Cardinal Connection - 2023-2024

CARDINAL CONNECTION

Advance Always in Christ Through the Legacy of the Gentle Saint, Francis de Sales

Advance Always in Christ Through the Legacy of the Gentle Saint, Francis de Sales

about the cover

A side view of the current St. Francis de Sales Chapel with architecture renderings of the new Chapel above it.

BISHOP IRETON 2023-2024 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Mr. John Riley ‘77 - Chair

Mr. Joseph Ferguson, Jr. ‘87 - Vice Chair

Mrs. Barbara Dalmut - Secretary

Mr. James Barker

Mrs. Michaelin Kastantin Barsness SMA ‘87

Mr. Dan Blaine ’03

Deacon Malcolm D’Souza ’84

Dr. Melissa Deichmann Evans

Mr. Scott Fedder ‘76

Rev. Christopher Christensen , Pastor, St. Rita’s

Mrs. Nkem Konkwo

Mr. Jack Murray

Mrs. Jane Pisano

Mrs. Meghan Roberts

Mrs. Aimee Viana

Mrs. Kathleen McNutt SMA ’87, Head of School

Dr. Jane Hannon Faculty Representative

Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach , Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Arlington

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION

Mrs. Kathleen McNutt , Head of School

Dr. Timothy Guy , Principal

Rev. Noah Morey , Chaplain and Campus Ministry Director

Mr. Dwayne Bryant , Athletics Director

Mr. Chris Gilliland , Advancement Director

Mrs. Nicole Mahon , Admissions Director

Mr. Joshua Goldman , Communications and Marketing Director

Mr. Greg Zabicki , Finance Director

Dr. Jane Hannon , Assistant Principal, Dean of Academics

Mrs. Jeanne Bliss , Assistant Principal, Dean of Faculty

Mr. Jonathan Pressimone , Assistant Principal for Student Life

Mr. Milton Powell , Diversity Director

Dr. Agnieszka Snyder , Special Services Director

Letter from the Head of School

Letter from the Principal

Marvin Elliott ‘78: The Living

Back

The

A Mother & Daughter Journey from St. Mary’s Academy to Bishop Ireton

BI/SMA Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023 Recap + Look Ahead to Homecoming 2024

Lifting Her Students, One Language at a Time

Beyond the Links

Service at Bishop Ireton

Cultural Connections

Obituaries

Mr. Joshua Goldman , Editor and Head Writer

Mrs. Kaitlyn Gerke , Creative Director

Contributing writers and photographers:

Kathleen McNutt, Tim Guy, Lauren Allen, Chris Gilliland, Ryan Fannon, Fr Noah Morey, Milton Powell, Gabriella Baniqued, Victor O’Neill’s Studios, Billy Sabatini Photography CARDINAL

Cardinal Connection is published once a year by the Office of the Head of School for alumni, students, families and friends of Bishop Ireton High School and St. Mary’s Academy. For comments and suggestions, or to request a copy of Cardinal Connection, please send an email to communications@bishopireton.org.

In the Catholic tradition and in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop Ireton High School is a college preparatory high school that promotes spiritual, intellectual, creative, social and physical development.

As a Salesian community of learning and service, Bishop Ireton High School prepares and inspires students to Advance Always with a Christ-centered focus to meet and surpass current and future global challenges.

Head OF SCHOOL Letter From the

Connection has defined Bishop Ireton since its founding in the fall of 1964. Whether it’s connection with the diocese, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, St. Mary’s Academy, local parishes, students, staff, families and local communities, or whether it’s campus connection through classrooms, labs, technology, fields, gyms, stage or even pandemic processes, Bishop Ireton High School continues to welcome and encourage a vast array of connections to create lifelong learners, faith-filled graduates and engaged citizens who make the world a better place.

Consider your own connections to Bishop Ireton and how they have influenced the person you have become. Each of these “Cardinal Connections” creates a positive impact on our current students, deepening the roots of this institution and providing additional branches of support for our graduates as they head out into the world.

As a proud St. Mary’s Academy graduate and Bishop Ireton’s 11th leader, I feel incredibly blessed to have Cardinal connections that run in many directions! My most obvious connections run through my own family graduates, with my husband, Geoff (BI’87), and our five children, Kaitlyn (BI’14), Megan (BI’16), Camryn (BI’18), Morgan (BI’19) and Connor (BI’22). Over the past two years, I have added two sons-in-law, Stephen (BI’14) and Tim (BI’16), and now an engaged son-in-law-to-be, Sam (BI’19)! Some may say we can’t seem to broaden our horizons in the McNutt crew, but I credit these connections to the beautiful gift of faith, family and strength in community that is found here at Bishop Ireton and through Catholic education.

In addition, my work both on and off campus continually keeps me connected to Bishop Ireton and SMA alumni and reminds me daily of the excellence and success of our graduates. That excellence continues today as we provide our students with the best instructional strategies, classroom engagement, technology tools, state-of-the-art facilities, extra-curricular experiences, service opportunities and loved traditions, as well as that sense of community focused on Christ. Whether I am visiting with alumni, meeting with diocesan staff or engaging with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, I love my work and am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the school community that has become my family–literally!

This year, our connections broadened as we opened our doors to the biggest freshman class (255 students) and the largest enrollment (921 students) in school history. After five straight years of growth, and recognition in such publications as USA

Today, Arlington Magazine and The Catholic News Agency, Bishop Ireton is proudly advancing! The energy on campus is palpable, and all of our new spaces are being fully utilized for classes, activities and events. Our number of instructional sections has increased but our focus on student-faculty connection and outstanding academics has stayed the same. As this issue hits mailboxes, construction is getting underway on campus to renovate our own St. Francis de Sales Chapel, which will grow in capacity and will become the true spiritual center of campus, connecting the new and original spaces with grace and beauty.

It is said that the cardinal bird reminds us of strength, security, bold expression, loyalty and a connection to our loved ones who are always with us. You can be assured that this Cardinal spirit is felt daily at Bishop Ireton, and that your own Cardinal connections continue to enhance this institution as we embark upon 60 years of faith filled Catholic education. At such an exciting time in school history, we hope that this issue of Cardinal Connection provides you with the opportunity to reflect upon your time at Bishop Ireton High School and St. Mary’s Academy and the people who made an impact on your life while you were here. I look forward to our connection in the year ahead as we Advance Always with hope and faith.

Live Jesus,

Kathleen F. McNutt Head of School

PRINCIPAL Letter From the i

tis another wonderful year for Bishop Ireton High School and in my third year as principal, I continue to count myself blessed to be a part of this school that I hold in such high regard. It is my opinion, and one that is widely expressed by others, that while we do a phenomenal job as a school, it is the Cardinal community that makes this such a special place. As everyone associated with our school knows, Bishop Ireton is a Catholic, college preparatory high school and is part of the Diocese of Arlington school system. This is not a revelation, but it is a touchstone for who we are and for our purpose.

We are a college-preparatory high school. Bishop Ireton’s academic excellence is built on a foundation of high standards in academics, and a passionate, skilled and experienced faculty that is adept at guiding our students on a journey of intellectual exploration, preparing them not just for college but for a lifetime of continuous learning. We offer a challenging curriculum to promote intellectual development that includes core study in English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Theology each and every year of high school. Our steadfast commitment to education in the Humanities and in STEM is complemented by our inclusion of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment course offerings for advanced study and our Distinguished Scholars program that encourages students to explore areas of interest with depth through extra course work and real life experiences. We also require study in World Languages, the arts and PE. We offer a broad range of electives in the Arts, Humanities, Engineering, Media Studies, Leadership, and other topics of interest to our students.

We are a Catholic school. Our unwavering dedication to Catholic values is the cornerstone of our identity. As a Catholic school we cherish our faith and the opportunities to practice our faith and to grow spiritually together, in our celebration of the Liturgy, in retreats, in our commitment to service and in daily actions. We strive to foster an environment where values and virtues are seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life. We are committed to nurturing the minds, spirits, and hearts of our students. Rooted in the teachings of Christ, we strive to instill in our students a profound sense of

morality, compassion and a commitment to service. Our graduates have a deep understanding of the importance of contributing positively to the world around them. This year we are extending our efforts with two new school-wide “Love in Action” field trips in keeping with our commitment to living our faith; or as we often say, to “Live Jesus.” One will be a celebration of life, and the other a full day of service. We are proud of the systems of support available to students and the continued growth and evolution of our Special Services department, all innovative ways we have been able to provide broader access to the Bishop Ireton curriculum through added layers of support.

As a school in the diocese of Arlington we are attuned to our responsibility to serve the students and the families who make up our community. We take great effort to provide the help and support to build their capacity to meet and surpass challenges and to develop the faith, confidence and resiliency needed to live the words of St. Francis de Sales to “Be who you are and be that well, giving honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.”

Beyond academics, Bishop Ireton High School prides itself on being a nurturing community where the school climate plays a pivotal role in creating lasting memories and friendships. We know and understand the importance of the high school experience in the lives of our students. We offer a wide variety of activities and events that enrich our students and provide opportunities for them to build and strengthen friendships. From school-day events, dances, athletics, theater and musical performances, clubs, assemblies, our vibrant and supportive atmosphere encourages students to explore their passions, form meaningful connections, and cultivate a sense of belonging. The bonds formed within these walls extend far beyond graduation, creating “Cardinal Connections” that last a lifetime.

Advance Always,

Dr. Tim Guy Principal

Support the Annual Fund

There are exciting things happening both in and out of the classroom at Bishop Ireton, giving our exceptional students the chance to excel at every level.We would not be at this point without strong leadership, shared values and a willingness to get involved and give back.

We strive to keep tuition affordable so that the Bishop Ireton experience remains accessible to all. Nevertheless, tuition covers only 80% of the actual cost to educate our Cardinals.

We invite you to help us support the students, faculty and programs by contributing annually to the Annual Fund.Your gift helps underwrite the difference (approximately $2,225 per student) between tuition revenue and the full cost of providing a superior academic program. All gifts, no matter the size, make a difference! Donate today at BISHOPIRETON.ORG/GIVE

Support the 2024 Day of Giving

On last year’s “Day of Giving” we received 196 total donations and raised over $175,000, which included $113,000 to the Annual Fund, $59,000 to the St. Francis de Sales Chapel Renovation project and $2,200 in scholarship gifts and restricted donations.

Thank you to those who made a commitment to our students, the future of our school and the advancement of Catholic education in Alexandria. Your prayers and donations have made a real difference in the lives of our Bishop Ireton families, and we are so grateful for your support and generosity.

Make sure to mark your calendars for our next Day of Giving, April 23 - 24, 2024.

We will “Elevate Giving: Take Bishop Ireton to New Heights” from noon on the 23rd until midnight on the 24th.

Marvin Elliott ‘78

The Living Embodiment of “Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal”

Since the mid 1970s, Marvin Elliott has been a shining example of a true Bishop Ireton Cardinal.

W..hether you are arriving at a Bishop Ireton home football game or a basketball game in Godley Gym, you will most likely be greeted at some point by Marvin Elliott (‘78). Always in Cardinal spirit wear, and sometimes in his special Bishop Ireton Athletic “Hall of Famer” letter jacket, Marvin is the school’s most beloved volunteer, determined to support the BI athletics department in whatever ways he can help the most. That might be setting up field flags or gym chairs, greeting game officials, selling tickets, welcoming alumni and visitors or cleaning up when an event ends. But no matter the task, Marvin does it with enthusiastic love of the school that helped to form the person he has become.

