Bonner-Prendie Junior ELA: Our School

History: On May 9, 1920 a new orphanage was opened It was built by Archbishop Prendergast and was called St. Vincent's Orphanage . In 1953 the orphanage after the orphanage was no longer needed, the building became Archbishop Prendergast High School for Boys. Three years later a new school was built next to it and that was named Monsignor Bonner Bonner Catholic High School for Boys. The Prendergast building became an all-girls school. The schools, although physically close to one another, operated as independent schools for over 50 years. In 2006 - since the enrollments were getting smaller - both schools merged into one administratio; then in 2012 the two schools were merged into one school for boys and girls. Our official name is Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School.

Enrollment: Our school currently is composed of 907 students, of which, 417 are girls and 490 are boys. Our senior class has 223 students, our junior class has 224, our sophomore class has 212, and our freshmen class has 248 students. There is a total of 46 teachers in our school

Classroom Environment : Our classroom environment is unique. We originally were two different schools , Prendie - which was only for girls, and Bonner - which was only for boys. Now that we are combined we are all in the Bonner building. At first we had only single gender classes but now that we are combined we have some single gender classes and some combined classes. Our classes that are single gender are theology, sciences , gym and health. Most students enjoy the single gender classes because that is the atmosphere we were used to. It is easier for the incoming freshmen to adjust to the new setting, than it is for the juniors and seniors, because they are used to coming from a co-ed grade school.

Traditions are a huge part of the Bonner and Prendie community. Each school has its own set of traditions. In Prendie, the girls have the ring dance and Spirit day for girls only.

Spirit Day is a day where the grades compete against one another wearing their class colors: yellow for Freshman, blue for Sophomores, green for Juniors, and pink for Seniors. Students usually make shirts and wear bandannas to try to intimidate the other grades. To start the day off there is an "award" show for many different favorite TV shows, movies, and people in the year. There also are student-based categories, such as “Who has the best smile in the grade” or “Who is the favorite teacher.” The day is filled with different activities and fun things for the girls to do. The boy' school has something similar which is Fun Day. They compete to get the game trophy at the end of the day by different events like mosh ball and quiz games.

There are also traditions that each of the schools has which over the past year have merged. One such merged event is Ring day, which used to be held in December for the boys and February for the girls. During this school year, a new tradition emerged in that Ring Day was celebrated on the same day in December for boys and girls. Separate proms were held by the boys school and the girls school; now we have one senior prom to include both. Graduations were one separate events too; this year there will be one ceremony in June. The Passion Cross ceremony - originally an all boys tradition by passing the crucifix around the auditorium while a spotlight shines on it reminding us of the tragic death of Jesus -included all girls and boys starting last year. The "100 day until graduation celebration" was a girls tradition for the senior class (at lunch periods on that day seniors have a party with music, pizza, and snacks) is now enjoyed by both. "Singing on the Stairs" was a Prendie Christmas tradition, during the winter of this year the boys were included in its beauty. And different retreats are now limited to the boys and girls of the senior class.

Though it was tough for everyone in the beginning with so many traditions being changed or merged, everyone has come together as the new community of Bonner and Prendie to continue on with the brotherhood and sisterhood that never was lost.

The Prendie Building
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SPORTS: Our sports teams are pretty competitive and each year are usually at the top.

Baseball: Currently we are ranked first in the state and are a favorite to win it all. We have been one of the top competitors each year. We have won a lot of championships the past decade including a Catholic League Championship (2010), three time City Champions (2009-2011).

Football: Our football program has been gaining talent each year. Earlier in the decade we were always at bottom, but we have started moving up towards the top. Two big accomplishments were making into the championship game the past two years, unfortunately losing both.

Boys’ Basketball: The basketball team is a very competitive team, but in the area we are in, the teams are a lot better. Our record each year doesn't reflect our talent; Bonner-Prendie always has a talented team.

Boys’ Lacrosse: This is our newest and upcoming sport; each year the lacrosse team puts up good efforts in their games. In a few years they will be one of the best out there.

Rugby: This sport is one of the best in the school. Rugby each year usually goes to states each year.

Hockey: Bonner-Prendie has both ice and roller hockey teams. Both are highly competitive, and both club sports.

Girls' Basketball: The Pandas basketball team made a huge run this year into the state playoffs: they were in the top 3 of the Super 7 (local rankings) for the whole year. The Pandas ended the season with three All-Catholic players, including the MVP of the Catholic League.

Softball: Prendie Softball has been one of the best teams in the league for so long. This season the Pandas are currently in the top 5 of their division.

Which sports and activities are most popular in your school?