Adrian Smith named top speller at St. Bernard

Miss Martha Anne Warnke, Spelling Bee Coordinator;  Adrian Smith, Rosemary Colbert and William Calvert, Principal

Adrian Smith

St. Bernard Prep’s Adrian Smith was the last contestant standing at the school’s annual spelling bee. She correctly spelt the word “savvy.”   The runner-up was Rosemary Colbert.   The two Middle School students were among seven other competitors who contended for the title of “St. Bernard Middle School’s Top Speller.”

Adrian will compete in the Cullman County Spelling Bee at Fairview High School on February 2, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.  She is the daughter of Virginia Smith of Cullman.  Rosemary is the granddaughter of Patricia Veit of Michigan.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrated at St. Bernard Prep

On Friday, December 12, St. Bernard Students began their day by packing into the Abbey Church to pray, using the rosary to remember the blessings of God, to thank him, and to ask his help.

After prayers in the church, all went to the “Brahma Room of the school dining hall where the Spanish Class presented a short play, “Our Lady of Guadalupe” under the direction of Mrs. Katie Aguilar. 

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe  began on the morning of December 9, 1531, when a native American, an Aztec, named Juan Diego witnessed an apparition of a maiden at the Hill of Tepeyac, in what would become the town of Villa de Guadalupe on the outskirts of Mexico City. Speaking to him in his native Nahuatl language, the maiden asked that a church be built at that site in her honor.

Because of her words, Juan Diego recognized the maiden as the Virgin Mary. Juan Diego recounted the events to the Archbishop of Mexico City, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, who instructed him to return to Tepeyac Hill and ask the "lady" for a miraculous sign to prove her identity. The first sign was the Virgin’s healing Juan's uncle. Then the Virgin told Juan Diego to gather flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill, where he found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, blooming miraculously in December on the normally barren hilltop. So that he explain the miracle to the bishop, Juan Diego picked the flowers and put them in his tilma or cloak.  Juan Diego rushed into Mexico City and was taken to the bishop.  When Juan opened his cloak before Bishop Zumárraga, the roses fell to the floor, and on the fabric was the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Virgin of Guadalupe.  That day was December 12, 1531, just a few decades after Columbus discovered the New World; the image of Mary is still on the cloak of Juan Diego. 

The Spanish conquerors of Mexico had brought the Christian Faith to the New World, but they also brought death and destruction, so the natives were resistant to that Faith.  But now the very mother of Jesus appeared as one of them, speaking their language and she appeared not to a Spaniard but to an Aztec.  In less than a decade after the miracle, more than 8 million native Mexicans converted to the Christian Faith.  

Following the students’ presentation, all enjoyed homemade hot tamales, conchas, and Mexican hot chocolate provided by parents and grandparents of SBP Mexican students.

St. Bernard Middle School hosts food drive

7th Grade

Middle School students and families at St. Bernard Preparatory School have collected their annual contributions for the St. Vincent DePaul organization at Sacred Heart Church to make Thanksgiving special for several families in the local community.  

Each year, Ms. Martha Ann Warnke, Religion instructor, organizes a grocery list and asked for items to be contributed for each box.  The grocery list consists of a turkey, stuffing mix, green beans, sweet peas, sweet corn, evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, deep dish pie shells, jello pie filling, graham cracker pie shells, instant mashed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, spiced apple rings, marshmallows, dinner rolls, sugar, imitation vanilla, cake mix, canned frosting, turkey roasting pan, cake baking pans, roasting bag for turkey, thanksgiving table cloth, plates, napkins, cups and cutlery.

8th Grade

Students selected the items to contribute and brought it to the school a couple of weeks before the holidays to assists families in need through the local food bank at Sacred Heart Church. 

St. Bernard Prep encourages students to participate in community service projects.  Principal, William Calvert said Middle School teachers participated as well.   Calvert commented, “They do a great job reminding students of the blessings we enjoy daily.”

