BI Word- November & December 2025 by BishopIretonHS

Meet the Staff

Eden Boyd

Junior, Co-Editor

Peter DiBella

Senior, Reporter

Rory Sheehan

Sophomore, Reporter

Angela Ciatti Sophomore, Co-Editor-In-Chief

Natalie Drey Junior, Co-Editor

Benjamin Smith Junior, Reporter

Madison Ingram Junior, Reporter

Abigail Crum Senior, Reporter

Abby Stump Junior, Co-Editor-In Chief

Season’s Greetings From father Moschetto

By:BenSmith

Theholidayseasonisuponus.Itisatimetocelebratewithourlovedonesandthechanceto takeamomentandshareour“attitudeofgratitude.”FatherMoschettohasapersonalmessage forwhatmakeshimgrateful.Hesaidthatheisthankfulforhisfamilyandhisfaith.“Bothhave carriedmethroughlifeandhavebeensignsofGod’sgoodness.”Headdedthatheappreciates beingaBishopIretonCardinal.“ThefirstfewmonthshereatBIhavebeengreat!Ihavereally enjoyedgettingtoknowallofthestudents,comingtosportingevents,celebratingall-school mass,andtakingstudentsonretreat.EveryonehasbeenverysupportiveandIfeelveryblessed tobeapartofthiscommunity.”Weechohissentimentofgratitude-wearegratefulFather Moschettoishere.

Sincethisissueofthe BI Word isajointholidayissue,Fatheralsosharedthemostimportant partsaboutChristmas.“Adventisaprivilegedtimeofwaitingandpreparation.Asthedays growcolderanddarkerheadingintowinter,ourheartsgrowwarmerandbrighteratthecoming oftheMessiah.WhenChristmasfinallyarrives,werejoiceandgivethanksaswecelebratea momentinwhichallofhumanhistorywasforeverchanged:thebirthofOurLord.Ipraywe neverlosesightoftherealsourceofthisseason’sjoy:Christ!”Headdedthatthe“thethird SundayofAdventiscalled"GaudeteSunday,”andoneoftwodaysduringtheyearwewear rosecoloredvestments.Gaudetemeans“rejoice” inthemidstofthewaiting,symbolizedby thecolorpurple,itisaremindertousoftherejoicingthatisabouttocome.” oschettoandtherestoftheBishopIretoncommunity dhappyholidayseason.

Peace, Clarity, and Purpose: An Advent Reflection

By Ms. Megan

Brown

Theology Teacher

DuringAdvent,wewaitwithgreatanticipationforthemangerscene theangelof theLord,theshepherds,andthewisemen.Adventisallaboutwaiting,butnotthe bored,frustratedkindofwaitingyoufeelinalonglineattheDMV.Thiswaiting isdifferent.It’shopeful.It’sthekindofwaitingthatbelievessomethinggoodis coming.WeseethathopegroweachSundayatMassasanothercandleonthe Adventwreathislit.

TheAdventwreathisfullofsymbolsthatremindusofimportanttruthsabout Christmas.Thecandles,inparticular,carryspecialmeaning.Luke’sGospel remindsusofalightbreakingthroughthedarkness.Asanewcandleisliteach week,thegrowinglightofthewreathreflectshowourhopestrengthensaswe drawclosertoChristmas.

Lifeisfilledwithtransitionsand constantchange.Manyofusare figuringoutfriendships,feeling thepressureofcollege applications,planningourfutures, andnavigatingourplaceinthe world.Adventremindsusthatwe donotwalkalone.ThesameGod whopromisedlightandhope keepsHispromises.ThisAdvent, wearecalledtofaceour challengesonestepatatime, rememberingtheseason’spromise ofpeace,clarity,andpurpose.