Marvin was raised in Alexandria by a single mom and three uncles who provided him love and support growing up. His Uncle Lawrence (“Lucky”) Elliott was particularly involved in Marvin’s life, becoming a father figure and helping him get into sports at an early age while stressing the importance of education. As a young boy, Marvin attended

“Marvin is a good friend. He is a great father and family man. He was a tremendous athlete in his day. I’ve always loved his toughness. He has done so much for Ireton with his involvement with athletics and the administration. Ireton should be thankful for having an alum as loyal as Marvin.”

Frank Hopke BI ‘76

Jefferson Houston Elementary and played different sports near his home at the Charles Houston Rec Center. Uncle Lucky coached him in football and basketball during these years. He also connected Marvin with John Hoechst, a JV football coach at Bishop Ireton. From that relationship, discussion ensued about the possibilities of Marvin attending BI. Though initially reluctant, Marvin, not wanting to disappoint Uncle Lucky, decided to enroll on Cambridge Road.

Marvin came to BI as a freshman in the fall of 1974, just ten years after the school opened. It took a few months to adjust to Bishop Ireton since most of his friends went to George Washington or TC Williams (now called Alexandria City High School), but after that initial adjustment period, Marvin shared, “I felt pretty good [at BI]. I remember being one of only three African-Americans in 1974, and two were in my freshman class. Going into my sophomore year, I was excited about

coming [to BI].” With a smile, he remembered, “I was not thrilled about wearing a shirt and tie and missed going to school with girls, but that was okay.”

Perhaps the excitement of his sophomore year at BI foreshadowed the good year it became. “I won the outstanding football award for the team,” remembers Marvin. “They asked me to say a few words at the football banquet and I told everyone that all my neighborhood friends kept asking me why I wanted to go to Bishop Ireton. In response, I looked my childhood friends in the face and asked them why they didn’t come here.” In addition to his athletic achievements, Marvin also cultivated friendships during that pivotal sophomore year. “I met some really good people like the Hopke brothers and was close with Frank Hopke ‘76, Bob Battle ‘77, and Paul Gartlan ‘77,” he said. “I also recruited my cousin Michael Sheppard from George Washington, who came to BI for his final two years and graduated with me in 1978. He became a BI Athletic Hall of Famer himself.”

Marvin also spoke highly of the teachers he had during his time on Cambridge Road. “The teachers at BI were great,” recalls Marvin. “I remember Bob Keller, a 1971 BI grad and future BI Athletic Hall of Famer, who returned to Bishop Ireton in the mid-70s as an English teacher and took me under his wing. He wanted me to meet with him to help me grow and be academically sound.” He went on to remember the oblate who had a huge impact on his formation. “ I also remember Fr. Godley who would always talk to me and check in on me. We had a great relationship! I was so honored in my senior year when I won the Father Godley Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award for the school. Fr. Godley was a really firm guy. He didn’t have a filter. He told me what was going on and he told me the truth. He

didn’t care if I was a football and basketball standout; he told me what I needed to do to grow and prosper.”

As a Bishop Ireton football player in the 1970s, Marvin was a two-time 1st Team All-State honoree, a 3rd Team All-Met selection from The Washington Post, the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club’s Football Player of the Year his senior year, and a 1st Team Prep All-American in the fall of 1977. Marvin was also an outstanding basketball player for the Cardinals as a three-year varsity starter. Adding to his athletic resume, Marvin ran track his senior year and finished third in the state in the 100-yard dash.

After graduating from Bishop Ireton, Marvin received numerous scholarship offers to play Division I college football, including recruitment by the U.S. Air Force Academy, Brown University, Miami University, Virginia Tech and East Carolina University where he ultimately signed. He attended ECU and was a four year scholar athlete, playing football as a running back and starting strong safety. Marvin remembered how well BI prepared him for college saying, “The dedication and hard work I learned at Bishop Ireton allowed me to transition well to college. I learned my (athletic) talent alone was not going to cut it once I got to college. I needed to really bring my work ethic to improve my skill set.”

Marvin set his sights on a pro football career following his graduation from ECU and had tryouts with the then Washington Redskins and the Canadian Football League. Unfortunately, a right knee injury ended his aspirations for a pro football career. The love of family and foundational years at Bishop Ireton gave Marvin the support he needed for this next challenge of changing gears and goals. Keeping his love of athletics on the forefront of his next career plan, Marvin embarked on what

would be a long and gratifying career (more than three decades) with the City of Alexandria Recreation Department, where he currently serves as the Recreation Manager for Sports Section Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. An opportunity that started as a part-time job in the mid 1980s turned into a job that he loved, in the city that he loved!

Over the past three decades, Marvin has worked nonstop, sometimes 80 hours a week, at various rec centers throughout Alexandria. He found that his true calling was working with youth and giving back to the city, providing children with the opportunity to get a good education, play youth sports, and learn at an early age how to be a productive citizen.

Sometimes Marvin’s vocation played out through his position with the city, and sometimes it was highlighted through his volunteerism. When Marvin started a family, he began years of volunteer coaching to provide time with his sons while also helping youth in the community. His sons, Marvin Jr. and Michael, quickly became immersed in his volunteer world (and eventually became Bishop Ireton Cardinals themselves)! Marvin coached both boys in AAU basketball and started a group called “the Untouchables” which was designed to teach youth the importance of academics and values and encourage respect of self and others. The original incarnation of the Untouchables was kept together over the next decade, and many of the boys that Marvin coached went on to play college sports, get an excellent education and lead productive, successful lives. Marvin felt blessed to work with them, and is particularly proud that both of his sons had the opportunity to attend Bishop Ireton. This shared educational experience is special to the Elliott family.

Marvin receives the Athletic Department’s Bob Pollard Distinguished Alumni Award for the 2021-2022 school year from Head of School Kathleen McNutt.

“

“I can’t think of Marvin Elliott without thinking of his love for family, his passion for Bishop Ireton High School and the City of Alexandria, and his understanding that life is a gift. I met Marvin my first week on the job at Bishop Ireton. He let me know immediately that he was here to support the school and help at any time he was needed. Marvin has remained true to his word, and he is our most dedicated volunteer.”

Kathleen McNutt Head of School

As Marvin’s family grew, so did his volunteerism with Bishop Ireton. Marvin wanted to give back in new ways to the school that he loved, and reflected, “BI gave me all the tools to pass on to my children.” Marvin became an important conduit with the city for Bishop Ireton, as the school worked to partner on field space, practice facilities and shared equipment. At the same time, he has been an important connection for youth and families looking at Bishop Ireton, and he has been instrumental in outreach to alumni for financial assistance program support for students in need. When recently considering his nearly 50 year history with Bishop Ireton, Marvin said, “I have been given awards here for sports and for giving back, but I still feel Bishop Ireton has

done more for me than I have done for them. People think I work here because I’m here so often. I say that because I heard a long time ago that it takes a village to raise a kid. Bishop Ireton was part of that village, because I was here from 8 am to 5:30 pm as a student for ten and a half months a year. Bishop Ireton was echoing why my uncle brought me to Ireton and what my family always emphasized: get your education, play sports and treat people like you want to be treated.” In recognition of his stellar career at BI, Marvin was inducted into the Bishop Ireton Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009, and he received the Athletic Pollard Alumni Award in 2022. Just as Marvin Elliott appreciates all that Bishop Ireton has given to him, BI continues to be grateful

for Marvin’s involvement on Cambridge Road.

On September 13, 2020, Marvin would face adversity like never before during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He woke up to the life-altering reality of a massive stroke. A blood clot on the left side of his brain resulted in damage to the right side of his body, affecting his face, arm and leg. Unwavering determination, the grace of God, and three years of dedicated rehabilitation have allowed him to reclaim most of the functionality on the right side of his body.

Marvin knew that Bishop Ireton was the right place to hold recovery workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as he fought back from his stroke. “BI is that safe haven for me that really feels like home and always has since the mid 70s,” said Marvin. “I was going to put in the work because my work ethic came from my family and was inspired by my mom and three uncles. I continue to praise God for allowing me the opportunity to get better and stronger every day. Overall, I’m now 95% recovered from my stroke.”

“Even when Marvin was recovering from a serious stroke, he remained connected to Bishop Ireton, sharing his recovery and seeking ways to help during the pandemic,” said Head of School Kathleen McNutt. “He understood the importance of connection and the need to give back. Marvin

L-R: Michael Elliott, David Cooley, Valerie Cooley Elliott, Marvin Elliott, Marvin Elliott Jr.

bleeds red and gold, and he lives and breathes the Cardinal spirit! Bishop Ireton was ready to help Marvin during his time of need. We all know that BI is a better place because of the love and care he has shown to this school.”

Marvin’s aim in sharing his personal health story now is to ensure that others know about the importance of annual health check-ups. High blood pressure silently played a pivotal role in his stroke, but regular health assessments can detect dangerous conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly contribute to a healthy life, potentially preventing life-altering events like strokes or heart attacks.

Sharing his story was important, but Marvin wanted to do more to help the BI and Alexandria community. For almost a year leading up to December of 2023, Marvin worked with the Bishop Ireton administration to raise heart health and stroke awareness through the development and management of the inaugural Alexandria Hoops from the Heart basketball tournament, hosted by BI. The goal of the tournament was several-fold; it was meant to continue to create awareness about personal health, to have an event celebrating the high school youth of Alexandria, and

to raise money for the Bob Pollard Scholarship and the American Heart Association. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Marvin Elliott and the BI athletics department, the tournament was a huge success. This one-day basketball quadruple header in Godley Gym was held on Saturday, December 9 and included all four high schools from the city of Alexandria. The final game of the tournament was a dramatic Bishop Ireton boys basketball come-from-behind victory over Alexandria City High School in front of a packed house. Plans for the upcoming second Hoops from the Heart event in late 2024 are already underway.

Today, Marvin lives in Loudoun County with his wife Valerie. He has given so much to his family, Bishop Ireton and the Alexandria Community for decades. And yet, it’s his humble demeanor and grateful heart that makes those who know this special Cardinal fortunate to know him.

I’ve known Marvin for almost 27 years. I first met Marvin when I was an English teacher and Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at then T.C Williams High School. I remember Marvin’s support for the kids on my team at the time, and I remember his commitment to the kids of Alexandria City. In my four years at Bishop Ireton, I haven’t met anyone who is more committed to the students, school, and the Bishop Ireton community. His passion for this school and even more so, his passion for Bishop Ireton Athletics is unmatched. I can honestly say, a large part of the reason I am at Bishop Ireton is because of Marvin Elliott. Words alone cannot express how much he has meant and means to me. He is truly a special person.”

Dwayne Bryant Athletic Director

Bob Pollard Scholarship

“Big Bob” Pollard was a gentle giant. During his junior and senior years, he led the basketball team to winning seasons, which included the State Catholic Championship in 1984 and 1985. He was a dominating presence on the floor and led the team in scoring and rebounding. After graduation, Bob received a scholarship to play basketball at the University of the District of Columbia. It was there that Bob’s life ended tragically while playing the sport that he loved due to an undetected heart condition. The Robert Pollard Scholarship was established in his name to support underprivileged students. Fundraising for this scholarship comes from Bishop Ireton summer camps, Hoops for the Heart tournament and contributions from generous donors.

To learn more about this scholarship, scan the QR code below.

Claire Mitchell ‘24, McKenna Hayden ‘24 and Eden Henok ‘24 volunteer at the second annual Alexandria Hoops from the Heart basketball tournament at Bishop Ireton.

ABEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A SEND-OFF GRADUATION 2 023

For the 2023 commencement exercises at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, it wasn’t just the sun that was beaming on the morning of May 26, 2023. Graduating seniors, who endured a roller coaster ride through high school with the pandemic interrupting much of their normalcy, beamed with joy as they awaited their turn to receive the Bishop Ireton diploma in the hallowed shrine.

