34th annual SBA award winners announced

Students ranking first in their respective classes are senior Andrew Bellino (from left), junior Anna Perino, sophomore Jillian Stariha and freshman Melanie Kim. (Photo contributed)

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PERU — The envelopes were opened and winners announced at St. Bede’s 34th annual awards banquet held at the Academy on May 14. The SBA Honors Banquet recognizes those students who have made outstanding accomplishments in a particular field, or exceptional academic achievements. Various forms of criteria are used in the selection of deserving students, including nomination by faculty and administration, academic excellence, extracurricular dedication and outstanding achievement in art, band, chorus and drama.

Two of the school’s most prestigious awards for seniors are the Senior of the Year and the Senior Citizenship award. Joseph Puhr, Princeton, was recipient of the 2008 Senior of the Year and Andrew Bellino, Standard and Sarah Stariha, LaSalle, shared the Senior Citizenship award.

Valedictorian of the class of 2008 is Andrew Bellino of Standard and recognized as salutatorian is Lauren Eiten of Peru. The following students, in order of academic achievement, make up the 2008 Top Ten honorees: Andrew Bellino, Lauren Eiten, Joseph Puhr, Sarah Stariha, Luke Willand, H. Joseph Knauf, Michael Gnidovec, H. Tyler Hackman, Jacob Cayia and Daniel Uher.

Andrew Bellino and Lauren Eiten were named to the News Tribune All-American academic team, with Joseph Puhr placed on the honorable mention team. Michael Zeman was recipient of the National Merit Scholarship award.

 Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2008 were Andrew Bellino, Jacob Cayia, Suzanne Click, Lauren Eiten, H. Tyler Hackman, H. Joseph Knauf, Joseph Puhr, Sarah Stariha and Luke Willand. Assistant Principal Bernie Moore was delighted to present senior Andrew Bellino a certificate for receiving honorable mention to the IHSA All-State Academic Team.

Sarah Stariha was chosen as recipient of the U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. St. Bede Academy’s winner of the U.S. Army Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year was Joseph Puhr. Selected as U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis band award recipients were Jacob Cayia and Sarah Stariha. Jheri Emmerling and Mark Pyszka received the U.S. Marine Corps athletic achievement awards. The U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence award was presented to Lauren Eiten and Luke Willand. Sarah Stariha is the deserving recipient of the U.S. Air Force Math and Science award.

Receiving St. Bede Academy academic honors, having attained the highest grade point average in their respective classes were: Freshman Melanie Kim, sophomore Jillian Stariha, junior Anna Perino and senior Andrew Bellino. The famed citizenship awards were presented to freshman Emily Considine, sophomore Jenna Ebener, junior Anna Perino and senior Andrew Bellino.

Joseph Puhr was recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution award and senior Andrew Bellino received the Sons of the American Revolution award.

Receiving the Illinois Council of Teachers of Math award were Melanie Kim, Lucy Stanke, Anna Perino and Joseph Puhr. The U.S. History award was presented to Ashley Pearson. AP European History Award winner was Anna Perino.

Students from each class are chosen to receive annual English awards. Attaining the honor this year were freshmen, Melanie Kim and David Young, sophomore: Gwendolyn Schulte and junior, Anna Perino. The Caedmon Award was presented to senior Andrew Bellino.

Foreign language students were also honored for their academic achievements. French I recipient was Melanie Kim and Gwendolyn Schulte received the French III award. Honored Spanish students were: Spanish I, Robert Hamill and Shaun Ballard and Spanish II, Jenna Ebener. Ellen Faletti received the Spanish III award and Andrew Bellino received the award in Spanish IV.

The Academy Chemistry award winner this year was Anna Perino. Receiving the Illinois Chemical Society High School science award was Andrew Bellino.

Music awards were presented to the following talented musicians: Outstanding freshman band award to Connor Armstrong and the sophomore dedication to music award to Gwendolyn Schulte and Lucy Stanke. The outstanding senior band award recipient was Jacob Cayia and junior Andrew Loebach received the prestigious Arion band award.

Recipients of the SBA choral awards were: Freshman award, Olivia Dean, dedication to music award to sophomore choral member Claire Kunkel, choral Arion award winner was junior Abigail Derix and outstanding senior choral member, Chase Leynaud. Recipient of the St. Genesius award, a drama and stage award, was senior R.C. Schultz.

Summer vacation for Academy students began May 23. Registration for the 2008-09 school year will be the first week of August, with classes resuming Aug. 18.