March 6, 2008

St. Agnes Senior Named National Merit Finalist

St. Agnes senior Katie Mullen has been named a National Merit Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Mullen is an outstanding student as well as a school leader. She is the co-founder and editor of Glimmer Magazine, an arts and culture magazine produced by St. Agnes students, and she is literary editor of Calliope, the School's literary magazine.

She is a Student Ambassador and has served in the Student Government Association. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Model UN and Youth Legislature.

Mullen is also a member of the St. Agnes Upper School choral group, the Starlettes, and the a capella choir, Ladies First, and she has performed in numerous productions at St. Agnes and Theatre Memphis. Katie has been accepted for admission at DePaul University, Hendrix College and Sewanee.

CBHS Library Dedicated in Memory of Late Alumnus

By John Morris

The Christian Brothers High School library was named the Pender Library in memory of the late Eugene J. Pender, CBHS Class of 1942, who left a multi-million dollar gift to be shared equally between CBHS and CBU. Father John McArthur (CBHS '66), pastor of St. Louis Church, blessed the library during the Feb. 12 ceremony, attended by the CBHS Board of Trustees and family guests, John Pender (CBHS '53), cousin of the late Eugene Pender, his wife Kathleen, nephew Jody Pendergrast and his wife Cindy. The CBHS strings ensemble provided the music for the dedication. Eugene Pender died in 2005 at the age of 80.

The CBHS Library on Walnut Grove opened in August of 1965 with Brother Joel Francis as head librarian assisted by Mary Ball. Pat Bigger, librarian on the Parkway, helped with the move of the high school collection of fiction and non-fiction works. But for a small card catalog, all the furnishings of the Walnut Grove library were new. Since 1965, the library has been run by Brother Joel Francis, Mary Ball, Brother Henry Baldwin, Brother Leonidas Austin, Brother David Kuebler and currently, Dr. Ellen Davis. The collection of 30,000 volumes is housed on the north and south balconies and on the main floor.

The library was carpeted in the mid-1970's and re-carpeted in the early 1990's. A major renovation of the library took place over the past three years with the addition of a skylight, a granite water feature, a wall-hanging, and paneling of the walls and ends of the book cases. Other renovations included an upgrade in computer capacity with wireless connections for laptops, lighting and electrical work, and the addition of ceramic tile to the center of the main floor and columns.

"This generous gift will enable the school to continue the upgrades of the facilities of which the library is an excellent example," said Brother Chris Englert, F.S.C., CBHS principal.

"Gene Pender's act of generosity speaks volumes, not only to the Christian Brothers, but also to the teachers who have devoted their lives to today's youth."

Spring Break All-Sports Camp Offered at SBA

St. Benedict at Auburndale High School is offering an All-Sports Camp headed by SBA Volleyball Coach Angie Buchanan during Spring Break.

The camp will run from Monday, March 24 through Thursday, March 27 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily.

The camp is designed for boys and girls ages 5-12. Age appropriate games and activities are provided.

For more information, call 901-260-2888.