Great News for the Brehm Megahurts Robotics Team!

After three years of hard work and building a reputable robotics program, the Brehm Robotics team has secured their first major corporate donation.

Boeing has not only committed to paying the entry fee for the F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, but also matched us with a mentor.

The Brehm Robotics team has also partnered up with the SIU-Carbondale Robotics team. This partnership allows the Megahurts to work closely with more advanced robotics students, to benefit from leadership skills and create more teachable moments. Brehm also now has full access to SIU's engineering shop, enabling them to manufacture custom parts.

Last year, the Megahurts completed their season with an impressive second place. This year, we anticipate bigger and better things!

The Megahurts will first compete March 18-20 at the 2010 F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Regional Competition in the Chaifetz Arena at St. Louis University. On April 1-3, the Megahurts will also compete in the 2010 F.I.R.S.T Robotics North Star Regional Competition at the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena.

Brehm Celebrates Thanksgiving with an All-Campus Feast

Yesterday, everyone on Brehm campus came together to give thanks and celebrate Thanksgiving with an amazing feast. Students gave thanks for things like their parents, their ability to go to Brehm, their teachers and dorm parents, as well as the opportunity to travel to be with family over the holiday.

Dr. Collins, Executive Director, shared the history of the Brehm Thanksgiving celebration.

When Brehm was in its early years, and there was no dining hall, everyone joined together to put on this feast. The event was served up potluck style as students, dorm parents and teachers had the opportunity to cook side dishes. Faculty, staff and students were all bussed over to the Newman Center, to have turkey carved and served by Dr. Collins.

Dr. Collins shares thanks & Brehm memories to a packed house.

Everyone waited patiently and gratefully for the meal... just like at home!!

Faculty, staff and students all took the time to take

it easy and enjoy the festivities.

Admissions Director Donna Collins shares a memory with students.

This year, Brehm food service prepared a full spread of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Brehm faculty and staff brought in breads, desserts and relishes.

While Brehm was changed and grown substantially over the years, the family atmosphere remains.

The Brehm Prep Basketball Team Faces off with SWIC

Tuesday, the Brehm Prep basketball team travelled to Belleville, Illinois to play the Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm (SWIC).

It was a close game, and Brehm Prep held down the 19th ranked NJCAA team for much of the game, only to finish with a 77-73 loss.

The lead scorer was James S. with 26 points, with Otto O. close behind.

"That's a very good basketball team... You can see why several (NCAA) Division 1 programs are recruiting kids off of that team," said Blue Storm Assistant Coach Steve Campo, according to the Belleville News Democrat. (Click here for the full story.)

Tonight, the Brehm Prep basketball team will be taking on Meramec in St. Louis, Mo.

Brehm Bears Fall to Ezra Lights

On Monday, the Brehm Bears put up a tough fight against West Frankfort's Ezra Lights. The final score of the home game was 60-23.

The Bears were led in scoring and rebounding by senior, Jon M., with 13 points and numerous rebounds. Emily A., a sophomore, scored 7 points, followed by 8th grader Gannon B. with 3.

The Bears will have another chance at a match-up with Ezra Lights at home on December 14th.

Brehm Students Go Off-Campus for a Deeper Understanding of Anatomy

Recently, Andrea Keene’s anatomy students had the opportunity to take a field trip to St. Louis University (SLU). The topic of the day was the heart. Students were able to sit in on a lecture and participate in a question and answer session.

After an hour of discussion, all students took part in a lab where they dissected a pig heart. For some students, this was their first opportunity to be an active part of a dissection.

“This enables students to hear a different perspective of the body, to see how the components of different animals resemble their own and have the chance to dissect to a clear and orderly fashion,” said Andrea Keene, faculty member.

Field trips such as this help to give students the self-confidence (and interest) that they can be successful and achieve their full potential.

16 Brehm students went on the Anatomy field trip to SLU.

Students were able to get hand-on experience with SLU faculty.

The highlight for all students was the pig heart dissection.

See also “How Experiential Learning Benefits Students at Brehm”

Technology at Brehm helps students learn

"I have a hard time with writing. The assistive software on the Apple
laptop I've been assigned has helped me immensely. It's really cool.

