Notre Dame Glee Club to perform at St. Bernard

St. Bernard Prep School proudly presents the  Notre Dame Glee Club in concert on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.  in  St. Bernard Abbey Church.  Tickets for dinner and show are $50 per person and may be obtained by calling the school at (256)739-6682. 

St. Bernard Lady Saints win Chickasaw Trails Invitational

Our Lady Saints Cross Country team defeated 23 other teams  to win the Chickasaw Trails Invitational on Saturday. Competing in the 1A-4A division with 211 runners the top 5 Finishers for SBP were Leahrose Mami 11^th, Jaden Edge 13^th, Ivy Edge 14^th , Ayleana Mami 20^th and Kateyln Cowie 34^th. 

Our Boys team finished 6 ^th  out of 31 teams.  Top 5 finishers for the saints were Will Sciaroni  22^nd , Marco Tona 32^nd Steven Mami 42^nd, Nathan Giffin 69^th and Isaias Robles 86^th . There were 269 runners in the boys division.

St. Bernard Abbey receive three novices

At First Vespers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 14, 2014), Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., received three new postulants into the novitiate of St. Bernard Abbey. The new novices were formally given the Benedictine habit of tunic, scapular and belt.  On the occasion each received his new name to be used in his new way of life. 

Brother Novice Dominic (Stephen) Lee was born in Madison, Alabama twenty years ago.  Ten years later his family moved to Huntsville, Alabama where they remain and are members of Holy Spirit Parish.  Br. Dominic was homeschooled throughout his high school years.  He has two older sisters and three younger brothers.  One of his sisters is a Benedictine nun at the Abbey of St. Walburga in northern Colorado.   

Born and reared in Birmingham, Alabama, Brother Paschal (Gabriel) Pautler is 18 years old.  He has a younger sister and two younger brothers, as well as an older half-brother and a half-sister. Br. Paschal attended St. Rose Academy in Birmingham before coming to St. Bernard Prep as a boarding student in the 9^th grade.  He graduated from SBP in May 2014 and entered the monastery just two weeks later, drawn to the Benedictine life he saw lived out during his four years as a St. Bernard student. 

Brother Pachomius (Gustavo) Alverado is 36 years old. He was born in Matanzas, Cuba. Brother’s mother and his sister, his only sibling, live together in Cuba. His father is deceased. While still in Cuba, Br. Pachomius attended university where he studied Social Media. Before completing his degree, he was hired by a marketing and public relations company in Bogota, Columbia. He held that job for two years during which time he learned of the Benedictine monastery of Tibati in Bogota. After several visits to the monastery, he decided to join them. However, after about a year and a half, he chose to leave Tibati before completing his novitiate. While at the monastery of Tibati, he met our Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., who was in Colombia recruiting for the Prep School. Fr. Joel apparently made a good impression on Br. Pachomius as the meeting led him to investigate St. Bernard Abbey and come to the U.S.A. to join us.

Having served their initial two months in the monastery as postulants, the three men will live as novices (beginners) in the monastery for one year plus one day, making it possible to profess their first vows on the Solemnity of the Assumption, 15 August 2015.  Remaining at the monastery for the entirety of their novitiate year, the novices will live the Benedictine life of prayer and work, and spend time studying the Rule of Saint Benedict, monastic tradition and spirituality, and Sacred Scripture.  They and the community will use this year to discern whether God is calling them to live the monastic life and its vows of Stability, Obedience, and Conversion of Life (conversatio morum) at Saint Bernard Abbey.

 

 

New academic year underway at St. Bernard

Students at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman recently completed their first week of school.  Many were new students making new friends in a new town with new faculty members.  Many were returning to their school to begin a new chapter in their book of life. 

One hundred and eighty students in grades 7-12 began classes on August 11.  Sixty-three students reside at  St. Bernard from nine states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia; and five countries:  Africa, Germany, China, Taiwan, and Korea. 
 

Min Gao

Each of the St. Bernard schools, Middle and High, began the first school day with an assembly.  Mr. Dan Baillargeon, high school headmaster, welcomed new students, faculty and staff, and informed students of new programs being offered.  He invited three faculty members to describe new programs being offered at St. Bernard Prep.  Miss Min Gao, a native of Shanghai, China, spoke about her opportunity to work at St. Bernard Prep teaching Mandarin Chinese.  St. Bernard is pleased to have Miss Gao, a recent Samford University master’s program graduate, on staff to assist our Asian community as well as teach the Chinese language and culture. 

Regina Willoughby

Mrs. Regina Willoughby, an alumnus of St. Bernard, spoke to the group about a competitive archery team as well as adding bowling, recently sanctioned as an interscholastic sport by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.



Br. Bruno Bravata

Br. Bruno Bravata, is serving as campus ministry coordinator, and invited students to get involved.  Students will be adopting residents at one of the several area nursing homes, each having on-going visits and completing a book to be presented to the resident and his or her family at the end of the year.  He also described a planned mission trip, and shared his enthusiasm for the Christian faith and life..

A Blessing concluded the assembly.  Faculty, staff, and students renewed  their commitment to education and community life.  All in the school vowed to renew their commitment to be men and women of integrity.  Each person promised to fully use their talents and gifts; to strive to be a good example for one another and to follow the way of Christ; and to dedicate themselves to the task of learning and to the pursuit of wisdom. 

Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., Chairman of the Board at St. Bernard Prep, closed the assembly with a prayer.

Baillargeon eager to start at St. Bernard Prep

Dan Baillargeon, the newly appointed Upper School Headmaster at St. Bernard Prep, has begun his work in his new position.  Dan and his wife, Megan,  moved to Cullman, AL, with their family of six children in early July.  As he undertakes his leadership role in the school, his plan for St. Bernard is simple: use the school’s vision statement as a mission and use the school’s Catholic identity of academic excellence as a guide.

Baillargeon brings the talents he has developed after eight years’ experience as a principal.  He has been involved in annual fund drives, branding, public relations, and grant writing.  In addition, his strong academic preparation includes his plan to complete studies for a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

“When Fr. Joel contacted me about the position, I had never heard of St.  Bernard, but when I came to visit, I knew St. Bernard and Cullman would be a great place for my family,” Baillargeon added.

Over the past few months the Upper School classroom building has been upgrades with a new roof and alarm system as well as new HVAC .   The bookstore has been re-organized, the small chapel has been renovated, and new wiring has been installed in the computer lab.  A new school receptionist position has been added to the foyer of the school.  Also a seating area in the Headmaster’s Office has been arranged, and just behind that area a newly designed meeting room. 

“I am really looking forward to getting the year started,” Baillargeon said.  “My respect for the faculty and students is of the utmost, so I have high expectations for all of us.”

School President, Fr. Joel Martin, said he welcomes the Baillargeons to Cullman and looks forward to seeing great things happen for St. Bernard Prep!  “Dan and his wife Megan have a beautiful family,” said Fr. Joel.  “Over the next 17 years all of their six children will attend Sacred Heart School in Cullman and graduate under their headmaster-father at St. Bernard Prep.  The family is a wonderful addition to the entire Cullman community, and their presence will be known and felt.”

St. Bernard Preparatory School is a private Catholic co-ed boarding and day school operated by the Benedictine monks at St. Bernard Abbey.  Follow St. Bernard Prep on Facebook or visit online at www.stbernardprep.com

St. Bernard to honor veteran teacher at reunion

Helen Glasscock is a name that every student who has graduated from St. Bernard Preparatory School will recognize.  The image that comes to mind is of a lady with a soft Southern accent, quiet charm and a will of steel when it comes to teaching English to high school students.

Helen Glasscock was born and raised in Cullman County on a farm in Oak Level, the same area homesteaded by her grandfather who came from Berlin, Germany in 1850.  She married her husband, Kent, 61 years ago and they have three daughters:  Debra, Mary and Melanie.  They have seen their family grow so that today, Glasscock, along with being a lifelong student and teacher, is a grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great, grandmother.

After graduating from Holly Pond High School, Glasscock attended Sacred Heart Academy before she enrolled at St. Bernard College.  She graduated from St. Bernard in January of 1966 with highest honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. She immediately began graduate studies at the University of Alabama and began teaching at St. Bernard College in the fall of 1966.  After several years of teaching she received a grant from the National Defense Education Act  to attend Florida State University.  Later,   she received a  National Endowment Humanities grant and did further studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  She did further graduate work at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she had earned her masters degree in English.

She began her teaching career in the fall of 1966 at St. Bernard College where she taught in the English Department until 1979 when St. Bernard closed its Liberal Arts College.  From 1979 till 1984 Glasscock taught as a member of the faculties of Alabama State College, Snead State Junior College and Wallace State Junior College. When St. Bernard reopened its high school program in 1984, Glasscock rejoined the St. Bernard English Department and, for the past three decades, has been an integral part of its teaching faculty.

“Times and the way things are done in education have changed over the past thirty years,” said Glasscock.  “In the past, a teacher could assume that the students shared a common background such as scripture, books, and the like.  Today, that’s no longer the case.  Often times, there is no body of common knowledge which students bring with them.  Especially is this true with our international students.  It makes for a greater challenge in the classroom.”

“We live in a society where a teacher must be watchful, perceptive, and judicious in teaching the material as well as managing classroom behaviors,” she continued.  “Technology is a necessary part of education today so students are allowed to use e-tablets and e-readers.  Still I require a hard copy of all papers.” 

Glasscock is very mindful of reading materials which she assigns to her students.  “Teenagers need guidance.  If they are curious readers then allow them to read what interests them. We want our students to have an appreciation for learning so they can understand the wide variety of human needs.  Seeing these needs, they learn to respond in a way that shows man’s humanity to man.”
Despite being a demanding teacher, students often return after graduation to visit with their English teacher.  One compliment she remembers lightheartedly was from a student who said, “I only made a ‘B’ in your class but I received an ‘A’ for the same material in college.”  More than a few students have said, “College English was easy after having Mrs. Glasscock’s class.”

Mrs. Glasscock ended by saying, “I enjoy every minute spent in the classroom and plan to return to St. Bernard next fall and will again teach more English classes.”

Glasscock will be honored for her distinguished years of service at St. Bernard on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the St. Bernard Alumni Reunion beginning at 6:00 p.m.

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