Marmion Academy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article or section relies largely or entirely upon a single source.
Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations of additional sources.
This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2008)
Marmion Academy
Location
Aurora, Illinois, USA
Information
Religion Roman Catholic
Enrollment

c. 500
Faculty 76
Type Private
Campus Marmion Abbey, Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Battaglia Center, Yender Hall, Benkert Hall, Decio Library, Fichtel Field, Nardone Field, Hammes Bookstore, Regole Nautatorium, Lux Dining Hall
Motto Credere Deo, Luctari pro Eo ("To believe in God and fight for Him")
Mascot Cadets
Color(s) Red and Blue
Newspaper Cadet Call
Established 1933
Homepage Marmion Academy

Marmion Academy is a Catholic high school for young men located in Aurora, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford.

The academy is run by the monks of Marmion Abbey, located on campus. The academy has a United States Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program that has been a part of the academy since its early years, but was not a part of the school in the inaugural year of 1933–34.[1]

The school is a part of the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Contents

[edit] History

Marmion Academy was created in 1933 when the monks of St. Meinrad Abbey combined Jasper Academy (Jasper, Indiana) with the Fox Valley Catholic High School, which the Augustinians had just returned to the diocese of Rockford. During the Great Depression era it was difficult for students to pay their tuition, so the monks, in 1935, associated with the JROTC program and changed its name to Marmion Military Academy. In order to provide more options for its student body and a return to the original spirit of the school, the monks of Marmion Abbey decided to make JROTC an optional program and to reinstitue the original name of the school, Marmion Academy.[citation needed]

At one point, there were two campuses: one for residential students and one for day students. The two merged back into the Butterfield Road campus, which had been the residential campus.[1] In early 2002, the school decided to close its residential program and started to expand its student body.[2]

[edit] Academics

Academic Profile:[3]

  • College Preparatory curriculum
  • 100% accepted in college
  • 48% of the Class of 2004 received academic awards/scholarships to attend college totaling $3.6 million
  • Average class size of 24 students
  • Student-teacher ratio - 11:1
  • 7 Advanced Placement classes for academically gifted students

Class of 2005 Profile (101 members):[3]

  • Composite ACT scores of 24.2 (100% tested)
  • SAT score of Math: 621; Verbal: 609
  • 3-National Merit Semi-Finalists (Rank amongst the top 1% in U.S.)
  • 8-National Merit Commended Students (Rank amongst the top 5% in U.S.)

2004-05 Enrollment: [3]

  • 460 students
  • 95% of the students are from Illinois and 3% from five other states. 2% are from foreign countries. 85% are Roman Catholic and 8% are minority students

Graduation Requirements:[3]

Marmion requires that each graduate complete 4 credits each in English and Theology; 3 credits in Mathematics; 3 elective credits; 2 credits each in a Foreign Language, Science, Social Studies, and either Military Science (JROTC) or Leadership Education and Development (LEAD); and 1 credit each in Health/Physical Education; and ½ credit in Music and Art. Marmion students are required to perform at least 15 hours of community service each academic year.

At least 23¼ credits are required for graduation.

[edit] Extracurricular activities

In 1994, the academy introduced an alternative to JROTC, Leadership and Service or L&S. The Leadership and Service program later became the "Leadership Education and Development", or "LEAD", program.[citation needed]

[edit] Schroeder Snipers rifle team

 This section does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007)
Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The Marmion Rifle team, thought nearly being phased out by a combination of a need for political correctness and the drill teams success,[citation needed] rebounded in the 2006-2007 year. Marmion went all the way to The Junior Olympics. The four man team consisting of team captain Kevin Kuebrich, executive officer Andrew Spinelli, Michael H. Robinson, and Ian Christian, took 7th over all in their division. The team is coached by MSG Collins, and consists of a 16 man team, competing in precision air rifle and sporter air. Plans to return to competing in small bore are in the works.[citation needed]

[edit] Flannigan Rifles drill team

 This section does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007)
Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The Marmion drill team was officially formed in September of 1947 by Technical Sergeant Earl K. Buchan. The team performed their first public exhibition on December 10, 1948 in Aurora, Illinois. On March 4, 1950 Marmion Military Academy's drill platoon participated in a 15 minute drill routine in front of 5000 spectators at the Chicago Armory and broadcast by WGN television. The drill platoon was commanded by Cadet Lieutenant Richard Murphy. In a ceremony held 29 years ago at Marmion, the drill team was officially named "Flannigan Rifles". The team was named in honor of Robert W. and Gerald F. Flannigan. While students at Marmion both served as company commanders. Gerald Flannigan died while in service to his country during World War II and Robert passed away shortly before the November 11th ceremony[clarify] in 1975. As of 2006, the drill team has competed in over 250 regional and national drill competitions and performed over 430 demonstrations.

The season for the drill team begins the second week of school; at Marmion this is usually the last week of August, and will last through the second week of May. Throughout the year, the drill team will practice seven to nine times a week, Monday through Friday, for approximately seven to ten hours per week, not including the time each of these individuals practice at home. With this in mind, the commitment to the drill team is secondary to each of the team members.[citation needed] Their primary concern at Marmion is academics. Proof of their dedication to studies is evidenced by fact that eighty-five percent or more of the drill team consistently earn honor roll distinction at Marmion.

Flannigan Rifles members comprise eighteen different teams in competition. In the school year 2005-2006, Flannigan Rifles earned 58 team trophies and 21 individual awards. The team has earned the commanders cup, winning 22 out of the 25 regional drill competitions over the past five years. The commanders cup is awarded at drill competitions to the top performing drill team overall. Flannigan Rifles have won a total of 210 trophies over the past five years.

Each year, the number of students interested in participating on the drill team has increased more than any other team or club. Only 15-20 freshmen cadets are invited to join during the freshman roll call that takes place at the end of November.

The team has come in 4th place at the National High School Drill Team Championships in school years 2006 and 2007. The second year placing 4th they won 1st place for armed exhibition platoon and squad, a feat not accomplished in the past twenty years. They also placed 5th in IDR platoon and color guard (Spartan Guard).

[edit] Notable alumni

 This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b MA. Marmion Academy. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
  2. ^ MA. Marmion Academy Programs. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
  3. ^ a b c d MA. Marmion Academy Academics. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.