St. Bede Academy earns AP Computer Science A Female Diversity Award

Pictured are students who represent female diversity in computer science at St. Bede Academy. They are: Ella Englehaupt ’24 (from left, standing), Bella Hagenbuch ’24, Kylie Hill ’24 (from left, sitting) and Andrea Brandner’ 25

PERU – For the second consecutive year, St. Bede Academy has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in the AP Computer Science A course.

St. Bede is one of only seven schools in the state to earn this honor. Schools who receive this recognition have expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses.

“We’re thrilled to congratulate our female AP computer science students and their teachers on this step toward gender parity in computer science education,” said St. Bede Principal Nick McLaughlin. “We’re honored that our school earned this distinction and look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer education and careers.”

AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. AP Computer Science A, which first debuted in 1988, continues to grow and female participation has increased 69% since 2017 to 24,147 women. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 147% since 2017, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing female students with access to computer science courses is critical to ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity and representation. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $100,530 in May 2021. However, women represent just 24% of the five million people in computing occupations.

The 1,127 schools across the nation that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award serve as inspirations and models for all U.S. high schools.

St. Bede Academy announces Class of 2024 Top 10 students

The Top 10 students in the Class of 2024 are Johnna Bogatitus (from left), Ali Bosnich, Kylie Hill, Ella Englehaupt, Georgina Guo, Zachary Popurella, Mariella Hermes, Evan Englehaupt, Bella Hagenbuch and Logan Potthoff.

PERU - St. Bede Academy is proud to announce names of the Top 10 of the Class of 2024. 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 Johnna Bogatitus, Ali Bosnich, Ella Englehaupt, Evan Englehaupt, Georgina Guo, Isabella Hagenbuch, Mariella Hermes, Kylie Hill, Zachary Popurella and Logan Potthoff. 

 Johnna Bogatitus is the daughter of John and Crystal Bogatitus. She is a member of Holy Family Church in Oglesby. Bogatitus plans to attend either Bradley University or Marquette University with a major in accounting or business. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in volleyball, ambassadors, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), prom committee and served as a Eucharistic Minister.  Outside of St. Bede Academy, Bogatitus enjoys club volleyball and she works at Uptown Grill and Tastee Freez. She has received awards for history and citizenship.

 Ali Bosnich is the daughter of Mark and Cinnamon Bosnich. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parishes - St. Patrick Catholic Church and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Bosnich will attend either University of Wisconsin-Madison or Butler University. Her major is undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, she has been involved in basketball, volleyball, Lectio Divina, student council, ambassadors, spring musical, peer tutoring, prom committee, pep club and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Bosnich is involved in tutoring, little league umpiring, babysitting and working for small businesses - SAS and Scout Outdoor Apparel.  She has received numerous awards for volleyball and basketball, including being named Athlete of the Month and the Heisman Student Athlete Award. Bosnich has also received awards for English, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership and is an Illinois State Scholar.  

 Ella Englehaupt is the daughter of Doug Englehaupt and Heather McCutcheon. She is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended Ladd Grade School. Englehaupt plans to study computer science in college. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in fall theater, musicals, production crew, stage rats, glee club, ambassadors, podcast club, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), tennis, basketball and sang the National Anthem at sporting events. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Englehaupt works at AMC Theaters. She has received awards for mathematics, foreign language, chemistry, English and computer science. Englehaupt has had poetry published by the American Poetry Foundation. She has also received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program award. Englehaupt is an AP Scholar and an Illinois State Scholar.  

 Evan Englehaupt is the son of Doug Englehaupt and Heather McCutcheon. He is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended Ladd Grade School. Englehaupt plans to study flight operations in college. While at St. Bede Academy, he has participated in wrestling. Englehaupt received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program award and is an AP Scholar. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Englehaupt works and enjoys flying.  

 Georgina Guo is the daughter of Qigin Guo and Ming Qin Liu. She attended Parkside Middle School and is planning to study pre-med at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While at St. Bede Academy, Guo was involved in tennis, stage rats, musicals, fall theater, scholastic club, heritage club, ambassadors and Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE). Outside of St. Bede Academy, she participates in tennis, soccer and Teen Advisory Group at the Peru Public Library.      