Baccalaureate was held on May 25, 2023 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield. The entirety of the Class of 2023 and their families had the opportunity to worship together during Mass and then celebrate the faculty after Mass. Mrs. Sonia Faletti was also presented with the Award for Outstanding Leadership in Christian Service. Mrs. Faletti (who was profiled in the 2023 Cardinal Connection magazine) served the Bishop Ireton community from 1986 until her retirement last year. She taught and inspired hundreds upon hundreds of students with her joy, grace and humility.

On the morning of May 26, Bishop Ireton returned for commencement at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The weather was nearly pitch perfect and the packed crowd inside bubbled with anticipation and enthusiasm. During the ceremony, attendees heard from the Most Reverend Michael Burbidge,

Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Head of School Kathleen McNutt, Principal Dr. Tim Guy, Chaplain Father Noah Morey, Salutatory speaker Annie Nealon and Valedictory speaker Molly McNicol. The Peter L. Ireton awards for general academic excellence were presented to Aidan McNerney (who earned the highest grade point average in the Class of 2023) and Audrey Pickard (who earned the second highest grade point average in the Class of 2023). The Salesian Medal of Honor, which is considered the highest honor bestowed on any student by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, was presented to Allison Dunnegan and Annie Nealon by Father Donald J. Heet, OSFS. The Diocese of Arlington St. Thomas More-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award was presented to William Claeys.

As the new crop of BI alums and their families exited into the warm sunlight, smiles and celebrations abounded. They’ll be missed in the nest on Cambridge Road but it was a beautiful day to send-off the next group of Cardinals into the world.

Editor’s Note: to see a one minute recap of the 2023 graduation, scan the QR code to the right or visit www.youtube.com/ bishopiretonhighschool.

Class of 2023

The students from the Class of 2023 have graduated from Bishop Ireton and are now attending some of the finest colleges and universities around the country.

Abigail Abegg

Josephine Abrials

Hannah Alkhanbeshi

Anthony Alwine

Mitchell Anguita

John Aranibar

Victor Guillermo Atiles

Michael Avery

Ethan Bailey

Maren Baisley

Peyton Barnett

Hannah Battaglia

John Battaglia

Lana Beidas

Noah Bell

William Booker

Abigail Bottorff

Connor Bourne

Perry Bourne

Madison Bridges

William Brown

Sergio Burneo

Mark Bush

John Buzby

Brendan Carreon

Piero Cecchi-Rivas

Victoria Cheatham

Elizabeth Cheney

Stephen Christmas

William Claeys

Adam Clark

Kate Clark

Mary Clymer

Brendan Coffin

Samantha Collins

Abigail Cooch

Jonah Cook

Lauren Cremer

Kelsey Curry

Ryan Curry

Stephanie Dee

Madelyn Deveans

Holly Diamond

Anna Marie Dodson

Michelle Dorman

Hailey Duffett

Ryan Duffiled

Auburn University

Fairfield University

St. John’s University

Juniata College

Virginia Commonwealth University

George Mason University

Shenandoah University

Gap Year

Champlain College

College of the Holy Cross

Virginia Tech

Northern Virginia Community College

Shenandoah University

University of Texas

Undecided

Howard University

University of Rhode Island

University of Mary Washington

Pennsylvania State University

University of Vermont

University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

Virginia Commonwealth University

James Madison University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Tech

George Mason University

University of South Carolina

Purdue University

Thomas Aquinas College

United States Air Force Academy

Pellissippi State Community College

Washington College

University of Tennessee

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Denison University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Indiana University

University of South Carolina

Mississippi State University

University of Delaware

Michigan State University

Arizona State University

College of Charleston

Virginia Tech

Fashion Institute of Technology

Gap Year

Allison Dunnegan

Victoria Ebron

Nicolas El Choueiry

Erin Elsinger

Tyreke Fairclough

Dominick Faraci

Danica Angellynn Fielding

Caroline Fletcher

Alexis Flores

Declan Forrer

Dan Forson

Aidan Furey

Shaun Gadia

Samantha Gearghty

John Gibson

Giselle Gipp

Anna Julia Giza

Christopher Gomez

Sebastian V. Gongora

Warren Gorman

Ella Goulet

David Greene-Miller

Grace Hanna

Maxwell Harris

Charlotte Harrison

Jack Harte

Owen Henke

Joseph Hicks

Ava Hobson

Isabelle Holden

Jason Hoover

Gabriella Hovatter

Owen Hull

Micah Hutchings

Vincent Huynh

Nicholas Ierardi

Elizabeth Jacobs

Amondi James

Lucy Jefferies

Samantha Johnson

Ramon Jones

Christopher Jorss

Peyton Kalan

Owen Katz

Lauren Keast

Eva Kehl

Grace Keller

Roanoke College

University of South Carolina

The Catholic University of America

University of South Carolina

Olivet Nazarene University

Gap Year

University of Notre Dame

Tulane University of Louisiana

American University

University of Mary Washington

Towson University

Virginia Tech

Towson University

University of Delaware

Appalachian State University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

DeSales University

Marymount University

United States Air Force Academy

University of Washington

Hampton University

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Loyola University Maryland

Northern Virginia Community College

University of Dayton

Christopher Newport University

Gap Year

Michigan State University

Providence College

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

College of William & Mary

George Mason University

College of William & Mary

George Mason University

James Madison University

Saint Joseph’s University

University of Maryland

College of Charleston

James Madison University

University of Arizona

Undecided

Elon University

University of Georgia

The Catholic University of America

Northern Virginia Community College

University of Delaware

Andrew Jeremy Kelly

Sofia-Marie Khalil

Katherine Khuu

Emma Klassa

Timothy Larson

Emily Le

Connell Leary

Zachary Leggiero

Meckenzie Letellier

James Levin

Sorcha Lewis

Matthew LoGrande

Griffin Loveng

Eleanora Lupo

Preston Lynn

Gabriella Marina

Patrick Martinez

Gabriel Mateo

Daniel Matheis

Talia McCarthy

Kiera McClanahan

Aidan McConnon

Ryan McConnon

Damian McGhie

Daniela McGhie

Conor McHugh

Virginia McMahon

Aidan McNerney

Mary McNicol

Raul Medina

Sessen Leah Mengesha

Jacob Middel

David Miller

Sophia Molinari

Matthew Moore

Tatiana Moses

Nora Muckerman

Sara Munson

Anne Nealon

John Nelson

Luke Nguyen

Ngoc Bao Tram Nguyen

Matthew Nichols

Travis Nienaber

Jason Nkunda

Tristan Obioha

Caroline O’Brien

Brendan O’Connor

James Olson

Eunice Onakoya

William O’Reilly

Creighton University

James Madison University

George Mason University

The Ohio State University

Providence College

Virginia Tech

University of California, Berkely

Virginia Tech

Randolph-Macon College

High Point University

Xavier University

St. John’s University

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Gap Year

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James Madison University

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Loyola University Maryland

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Gabrielle Pamor

Jessica Parezo

Addison Parker

Ryleigh Pavlick

Jack Paxton

Isabelle Phillips

Audrey Pickard

Charles Pierce

Andrew Pollock

Siena Puglisi

Ryan Quaid

Andrew Quinn

Alexandra Raia

Sophia Raia

Gabriela Lucia Ramirez

Sophia Ramirez

Joseph Redden

Sean Regan

Lily Ripley

Santiago Rivera Robiou

Nora Roche

Alexandra Rodgers

Alaina Rogers

Sawyer Roy

Evan Safreed

Mary Scolese

Michael Keith Semerjian

Christian Sendi

Sammy Shenkut

Alexandra Smethurst

Erik Snydstrup

Jude Sparrow

Vivian Spendley

Isabel Takata

Mikias Taye

Mayah Tiwari

Timothy Tran

Connell Trimber

Elizabeth Van Gilder

Gabriela Vargas

Edgar Ventura

Semaj Akayla Walker

Valerie Watkins

Riely Weaver

Eve Wisneski

Sarah Wood

Thaddeus Worth

Sophia Yacoub

Dominic Young

George Mason University

Gap Year

University of Alabama

University of Georgia

James Madison University

University of Colorado

University of Virginia

James Madison University

James Madison University

Princeton University

James Madison University

University of Alabama

Virginia Tech

University of San Diego

College of William & Mary

The New School

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St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Northern Virginia Community College

Tulane University of Louisiana

James Madison University

University of California, Davis

Roanoke College

North Carolina State University

Elon University

University of South Carolina

James Madison University

George Mason University

Bridgewater College

Santa Clara University

East Carolina University

The Catholic University of America

Pennsylvania State University

George Mason University

Marymount University

College of William & Mary

Virginia Tech

George Mason University

Virginia Tech

Elon University

Marymount University

Lycoming College

University of South Florida

Michigan State University

Northern Virginia Community College

United States Military Academy

Ohio University

Pennsylvania State University

Franciscan University of Steubenville

BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

After the stage was dark and the audience at bay during the early days of the pandemic, BI theater is thriving once again in Garwood Whaley Auditorium.

BY LAUREN ALLEN (BI ‘24)

March 13, 2020. As the school shut down and moved online due to the COVID-19 spread, theater students at Bishop Ireton were just one week away from opening the last production for Mrs. Joanna Henry, the Director for Bishop Ireton Theater Arts (BITA) since 2000. Unfortunately, due to continued concerns with the pandemic, the curtain never rose on Freaky Friday

As the 2020-2021 school year began, the entire Cardinal community adjusted to learning in a pandemic-driven world: masks all day long; alternating between days at home and in school; social distancing in the classroom. The theater department was also undergoing big changes. In 2020, Mrs. Katie Rice became the new Director Theater Arts. It was a year when doing mainstage productions like Ireton had performed in the past simply wasn’t possible. However, the theater team pushed forward and took to the stage with Obstacles: An Evening of One-Act Plays. Featuring actors in clear masks and a virtual audience, it gave students a chance to finally perform again. Later, in the spring, when the musical would typically occur, everyone brushed up on their Shakespeare and moved to the “Zoom stage” in Much Ado About Nothing.

“They say, ‘The show must go on!’ and Bishop Ireton certainly rose to the occasion,” recalled Mrs. Rice. She

continued saying, “I was, and continue to be, amazed by our students’ resilience and the unparalleled support of Bishop Ireton parents. Our strong, faithfilled community never let up, and I’m incredibly proud of that.”

In 2021-2022, the entire school community was back together in person everyday. Theater was also back in full swing with the fall play, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Audiences were transported back in time to 1930s Istanbul and took a journey with Hercule Poirot on the Orient Express, with a two car train built by the stagecraft classes. The theater department stayed overseas (and the past!), this time in the 1920s for Anastasia, the first musical in Garwood Whaley Auditorium since 2019. Not only did the cast of Anastasia get to perform onstage at BI, but also at the Kennedy Center, at the 2022 Cappies Gala. Anastasia was nominated for six Cappies, including Best Musical and garnered a win for Melanie Becker ‘22 for Best Supporting Actor in Female Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Countess Lily.

BITA was back, and ready to hit the ground running in the 2022-2023 season. In You Can’t Take It With You, the audience was invited into the home of the Sycamores, a family with eccentric interests who

Obstacles: An Evening of One-Act Plays, Fall 2020

Murder on the Orient Express, Fall Play 2021

are thrown out of whack during a dinner with daughter Alice’s fiance and his seemingly “normal” family. A new member was also welcomed into the BITA family, with Ms. Arianna Tiley taking the role of Assistant Director of Theater Arts.

