BI WORD
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“OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HEARS OUR PLEAS AND HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM EVEN THE MOST HARDENED OF HEARTS AND INSTILL PEACE WHEREVER THERE IS STRIFE.” - BISHOP MICHAEL F. BURBIDGE
Bishop Burbidge Visits Bishop Ireton High School
Autoworkers Go On Strike
Corruption in the United States Senate
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LETTER FROM THE STAFF Dear Readers, On behalf of the dedicated staff of the BI Word, I am writing to express our gratitude and appreciation for your continued support and collaboration. In an ever-evolving media landscape, it is our privilege and responsibility to keep our readers informed, engaged, and inspired. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in helping us achieve this goal. Your insightful contributions and trust in our editorial integrity have been vital in our journey to providing quality journalism and upholding the values that our publication stands for. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. We are excited to embark on future endeavors together. If you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions you’d like to share, please do not hesitate to inform us.
-Journalism staff
BI WORD STAFF MIA HOOPER– EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ERIK GUNDERSON– WRITER/EDITOR CASSIE PAGE– STAFF WRITER NORA GARLAND– WRITER/EDITOR KYLE BURNER– WRITER/EDITOR
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THE BI COMMUNITY A Synchro-World Of Learning by Amelia Hooper-pg. 5 New Staff Interviews by Cassie Page-pg. 6 The Bishop’s Visit to BI by Erik Gunderson-pg. 7 The SSSAS vs. BI Football Game by Kyle Burner-pg. 8 The St. Lucy Food Drive by Nora Garland-pg. 9
THE WORLD The Philadelphia Drug Crisis by Amelia Hooper-pg. 10 Autoworkers Strike by Kyle Burner-pg. 11
EDITORIALS Anti Senate Dress Code by Nora Garland-pg. 12 Pro Senate Dress Code by Cassie Page-pg. 13 Digital SAT by Erik Gunderson-pg. 14 Senator Charged with Accepting Bribes by Erik Gunderson-pg. 15
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12-13 PHOTO CREDIT: WASHINGTON EXAMINER
10 PHOTO CREDIT: COURTENAY HARRIS BOND
11 PHOTO CREDIT: TRUTHOUT
15 PHOTO CREDIT: VANITY FAIR
9 PHOTO CREDIT: CATHOLIC CHARITIES - ST. LUCY PROJECT
14 GRAPHIC CREDIT: THE PRINCETON REVIEW
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A Synchro-World of Learning By: Mia Hooper Students and teachers connect online during synchronized virtual days to participate in interactive, realtime learning. The objective is to mirror the in-person classroom experience as closely as possible, even in a digital environment. These virtual days are not merely an option; they are a part of the school’s overall strategy to prepare for possible future scenarios where in-person learning might not be possible or safe. Just like in regular classes, attendance is mandatory, and students are expected to log in for all classes except Study Hall. This is intended to ensure the students are consistently engaged and accountable for their learning, even in a virtual setting. On synchronous virtual instruction days, classes follow the same start times as the regular block schedule, with a 60-minute instructional session followed by a 30-minute office hour period. During this office time, students have the opportunity to seek additional help with homework, ask questions, or participate in optional review sessions for upcoming assignments and lessons. These synchronous virtual days are not a relic of the past, but rather a forward-thinking approach to education during unprecedented times. Although these virtual sessions prepare for unforeseen circumstances, they are not an effective substitute for in-person instruction. Sitting at home in front of a computer makes it terribly difficult to focus on the teacher’s instruction. There are endless possible distractions during virtual instruction. Extended periods of screen time can often cause discomfort and reduced cognitive performance, making it difficult to focus on lessons. Erik Gunderson noted that, “Virtual learning is not tangible. It feels synthetic. It is an obsolete relic of a much darker time that no one wants to relive.” Regardless of where the learning takes place, the school is committed to providing quality education and nurturing the adaptability of its students and faculty, ensuring that learning remains uninterrupted.
GRAPHIC BY BETH MAY
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Staff Spotlight: January 2024 By: Cassie Page
As we all have been around the building for the past couple months we can see that the Cardinals nest has grown! This issue we are thrilled to highlight Mrs. Boyle from the Counseling department and Mrs. Foster, from the library.
Mrs. Boyle is no stranger to Bishop Ireton, as a class of ‘14 student! During her time as a student of Bishop Ireton she had the joy of having Mr. Rauer and Mrs. Markussen for history, Mrs. Garcia for Spanish, and Mr. Crooker for religion. Upon graduation she went onto study forensic psychology at George Mason University, and later to Trinity University for her masters. Ms. Kennedy is an avid Christmas lover, and especially loves all the classic movies and the Hallmark Channel. Whether you’re a tenth or eleventh grade student, or a Swiftie, Mrs. Boyle encourages you to drop by her office!
