St. Bede Students Earn Top Honors at Regional Academic Competition

Students from St. Bede Academy recently earned top honors at a regional academic competition hosted by Illinois Valley Community College on Feb. 27, and finished first overall against several area schools.

St. Bede competed against students from LaSalle-Peru High School, Hall High School, Mendota High School, Ottawa Township High School, Streator Township High School and Marquette Academy at the area’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE). Marquette placed second overall and Ottawa finished third.

St. Bede students delivered particularly strong performances in science categories, sweeping the top three individual places in both physics and chemistry.

In chemistry, first place went to junior Ranbir Saini, followed by junior Ishvir Singh in second and junior Kyra Finley in third.

In physics, senior Alp Arslan earned first place, senior Ryan Soliman placed second and senior Noah Buck finished third.

Additional honors included a first-place tie in mathematics by junior Lin Lin and Soliman, Saini tying for second place. Arslan also received honorable mention in computer science.

Faculty advisor Dan Fitzpatrick noted that this year’s competition featured a new format in which students competed directly against all area schools regardless of enrollment size.

“For the first time, students competed against every local school in the same pool,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was impressive to see our students perform so well in a very rigorous academic competition.”

Following the competition, Soliman said he’s very grateful to have been taught so well by all the science and math teachers at St. Bede.

“They’ve set the building blocks for not just my success, but the team as well. This competition was a team win and I just simply did my part to help,” he said.

Ranbir also credited his teachers, Mr. Olsen (chemistry) and Mrs. Bruner (math), for the preparation he received prior to the event.

“I am happy that as a team we were able to win the competition and that I was able to place highly in both subjects I competed in,” he said.

The WYSE program encourages high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through competitive academic testing.

Fitzpatrick said the results reflect the dedication of students as well as the support and preparation provided by their teachers.

“It’s always exciting to see students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and excel in a challenging environment,” he said.

Mr. Fitzpatrick Selected for Prestigious CERN Program

St. Bede Academy science teacher Dan Fitzpatrick has been selected to attend a prestigious international science program this August at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Fitzpatrick was chosen for the CERN International Teacher Programme, an elite opportunity that brings together educators from around the world. From thousands of global applicants, CERN selects only 40 to 50 teachers each year. Selection is based on teaching experience, academic background and a demonstrated ability to translate the experience into meaningful impact for students.

After attending a science conference and participating in a session on particle physics, Fitzpatrick was inspired to apply for the program and entered into the running to become a CERN ambassador.

Through his participation, St. Bede will be represented at the birthplace of the World Wide Web and home of the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. The collider is a 17-mile underground ring where scientists accelerate tiny particles to nearly the speed of light and collide them to study the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

“By studying what comes out of those collisions, scientists learn what the universe is made of and how it works at the smallest level,” Fitzpatrick said.

During the program, Fitzpatrick will work directly with physicists and engineers connected to groundbreaking discoveries, including the Higgs Boson, the particle that provides evidence of the field responsible for giving matter its mass. Without it, atoms would not form, and the universe would have no structure. He will also gain deeper insight into Dark Matter and current research surrounding the origins of the universe.

“This opportunity connects Saint Bede directly to one of the world’s leading scientific research institutions,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ll be learning from physicists at the forefront of discovery and bringing that experience back to our students and faculty.”

The experience is expected to strengthen Saint Bede’s STEM curriculum, expose students to authentic, real-world science and further reinforce the Academy’s commitment to high-level academic opportunities.

Fitzpatrick will return with exclusive educational resources; authentic research data and hands-on experimental methods designed to inspire students and keep St. Bede’s science program at the forefront of STEM education.

“I want students to actually do what scientists at CERN do — analyze data, spot patterns and make discoveries,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ll be taking a deep dive into the research happening there and bringing back real particle data, insight into emerging quantum theories and a clearer path for students interested in modern physics. This field is driving today’s technological breakthroughs, and it will help position our science program to prepare students for the future.”

Fitzpatrick said his number one goal is to inspire a lasting sense of wonder in students.

“I hope to translate that understanding into something meaningful and accessible for our students and for the broader Illinois Valley community,” he said.

Top 10 Students of 2026 Announced

St. Bede Academy is proud to announce the Top Ten of the Class of 2026. 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 Noah Buck, Harrison Fess, Mae Hagenbuch, Aiden Hermes, Jillian Pinter, Xiangyi Ren, Lillian Soliman, Ryan Soliman, Yannis Yong and Ruihan Zhang. 

