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• The Crusader Marching Band and Dominican Debs were choreographing and performing "Thriller";
• The NJROTC rifle team was practicing marching formation and rifle throwing;
• The cross country team began stretching exercises;
• The 7th graders started their first day of football practice.
• Student trainers helped the coaches take the varsity and 8th and 9th graders through their afternoon practice.
  

A day after receiving their rings, the seniors celebrated their class solidarity and brotherhood by spending a day of fun at Lynn Haven, a camp located in Robert, Louisiana. Once there, the students enjoyed a series of activities: football, paddle boating, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, swimming, and, of course, endless eating: hot dogs and chili, barbecue and fried chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and ice cream sundaes. Students also enjoyed the music of  a DJ and karaoke as they spent a day of "fun in the sun."

Fun in the Sun pictures ...

Over eighty grandparents of current juniors came to school to enjoy lunch with their grandsons, take family pictures, and tour the school. Thank you, grandparents, for your support of Brother Martin High School and your grandson as we work with you and his parents in forming him. Look on our school calendar for information on Grandparents Day for the other grade levels.

Junior grandparents pictures ...
More grandparents pictures ...

The Class of 2011 celebrated Mass together at St. Dominic Church, spiritually beginning their senior year. Ordained Brother of the Sacred Heart Louis Couvillon, S.C., was the celebrant; he challenged the students to become the leaders of the school in all aspects. President John Devlin gave a reflection in which he spoke about the trust we have in our faith. Before the conclusion of Mass, the 233 students received their official senior ring, handed to them by Principal Greg Rando '77 and by President John Devlin. Thank you to all the students who served as acolytes, readers, candle bearers, and chorus members.

Head cross country coach Ryan Gallagher met with the young men, grades 7-12, interested in joining cross country this year. He gave brief instructions about practice times and locations and provided an overview of the season. The large turnout is a promising addition to our already strong and fast cross country team!

Construction on our chapel started Tuesday, August 17, as crews began to drive pilings on the site, which is located behind the Meyer Building on the north end of campus. The chapel continues a tradition of building and improving the campus at Brother Martin that began with the Ridgley Center. The chapel was designed by Waggonner & Ball Architects and is being built by Ryan Gootee General Contractors. It is projected to be completed before the end of June 2011 and be in use for the opening of the 2011-12 school year.

Chapel Construction Pictures ...

Press release for chapel construction ...

The 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade classes have held class meetings and also celebrated the Eucharist this past week. Ordained Brother of the Sacred Heart Br. Louis Couvillon, S.C., celebrated each mass, which featured student readers and student responders during the Homily.

Freshman liturgy pictures ...
Sophomore liturgy pictures ...
Sophomore meeting pictures ...
Junior meeting pictures ...

Please be aware that Brother Martin High School is now in a School Zone. The speed limit on Elysian Fields is 20 MPH from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The School Zone extends two blocks North of Brother Martin and two blocks South of Brother Martin. Please drive carefully, and help us to keep our young men safe.

7th AND 8th GRADERS TAKE THE BAIT!

Sr. Orientation Pictures ...
More pictures from Tuesday's Orientation ...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010          Sophomores      8 -9:30 am

Juniors              10-11:30 am

Seniors             1-2:30 pm

Wednesday, August 11, 2010    
8th Grade          8-9:30 am

9th Grade          10-11:30 am
7th Grade          1-2:30 pm

D. J. Augustin (BM '06), two-year veteran of the Charlotte Bobcats, conducted a four-day basketball camp in the Brother Martin gym August 2-5.

D. J. Basketball Camp pictures ...

Times-Picayune Article on D.J. Camp ...

BACK TO SCHOOL

Key Club members helped sort and bag school supplies for incoming 7th graders. This is just one small preparation to ready the campus for all of our new and returning students.

Thank you, Key Club members, for "building your home, school, and community" through your generous service!

Senior Student Ministers recently attended the annual Student Ministry Workshop to prepare them for their role this upcoming school year. Along with student ministers from St. Scholastica Academy, Catholic High School, and St. Stanislaus, the Crusaders spent time learning communication skills, small group facilitating, retreat planning, and prayer opportunities. In addition, students participated in praise and worship services, a group mass that featured a “commissioning,” as well as free time on the beautiful beach-front campus of St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPS

Congratulations to the Brother Martin-based Peake BMW American Legion team for winning the Southeast Regional Title.

A 9-4 win over Jesuit-based Retif Oil clinched the title and gave Mark Wisniewski's team the opportunity to defend the state championship they won last year. The eight-team tournament will begin in Minden Saturday, July 24.

Raymond Winter won the final game with relief help from Logan Riddell. Both Cody Ducote and Rivers Fredericks went 2-for-4 to lead the offensive onslaught.

Read the Times-Picayune article on the final game.

All students at Summer Enrichment participated in a two-part etiquette class. At school, Brother Martin faculty members reviewed basic etiquette principles and taught students how to tie neckties. Then students headed to Wolfe’s on Rampart Street in the French Quarter for a private luncheon. Chef Tom Wolfe and his staff explained proper dining etiquette while students enjoyed a three course meal at this bistro.

CHEERLEADING CAMP
The Brother Martin Crusader Cheerleading team attended UCA's camp at LSU in Baton Rouge from June 1st through June 4th. The Crusaders received many outstanding awards such as 1st place in the Pom Competition, 1st place in the Extreme Routine, and 2nd place in Cheer. Other accolades the Cheerleaders received include The Leadership Award, the All-American Award, and the highly coveted Spirit Stick every night! Be sure to check out the 2010 Cheerleaders at all basketball and football games this upcoming year!

SUMMER ENRICHMENT
271 incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders have begun the Summer Enrichment Program and are having the time of their lives. The students are quickly becoming acclimated to their new school, getting to know their new teachers, and are making new friends. They are being taught English, math, and science in the morning, and they are participating in activities such as basketball, digital animation, robotics, rugby, and wrestling in the afternoon. Last Thursday, the 7th graders participated in their first field trip—canoeing, where they learned about our local ecosystem and culture while learning the life skills of teamwork and cooperation. Friday, the 8th and 9th graders rotated among three groups for their first field trips which include canoeing, learning etiquette at Wolfe’s Restaurant, or taking an exclusive tour of the LSU athletic facilities. The LSU tour coincides with “The Great Read” summer reading book It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium by John Ed Bradley.

BASEBALL CAMP
More than 90 baseball campers are learning the fundamentals of baseball. They are being instructed by Brother Martin’s varsity baseball coaches and varsity baseball players in both offensive and defensive skills. The campers are rotating through hitting stations, pitching stations, fielding stations, and are viewing videos all designed to improve these promising athletes’ baseball skills. At the end of each day, the campers employ their newly acquired skills in baseball games. When asked about the temperature, campers responded, “We’re turning up the heat, baby!”

After leaving New York City, the College Run headed down the New Jersey turnpike into Pennsylvania where they went to tour Villanova University outside of Philadelphia. After hearing about the Augustinian philosophy behind the school's academic programs and community life, students toured the campus and then enjoyed lunch in the dining hall. The College Run then headed south to Washington, D.C.
College Run Day 6
Brother Martin students started their day in Manhattan by celebrating the Mass of the Body and Blood of Christ at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. After Mass, students split into two groups: one attended the New York Mets baseball game versus the Florida Marlins (The Mets came back to win in the bottom of the 8th!), and the other group attended the matinee performance of The Lion King. Students enjoyed free time in midtown Manhattan, touring such sites as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park.