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The Marmion-Rosary Music Boosters are hosting their Annual International Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 7 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm in Marmion Academy’s Lux Dining Hall at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. Tickets for the breakfast will be available in advance or at the door at a cost of $6.50 per individual or $22 per family (up to five) and include scrambled eggs, two meat selections, hash browns, beverages and unlimited pancakes and toppings. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact Linette Graham at (630) 717-7853. Guests will enjoy performances by the Marmion-Rosary Jazz Band, Chorus and the Holy Angels Band. The Marmion-Rosary Band is made up of students from Marmion Academy and Rosary High School and is directed by Steven Thurlow. All proceeds from the breakfast go to support the activities of the Marmion-Rosary Band program. # # # #
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has named thirty-seven Marmion Academy seniors (30% of the class) as 2010 Illinois State Scholars. Students from nearly every high school in Illinois competed in this year’s program. The following Marmion students ranked in the top ten percent of the state’s high school graduating seniors to receive this honor: Aurora: Samuel Duffield, Daniel Emanuel, Nicholas Knudtson, Ryan Lifka, Paul Reyna, Russell Semmler, Matthew Wenzel Batavia: Jack Gunderson, Mitchell Hymel, Jeffrey McLean, William Parkhurst, Maxwell Rosenfelder, Joseph Schaeffer, William Sterne, Jeffrey Voss, Zachary Young Cortland: Nicholas Brennan Elburn: Joseph Burroughs Geneva: Elliot Anderson Lemont: Brian A’Hearn Montgomery: Daniel Brankin, Matthew West Newark: John Mason North Aurora: Ryan Lovelace, Nicholas Searles, Alexander Strong Oswego: Lucas Magee St. Charles: Stephen Anderson, Daniel Hillis, Eric Schwendner, Andrew Slade, Anthony Vecchiolla Sugar Grove: Thomas Cruger, Kevin Filip, Andrew Oesterlin, Michael Roth, Casey White Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. Marmion Academy is located at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. # # # #
Marmion Academy is hosting an art exhibit featuring work by New York artist Karl Erickson and Chicago artists Andrew Falkowski, Mark Stolle, John Opera and Zachary Buchner from December 13-18 and Jan 4-15 or by appointment. The exhibit, held in the Dr. Scholl Exhibit Mezzanine at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora is open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday from 9:00am–3:00pm or contact Gallery Director Lisa Dzuriscko at (630) 897-6936, Ext. 219 for an appointment. An opening reception, also open to the public, will be held on Sunday, December 13 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Karl Erickson is the director of the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York City. His work has been shown in galleries across the country, including Gallery 400 in Chicago and the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibits. Andrew Falkowski teaches at Northwestern and at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He received his MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. His recent exhibitions include the Kristi Engle Gallery in Los Angeles and Hudson-Franklin in New York City. Matt Stolle received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including "Re-Presentation" at New York City Pilsen and "Bauhaus Art Show" at Guertin’s Graphics. John Opera also received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His photo-based works have shown in the Museum of Contemporary Photography as well as the Lloyd Dobler and Andrew Rafacz Galleries. Sculptor Zachary Buchner received his MFA from Northwestern University in 2005. He has recently exhibited work at 40000 and 65GRAND in Chicago. # # # #
