Members of the Brother Martin family were recognized for their service to our community this past Sunday at our Faculty Recognition Ceremony...
On Sunday, February 6, 2022, Brother Martin High School Partners in Mission and their guests came together for our annual Faculty Recognition Ceremony at the Audubon Tea Room. This year, Mr. Mark Bonis was recognized as the Brother More Schaefer Faculty Award recipient for Excellence in Instruction, Commitment to Formation, and Demonstration of Christian Witness.
Brother More Schaefer, S.C., after whom the award is named, was known by his colleagues as a master educator in his various roles during his years forming young men at Brother Martin.
In 2006, Bonis began his career at Brother Martin as a social studies teacher and assistant football coach. Throughout his years at Brother Martin, he has served as chair of the health and physical education department and the Crusader’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He is currently the head football coach and Assistant Athletic Director. He is also the 2021 Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Coach of the Year award recipient. Bonis holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in sports administration and exercise physiology from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Principal Ryan Gallagher ’00 spoke to Bonis's character: “With his calm demeanor, Mark is a blend of a humble acceptance that God and His grace are at work in the young people whom we serve, patiently and confidently. He models servant leadership and the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and their Partners in Mission at Brother Martin. Mark Bonis is a true Partner in Mission.”
Bonis’s role also enables him to prepare our young men to be tough and compassionate, particularly in the face of adversity, to which Bonis is no stranger to inside and outside of his position. One colleague described his influence this way: “He is a faithful, committed, hard-working, family man. What more do we want for our graduates?”
Carrying out his work like this award's namesake in whatever positions he serves, Bonis demonstrates leadership and personal attention to his “team” of colleagues and students, reminding them always to “finish” no matter the circumstance. He makes sure everyone is in the best position possible to be successful in life. “I am a big believer in ‘team,’ and that is our number one thing we talk about in our program principles. Every day I strive to express being grateful and thankful by making the most out of opportunities. I am blessed,” Bonis said at the Faculty Recognition Ceremony.
In closing, Bonis relayed, “I never take anything for granted. I am lucky to do what I do and thankful for the opportunity to help shape our young men at our school on a daily basis. I am truly blessed to call this my profession.”
In addition, Tom Causin was recognized as this year’s Founders Medal recipient for his commitment and passion through service to our school that embodies the spirit of our founders. Several faculty members were recognized for their years of service at Brother Martin including Althea Belisle, Cindy Bellina, Jimmy Gatti, and Mary Oestriecher for 20 years of service.
Thomas Mavor was recognized for 30 years of service at the ceremony. "Thomas is one of those partners in mission who has truly embraced the spirit and charism of Coindre in his daily interactions with students…and faculty. He is always teaching…always forming. Thomas has modeled the values of lifelong learning as a classroom teacher to thousands of students and as a compassionate, level-headed, insightful mentor presence for hundreds of faculty."
Johnny Ray Smith was recognized for helping us carry out our mission for 40 years. "With a calm demeanor and reliable presence, Johnny Ray works tirelessly to ensure, quite literally, that we are all able to come to this school on a daily basis. His efforts ensure a clean and orderly space that is conducive to promoting self-discipline and a positive learning environment, essential aspects of our holistic approach to education. For forty years, Mr. Johnny Ray has always held our students and his colleagues to the highest standard, and as a true Partner in Mission, he starts the measure of that standard with himself."
Congratulations to all of the Brother Martin Partners in Mission and our special guests who received recognition for their compassion, trust, dedication, and service to our school’s mission.