St. Bede hosts 51st Annual Honors Banquet

PERU - St. Bede Academy hosted its 51st annual Honors Banquet on Tuesday, April 24. Students from all classes were presented athletic and academic excellence awards. The following were the recipients for the 2024-25 awards presented:

Senior of the Year

Phillip Gray

Distinguished Awards

Fr. Arthur Schmitt, OSB Service Award: Adeline Mitchell

Scholar Athlete Award: Madalyn Dittmar and Abraham Wiesbrock

IHSA All-State Academic Team Nominee: Madalyn Dittman and Greyson Marincic

Athlete of the Year Award: Bailey Engels, Greyson Marincic and Kaden Nauman

Fr. Gorman Award: Haiden Ator, Bailey Engels, Lacey Griggs, Greyson Marincic, Jack Maschmann, Mary Quinn McClain, Aidan Mullane and Kaden Nauman.

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award (HOBY): Eden Galvan, Lucy Maus, Stuart McGunnigal and Ariana Villava.

Illinois Principal’s Association John Ourth Student Recognition Award: Bailey Engels and Arthur van den Berg

Daughters of the American Revolution Award (DAR): Phillip Gray

Sons of the American Revolution Award (SAR): Jake Migliorini

President’s Excellence in Education: Ziheng Gordon Chen, Yibo Frank Fan, Haiqing Helen Mao, Greyson Marincic, Mason Ross, Arthur van den Berg, Abraham Wiesbrock and Solomon Zhang.  

National Merit Commended Students: Greyson Marincic and Abraham Wiesbrock

Illinois State Scholars: Haiden Ator, Andrea Brandner, Madalyn Dittmar, Grady Gillan, Phillip Gray, Tyler Jordan, Greyson Marincic, Arthur van den Berg and Abraham Wiesbrock.

St. Bede Academy International Scholar: Ziheng Gordon Chen

Scholastic Top 10 (In alphabetical order): Haiden Ator, Andrea Brandner, Ziheng Gordon Chen, Madalyn Dittmar (Salutatorian), Yibo Frank Fan, Phillip Gray, Tyler Jordan, Greyson Marincic, Victoria Mendez and Abraham Wiesbrock (Valedictorian)

Academic Awards

Freshmen: Hope Antkowiak, Jacob Inman, Parker McClain, Lizet Yoltzin Morales Sanchez, Mary Simonetta and Hanna Waszkowiak

Sophomores: Ranbir Saini

Junior: Noah Buck, Lillian Soliman, Ryan Soliman and Yannis Yong

Senior: Abraham Wiesbrock

Citizenship Awards

Freshman: Johnathan Michael

Sophomore: Ariana Villava

Junior: Emma Slingsby

Senior: Bailey Engels

Department Awards

Mathematics: Freshman Jieming Lisa Huang, Sophomore Ranbir Saini, Junior Alp Arslan and Senior Greyson Marincic

English: Freshmen Landon Balestri and Lizet Yoltzin Morales Sanchez, Sophomore Kyra Finley, Juniors Ruby Michels and Yannis Yong and Senior Jake Migliorini

Spanish: Johnathan Michael (Spanish I), Grace Gahan (Spanish II), Yannis Yong (Spanish III) and Bailey Engels (Spanish IV)

Science: Johnathan Michael (Honors Biology I), Ryan Soliman (AP Chemistry), Andrea Brandner and Ziheng Gordon Chen (Anatomy & Physiology), Arthur van den Berg (AP Computer Science Principles), Noah Buck, Aiden James Hermes, Ryan Soliman and Yannis Yong (AP Computer Science) and Greyson Marincic and Abraham Wiesbrock (AP Physics)

History: Yannis Yong (AP U.S. History), Weston Heersink (U.S. History), Kyra Finley (Honors World History) and Calen Cass (World History)

Fine Arts: Mirella Haskell (Fr. Joseph Heyd, OSB Award)

St. Bede raises $264,000 on St. Benedict’s Day of Giving

St. Bede Freshman Connor Holly adds his name to the Bruin Impact Wall after donating to the St. Benedict’s Day campaign on March 21. Holly was one of hundreds of students who took part in giving back during the campaign.

