St. Bede seniors earn DAR & SAR Good Citizenship awards

Phillip Gray (left) has earned the DAR award, sponsored by the Princeton-Illinois Chapter NSDAR and Jake Migliorini (right) has earned the SAR award, sponsored by the Captain Zeally Moss Chapter for Bureau County.

PERU - The faculty and students of St. Bede Academy have selected seniors Phillip Gray and Jake Migliorini as the 2024-25 winners of the DAR (Daughters of American Revolution) and the SAR (Sons of American Revolution) Good Citizenship awards.

Gray is the son of Jeff and Jan Gray of Streator and a graduate of Tonica Grade School. He was selected for the DAR award based on his ability to show courtesy to others, loyalty, truthfulness and self-control; with the ability to assume responsibility. The DAR award is sponsored by the Princeton-Illinois Chapter NSDAR and presented annually to an outstanding senior based on dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

Gray has been involved in golf and is a four-year athlete in football and basketball at the academy. He has received certificates of excellence for freshman Spanish and junior AP US History. Gray earned the honor of College Board Rural & Small-Town Award his senior year. In athletics, he has earned both the Hustle Award and Most Improved Award in basketball junior year. Gray is a member of both Student Government and Student Ambassadors, while also volunteering for the concession stand, scorebook keeping, youth sports camps and landscaping work. Gray plans to attend a four-year college to study business and further his education by pursuing an MBA. He is interested in working in finance and management as a career.

Migliorini is the son of Mike and Angie Migliorini of Granville and a graduate of Putnam County Grade School. He was selected for the SAR award based on his ability to display a cooperative spirit, politeness, sincerity, respect for others and academic excellence. The SAR award is sponsored by the Captain Zeally Moss Chapter for Bureau County and is presented annually to an exceptional senior based on dependability, leadership, service to their school and community, evidence of personal values and patriotism.

Migliorini has been involved in wrestling, basketball, and is a four-year athlete in football at the academy. He has received the Citizenship Award his freshman, sophomore and junior years. In addition, he earned the honor of the Hoby Award his sophomore year, and the Most Improved for wrestling his freshman year. He volunteers his time helping Fr. Dominic at the annual wrestling pizza fundraiser, Burgoo parking and Cops 4 Cancer. Migliorini plans to attend Illinois Valley Community College to study as a tool and die apprentice and a machinist. His long-term goal is working as a machinist and to continue learning more trades.

St. Bede Alumni Association selects 2024 Distinguished Alumnus

James B. Gamache ’72 will be honored during annual Bruins Brunch over Homecoming weekend

The St. Bede Alumni Association is pleased to announce that James B. “Jim” Gamache has been selected as the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient. 

Gamache is originally from La Salle where he attended St. Patrick’s Grade School. He graduated with honors from St. Bede Academy in 1972. While at St. Bede, he played three sports each year and was the lead in the theatrical production of, “Macbeth.” He credits St. Bede with providing him with the guiding principles and a sound world view that helped lay the groundwork for his future successes.

After graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., Gamache had a successful 40-year-plus career in the transportation and logistics industry as a key executive with industry leaders, including Roadway Express, Inc., YRC Regional Transportation and CarrierWeb LLC.

Most recently, he was a partner at NexGen Logistics Capital, a private equity firm. Over the years, Gamache has held public and private board of director positions. He also received additional education and training from Columbia University, Stanford University, the University of Virginia and Case Western Reserve University. Over his career, he is most proud of the work he did in expanding diversity in the companies he worked for.

As Gamache’s career responsibilities matured, he managed to find considerable time to give back to his community. As a parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy in Aurora, Ill. he founded a ministry to assist the unemployed and underemployed. This ministry was later expanded to include the diocese of Joliet. He also supported a young college student’s missionary work through the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

Throughout his career, Gamache has continually dedicated his support and commitment to St. Bede Academy and the Benedictine traditions. He serves on the St. Bede Academy Advisory Board and played a critical role in coordinating his class’s 50th anniversary celebration and the raising of over $140,000 for the renovation of the main stairs and entryway of the school building. He has also been instrumental in providing and raising funds for the tuition of two Ukrainian boarding students at St. Bede and is a strong advocate of the boarding program.