Marmion Academy’s JROTC Adventure Platoon provided ten Kane and Kendall County families with the makings for a Thanksgiving feast. On November 23 each family, selected by DayOne Network in Geneva, was presented with a frozen turkey and all of the trimmings expected for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The families were also given grocery store gift certificates for any additional needs. To provide these dinners, the cadets raise money by holding a “Turkey Raffle” and by collecting canned goods from the local communities. “The cadets and I would like to thank the community for donating canned food and purchasing the turkey raffle tickets,” says Adventure Platoon Moderator Sergeant Wayne Dotson. “Without their generous donations we would not have been able to provide for these ten deserving families.” This is the twelfth year that Marmion has teamed up with DayOne for their Thanksgiving Drive. DayOne Network, Inc. is a community based nonprofit that has been providing service coordination and advocacy services to developmentally disabled and delayed individuals of all ages in Kane and Kendall Counties, and in Hanover Township since 1989. Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. Marmion Academy is located at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. # # # #
Marmion Academy senior Pat Greco of St. Charles has signed his National Letter of Intent to wrestle for the Northwestern University Wildcats next year. He is a three-time All-Conference wrestler with 101 career wins. Greco was a Regional Champ and State Qualifier in 2009. Through his pursuit of excellence on the mat and in the classroom, he has earned a partial scholarship. Greco was thrilled when Northwestern showed interest in recruiting him. “I have been interested in attending Northwestern since I was in middle school,” stated Greco, who plans to major in business at the Big Ten School. “I made a goal for myself to be a part of their wrestling program. When I had the opportunity to visit the campus, I found that I loved the coaching staff and the fact that it is close to home. It was a perfect fit.” Now that Greco’s college goal has been realized, he has his sights set on the State Title. “I am expecting a lot of myself this season and have big expectations for our team. Our goal is to place at State this year.” “Pat has been a great wrestler in our program,” said Marmion head wrestling coach Dean Branstetter. “He works extremely hard every year and has helped elevate our program to new heights.” Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. Marmion is located at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. # # # #
Donna Bohr of Aurora was honored with Marmion Academy’s Fr. Alcuin Deck OSB Distinguished Service Award for the first semester of the 2009-10 Academic Year. She has served as the Secretary to the Alumni Director and Alumni Association since October, 1990. She is married to Jim Bohr, a Marmon graduate of the class of 1966. Her two sons, Nick (’93) and Ted (’97) are both graduates of Marmion. "Donna has been an example of faithful service to the Marmion community," said Rev. Joel Rippinger OSB, Marmion's Faculty/Staff Chaplain. "She has volunteered her time and talent behind the scenes in establishing the high standard of communication and trust that exists between Marmion and its alumni. She has also been instrumental in giving her support to fellow Marmion staff and faculty when sympathy needs to be given or celebration needs to be made." Donna Bohr is a lifelong resident of Aurora. She was raised in St. Rita parish on Aurora’s West Side and has been for some years a member of St. Joseph’s Parish on Aurora’s East Side. She has worked as a member of the School Board and been a Eucharistic Minister St. Joseph’s parish, as well as serving as secretary to the Director of Religious Education for nine years, before coming to Marmion. The Fr. Alcuin Deck OSB Distinguished Service Award is presented to an Academy faculty or staff member each semester during the school year in recognition of outstanding contributions and faithful service to Marmion Academy and in gratitude for exemplifying a spirit of charity and dedication. Marmion’s faculty includes 38 lay teachers and 10 Benedictines, 10 % hold Ph.D’s and more than 75% have a master’s degree. For more information on the faculty and staff members at Marmion Academy, visit www.marmion.org/academy/faculty.html. # # # #
