Brother Martin High School’s Partners in Mission, along with family and friends, gathered on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Audubon Tea Room for the annual Brother More Schaefer, S.C. (1932–1983) Faculty Recognition Ceremony.

Patrick H. McClain was honored with this special award for his excellence in instruction, commitment to formation, and demonstration of Christian witness, in the spirit of Brother More Schaefer, S.C. A colleague of Brother More Schaefer, S.C., once noted, “He took an interest in all students.” Like Brother More Schaefer, S.C., McClain takes an interest in and loves all his students.

McClain, who joined Brother Martin in 2012, holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics- Secondary Education from Louisiana State University and is pursuing a master's degree in the Science of Mathematics. McClain is committed to forming and serving these young men both inside and outside the classroom with personalized attention, embodying the spirit of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and Partners in Mission. 

“He trusts his students, signaling to them that he believes them capable of growth intellectually, spiritually, and morally, regardless of the image they may hold of themselves at any given moment,” Principal Ryan Gallagher ‘00 said of McClain. 

Currently, McClain serves in various roles at Brother Martin, instructing his students in Math, including regular to honors Calculus, and is co-department chair of the Math department. He also teaches American Sign Language. During his remarks, Patrick shared his favorite part of teaching at Brother Martin: “It’s the small conversations in the hall and how the relationships that are formed, teacher to student and teacher to teacher, extend beyond the subject matter.”

 He also moderates numerous student organizations, such as Mu Alpha Theta and Literary Rally, and can even be seen working with students and alongside his colleagues in the Formation Center and on Senior Retreat. 

Principal Gallagher remarked that “A good calculus teacher is much like the subject they teach—transformative, slightly intimidating at first, but ultimately the key to seeing the world through a more powerful lens. In Patrick McClain, we have that…and so much more.” 

In addition, Roni and Debbie Sumich were recognized as this year’s Founders Medal recipients for their courage, commitment, passion, and perseverance in upholding the spirit of Brother Martin’s original founders. Their partnership with Brother Martin began during their two sons’ high school years and has continued through their active involvement in Crusader community events and fundraising efforts. Through their generosity and service, the Sumiches have made an invaluable impact on the school. President Greg Rando ‘77 said, “We cannot thank you enough, not only for your generosity and your service, but for your kindness and your trust. We have learned how to be better evangelizers of young men because of your example.”

Faculty members also recognized for their 20 years of service included Mark Bonis,TaJuana Manning, Cissy Yakelis, and Craig Zeller ‘02. Additionally, Lyn Greco was also honored for 40 years of service to Brother Martin. 

Congratulations to all of these Partners in Mission and award recipients for their years of service and dedication to the mission of Brother Martin High School.

The mission of Brother Martin High School is to form young men in a trusting environment rooted in religious values, personal attention, friendly discipline, and academic excellence, integrating the founding charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart with Catholic tradition to meet the needs of our changing world.