The Banner Benedictine Military School s Class of 2013 Benedictine Military School conducted its Solemn Mass and commencement exercises for the graduates of the Class of 2013 on May 19 at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah. The celebrant was Reverend Daniel F. Firmin, J.C.L., Chancellor, Diocese of Savannah. The commencement address was given by LTC John Manson Owens III 61, who retired at the end of the school year after 27 years of service to BC. There were 71 graduates, including 32 who are members of the National Honor Society. Valedictorian was Nicholas Denmark Carbo, the son of Michael and Nancy Carbo. Nicholas came to Benedictine from one of our Catholic middle schools, Blessed Sacrament. Salutatorian was William Christopher Phillips, the son of Christopher and Cindy Phillips. Will came to Benedictine from Savannah Christian. June 2013
Dear Benedictine family, Letter from the Headmaster... On Wednesday night we had our Farewell reception for LTC Owens. Thanks to the efforts Walter Corish, who served as MC, Mike Dillon, Lynn Fogarty and Brooks Zeigler of the Alumni Association and Greg Markiton and Kim Hickey from our Development Office; and LTC Owens, of course, who was joined by the Class of 61, the event was wonderful. Alumni Hall was filled with well-wishers, and good food (Charlie Russo 61 supplied the shrimp, along with a lot of levity). While respective groups lavished their remembrances upon LTC Owens, Lucia was gifted with a bouquet of roses which spoke so well to the many sacrifices both she and her husband have made over the course of 50-plus years on behalf of BC. LTC Owens spoke well of his early years as the Senior Army Advisor (SAI) and of the challenges facing him as he sought to give new life to a JROTC program whose future was questionable. He mentioned bringing friends to the St. Patrick s Day Parade prior to assuming his role as SAI; he came away from that experience thinking that the program had a long way to go before it would meet with his standards; that was then. Twentyseven St. Patrick s Day Parades later, as many Honor Unit of Distinctions awards, numerous military academy appointments and countless grateful graduates and parents of graduates later; The Colonel admirably succeeded in bringing the program that long way. LTC Owens leaves a legacy that is incomparable. Fortunately, he has no plans of being a ghost to BC. However much road time he plans on putting on his bike (Harley-Davidson), he has no plans of riding off into the sunset as far as BC is concerned. The BC community joins in wishing him, Lucia and their family Godspeed. Board of Directors Officers Chairman: Mr. William E. Schmitt Vice Chairman: Mr. J. Marc Friday 78 Board of Directors: Mr. Andrew C. Ambos 87 Rev. Daniel F. Firmin, J.C.L. Dr. Joseph K. Hogan 82 Mr. Martin S. Hogan 86 Rev. Philip Kanfush, O.S.B. Sister Johanna Maguire, R.S.M. Mr. Thomas J. Mahoney III 81 Mr. Charles H. Moore, Jr. 79 Mr. Walter B. Murphy III 71 Mr. William W. Shearouse, Jr. 66 Sister Lourdes Sheehan, R.S.M. Mrs. Kathy H. Siler Mr. Donald M. Thompson 65 Dr. Edward J. Whelan III 71 LTC Owens retirement was a crowning moment of an incredible spring, one that saw our lacrosse team win the South Carolina Independent Lacrosse League state championship for a second
Letter from the Headmaster... consecutive year, our soccer team go to the Georgia High School Association s Class AA Elite Eight, our track and field team send runners to the state finals, our tennis team do the same and our baseball team make it to the Final Four. Enough cannot be said for the commitment of our parents, coaches and players. With graduation, we were gifted with the excellent and surprisingly lighthearted speeches of Nick Carbo as Valedictorian and Will Phillips as Salutatorian; our congratulations to Nick, Will and the entire senior class and their families. Our prayers go with our graduates and our thanks to their families; we are most grateful for the sacrifices made. As appropriate, LTC Owens had the last and most memorable words. His delivery will long be remembered. Wishing you a wonderful summer, Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B. Headmaster Board of Directors Officers Chairman: Mr. William E. Schmitt Vice Chairman: Mr. J. Marc Friday 78 Board of Directors: Mr. Andrew C. Ambos 87 Rev. Daniel F. Firmin, J.C.L. Dr. Joseph K. Hogan 82 Mr. Martin S. Hogan 86 Rev. Philip Kanfush, O.S.B. Sister Johanna Maguire, R.S.M. Mr. Thomas J. Mahoney III 81 Mr. Charles H. Moore, Jr. 79 Mr. Walter B. Murphy III 71 Mr. William W. Shearouse, Jr. 66 Sister Lourdes Sheehan, R.S.M. Mrs. Kathy H. Siler Mr. Donald M. Thompson 65 Dr. Edward J. Whelan III 71
June and July Calendar of Events June 3 - Summer hours begin, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Fridays) June 10-14 - Benedictine Sports Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. June 17-21 - Benedictine Sports Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. June 24-28 - Study Skills For Incoming Freshmen 9-11 a.m. June 26-28 - BC Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 1-12 - School closed for summer break July 8-10 - BC Baseball Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 15 - School re-opened for business, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Fridays) July 22 - BC Middle School Football Camp & BC Cheer Camp, both 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 23 - BC Middle School Football Camp & BC Cheer Camp, both 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 24 - BC Middle School Football Camp & BC Cheer Camp, both 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 25 - BC Cheer Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. July 26 - BC Cheer Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. August 5 - Regular hours resume, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Visit www.thebc400.com for the most up to date information regarding dates and events! Graduation photos available for purchase at Daly & Salter Photography Graduation photos for Benedictine s Class of 2013 are available for viewing and/or purchase at Daly & Salter Photography (www.dalyandsalterphoto.com). Click on Proofing Gallery, Events; click on thumbnail image (no passcode required).
