Benedictine High School (Cleveland, Ohio)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Benedictine High School

motto = "Ora et labora"
"Prayer and work"
established = 1927
affiliations = Roman Catholic, Benedictine
type = Private all-male secondary
grades = 9–12
accreditation = North Central Association
principal = Joseph E. Gressock
president = Fr. Gerard Gonda '71, OSB
enrollment = 436
city = Cleveland
state = Ohio
country = USA
mascot = Bengals
colors = Blue and white
website = [http://www.cbhs.net/ www.cbhs.net]

Benedictine High School is a private, Roman Catholic, college preparatory high school for men, located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The school serves grades 9-12 and has an enrollment of over 420 young men for the 2005-2006 school year. It is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Benedictine's sister schools are Beaumont School of Cleveland Heights, and Regina High School of South Euclid.

History

Benedictine High School was founded in 1927 by the Benedictine monks of Cleveland. The first location of the school was at East 51st Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland. The original focus of the founders was to teach the sons of Slovakian immigrants. The school grew quickly and in 1929 it relocated to the site of St. Andrew Abbey at 10510 Buckeye Rd. In 1940, with even further enrollment expansion, the school moved to its current location at 2900 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The 1950s saw more enrollment growth for the school and increased academic recognition. In the 1960s and 1970s, as the population in Cleveland shifted and the costs of Catholic education rose, school enrollment shrunk. However, at this time the school developed a focused college preparatory program, which resulted in over 96% of students going on to college. In the 1980s, to adjust to new circumstances, the school developed an extensive bus system. The system allowed for young men from all over the Cleveland area to attend Benedictine. The 1980s also brought about a capital campaign that sparked improvements in classrooms, and the building of a new church and bell tower.

Academics

Accreditation:
*Ohio State Department of Education
*North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges
*Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association

Benedictine has an intense academic regimen. To receive a diploma, students must earn 24 credits in college preparatory classes. Because of these and other strict academic guidelines, over 99% of graduates are able to go on to college. The average class size is 18 students. The school's best teachers are committed to daily incorporation of technology in their classrooms. The administration is regarded highly for its energetic and effective efforts both in and away from the classroom.

Members of the Class of 2007 will attend a number of colleges and universities, including the Northwestern University, Case Western Reserve University, Marquette University, University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Catholic University of America, Ohio University, and the University of Cincinnati. Students were also accepted by Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Washington University in St. Louis, Boston College, Boston University, American University, the University of Richmond, and many others.

One National Merit Semi-Finalist and two commended studednts are members of the Class of 2007.

Benedictine also offers broad selection of nationally approved Advanced Placement courses, including AP World History, AP English, AP Biology, AP European History, AP US History, AP Government, and AP Calculus. The current curriculum is the result of dynamic and carefully crafted revision and updates since 2005 and can be considered among the best in Ohio.

Athletics

Benedictine is well-known for its success in a wide array of sports, most notably baseball, basketball, football, and track & field. The school's athletic teams do not belong to a conference, but rather play an independent schedule. Benedictine's rivals are Lake Catholic, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Walsh Jesuit, and University School. Benedictine recently added a men's lacrosse team which will compete in the OHSLA.

Ohio state championship teams include:

*Basketball - 1997 and 1998
*Football - 1957 (AP Poll Champions), 1973, 1980, 1981, 1996, 2003, and 2004
*Track & Field - 1997, 1998, and 2001

Ohio state finalist teams include:

*Baseball - 1956, 1964, and 1978
*Football - 2002, 2003, 2004

Other activities

In addition to offering many athletic teams, Benedictine also has a diverse set of activities in which students can participate. Some of those activities include Academic Challenge, Art Club, Band (marching, concert, and jazz), Bennet (school newspaper), Chess Club, Computer Club, Culinary Club, Drama Club, Film Club, German Club, Italian Heritage, Key Club, Knights of the Altar, Latin Club, Literary Magazine (The Spectrum), Magic Club, National Honor Society, Sigma Beta, Slovak Association, Speech and Debate, Student Council, and Yearbook, among others.