Marmion Abbey Farms opens Saturday, November 21, daily from 9:00am to dusk, for those who enjoy the fun tradition of hunting through the pines and spruces to cut down their own Christmas tree. The Abbey Farm has over 120 acres of trees available for $30 - $40 each. The Marmion Abbey Farm located on Butterfield Road (Hwy 56) about five miles west of junction 59 and 56 and ½ mile from I-88 (exit at Farnsworth North and turn left on Butterfield). Visit the Abbey Tree Farm website at www.abbeyfarms.org to download a flyer and map of the tree farm or for more information call (630) 897-6936. Those who have made the Marmion tree hunt a family tradition will notice some new features at the farm including sleds for kids, a tree bailer for easy transport, as well as warming fires and free hot chocolate on the weekends. This year the farm is also offering a selection of pre-cut Michigan Fir trees and handmade wreaths. The monks of Marmion Abbey are grateful to all the families who come to our fields to find their perfect tree. When you buy a Marmion tree you help support the community at Marmion Abbey. The Abbey Farm, which began raising trees in 1957, has played a key role with Marmion Abbey and Academy. The successful business of selling Christmas Trees has enabled the monks of Marmion Abbey to continue their ministries throughout our community and grow the San Jose Priory in Guatemala. The farm has also been, and will continue to be, an educational resource for the young men of Marmion Academy. Through a close partnership the farm teaches the students of Marmion Academy about stewardship of land and the ecology of running a tree farm. # # # #
(* denotes Highest Average Award winners – students that earn a minimum average of 4.0 in all subjects) Superior (3.80 GPA or above) Seniors: Brian A'Hearn*, Elliot Anderson*, Stephen Anderson*, Lucas Brandt*, Daniel Brankin*, Nicholas Brennan*, Ryan Brisson*, Joseph Burroughs*, Thomas Cruger*, Michael Deufel, Mauricio Dominguez, Samuel Duffield*, Ian Duncan*, Daniel Emanuel*, Kevin Filip*, Kevin Garofalo*, Jack Gunderson*, John Heneghan, Daniel Hillis*, Mitchell Hymel*, Sean-Patrick Kalisz*, Nicholas Knudtson*, Ryan Lifka*, Jeffrey Martin*, John Mason*, Jeffrey McLean*, Ryan Novack*, William Parkhurst*, Sanjay Prakadan*, Felipe Rangel*, Paul Reyna*, Joseph Schaeffer*, Eric Schwendner*, Nicholas Searles*, Russell Semmler*, Andrew Slade*, Christopher Soris*, William Sterne*, Jacob Strickland*, Anthony Vecchiolla*, Jeffrey Voss*, Matthew Wenzel*, Matthew West*, Zachary Young Juniors: George Bardenheier*, Trevor Boone*, Spencer Buyansky*, Alexander Caton*, Michael Conway*, Michael Currie, Michael Gerold*, Cole Gleason, Edward Grahovec*, Christopher Hebert, Sean Howard, Benjamin Kanute, Henry Patrick Kinane*, Evan Lefelstein*, Charles Leonard*, Mitchell Loehmann*, Eric Lutz*, Edward Malnar*, Bennett Marsh*, Kelan McDonnell*, Nathan O'Brien, Connor O'Dea*, Samuel Rebenstorf*, Timothy Roche, Michael Tavierne, James Weiler*, John York*, Michael Zolfo* Sophomores: Nevin Abraham*, Zachary Bennett*, Edward Birth*, Edward Catich*, Benjamin Cole*, Casey Dant*, Frederick d'Escoto*, Daniel DiBartolo*, Nolan Dickson*, Raullo Eanes, Michael Eberth*, Luke Elder*, Matthew Fazio, Austen Friedman*, Jeffrey Garofalo*, Joseph Glemkowski*, Peter Gonzales*, William Graft*, Mitchell Heaton*, Kyle Kozak*, Erik Liesen*, Michael Maley*, Joseph Marovich, Zachary McNally*, Connor Medernach*, Blake Mickey, Nicholas Ondrla, Thomas Pacer*, Richard Parilla*, Christopher Pattermann*, Alexander Purcell*, Stuart Quinn*, Connor Riddell, Ryan Riggs*, Jonathan Rios*, Jacob Roberts, Christopher Rockwood, Joseph Romanos*, Alexander Ruble*, Michael Shares*, Christopher Simon*, Casey Smith*, Macade Thorpe*, Connor Valaik*, Robert Voirin*, Reid Weigelmann*, Bradley White*, Jeffrey Winkle, Brian Wulff*, Patrick Zepeda*, Joseph Zidek Freshmen: Eric Anderson*, Javier Andujar, Michael Bicknell, Christopher Burrows*, Carter Carlson*, Samuel Eallonardo*, Taylor Farrell*, Charles Faunce, Sam Ford*, Patrick Garvin*, Randall Gibson*, Jacob Gilmore*, Mohammud Hashir, Joshua Kanute*, Brett Koskinen, Connor Lefelstein*, Nicholas Novack, Jack Novotny*, John Pacer, Anthony Perez, Benjamin Pho*, Robert Ramoska*, Jackson Rettig*, Peter Shares*, John Sieben, Matthew Smith, Matthew Switzer*, Robert Wagner*, Lucas Wilson* Distinguished (3.40 -3.79) Seniors: Adam Andras, Scott Bauman, Matthew Brengman, Alonso Cisneros, Jacob Colwell, Matthew Derrico, Dugan Gallina, Pasquale Greco, Aleric Huebner, John Hughes, David Klug, Juliocesar Landivar, Roy Logan, David Lopez, Michael Lopez, Ryan Lovelace, Lucas Magee, Ross Morales, Peter Naughton, Andrew Oesterlin, Samuel Palmatier, Mark Peters, Matthew