Honors Night held at St. Bernard

St. Bernard Prep School recently recognized and honored students who excelled not only  in the classroom but also in leadership roles during the 2013-14 academic year.  College representatives presented college scholarships to deserving seniors, and special recognition was given to retiring teachers at the school.

Mr. John Tekulve welcomed the parents, faculty, staff and friends to honors night and following an opening prayer by Fr. Bede Marcy began the award ceremony. 

On behalf of Cullman Electric Cooperative, Tekulve  presented one of eleven  $1,000 scholarship awards to SBP Senior, Zoie Wilson.  Kimie Garcia was selected to represent Cullman County at a Leadership Conference in Washington, DC on behalf of the Cullman Electric Cooperative.

Six of the thirteen colleges where seniors plan to enroll in the fall presented scholarship awards from- University of Montevallo, Auburn University, University of Alabama, Birmingham Southern, Mississippi State, and Samford University.  Twenty-seven students in the Class of 2014 have been offered more than $5,000,000 in scholarship monies.

Senior Gabriel Pautler took home the prestigous Christian Service Award.  The Christian Service Award is the highest non-academic award that Saint Bernard Preparatory School can bestow upon a student.  Those nominated for the award should be of outstanding character, striving to live according to the difficult way of Christ.  The award recognizes a life characterized by Christian love shown through one's daily good example of true selflessness, working for the good of individuals and the community – of being a person for others.  Important qualities: goodness of character, behavior; respect shown to all people; volunteers time, talent.

Fr. Joel Martin, President of St. Bernard offered special recognitions to the following teachers who will be leaving St. Bernard:  Margaret Hinson, Roger Pierce, Miriam Stella, Barbara Rasplika, Dora and John Tekulve.

A listing  of students and their awards is as follows: 

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDSEva Barck - Diocese of Birmingham Religion Scholars Bowl; St. Bernard Representative Cullman County Spelling Bee; Outstanding Achievement in Physical Science; Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Grammar and Composition; Outstanding Achievement in  8th Grade World History; Outstanding Student 8th Grade Literature

Blake Burman – Most Improved in Algebra One

Catherine Cho - Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Grammar and Composition; ESL Award

Ivy Edge – 7th Grade Math Most Improved

Anna Faulk - Middle School Scholars Bowl, Middle School Student Council

Madelyne Grimmett - Student Ambassador

Sam Lee - Most Improved Student – Grammar; ESL Award

Leahrose Mami - Outstanding Achievement in Physical Science; Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Grammar and Composition; Outstanding Student 8th Grade Literature, Student Ambassador, Middle School Scholars Bowl, Middle School Student Council

Joseph McCarthy – Outstanding Student Enrichment 7

Zachary McClain - Math Worker Bee 7th Grade Math; Outstanding Student Enrichment 7

Douglas McCullough - Most Improved in Algebra One

Madisen Murphy - Outstanding Achievement in 7th Grade Religion; Math Worker Bee 7th Grade Math; Outstanding Student in 7th Grade Geography; Outstanding Achievement in Life Science; Outstanding Student 7th Grade English; Outstanding Student Enrichment 7, Middle School Scholars Bowl

Cailin O’Donnell - Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Religion; Outstanding Achievement in Physical Science; Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Grammar and Composition; Outstanding Achievement in  8th Grade World History, Middle School Scholars Bowl, Middle School Student Council

Alden Olyniec - Math Worker Bee 7th Grade Math; Most Improved English student

Shyam Patel - Outstanding Achievement in 7th Grade Religion; Math Worker Bee 7th Grade Math; Outstanding Student in 7th Grade Geography; Outstanding Achievement in Life Science; Outstanding Student 7th Grade English; Most Outstanding Musician; Outstanding Student Enrichment 7Sarah Peel - Math Worker Bee Algebra One; Most Improved Student – Grammar; Most Improved History Student

Graham Rosenhoover – Math Worker Bee Algebra One

Marshall Rosenhoover - Student Ambassador

Adrien Smith - Math Worker Bee 7th Grade Math; Outstanding Student Enrichment 7, Middle School Scholars Bowl

Olivia Tafazoli – Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Religion; Outstanding Achievement in Physical Science; Outstanding Achievement in 8th Grade Grammar and Composition; Outstanding Achievement in  8th Grade World History; Outstanding Student 8th Grade Literature, Middle School Scholars Bowl, Middle School Student Council

Avy Whaley - Most Outstanding Musician, Middle School Scholars Bowl, Middle School Student Council President

Nealy Wyatt – Diocese of Birmingham Religion Scholars Bowl, Middle School Scholars Bowl