PHOTOS: VICTOR O’NEILL STUDIOS
Another new face this year is Mrs. Foster! Mrs. Foster is the new head librarian at Bishop Ireton. For those that are involved with the Arts, Mrs. Foster is a familiar face; she has worked with the Fine Arts in costuming for the past three years. The shows that she has supported include You Can’t Take it With You, The Music Man, and most recently, Clue. Prior to joining the Cardinal community as a librarian, she was at Beatley Library in Alexandria cataloging books. Mrs. Foster majored in English and minored in theater, and has received her Masters in Library Science from SUNY Buffalo. If you need a book, citation help, or a chromebook, Mrs. Foster is happy to help!
When you see a new face in the hallway please wave, say “Hi,” and introduce yourself. We are so happy to have many new additions to the Cardinal Community!
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The Bishop Comes to Ireton By: Erik Gunderson On September 22nd, Bishop Burbidge visited Bishop Ireton, touring the school and meeting with students and teachers. The day started off with the Bishop touring classrooms during first period. He then offered Mass with Father Noah. In his homily, he discussed the start of the new school year, and the chance it provided for a fresh start. After mass, he was gifted a wooden engraving of the school crest by members of Bishop Ireton’s student council. He then proceeded to meet with members of Bishop Ireton’s theater arts program. Lauren Allen (’24) described meeting the Bishop as a “great experience,” and said that she “loved getting to talk to him all about what the theater department has planned for this upcoming year.” Bishop Burbidge then met with several students that went on the Banica Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic, where he was briefed on the details of the trip as well as the students’ experiences. Bishop Burbridge toured several other classrooms before heading to lunch with several Bishop Ireton student leaders. Panera was served, and the Bishop, a Philadelphia native, predictably ordered a cheesesteak. He finished his day by meeting with several members of the BI faculty before heading back to the Diocesan Chancery in Arlington.
PHOTO CREDIT: BISHOP IRETON HIGH SCHOOL
PHOTO CREDIT: BISHOP IRETON HIGH SCHOOL
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Victory Over St. Stephen’s Football Team By: Kyle Burner
PHOTO CREDIT: UNIDENTIFIED BISHOP IRETON STUDENT
On September 15, 2023 the Bishop Ireton football team beat St. Stephen’s football team. Even though the team used to be underdogs, our Cardinals have been having a major comeback this season. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School is one of our biggest rivals. Bishop Ireton had a good first half. Throughout the first half I noticed that the large crowd of Bishop Ireton fans stayed consistent. Throughout the second half I noticed that the atmosphere was getting better and better. I noticed that throughout the second half of the game that the fans were more excited with every play that happened. Both the offensive and defensive looked great. There were big plays on offense and defense. Each play was better and better. I personally had really fun watching Bishop Ireton play great against St. Stephen’s & St Agnes. The final score was 27-18 in favor of Bishop Ireton.
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BI Community Comes Together to Help By: Nora Garland
For the first part of our homecoming spirit week on October 16 and 17, the Mothers of Bishop Ireton Alumni hosted a food drive. Mothers of Bishop Ireton Alumni is a club of mothers of former students who, throughout the year, support our school through various fundraising and service projects. The food drive is to support the Arlington Diocese’s St Lucy Food Project. The St Lucy Food Project is a system of food pantries and delivery systems that provide food to the homeless. Their goal is to end hunger within the Diocese. They work in the counties and cities within the Diocese of Arlington to provide meals to the homeless and fight hunger. They were especially active during the COVID-19 pandemic where they provided no contact delivery of meals to the hungry. Bishop Ireton students were able to donate thousands of pounds of food! Great job Cardinals!