Pircon, Edward Randerson, John Riordan, Maxwell Rosenfelder, Andrew Schroeder, Samuel Soliz, Trevor Stein, Brian Strohmaier, Terence Vant, Charles Zidek Juniors: Mario Avila, Joshua Beltz, John Duguay, William Evensen, Benjamin Faunce, Michael Ferrer, Charles Greener, Evan Kline-Wedeen, Ryan Kolka, Dennis Koranda, Nathan Pacer, Thomas Rogers, Travis Siwiec, Colin Smith, Connor Vass, Kyle Vogt, Kevin Weltzer, Brendan Whiting, Benjamin Wilkinson, Grant Wilson, Jake Winkel, Jonathan Wolfgram Sophomores: Ryan Anderson, Peter Bowe, Matthew Choice, Patrick Duhig, Michael Frasca, Ryan Glasgow, Daniel Gotlund, Brady Hunt, Daniel Klug, Timothy Kritzler, Michael Pipp, Trevor Rea, Wayne Sanchez, Jacob Siegler, David Thielen, John Walsworth, Zachary Woytych, Andrew Young, Zachary Zielinski Freshmen: Alexander Arenkill, Austin Bohr, Conor Clingen, Laim Creamer, John Duhig, Joseph Fahey, Christopher Felder, Zachary Jacobson, Thomas Jude, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Colin Kavanaugh, Stuart Kofron, Kevin Lin, Zachary Lochmueller, Alexander Lopez, Joseph Mendoza, William Morrissey, John Peters, Daniel Rowland, Zachary Sagstetter, Alexander Theisen, Jonathon Thielen, Samuel Thill, Tyler Tindell, Sam Tonner, RobertWenzel, Brian Winkel, Joshua Zwolski Honor (3.00 – 3.39) Seniors: Gregory Askwith, Michael Borozan, Anthony Cabral, William Callahan, Alexander Dela Cruz, Derek Dillenburg, James Duhig, Connor English, Brian Freda, Michael Froehlich, James Gabel, Michael Gallaway, Andrew Gieseler, Matthew Gulotta, Tyler Hlavac, Nicolas Jimenez, Timothy Johnson, Alex Kapustka, Daniel Knebel, Kevin LaBarbera, Christopher Perillo, Connor Rudny, Alexander Strong, Nicholas Weis, Casey White, Ryan Whittington, Robert Winkel, Joseph Wulff, Michael York Juniors: Patrick Bohac, David Cesario, Benjamin de Garcia, Douglas Feltz, Tyler Friel, Matthew Frost, Graham Glasgow, Tyler Heinen, Lucas Hughes, Rehan Kapadia, Philip Kloc, Matthew Kluber, Andrew Koch, Tyler Kramer, Steven Lill, Zachary Metrou, Joseph Munder, IV, Antonio Ortiz, Robert Peters, Nicholas Scoliere, Dennis Sheehan, Nathan Shorr, Colin Sikic, Jacob Stein, Timothy Tarter, Evan Tentinger, Daniel Wycklendt Sophomores: Joseph Brennan, Shane Cano, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Rodrigo Fernandez, Timothy Hall-Reppen, Adam Johnson, Marshall Kanute, John Keilty, Samson Kellett, Davis Kessler, McCarthy Kessler, Jacob Kluber, Patrick Knudtson, Brian Lirot, Nicholas Mandarino, Morgan Moeller, Jared Moore, Michael Mueller, Trevor Schmalzer, Jeremy See, Peter Stefanski, Mitchell Sterne, Mark Tiger, Eric VanScoit, Justin Wade, Bradford Warland, Daniel Wedge, Evan Wells Freshmen: Colin Angeles, Patrick Bakala, Kory Blair, Connor Boyne, David Charipar, Nathan Colwell, Marc Derrico, Anthony DiSanto, Michael Fata, George Fisher, Tomas Gauthier, Austin Hills, Michael Hughes, Brian Hymel, Kyle Kauss, Maxwell Kelly, Garrett Lappe, Zachary Luther, Bradley McCormick, Maxwell Meyer, Liam O'Dea, William Randerson, Jake Ruddy, John Siciliano, Ethan Stone, Rodrick Terry, Peter West, Benton Winscott # # # #
Seven Marmion Academy seniors have been honored with Commended status in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Samuel Duffield of Aurora, Ryan Lifka of Aurora, Sanjay Prakadan of Aurora, Michael Roth of Sugar Grove, Eric Schwendner of St. Charles, Nicholas Searles of North Aurora and Andrew Slade of St. Charles placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students participating. National Merit Semifinalist Paul Reyna of Aurora also received recognition from the National Hispanic Recognition Program having tested among the top 5,000 students who identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino. Reyna and second Semifinalist Jeffrey McLean of Batavia are eligible to compete for 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards with over $33 million. Semifinalists are the highest scoring participants in each state and represent less than one percent of the state’s seniors. Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. # # # #