Noah Buck is the son of Andrew and Janelle Buck. He is a member of Holy Family Church in Oglesby and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Buck’s future plans are to attend Northwestern University to study computer software engineering. While at St. Bede Academy, he has been involved in tennis, golf, bowling, spring musical, fall theater, scholastic bowl, World Youth Science Engineering, E-sports, ambassadors, altar serving, bible study and AI club. He attended school-sponsored trips to Ireland, Scotland and Costa Rica. Buck’s awards include co-valedictorian, St. Bede Academic honors in geometry, algebra II, citizenship, computer science, world history, Spanish and English. He also received the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership award and the St. Bede Academic Excellence Top of Class awards his freshmen, sophomore and junior years. Buck has been on the honor roll every semester and was recognized as an Illinois State Scholar.     

Harrison Fess is the son of Rick and Dr. Kara Fess. He is a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and attended Holy Family School in Oglesby. Fess’s future college plans are currently undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, he has been involved in scholastic bowl, tea club, art club, stage rats, science club, fall theater, spring musical, Rotary club, World Youth Science Engineering and attended a school-sponsored trip to Scotland and Ireland. Fess is an assistant at Rock and Soul in Utica. His hobbies are photography, art, reading, collecting and listening to music, collecting rocks and minerals, spending time outdoors and traveling. Fess’s awards include Illinois State Scholar, College Board National Recognition Program Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, and honor roll every semester.     

Mae Hagenbuch is the daughter of Johnathan and Kate Hagenbuch. She is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Holy Cross School in Mendota. Hagenbuch plans to attend Marquette University College of Nursing. While at St. Bede Academy, she has been involved in volleyball, basketball, golf, curling, tea club, Stage Crew, Rotary, ambassadors and student government. Hagenbuch’s hobbies include weight lifting, gardening, listening to music and spending time with family. She attended school-sponsored trips to Ireland, Scotland and Costa Rica, was a recipient of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award and has been on the honor roll every semester. Hagenbuch is nationally ranked third in curling competitions.

Aiden Hermes (AJ) is the son of Jim and Angie Hermes. He is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parishes and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Hermes’s future college plans are currently undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, he participated in football, baseball, basketball and ambassadors. Hermes is the student government co-president and an Illinois State Scholar. He has been on the honor roll every semester and received College Board AP Scholar with Honors recognition. 

Jillian Pinter is the daughter of Jamie and Erin Pinter. She is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and attended Peru Catholic School. Pinter’s future college plans are currently undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, she has been involved in softball, volleyball, ambassadors, Rotary and was a member of the prom committee.  Her hobbies include reading, baking, photography and pickleball. Pinter’s awards include recipient of the Saint Joseph’s Holy Name Society Scholarship, Dietz Family Scholarship, honor roll every semester and Illinois State Scholar. 

Xiangyi (Viola) Ren is the daughter of Hui Ren and Wei Jia. She attended Kinglee High School in China. Ren’s future college plans are currently undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, she participated in cheerleading, charity club, science club, spring musical, fall theater, last supper club, student government and the American Mathematics Competition (AMC). Ren is an intern for a digital illustrator and is an animation editor. She is a leader and speaker for a middle school outreach program in China and is a content creator and video editor for a personal media project. Ren is the founder and president of St. Bede dormitory’s activities and entertainment club and is the founder/leader for the charity club student-led food fundraiser. She led the student library initiative project and the dormitory prefect program at St. Bede Academy. Ren’s hobbies include painting, reading, traveling and photography. Her awards include placing third in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference Art Festival, College Board Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, College Board School Recognition Award, honor roll every semester and she received the College Board AP Scholar with Distinction Award. 

Lillian Soliman is the daughter of Shawn and Dr. Amy Soliman. She is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Holy Cross Catholic School in Mendota. Soliman plans on attending Marquette University to study biomedical sciences on a pre-medical track. While at St. Bede Academy, she participated in volleyball, tennis, bowling, softball, stage crew, tea club, the polar plunge and attended school-sponsored trips to Ireland, Scotland and Costa Rica. Outside of St. Bede, Soliman attended a rural health careers camp. Her hobbies include playing tennis, puzzles, playing board games and spending time with her family at the lake. Soliman’s awards include Illinois State Scholar, honor roll every semester, St. Bede Academic Excellence Award, IHSA All-State Academic Team Nomination, College Board Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award and College Board School Recognition Award.     