Benedictine Class of 2013 graduation
LTC John M. Owens III 61 retirement reception After 27 years of service to Benedictine Military School, LTC John Manson Owens III 61 is retiring. Hundreds of people attended a reception May 29 that was hosted by BC to honor LTC Owens. Pink Floyd songs were playing, ice-cold beer was flowing and there was plenty of pecan pie - all favorites of LTC Owens. We thank you, LTC Owens, for all that you have done for the BC Cadets and BC Family throughout your career.
JROTC PLATOON OF THE SEMESTER WINNER FOR SECOND SEMESTER: PLATOON OF THE SEMESTER WINNER FOR SECOND SEMESTER IS 2ND PLA- TOON, D COMPANY, SECOND BATTALION. CADET 1LT CONNOR BEYTAGH IS THE PLATOON LEADER. JROTC BEST DRILL COMPANY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: BEST DRILL COMPANY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR IS B COMPANY, FIRST BATTAL- ION. CADET CPT BENJAMIN DEBORDE IS THE COMPANY COMMANDER. CADET 1LT JOHN SEVIER, THE COMPANY XO, LED THE COMPANY DURING THE COM- PETITION. Student Council for 2013-14 Congratulations to Benedictine s Student Council for the 2013-14 school year. Seniors: President - Johnny Solitario; Vice-President - Miles McGinty; Treasurer - Josh Goldstein; Secretary - Matthew Peters; Parliamentarian - Nigel Wright; Sergeant-at- Arms - Sam Geha. Juniors: President - Brad Stewart; Vice-President - Joseph Holguin; Treasurer - Bridges Brantley; Secretary - Stephen Moore. Sophomores: President - Will Bradley; Vice-President - Will Carter; Treasurer - Jake Roberts; Secretary - Connor Starling; Representatives - Evan Sell and Alex MacLean.
JROTC Awards Day & Senior Review The annual JROTC Awards Day Ceremony and Senior Review was held May 7 on the Benedictine Military School parade field. The event served to recognize the JROTC Corps of Cadets for this school year. The ceremony also served to honor the Benedictine classes of 1963 and 1988 in celebrating their 50th and 25th graduation anniversaries, respectively. Awards presented and the recipients include the following: 1. Henderson Marksmanship Medals: 3rd Place: Cadet SGT Patrick Watson. 2nd Place: Cadet MAJ Conner Kreide. 1st Place: Cadet COL Benjamin Cannoles. 2. The Military Officers Association Medal: (LET III) Cadet SGM Sam Geha. 3. U.S. Army Recruiting Command Medal for JROTC Excellence: (LET III) Cadet CSM Benjamin Wright. 4. The Summerell Leadership Medal: (LET IV) Cadet Tayler Jakusbsen. 5. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Medal: (LET II) SSG Warren Wright. 6. Vietnam Veterans of America JROTC Leadership Medal: (LET II) SSG Patrick McGuire. 7. Immaculate Conception Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus God and Country Medal: (LET III) CSM Kyle South. 8. Scottish-American Military Society Medal: (LET III) Cadet CSM John Solitario. 9. The American Legion Military Excellence Medal: (LET III) Cadet MSG Antony Nguyen. 10. The American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal: (LET III) Cadet MSG Matthew Peters. 11. The Daughters of the American Revolution Medal: (LET IV) Cadet LTC Chase Lyndale. 12. The Military Order of the World Wars Medal: (LET I) Cadet SGT William Carter. 13. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of Georgia Medal: (LET IV) Cadet LTC Jason P. Kolbush. 14. The Sons of the American Revolution Medal: (LET II) Cadet SSG Craig S. Moore. 15. The Association of the United States Army Medal: (LET IV) Cadet LTC Thomas F. McCarthy. 16. Veterans of Foreign Wars JROTC Medal: (LET II) Cadet SSG Alex Fanning. 17. The Department of the Army Superior Cadet Medal: LET I: SGT Evan Sell. LET II: SSG Al Pesto. LET III: CSM Lawson Turner. LET IV: LTC William Phillips. The Cleary Family Sabre (LET IV): Cadet COL Benjamin R. Cannoles. Company of the Year: F Company, 3rd Battalion.