St. Bede Abbey and Academy announced the success of its annual St. Benedict’s Day of Giving, held on March 21. The campaign raised an impressive $264,000 from 494 donors, including alumni, parents, friends, school staff, teachers and students. 

“It was deeply moving to see our beloved St. Bede community come together, in unity, to make St. Benedict's Day a resounding success. What this reaffirms is that the future of both our Abbey and Academy is in excellent hands, with the support of our alumni and friends whose generosity continues to strengthen our community," said Michel Massamba, Director of Mission Advancement and Major Gifts.

The funds directly support the Saint Bede Annual Fund, which plays a crucial role in bridging the gap in tuition by covering costs associated with professional development for teachers, STEM and teaching resources, athletic, fine arts and student programs, Christian and faith formation and maintaining campus facilities.

As an independent institution, St. Bede does not receive state or diocesan funding and relies entirely on the generosity of its donors.

To encourage participation on St. Benedict’s Day, donors who contributed $50 or more received a St. Bede tote bag. Students were also actively engaged in the campaign - those who donated $2 or more enjoyed a jean day on the day of the campaign, and had the opportunity to sign the Bruin Impact Wall, symbolizing unity and school spirit.

A key factor in the campaign’s success was the $98,000 in matching gift challenges, which were unlocked throughout the day. Additionally, a generous donor contributed a $50,000 donor rally challenge, which spurred an increase in participation in the campaign.

For more information about St. Bede’s St. Benedict’s Day of Giving, visit www.st-bede.com/stbenedict-2025.  

St. Bede welcomes new football and volleyball coaches

Saint Bede would like to welcome two new coaches to its family. Jack Brady is Head Varsity Football Coach and Nicole Trenka is Head Varsity Volleyball Coach.

Brady has spent the past nine years serving in various capacities with the Bruin Football program and has been very involved with offensive design and coordination the past five seasons.  Brady’s plans to immediately begin establishing and meeting with members of his coaching staff, as he is excited to engage in critical summer opportunities, such as annual 7-on-7 events and strength and conditioning sessions. His plans include taking what he has learned these past years and working to create robust engagement opportunities for all constituents of SBA for our weekend football events.

Trenka currently serves as the 16u coach with the Morris Volleyball Club and was on coaching staff at La Salle Peru High School in the fall of 2024, where she assisted at the sophomore level. Her previous stops include Head Club Volleyball Coach for Saint Mary's College of California as well as assistant coach for the 17u team at the Bay Area Volleyball Club. Trenka is a Saint Mary's College of California graduate (B.S. in Health and Human Performance) and her playing career includes both Beach and Club Volleyball while at Saint Mary's. She will meet with returning SBA players soon and will finalize her coaching staff.

Michel Massamba '11 hired as Director of Mission Advancement

Superintendent Eve Postula ’84 welcomes Michel Massamba ’11 as Saint Bede’s Director of Mission Advancement and Major Gifts.

Saint Bede Abbey and Academy proudly announces Michel Massamba as the new Director of Mission Advancement and Major Gifts. Massamba is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of a comprehensive development program that communicates the mission of providing a Catholic Benedictine college-preparatory high school education in the Illinois Valley. 

“Ultimately, Michel is responsible for executing a plan that will sustain the mission of Saint Bede through leveraging current relationships and forging new partnerships to provide resources necessary for a high-quality and vital experience for our students,” said Eve Postula, Superintendent.  

Massamba is a 2011 graduate of Saint Bede Academy and is thrilled to be returning to his alma mater to lead the Office of Mission Advancement and successful development team.