St. Bernard Girls claim State Cross Country Championship

The St. Bernard Girls Cross Country Team won the AHSAA 1A-2A State Championship held at the Oakville Indian Mounds near Moulton on November 8th.   Coached by William Calvert and Stephen Calvert; the girls narrowly defeated Westminster of Oak Mountain by a score of 48-54.   It was especially satisfying for the Lady Saints after finishing as state runners up in 2012 and 2013.  With the championship the girls completed an undefeated season winning 10 inviational meets in addition to sectional and state. 

Eighth grader Ivy Edge became SBP’s first ever individual cross country champion in leading the team to victory. Close behind her, were older sister, Jaden Edge in 4^th place , Leahrose  Mami in 5^th, Ayleana Mami in 16^th and  Katelyn Cowie in 24^th place. Other members of the championship team that ran in the state meet are Eva Barck, Adrian Smith, Liz Medina, Anna Faulk and Morgan Matz.

“These girls definitely deserve the championship.  They started training back in June at our summer camp. There work ethic is tremendous and their commitment to excellence is uncanny.  I am so proud of them and happy for St. Bernard that we could bring home this championship. It’s not often that one comes upon runners who have the confidence and drive of Ivy Edge, one of our youngest runners,” said Coach Calvert.  “Ivy has consistently stayed focused and level-headed.  She certainly has the mentality of a champion.  She’s very talented and will be one to watch for the next four years.” 

Ayleana Mami, the team’s only senior, started competing as a 7^th grader.  Throughout her tenure, Ayleana has been a leader in a program that has become one of the strongest in the state. She earned All-State honors five of her six years of competition. 

“This was the best season I’ve ever had.  I was able to contribute and our team was winning,” Mami said.  “Everyone was awesome!  This year we did exactly what was needed in order to accomplish the job we set out to do.  We have come close in past years.  This year we finally reached our goal.  For me personally, it’s a great way to end my cross country career.” 

Coach Calvert, a seasoned veteran of coaching cross country, was quick to point out that this was the first time in his coaching career that he had the pleasure of coaching a team all the way to the championship with a “perfect season” without any defeats. The coach commented,  “It’s really a unique experience and I feel blessed to share this with these fine young people. “

Annual Appeal underway at St. Bernard

The 35^th Annual Appeal sponsored by St. Bernard Abbey and School officially opened with the new fiscal year which began in July 2014.    During the month of November, St. Bernard alumni, friends and benefactors receive an official letter from the Office of Development asking for their support of this year’s appeal.

Abbot Victor Clark

This year’s appeal is dedicated to Abbot Victor Clark (ret) who is celebrating his 65th anniversary as a monk and his 60th anniversary as a priest this year.  “Our abbey is also celebrating its 123^rd anniversary since its founding this year,” said Fr. Marcus Voss, Director of Development.  “Since Abbot Victor has been a member of this community for over half its existence, to dedicate this year’s appeal in his honor just seemed the right thing to do.”

Abbot Victor’s journey began in 1949 when he took his first vows before Abbot Boniface Seng.  During his years as a monk he has been a teacher, dorm director, dean, department head, business manager, pastor and Abbot.  He continues to serve daily and is the senior monk of the thirty-five monks who form the membership of St. Bernard Abbey today. 

“The Annual Appeal is an invitation to join Abbot Victor and so many others and play a vital role in the overall wellbeing of St. Bernard Abbey and School,” Fr. Marcus continued.  “Part of the firm foundation of our financial house, depends upon those who support us.”

“I am grateful to everyone who supports us and especially this annual appeal,”  said Fr. Marcus.  “Their tax-deductible donation is another manifestation of God’s blessing on the dedication and work of monks like Abbot Victor.”

The 35th Annual Appeal assists St. Bernard in meeting the fiscal obligations that are necessary as part of the day-to-day operations of the school and the community.  To support the work at St. Bernard, donations may be made by mail or online at www.stbernardprep.com by clicking the donate button.