Honors Day Benedictine Military School conducted its 2013 Academic Honors Convocation on May 9 at BC. The BC Family would like to thank all of our scholarship sponsors, the parents and other special guests who helped to make it a memorable celebration.
Senior/Alumni Breakfast Benedictine Military School s seniors attended the annual Senior/Alumni Breakfast on May 15 in the cafetorium. The event was hosted by the Benedictine Military School Alumni Association. The Cadets were reminded about the special bond they have developed with their classmates and they were encouraged to remain in touch with the school throughout their lifetime. They will always have a home at BC.
Senior Inspection Day Before being cleared to graduate, Benedictine Military School s seniors had to pass Senior Inspection by LTC John Manson Owens III 61. Several Cadets initially were turned away and sent to barbershops to get their hair cut, while others were told to find a razor and shave. Eventually, all of the Cadets met LTC Owens approval and were greenlighted to graduate.
BC Baseball advances to GHSA Class AA Final Four Screen shot courtesy of WSAV Benedictine Military School s varsity baseball team advanced to the GHSA Class AA semifinals and finished the season with a 30-6 record. The Cadets Final Four appearance was the secondgreatest baseball season in school history behind the 1961 BC team that won the Class AAA state championship. Congratulations to BC first-year head coach Kevin Farmer 92, his assistants and their players on a tremendous season! Screen shot courtesy of WTOC
Cadets finish season with 30-6 record
BC Soccer advances to GHSA Class AA Elite Eight Benedictine Military School s varsity soccer team advanced to the GHSA Class AA quarterfinals and finished the season with a 17-2-1 record (lost to Atkinson County, tied Savannah Christian in a non-region game, tied Lovett in the Elite Eight regulation and two overtimes before losing 4-3 on penalty kicks). BC head coach Joe Tvrdy resigned May 23 after 10 years at the helm to spend more time with his family. He and his wife Tess (the varsity soccer head coach at St. Vincent s Academy, welcomed their second child, Joseph, who was born May 16). Joe Tvrdy, BC s Mathematics Department Chair, will remain at BC as a teacher and he will continue as head coach of the Cadets varsity wrestling team. In 10 years at the helm, his BC soccer teams won three region titles and advanced to the state playoffs eight times, including three Elite Eight appearances. Photo courtesy of the Savannah Morning News Photo courtesy of the Savannah Morning News
A variety of strong performances by BC athletes Congratulations to the varsity boys golf team for its strong showing at the GHSA Class AA state championship tournament May 20. The Cadets shot 315 and finished fifth. Congratulations to Sam Geha and Daniel Hoffman, who set new personal records at the GHSA Class AA state track & field meet. Geha finished fifth in the mile at 4:37. Hoffman finished 15th in the 2-mile at 10:47. Congratulations to Andrew Ward for winning the 12-gauge E Class division of the 2013 Krieghoff Masters Skeet Shoot on May 2-5 at the Forest City Gun Club. Ward also finished seventh in the 20-gauge D Class division and fourth in the 12-gauge Junior Class division. Congratulations to Brad Stewart, who was honored May 6 as the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame s Football Player of the Year. Congratulations to the BC soccer players who competed in the Coastal Empire All-Star Soccer Invitational. Thomas McCarthy scored a goal to help the red team win, 2-1. Outstanding play also was turned in by Justin Wilson, Joseph Ireland, Robby Kirby and Kevin Fischer. The juniors were represented by Johnny Solitario and Mac Lisicia in the earlier game. BC students earn Boy Scouts Pope Pius XII award Benedictine Military School sophomores Nick Kilbourne, Mikey Cohen and Matt Bartholomew received the Pope Pius XII medal from Bishop J. Kevin Boland, Bishop Emeritus of Savannah, on May 12 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Pope Pius XII medal is the highest religious honor that Catholic Boy Scouts of America can earn. Congratulations to Mr. Kilbourne, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Bartholomew for earning this prestigious award!
