Photos and Story by Peter Ilchuk

The Marist School in a re-vamping of its educational endeavors, has introduced scholastics as teachers this year. Although not yet ordained, these members of the Society of Mary have received their Bachelor of Arts Degrees, but have four years of theology left before becoming priests.

The program has been used experimentally in other Marist provinces in the United States, but this is a first for the Washington Province which covers this area.

In the year of training the scholastics gain practical experience as teachers under the guidance of a master teacher. “This extra year before continuing their studies helps the Marist to be more mature and face to face with reality,” said Rev. Ralph Vedros, S.M., principal of Marist.

He further went on to say that for Marist “it will inject new blood into the school helping to draw together the students and faculty into one working body.” The Very Reverend Vincent P. Brennan, S.M., superior of the Marists in the archdiocese and president of Marist School, commenting on the program said, “We look upon the scholastics here as an advantage in two ways. From the point of view of the students, there will be a much closer connection especially in age; and from the point of view of the scholastics it will give them a wonderful insight into the Marist life and activities and make their future more fruitful.”

As full members of the Marist Society, the young scholastics live and work with the priests and are under the supervision of the superior of the house.

The Rev. Mr. John Barker, one of the new scholastics at Marist, said, “This is an excellent idea. There is nothing like this practical preparation in the ordinary seminary life.”

He also added that the scholastics were in a good position to offer help to the students in regard to college life and preparation for it, one of the key aspects of a preparatory school.

One of the students said in commenting on the program, “We have more in common with the scholastics than the priests. This helps especially in the classroom and in cementing good relations between the faculty and student body.” Among other changes at the Marist School this year are the change-over to the quarterly marking system, an active student council, and a winning football team.

Outstanding among the changes in the up-grading of the military program and reorganizing the disciplinary department. The Corps of Cadets have received the Honor Rating for military schools and units for the past number of years. The department under Col. James D. Shi is attempting to develop a method of gradual officer training over a period of years.

A prominent change on the landscape in the new Student Activities Building which will provide not only a place for home basketball games, but facilities for a full physical education program.

Photos and Story by Peter Ilchuk

The Marist School in a re-vamping of its educational endeavors, has introduced scholastics as teachers this year. Although not yet ordained, these members of the Society of Mary have received their Bachelor of Arts Degrees, but have four years of theology left before becoming priests.

The program has been used experimentally in other Marist provinces in the United States, but this is a first for the Washington Province which covers this area.

In the year of training the scholastics gain practical experience as teachers under the guidance of a master teacher. “This extra year before continuing their studies helps the Marist to be more mature and face to face with reality,” said Rev. Ralph Vedros, S.M., principal of Marist.

He further went on to say that for Marist “it will inject new blood into the school helping to draw together the students and faculty into one working body.” The Very Reverend Vincent P. Brennan, S.M., superior of the Marists in the archdiocese and president of Marist School, commenting on the program said, “We look upon the scholastics here as an advantage in two ways. From the point of view of the students, there will be a much closer connection especially in age; and from the point of view of the scholastics it will give them a wonderful insight into the Marist life and activities and make their future more fruitful.”

As full members of the Marist Society, the young scholastics live and work with the priests and are under the supervision of the superior of the house.

The Rev. Mr. John Barker, one of the new scholastics at Marist, said, “This is an excellent idea. There is nothing like this practical preparation in the ordinary seminary life.”

He also added that the scholastics were in a good position to offer help to the students in regard to college life and preparation for it, one of the key aspects of a preparatory school.

One of the students said in commenting on the program, “We have more in common with the scholastics than the priests. This helps especially in the classroom and in cementing good relations between the faculty and student body.” Among other changes at the Marist School this year are the change-over to the quarterly marking system, an active student council, and a winning football team.

Outstanding among the changes in the up-grading of the military program and reorganizing the disciplinary department. The Corps of Cadets have received the Honor Rating for military schools and units for the past number of years. The department under Col. James D. Shi is attempting to develop a method of gradual officer training over a period of years.

A prominent change on the landscape in the new Student Activities Building which will provide not only a place for home basketball games, but facilities for a full physical education program.