By:MadisonIngram

EveryyearatBishopIreton,“WeCareWeek”givesourschoola chancetocelebratetheamazingworkofCatholicCharities.Theyhelp peopleinsomanyways;supportingimmigrantsandrefugees, providinghousingandfood,offeringcounselingandmedicalcare, andevendoingprisonministry.Duringtheweek,Iretonoffersvarious fundraiserstosupportthismission.Atthesametime,wealsotake partinAdopt-a-Family,apartnershipwithCommunityLodgings. Insteadofraisingmoney,wecollectrealgiftsformiddleandhigh schoolstudentsinourareawhoneedalittleextrahelp.Thesepresents godirectlytolocalfamiliesandmaketheholidayseasonbrighterfor kidsrighthereinourcommunity.

OurAssistantPrincipalofStudentLife,Mr.TimDodds,loves “seeingourstudentsgetexcitedaboutourthreeraffles,” especiallywhenhisparkingspotisupforgrabs!Studentslook forwardtotheseeveryyear,andtheyhelpbringeveryone togetherforagreatcause Eventhoughwedon’talwaysgetto meetthepeoplewehelp,ourkindnessstillreachesthem.Mr. Doddsreflects,“It'stheseexceedinglysimple,yetprofound gesturesthatmayseemoutofsightandoutofmindtous,but thatareattheveryfrontandcenterofsomeoneelse's experience.”Doingthesesimpleactsofkindnessforour communityandbeyondremindpeoplethattheyarelovedand theyhelpstrengthenourconnectiontooneanother.“WeCare Week”andAdopt-a-Familyshowjusthowmuchgoodwecando whenwecometogetherasaschoolcommunityandgivebackto thoseinneed.Alittlegenerositygoesalongway,andeveryone atBishopIretonplaysabigpartinmakingadifferenceinthe livesofothers.

Cardinals honoring those Who Served Cardinals honoring those Who Served

By:AngelaCiatti

WhenyouhearthenameMr Rauer,youmayimmediatelythinkabouttheColiseumproject,butheismorethanahistory teacher,heisalsoaformerLieutenantColonelintheArmyandisverydedicatedtothemilitarycommunity Thispast VeteransDay,Tuesday,November11,heandstudentsfromhisMilitaryService-SupportClubaswellastheRho-Kappa SocialStudiesHonorsSocietypaidtributetotheveteransburiedattheBasilicaofSt.Mary’scemetery.Mr.Rauerrecalls thismovingexperience.“At8:00VeteransDaymorning,bravingthecoldwindsandtemperaturesof32degrees,15 membersoftheMilitaryService-SupportclubandtheRhoKappaSocialStudiesHonorsSociety(andfiveparents)spent overanhouratthecemeterygoingthroughthe7,000gravesitesandlocatingthegravesofmilitaryveteransanddecorating thegraveswithanAmericanflagandaBishopIretoncardhonoringtheseveteransfortheirservice Therewereatotalof58 veterans’gravesthatwerelocatedanddecorated” Twodayslater,onWednesday,November13,Mr RauerandthemilitaryclubaswellashisWorldWarIclasstookafield triptoArlingtonNationalCemeterytolayawreathontheTomboftheUnknownSoldier.JuniorsErinAllen,Evie LudvigsonandRonanConwayalongwithseniorMaggieLuffwerechosentobepartoftheactualwreathlayingwhilethe restofthememberslookedon.Mr.RauerencouragestheBishopIretoncommunitytovisitArlingtonNationalCemetery.

“ItwasaverymovingceremonywiththeplayerofTapsbytheArmybuglerandthesalutingoftheUnknownSoldier. If youhavenothadtheopportunitytoseeachangingoftheTombSententialorawreathlayingceremony,mayIsuggest makingavisittoArlingtoninthefuture. Overall,itwasaverymovingceremony,andourstudentswereexcellent.”

Thank you, Mr. Rauer, and all of our BI Students who took time out of their day to honor those who served. God Bless America!

Model UN’s Successful Start

By:RorySheehan,StaffandDr.TomCross,SpecialContributor

TheBishopIretonModelUnitedNationsClub(MUN)ishavingagreatyearsofar.Dr TomCross,theclubmoderator, sharedhisthoughtsinthisarticleabouttheclub’sevents.Hiswords,alongwiththisreporter’s,arewrittenbelow.

