SBP participates in Mercedes Marathon

MERCEDES MARATHON: Congratulations to Kiki and Brendan Meyer, Amie Eder, Nino and Louis Yu Tiamco. Of 149 teams competing, they placed 17th. Of 8 high schools represented, they placed 2nd.

Meyer named National Merit Finalist

Kiki Meyer, a senior at St. Bernard Prep, recently received notification and a certificate from the National Merit Scholarship Program for having earned a ranking in the top 15,000 students in the country and declared a National Merit “finalist”.

To become a Finalist, a student who has been recognized as a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Fr. Joel Martin, Headmaster at St. Bernard Prep said without a doubt Kiki is very deserving of this national recognition. “We have watched Kiki grow over the past four years, and have enjoyed the community spirit and hard work she shares on a daily basis,” Fr. Joel said. “Kiki is self-challenging in all that she does, whether in the classroom or on the basketball court, and when you combine that with her positive nature, she's a joy to her school.”

In an excerpt from her National Merit essay, Kiki wrote that while doing mission work in Kenya, “I recognized that I can be a key link in creating the right community atmosphere that gives each individual a sense of security and wellbeing.”

Reflecting more about her local volunteerism at home, Kiki wrote, “Because I wanted to accomplish a project more meaningful than usual service hours, I learned about what my state needed to reduce poverty at a camp called Alabama Possible. Here, teens like me worked together toward state constitutional and tax reform, setting goals and jump-starting ideas. Although I might not immediately see results, I know that my work helps the greater community.”

Kiki summed up her essay by saying, “Having been in these environments will impact the way I see the world and better equip me to understand the diverse views within a community. Instead of trying to stand out as an individual, I will strive to help create an outstanding community.”

Kiki is engaged in many school activities, and is very active with leadership and community service projects. She currently serves as the Senior Class President and has been involved in many leadership programs such as the Model UN – Vice-President; Cullman Youth Leadership; and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program. Other volunteer efforts include: the school’s annual Bloomin’ Festival, in addition to the animal shelter, and Sunshine Center. She actively participates on the school’s scholars bowl team, basketball, volleyball, and softball team. Kiki is a member of Junior Classical League, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society.

Kiki is the daughter of Ms. Mary Sullivan and Malcolm Marler of Bremen, Alabama, and Van Myers of California.

Saints capture Soccer Classic

St. Bernard captured their own St. Bernard Classic Tournament in Cullman this past Friday and Saturday. Teams from Guntersville, Parkway Christian, and Tanner participated in the two day event. Guntersville placed second with Parkway Christian and Tanner finishing third and fourth respectively. Pictured are the first place finishers for St. Bernard Prep.

Front Row (L to R): Levi Schaefers, Jesse Schaffer, Richard Collier, Dennis Mynatt (All-Tournament), Daniel Spaulding, Giovanni Cortes (All-Tournament) Back Row (L to R): Coach Josh Arndt, Keith Butler, Vincent Piazza, Jason Lee, Nathan Snow, Jonathon Gray, Kramer Bennett, James Chung, Eric Butler, Will Faulk, Coach John Arndt, John Russell, and Oscar Perez.

St. Bernard students get hands on science lesson

St. Bernard Middle School students were recently given a hands on lesson in science class. Mr. Greg Graeber of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab sponsored program MAST (Marine Application of Science and Technology) in Mobile, Alabama brought a hands on science lab with him to instruct students in Mrs. Martha Wells’ science classes. Wells attended the MAST teacher workshop over the summer and was selected to be involved in the MAST follow-up program.

Graeber told students the military was responsible for the creation of the GPS system, and later released this system for public use. “We rely on 24 different satellites in the system orbiting the earth. The receivers must pick up at least 4 satellites in the GPS system in order to communicate. The use of this type of technology which includes the broader area of GIS is a great career path given the technological advancements being made,” he said.