As spring arrived, the cast and crew also arrived in River City, Iowa for The Music Man. The show became the best attended Ireton show to date, with more than 2,000 audience members across two weekends. BITA also returned to the Kennedy Center in June, with seven Cappies nominations for The Music Man. Elina Viana ‘24 won the award for Best Female Vocalist for her performance as Marian Paroo, as did the Costuming Team, led by Michelle Dorman ‘23 and Claire Gibbons ‘24.

It was truly a new era for BITA. The program has continued to grow this year, with over 100 students participating in Clue: Onstage High School Edition, the fall play in 2023. The stage crew built a

three-tiered set, featuring the various rooms of Boddy Manor. The student costuming team designed outfits in line with the 1950s time period in the classic shades of scarlet, mustard and plum. The props team worked with the engineering department to 3-D print each of the murder weapons.

This year, BITA also added a Broadway Revue to the calendar in December, featuring classic showtunes celebrating themes of growing into the person you are meant to be. This spring, BI is set to go Into the Woods for the

musical. Each department is hard at work to make this production a success.

The impact BITA has goes beyond the auditorium. Senior stage crew member and props designer Aidan Kelleher has said BITA creates a “wonder that resonates far beyond the luminous confines of the spotlight.” The theater department has become a cornerstone of the larger Bishop Ireton community, continuing to draw in larger and larger crowds with each show. It brings people together, which has only become more important after the pandemic, a time where everyone was forced apart. And as the years go on, BITA will only continue to grow and foster an environment where students have, as stage manager Maria Wise ‘24 puts it “many opportunities to engage with different people and ideas.”

The Music Man, Spring 2023

Anastasia, Spring Musical 2022

Simons ERIN

From the Ground Up

How Erin Simons spent more than a decade building the Bishop Ireton Field Hockey team from scratch into a contender.

In the fall of 2011, athletes hunched over curved sticks with protective gear over their eyes with everyone focused on a hard ball rolling along the turf. A new varsity sport was debuting at Bishop Ireton after a long hiatus. The Cardinals were bringing back field hockey as a varsity sport. When it was time to hire a coach to lead the burgeoning program, BI and then Athletic Director Bill Simmons turned to Erin Simons. Just seven years after graduating from Longwood University in 2004, where she was a standout field hockey forward, Erin was ready to take on the task of coaching a team from the ground up. Along with Erin, BI also hired Erin’s mom, Betty Sixsmith, a long-tenured field hockey coach. Betty coached Erin years earlier during her junior varsity season at West Potomac High School.

Hiring a head coach proved to be more difficult than BI had thought. Due to the rise in popularity of the sport and its growth at the high school level around the area, good coaches were in short supply. At the time, Bill remarked, “We are fortunate that they were ready to come back to coaching… I don’t think we could have found better coaches honestly.”

On returning to coaching, Erin said in 2011, “I want to develop an upbeat, smart, and a disciplined style of play for our teams. I am excited about building a new program, new traditions, and establishing a great hockey culture at BI.”

More than a decade later, the field hockey program continues to thrive and has made tremendous strides in establishing both a hockey culture and a winning hockey culture.

In 2011, the team played a shortened schedule before taking on a full slate of games in 2012 with a jump to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) that year as well. The early goings for the new varsity program were a steep learning curve for players and coaches alike. But in just the third season, the team notched their first conference win and finished the season 6-6. The huge improvement was due in large part to the coaching by Erin and the drive she instilled in her players.

The team continued to see success building year after year as Erin worked to build her program and students became more and

Even Chaplain Father Noah Morey had to get in on the action of this program on the rise. He joined the team for a few practices in the fall of 2019. That season, the team returned to the WCAC semifinals.

With the 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19, the team returned to the field in the fall of 2021. That season, Erin captained the BI field hockey program to heights previously unconquered. The team finished with a 10-3 regular season record and its first ever appearance in the WCAC Finals. There, they looked to avenge an earlier season loss to undefeated St. John’s, ultimately coming up just short in 1-0 loss to the Cadets. In 2022, the team was back with a vengeance and finished WCAC play in second place with a 5-1 record. They marched to the WCAC semifinals where they fell in a heartbreaker to Good Counsel. Despite the loss, their overall record of 11-3 earned them a top five ranking in the state.

“When I first arrived as Head of School in July 2019, I was immediately impressed with Erin’s leadership,” said Head of School Kathleen McNutt. “Erin wasn’t shy! She was ready to share with me the challenges and successes that she felt through our athletic program. I watched her command on the sidelines with grace and confidence, bringing her strengths as a woman, a professional, a mother and an athlete to everything she did. She was a beautiful example to our girls of how to lead with faith, passion and purpose.”

Following the 2022 season, Erin decided to step down as head coach of the field hockey team after a hugely successful 11 year career. Though there is no truly replacing someone as instrumental as Erin, a familiar face was hired to lead the program moving forward. Avery Potter (BI ‘19) played under Erin while at Bishop Ireton (and served as the team captain her junior and senior years) and was uniquely suited to take over as the field hockey head coach.

“Erin’s impact on Bishop Ireton’s field hockey program was nothing short of remarkable,” said Betty Sixsmith. “Starting from scratch, she instilled a culture of tenacity and determination that transformed inexperienced athletes into champions and college-level players. Her teams consistently outperformed expectations, making waves in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) year after year. Even after her athletes graduated, Erin’s influence remained strong,

CARDINAL

sports on the rise

Consistent, competitive teams are aligning on Cambridge Road.

Adecisive 26-14 victory on the gridiron vs. PVI on Homecoming. A buzzer beating three pointer from a freshman big man to secure a one point victory against McNamara in boys basketball. A junior who has already scored 1,000 career points for the girls basketball team. A boys and girls WCAC champion in tennis. A third place finish for the girls team in the ultra-competitive WCAC Cross Country Championships. The best WCAC Championship finish for both girls and boys swim in decades. More than 70 students playing at the next level (including 11 already committed as of January 31 from the Class of 2024) from just the past four years. If it’s not clear already, Cardinal athletics are on the rise and they don’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

You don’t have to look beyond the amazing athletes and teams enshrined in the Bishop Ireton Athletic Hall of Fame to know that excellence in athletics on Cambridge Road isn’t new. Since the school’s first year in 1964, hundreds of athletes have led stellar, accomplished careers on the field, on the court, on the track, on the ice and more.

Even with that history of excellence, Dwayne Bryant had goals of building consistent, winning programs across all sports at BI when he began his tenure in 2020. Just before he started his time at Bishop Ireton, he said, “My ultimate goal is to have Bishop Ireton be one of those schools that’s competing every year for a WCAC Championship.” As of now, many of BI teams are right on track. Below is just a sampling of some of the amazing accomplishments for the Cardinals in the past year.

Winter 2022-2023

The Bishop Ireton Cheerleaders took home a 7th consecutive Grand Championship at the Christian Cheerleaders of America National Championship.

Head Coach of the Swim & Dive program Kaitlyn Gerke took home the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Coach of the Year award.

Bishop Ireton Hockey scored a 3-2 victory against Lake Braddock/ Fairfax to capture the Capitals High School League Championship for the first time in school history. This follows a WCAC Championship in 2021-2022.

Spring 2023

Track and Field had an outstanding season with several school records set. Chad Greene-Miller broke a 32 year old record, running 22.13 in the 200m dash. The 4x100m relay of Aaron Rocke, CJ Trimber, Stephen Ntambwe and Chad Greene-Miller also set a new relay record with a time of 43.42. The boys team also took home first place in the Catholic State Meet.

Girls lacrosse continued its winning ways and secured seven spots on the All-WCAC teams at the end of the season. Four of the team’s seniors are playing in college this season.

Fall 2023

Football had a major renaissance this season with a 7-4 record, an appearance in the WCAC semifinals, wins over all three other high schools in the Diocese of Arlington (Paul VI, Bishop O’Connell and John Paul the Great) and the WCAC Offensive CoPlayer of the Year (among other major recognitions). Despite Head Coach Gary Wortham stepping down following the season due to health reasons, Bishop Ireton looks to remain competitive in 2024 with Bernard Joseph taking the helm as head coach.

Despite an up and down season, girls tennis finished a strong fourth place at the WCAC Championships. Sophomore Ally Herbas took home a WCAC Championship after upsetting the number one seed at #6 singles. Juniors Kate Gomez and Elisa Manalo finished second to the top seeded team in #2 doubles.

Cross country saw amazing performances from young runners including blazing times at both the WCAC and VISAA Championships. Sophomore Rory Kipp finished in 11th place in both the WCAC and VISAA races, anchoring the BI girls to 3rd place finishes at both competitions. Freshman Jason Day finished 15th overall at the WCAC Championships and 18th overall at the VISAA Championships.

Under head coach Steve Hall, BI Crew raced all over the country including finishes in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston–the largest crew race in the world–and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia.

Winter 2023-2024

The Bishop Ireton Cheerleaders took home an 8th consecutive Grand Championship at the Christian Cheerleaders of America National Championship.

Boys and girls basketball began the season with résumé building wins and dominant performances. Both teams were ranked within The Washington Post Top 20 during the season. The boys team has seen major strides under Head Coach Dwayne Bryant and the girls team under 23-24 WCAC Coach of the Year, Kesha Walton played high level basketball against the very tough upper echelon of the WCAC. The team won their first State Championship in school history defeating PVI 56-52 in the VISAA finals.

Swim & Dive had huge success in the WCAC Championships. The boys diving team finished 1st, the girls swim team finished 3rd and the girls dive team finished 3rd. Head Coach Kaitlyn Gerke earned her second consecutive VISAA Coach of the Year award.

Indoor Track and Field saw 12 school records broken. Charlie Bestic set records in the 300 meter and 500 meter. Hunter Michel set records in the 1 mile and 3200 meter. The team of Stephen Ntambwe, Joshua Pringle, Sean Owens and Charlie Bestic set the record in the 4x200 meter. Stephen Ntambwe, Brennan Boyle, Sean Owens and Charlie Bestic set the record in the 4x400 meter. On the girls side, Helena Coleman set a record in the 500 meter and Regan Schultz set records in the 1000 meter, the 1600 meter and the 2 mile. The team of Helena Coleman, Regan Schultz, Niamh Moreno and Ellie Simoes set the record in the 4x800 meter. Kate Merrill set the record for the high jump.

Powered

by the Light Powered

Dual Projects at Bishop Ireton Pave the Way for the Future

“And God said ‘Let there be light’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).

“Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)

The first passage above is just the third line of the Bible. Before much else could happen in our world, God gave us the power of the sun. The second is from a popular Gospel passage. In His wisdom, God knew we couldn’t do much in our world without the spiritual Son to light our way. These two excerpts are just two of the many biblical passages that reference both physical light and spiritual light. This summer, Bishop Ireton will be smack dab in the middle of two projects that, in their own ways, relate back to the light referenced in the above Bible verses: the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of the school and the complete renovation of the St. Francis de Sales Chapel with an estimated completion during the 2024-2025 school year.

The chapel renovation project first began in earnest in 2020 after plans for a new and improved chapel were initially floated nearly a decade ago. Head of School Kathleen McNutt and Chaplain Father Noah Morey worked closely with the diocese and Bishop Burbidge at the outset of the project, which would be a renovation of the current space from top to bottom while remaining completely within the existing footprint. With the renovation concept approved by the diocesan building commission and Bishop Burbidge, the Bishop Ireton team began its work with Jason Louis, Senior Construction Manager for the Diocese of Arlington, on project design. Jason is not only a key leader for this project, he is also the parent of a current Bishop Ireton student (Brandon, BI ‘25). He has a long background in architecture with both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the discipline, as well as a Masters of Science in Project Management from George Washington University. His expertise in both architecture and project management have made him a perfect fit for his role in the diocese, and his extensive work on similar projects, including Bishop Ireton’s new academic center, Paul VI’s new campus and the new chapel at Bishop O’Connell, have given him a strong foundation for his work on this particular project at Bishop Ireton.