Ryan Soliman is the son of Shawn and Dr. Amy Soliman. He is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Holy Cross Catholic School in Mendota. Soliman is undecided where he will attend college and plans to study biomedical engineering. While at St. Bede Academy, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, bowling, fall theater, spring musical and student government. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Soliman played for the Astra Soccer Academy. His hobbies include watching sports, movies, listening to new music, playing new video games, going to the gym, photography and spending time with friends. Soliman was a participate in the polar plunge and he attended school-sponsored trips to Ireland, Scotland and Costa Rica. His awards include co-valedictorian, honor roll every semester, St. Bede Academic Excellence Award, College Board AP Chemistry Student of the Year, St. Bede AP Computer Science Student of the Year, College Board AP Scholar with Honor Award, College Board National Recognition Program, College Board Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, second place in chemistry for World Youth Science and Engineering and Illinois State Scholar.   

Yannis Yong is the son of Promise and Zita Yong. He is a member of St. Patrick’s Church in LaSalle and attended Trinity Catholic Academy in LaSalle. Yong’s college plans are undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, he participated in basketball, tennis, soccer, ambassadors, AI club and is the student government vice-president. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Yong enjoys playing chess, tennis and basketball. His awards include being named class salutatorian, National Merit Scholar Commendation, College Board AP Scholar with Honor, honor roll every semester, Illinois State Scholar and St. Bede scholastic awards his freshmen, sophomore and junior years.   

Ruihan (Yoyo) Zhang is the daughter of Gaojie Zhang and Dandan Du. She attended Kinglee High School in China and is undecided about her college plans. While at St. Bede Academy, Zhang served as a dorm prefect. She participated in a research project in evolutionary psychology, where she examined emotional investment and family resemblance. She also participated in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) behavioral health competitions. Zhang also volunteered as a summer peer-tutor in China, where she shared English-learning strategies with younger students. Her hobbies include painting, traveling, reading, photography and calligraphy. Zhang’s honors include honor roll every semester, John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize, earning a Regional Bronze Award in HOSA Behavioral Health, being part of the top-scoring team in the microeconomics division of the National Economics Challenge and receiving the College Board AP Scholar with Distinction Award.

Saint Bede and Hawk Auto Partner to Fight Food Insecurity

Throughout the year, Saint Bede Academy collects canned goods and other pantry staples to support local food pantries. During the Lenten season, the Academy will partner with Hawk Auto Group to help supply food for its annual Easter distribution to families in need across the Illinois Valley.

“Food insecurity is on the rise both nationally and locally,” said Fr. Dominic Garramone, OSB, Academy Chaplain. “Part of our mission at Saint Bede Academy is to educate our students on the demands of Christian charity, and we are grateful to have Hawk Auto Group as a partner in fulfilling that mission.”

The food drive will officially kick off on Feb. 2 with a “Pack the Truck” event held during the Saint Bede Academy varsity boys basketball game against Bureau Valley. Fans are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to help fill the bed of a Hawk Auto Chevrolet Silverado that will be parked in front of the gym.

“We approached Saint Bede Academy with the goal of engaging in a meaningful local service initiative,” said Robbie Crane, Executive Managing Partner of Hawk Chevrolet Mercedes-Benz Nissan of Peru. “We are proud to partner with the Academy and look forward to encouraging both our employees and customers to participate in giving back to the Illinois Valley community.”

“This initiative represents the collaborative spirit across all Hawk Auto Group locations,” said Damian Gabrus, Executive Managing Partner of Hawk Volkswagen of Joliet. “Supporting local families and strengthening the communities we serve is a responsibility we take seriously, and we are honored to be part of this effort.”

Scott Ansteth, General Manager of Hawk Auto, added, “This partnership is especially meaningful to me and my family. We have lived in Peru our entire lives, and both of my children attended Saint Bede Academy. Supporting the Academy and helping families in our community reflects the values Saint Bede instilled in our family and the values we stand for at Hawk Auto.”

For every five food items collected, Hawk Auto Group will donate $5 to the food drive, with a goal of collecting 1,000 items, resulting in a $1,000 donation. All food items and monetary contributions will be divided between the Hall Township Food Pantry in Spring Valley and the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in Peru.

The food drive will continue through March 31. Donations may be dropped off at Hawk Auto Group locations or at Saint Bede Academy.

Saint Bede Academy Announces First Semester Honor Roll

Dr. David Lawrence, principal of St. Bede Academy in Peru, has announced honor roll for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year. 