PHOTO CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/ BISHOPIRETONHS
PHOTO CREDIT: THIS WEEK AT BI
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ZOMBIE DRUG By: Amelia Hooper The streets of Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood and varying drug-hot zones across the nation have been plunged into a threatening health crisis. A combination of drugs, including an animal tranquilizer known as xylazine, is infiltrating illicit fentanyl. This is causing even greater suffering for vulnerable individuals burdened with addiction. Fox News noted that “drug users can be seen injecting themselves with needles or passed out on the pavement with fleas covering their flesh-eating wounds. A few barely clothed users stumbled into the busy road in stupors with cars nearly running them over.“ The consequences of using this combination of drugs consist of painful wounds, which, if left untreated, can require amputations. Xylazine, also referred to by street names such as “tranq dope” and “zombie drug,” is being deliberately combined with fentanyl, amplifying the dangers of both drugs. What makes this outbreak so large is the accessibility of the drug, making the impact devastating. Regular users whose lives have been has been irreversibly altered by these substances are almost always left with horrifying wounds that cause immense suffering. In an effort to seek relief from the emotional and physical distress inflicted by these wounds, users continue to abuse the drug. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where users find themselves drawn into a relentless pattern of drug use. Regrettably, the substance they turn to for solace inadvertently exacerbates the severity of these wounds with each instance of drug usage. This destructive cycle takes a toll on both their physical and emotional well-being, causing it to be incredibly difficult to break free from the grasp of addiction. Along with this, since xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it does not respond to standard opioid overdose treatments. Therefore, resuscitating individuals who overdose on this combination of drugs is extremely difficult. A common side effect is also extended periods of incapacitating stupor, where users can be seen in a haze and often appear unconscious. In Philadelphia, more than 90% of drug samples contain xylazine, but this issue is not confined to one city. Within the past year, this drug has been detected in drug supplies across 36 states, including the District of Columbia. It was originally approved as a veterinary sedative by the FDA, but as it infiltrated more cities, this issue has become a disastrous epidemic.
PHOTOS BY TAYFUN COSKUN/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Autoworkers’ Strike By: Kyle Burner
PHOTO BY FOX BUSINESS NETWORK
The auto workers union went on strike since September 15. 2023. As reported by the New York Times, the strikes began in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. The strikes have expanded throughout the country to 38 more states. There are about 34,000 strikers currently. The strikers are striking against Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis. Now since these companies are some of the three most successful automobile companies, the workers want a share of the overall profits. Auto workers are demanding increased wages, improved overtime and retirement benefits, and improved worker protections. Methods include picketing, strike action, rolling strike, walk out, and presidential support. The union is pointing out that concessions were made during the 2008 financial crisis and during Covid to prevent the companies from going out of business. Ford has laid off 1,865 workers. General Motors has laid off 2,330. Stellantis has laid off 640 workers. That’s about 4,835 in total between the three motor companies. On October 25, 2023 the United Auto Workers and Ford had reached an agreement. The agreement includes a 11% wage increase during the first year and a total of 25% wage increase over the 4.5 year contract. The agreement also includes a $5,000 ratification bonus and cost of living adjustment. Pay is raised by 30% including the cost of living adjustment. On October 28, 2023 United Auto Workers and Stellantis reached an agreement with similar numbers. On October 30, 2023 United Auto Workers and General Motors reached an agreement with similar numbers.
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Dress For Success? By: Nora Garland
PHOTO CREDIT: NEW YORK POST
Despite its long standing business dress code, for almost one whole month the Senate dawned a casual dress code. The controversial casual dress code in the Senate, dubbed the “Fetterman Rule,” was revoked in late September, as reported by the New York Times. Despite the fact that the new dress code only lasted around a month, it caused quite the news frenzy. Someone who definitely utilized the new policy was John Fetterman, the Democrat senator from Pennsylvania, who has taken an extremist view on the subject, appearing in the chamber and in hearings wearing sweatshirts and gym shorts. The media and the public have spiraled into a debate, especially Fetterman’s polical openents, mainly composed of Republican senators and representatives. In 2019, Gallup polled US employees regarding their dress in the workplace and found 41% wear business casual attire, 31% wear casual attire, and only 3% reported that they wear business professional attire. If more American workplaces are shifting towards casual dress, why should the Senate not adopt this? Yes, wearing a tracksuit on the Senate floor is an extreme, but is it not quite superficial to criticize a senator’s style rather than his work? Maybe the outfits of a public official is not what we should be considering when it comes to evaluating their performance. The Senate is not a fashion show and as a society, we need to dig deeper when considering who should represent us and our interests.
PHOTO CREDIT: ROLLING STONE
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Upholding Decorum: The Importance of Maintaining a Senate Dress Code By: Cassie Page
John Fetterman stated “America … it’s about freedom and choice,” today the sanctity of tradition is under constant scrutiny. The proposed relaxed Senate dress code raised significant concerns across both the people and the members. While many proponents argued for a more casual dress code, it is important to remember the decorum of our legislative chambers. The chambers not only symbolize the solemnity but the gravity of the work that is undertaken by the Senate. The Senate’s dress code serves a crucial purpose beyond aesthetics. Fostering an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and professionalism amongst its members. The attire is not a frivolous requirement but a tangible manifestation of the responsibility that they hold on behalf of the American people. By adhering to the strict dress code, senators are reminded of the seriousness of their duty to the nation. The change to a more relaxed dress code in the Senate blurs the line between the formality of legislative proceedings and everyday life. This runs the risk of eroding the distinction between the Senate, diminishing the perception of the authority and influence of the elected officials. Additionally, maintaining a strict dress code is an equalizer as it eliminates distractions and focuses attention on the substance of the debates and discussions,rather than their attire.