When it was time to select an architect for the chapel project, BI and the Diocese of Arlington did a thorough vetting process. Ultimately, they selected CJ Howard. CJ, who owns his own architectural firm, is a full-time professor of liturgical architecture at the Catholic University of America and is an active parishioner in the Diocese of Arlington. (Editor’s Note: CJ was interviewed for the 2023 edition of Cardinal Connection and his responses can be found in that publication.) CJ’s plans for the renovation included the addition of a standing seam roof, a bell tower, a new front entrance, added stained glass windows, a brand new narthex, expanded seating, new liturgical furnishings and a merging of the “art deco” style with the “romanesque” style. The design also sought to make the St. Francis de Sales chapel the visual center of campus, connecting the new academic center to the original building in a smooth transition.

In December 2023, Bishop Ireton held its final gathering in the chapel. The faculty and staff came together on Friday, December 15 for a year-end liturgy service, led by Father Noah. It was both a goodbye to 2023 as well as a goodbye to the St. Francis de Sales Chapel in its current form (a form it has maintained since it opened in 1967). The final moments of fellowship were filled with prayer but were otherwise rather normal with little fanfare. After everyone filed out to head to the Christmas party, the space returned to quietude. The following Monday, the pews were removed and the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to its new location in the temporary chapel (room 301 of the new academic building). As of this publication, interior demolition and asbestos abatement is well underway and work on the exterior will begin soon. Construction will continue throughout the summer and into the next school year with an estimated completion in late fall 2024.

Due to the project’s scope, the chapel renovation required a capital campaign. The Bishop Ireton community has been more than generous in donating to the $3.9 million renovation. Many who’ve donated have noted their reason for doing so is the promise of its renewed visibility as the spiritual center of the campus from its current camouflaged state. Said donor Mike Cammisa (BI ‘80), “I was happy to contribute to the Chapel Renovation Project… when completed, the chapel will be more fully integrated into the BI campus and hopefully into the daily lives of the students, faculty and staff.” Aris and Gibson McMahon (BI P ‘23, ‘24, ‘27), who also donated to the campaign, echoed that sentiment saying, “[Donating is] an opportunity

to help build something that will glorify God and make that space the focal point of our beautifully renovated campus.” For Suzy Buenaventura (SMA ‘76, BI P ‘22) and David Sendi (BI P ‘22), donating was a simple decision: “We love the visibility of the Chapel from inside and out, and know it will enrich this faith-filled community.”

On the other end of the spectrum is the much less visible but certainly no less impactful solar panel installation project that will be happening across the roofs of Bishop Ireton. While the chapel project is important to nourish the school’s spiritual center, the solar panel project will help BI in a more practical way while also allowing the school to respond with generosity to Pope Francis’s call in 2015 encyclical Laudato Si and his 2023 encyclical Laudato Deum:

“Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community… and its effects are borne by the world’s most vulnerable people.” [The climate issue is] “no longer a secondary

or ideological question. Nothing in the world is not indifferent to us. We are all united by the same concern [with regards to the environment and the protection of our planet.]”

The plan for the installation of solar panels actually began at the diocesan level with Andy Schulman, Director of the Office of Planning, Construction and Facilities for the Diocese of Arlington, and church and school leaders including Bishop Ireton Head of School Kathleen McNutt. Though it was considered but not implemented in the past, the installation and utilization of solar panels became a real possibility in the diocese when it became evident that a number of parish and high school buildings had flat rooftops that were otherwise unused. With Bishop Burbidge on board, the identification of viable properties for such an installation project as well as the complicated process of determining rate options and tax credits for green energy began.

Ultimately, eight pastors and one head of school (Bishop Ireton) decided to move forward with the solar project, recognizing that the installation of solar panels was a cost-effective solution for removing impact on the electrical grid. As a bonus, because Bishop Ireton utilizes parapet walls on its flat roofs, the BI solar panels would be mostly invisible from street level. In the simplest terms, Schulman explained that when the panels are fully installed and running, Bishop Ireton will draw power from the solar panels when it’s sunny outside. When it’s not able to collect energy

from sunlight (on an overcast day or at night), the school will flip back to the traditional power grid. The transition for those utilizing the spaces inside should be seamless. Once Bishop Ireton completes the full roof installation of panels throughout campus, approximately 44% of the school’s power will come from solar energy.

The schedule for the actual installation of these solar panels is summer 2024, with work beginning midJune and continuing through mid August. One of the intricacies of the schedule is the navigation of solar installation in conjunction with roof replacement that will also be happening over the original classroom wings of the school. Collaboration between the roofers and panel installers is already in full swing, and the diocese and Bishop Ireton are working closely with Aaron Smith, VP of Business Development at FESCO Energy, to make this project a reality.

As timing would have it, the chapel project and the solar project will occur simultaneously. It’s a bit poetic when you think about it. The solar panels, installed on a significant portion of the rooftops at the school will harness and utilize the power of our world’s greatest physical light for energy while reducing the school’s environmental impact. The chapel, with its beautiful new interior and exterior, will house the power of our universe’s greatest spiritual light–Jesus truly present in the tabernacle for all who seek Him. For decades, Bishop Ireton has been fueled by its tremendous students, outstanding faculty and staff and a giving alumni and parent community. Now, it will be powered by the light.

THE FOLEY FAMILY Legacy

The Foley family has a long history with Bishop Ireton. It spans generations. The connection to the school began in 1966 and continues to this day with students in the class of 2024 and the class of 2027.

Patrick Walter and Marguerite “Peggy” Foley first moved their family to Northern Virginia in 1961 after Patrick left the Marine Corps. Their children’s Catholic education in Northern Virginia started with their oldest child, Mike, in fourth grade at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School.

In the coming years, the family heard rumblings of a new, all-boys Catholic high school in Alexandria that would be opening in 1964 called Bishop Ireton High School. When it was time for Mike to head to high school in the fall of 1966, he began what would become a wonderful Foley family legacy with BI. The family would become connected to Cambridge Road over the years through academics, sports and service to the Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy community.

In all, five Foley brothers would attend and graduate from Bishop Ireton including Mike ‘70, Bill ‘76, Bob ‘78, Ward ‘82 and Brooks ‘86.

When Mike was in school, he gravitated towards wrestling. His passion for the sport inspired his brothers to participate as well. While at BI, he also met the love of his life and future wife, Marykate Maag Foley, SMA ‘71. Marykate’s connection to SMA was decades longer than the existence of BI. Her mother, Betty (Barrett) Maag, graduated from the all-girls Catholic school in 1941.

Mike remembered so many of the Oblates and other faculty members that positively impacted him and his brothers. He spoke of Father O’Neill and his teaching prowess in calculus, Father Mellon in religion, and the only

teacher that all five Foley brothers shared, math teacher Ron Umbeck. For decades, Mike has been the class agent for the BI Class of 1970. Working alongside coclass agent Pat Coyle ‘70 and other BI/SMA ‘70 class leaders, they celebrated their 50-year reunion a few years ago. Reflecting on his formative high school years, Mike shared, “My classmates and I did a lot of growing up in the four years we were at Ireton; we became men. We were well poised to tackle whatever came along in front of us. Years later we would go through some very difficult funerals together when our classmates passed. We would also enjoy many wonderful reunions together over the years. We care about one another. We built bonds that didn’t get broken.”

Bill ‘76 passed away in 2022. While at BI, he was an outstanding wrestler and would later be inducted into the Bishop Ireton Athletic Hall of Fame along with Bob ‘78 in 2009. Bill’s daughter, Julie, recently spoke about what BI meant to her dad. “It began with wrestling–that was the heart of the life lessons he took from Bishop Ireton. He carried that with him throughout his life and always pointed back to his wrestling days as a Cardinal. When my dad talked about formative experiences, that is where they happened at BI. I remember his St. Alban’s Wrestling Tournament trophy that he always kept in a prominent place that he won after beating a wrestler named Kevin Colabucci who had a 50-0 record before my dad beat him in the finals.” Bill also loved to act. He performed in Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver! while at BI.

Bob ‘78, was the middle child; he was eight years

younger than his oldest brother, Mike, and eight years older than his youngest brother, Brooks. Bob remembers seeing Mike at wrestling practices and said, “I was lucky enough to see BI Hall of Fame wrestling coach Iver Magnussen at work. I never got to wrestle for him but got to see him at work and see how he molded the guys into what they were and the team that they were.”

Bob started his BI wrestling career when he was in seventh grade. He was put into the 88-pound weight class to wrestle a consolation match before the big matches. Of his time wrestling at BI, Bob said, “I always wanted to wrestle because my older brothers wrestled at BI, and that’s what we did around the house. You’ve got five boys, and somewhere in there you’re going to wrestle or fight. Mike got us into wrestling and I met some of the most outstanding people in my life going to BI and being on the wrestling team. The sport brought a great camaraderie from teammates and even opponents, and we have kept in touch and built lifelong relationships.”

Ward ‘82 recently reflected on how it was his parents who instilled in the brothers the importance of giving back. “The sense of volunteerism for my family came from my parents,” said Ward. “My parents loved to give back. My dad drove the BI wrestling bus (called the Cannon Ball) for six years. My mom was involved in numerous ways at Ireton including substitute teaching, volunteering in the office and cafeteria, leading Oblate special lunches and dinners, serving as wrestling team mom, and coordinating the BI Christmas Wrestling Tournament hospitality room that included some outstanding chili.” A former wrestling official many years later was fondly quoted as saying, “Nobody did a hospitality room like Peggy Foley.”

Ward is a former outstanding Cardinal wrestler himself and currently works at BI in a variety of roles including serving as the PA announcer for the BI varsity football team. His Ireton experience has also come full circle.

Standing L-R: Mike ‘70, Bill ‘76, Bob ‘78 Sitting L-R: Ward ‘82 and Brooks ‘86

He and his wife, Marisa, are the proud parents of Matt ’24 and Thomas ‘27. “Being the Varsity Football PA announcer and watching my son, Matt, play on the line was a challenge,” said Ward. “I wanted to focus on watching my son on every play, but I had the job of the PA announcer as well. Although challenging, I enjoyed it so much. Watching the BI Varsity football team win seven games in the 2023 season and seeing Matt become a team captain his senior year was thrilling for our entire family. All of my brothers and I were captains at BI so to see Matt keep that family legacy of team captains was very special.”

Brooks ‘86 was born when Mike was a student at Bishop Ireton. He was attending BI wrestling matches before he could even walk. He said, “I had 14 years of Ireton wrestling, from the time Mike stepped on the wrestling mat until Ward stepped off the wrestling mat. There was a reason I didn’t wrestle.” With a smile and a laugh he added, “To be honest I was tired of it.” Brooks was encouraged to participate in a contact sport and chose to play football. Ultimately, though, swimming became Brooks’ sport of choice. He was a varsity swimmer all four years at BI and became a team captain.

Brooks speaks highly of his education at BI. “From an education perspective, Ireton got me ready for college,” said Brooks. “When I got there, I knew how to study and prepare.” Like his older brother Bill, Brooks also participated in theater. He appeared in Camelot and worked on the stage crew his junior and senior years. Brooks also had the unique distinction of graduating from BI with his mom. Peggy Foley received a Bishop Ireton honorary diploma in 1986 for her 20 plus years of dedicated volunteer service to the school.