Andie Zatarain - Student Ambassador

Luis Zatarain - Most Improved in Algebra One

HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS 2014

Bryce Allen - Academic Excellence World Literature;  Outstanding Achievement in Art; Outstanding Yearbook Student

Alex Anderson - Student Ambassador

Logan Ayers – Academic Excellence Spanish IV; Outstanding Yearbook Student, Student Council President; Samford University Scholarship

Abigail Bennett - Student Ambassador

Mackenzie Bockhold – Outstanding Student in AP Chemistry; Outstanding Student in Physics; Outstanding Student in All Physical Sciences; Outstanding Achievement in Senior AP English; Outstanding Student in Government; Outstanding Student in Economics, Student Ambassador, Senior Class Secretary

Thomas Bolin - Outstanding Dramatic Actor; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Summa Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Cade Broadley – Outstanding Workmanship in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology; Outstanding Student in Honors Algebra I

Megan Brockway – Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology, Student Ambassador

Michayla Brown – Outstanding Achievement in Art; Outstanding Achievement in Senior AP English; Outstanding Student in Government; Outstanding Student in Psychology; Outstanding Student in Honors Precalculus, Student Ambassador, Senior Class President; Samford University Fellows Scholarship

Megan Butler – Outstanding Choir Member; Outstanding Dramatic Actor

Aldair Carrillo - Outstanding Student in Honors Algebra I, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Greer Cauthen – Highest Average Speech; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Student Ambassador, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Michael Bain Clemmons – “I Am Not Going To Let Factoring Beat Me Award”

Isabella Cline - Outstanding Student in World History, Student Ambassador, Freshman Class President

Dan Coccia - Most Outstanding Musician

Aimme Cortes – Outstanding Writer;  Outstanding Student in All Biological Sciences; Outstanding Student in Church History, Student Ambassador, Student Council Secretary

Katelyn Cowie - Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology, Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Aaron Crawford - Outstanding Dramatic Actor, Scholars Bowl MVP, Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Clint Crumbley - Student Ambassador

Jack Culpepper - University of Alabama Scholarship

Darby Dickinson - Academic Excellence Spanish I; Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology

Katie Downs – Outstanding Achievement in Art

Jaden Edge – Freshman Class Secretary/Treasurer

Tatum Fisk – Academic Excellence Spanish III

Katherine Gamble - Auburn University Scholarship

Kimie Garcia – Highest Average World Literature, Junior Class Vice-President

Samuel George – Outstanding Technical Crew, Student Ambassador, Maxima Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Ramonah Gibson – Academic Excellence Spanish I; Outstanding Dramatic Actor

Nate Giffin – Academic Excellence Spanish II, Sophomore Class Secretary/Treasurer

Britton Griffin – Maxima Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Rhiana Griffin - Outstanding Yearbook Student

Anna Gongre – Academic Excellence in Speech; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Student Ambassador, Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Sindy Guo – Outstanding Achievement in Art

John Gurtowski – Senior Class Vice-President

Hayden Harris - Student Ambassador

Matt Herring - Outstanding Achievement in Senior AP English, Student Ambassador

Ella Hong - Academic Excellence World Literature

Yunji Hong - Outstanding Student in Honors Precalculus

Allison Hubert – Outstanding Achievement in Art; Outstanding Choir Member; Outstanding Student in U.S. HistoryEun Jeong – Girls Dorm Representative

Hee Jung Kang - Outstanding Student in Physical Science - Most Outstanding Musician; Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Anna Caroline Keefe - Student Ambassador

Geonwoo Kim – Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry

Jang Kim – Academic Excellence Spanish II; Outstanding Student in 11th Grade AP Language and Composition; Outstanding Dramatic Actor; Outstanding Student in U.S. History

Jalen Lee - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; Outstanding Student in Physical Science; Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology; Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry, Summa Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Andrea Leguizamon - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English

Ming Li – Outstanding Achievement in Art

Hyoseok (Jake) Lim – Outstanding Achievement in Art; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English

Dai Qi Liu - Academic Excellence Spanish I; Outstanding Student in Chemistry; Outstanding Student in Anatomy and Physiology; Outstanding Student in Church History

Hunter Looney - Student Ambassador

Ayleana Mami - Outstanding Dramatic Actor, Student Ambassador, Junior Class President

Steven Mami - Student Ambassador

Jason (Garret) Marti - Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology

 

Morgan Matz - Student Ambassador, Freshman Class Vice-President

Sarah Anna McCarthy - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology

Braden McGraw - Academic Excellence World Literature

Madison McMahon – Academic Excellence Speech; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Student Ambassador

