Monsignor Bonner High School

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**Monsignor Bonner High School**
Purity - Integrity - Loyalty

Established	1953
School type	Private
Principal	Mrs. Mary Berner
Students	900
Mascot	The Friar
Location	403 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, 19026
Information	610-259-0280
Website	http://www.bonnerhigh.com/

Monsignor Bonner High School is an all-male Augustinian Catholic High School in the 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.

1 History
2 The Augustinians in North America
3 Fight Song
4 Alma Mater
5 Presidents
6 Principals
7 Prominent alumni
8 External links

[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 one-hundred 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 and the neighboring Archbishop Prendergast High School for Girls. Essentially, the schools would begin operating under one administration beginning in July 2006. Bonner's president was appointed president of the new co-institutional Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast. 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 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, fight, we Friars,

Fight till the game is through

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Bonner High, we’re loyal,

Loyal to 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 Denny, O.S.A. '75
1999 to 2005: Dr. Thomas Rooney '62
2005 to 2006: Mr. William Brannick '95 (Acting)
2006 onward: Mrs. Mary Berner (co-institutional Principal)

[edit] Prominent alumni

Dr. Jim Gallagher - 1959 - President of Philadelphia University
The Honorable Francis Hazel - 1960 - Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County and former District Attorney of Delaware County
Al Atkinson - 1961 - Super Bowl Winner with the New York Jets
Carl Robie- 1963?- Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming at 1964 and 1968 Olympics in the 200 meter butterfly. Held four world records and a number of national titles. Competed against world famous swimmer Mark Spitz. Did not graduate from Bonner, transferred to prep school to concentrate on swimming.
The Honorable James Proud - 1963 - Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County
John Nash - 1964 - General Manager of the Portland Trailblazers and former GM of the Philadelphia 76ers, namely for the 1983 World Championship team
Col. Kevin Kennedy, USMC Ret. - 1965 - Head of United Nations Humanitarian Relief Operations & Black Hawk Down Operation
Very Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. - 1965 - Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova
Col. Tom Matthews, U.S. Army, Ret. - 1967 - Led Task Force Ranger in Somalia & Black Hawk Down Operation
Dennis Christopher 196? - Film and TV Actor - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0160550/
John Cappelletti - 1970 - Heisman trophy winner and professional football player
Ed Stefanski - 1972 - General Manager of the New Jersey Nets
G. Michael Green, Esq. - 1973 - District Attorney of Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Larry Mendte - 1974 - television personality, anchor for CBS3, former anchor for WCAU
Harry Perretta - 1974 - Head Coach of Villanova University Women's Basketball Team
Mike Teti - 1974 - USRowing Men's Head Coach
Rodney Blake - 1984 - All-American Center (Basketball) - Played for Saint Joseph's where he led nation in blocks as senior...Set school record for career field goal percentage.
Jamie Kennedy - 1988 - comedian & actor
Anthony Becht- 1995- NFL Tight End, , Tampa Bay Buccaneers