The next generation of the Foley family is now on Cambridge Road with Matt and Thomas.

“I still can’t believe it’s been four years since I started as a freshman,” reflected senior Matt. “Attending Bishop

Ireton is one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. From the staff at the school to my friends and teammates and from the day I walked in as a freshman until now, the school has welcomed me every day. What makes my Cardinal experience so great is the leadership of the seniors, whether it was on the field or in the school. The memories that I’ve created at this school are priceless, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Freshman Thomas has only just begun his Cardinal experience. The first semester saw Thomas actively involved in getting to know teachers and classmates and as a member of the freshman boys basketball team. With a passion to compete athletically and experience everything BI has to offer, Thomas is excited to be playing varsity baseball for the Cardinals this spring.

“Thinking back on how far Ireton has come and how much has changed since he graduated more than four decades ago,” Ward said. “It’s beyond the scope of what I could have ever imagined. And yet, I still see a real sense of family and giving back.”

Things have changed since the Foley Family first arrived on Cambridge Road in 1966, but the core values of what Bishop Ireton is–faith, family, giving back and a competitive nature–stand the test of time with the Foley family as a wonderful example.

Matthew Foley ‘24 and Thomas Foley ‘27

A Mother & Daughter Journey from St. Mary’s Academy to Bishop Ireton

Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Michelle Hannas Crabtree (SMA ‘86) and her daughter, Emily Crabtree (BI ‘24) to talk about the difference between their time at SMA and BI respectively, their favorite memories and teachers and the unique connection they share with their high school experiences despite happening nearly four decades apart.

Can you share your memories of what a typical day-to-day at SMA or BI was like?

Michelle: Being in high school in the 1980s is so different from high school today! We had no computers, no cell phones, no social media and no internet. We had a much slower pace of everything. Taking trips to the library for research, typing reports on a typewriter and waiting to use the phone at home to call my friends are things my children will never understand.

The day at St. Mary’s Academy started with time hanging out at our lockers on the basement level and catching up with friends. If the weather was nice we would have lunch outside. I can still hear Sister Clarence Marie saying during typing with the big typing machine say the letters with such enunciation. French culture class with Madam Pablo was one of my favorite classes!

Emily: My BI experience has been far from normal as I entered freshman year the fall of 2020 during COVID-19. Because students were split by last name during my first year, I didn’t really know everyone in my grade until my sophomore and junior year. COVID definitely made my high school experience seem very strange but BI was really good with finding ways around it. I would say my average day-to-day as a senior at BI is getting there bright and early to do a little work or study until my friends show up and we talk in the cafeteria. Then I go off to my classes, have double C-lunch, and usually stay after school for club meetings or school events.

BI: Which teachers were the most influential to your high school experience?

Michelle: Some of my favorite teachers were Col. Craig, Madam Pablo, Mrs. Southard, Mrs. Roche, Sister Elizabeth and Sister Clarence Marie.

Michelle Hannas Crabtree Emily Crabtree

Emily: All my teachers have been fairly influential in their own ways but if I had to pick some I would say Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Briody, Mrs. Faletti and Mr. Yeago. They have been super supportive since day one, especially Mrs. Kelly who I’ve had for 3 years now and Mrs. Briody through being involved in the computer science department. I never had a dull or unengaging class with Mrs. Faletti or Mr. Yeago and I always enjoyed getting to talk to them about our similar interests after classes.

BI: What were/are your favorite school traditions or events?

Michelle: At St. Mary’s Academy the front steps were for the seniors only. That was such a cool tradition and it was such an honor when you finally were a senior and had full reign.

Walking down to St. Rita’s for Mass was such a great tradition. All the dances at BI were fun! We had a dance about once a month and it was so much fun with all the great music of the 80s. Sadie Hawkins was probably my favorite dance outside of Homecoming and Prom.

And of course the afterschool rush to get to the steps at BI on N days.

Emily: For me, it would have to be spirit week. Spirit week almost feels self explanatory but the way the community gets so involved and the large amount of spirit makes the start of the year super exciting. I’ve been lucky to participate in the Powderpuff game both my junior and senior year (we were robbed junior year and we would have gotten the juniors this year if there was overtime). One I haven’t attended yet but am excited for is Kairos (Editor’s note: Kairos is a popular four-day student-led retreat for juniors and seniors). I’ve always heard amazing stories about the retreat

and how bonded everyone who goes feels both personally and spiritually. I hope to attend this year in the spring.

BI: What extracurriculars were you involved in throughout your time at SMA and BI? How have they impacted your high school experience overall?

Michelle: I played soccer and tennis at St. Mary’s and one highlight was getting to play on Fannon Field for a game. It was always fun to attend BI football games and sit with friends. CYO events and trips were some of my favorite memories and I had so many great friendships from my CYO years. Youth Encounter had a big impact and was such an important event of my teenage years. I still have my nail cross necklace and palanca.

Emily: I’ve been very active in BI extracurriculars, especially through the computer science department in HackBI, Girls Who Code, Coding Club, CyberStart Club, and Computer Science Honors Society. I was also involved in SCA for all four years, Student Ambassadors, Scholars Program, NHS, NEHS, Mu Alpha Theta, and so much more! I feel so grateful to have the endless amount of opportunities through BI and I’m excited to see new students joining so many extracurriculars.

BI: Emily, through roles in Student Government and HackBI, you dedicate a lot of extra time and service to the school. Why do you believe it is important/beneficial to give back and be involved in the BI community?

Emily: I’ve always had a strong urge to give back to my community. Growing up, my community was super supportive during the time of my little brother Tyler’s cancer treatment and since then I’ve always wanted to pay them back and keep the effort going for others. I had always heard amazing stories from my mom and older friends about how great the community is at Ireton. The community is very uplifting

and strong in their spirit and everything they do. When my time is up at BI, I want to make sure that this welcoming community stays and strengthens even more as it brings in new students. I’m hoping that my efforts at Ireton will help impact and strengthen the community leaving it even better than when I came.

BI: Michelle, having served on alumni committees and volunteering as a current parent, can you share what has inspired you to give back to the BI/SMA community and stay so involved?

Michelle: After college I was very active in my local Purdue Alumni DC club. I played coed softball, eventually coached the alumni softball team and was elected as President of the club. I truly enjoy spending time with my Purdue alumni friends watching sports or doing community service. It was thanks to many Purdue DC alumni events that I would meet my husband John. Once we had children, we focused on family and had less time for alumni events. After Emily started elementary school I wanted to get involved volunteering with SMA and Bishop Ireton and reached out to Ryan Fannon. It started with helping to plan our class reunions and then I found myself on the BI alumni board! It was fun to watch the changes at BI when the Oblate house was replaced with the new academic building at BI. Since Emily started at BI, I have volunteered with the BI Mothers Club and with the BI Gala committee.

BI: Michelle, you graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1986 and BI Head of School, Kathleen McNutt graduated in 1987. Can you share the connections you have shared over the years at three different Catholic schools including St. Mary’s Academy, BI and St. Louis Catholic School?

Michelle: At St. Louis, Kathleen and I were both on the student council. We also played rec soccer together with LMVSC (go Bluebonic Plague!) We played soccer together again at St. Mary’s.

During high school, Kathleen, Carol (Quinn) McQuillian and I all worked at the St. Louis Rectory. It was a great job before we could drive and we all had fun answering phones, passing out keys and stuffing bulletins.

I was very involved in the CYO at St. Louis, playing softball and running for youth advisory office in the diocese. We would have competitions against other CYO’s and there is a strong bond between St. Louis and Queen of Apostles. Kathleen and I double dated many times. She was with her now husband Geoff and I was with a Queen of Apostles date. St. Louis CYO was a big part of our teen years and activities.

BI: Emily, you have had the opportunity to have Kathleen McNutt as your Principal at St. Louis for grade school and now as the Head of School at Bishop Ireton during all four of your high school years. Can you share with us your thoughts on this unique experience?

Emily: Mrs. McNutt was an amazing Principal at St. Louis and she has been amazing as Head of School at Ireton. I remember when she left after seventh grade and I was really upset since she really helped acclimate me to private Catholic education after I had transferred from public school. When we reunited at Ireton, she always said a quick hello in the hallway and asked how my family was. Even during COVID, it seemed I could see her smile from behind her mask when she talked to me. It’s been a pleasure to have as our Head of School.

BI: Emily, has having a high school experience similar to your mom’s connected the two of you?

Emily: There are definitely a lot of differences in our experiences between the 1980s and 2020s. But Ireton has always been a sort of special bond between us in many ways, primarily through service to the community. We were both really involved in Ireton’s community in high school and even now my mom is still very involved.

BI: Michelle, why was it important that you send Emily to a Catholic high school in Alexandria?

Michelle: We wanted to continue her Catholic education to instill core values in a safe, supportive environment. Though she started her freshman year in August 2020, I knew that BI had a plan for educating the students inperson and in a safe manner. The block schedule, the two days in-person followed by the two days virtually with the classes split into two groups kept things on track. Keeping the high academic standards during COVID solidified our decision to have Emily at Bishop Ireton. I know the value of a Catholic education and how well I was prepared for college at Purdue.

L-R: Elizabeth Crone (SMA ‘87) Michelle Hannas Crabtree (SMA ‘86), Carol Quinn McQuillan (SMA ‘86), Michelle Spencer (SMA ‘86), Kathleen Faherty McNutt (SMA ‘87)

HOMECOMING H O M E C & Reunion Weekend 2023

Looking back at a weekend of community and camaraderie and planning ahead for the 2024 celebrations.

Bishop Ireton hosted more than 270 alumni and friends on campus on Friday evening, October 20 where we celebrated the classes of 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.

Festivities continued Saturday with a massive crowd for the Homecoming Football game on Fannon Field, which was lively and energetic. The Cardinals won a hard fought game 26-14 over a talented Paul VI squad, which set the Cardinals up for their first winning season in years. Saturday closed out with several alumni classes hosting reunion events that evening, including the Class of 1968 who celebrated their 55th reunion and the Class of 1973, celebrating their 50th.

We look forward to seeing our BI/SMA alumni back on campus in October for Homecoming 2024!

Mark your calendars for October 11-12, 2024 and check out the schedule below.

Friday, October 11 - BI/SMA All-Classes Friday Night Social in Murphy Hall from 7-9 pm (21+ to attend) with special emphasis on the classes of 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019. Make sure to register early by scanning the QR Code. The early bird price to attend the Friday evening festivities is $35 until September 11. The cost includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Saturday October 12 - Home Football Game vs. Archbishop Carroll - 11 am kickoff

Be on the lookout for more information in the BI alumni e-newsletter News from the Nest and through your class agent. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Gilliland or Ryan Fannon in the Advancement Office at Advancement@bishopireton.org.

HOMECOMING O M I N G

HER STUDENTSLifting

AT A TIME One Language

World Language Department

Chair Gina Garcia is among the longest-tenured teachers at Bishop Ireton.

When you mention World Languages at BI, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s come through the halls of BI in the last quarter century who doesn’t at least mention the effervescent spirit of Gina Garcia. Though the school has changed and grown and changed some more in her nearly 25 years of teaching at Bishop Ireton, she’s remained a constant force in the World Language department and among the faculty at the school.

Gina’s first language was Italian. She learned English as her second language (though you wouldn’t know it now from how fluent she is) and then learned Spanish as her third language. The trilingual student majored in communications and Spanish at Marshall University before getting her masters in the years after that. Following school, she wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do. For a while, she thought she might be

a translator. Reflecting on her own experience as a student, she remembered how some of the teachers she had experienced used intimidation and humiliation to get their points across. “It’s a tactic that works for some people but I thought there was a better way,” Gina said. “There had to be a way to lift kids up in education.” From there, Gina gravitated toward teaching.