 Isabella Hagenbuch is the daughter of Johnathan and Kati Hagenbuch.  She is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Holy Cross School in Mendota.  Hagenbuch is planning to attend Marquette University and study exercise physiology. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in golf, volleyball, scholastic bowl, stage rats, ambassadors, World Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), podcast club, Lectio Divina, tea club, last supper club and served as a Eucharist Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hagenbuch is involved in competitive curling, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) and One Bread, One Cup. Hagenbuch has received academic awards for Spanish, chemistry, English, citizenship, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program, Daughters of American Revolution and she is an AP Scholar and Illinois State Scholar.  

 Mariella Hermes is the daughter of James and Angela Hermes. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parish - St. Patrick Church and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Hermes plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan and study Kinesiology. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in basketball, softball, volleyball, Lectio Divina, student government, prom committee, ambassadors, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hermes participates in softball. She was a member of the 2023 Class 1A Softball State Championship Team and has received several awards including News Tribune and Bureau County Republican’s co-player of the year. Hermes also received many awards for volleyball and basketball.  She was recognized as the 2023 Bureau County Republican Female Athlete of the Year.  

 Kylie Hill is the daughter of Michael and Sheila Hill. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parish and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Hill plans on attending Illinois Valley Community College to study computer science. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in bowling, heritage club, tea club, yearbook club, prom committee, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE) and interact club. While at St. Bede, Hill has been an honor roll student.  Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hill is involved in league bowling and she is a part-time volunteer at VITAS Healthcare. 

 Zachary Popurella is the son of Brad and Kristina Popurella. He attended Putnam County Grade School and plans to attend Purdue University to study aerospace engineering. While at St. Bede Academy, Popurella has been involved in golf, baseball, peer tutoring, heritage club and ambassadors. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Popurella works and is a blood donor. He received the AP Computer Science Principles Award, was the Elks Student of the Month, received the Heisman Student Athlete Award and is an Illinois State Scholar.   

 Logan Potthoff is the son of Jack and Lucy Potthoff. He is a member of Nativity of Our Lord Church and attended Dalzell Grade School. Potthoff plans to enter into a trades program at Illinois Valley Community College. While at St. Bede Academy, Potthoff was involved in basketball, golf, student government, ambassadors, Lectio Divina, bass fishing and football. 

Outside of St. Bede Academy, Potthoff works at Spring Creek Golf Course and volunteers at Thomas Moore Church. He received awards for geometry, academic excellence, AP chemistry, citizenship, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership, Sons of American Revolution, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program and is an Illinois State Scholar.    

2023 Parent Tax Credit Letter

The 2023 Summary of Tuition and Fees paid to St. Bede Academy is now available from FACTS Management Co. The report is only available on-line.  Families must log in to their FACTS account on-line to print a Payment Summary for tax purposes which serves as your Receipt for Qualified K-12 Education Expense.   

To retrieve and print your Payment Summary visit, www.factsmgt.com and sign-in to your account.  Select View Details to the right of Payment Plan & Billing, and then click on the blue box, View Payment Summary. Once on the Payment Summary page verify the year is tax year 2023.  A printer-friendly report is available by clicking the Print button in the upper right-hand corner.

The report that is generated will provide fees, both extra-curricular and registration, and tuition paid both on-line to FACTS and to St. Bede Academy in the calendar year 2023.  

These instructions and the link to FACTS can also be found on the homepage of the St. Bede Academy webpage at st-bede.com.   If you have questions or difficulties logging in to your account please contact FACTS Management Customer Service at 866-412-4637. Other general questions can be directed to me at 815-250-0344 or jmarks@st-bede.com.

It is important to note that not all payments made to St. Bede for fees are eligible for the State of Illinois tax credit.  Only the Registration Fee which covers textbooks, lab fees and materials is deductible.

To claim the tax credit, you will need to complete the Education Expense Credit Worksheet in the Form IL-1040 Instructions.  Please refer to IL-Publication 132 if you need additional information or call the Illinois Department of Revenue at (800)732-8866.

