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.

 

First Half Marathon deemed a success

St. Bernard Prep School hosted their first Half-Marathon recently through the wooded trails of the St. Bernard Abbey Treasure Forest.  Seventy-nine runners registered for the event  from Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama; and seventy-two finished the trail  race.

Roger Blalock and William Calvert were all smiles Saturday morning as runners arrived  to register.  Cool morning temperatures provided a great start to the morning race.  

Fr. Joel Martin, OSB, President of St. Bernard Prep School was on hand to open the ceremony with a prayer and to start the race.

Former Cullman High School and George Tech standout, E.C. Gibbs claimed the course with a record time of 1:25:43.00, followed by Dink Taylor of Huntsville 1:29.48.00. Taylor was the masters winner (0ver 40) as well. Eric Charette  of Huntsville was 3^rd place with a time of 1.31.58.00. Female winner (7^th place overall) was Emily Spry of Elkmont with a time of 1:43:14.00. Laura Brock of Cullman was 2^nd female (9^th place overall) with a time of 1:46:12.00. Rachel Eidson of Huntsville was 3^rd female (20^th place overall) with a time of 1:57:32.00.  Erica Davis of Hartselle was the female masters winner (30^th place overall) with a time of 2:12:44.00. Male grandmasters winner (over 50) was Duane Ricketts of Cullman (5^th place overall) with a time of 1:37:59.00. Female grandmasters winner was Susan Methvin of Loretto, Tn.  (24^th place overall) with a time of 2:05:07.00.

 Calvert said it was a resounding success (72 finishers).  “We hope to make it an annual event, and look for it to grow into a much anticipated event on the race calendar each year.”

Calvert thanked all that took part as participants, volunteers, photographers, spectators  and of course our sponsors.  “All of our people did a fantastic job in pulling this event together for a smooth start and finish,” Calvert said.

Blalock said the event is sure to grow.  “We have had so much positive response not only about the trails, but the wonderful hospitality shown to the runners,” Blalock said.

Runners were treated to fresh fruit, muffins, cookies, water, coffee, chocolate milk, Pepsi and Gatorade.  Local restaurant owners Ralph and Annette Harris of Rumor’s Deli provided delicious boiled oatmeal cookies and photography for the runners; and Sweet Peppers Deli owners David and Maria Steele  donated wonderful sack lunches of sandwiches, cookies and chips provided to participants at the end of their run. 

St. Bernard will host the Bloomin’ Festival 5K/10K on Saturday, April 20 to kick off the 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair in Cullman.

 

 

Saint Bernard looking to 2013-2014

Cullman, AL  Dozens of families visited St. Bernard Prep School at the Spring Open House recently to  familiarize themselves  with the school and the  residential community life offered by the Benedictine Monks at St. Bernard Abbey.

Admissions Director, Dr. Donna Bryant said the majority of families in attendance were from Alabama, and one family came from Freer, Texas.  “We are very fortunate that our enrollment has remained steady, and expect the number of applicants to pick up in the next month as parents begin making decisions for the upcoming school year.”

Student ambassadors took a prominent leadership role in Open House activities by leading tours at the Abbey Church, gymnasium and classroom building.  They also provided the welcoming remarks to open the day.  Additionally the drama department, under the direction of Mr. Rodney Fike provided a short skit from the upcoming Wizard of Oz production.  The Saints All Star Band under the direction of Mr. Lester Harris entertained guests with several tunes as well.

“Our guests remarked on the poise and confidence with which our students spoke and presented themselves,” Dr. Bryant said.  “Several prospective students are planning to return to take part in our Shadow Day Program.”

Shadow Day gives students an opportunity to see what student life is all about at St. Bernard Prep.   Bryant said,  “We place our guests in a classroom of their peers, and this experience gives them a real insight to the  learning experience at St. Bernard.”

Anyone interested in visiting the campus for a Shadow Day or receiving more information about St. Bernard Prep  should contact the school at (256)739-6682 or visit www.stbernardprep.com  Like the school on www.facebook.com/stbernardprep.