Freshmen - Beatrice Affelt, James Arkins, Aliyanna Arteaga, Bruno Baker, Anthony Barto, Aksel Bernal, Brady Blomquist, Tegan Brandt, Ella Burke, Emersyn Carboni, Gretchen Carden, Payton Davis, Stella Denny, Damien Dissell, Jack Duncan V, Henry Duttlinger, Bentlea Ernat, Jemma Finley, Cooper Frasco, Liv Gahan, Jonathan Garcia, McKlay Gensini, Kahne Gentert, Kiley Gentert, Elliana Giacalone, Caleb Heersink, Hannah Heiberger, Jack Hermes, Adrian Hermosillo, Quinn Holly, Qinghao Hu, Blake Hueneburg, Allison Inman, Evan Jasiek, Garrett Kelly, Emma Kenney, Madelyn Kueker, Gavin Lamboley, Reid Lenhausen, Yuzhehan Ma, Maliya Massamba, Catherine Moench, Landon Moss, Kamryn Nauman, Truc Nguyen, Jyllian Pozzi, Fiona Robinson, Layton Rue, Joseph Savitch, Cayden Smith, Lily Tielebein, Isabella van den Berg and  Luke Vogelgesang 

Sophomores - Hope Antkowiak, Maks Baker, Landon Balestri, Alicia Barreras, Isabella Camacho, Tongtong Cao, Isaac Caracheo, Ty Carls, Tzu-Tao Chang, Kylie Coons, David De La Torre, Nicholas Del Pilar, Meilin Duan, Sadie Dugosh, Quinn Entrican, Luke Fess, Bear Fitzpatrick, Gavin Fivek, Haozhe Guo, Jiahe Guo, Yitong Han, Nicolette Hanck, Mason Haskell, Connor Holly, Jieming Huang, Yizhe Huang, Jacob Inman, Jinseong Kim, Sadie Leffelman, Kijah Lucas, Jyzel Martin, Gaby Martinez, Parker McClain, Valeria Mendez, Morgan Mercer, Johnathan Michael, Teagan Mullane, Nelle Potthoff, Olivia Raef, Addison Raffety, Graham Ross, Finley Rue, Mary Simonetta, Elsie Soliman, Josephine Trujillo, Preston Vasquez,  Hanna Waszkowiak and Yitong Xue

Juniors - Faith Ankiewicz, Yesenia Avila, Demian Baker, Caleb Barto, Chloe Brandt, Sean Brayton, Brody Burris, Calen Cass, Xuanhe Cui, Nha Quyen Dang, Geno Dinges, Kate Duncan, Jaylynne Finley, Kyra Finley, Grace Gahan, Daniel Garcia, Cecilia Giacalone, Nolan Hagenbuch, Ashlan Heersink, Raudel Hermosillo Jr., Brennen Hirst, Emma Huffaker, Lila Koehler, Ella Lamboley, Nhien Le, Chenxuan Lin, Landon Marquez, Lucy Maus, Emma Mavity, Stuart McGunnigal, Stephanie Ni, Niko Pappas-Anniballi, Chase Riva, Olivia Ross, Shane Rounds, Ranbir Saini, Alaina Schulz, Ishvir Singh, Mackenzie Stanbary, Macy Strauch, Bryce Stuepfert, Alexandrew Tillman, Alec Tomsha, Phuoc Tran, Ariana Villava and Kerstin Williams.

Seniors - Margaret Arkins, Alp Arslan, Ava Balestri, Genavyve Barnes, Landon Boggio, Lily Bosnich, Savannah Bray, Noah Buck, August Burr, Drew Carboni, Chuanyang Chen, Anna Cyrocki, Emerald De La Torre, Jose De La Torre, Madeline Fabish, Gino Ferrari, Harrison Fess, Ashton Gonzales, Mae Hagenbuch, Weston Heersink, Aiden Hermes, Zachary Husser, Shuyu Jiang, Isaac Kang, Bokyung Kim, Jihun Kim, Nevaeh Mavis, Lili McClain, Ruby Michels, Ella Mudge, Loc Ngo, Sophia Ni, Jillian Pinter, Trajan Raffety, Xiangyi Ren, Carson Riva, Chipper Rossi, Sara Ruiz, Alyssa Savitch, Emma Slingsby, Lillian Soliman, Ryan Soliman, Shujie Song, Devin Steil, Miranda Torres, Julian Villava, Peiwen Wu, Xindi Wu, Hongsheng Yang, Ayla Yeske, Yannis Yong, Kian Zeller, Ruihan Zhang and Yijing Zhang.