“Over the past five years, I’ve been involved in organizations that weren’t necessarily Catholic and I have been craving to come back to a Catholic environment. Being back at Saint Bede gives me that Catholic atmosphere I need and it’s an opportunity to help the institution continue to grow and be successful for generations to come,” he said. 

In this leadership role, Massamba will collaborate with the Abbot and Superintendent to strategically grow reach, revenue and reputation for the Abbey and Academy. As an experienced Grants Manager, Massamba will be an asset to the team as he brings recent experience cultivating funds for Youth Guidance and The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Divisional Headquarters, both in Chicago. His skills in research, prospecting, strategic planning and financial management position him well to add long-term planning, goal setting and creating sustainable financial models to support organizational growth and mission success.

“The development, recruitment and fundraising efforts are critical to the ongoing success of Catholic high schools, such as Saint Bede,” said Postula. “Michel arrives at a moment in our school’s history in which we are primed to grow this effort. He brings an engaging and genuine presence, creative strategic thinking, a commitment to stewardship, leadership skills and a personal dedication to ensuring the Catholic Benedictine experience he received as a student-athlete, will be available to others. I am thrilled to partner with Michel to grow our fundraising effort, further engage students, parents and alumni, and advance the important mission of our Saint Bede community.”

Massamba, and his wife, Colleen, reside in nearby Ohio, Illinois with their three young children.

Please join us in welcoming Michel to our team!

Top 10 2025 St. Bede Academy Seniors Announced

St. Bede’s 2025 Top 10 students are Abraham Wiesbrock (front row, from left), Madalyn Dittmar, Tyler Jordan, Andrea Brandner, Victoria Mendez, Gordon Chen (back row, from left), Greyson Marincic, Haiden Ator, Phillip Gray and Frank Fan.

PERU ‑ St. Bede Academy is proud to announce the Top Ten of the Class of 2025. These students have honorably represented the Academy in scholastic and non-scholastic events, service to their school and community and in character.

Members listed in alphabetical order are Haiden Ator, Andrea Brandner, Ziheng Chen, Madalyn Dittmar, Yibo Fan, Phillip Gray, Tyler Jordan, Greyson Marincic, Victoria Mendez and Abraham Wiesbrock.  

Haiden Ator is the son of John and Julie Ator.  He is a member of the First Congregational Church of LaSalle and attended Dimmick Grade School.  Haiden plans to attend Iowa State University to major in cybersecurity engineering. While at St. Bede Academy, he was involved in football, bowling, track & field, Lectio Divina, yearbook club, stage rats, cross country, spring musical, soccer, tennis and production crew. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Haiden enjoys bowling in the Sunday High School League. His awards include Most Improved in soccer, Most Valuable Player for bowling, Sectional Qualifier in cross country, two-time Sectional Qualifier for bowling, ILMEA All-District Musician, All-Area Boys Bowling Team and is an Illinois State Scholar.   

Andrea Brandner is the daughter of Joseph Brandner and Sarah and Nathan Jasiek. She is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Oglesby and attended Holy Family School. Andrea plans to attend either Purdue University or Illinois State University to study animal science. While at St. Bede Academy, she has been involved in cheerleading, golf, stage rats, student government, charity club and participated in the Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering Competition.  Outside of St. Bede Academy, Andrea is involved in 4-H and shows rabbits and cattle. She is on LaSalle County’s livestock judging team. Andrea is employed at the Root Beer Stand in Oglesby. Her hobbies include skiing, writing and listening to music. Andrea was an Elks Teen of the Month and is an Illinois State Scholar. 

Gordon Chen is the son of Qiang Chen and Biqiong Cao. He attended Headstart International School in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Gordon plans to attend a four-year university to major in mathematics. While at St. Bede Academy, he was involved in dorm activity club, AMC math club and anime club. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Gordon participated in the University of California Berkeley summer session. Gordon received first place at the World Youth in Science & Engineering Mathematics State Competition and placed second in Chemistry. He also received the AMC 12 Mathematical Excellence Award and AP Scholar with Distinction Award. Gordon also received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Scholar Award.    

