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. 

St. Bernard monk completes second master’s degree

Br. Linus Klucsarits, a monk at St. Bernard Abbey, recently earned his second master’s degree, graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham on April 26, 2014 with a Master of Arts Degree in Education, his area of study being Teaching English as a Second Language.

A product of Catholic elementary and high schools, schools, Br. Linus attended St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy.  He is also obtained his MA in Sign Language Interpreting from Gallaudet University. 

The forty-eight year old monk came to St. Bernard in 2011 and professed his first vows on January 6, 2012.  His days have been filled with his responsibilities teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to St. Bernard Prep international students, as well as graduate studies and the usual chores in the monastery.

About his accomplishment, earning the M.A. in ESL, Br. Linus said, “It was hard work, well worth it, and I learned a lot.”

Now theological studies in preparation for ordination to the priesthood are next on the horizon.  Looking forward, Br. Linus said, “Abbot Cletus Meagher is in the process of deciding where to send me for studies.  We have narrowed it down to three options; I should know soon and will leave for studies at the end of the summer.”

Br. Linus is expected to make final vows in January of 2015.

St. Bernard Prep to present Cinderella

St. Bernard Preparatory School will present the timeless classic,  Cinderella, a Rodgers and Hammerstein Production, beginning Thursday, May 1-3, beginning at 6:56 p.m. and a Sunday afternoon performance on May 4 at 2 p.m.

A special Gourmet dessert celebration will be held on opening night, Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the first anniversary of the Abbey Byre Center for the Performing Arts.  The cost of the Gourmet Dessert ticket is $15 and is limited to 30 patrons.  Included are a variety of gourmet desserts, drinks limited to coffee, tea, and water, and admission to the opening night performance.

General Admission tickets are $5, Gourmet Dessert Tickets are $15.  General admission tickets are available at Farmers Home Furniture on Highway 31 in Cullman and at the door.

To reserve your tickets for this charming production, contact Mr. Rodney Fike, SBP Actors Guild,  by phoning (256)727-8598.   

Baillargeon named new Headmaster at St. Bernard

The Board of St. Bernard Preparatory School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Daniel R. Baillargeon as the Upper School Headmaster of St. Bernard Preparatory School.  St. Bernard Prep President, Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., explains that Baillargeon will be replacing John Tekulve who recently announced his retirement at the end of the 2013-14 academic year.

Baillargeon is a dedicated and devoted Catholic school leader with more than 10 years  experience in school leadership, the last 8 years serving as principal of St. Louis School in Alexandria, Virginia.   He has fifteen years of teaching experience in elementary, junior high, and high school classrooms. 

Baillargeon responsibilities in education and leadership have given him expertise  in enrollment management, effective marketing, professional development, and advancing the development needs of schools.   

Fr. Joel said, “We are delighted to welcome to St. Bernard and the Cullman area Mr. Baillargeon, his wife, Megan, and their six children, ages two months to ten years.  They will bring much to our school and larger community.”

A Connecticut native, Baillargeon is a Doctoral Candidate in Catholic Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the Catholic University of America.  In 2001 he earned a B.A. in Music at the University of Connecticut and in 2006 completed his M. ED in School Administration at Sul Ross/Rio Grande College in Alpine, TX.  He currently serves as Treasurer for the Diocese of Arlington Principal’s Association, and has successfully led schools through accreditation efforts in both Alexandria, VA and Eagle Pass, TX.   In the classroom Baillargeon has taught mathematics, Latin and theology; and he serves as instructor/speaker for various purposes, including formation of teachers, and youth and adult retreats.

Abbot Cletus Meagher, Chairman of the St. Bernard Prep Board of Directors, stated, “Bringing to St. Bernard a wealth of knowledge in educational, religious, organizational and fiscal leadership, Dan Baillargeon is eminently qualified to support the intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs of our students.”

Fr. Joel said the new headmaster has some big shoes to fill:  “In 2007 John Tekulve lead St. Bernard in the re-introduction of a middle school program at the school, and since January of 2012 has served as Headmaster of the high school.  His work ethic and unique, positive leadership have been invaluable to St. Bernard; we are a better place because of him.”

 "We look forward to having the Baillargeon family in Cullman to continue the St. Bernard tradition of providing a superior education of the whole person: body, mind and spirit,” continued, Fr. Joel.

The St. Bernard community will have the opportunity to meet the new headmaster at a reception to be held at St. Bernard on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Brahma Room of the St. Bernard Dining Hall. 

 

30th Bloomin’ Festival Held at St. Bernard

Over 140 vendors gathered on the grounds at St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School in celebration of the 30th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair on April 5-6, 2014.  Thousands of supporters visited St. Bernard to purchase handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork from artist and craftspeople from across the Southeastern United States.

In addition to the wonderful array of artwork, a large variety of foods were offered to festival goers.  The menu included a crawfish boil, smoked chicken, polish sausages, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, soft-served ice cream, roasted almonds, kettle corn, fresh squeezed lemonade and Pepsi! 

Because of vigorous sales, vendors as well as the school had a successful weekend.  Over 1,800 loaves of fresh-baked Monks’ bread was sold in six hours on Saturday.  Three hundred t-shirts commemorating the 30th Annual Bloomin’ Festival were also popular, as well as the t-shirts featuring Fr. Joel and the crawfish boil.  Proceeds from the Bloomin’ Festival benefit St. Bernard Prep School. 

Saturday was a record-breaking day for attendance.   Traffic backed up past Hwy 31 in downtown  Cullman, but was ushered through city as quickly as possible.  Festival Director, Joyce Nix, reported that the vendors had a very successful Saturday because of the unusually large crowds.  Sunday, on the other hand, was less so because of the forecast of rain.   Rain, when it did arrive, required the closing of the festival an hour early on Sunday.

Patrons enjoyed watching artist demonstrate their talents.  A blacksmith, miller, broom maker, glass blowers, and artist demonstrated the entire weekend. 

Because the date for the celebration for Easter changes each year, the date for the festival also moves accordingly.  “Vendors commented that St. Bernard was one of the only festivals that can change its date, by moving it two weeks earlier, and still have a successful event,” Nix said. 

Fr. Marcus Voss, Director of Development, said, “In conjunction with the Cullman Police Department, we have already begun working on a plan to resolve the traffic problems that occurred this year.  By 2015 we will have a quicker and easier parking plan for our festival patrons.”   

The sweepstakes winners for the 30th Annual Bloomin’ Festival were: 

First Prize - 2014 Jeep Patriot - James Glaze - Hoover, AL

Second Prize - Nikon Silver S3500 Digital Camera - Carolyn Eck - Florence, AL

Third Prize - Garmin nuvi 40 4.3" Portable GPS- Donald Jackson - Decatur, AL

Fourth Prize - LG BP135 Blu-ray Disc Player - Deborah Hodge - Birmingham, AL

Fifth Prize - iPod Shuffle 2 GB - Steven Febres-Cordero - Birmingham, AL 

Ave Maria Grotto also reported a successful weekend with visitors taking advantage of the reduced admission fee to the gardens.  Ave Maria Grotto is open seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vendor applications are being accepted for the 31st Annual Bloomin’ Festival which is scheduled for April 18-19, 2015.  St. Bernard juries each booth to assure quality and diversity.  Anyone interested in applying can do so now.   Applications are online at www.bloominfestival.com!