Probably the most amazing aspect of Gamache’s resume began by happenstance when he had an impactful meeting with a mother and her five-year-old son during a trip in September 2022 in Poland. 

As Gamache describes it, “I made the decision to go to Ukraine after I met a mother and her five-year-old son at the Ukraine-Poland border.”

After speaking with the mother and hearing her story about how she just saw her husband for the first time in five months, he was determined to return to Ukraine and help in any way that he could. He has since made multiple trips to Ukraine and has volunteered with numerous humanitarian organizations, providing food and medical supplies to civilians and soldiers. Over the course of the last 18 months, Gamache has been able to raise directly or indirectly well over $100,000 for the benefit of the organizations he has assisted through presentations at churches and social groups.

Additionally, Gamache regularly travels in Ukraine with an American freelance journalist, interviewing individuals from all walks of life throughout the country, documenting their stories of their fight for freedom.

Most recently, in March of 2024, Gamache formed Defendica Systems Inc., a military technology company with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Ukraine whose mission is to support the defense of Ukraine with Ukrainian sourced technology.

Gamache currently resides in Aurora, Ill. with his fiancé, Robin. His two sons and five grandchildren live in Oregon. He has a brother, Ken, a 1974 St. Bede graduate, and a sister, Pat Pattelli.

Given Gamache’s tireless efforts for the people of Ukraine, as well as his community service throughout his successful career, he exemplifies how one should live in accordance with the Rules of St. Benedict and the St. Bede Alumni Association is proud to honor him as the Distinguished Alumnus of 2024.

Gamache will be formally recognized for this honor during the annual Bruins Brunch hosted by the Alumni Association over St. Bede’s Homecoming weekend. The Brunch takes place on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Perino Science Center.

St. Bede Soccer gets the ball rolling!

When looking at St. Bede Academy’s list of athletic teams, it was always noticeable that soccer was missing from the rosters. In years past, it existed as a club, and there was hope that a team may materialize in the future.

All that changed this fall, as St. Bede assembled an IHSA soccer team competing in an abbreviated junior varsity season this year. The team’s members span the entire school, featuring students from freshmen through seniors, both male and female. As is the case with sports such as football, female students can compete in male sports seasons, allowing all students to give St. Bede’s newest sport a go this fall.

St. Bede Soccer following their first match at Rotary Park in LaSalle, IL. The Bruins finished with a 1-1 draw.

The Bruins competed in their first match at Rotary Park in LaSalle this past Monday, September 9 against Somonauk High School, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Freshman midfielder Ankinimbom Yong scored the team’s lone goal deep in the first half.

Despite only practicing together for about 3 weeks, there is a positive mood around the new squad. Head coach David Garcia has been emphasizing to the players the importance of playing as a team. “Teamwork, that’s the main thing, and also getting to know each other, how they play their positions,” Garcia said of their goals in early practices. “The goal is for everyone to focus on their position, take care of their spot, work together as a team, and put all their heart in and represent this institution as best they can.”

Ankinimbom Yong ‘28 dribbles past a Somonauk defender.

As they are a young team, the philosophy for the Bruins is to build a foundation for the future. “When one loses, we all lose. When one wins, we all win. Support each other, even though there are mistakes, we always have to learn from the mistakes and not be afraid of making them.”

While they have their goals on the pitch, the impact of starting a new team at St. Bede isn’t lost on the players. Senior goalie and captain Haiden Ator is proud to be a trailblazer for the program. “It means I get to pave the way for all future student athletes who have been wanting and looking forward to playing soccer. I get to help the rough edges, smoothing things out, helping the coaches work with the team, work on plays, and help organize things”, said Ator.

While still in their infancy, the sport is excited for a new season and to welcome fans to their games. Ator encouraged fans to join in the fun, saying “People should check out a game because it is new to St. Bede, we have a good team, a good foundation, and it’s always fun to watch a soccer game!”.

The St. Bede Bruins will take on Streator Township High School’s junior varsity squad this coming Monday, September 16 at 4:30.

Michael Schulz ‘27 handles the ball around a Somonauk forward.