While visiting the northern Virginia area in the late 1990s, Gina fell in love with the Diocese of Arlington. She liked the area and was moved by the great parishes and priests in the diocese. After applying directly to the diocese (and being open to teaching in any of the Catholic schools), she received a call from Father Metzger, the then principal of BI, who offered her a job teaching Spanish at Bishop Ireton.

It’s safe to say she found her place in the Cardinal community. It’s that community that’s kept her coming back year after year. From teachers to students to staff, she considers BI like her family. When she’s dealt with tough situations, phone calls, texts, emails and

more pour in from the many people with whom she’s built relationships. Though she’s had to say goodbye to some of her closest friends and colleagues including Dr. Beatriz Hernandez and Mr. Phil Grimes, her close friends in and out of her department and that sense of community has remained strong.

In her years at BI, she’s had the privilege of working with multiple principals and two different people in the Head of School position. Of the current Head of School, Kathleen McNutt, she remarked, “Kathleen really cares about the teachers. She has a strong Catholic identity. She inserts herself as part of the community. She’s accessible. She’s at the heart of everything.”

That leadership from the top encourages growth throughout the school including in World Languages. With Gina as the chair, the World Language Department has shone brightly. They currently have nine full-time faculty members teaching six languages. As of the 20232024 school year, BI offers Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin and Mandarin Chinese from level 1 through AP levels. Gina loves that the school offers so many different languages. “If a student has family that came from Italy for example, it’s great that we can offer that as an option,” she said. “They’re able to pick a language

to study based on different things that motivate them.”

For now, she isn’t sure how the World Language program will evolve in the coming years. Perhaps there will be opportunities to add more languages. Gina does hope the department can offer affordable, educational trips internationally to help students grow in the culture of the language they are learning on Cambridge Road. Ultimately, she’s happy to be a part of this vibrant, Catholic community (teaching in a place where she can share her faith is “non-negotiable”).

Of the many students she’s taught and mentored over the years, she says, “The students have had a great impact on me. Sometimes you watch kids who struggle and struggle and who are unable to grasp a concept. Then, one day you see the lightbulb go off for them and it’s a joy.”

No doubt that Gina, with her strong faith and desire to lift her students up, has had a lasting impact on the hundreds who’ve come through the doors of her classroom. And for that, among many other things, bien hecho, Ms. Garcia.

HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE & CARDINAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Bound by a shared commitment to Bishop Ireton High School, the Head of School and Cardinal Leadership Circles are a community of engaged alumni, parents and friends who directly support the school’s Annual Fund with gifts of $1,000 - $4,999 for our Cardinal Leadership Circle and $5,000 in our Head of School Circle each fiscal year.

Bishop Ireton is deeply grateful for the commitment of our philanthropic leaders. Your investment in the school allows us to provide the highest quality Catholic education possible and ensures the future of Bishop Ireton for generations to come. Please know that the decision to be a major donor makes a huge difference in the lives of our students as we continue our mission to Advance Always and Live Jesus.

Below you will find both our Head of School Leadership Circle and Cardinal Leadership Circle donors. If you’re interested in joining either, please visit bishopireton.org/give.

HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE

Rebecca Aughney & Jeff Williams

Full Spectrum Catering

Gaghan Mechanical, Inc.

Trilogy Federal LLC

Jay and Tricia Barnwell

Roger and Mari Brusnahan

Thomas B. Beale

Robert M. Beer M.D.

Michael & Niki Bennett

Kirk S. Fedder

Scott A. Fedder

Joseph & Ann Guiffre

Katherine Kopp

Bruno Maestri

Bernard & Laura McConnon

Brian & Pam Murphy

James Schoenadel & Kimberly Lucey

Brock & Terry Swartz

Alberto & Lucina Chalmeta

Peter & Louise Fecanin

Henry & Ann Sterbenz

Anonymous

Eric & Mary McNutt

Joseph Fischer

John & Marte Murphy

David & Roberta Giammittorio

Everett & Robin Hellmuth

Helmut & Amanda Mertins

Patrick J. Brown & Mary F. Gillespie

Ryan & Amy Katz

Darren D. Lemaster & Julia A. Peyton Ph.d

Margaret McAneny

CARDINAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Bank of America Matching Gifts

Robert Peterson

Microsoft Matching Gifts Program

Johnson & Johnson

D1 Training Alexandria

Virginia Grand Military Band, Inc.

Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery

Mayweather Boxing & Fitness

John & Heidi Abegg

Michael F. Bailey & Rosemary Gutierrez

Quynh V. Bain

James & Vivian Barker

Beth & Jason Boehlert

Aimee J. Brennan

Charles Brittingham

John C.O. Bryant

Anthony & Renee Burchard

Keith & Mary Burner

Patrick J. Cady

James E. Cammisa

Michael X. Cammisa

Golf Committee

Brendan Kearney ‘04Chairman

David Kaye ‘99

Taylor Barnes ‘13

Max Becker ‘12

Mike Bennett ‘72

Dan Blaine ‘03

Matt Brideau ‘02

Mike Brideau ‘06

Eddie D’Antuono ‘12

John Greksouk ‘02

Peter Kaye ‘13

Dave Para ‘84

Raul Ricaurte ‘68

Dave Rodriguez ‘05

Tim Tassa ‘03

Beyond

the Links

the 36th Annual Golf Classic brings together alumni and ireton community MEMBERS

Thank you to the golf committee, sponsors, volunteers and golfers for attending the 36th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic, which was held on May 8, 2023 at Mt. Vernon Country Club in Alexandria.

The results from the tournament were:

Low Gross: Kevin Henry ‘83, Niki Bennett, Dick West, and Cole Balderson (56)

Low Net: Eric McNutt ‘89, Kerry McConnon ‘89, Britt Dennis ‘89, and Alex Gutierez (54)

2nd Net: Dave Para ‘84, John Calley ‘84, David Redding ‘84, and Scott Rettig (56)

2nd Gross: John Greksouk ‘02, Dan Greksouk ‘04, Stephen Greksouk, and Dave Greksouk (59)

3rd Net: Ricky Boddie ‘01, Eddie Boddie ‘08, Rob Reilly, and Denny Heck (56)

As is tradition with this event, the money raised from the Golf Classic goes toward the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales retirement fund, financial aid for Bishop Ireton students and funds for ongoing athletic projects.

Join Bishop Ireton for the 37th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic on May 13, 2024!

Each year, the Golf Classic welcomes a full field of golfers and dozens of sponsors. Since 1988, alumni, parents and friends of Bishop Ireton have raised more than $2 million to support the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, provide needed financial aid and to assist with ongoing projects.

To register for the 37th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic, visit bishopireton.org/golfclassic.

Service at BI

By: Fr Noah Morey, Chaplain

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’” (Mt 25:40). Service to others has always been a trademark of Christ’s disciples. How fitting, then, that this year’s school quote and theme is: “Be happy in serving our Lord and His holy Mother: serve with boundless joy and courage,” taken from a letter of St. Jane de Chantal, and chosen by the Salesian student leaders, in conjunction with Campus Ministry.

The Bishop Ireton community has long been known for Christian service. I am edified to see our students so willing to serve others. Each year, all students complete at least 15 hours of service, though many students go beyond this minimum. The Christian service requirement acknowledges that our students can and should share their talents to improve society, and that they will learn to see Christ in others. Through serving others, and by extension, Christ Himself in the ‘distressing disguise of the poor,’ our students develop the lifelong practice of love in action. This academic year, BI is partnering with MobileServe to collate and track students’ service hours. This platform has already proven invaluable in saving time and making the requirement more accessible to students, who can post photos of themselves at the service sites and

sign-in via geolocation, which not only verifies the hours completed, but also provides visible proof of the joy that service brings. MobileServe also enables us to announce upcoming service opportunities, both within and outside the school.

Concretely, our students serve in countless ways, from diocesan work camp to local charitable organizations in Alexandria. On campus, BI students serve by volunteering at our Open House for prospective students, Special Olympics events, the homework center, supporting our theater programs and summer camps, or hosting a prospective student on a “shadow”

visit. Our annual sophomore retreat emphasizes service to the local Alexandria community. Over multiple days, we send the students out in small groups to local service organizations, including a senior center, pregnancy centers, food pantries, and grade schools. Since we can’t give what we don’t have, though, we begin and end the retreat day with Jesus in prayer, through Mass, adoration, and confessions. This Christ-centered approach helps us to remember the purpose of service.

Additionally, BI sends multiple small groups of students and teachers each year to Camden, New Jersey, to serve at DeSales Service Works, under the direction of Father Mike McCue, O.S.F.S., who ministered at BI in the 1990s. This two-night service trip includes multiple “hands-on” activities, such as basic yard work, serving a meal at a soup kitchen, touring a homeless shelter, attending an open Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, playing with grade school students in an after-school program, and preparing a meal for our group. On the streets of Camden and eastern Philadelphia, where drugs are rampant, our students directly engage with the homeless and addicts. Our students mention how they notice the humanity of the impoverished and addicted people they served. Moreover, after witnessing the plight of others firsthand and hearing their stories of crime and addiction, our students return with a greater appreciation for their own blessings and opportunities.

Globally, BI sends a group of students each summer to the Arlington Diocesan mission in Bánica, Dominican Republic. Since 1991, Arlington priests have served there, with support and financial contributions from the generous people in our diocese. Last June, I accompanied a group of 18 BI students and three faculty members for a week of service in Bánica, located about five hours from the capital in Santo Domingo. During the week, with the help of local community members, we planted nearly 4,000 trees and built part of a retaining wall at a trash dump outside of town. In addition to celebrating daily Mass together, we played cards and volleyball with the local children, swam in the river, practiced our Spanish, and shared the love of Christ with those we encountered. Without air conditioning, cold drinking water, and the basic “creature comforts” to which we are accustomed, our group also overcame the setbacks of several minor

stomach illnesses, skin rashes and a sprained ankle. The students showed wonderful resilience while serving joyfully in Bánica and they returned to the U.S. with a newfound gratitude for the blessings of home and country.

Closer to home, we are planning a school-wide day of service (“Love in Action”) on April 19, when we will send out the entire school to serve at local parks and service organizations around Alexandria. We are blessed not only by the Lord’s mandate to serve others, but also by our community’s eagerness to put our faith, hope, and love into action. May we continue to serve others joyfully and courageously each day, for by bearing one another’s burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ (cf. Gal 6:2).

Top Left: Valentino Schroeder ‘24 and Jack Garlock ‘24 play basketball with students at Holy Name School in Camden, NJ.

Top Right: Luke Sparrow ‘25 volunteers as a sideline referee at the Andrew Benson Special Olympics Soccer Tournamnet.

Bottom: Faculty and staff on the Banica, Dominican Repubic mission trip this summer.

Cultural Connections

“In conformity with her constant tradition, the Church receives from the various cultures everything that is able to express better the unsearchable riches of Christ. Only with the help of all the cultures will it be possible for these riches to be manifested ever more clearly, and for the Church to progress towards a daily more complete and profound awareness of the truth, which has already been given to her in its entirety by the Lord.” - St. Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio

This year, the Diversity Initiatives Team grew to a team of two, with the addition of Ms. Gabrielle Baniqued (BI ‘18), who joined Diversity Director Milton Powell and the Bishop Ireton faculty as the diversity assistant and a computer science teacher. Having done work in the diversity space for various Catholic organizations during college, Gabby has brought a new perspective, new experiences and faith-filled dedication to the school. The expansion of the team has enriched their work with students, provided more support for the BI Diversity Council, expanded resources for faculty and increased the opportunity for connections with families and the broader BI community.

