Calvert named middle school principal at St. Bernard

William Calvert has been named the new middle school principal at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman. Since 2005, he has served as the principal of Cold Springs High School in Cullman County. Just hours after Calvert’s retirement was accepted by the Cullman County Board of Education, Fr. Joel Martin, Headmaster at St. Bernard Prep School, announced that Calvert had accepted the position of St. Bernard Middle School principal.

Calvert replaces John Tekulve, who has been serving as principal of the middle school which opened in 2007. Tekulve has accepted a position as principal of St. Bernard High School assisting Fr. Joel Martin, the Headmaster.

“We are delighted to announce these two appointments,” Fr. Joel said. “These men are of the finest caliber and we look forward to having them lead St. Bernard in the years to come.”

Calvert, a native of Cullman County, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at Jacksonville State University and his Masters Degree at the University of Alabama Birmingham. He has worked in the field of education for almost thirty years. During his career he has been a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and principal. A proven leader, he has worked for excellence in every school where he has served. Most recently he instituted programs at Cold Springs High School that helped the students enrolled there achieve the highest math and writing scores in the Cullman County School System.

Along with his skills in academics, Calvert also has a solid reputation in athletics, especially in track and field. While at Jacksonville State, he set the school record in the 3000-meter steeple chase as a senior. During his time as coach at both Cullman and Cold Springs, he has seen a total of 24 of his athletes sign collegiate scholarship. Because of his solid athletic credentials, Calvert was inducted in April 2010 into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame.

“William Calvert brings years of experience both as a coach, teacher and administrator,” said John Tekulve. “He will be good for St. Bernard. He exhibits good judgment when dealing with students, and keeps the students his top priority.”

Calvert resides in Cullman with his wife Sherry. They have two grown children, Christa Calvert Spratling and Stephen Calvert.

St. Bernard holds commencement

St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman graduated twenty-three seniors on Sunday, May 23rd in an impressive ceremony conducted in the Abbey Church and under the direction of Fr. Joel Martin, Headmaster of the School. After welcoming members of the Board of Directors, the faculty, the staff and the invited guests, Fr. Joel noted that this year’s graduating seniors had the distinction of earning over $3.5 million dollars in scholarships and were accepted into 79 colleges and universities.

As part of the 111th commencement exercises, the St. Bernard Board of Directors recognized two alumni who received the “Distinguished Alumnus Award.” The Most Rev. Oscar H. Lipscomb, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Mobile, and Lee J. Styslinger, Jr., founder of Altec, Inc., were inducted into the St. Bernard Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2010. Fr. Marcus Voss, President of St. Bernard Prep School, presided over this portion of the graduation ceremonies.

Archbishop Lipscomb was the main celebrant and homilist at the Baccalaureate Mass held earlier in the day. During his homily he reminded the graduates of the challenges they will meet especially as they learn to exercise their freedoms as young adults. Lee Styslinger delivered the Commencement address and emphasized the importance of the graduates staying connected to each other as they look to a future filled with opportunities.

After the commencement address, Fr. Joel announced this year’s graduation awards. Ana Kathleen Gauthier received the valedictorian award while Cathryn Marie Schartung was named salutatorian. In giving the general excellence medal, the highest award given to a graduating senior, Fr. Joel stated that “the criteria for this award requires that a student must be enrolled at St. Bernard Prep for the last two full years, be dedicated to academic excellence, exercise leadership and represent the values of the school.” The 2010 general excellence medal was presented to Elizabeth Ann Schweers.

Diplomas were presented to the graduating seniors by Abbot Cletus Meagher with Fr. Marcus Voss assisting him. After the awarding of the diplomas, Ana Kathleen Gauthier gave the valedictory address during which she highlighted the importance of the journey that will lead this year’s graduates to their life goals.

Fr. Joel Martin ended the ceremony calling attention to the role that challenges play in life. “We need challenges because we come alive in struggles,” he said. “We have high expectations for your future. You’re made for greatness. Go and take St. Bernard with you.”

Music for the graduation exercises was provided by Dr. Rebecca Whited, organist and director of choral music at St. Bernard, as well as the Alabama Pipes and Drums Corps. The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard of the Fr. Leo Carter Assembly 2624 also participated in the ceremonies.

Following the prayer and dismissal by Abbot Cletus Meagher, a reception was held in the St. Bernard Dining Hall.

Eighth grades holds graduation ceremony

Eighth grade students at St. Bernard Prep School finished their last school day on Thursday, May 20th, and celebrated with a graduation ceremony in the Abbey Church at 7 p.m. the same evening. Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B. presided over the ceremony.
“When I graduated 52 years ago from grade school in Chattanooga, TN, we held a ceremony just like this one,” Abbot Cletus said. “It started with a prayer, and ended with a prayer in the Church.”
Jokingly Abbot Cletus told the students he didn’t remember what the talk at his ceremony was about, and he didn’t expect them to either, but one thing he did want to stress was to keep Christ the center of your life.
“At St. Bernard our lives are centered around Christ,” stressed Abbot Cletus . “Remember who you are, and be thankful for all of the people who are responsible for getting you where you are today. Never bring shame to your family name, yourself, and most of all to Christ.”
After the awarding of diplomas, students were introduced as the 2010 Freshmen Class of St. Bernard Preparatory.
Like Saint Bernard Prep on Facebook.

SBP students place in art competition

Saint Bernard Preparatory School Art Students competed at Congressman Robert Aderholt’s 13th Annual 4th Congressional District Art Competition on Friday, April 30 in Gadsden, AL. Haleigh Black, Cullman, AL took 3rd place for mixed media; Kylie Peebles, Decatur, AL placed 2nd for blockprint; Tyler Patton, Madison, AL claimed 3rd place for blockprint; and Minji Kang, Korea, came in 3rd place for Collage.

2010 Bloomin' Festival Grand Prize Claimed

Marianne Prime of Shoal Creek, AL took delivery of her new 2010 Ford Focus from Fr. Marcus Voss, O.S.B., President of St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman. Marianne won the automobile as part of the 26th Annual Bloomin' Festival giveaway!

Prom King and Queen

Saturday, May 1 Seniors Jonathan Gray and Mary-Claire Bennett were crowned the 2010 St. Bernard Prep Prom King and Queen. Prom was held at the Rotunda in Cullman.