PHOTO CREDIT: TRIB LIVE
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America Confronts the Digital SAT By: Erik Gunderson
PHOTO CREDIT: ISTOCK
It’s been a rough couple years for CollegeBoard, the organization behind the SAT and AP exams. Their bottom line suffered during Covid as students were unable to take the exams that powered the nonprofit’s billiondollar yearly revenue. They watched from afar as colleges shifted away from the SAT in favor of a test-optional approach, and feuded with the governor of Florida over the curriculum of its AP classes. Now, staring at widespread unpopularity among its consumer base and a college system that is slowly making the company’s signature tests obsolete, the organization has changed tack. They came out this year with the digital PSAT, billing it as the future of test-taking– easier, quicker, and, above all, less stressful than the old PSAT. America took the digital test this October, and many found it to be significantly more of a hassle in every regard. The CollegeBoard website crashed for students across the country, and although almost all students finished the test, it took significantly longer than expected. Though this was the first run of the test and many of the kinks that disrupted it this year will most likely be sorted out, it still showed that computerized testing on a nationwide scale is not as practical as paper testing. Bishop Ireton High School, to its credit, executed the Digital SAT without a hitch.
The CollegeBoard developed the digital test in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now been over for more than two years. There is simply no need for a digital SAT when the paper-pencil test works perfectly fine, and perhaps even better. Studies by the American Institutes for Research, published by Harvard University, have also shown that students on average perform better while taking paper-and-pencil tests, at least until they can overcome a digital learning curve. CollegeBoard has been searching for a new identity in the midst of the nation’s test-optional shift, but the digital SAT should not act as a rudder. It will only increase resentment towards the organization as millions of teachers and students struggle with crashing websites and dying computers on a yearly basis. Instead, the organization should stick true to its roots and keep its paper SAT, or at least leave it on as an option for test-takers. Rather than drastically changing the test’s format in a bid to stay relevant in a changing college admissions scene, it should instead return to what it once was– a genuine non-profit organization interested in expanding access to higher education.
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New Jersey’s Corruption Problem Once Again Rears it’s Ugly Head BY: ERIK GUNDERSON
PHOTO CREDIT: BBC NEWS
On September 22nd, 2023, a high-level New Jersey politician was indicted on corruption charges– Bob Menendez, the senior US Senator from the state. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on several shocking allegations. Among them are claims that Menendez accepted bribes from Egyptian government officials in the form of gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and half a million dollars in cash. This isn’t even Menendez’ first offense. In 2017 he barely escaped a prior bribery indictment when the trial ended with a hung jury. It appears that this trial, instead of dissuading Menedez from criminal activity, instead compelled him to ramp up the severity of his actions. Immediately after escaping the first slate of charges, he married his long-time girlfriend, who introduced him to a friend of hers who had connections to the Egyptian government. Soon after this, he started to lobby US government officials to change US policy to align with Egyptian interests. In return, he received tens of thousands of dollars in cash from the Egyptian companies these policy changes would benefit. He was essentially bribed into acting as an agent for the Egyptian government. The sheer scale of the corruption would put even gilded-age grifters to shame. But instead of being an anomaly, this incident is only the latest in a long string of corruption indictments related to New Jersey politicians. Over the past thirty years, the state has become infamous for corruption cases involving its politicians. In 2009, forty-four state officials were arrested in one corruption probe. Several years later, two more were charged in connection to the Bridgegate scandal, when governor Chris Christie’s office shut down a major bridge into New York City in order to pressure a mayor into endorsing Christie’s reelection campaign. In 2019, eight more low-level politicians were arrested on bribery charges. New Jersey, by any metric, is one of, if not the most, corrupt state in the country. The mix of high and low level politicians charged and convicted shows that the problem is ingrained into the political culture there, and that “fixing” the corruption in New Jersey will require a dramatic restructuring of the state’s political system. The indictment of a US senator means that New Jersey’s corruption is no longer just a New Jerseyan issue; it is now a federal problem. Prosecuting Menendez is not enough; that will address the symptoms of New Jersey’s corruption instead of the root cause. For lasting change to be enacted, the federal government must immediately move to investigate not just Menendez’ practices but those of the entire New Jersey political system in order to once and for all remove the scourge of corruption from the state.
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Thank you for reading!