TheseniorleadersareNewmanStirewalt,DanielSantillan,andSophiaAry.Eachmemberbringsexperienceand enthusiasmtotheclubandisdoingtheverybesttohelpeveryoneimprove.Wehavemanynewmembersthisyear,and morestudentshavealreadyparticipatedinaconferencethaninthelasttwoyearscombined.Asthenameimplies,MUN isamodel,oractivesimulationoftheUnitedNations.Studentsplaytheroleof"delegates"representingnationsor worldleaders,workingincommitteestocreateresolutions,negotiate,andresolveconflicts.So,skillsneededinclude tact,persuasion,publicspeaking,andleadership.Todeveloptheseskillsinmeetings,studentsoftenengageindebates anddrillsinformingalliances.

Withsomanynewmembersthisyear,MUN’sfirsteventwasatrainingconferenceinBaltimore,Maryland.Thirteen studentdelegatesattended,ofwhom12wereparticipatinginaconferenceforthefirsttime.Newfacultymemberand historyteacher,Mr.KevinGrinstead,servedasachaperoneandwashappytosharesomeadvicewiththeteam.Justone weeklater,theclubwasreadytotackleitsfirstcompetitionattheDCInternationalSchool.Theteamhadagreat showingwithtenstudentsparticipatingincommitteescoveringinternationalrefugeeassistance,globalpolitical tensions,andevenafictionalcrisisinvolvingStarWarscharacters.SeniorSophiaArywasselectedasBestDelegatein hercommittee.“WinningBestDelegatemademefeellikeallofthetimeandenergyIputintopreparingforthe conferencereallypaidoff,andIwassoproudtotakehomeagavelrepresentingBI.”Shecontinued,“Iwassoexcited toreceiveaVerbalCommendationatUVAbecausemycommitteewasbasedonavideogame,whichwasveryfarout ofmycomfortzone.”Inaddition,JuniorBellaPalomino'27, receivedaverbalcommendationforherefforts.

Theteamsteppedupitsgameevenfurtherafterthatsuccess,when12studentstraveledtoCharlottesville, Virginiato participateinthe45thannualUniversityofVirginiaModelUnitedNationsConference,oneofthelargestandmost prestigiouseventsontheEastCoast.Spanningthreedaysandwithover1,000participants,ourdelegatesfaced considerablechallenges.Twostudentsreceivedrecognitionagain:SophiaAry,withaverbalcommendation,and NewmanStirewalt,selectedasBestDelegateinhiscommittee.Onthattrip,aspecialshout-outgoestolibraryassistant Ms.AnastasiaVestermarkforhelpkeepingtheteamsafeandmusicallyinspired.

ThegoaloftheMUNclubistosenddelegateteamsthatcancompetewithstudentsfromalloverNorthern Virginia. But,evenmoreimportantly,wehopeourfellowcardinalsbuildconfidence,findnewfriendships,pushthemselvestobe better,andhavesomefunalongtheway

Interestedstudentscanstilljointheclubandparticipateinmeetingsandconferencesnextspring. ContactDr.TomCrossattom.cross@bishopireton.orgformoreinformation.

It’sAcademic

By:AbbyStump

Thisyear,BishopIretonparticipatedinIt’sAcademic,America’slongest-runningquiz showandwewon!OurteamwasledbyoneofIreton’smathinstructors,Mr.Thomas Cogliano,andwasmadeupofseniorsDallasDsouza,DanielSantillan,andNewman Stirewalt.AccordingtoMr.Cogliano,“Thecompetitiontraditionallyfeatures81high schoolsintheDMVarea,withepisodesfeaturingthreeteams.Eachfirst-placeteam advancestoaplayoffstage,shrinkingthefieldfrom81schoolsto27.Thenitdropsto nine,andaftersemifinals,onlythreeschoolsremaintocompeteforthechampionship Tothisdate,BishopIretonhasnevermadeittothefinalround…untilnow.”

