Barck wins St. Bernard Middle School Spelling Bee

Eva Barck won the annual Spelling Bee at St. Bernard Prep Middle School by correctly spelling the words “shiatsu”, and “lanai.”

The eighth grader will travel to Fairview High School to participate in the Cullman County Spelling Bee on Monday, January 27, 2014. 

Eva is the daughter of Steven and Angie Barck of Cullman.

Restorations under way at St. Bernard

Restorations, repairs, and new construction have been underway for quite some time at St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School.  Under the direction of Fr. Marcus Voss, who serves as the Director of Development,  a capital campaign has been initiated to assist in these projects.  Called “The Campaign for St. Bernard” the primary goal is the restoration of the St. Bernard Library.  In addition, other projects have been undertaken for the betterment of the St. Bernard campus. 

Abbey workers have been busy restoring the recreation house which sits to the south of the Monastery Building.  The traditional stone-cut building has been sitting idle for the past thirty years, and is now being revitalized.  The first phase has been the installation of a new roof and will soon be followed by new windows and doors.

The classroom building is receiving  a new roof as well.  Workers from Thomas Roofing Company were began the roofing project in December 2013.  A gabled roof will replace the flat room which has had continued problems because of leaks.  This work is expected to be completed by early March. 

Abbey construction crews   are in the process of adding covered parking areas to protect  the vehicles used by the Abbey monks.   The open-air garage has a cement foundation with a metal roof and provides much needed additional parking.

All of these works are possible because of generous donations made by friends and alumni of St. Bernard.  More information about “The Campaign for St. Bernard” will be made available throughout 2014.  “The campaign is a vital program for the future of St. Bernard and sustaining the growth in our Abbey and School,” said Fr. Marcus.  “It’s a special time in our history – one that presents us with unique opportunities.   I will be grateful for everyone who helps us meet the challenges before us.”

For more information about ”The Campaign for St. Bernard” contact Fr. Marcus at 256-531-2010 or frmarcus@stbernardprep.com.

Middle School student receives first communion

What for most Catholics happens around the second grade happened for an eighth grader at St. Bernard Prep.  Blake Burman made his First Confession and received his  First Holy Communion recently at St. Bernard Abbey Church with the assistance of his religion instructor,  Miss Martha Ann Warnke, and School President, Fr. Joel Martin, OSB.  

Burman approached Miss Warnke this past August about the possibility of receiving his First Communion in the Church.  Miss Warnke immediately contacted Fr. Joel to put the wheels in motion to grant his request.    
 

“Blake was baptized in California, but his family’s frequent moves made preparing for the sacraments very difficult,” Miss Warnke said.   

Miss Warnke gave him information to study in August and prepared him for the sacraments.  He made his First Confession on Friday and his First Communion on Monday, December 16, with his two sisters, grandmother, and parents in attendance.  

Fr. Joel Martin, President of St. Bernard Prep, celebrated the Mass.  Fr. Joel said St. Bernard strives to assist students in their desire for truth and goodness, which is exactly what Blake has asked to do.

“Blake is an outstanding young man who has taken it upon himself to seek out the important things,” Fr. Joel said, “He has been persistent in his desire to know and love God more completely and to receive the power of God in his life.”

In his homily at the Advent Mass, Fr. Joel stated, “In this season of Advent, light increases as we near Christmas and the coming of Christ.  Blake shows us that light by saying ‘yes’ to God, and he teaches us to do the same.”

Blake is the son of Bill and Mary Burman of Arab, Alabama.

St. Bernard Middle School host food drive

Students at St. Bernard Middle School students have spent two weeks collecting food items to contribute to families in the Cullman community for Thanksgiving dinner.

Religion instructor, Martha Ann Warnke, provided a sign-up sheet requesting students to bring canned goods and other items that would make for a perfect Thanksgiving dinner.  As items were brought to school, it was displayed on their respective tables.

“We had a great response this year,” Warnke said.  “We still have $70 left in cash donations, which will be used to purchase more turkeys and ham.”

The boarding students along with the faculty provided money to purchase turkeys and hams; and the commuting  students contributed the much needed side dish items from cake  and pumpkin pie mix to green beans and stuffing.

William Calvert, Middle School Principal, said this is an annual event at St. Bernard Middle School.  “Our students and their families always come through with enough food to feed several families at this time of year.”

All food is donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank at Sacred Heart Church in Cullman.