Madalyn Dittmar is the daughter of Richard and Mida Dittmar. She is a member of St. Valentine Catholic Church and attended Peru Catholic School. Madalyn plans to attend Illinois State University and major in education. While at St. Bede Academy, she participated in tennis, student government, scholastic bowl, tea club and fall theater. Madalyn received the English award, math award, two top academic awards and is an Illinois State Scholar.    

Frank Fan is the son of Weifeng Fan and Nan Han. He attended Best Primary School in Zhengzhou, Henan, China and will be attending New York University to study sports management. While at St. Bede Academy, Frank was involved in cross country and physical therapy cub. Outside of St. Bede Academy, he participated in the Leap into the World of Sports Data Science and Management research program, Jiajia Summer Basketball Camp, National Economic Competition (NEC), and “Speak for Them,” a social welfare video held by Beijing Yiwalker Public Welfare Foundation that received over 20,000 likes. He was also the recipient of the Excellent Case Award in Chinese Middle School Students Public Welfare Online Practice held by Beijing Yiwalker Public Welfare Foundation and received the Talented Player Award for basketball training camp. During Frank’s time at St. Bede Academy, he received the NEC Top Rookie Award and Regional Overall Team Silver Award in the David Ricardo Junior Division, AP Scholar, Best Teammate and Most Improved in cross-country.        

Phillip Gray is the son of Jeff and Jan Gray.  He is a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Lostant and attended Tonica Grade School. Phillip plans to attend a four-year university to study finance and wealth management. While at St. Bede Academy, he participated in football, basketball, student government, ambassadors and Lectio Divina. His academic awards include Excellence in Spanish, St. Bede AP US History Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Award, Elks Teen of the Month and he is an Illinois State Scholar. Phillip has received athletic awards including most improved in basketball and football, the Hustle Award in basketball, Football Captain, First Team All Conference, All State Academic Team and All Area Team for football.     

Tyler Jordan is the daughter of Michelle and Jeff Jordan. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Ottawa and attended Ladd Grade School. Tyler plans to attend either Ohio State University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to major in criminology and law. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in volleyball, ambassadors, pep club and tea club.  Tyler received third place in chemistry at the World Youth in Science & Engineering Competition, Academic Excellence Award in AP Chemistry and is an Illinois State Scholar.   

Greyson Marincic is the son of Jeff and Christal Marincic. He is a member of Oglesby Community Church and attended Oglesby Washington Grade School. Greyson plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and major in chemical engineering and mathematics. While at St. Bede Academy, he was involved in cross country, track & field, scholastic bowl, bowling and participated in the Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering Competition. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Greyson is involved with 4-H. He received awards for College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, is an Illinois State Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Recognition, Student Government Vice-President, two-time State Qualifier in the 300m hurdles and was a State Qualifier in the 100m hurdles for track & field. Greyson will also complete his associate’s degree at Illinois Valley Community College in May 2025.

Victoria Mendez is the daughter of Alma Madera and Pedro Mendez. She is a member of St. Joseph Church in Peru and attended Peru Catholic School. Victoria plans to attend Northern Illinois University and major in accounting. While at St. Bede Academy, she participated in cheerleading, peer tutoring and in the Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering Competition. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Victoria works at Four Star Family Restaurant and helps with their family business, River Landscaping and Tree Service/Mendez General Contractor. She also enjoys reading, hiking and traveling.    

Abraham Wiesbrock is the son of Martin and Janet Wiesbrock.  He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wenona and attended Holy Family School. Abraham plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to major in economics. While at St. Bede Academy, he was involved in golf, basketball, bowling, participated in the Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering Competition and the Edible Car Contest. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Abraham works during the summer and enjoys summer golf league. He received awards for College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program, Academic Challenge for Engineering and Sciences, National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Recognition, St. Bede Academy Math Award, Most Healthy Car Medalist in the Edible Car Contest and is an Illinois State Scholar.