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program has named twenty Marmion Academy students AP Scholars. This title is given in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Only 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 million students who took AP Exams in May 2009 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition. Ryan Boone of Geneva and Jeffrey Gerold of St. Charles, 2009 graduates, received the National AP Scholar Award. Scholar with Distinction: senior Ryan Boone, Benedict Fischer of Batavia, Jeffrey Gerold and Nathaniel Valaik of Naperville, all members of Marmion’s graduating class of 2009. Scholar with Honor: senior Jeff McLean and 2009 graduates David Brouch of Aurora, Daniel Conlin of Aurora, Luke Friedman of Geneva, Joseph Fuja of St. Charles and Matthew Jacobs of Geneva. AP Scholar: seniors Samuel Duffield of Aurora, Mitchell Hymel of Batavia, Ryan Lifka of Aurora, Sanjay Prakadan of Aurora, Joseph Schaeffer of Batavia, Eric Schwendner of St. Charles and Andrew Slade of St. Charles as well as 2009 graduates Colin Hirsch of Genoa, Ryan Hoffman of Sugar Grove and Jared Meyer of Batavia. Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP exams, some Marmion graduates have been able to enter college at the sophomore level due to their achievement on AP exams. Marmion offers students Advanced Placement classes in twelve subjects. # # # #
National Youth Leadership Forum Provides Insight Into U.S. Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense Marmion Academy junior John York of Aurora was selected to participate in a unique career development program in our nation’s capital in early October. During the six-day program, the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security (NYLF/NS): Exploring American Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense will introduce students to the challenging careers in national security, intelligence, the diplomatic corps and more. “Imagine being 16 or 17 years old and the responsibility of securing the United States at home and abroad rests on your shoulders. Through specialized simulations, the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security strives to put students in the driver’s seat of building a strategy that will uphold our national security,” said Marguerite Regan, Dean of Academic Affairs for NYLF. “The combination of interacting with professionals and with other students in this setting ensures that leaders are being developed so the future of our country will remain very bright.” The curriculum for the Forum on National Security is based on actual world events. Throughout the program, students use critical thinking, leadership and public speaking skills to tackle the complexity of national decision-making as they examine how the U.S. plans for peace and prepares for crisis. They employ a crisis decision-making process similar to that employed by the nation's top policy makers. Students also participate in thought-provoking question and answer sessions with highly respected, internationally recognized civilian policy makers and senior military. In addition, leading institutions open their doors to NYLF/NS students, where they are educated in diplomacy, international affairs and military strategy. Past programs have included visits to several government institutions and military installations, such as the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Naval Academy, a variety of embassies and many others. Founded in 1992, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) is an educational organization established to help prepare extraordinary young people for their professional careers. Forums are offered in 11 cities across the United States in a wide variety of career fields, such as national security, law and medicine. Over 50,000 young people have attended NYLF programs. For additional information, visit at www.nylf.org. # # # #
Abbot Emeritus Gerald Benkert OSB, the founding abbot of Marmion Abbey in Aurora, will celebrate his 100th birthday on October 24. He is the oldest living abbot in the country (maybe the world) and the oldest monk of the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation. An Open House to observe Abbot Gerald’s 100th birthday will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road. The public is welcome. For more information call (630) 897-6936. Abbot Gerald Benkert was born in Louisville, KY in 1909. In 1947 he was appointed the founding abbot of Marmion Abbey when it was raised to the status of an independent abbey from St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana. He