Students were taught how to use a GPS system, and given examples of their uses in various scientific fields as well as day to day activities. Wells said, “Students were divided into two groups to look for way points on our campus; two practice points and two unknown points." Students were taught to read the screens using latitude and longitude coordinates. Prior to the visit, the 7th grade class had been studying map making and the particular challenges of mapping the ocean floor before sonar and satellite technology. Using the satellite technologies of today students were able to understand how the maps of the ocean floor are created. Students also were informed how the GPS aids scientific research of the migration and feeding habits of marine animals. Graeber invited students to visit Seaturtle.org and adopt a turtle. "These turtles have GPS units glued on their backs, and when the turtle comes up to breathe, it plots a point. Scientists use this data to track their migration and nesting patterns."

A touch lab was on display in the open room of the Middle School. Two tables were filled with preserved sea life to include sharks, horseshoe crabs, a logger head turtle skull, squid, octopus, sting ray, sand crabs, and a rat fish among other interesting sea life. Students were fascinated with the horseshoe crab. Wells said, "Mr. Graeber did an excellent job describing the marine organisms. The students really tuned in to the horseshoe crab’s appearance and were amazed by how its spiny tail could be used to flip itself over. They enjoyed feeling the skin of the shark and agreed that the rat fish really is quite ugly."

As a MAST participant, Wells received a Garmon Marine GPS receiver and the book Google Earth and GPS Classroom Activities. Wells hopes to incorporate GPS uses across the science curriculum at St. Bernard Middle School. GPS units cost about $125 each. Wells said, "It would be great to add ten units to the science lab, and be able to offer our students a more extensive background using this piece of technology." Anyone wishing to know more about St. Bernard Prep School should contact the admissions office at 256-739-6682 or http://www.stbernardprep.com/.

St. Bernard Prep Middle School collects coats

Middle School students took time to load all coats and sweaters collected during Catholic Schools Week. Headmaster, John Tekulve delivered the coats to Sacred Heart Church’s St. Vincent de Paul organization this week. Pictured front row left to right are: MacKenzie Bockhold, Ethan Arndt, Miles Bennett, and Katherine Gamble. Standing Back (L-R): Sean Macfarlane, Will Faulk, and Connor Rawlings.

Middle School celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Students at St. Bernard Middle School recently observed Catholic Schools Week by celebrating the theme Service. Middle School students carried out a full week of activities in conjunction with the celebration from activities in the classroom to spreading good cheer in the community. Headmaster, John Tekulve asked parents to encourage their children to look for ways to be of service. “Serving others does not have to be a large project. It is not the size of the deed done, but the thoughtfulness that counts,” Tekulve said.

St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Church in Cullman was the recipient of penny drop proceeds and a jacket, coat and sweater drive held at the Middle School. Tekulve commended the students for being stewards of the community. “We appreciate the parents of these children for helping reinforce the rewards of volunteerism,” commented Tekulve.

Students competed in contest throughout the week involving a candy guess, Geography Bee, Math Bee, Religion Bee, and a Science Bee. Students dressed in career day uniforms, and were allowed to celebrate a tacky day as part of the celebration.

St. Bernard Middle School Bee winners during Catholic Schools week are: front row: Brittany Branch, Math Bee; John Paul Lappert, Religion and Geography Bee; Elizabeth McAfee, Religion Bee. Back Row: Zoie Wilson, Math and Science Bee; Sean Macfarlane, Geography Bee; and Anna Keefe, Science Bee.

St. Bernard Middle School qualifies for state

St. Bernard Middle School Scholars Bowl team recently qualified in the district competition at East Lawrence High School in Lawrence County to compete in the Alabama Scholastic Competition in March. Team members include: Seated: John Paul Lappert, Connor Rawlings, and Caitlin Varquez. Standing: Mackenzie Bockhold, Sean Macfarlane, Veronica Arndt, Jerrica Crawford, and Michayla Brown.