With an added team member, Bishop Ireton has also been able to produce more cultural awareness content and brainstorm new ideas for activities and student connection. For example, during Hispanic Heritage month, the team produced new images and videos for

the school media boards for each week, highlighting a different set of celebrities, athletes, activists and philanthropists with Hispanic or Latino heritage. Faculty, students and staff shared that they felt seen and represented, and many were surprised when they learned some of their favorite celebrities, athletes and historical leaders had shared backgrounds. The team also produced posters and resources that were shared and displayed in classrooms, showed movies and served lunches inspired by Latin culture, and put up decor commemorating the month.

In survey data collected in 2023, students not only reported positive sentiments about the diversity initiatives in the 20222023 school year, but they also expressed positive feelings and experiences, such as feeling emotionally safe in class and feeling their peers, teachers and administrators respect all races and cultures. In the current 2023-2024 school year, the team’s work is geared towards not only providing representation for students of all backgrounds, but also giving the entire BI community opportunities to learn and grow in our respect and love for one another. Milton Powell shared,

“Working with students and staff on diversity initiatives has demonstrated the power of the Bishop Ireton Community. Students see themselves and their cultures represented, and they are excited to share more of their background and traditions with their classmates.” Mr. Powell and Ms. Baniqued recognize the importance of involving the community in the school’s efforts, and their goal this year is focused on engaging and collaborating with as many BI community members as possible.

Head of School Kathleen McNutt

has worked on these efforts with Mr. Powell since the summer of 2020. “The work of our Diversity team is not only about sharing different cultures and the perspectives that come from different backgrounds, but about contributing to the work of the Church. As integral members of a Catholic school, our team

Below: Diversity Initiatives Assistant, Gabriella Baniqued and Director of Diversity, Milton Powell.

has a special perspective that the work we do is not only geared towards making Bishop Ireton a better place, but also towards living out the truth that the Church is universal.”

As the students and staff continue to grow together and share their unique backgrounds and gifts through instruction, media arts, cultural fairs, clubs, councils, leadership opportunities and awareness celebrations, Bishop Ireton remains grounded in its mission: to provide academic excellence rooted in Catholic social justice teaching, with a shared sense of belonging and the understanding that cultural and racial diversity enriches the quality of our learning, faith, scholarship, service and leadership. Gabby Baniqued’s words connect the mission to action. “Having been a student at Bishop Ireton, I know exactly how it feels to long for representation in the high school experience, and it is such a gift to be able to do the work to offer those things to this new

generation of Cardinals,” she said. “The work we do aims to help young people feel seen and known for all they are, not only making the Bishop Ireton community a better place, but ultimately the world as well.”

Diocesan High School Diversity Summit

The Bishop Ireton Diversity Team and members of the instructional administration joined the other diocesan high schools this year for the third annual Diversity Summit. The Diversity Summit has been a forum for schools to share the work they are doing in diversity, as well as an opportunity to share resources, provide speakers for professional development, and collaborate on cultural projects and best practices. This collaboration has allowed Bishop Ireton’s work to reach and positively impact students across the entire diocese. During this year’s summit, Diversity Director Milton Powell shared the importance of representation within our

schools. Cultural and racial representation comes from having a diverse student population, maintaining a staff of teachers and administrators who come from the backgrounds of the students they serve, and sharing positive images of people of color throughout the schools. Christian Bentley, a member of Bishop Burbidge’s Advisory Council on Racism, also spoke about images and the importance of students seeing themselves in their environment.

Cultural Fair

In March 2024, Bishop Ireton hosted its annual Cultural Fair. This event takes place during the school day, allowing all students and staff members to participate as either a representative of a country or culture or as a spectator learning from classmates. Some of

the countries that have been represented include: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Puerto Rico, China, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Palestine, Ireland, Colombia, Jamaica, Philippines, Cuba, Vietnam, El Salvador, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Uruguay. Leaders from the Cultural clubs, as well as other students and staff members represent their cultures by wearing traditional clothing, creating displays, bringing in food and music. The food and dancing are a particular hit. The Cultural Fair has created a sense of pride within fair participants and a connection to the many cultures of classmates, faculty and staff.

far left: McKenna Hayden, Diversity Council member and Student Council President, assembles the Black History month school banner. left: Milton Powell speaks at the annual diversity iniative at the Diocesan High School Diversity Summit. This is the 3rd annual summit. below: Leaders of the Hispanic Heritage Club at their booth at the Cultural Fair.

OBITUARIES

We pray for the repose of the souls of all those lost in the Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy communities.

Maryfran (Baroody) Milbank (SMA ‘73) February 13, 2021

Joseph Gerard Christopher Gilmore (BI ‘68) May 15, 2021

James Gordon Winkler (Parent of Christopher ‘84 and Brian ‘92) January 7, 2022

Pamela Elizabeth Deemer (Former Faculty Member and Parent to Riann (Deemer) Fowler ‘95) July 11, 2022

Katie Santos (BI ‘07) November 9, 2022

Mary Katherine Fleger (Langan) (SMA ‘48) January 28, 2023

Joan Mary Adrian (Hogan) (SMA ‘50) February 5, 2023

Dr. Louis V. Kaufman (Parent of Beth, SMA ‘89 and Kat, SMA ‘86) February 10, 2023

George Bradish ( BI ‘71) February 17, 2023

Maria Antonia Fernandez (Parent of Andrew ‘70, Rick ‘75, Maria Fernandez-Huntington, SMA ‘77, and Rose Eubanks, SMA ‘80) February 20, 2023

Fr. Thomas J. McGee, OSFS (Former Faculty Member) February 27, 2023

Elizabeth Theresa Marcotte (Attillis) (SMA ‘46) March 11, 2023

Daniel Falvey (BI ‘71) March 13, 2023

Carol Margaret Keller (SMA ‘70) March 17, 2023

Seth Berman (BI ‘98) March 22, 2023

Sister Roberta Bennett (Sister Marie Robert) (CSC (Former Faculty Member)) March 24, 2023

Thomas Donovan (BI ‘05) March 26, 2023

Joan Beiro Neuses (SMA ‘50) April 3, 2023

Kathy Parnell (Former Faculty Member) April 11, 2023

Donna McLaughlin DiRicco (SMA ‘62) May 2, 2023

Brigitte Heiser (Parent of Mark ‘86) May 3, 2023

Betty Marston Zolly (Parent to Matthew ‘86) May 4, 2023

Alberto Bueno, Sr. (Parent to Alberto, TOR ‘73 and Eduardo ‘77) May 11, 2023

Rev. John Crossin (OSFS (Former Faculty Member)) May 12, 2023

Michael Herman

(BI ‘72) May 12, 2023

Bertil “Bert” Rolander (Parent to Barry ‘68, Renee Douglas, SMA ‘70, Kevin ‘74, Brett ‘74, and Dana ‘77) May 24,2023

Robert “Bob” Wilks (BI ‘72) May 27, 2023

Paul Tyler

(BI ‘72) May 30, 2022

Gary Zabunian (BI ‘92) June 7, 2023

Kathleen Sober

(Wife of Former Coach and Faculty Member Harry Sober) J une 14, 2023

Elizabeth Reedy

(Parent of Tim ‘84 and Jill, SMA ‘86) June 15, 2023

Richard John Knapp, Jr.

(Parent of Paula, SMA ‘86, grandparent of David ‘16 and Grant ‘19) June 25, 2023

Stephen Hamer

(Parent of Tim ‘78, Pete (Former coach and Administrator), father-in-law to Jennifer, SMA ‘90, grandparent to Daniel ‘06, Francis ‘08, Kaitlin ‘13, Joey ‘17, Nick ‘21, and Meghan ‘27, and former Board of Governors Member)

July 5, 2023

Charles “Chuck” Carey, Jr. (BI ‘69) July 20, 2023

OBITUARIES

Rebecca Walker Jahn (SMA ‘56) July 22, 2023

Michael Monaghan

(Parent of Christopher ‘14, Matthew ‘19, and Thomas ‘19) July 28, 2023

David Scully (Former Faculty Member) July 29, 2023

Sean T. Parker (BI ‘85) August 1, 2023

Dana Gailliot Johannes (SMA ‘73) August 9, 2023

Robert Morris Jr.

(Former BI Cafeteria Manager for Sage Dining Services) August 12, 2023

Loraine Angevine Swaim (SMA ‘58) August 14, 2023

Cynthia Shebuski (Wilson) (SMA ‘76) September 6, 2023

Rev. Cornelius (Neil) F. Kilty (OSFS, Former Faculty Member) September 9, 2023

Katherine (Cathe) Deir

(Parent of Kay (SMA ‘82) Sean ‘85 and Brian ‘90, grandparent to Jay ‘10, Larkin ‘13, and Emma ‘17) September 10, 2023

Mary Lou Cahill

(Parent of Bob ‘78, Ellen (SMA ‘79), Jim ‘81, and Patricia (SMA ‘87)) September 21, 2023

Howard Patrick Bowdring

(Parent of Maryann (SMA ‘72), Michelle Shaw (SMA ‘74), Kathy Bowdring (SMA ‘75), Nancy Mino (SMA ‘77), Howie ‘78, Bill ‘79, Patricia Gordon (SMA ‘81), Anne Bowdring (SMA ‘82) and Elizabeth Bowdring (SMA ‘84)) September 30, 2023

Anne Marie D’Souza (Parent of Malcolm ‘84 and grandparent of Maryanne ‘18, Rebecca ‘20, and Elizabeth ‘24) October 6, 2023

Nelson Lima

(Parent of Marietta Koziatek (SMA ‘82), Nancy Beretz, (SMA ‘84), and Alice Lima-Whitney (SMA ‘87)) October 7, 2023

Kathleen Mary McCusker (SMA ‘64) October 16, 2023

Susan Lisbeth Brown Allen (SMA ‘57) October 18, 2023

Geraldine Brusnahan

(Grandparent of Casey ‘11 and Megan ‘14 and Parent of Former Board of Governors Member, Roger Brusnahan) October 20, 2023

Jack Russo

(BI ‘73) October 29, 2023

Madelyn Ann Curry

(Grandparent of Patrick McCambridge, Jr. 18, and Ian McCambridge ‘21) October 29, 2023

John Matthew Koloshey (BI ‘86) October 31, 2023

Canning Childs Kraft, Jr. (Parent of Canning ‘08 and Courtney Perry ‘05) November 4, 2023

Paula Arico (SMA ‘72) November 23, 2023

Andrew Bruno Fernandez (BI ‘70) December 5, 2023

Denise “Budd” Singletary (SMA ‘71) December 6, 2023

Michael L. Murphy (BI ‘89) December 7, 2023

Evelyn “Evie” Molinari (SMA ‘58) December 12, 2023

Chris Tomasino (Former Faculty Member) December 22, 2023

Jeff Taylor (Parent of Lilly ‘22 and Kathleen ‘25) December 30, 2023

Mary Kelly Toomey (Grandparent of Brian ‘08, Brittany ‘09 and Matthew ‘11) January 2, 2024

William “Bill” Swift, III (BI ‘68) January 5, 2024

Bridget Jenkins Abler (SMA ‘58) January 2024

Mark McCaslin (BI ‘83) January 16, 2024

Ellen Donohoe (Parent of Chris ‘87) January 26, 2024

Ramona Coakley (Parent of Michael ‘78) January 26, 2024

Bishop Ireton High School

201 Cambridge Road

Alexandria, VA 22314

www.bishopireton.org

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