Academic Challenge

Academic Challenge is a television game show in which high school teams answer questions to earn points and is broadcast on WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland.
Benedictine's Academic Challenge team has appeared on the show each of the past few years, and in its most recent appearance won the match against Buckeye and Pymatuning Valley. The team meets during the Wednesday meeting periods help during school. In 2005, Benedictine captured the Academic Challenge title, demonstrating the school's commitment to academic achievement.

Band

Benedictine has three different official bands: marching band, concert (symphonic) band, and jazz band.

Marching Band

The Benedictine Marching Band is smaller than most other high school bands in Northeast Ohio. The band goes to almost every varsity football game, and also marches in several Cleveland parades, including the St. Patrick's Day and Columbus Day parades. During basketball season, many members of the band play as a pep band at home varsity basketball games, and during hockey season a small group plays at select varsity games.

Concert (Symphonic) Band

The Concert band plays two to three concerts per year, performing a variety of selections, which in the past have included Beethoven, Liszt, and Bizet.

Jazz Band

The Benedictine Jazz Band includes all students enrolled in the "Jazz Band" class and many more who just want to play. They perform at concerts with the concert band, and at the annual Blue and White Gala.

Travel Club

The Benedictine Travel Club is run by Fr. Anselm Zupka OSB, it takes bi-annual trips to Europe and yearly trips to Luke Easter Park.

The Bennet (School Newspaper)

The Bennet is published about eight times per year in four-page issues. The newspaper staff consists of students, who write the articles, edit and typeset the pages, and then distribute it to the school. Right now, "The Bennet" is staffed by Editor-In-Chief Chuck Tillie, News Editor Adam Reeves, Feature Editor Joe Fox, and Sports editor Brian Rinz, as well as a photography staff and several writers.

Notable alumni

Among its over 9,000 alumni, Benedictine counts:

* Anthony O. Calabrese Jr. '54 - Ohio state court judge
* Mike Easler '69 - Professional baseball player
* Bishop Roger Gries, OSB '54 - Auxiliary bishop, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
* Jack Marschall '71 - Cleveland area news anchor
* Scott Mruczkowski '00 - Professional football player, San Diego Chargers
* Chuck Noll '49 - Head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Four time Super Bowl Champion.
* Terry Pluto '73 - Author and award-winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He previously wrote for the Akron-Beacon Journal.
* Kevin Ramsey '94 Governor of 1993 Buckeye Boys State Convention & CEO of Lienfax.Com
* Anthony Russo '88 - Writer, director, and producer, working on "You, Me and Dupree", "Welcome to Collinwood", "Arrested Development", and other television shows and movies
* Joe Russo '89 - Writer, director, and producer, working on "You, Me and Dupree", "Welcome to Collinwood", "Arrested Development", and other television shows and movies
* Alex Slemc '91 - Director of Broadcasting for the Cleveland Indians
* Jim Swingos '59 - Cleveland area restaurateur
* Jim Trueman '53 - Founder of Red Roof Inn
* Ron Trzcinski '62 - Founder of the Original Mattress Factory
* Tom Weiskopf '60 - Professional golfer
* Joe Zelenka '94 - Professional football player, Jacksonville Jaguars
* Larry Zelina '67 - only two-time MVP of the annual Charity Game, a Thanksgiving tradition, played at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Helped Ohio State win the 1968 national championship as a sophomore starter that season. Was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 6th round in 1971.

Alma Mater and Fight Song

Alma Mater

:"All Hail, Benedictine
":"Our Dear Old White and Blue
":"We pledge our loyalty
":"All your sons so true
":"Your cherished traditions
":"We tenderly review
":"We give Alma Mater
":"Our hearts to you.
"

Fight SongTo the tune of "Go, Northwestern, Go!"

:"Go, Benedictine
":"Go Right Down That Field
":"With Our Colors Flying
":"We Will Never, Ever Yield
":"Go Benedictine
":"Show Your Spirit True
" :"Fight For the
" :"Game and Spread Our Name
":"Let's Fight for the
":"White and Blue
"

External links

* [http://www.cbhs.net/ Benedictine High School official website]