For the first time in several years, Bonner & Prendie has embraced a unifying school theme this year, rooted in its Augustinian heritage: “Restless Until We Rise.” Inspired by St. Augustine’s prayer, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You,” the theme invites students and teachers to strive for their best with faith, persistence, and purpose.
A Theme with Heart
Principal Andrea Ciliberti introduced the theme at the opening faculty meeting this fall, reigniting a long-standing tradition of thematic school years. “From the moment I became principal, I wanted to bring back a theme,” she explains. “We did them years ago when I was a teacher, and it helped to orient our community for the year and gave students something to reflect on in class.”
The idea took shape after a group of teachers attended the Augustinian Values Institute last spring and shared their reflections on integrating Augustinian principles into B&P. “That presentation planted a seed,” Ciliberti says. “When I thought about our community — our students, our families, our faculty — I wanted something that challenged us to rise above conflict and struggle. Until we’re able to do that, we’ll always be restless.”
Classroom graphics, shared prayers, and faculty discussions have helped bring the message to life across departments. “It’s not just words on a poster,” Ciliberti adds. “Teachers are finding ways to integrate it naturally into lessons and conversations. It’s become an expectation — an invitation to rise to your best self.”
Restless in STEM
That sense of striving applies not just to personal growth but to academics. With a newly equipped STEM lab and a dedicated teacher leading the way, students are finding hands-on opportunities to experiment, build, and problem-solve.
“In STEM, we’re literally rising as a school,” Ciliberti says. “To have a functioning lab and growing tech electives means our students can discover and create in ways that weren’t possible before.” Plans are already underway for a future campaign to modernize the original 1956 lab spaces. “Our students deserve a space that reflects their potential,” she adds.
Initial Impact
The impact of the theme is already visible around campus. Students are holding themselves to higher standards, greeting teachers in the hallway, and taking pride in their school uniforms. “They’re rising without even realizing it,” Ciliberti says. “We have 16 students preparing to receive the Sacraments this year, who are converting to Catholicism. Students are coming to the chapel to pray the rosary during lunch — that’s a testament to something deeper happening here.”
Even small moments reflect the theme’s power. “If a student is stuck on a math problem, instead of looking up the answer, our theme reminds them to stay with it until they figure it out,” Ciliberti says. “On the field, our athletes may not win every game, but they rise above setbacks and prepare for the next challenge. It’s about not giving up, which is very true to the spirit of our community.”
Honoring our School Spirit
The theme also honors the legacy of Father Bill Atkinson, a Bonner graduate and teacher who became the first quadriplegic priest to be ordained and is now on the path to sainthood. “Father Bill met every challenge he faced,” Ciliberti says. “By the strength and hope of others, he rose to meet those challenges and surpassed them in every way possible. His story is a part of who we are as a community.”
Ultimately, the theme is about believing in one’s potential — academically, spiritually, and personally. “I believe that every person who walks through these halls is destined for greatness,” Ciliberti says. “To rise, you have to believe you can. Our students are learning that lesson every day, whether in math, on the field, or in their faith.”