served as abbot of Marmion Abbey and president of Marmion Academy for 23 years. During his tenure, property on Butterfield Road was purchased and a monastery building constructed in 1952. A new school campus was built on the abbey grounds in 1959. Under his direction, a mission priory and seminary was begun in Guatemala in 1965. When Abbot Gerald retired as the abbot of Marmion in 1969, he served for over thirty years as a teacher at this mission priory and school in Guatemala. He is currently retired at Marmion Abbey. In celebration of Abbot Gerald Benkert’s centennial, the Abbey is publishing a volume of his “Memoirs” which will be available at the Open House or can be purchased through Marmion’s Hammes Bookstore Online for $10 (includes S&H) at www.marmion.org/bookstore. ####
Marmion Academy’s JROTC program honored 40 cadets with military promotions at the annual Sabre Ceremony on September 4. These senior cadets were presented with a sabre (officers) or a sword (sergeants) by their parents, as they were promoted to the highest ranks in available in the JROTC program. The following are Marmion’s JROTC student leaders for the 2009-10 school year. BATTALION HEADQUARTERS: Battalion Commander Zachary Young of Batavia, Executive Officer Daniel Brankin of Montgomery, Adjunct Lucas Magee of Oswego, Information Officer Kevin Garofalo of Aurora, Operations Officer Andrew Slade of St. Charles, Supply Officer Sanjay Prakadan of Aurora, Command Sergeant Major Michael Lopez of Aurora, Personnel Sergeant Elliot Anderson of Geneva, Information Sergeant Matthew Derrico of Batavia, Logistic Sergeant Nicholas Searles of North Aurora and Operations Sergeant Sean-Patrick Kaliz of Oswego. COMPANIES: Headquarters Company Commander Matthew West of Montgomery, Company Executive Officer Peter Naughton of St. Charles, 1st Platoon Leader Mauricio Dominguez of North Aurora, 2nd Platoon Leader Joseph Schaeffer of Batavia and First Sergeant Joseph Burroughs of Elburn. Alpha Company Commander William Sterne of Batavia, Company Executive Officer Eric Schwendner of St. Charles, 1st Platoon Leader Mitchell Hymel of Batavia, 2nd Platoon Leader Jack Gunderson of Batavia, 3rd Platoon Leader Christopher Soris of Aurora and First Sergeant Brian A’Hearn of Lemont. Bravo Company Commander John Mason of St. Charles, Company Executive Officer Russell Semmler of Aurora, 1st Platoon Leader Nicholas Knudtson of Aurora, 2nd Platoon Leader Kevin Filip of Sugar Grove, 3rd Platoon Leader Ian Duncan of Batavia and First Sergeant Charles Zidek of Aurora. Charlie Company Commander Samuel Duffield of Aurora, Company Executive Officer Thomas Cruger of Sugar Grove, 1st Platoon Leader William Parkhurst of Batavia, 2nd Platoon Leader Matthew Wenzel of Aurora, 3rd Platoon Leader Brian Strohmaier of St. Charles and First Sergeant Nicholas Brennan of Cortland. Delta Company Commander Jeffrey Voss of Batavia, Company Executive Officer Ryan Lifka of Aurora, 1st Platoon Leader Nicolas Jimenez of St. Charles, 2nd Platoon Leader Ryan Brisson of North Aurora, 3rd Platoon Leader Ryan Novack of Aurora and First Sergeant John Riordan of Batavia. Marmion’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is a U.S. Army high school program. In the program, cadets learn to become better citizens through classes focusing on history, leadership, and oral communication. They take part in military drill, inspections, and parades. As they advance through the ranks, they assume increasing responsibility for leadership among other cadets in their company. The JROTC program supports a competitive Rifle Team and Drill team. In addition cadets can participate in an Adventure Platoon and a one week JROTC Summer Camp. # # # #
Marmion Academy juniors Ben Kanute of Geneva and Henry Kinane of Downers Grove organized the fifth annual Crayons for Kids Supply Drive which brought in over 34,100 donated items and $6,000 in monetary donations. With the help of more than 70 Marmion and Rosary High School students, these donations were distributed to 80 schools from Elgin to Plano and to organizations including Lazarus House in St. Charles and Safe Passage Women's & Children's Center in DeKalb. "Thank you to all the generous Jewel shoppers who helped to make the start of school better for hundreds of children," said Henry Kinane. "The drive produced an overabundance of notebooks, loose-leaf paper and pens that were received by the schools with gladness and surprise." Crayons for Kids was developed in 2005 by Marmion student Brian Zimmerman of Batavia (class of 2007) to directly combat poverty in the classroom and help students have all the supplies needed to be successful in school. Over the last five years the program has worked with Jewel-Osco stores throughout the Fox Valley area and has collected over 100,000 school supplies and over $15,000 to assist children in need. ####