I'm proud to be one of the captains on the Robotics team, and I'm very excited
about my job, to program this year’s robot, so it's ready for competition."

— Anne

Brehm Prep Basketball Player Signs Letter of Intent

Congratulations are due for Mike, a Brehm Prep basketball player, who signed a letter of intent recently.

Next year, Mike will be attending the University of North Carolina- Greensboro, a Division 1 school, on a basketball scholarship.

When Mike signed his letter of intent, the entire Brehm family, as well as WSIL TV 3 (Carterville, Illinois), were on hand to support him!

Encouraged by Terri Douglas, Coordinator of Educational Services

and Head Basketball Coach Aaron Lee, Mike signed with UNC-Greensboro.

It's a done deal! A proud moment for all!

The entire Brehm family congregated to

be a part of Mike's exciting decision.

Congratulations Mike! We look forward to following your college basketball career and wish you the best of luck!

Brehm Bears Update

Last night was the first Brehm Bears prep team home game of the season. The seats were full of Brehm Bears fans. WSIL-TV was there to video and report on the action.

Brehm won last night against New Creations from Indiana, 81-61. Congrats!

Brehm Bears in a Close Game

The Brehm Bears had a close game with John A. Logan College tonight, but lost. 89-83.

Brehm Bears Win Tonight!

The Brehm Bears win against Mississippi Elite tonight at JAL college. The final score was 92-47! Congrats Brehm Bears!

Basketball Season is Up & Running!

Don't miss out on these upcoming Brehm Prep basketball games!

- Nov. 6 @ John A. Logan College

Carterville, IL at 6 p.m.

- Nov. 7 @ John A. Logan College

Carterville, IL at 3 p.m.

- Nov. 13 @ La Lumiere

La Porte, IN @ 7 p.m.

- Nov. 17 @ Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, IL @ 7 p.m.

- Nov. 18 @ Meramec

St. Louis, MO @ 7 p.m.

- Nov. 26-28 Tournament of the Champions

Washington, IL various teams & times

Contact Brittany Morlan, Coordinator of Communications, for more information at 618.457.0371 or bmorlan@brehm.org.

GO TEAM BREHM!!

The Brehm Family Enjoys Another Great and Very Festive Parent's Weekend

After nearly two quarters of hard work, Brehm held its semi-annual Parent's Weekend. This year, the fall banquet had a "Fall Harvest" theme and it was time for the Brehm family to eat, drink and be SCARY!

If you weren't there, here's what you missed:

Everyone was in a festive mood, with all ages dressing up for Halloween!

We had one of the greatest turn-outs for the Saturday night banquet to date.

"It was great! This Parent 's Weekend will be hard to surpass,"

said Donna Collins, Director of Admissions.

Brehm Food Service mixed it up this year, offering Halloween

cupcakes and lots of tasty carnival-themed food.

Brehm Student Council organized a student D.J., light show and fire pit.

Various activities included pumpkin & cookie decorating,

Guitar Hero, quarterback toss, zero gravity, fun inflatables and more!

The Brehm Parent's Association (BPA) awarded prizes for "Most Creative",

"Crowd Favorite" and "Scariest" costumes.

Student Council raised money by collecting monetary votes for a faculty/staff member to dress up in character and do the "Time Warp". The winner (or loser?)... Dr. Collins! Riff Raff was a definite crowd pleaser!

Here's what some staff had to say about the night:

"The party was a wonderful success.Making the theme 'Halloween' was fun and so relaxing for kids, parents and staff. Thanks to all who planned and set up. The gym looked magnificent and the food was great! The kids all had a great time with the blow-up activities and the games. Parents seemed to have as much fun dressing up as the kids did. Great job, everyone! I LOVE MY JOB!" - Barb Lawrence, Faculty

"What a memorable night! The Student Council, kids and staff looked so adorable doing the Time Warp... So lively! I loved seeing the wee ones (and not so wee ones) dressed up! Thanks to the organizers for the hard work and everyone who participated. Parents for dressing up and helping work the games!" -Deb Browne, Faculty

"It was FUN, and a nice change... We have an amazing team." - Christine Strusz, Faculty