St. Benedict Medals

ST. BENEDICT AWARD

On January 19, Priory kicked off the new year with a special 60th anniversary celebration. With special guests, Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB, and Father Benet Phillips, OSB, eleven distinguished individuals were recognized for their all-embracing commitment to Priory as loved ones, faculty, staff, and alumni helped to celebrate this distinct group.

The evening opened up with the Priory Jazz Band entertaining the crowd as guests mingled. Board of Trustees Chair Mike Calbert welcomed the group and expressed from his point of view how the Priory was in excellent shape, and most importantly stressed that, “the Benedictine Values and Spirituality that this institution was founded on are alive and thriving.” Tim Molak continued with his appreciation for so many reasons to celebrate 60 years of Being Benedictine. “Tonight we celebrate 7 pioneering Monks who through blood, sweat, tears and prayers, founded and established this school in the Lord’s service–a true American Miracle,” he said.

The crowd was also treated with an original song written by performing arts teacher, Tina Paulson called, “This is the Priory.” Drama teacher John Sugden and Tina then performed the catchy song live with a choreographed dance. As you can imagine, the show was quite the hit!

Guests then took a trip down memory lane with a video showing the history and progress of the school over the past 60 years. Father Martin and Father Maurus closed the evening out sharing their personal experiences at the Priory over the past 40 years. “I should write a book,” explained Father Martin as he realized how many great stories he had to share.

The following honorees were given the Saint Benedict Medal, which is the highest honor that Priory bestows.

Mark Allen Don Carroll Mary Carroll Eileen DiGiorgio Eva Csicsman-Etter Jim Kirkland Father Piers Lahey ‘67 Dean and Susan Miller Ramsay and Bob Waterman

Each of the honorees demonstrated years of involvement and dedication to Priory that went above and beyond. Without their good works in all fields from publishing to liturgical celebrations, they have each helped Priory to become the exceptional place it is today.

Saint Benedict Medal Recipients Since Established in 1999 (With the newest recipients in green.)

Peter Agoston Mark Allen Caitha Ambler Ruth Benz Dave Brett Mitzi Briggs Janet Brownstone Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Brugger Willa Budge Don Carroll Mary Carroll Josie Castaneda Stanley Charles Hovey Clark Damian Cohen Mr. and Mrs. George Clyne Richard Cooley Abbot Mark Cooper OSB Louise Davies Wayne & Cindy Davison Fran and Tom Dempsey Eileen DiGiorgio Carolyn Dobervich Mr. and Mrs. Tom DeSzily Sir Daniel Donohoe Al and Sue Ebneter Brother Edward Englund OSB Eva Csicsman-Etter Suzanne Eyre Susan Falaschi Barb Falk John and Didi Fisher Gabe Galeana

Bishop Joseph Gerry OSB Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gill Betsy Haehl Pete Hammond Rebecca Harper Tom Hennig Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hewlett Stephanie Hill Father Christopher Hites OSB Father Pius Horvath OSB Father Egon Javor OSB Dr. Pete Kasenchak Mr. and Mrs. John Kiely Gail Kimball Jim Kirkland Father John Kirwin Sue Koppett Klara Kovacs Louie Kovacs John Kriewall Harry Kutchins Father Piers Lahey ‘67 Carl and Shirley Larson Lorry Lokey Suzanne and Al Maas Father Martin Mager OSB Rick Magnuson Steve Marsheck Carol Mauss Jack and Joan McGraw Dean and Susan Miller Tim Molak Joe Montero

Jamie Nachtsheim Father Maurus Nemeth OSB Nancy Newman Mr. and Mrs. George Nicol James O’Grady Matt O’Rourke Mary Paine Hank Plain Joseph Pon Peter Reinhardt Rick Riebhoff Ray Rothrock Doug Sargent Julianna Székely Angel Simon Nate Spears Allison Stastny Mark Stogner Reed Sullivan Father William Sullivan OSB Paul Trudelle Todd Turner Andy Verhalen Betty Van Wagenen Bob Ward Bob and Ramsay Waterman Matilda Wilbur Jeff Wise Jane Yates Camille Yost Al Zappelli

DEVELOPMENT

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” - T. S. Eliot

Each new year comes with a fresh start: new beginnings and dreams for the future. The incredible support of the Priory community has energized the start and fueled the achievement of our dreams. We enter 2018 with immense gratitude.

For the first time in nearly four years, no active construction is taking place on campus. New classrooms are filled with students. Portable buildings are on their way out. Roads have been repaved and restriped. Runners and swimmers are enjoying their new track and new pool. Native landscaping beautifully complements every structure. The Priory campus is a joy filled oasis.

The most breathtaking views of the Priory oasis are at the top of campus, from the magnificent new LaureL STREAM Center, which opened to art, robotics, and middle school science classes second semester. The entire school—students, faculty, staff, administration, builders, benefactors, instrumental leaders, our monks, and our Directors from St. Anselm Abbey in New Hampshire—gathered in the Sloss Family Maker Court for the official blessing and dedication on January 19th. As Father Maurus said in his remarks, “The LaureL STREAM Center should remind us of the past 60 years of dedicated hard work and support of so many wonderful people who believed in the vision of the founding monks. What we are seeing here today is a dream becoming a reality.”

Priory’s Vibrant Culture of Philanthropy Shines Through the Annual Fund

The full force of parent generosity showed up through this year’s Annual Fund. Thanks to all who participated thus far and especially to our Class Chairs, all-school participation is at 91 percent as of the December 31st. We consider this robust response a demonstration of your belief in our work and a willingness to partner with us to advance the mission of assisting students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners and stewards, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts.

We are all fortunate indeed to be at Priory.

With the official opening, construction of our Phase III academic spaces is complete. Generous gifts from leadership families have funded 90 percent of this work. We are tremendously grateful for the partnership of the leadership families who have supported these necessary improvements. Today, and for years to come, Priory students can reach their maximum potential supported by the right tools. Over the course of the last four years, through the Building Ingenuity campaign, there truly has been an awakening. From renovation of classrooms and the track and field to the replacement of original structures, including the pool, the campus has been reborn. Our community-wide 60th anniversary celebrations will culminate with the opportunity for all to contribute to this campaign and be a part of this dramatic campus renaissance. Completing the construction phase of the campaign may feel like an ending, but as T.S. Eliot reminds us, “the end is where we start from.” As we acknowledge and celebrate the past 60 years and begin the next, filled with hope and promise, we know the founding monks are smiling from the heavens.

Suzanne Couch Director of Development “Completing the construction phase of the campaign may feel like an ending, but as T.S. Eliot reminds us, ‘the end is where we start from.’”

We were fortunate to have Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB on campus to offer the LaureL STREAM Center blessing during his annual Directors visit from Saint Anselm Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire. His very fi rst visit to Priory was as Brother Mark Cooper in the fall of 1975, when at the request of Father Pius Horvath, the Abbey graciously shared four monks, including Father Martin Mager, OSB to bolster the dwindling monastic community. As a U.S History teacher, Abbot Mark taught Joe Montero ‘76. Lord God, you who are the giver of all good things, we ask you to bless this building which is dedicated to the education of young women and men of the Priory in the arts and sciences. May they always be inspired to use their knowledge for the good of the human family and for Your greater glory. Guide and protect all those, students, faculty and visitors who enter here. We thank you for this day and this gift. Amen

-Prayer by Abbot Mark