Kaegan Meagher - Student Ambassador

Luke Merrill - Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Abigail Mescher - Student Ambassador

Alli Messick - Student Ambassador

Dani Moeller – Outstanding Achievement in Art

Jacob Mynatt - Academic Excellence World Literature, Senior Class Treasurer; Birmingham Southern Scholarship

Gregory “Nic” Nicholas - Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology, Student Ambassador

Lesley O’Donnell – Academic Excellence Speech;  Outstanding Choir Member; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Student Ambassador, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Shivangi Patel – Highest Average Spanish II; Outstanding Student in 11th Grade AP Language and Composition, Student Ambassador

Gabriel Pautler - Outstanding Achievement in Senior AP English; Outstanding Student in Honors Precalculus, Student Ambassador, Summa Cum Laude – National Latin Exam; Christian Service Award

Daniel Perez - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; – Academic Excellence in Speech; Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry

Oscar Perez – Academic Excellence Spanish IV; - Academic Excellence World Literature

Sadie Pudles - Student Ambassador

Chuhui Qiu - Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology

Brig Rama - Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Sophia Rataj - Outstanding Dramatic Actor

Isias Robles - Academic Excellence Spanish I

Manna Rocha – Highest Average Spanish I

Candace Rosenhoover – Academic Excellence Spanish III, Student Council Vice President

Tomas Russell - Student Ambassador, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Graham Sanders - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; Outstanding Student in World History; Outstanding Worker Award – Freshman Theology, Student Ambassador

David Schartung - Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Student Ambassador, Sophomore Class President, Maxima Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Paul Schartung - Outstanding Student 9th Grade English; Outstanding Student in Physical Science, Student Ambassador, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Nick Schweers – Student Council Treasurer

Landon Skinner - Mississippi State Scholarship

Will Sciaroni - Most Outstanding Musician, Student Ambassador, Sophomore Class Vice-President

J.P. Stolz – Outstanding Comic Relief Actor, Junior Class Secretary/Treasurer

Wren Thornton  – Academic Excellence in Speech

Marco Tona – Outstanding Comic Relief Actor; Outstanding Student in World History

Hsuan-Wei Tu - Most Outstanding Musician

Mary Grace Vinson – Highest Average Speech; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English, Magna Cum Laude – National Latin Exam

Amy Wilson - Academic Excellence World Literature; Outstanding Senior Actor; Outstanding Achievement in Senior AP English

Zoie Wilson - Student Ambassador, Day Student Representative

Chris Woods – Outstanding Student in Biology; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English; Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry, Student Ambassador

Changye Yang -  Outstanding Student in Economics, Boys Dorm Representative

Kiki Zeng – Academic Excellence in Speech; Outstanding Achievement in Sophomore Honors English 
 
 

Xin Yu Zeng - Outstanding Student in Honors Geometry

 

St. Bernard’s Ayers signs with Samford

 

For many high school athletes sports activity ceases at graduation.  But when Logan Ayers of Cullman, says goodbye to St. Bernard Prep a new chapter in her life begins as she begins her career at Samford  University in Birmingham, and joins the Bulldogs Track and Field Team.

With a gleaming smile, Logan said, “Samford just seems to be a perfect fit.  After six years at our small, family-like St. Bernard Prep and visiting several college campuses, I fell in love with the people and the campus at Samford.”

Since coming to St. Bernard as a seventh grade student, Logan has consistently ranked second in her class.    However, it was during  her freshman year when Middle School headmaster and track coach, William Calvert watched Mrs. Ruth Anne Knight’s Physical Education Class performing the one-mile run for the Presidential Physical Fitness test.  “I was watching from the window, and this tiny little girl caught my eye, she was so far ahead of the other girls, I thought that girls got talent.” Calvert said.    He remembers walking to the gym to ask Knight about Logan’s time and then approaching Logan to try out for the team.

Logan laughed and accused Coach of tricking her into showing up for practice.  “I showed up and he told me I was going to run two miles.  Since I had no idea of length and time, I took off.  When I finally stopped he informed me that I had run 4.5 miles.”

That one practice was all it took for her to accept the challenge.  Inspired not only by the coach but parents as well, Logan was out to prove to her dad how fast she was capable of running.

During her several years of hard work and  dedication on the running trails at St. Bernard Logan has many accomplishments.  She leaves SBP as the holder of seven different school records in track and field as well as earning All-State honors seven times at the 1A State Meet from 2012-14. She actually qualified for the state meet in eight different events over a 4 year period.  Logan currently holds the Cullman County Cross Country 5k Record for females (18:48) and was named “Cullman Times Runner of the Year” in her sophomore, junior and senior years.   She earned All-State status at the 1A-2A State Cross Country Meet by finishing in the top five in 2011, 2012 and 2013; and led the Lady Saints Cross Country team to consecutive 1A-2A State Runner –Up titles in 2012 and 2013.