Bringing the energy and spirit

This month’s Athletics Spotlight has been contributed by Sam Bima, class of 2024.

“B-B-BRU, I-I-INS, B-R-U, I-N-S, BRUINS, BRUINS, BRUINS!” The famed ending to the SBA fight song is one that you will hear at the beginning of every sporting event or from a bruin sports team coming down the lane following an away game. 

In the fall and winter, this song is sung by many different teams, but it is practically owned by one in particular. The St. Bede cheerleaders are a group that you hear in the background of your favorite football and basketball clips. Their chants and cheers trigger memories for alumni who are present at today’s events. 

In my prior article, I had the opportunity to speak on the SBA wrestling team and the fraternal brotherhood that coach Sam Allen has produced. If wrestling is like a fraternity, I look at cheerleading to be more like a sorority. The sisterhood of former and current members includes being there for one another, late nights in the gym and hustling to learn countless cheers and performances.

My older sister, Mallory Bima ‘15, was a cheerleader for St. Bede. I was in attendance for countless football and basketball games, even going so far that I know most cheers by heart still to this day. 

Cheerleading is a sport that relies heavily on teamwork. How could they perform the stunts if one person is off key by a split second? It takes countless hours of rehearsal and trusting one another. 

In volleyball, you have to trust that your teammates will get the kill or serve it over the net. In basketball, you have to trust that your teammates will find you open in the corner or make that game tying shot. Cheerleading is no different - you have to trust that your teammates will remember the cheers that you have practiced or trust that they won’t let you fall when they are holding you up above their heads. 

For this article, I had the pleasure of speaking with four-year cheerleaders Ella Burris and Teagan Hewitt about the true meaning of cheerleading.

Cheerleading is a sport that you can be taught, and one that teaches you about yourself. Burris said that to her “it’s all about positivity and teamwork;” for Hewitt, “it’s bringing energy and spirit to the football games.”

Football games are what seem to be the biggest hit with the cheerleaders. For Homecoming, they come up with their halftime performance that will be performed in front of hundreds before BruinsJam. They also decorate the lane with streamers and signs promoting the football team. Cheer is just like football and volleyball in the sense that they start in the summer prior to the first day of school. 

Hewitt stated, “Cheer begins in June and goes until the end of February, so you really get close with your teammates and get to be good friends with all of them.” 

My takeaway from the interviews was that, just like other St. Bede sports, life-long friendships are made and grown throughout their time being a part of the team.  

“Throughout my years of cheer, I have continued to cherish the amazing memories I have created with my teammates,” said Burris.

I have loved hearing the cheerleaders during my time at St. Bede and even prior to my time at St. Bede. The Bruins have a great duo teaching these young ladies in Sydney Eustice ’15 and Dani Claggett ’14. Not only are they both alumni, but also former cheerleaders themselves. In the wise words of former principal, Mrs. Mershon, “That’s it, That’s All, Go Bruins.”

Sam Bima ‘24

Stage Rats attend Illinois High School Theatre Festival

Every year in January, Academy drama director Fr. Dominic and the Stage Rats head to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, which this year was held at ISU. Over three thousand theatre students and teachers assemble for two days of workshops, performances, and theatre games. This year our students attended workshops on makeup, dance, stage combat, tech theatre and improv, as well as seeing shows like Mean Girls, Pippin, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Almost Maine, and the All-State Production of She Kills Monsters. 

In addition to the value of advancing their skills and knowledge of theatre arts, students derive other benefits from the experience: the confidence and courage to navigate a college campus, time management in prioritizing and scheduling their activities and growing closer as a crew. “They inevitably come back from Fest completely energized about the spring musical,” said Fr. Dominic, “often with creative ideas and skills they received from workshops and shows.”

A large portion of the cost of our students’ attendance at Theatre Fest was covered by financial assistance from alumni and friends who contributed to the Academy Special Gifts Program. Fr. Dominic affirms the importance of their generosity.

“Every year we have kids who wouldn’t be able to attend without our generous donors,” he said. “and I can say that in over 30 years of attending Fest, we have never had to turn a student away. They truly demonstrate the Spirit of St. Bede.”