Trebuchet launchings Benedictine Military School physics students in Science Department Chair Mr. James Hicks classes spent portions of May 14 launching trebuchets (catapults) they built as part of a physics assignment. A trebuchet is a type of catapult that remained popular from around fourth century B.C. until the 13th century A.D. Trebuchets were known to be more accurate than other catapults as warriors could use them to fling projectiles of up to 350 pounds at high rates of speend into enemy fortifications. BC students launched potatoes. BC English teacher Mr. Bill Curley, who was among a crowd of observers, asked Who won? Hicks response? Science won!
Chemistry students make ice cream BC students in Mr. Rigel Crockett s Chemistry lab on May 3 studied the colligiative properties of solution and freezing point depression. Translation: they made ice cream. Brantley, Kelly accepted into Savannah Science Seminar The BC Family would like to congratulate Cadets Bridges Brantley and Sean Kelly, who have been accepted into the prestigious Savannah Science Seminar! Bridges and Sean really, really love science, BC science teacher Rigel Crockett said. These students are among the best of the best in our area at science. The Savannah Science Seminar promotes an understanding and appreciation for science through informative, participatory presentations and hands-on workshops (HOWsessions) in the fields of engineering, technology, mathematics, and the medical practices, to highly qualified secondary school students in Savannah and Chatham/Effingham/Bryan counties. Through these endeavors, the Savannah Science Seminar encourages students to pursue careers in the science arena, and as they become professionally knowledgeable, strongly consider returning to the Savannah area to increase our community s ability to foster and enhance these professional practices. (For more information: www.savsciencesem.org)
BC dominates Best of Preps 2013 Benedictine Military School had more male athletes than any school in the Coastal Empire honored at the Savannah Morning News Best of Preps 2013 awards banquet May 21 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. BC had 13 athletes combine to win 16 awards, and two BC head coaches were named Coach of the Year. BC athletes honored were Brad Stewart (Most Versatile Male Athlete; Football-Offense; Baseball); Connor Beytagh (Football-Defense); Joseph Ireland (Football-Defense); Andrew McNulty (Football-Defense); Mike Huggins (Baseball Player of the Year); Chipper Wiley (Baseball); Stevie Powers (Baseball); Thomas Mc- Carthy (Boys Soccer Player of the Year); Robby Kirby (Boys Soccer); David Wells (Wrestling); Sam Geha (Boys Cross Country; Boys Track & Field); Charlie Ferrelle (Boys Golf); Kolbe Kennedy (Boys Golf); Danny Britt (Football Coach of the Year); and Kevin Farmer (Baseball Coach of the Year). Congratulations, gentlemen, on the 18 awards and tremendous seasons! Photos of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk courtesy of the Savannah Morning News
New basketball goals There were smiles, cheers and laughter among Benedictine Military School students May 17 when two new outdoor basketball goals were installed in the Plaza. The state-of-the-art basketball goals are a gift from Mr. Pat 83 and Mrs. Cathy Parker in memory of their son Brian Parker 10. The goals were installed by Mr. Gary Douglas 83 and his crew from Guaranteed Fence, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Parker s gift is one of many of the progressive enchanements taking place throughout campus. Thank you, Pat, Cathy and Gary, for making BC a special place!
Volunteer/Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon BC Student Council Social Apostolate Collection Freshmen class president Will Bradley worked with the BC community collecting items to be donated to the Social Apostolate of Savannah. The Social Apostolate s mission is to care for and empower the poor, the homeless, the disabled and those at risk in the Savannah area. They offer a soup kitchen, showers for the homeless, and clothing and hygiene items for those in need. Will and the BC family collected bags upon bags of items most needed by the Social Apostolate. To make a donation, visit www.socialapostolate.org or call (912) 233-1877.
Cinco de Mayo - BC Style Benedictine Military School students in Mrs. Lee Brantley s Spanish class had a bit of funwith tissue paper flores and dividing up into Mexican and French groups to re-create their version of the Battle of Puebla! Mother-Son Dance at BC Dancing With the Stars took on a new meaning when Benedictine Military School students and their mothers spent a portion of May 5 dancing together in the cafetorium at BC. It was a pre- Mother s Day (May 12) treat for all of the moms.