Logan says running has been a challenging as well as rewarding sport for her.   Her personal goal-setting approach reaches beyond the lure of athletic accomplishment;  Logan earned an ACT score of 31, and that’s an indication of her dedication to her academic career.

“I find I procrastinate less when in running season,” Ayers said.  “It’s a job to juggle both but it is possible.  You get out what you put in.”

Logan looks forward to the challenges of competing with other outstanding athletes who boast impressive records of their own.    With strong determination, Logan said, “Samford will push me to my very best and I fully intend to compete.”

Logan is the daughter of Lou and Marla Ayers of Cullman. 

 

St. Bernard accepts Don't Text and Drive pledge

St. Bernard Prep School’s Rotary Interact Club recently joined with ABC 33/40’s Edward Burch to take a pledge against texting while driving.

Headmaster, John Tekulve welcomed the news team and thanked Mr. Bill Nuss, Interact Sponsor, for contacting them on behalf of the Rotary Interact Club.  He also thanked Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper and Rotarians, Francis Cooper and John McMoy for their presence at St. Bernard. 

Clearly, cell phones are wonderful tools, but when used irresponsibly, can be deadly.  ABC 33/40 Reporter Edward Burch warned students of the dangers of texting while driving, and presented a couple of videos of police delivering deadly news to parents;  as well as parents who had been affected by a teen driver, who injured their son as a result of texting while driving.

Police Chief Kenny Culpepper told students not only was texting while driving dangerous, it was illegal, and difficult to catch.  “We see it every day.  Texting while driving is illegal, but talking on cell phone while driving is not,” Culpepper said.   “It’s difficult to know whether people are texting or dialing.”

Culpepper said persons caught texting while driving face a $25 dollar fine; the fine is cumulative and counts two points against one’s driving record.

“Everyday 1 out of 100 people are involved in a traffic accident,” Culpepper continued.  “They are twenty-eight times more likely to have an accident as a result of texting and driving.”

As an example of the dangers of texting while driving, Burch said, “If you are traveling 55 mph, five seconds while texting is like driving the length of a football field without looking.  Forty percent of teens are more likely to be in an accident.”

Texting while driving is clearly a decision.  Burch stressed to students who are passengers in a car with a texting driver, “If you are riding in their car, please ask them to stop texting or to let you out of the car.”

In conclusion, Burch invited everyone in attendance to join other students across the state by signing a “Don’t Text and Drive” pledge card.  “No text is worth your life or the life of someone else on the road.  Make a serious commitment to:  refrain from texting behind the wheel; to drive without distractions; to engage in safe driving practices; and to encourage friends and family to do the same.”

St. Bernard Prep completes Teen Moola-U Basics with Peoples Bank

St. Bernard Prep School’s Economics class recently completed a financial literacy education program, EverFi - a web based financial management through a partnership with Peoples Bank of Alabama. 

Instructor, Bill Nuss said students spent at least 8 hours covering:  savings, banking, credit cards and interest rates; credit score, Financing higher education; renting vs. owning; taxes and insurance; consumer fraud; and investing. 

“EverFi correlated with our classwork assignments and on several occasions students referred to the course in class.” Nuss said. The course used video, animations, 3-D gaming, avatars and social networking to bring financial concepts to life. 

Senior Michayla Brown of Arab found the course to be very informative especially in terms of student loans, but expressed a shocking discovery that not all debt was bad.    “It has helped me in planning how to finance my college education.   I also learned there is such a thing a good debt where investments appreciate in value.”  Michayla has been accepted in the Samford University Fellows Program and plans to major in science and religion.

Fellow classmate Anna Caroline Keefe, found out quickly she wants to save more money.  “I realize my spending habits are a bit excessive, so I plan to save money.”  Anna Caroline will attend Ole Miss in the fall majoring in Chemistry aspiring to attend dental school to become an orthodontist.

Annie Harris, Regional Manager at Peoples Bank, presented students with Teen Moola-U T-shirts and a certificate recognizing each student for their participation in the program.

Steve Stanford, PBA Executive Vice President, invited students to consider banking at People’s Bank of Alabama.  “With our technology, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world; Peoples Bank is one click or one call away.”

Peoples Bank of Alabama is committed to promoting financial literacy that teaches adults to better understand money management principles.  MOOLA U BASICS is an interactive financial education class that one can take anytime, anywhere –online and at their own pace at www.Moola-U.com.