Monsignor Bonner High School

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Monsignor Bonner High School
Bonner_highschool.jpg
Seal of Monsignor Bonner High School
Purity - Integrity - Loyalty
Location
403 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, 19026
Information
Principal Mr. William Brannick
Enrollment

900
Type Private
Established 1953
Information 610-259-0280
Mascot The Friar
Alumni http://www.bonneralumni.com/
Homepage http://www.bonnerhigh.com/

Monsignor Bonner High School is an all-male Augustinian Catholic High School in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is located in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Bonner was created in 1953 as Archbishop Prendergast High School for Boys. In 1955, the current building was constructed and subsequently entitled Monsignor Bonner High School.

Contents

[edit] History

Since its founding, Monsignor Bonner has been run by the Augustinian Friars of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. It is one of nine [1] Augustinian high schools in North America. Bonner has a storied history with the Augustinians, as those assigned to Bonner reside in the friary behind the school. Bonner is also renowned for retaining alumni as faculty and administration, a great testament to the Bonner tradition and the strong sense of community that embodies the school. Currently, there are 22 alumni on staff, including the president, Rev. Augustine M. Esposito, O.S.A., Ph. D., '69. In September 2005, it was announced that the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was implementing an administrative restructuring of Monsignor Bonner High School for Boys and the neighboring Archbishop Prendergast High School for Girls. Essentially, the schools would begin operating under one administration beginning on 1st, July, 2006. Bonner's president was appointed president of the new co-institutional Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School. The Principal of neighboring Archbishop Prendergast High School, Mrs. Mary Berner, was named Principal of the co-institutional school in January 2006.

Monsignor John J. Bonner, the school's namesake, was the Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1926 to 1945. He is credited with establishing the Philadelphia Catholic League and was one of the best-known Catholic educators in the country.

[edit] The Augustinians in North America

The North American foundation of the order happened in 1796 when Irish friars arrived in Philadelphia. Michael Hurley was the first American to join the Order the following year. Friars established schools, Universities and other works throughout the Americas, also including Villanova University in Philadelphia (USA) and Merrimack College (USA). Malvern Preparatory School was founded in 1842 alongside Villanova University, and by 1909 two Augustinian houses and a school had been established in Chicago, 1922 in San Diego, by 1925 a school in Ojai and Los Angeles; 1926 a school in Oklahoma; in 1947 a college in Massachusetts; in 1952 Austin Catholic Preparatory School in Detroit, Michigan (closed in 1978); in 1953 this school; 1959 a school in New Jersey, another in Reading (Massachusetts); and in 1962 a school in Illinois.

[edit] Fight Song

Bonner High, We’re Loyal,
Bonner High, We’re True:
We will fight, fight, we Friars,
Fight until the game is through
Rah! Rah! Rah!

Bonner High, we’re loyal,
Loyal to you, our school.
We will fight, fight, fight
For the Green and the White,
Bonner High, for you.

[edit] Alma Mater


Hail Alma Mater, dear
Hail to Bonner High;
Hail to the Green and White
May your colors fly.

Bonner, Bonner,
Noble is your name,
Hail Alma Mater, dear
Hail to Bonner High.

Loyal sons of Bonner High,
We your praises sing,
When evening’s shadow falls
May the echo ring
Bonner, Bonner,
Noble is your Name,
God, Country is our cry,
Hail to Bonner High.

[edit] Presidents

The position of President established in 1993 for all Archdiocesan High Schools. The President is responsible for financial operations, facilities issues, fundraising, alumni relations, and external affairs.

  • 1993 to 1996: Rev. Gordon Marcellus, O.S.A.
  • 1996 to 1999: Mr. Thomas Smith
  • 1999 to 2001: Rev. John Denny, O.S.A. '75
  • 2001 to current: Rev. Augustine M. Esposito, O.S.A '69

[edit] Principals

The Principal was originally the top administrator in the school. In 1993, this shifted when the Presidency was introduced. Since then, the Principal has handled the day-to-day operation of the school.

  • 1953 to 1959: Rev. John Gallagher, O.S.A.
  • 1959 to 1962: Rev. Kenneth Kennedy, O.S.A.
  • 1962 to 1967: Rev. Thomas Mahoney, O.S.A.
  • 1967 to 1972: Rev. David Duffy, O.S.A.
  • 1972 to 1974: Rev. Francis Sevick, O.S.A.
  • 1974 to 1976: Rev. Harry Erdlen, O.S.A.
  • 1976 to 1979: Rev. George Burnell, O.S.A.
  • 1979 to 1987: Rev. Francis Horn, O.S.A., '67
  • 1987 to 1993: Rev. Gordon Marcellus, O.S.A.
  • 1993 to 1999: Rev. John T. Denny, O.S.A., '75
  • 1999 to 2005: Dr. Thomas F. Rooney, Ph.D, '62
  • 2005 to 2006: Mr. William Brannick, '95 (Acting Principal)
  • 2006 to 2007: Mrs. Mary Haley Berner, (first co-institutional Principal)
  • 2007 to present: Mr. William E. Brannick, '95 (co-institutional Principal)

[edit] Prominent alumni

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ See Augustinian web reference http://www.stritahs.com/augustinianschools.htm

Conor Kerins - 2008 - LHP 2007 2008 First Team All-Catholic, 2008 Northern Division MVP, 2008 Best pitcher of Delaware County award.

[edit] External links