Two Marmion Academy seniors have been named Semifinalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Jeff McLean of Batavia and Paul Reyna of Aurora were named Semifinalists and are now eligible to compete for 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth over $36 million. Semifinalists are the highest scoring participants in each state and represent less than one percent of the state’s seniors. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. ####
Forty-eight Marmion Academy seniors were inducted into the Marmion chapter of the National Honors Society on September 13. These students were presented their society pin by their parents, signed their name into record and received their certificate of membership. Marmion juniors selected for induction include: Brian A’Hearn of Lemont, Elliot Anderson of Geneva, Stephen Anderson of St. Charles, Lucas Brandt of Batavia, Daniel Brankin of Montgomery, Matthew Brengmen of Aurora, Nicholas Brennan of Cortland, Ryan Brisson of North Aurora, Joseph Burroughs of Elburn, Thomas Cruger of Sugar Grove, Michael Deufel of North Aurora, Mauricio Dominguez of North Aurora, Samuel Duffield of Aurora, Ian Duncan of Batavia, Kevin Filip of Sugar Grove, Kevin Garofalo of Aurora, Jack Gunderson of Batavia, Daniel Hillis of St. Charles, Mitchell Hymel of Batavia, Sean-Patrick Kalisz of Oswego, Nicholas Knudtson of Aurora, Ryan Lifka of Aurora, Rayn Lovelace of North Aurora, Lucas Magee of Oswego, Jeff Martin of St. Charles, John Mason of Newark, Jeff McLean of Batavia, Peter Naughton of St. Charles, Ryan Novack of Aurora, William Parkhurst of Batavia, Sanjay Prakadan of Aurora, Paul Reyna of Aurora, John Riordan of Batavia, Maxwell Rosenfelder of Batavia, Joseph Schaeffer of Batavia, Eric Schwendner of St. Charles, Nicholas Searles of North Aurora, Russell Semmler of Aurora, Andrew Slade of St. Charles,Christopher Soris of Aurora, William Sterne of Batavia, Anthony Vecchiolla of St. Charles, Jeffrey Voss of Batavia, Matthew Wenzel of Aurora, Matthew West of Montgomery, Casey White of Sugar Grove, Zachary Young of Batavia and Charles Zidek of Aurora. With induction, a member assumes certain obligations and must maintain and encourage high standards of Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character. The chapter conducts a service project for the school or community, and sees to the development of an individual service project for each member. In addition, regular meetings of the chapter are held to conduct chapter business and communicate with members. All active NHS chapter members are expected to support these and other chapter activities. Member’s projects include a Battle of the Bands competition and "Adopt a Highway" project which they share with Student Council. # # # #
Abbey Farms, operated by the monks of Marmion Abbey since 1949, has been traditionally known for its Christmas Trees. This year the monks have expanded the farm to include an 8-acre pumpkin patch and 2-acre corn maze, which they are opening to the public for the family oriented Fall Festival 2009 operating every weekend in October (3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25). The hours of operation are Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Abbey Farms is located at 850 Butterfield Road in Aurora. For more information contact Adam Voirin at (630) 897-6936. Parking and admission to the festival are free. Hunt out your perfect pumpkin ($5 - $8 depending on size). Farm Wristbands are available for $10 and include unlimited maze admission (including the children’s hay maze), hayride, scarecrow building stations and pumpkin painting station (for pumpkins purchased at Abbey Farms). Children's Ride Wristbands are also $10 and include unlimited admission on the rides while at Abbey Farms (good only on the day purchased). All proceeds go to the ministries