and physical education located at other campus locations.  Classes are taught by highly certified veteran instructors with vast experience at both the high school and collegiate level.  Most have been educated beyond the master’s degree level. 

The Middle School academic program is structured for the purpose of improving academic achievement in the 7^th and 8^th grades.  The concepts and skills taught in the middle grades provide the necessary foundation for the college preparatory curriculum of the Upper School.  

The entire school curriculum is based on the liberal arts: languages and literature, history, mathematics, science, the social sciences, theology and the arts.  The teaching philosophy emphasizes the ability to think, to read with understanding, to express oneself with precision and confidence, and to solve problems creatively.  Courses encourage the development of mental and physical discipline, of breadth and depth of knowledge, of responsible thought and action, and of critical thinking.     

Benedict Dorm is home to the young men of St. Bernard, and the young ladies reside in their dormitory located in the Administration Building.  Whether students choose to reside on campus or commute daily, they are taught to acquire good study habits and develop daily routines that lead to personal growth and development. 

School President, Fr. Joel Martin, who served as Headmaster for 15 years, says he is proud of what he has witnessed from the students who have graduated and who are currently enrolled. 

“We have high expectations for our students.  We believe in a full life of true involvement, overcoming fear and taking risks, but most of all responsibility and self-control,” he said. 

Teaching students how to budget time, study, set goals, get along with one another, and limit their time on the internet, cell phone and TV, are part of the school’s overall philosophy.  Students are encouraged to make good decisions and accept consequences, solve problems, clean their room well, do laundry and learn to accept the joys and difficulties of life with others.

 

Chuckling, Fr. Joel said parents often comment on the changes they see in their child who enters the residential life.  “Parents have said on more than one occasion, they have experienced first-hand an increasing closeness to family, a greater depth of communication, appreciation and love, as well as self-discipline, self-respect and self-confidence.  It all comes from St. Bernard Prep’s belief in teenagers and in our expectation that they think for themselves and make wise choices.” 

The school currently has 22 international students enrolled from five different countries:  Germany, Korea, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.  That makes for a breadth of experience: a school that mirrors not just the local population, but the world community of which we are a part. 

St. Bernard offers a broad athletic program and boasts facilities seldom seen in a school population of less than 200.   Competing in the AHSAA 1A Division, The Cross Country team created a 5K running trail though the 800 wooded acres of St. Bernard’s treasure forest, and has become known as a dominate powerhouse in the 1A Cross Country competitions for both male and females.

The Fazi-Richard Athletic Center completed in 1996, allows students to participate in volleyball, basketball and other athletic activities.  The school’s out-of-doors athletic facilities consist of a fine tennis complex, fields for baseball, softball, archery, etc., and a state-of-the-art soccer field that was home to the Argentine Olympic Football Federation in 1996. 

John Schneider, a resident of Decatur and current Student Body President, experienced the life of a St. Bernard student through his older siblings, a sister and two brother, all graduates of St. Bernard.  “St. Bernard is our home away from home,” Schneider said.  “We chose St. Bernard for the educational aspect, but received so much more .  Our life-long friends, the memories of the dorm, the dining hall, Abbey Church, the quad, Blue and White Day, the Grotto, Bloomin’ Festival, the routines, and hard work will remain in our hearts forever.”

Fr. Joel says St. Bernard should strongly be considered if one is academically capable and willing to prepare seriously for the life that lies ahead of them in college and university studies and beyond.  He went on to say that St. Bernard is not equipped as a therapeutic setting for students with serious personal, social or academic difficulties. 

St. Bernard offers a commuting bus service daily to the Decatur, Alabama area and is prepared to expand transportation services to other locations in the future as needed. 

Anyone interested in learning more about St. Bernard Prep should attend Open House on Sunday, March 3, 2013  beginning at 2 p.m. or call (256)739-6682 for a personal tour of the school.  Visit online (www.stbernardprep.com) or like us on www.facebook.com/stbernardprep.

 

Booster Club to Host Drawdown at St. Bernard

The St. Bernard Booster Club is preparing to host its annual Drawdown/Benefit Dinner at the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center in Cullman, Alabama on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 6:00 pm.  The Booster Club, an association of parents, friends and students from St. Bernard Preparatory School, sponsors this event the Saturday before “Super Bowl Sunday” each year.

A total of four hundred and fifty tickets are available.  A donation of  $100 per couple entitles the ticket holder to dinner and the opportunity to win more than $12,900 in cash and prizes.  In addition to these prizes, there will be a silent auction as well as other planned activities.

Proceeds from the drawdown go to St. Bernard Preparatory School to help fund the athletic programs offered at the school.  St. Bernard Prep President, Fr. Joel Martin, said, “This event allows  students in the Middle and High School to have access to a broad range of athletic programs.  The Booster Club does great work in sponsoring this annual event.”

Tickets may be obtained at the school, or by contacting Buster Ros at (256)347-1320 or Mark Pudles (256)507-1748. 

Visit St. Bernard on the web at www.stbernardprep.com or follow us daily on Facebook and Twitter.  www.facebook.com/stbernardprep.