Seventh Grade:  Front row (l-r):  Ivy Edge, Nealy Wyatt, Alden Olyneice, Gavin Whaley, Thomas Fortson, Zachary McClain.  Back row:  Adrian Smith, Madelyne Grimmett, Andrew Williams, Ms. Warnke, Madison Murphy, Andy Zatarain, Carson Holmes, Noah Lewis, Phoebe Coccia, Dallas Anderson, Sam Patel , Mr. William Calvert and Foster O’Neil.

Eighth Grade:  Front row (l-r): Eli Michelfelder, Zachary Phillips, Michael Bain Clemmons, Luke Marti, Marshall Rosenhoover, and Blake Burman.  Standing:  Catherine Cho, Mr. William Calvert,  Eva Barck, Graham Rosenhoover, Olivia Tafizoli, Douglas McCullough, Cailin O’Donnell, Sam Lee, Sarah Peel, Anna Faulk, Victor Fentanes, Isabell Santiago, Avy Whaley, Luis Zatarain, Leahrose Mami, and Miss Martha Ann Warnke.

Honor Society induction held at St. Bernard Prep

Seventeen students were inducted into the National Honor Society recently at St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, AL.  Honor Society advisor, Mrs. Margaret Hinson welcomed all parents, students and faculty in attendance and congratulated each student for their achievements.

Following the welcome, Chaplain Bede Marcy opened the ceremony with a prayer before turning the program over to Zoie Wilson, President of the National Honor Society program at St. Bernard.

Wilson explained the criteria to being inducted into National Honor Society.  “To become a member of Honor Society one must have completed one semester as a junior or senior at St. Bernard Prep, must maintain a grade average of 90 or higher in math, science and foreign language; exhibit leadership, service and character, and participate in meeting and chapter projects.”

Students recognized the four qualities exemplified in NHS—Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character—with the lighting of candles.  Jacob Mynatt spoke on scholarship—the commitment to learning; Logan Ayers spoke on service—establishing a routine to work for those in need; Mrs. Hinson spoke on leadership—having the initiative to train and aid others; and John Gurtowski  spoke on character—distinguishing individuality with respect for others.

Each student was awarded a membership certificate and pin by Headmaster John Tekulve and Zoie Wilson.

After accepting this honor, students pledged to maintain high scholastic standing, to hold as fundamental and worthy an untarnished character, to endeavor intelligently and courageously to be a leader, and to give of themselves freely in service to others.

The National Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.  These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921.

Following the ceremony, lunch was served for Honor Society members and their parents in the Dining Hall.

 

Bockhold named Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program

John Tekulve, Headmaster at St. Bernard Prep School, announced recently that Mackenzie Bockhold has been named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.  A Letter of Commendation from the school and national Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, was presented to  Bockhold.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  Although they will not continue in the 2014 competition of National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary Sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Tekulve said Bockhold placed in the top two percent of the students tested.

“Mackenzie is an outstanding student.  We are happy to recognize and congratulate Mackenzie for her   accomplishments and to congratulate her parents and teachers who played a key role in her academic development. “

Bockhold is the daughter of Don and Sandi Bockhold of Cullman.

 

St. Bernard Cross Country teams advance to state

                Dreary weather did not hamper the Saints performance at the AHSAA 1A-2A Cross Country Sectionals held last week at Cold Springs High School.

                Coach William Calvert was all smiles as both teams from St. Bernard crossed the finish line to advance to state competition at Oakville, Alabama on November 9.

                Calvert said, “Our girls had a phenomenal performance. We won the Sectional for the 2^nd straight year and placed six runners in the top 13 in a very tough field.   This should put us in great shape for the state meet. “ 

                Senior Logan Ayers won her 5^th consecutive meet and repeated as Individual Sectional Champion. Her time of 19:04 was a new course record. She was followed closely by Leahrose Mami in 3^rd, Ayleana Mami 5th, Ivy Edge 6^th, Jaden Edge in12th and Cailin O’Donnell in 13^th place.   

Calvert said his boys knew to advance to state meet in such a tough section; they would have to have to bring their “A” game.     

“The guys really came together as a team and posted their top average time of the season to finish third behind two of the state’s top ranked teams.  I really proud of their effort,” continued Calvert.

 

The top three teams from the sectional advance to the state meet. Senior Oscar Perez had the best meet of his career finishing 4^th with a time of 17:18. Steven Mami finished 6^th, Thomas Russell place 14^th, Nate Giffin 15^th Isaias Robles 20^th and Will Sciaroni 25^th.

                The Saints travel to Oakville Saturday, November 9 to compete for the AHSAA 1A-2A title.