of the monks of Marmion Abbey. The Fall Festival will open on a special day, Friday, October 23, for Grade School visits – groups must reserve space in advance by contacting Adam Voirin. Marmion’s Abbey Farm has a history of reinventing itself. In 1949, with the purchase of two pieces of property that now make up the Abbey, Academy, and farm complex, the farm was officially started as a traditional farm producing wheat, corn and raising cattle. In 1957, that all changed with the introduction of a new Government program called the Soil Bank. The program would pay farmers to plant trees. Marmion Abbey decided to take up the government’s offer and have not looked back since. Over the years the farm has played a key role with the Abbey and Academy. The successful business of selling Christmas Trees has enabled the monks of Marmion Abbey to continue their ministries throughout our community and grow the San Jose Priory in Guatemala. The farm has also been, and will continue to be, an educational resource for the young men of Marmion Academy. Through a close partnership the farm teaches the students of Marmion Academy about stewardship of land and the ecology of running a tree farm. To read more about the expansion of the Abbey Farms visit abbeyfarms.org. ####
Kurt Becker of Aurora, a member of the 1985 Super Bowl Champions Chicago Bears, is now Marmion Academy's varsity football Assistant Head Coach. "It is an honor to have a former Chicago Bears player on the staff," states Joe Chivari, Marmion Athletic Director. "Kurt and Head Coach Dan Thorpe have worked well in the past and now their working relationship has been taken up a notch." Becker first joined Marmion’s coaching staff last year as an offensive line coach. Over the past fifteen years, Becker has worked to develop local youth football programs including the Aurora Catholic League and a summer Park District football camp. "On and off the field Kurt typifies what being a football coach is about," says Chivari. "The boys and parents know he means business. His booming voice and eat to ear smile has the boys responding in a way that can only produce great high school football players." Becker is a 1977 graduate of East Aurora High School and 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a four-year letter winner and team captain. He was recognized as an All Big Ten All American and was a Lombardi trophy finalist. In 1981, Becker was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played with the team for eight seasons, after which he played one season with the Los Angeles Rams. Marmion is a four-year all-boys private Catholic high school located on a 325-acre campus in Aurora, IL. Its mission is the education of young men in leadership skills and a value-based liberal arts education, founded on the Roman Catholic faith and the Benedictine tradition of a desire for God and a love for learning. ####
Marmion Abbey in Aurora welcomed Brother Peter (Gerard) Spence OSB as a permanent member of its religious community through his profession of Solemn Vows as a Benedictine Monk on July 11, the Feast of St. Benedict, at the Marmion Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Brother Spence first joined the Marmion Benedictines in January 2005. He grew up in Alqonquin and is a graduate of Marian Central High School in Woodstock. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Institutes from Judson College in Elgin. He works on the Abbey Tree Farm and in Abbey Maintenance. Marmion Abbey and Academy were named in honor of Blessed Abbot Columba Marmion OSB (1858-1923) who was renowned for his heroic virtue, sanctity of life and spiritual writings. Marmion originated in 1933 from St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana to conduct the former Fox Valley Catholic High School for Boys in Aurora with six Benedictine monks. March 21, 1947, Marmion was elevated from a dependent Priory of St. Meinrad Abbey to an independent Abbey with 32 charter members. Marmion Abbey currently consists of 40 members (28 priests, 10 brothers, 1 novice and 1 candidate) of which 32 reside at the Abbey, two are Pastors of Aurora parishes and six are native Guatemalans living at the San José Priory and Seminary in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Central America. # # # # |
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