9/16 – @ Streator Township High School

9/24 – @ Calvary Christian

9/26 - @ Coal City High School

10/1 - @ Illinois Valley Central High School

10/4 – @ Riverdale High School

10/7 – vs. Oregon High School, Rotary Park in LaSalle

2024 Athletic HOF inductees announced

St. Bede Academy will proudly induct three individuals and a former football team into the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony takes place over Homecoming weekend on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. in the historic Abbot Vincent Gymnasium.

The 1973/74 Football Team

The senior members of the 1973/74 football team graduated with an overall record of 35-7 (including the 9 JV games). During that time, they posted 14 regular season shutouts at the varsity level.

At just about the halfway point (after four games) of the 1973 season, the team was ranked first in the state, outscoring opponents 130-14, Year-end awards included two members named to the 1973 Chicago Daily News All-State Team; Mark Stuart, first team, tailback and Steve Byrne, honorable mention, offensive tackle.

Marissa (Piacenti) Jobe ’99

A 1999 graduate and standout gymnast. In 1999, Marissa placed 13th all-around at both the IHSA State Gymnastics Meet, as well as at the National High School Gymnastics Championships of America.  Marissa was a state medalist her sophomore, junior and senior years while earning fifth in state as a senior. She was also awarded as a Top Ten graduating senior.

Patrick Mulligan ’74 (posthumously)

Patrick Mulligan loved SBA. The school and St. Bede community were his life. He participated in football, track and basketball during his career, which spanned from 1970 to 1974. Patrick’s stories of the Academy convinced his brother, Michael, to attend for his final two years of high school. 

Fondly remembered by all his loved ones, Patrick was tragically taken from his family, friends and the entire SBA community in 1976. 

William Van Daele ’74

William was a standout athlete for St. Bede, participating in four years of football and in track. William served as a captain of the football team his senior year, as well as the “unofficial captain” of the track team both junior and senior year. He also played basketball as a freshman. William says, “St. Bede is the place I love more than any other place in the world.”  

Academy pizza party inspires new cookbook

Fr. Dominic (a.k.a. the Bread Monk) recently published a second edition of his cookbook Thursday Night Pizza (Reedy Press, $22.50). This updated version includes a number of recipes inspired by an annual fundraiser he organizes with Academy Wrestling Coach Sam Allen.

 A few years ago Coach Allen was lamenting on how hard it is to come up with original fundraising ideas, especially something that didn’t require our students to sell a certain number of tickets or products to family and neighbors. He made an offhand comment to Fr. Dom: “Maybe I should pair up with you and we could call it ‘Stage Rats and Wrestlers’.”

 “I told him I would do it,” Fr. Dom recounts with a smile, “just for the cool name and the chance to design an awesome logo! We also wanted to demonstrate that at Saint Bede, athletics and the arts don’t have to be in competition with each other, as they are at so many schools.”

 They settled on the idea of a gourmet pizza party and wine pairing, a semi-formal event with tablecloths to the floor, real tableware (no plastic, please!) cloth napkins, centerpieces and candles. The wrestlers serve the wait staff with Coach Allen as the maître d’ and Stage Rats run the kitchen under Fr. Dom’s direction. The menu generally includes a soup, five gourmet pizzas paired with carefully curated wines and a homemade dessert such as tiramisu cream puffs or lemon mousse-filled cannoli with a blueberry drizzle.

 The fundraiser has been a huge hit and has become an annual event, but that popularity has put a lot of pressure on the organizers to keep the menu varied, to keep guests coming back. Coach Allen says, “We want people to think: ‘I wonder what they come up with this year?’”

That creative thinking was the part of the impetus behind the new edition of Thursday Night Pizza. New pizzas include a Sicilian sausage pizza with pistachio pesto cream sauce, a tomato bacon galette topped with gorgonzola cheese, and “Piggy in the Vineyard,” with ham, shallots, smoked gouda and red grape halves, drizzled with honey and garnished with fresh thyme.

The other factor encouraging Fr. Dom’s creativity is the popularity of backyard pizza ovens.

“I had to write a whole new section on patio pizza making, and include a recipe for Neapolitan Pizza dough that can stand up to the high temps in a wood-fired oven,” he said.

 The new edition of Thursday Night Pizza is available in the Academy Business office during regular business hours or at www.stbedeabbey.org/monksmarket. This year’s gourmet pizza party and wine pairing will be held on Oct. 26; tickets will go on sale Sept. 16. Contact Fr. Dom for more info.