Whenaskedhowthisteammanagedtomakehistory,hedidn’thesitate:“Willpower! Daniel,Dallas,andNewmanhavebeenthefaceofBishopIretonHighSchoolforIt’s Academicforfouryears.”Heexplainedthattheirstorystartedbackin2022,thelast yeartheshowwastapedoverZoom.Thenightbeforethecompetition,thesenior captainhadtodropoutunexpectedly.Withalmostnotimetospare,Mr.Cogliano pulledtogetheranewteam:freshmanDanielascaptain,Dallaspromotedfrom alternate,andtheconfident,fast-buzzerfreshmanNewman.“Iwastoldbyaproducer thatIretonhadsentthefirstALL-FRESHMANteamintheshow’s60+yearhistory. Despitebeingfreshmen,theycamewithinONEQUESTIONofwinning.”Theteam hasn’tchangedsince.

Santillansharedwhatfirstdrewhimtotheclub:“Istartedparticipatingasafreshman becauseoftheallureofbeingonTV.IwantedtoseehowsmartIcouldbe.”That excitementpushedhimtolearnmore,teachhisteammatestricks,andstayafterschool toprepare.“It’sthemostsurrealexperiencefinallywinningIt’sAcademic.Wehad comesocloseforsomanyyears,andtobeatLangleyHighSchool,oneoftheregion’s best,madeitevensweeter.”Aftertheintensematch,hesaidhekeptcheckingwithhis coachtoseeiftheyreallywon.“Itwastheculminationofsomuchpracticeand dedication,”headded.“VeryworthanexpensiveFiveGuystriprightafterward!”

Dallassaid,“Ithasbeenawonderfulopportunitytobepartofthe It’s Academic teamforthepast fouryearsatBishopIreton.Ihaveenjoyedeveryaspectofbeingontheteam,includingbothafter schoolandbeforeschoolpractices.Mr.Chasbeenanexcellentcoachthroughoutallfouryears, andouracademicandtriviaknowledgehasimprovedsignificantlythankstohisguidance.Atthe freshmanyearclubfair,IwasabitunsureaboutwhetherIshouldjoin It’s Academic orifIwould evenenjoybeingonTV,butIdecidedtogiveitatryanyway.Surprisingly,justtwodaysbefore thecompetitionthatyear,theseniorteamcaptaindroppedout,andIwassuddenlyplacedonthe team,somethingIhadneverexpected.”

Stirewaltsharedasimilarfeeling:“It’sbeenveryrewardingtostruggleforso longandfinallygetawin.Itmadethewholefouryearsworthit.”

It’s Academic isanextremelytoughcompetition,butIreton’steampulledthrough andmadeschoolhistory They’vebeenanoutstandingteamforfouryears,and nowthatthey’reallgraduating,it’stimefornewstudentstostepup.Mr. Coglianoissendingoutanappealtoall:“Students,Ineedanewcompetition teamnextyear!Ican’trelyonthe‘DreamTeam’oncetheygraduate Pleaselook fortheteam’sboardatnextyear’sClubFairandaddyournametothelistof interestedstudents.Westartpracticingearlyeachyearsincetapingsusually happeninthefall”

TuneintowatchMr.Cogliano’s“DreamTeam”ofDallasDsouza,Daniel Santillan,andNewmanStirewaltonSaturday,February7onWETAanditwill alsobeavailablethenightbeforeonYouTube

Picturedbottomrow,left toright: DallasDsouza,Daniel Santillian,andNewman Stirewalt

MidtermMadness: Helpful

tips To ease your stress from Bishop Ireton teachers

By:EdenBoyd

Theholidayseasonisofficiallyhere-andwiththat,anotherdreadedseasonisapproachingmidterms.AtBishopIreton,theweeksleadinguptotheChristmasseasonarefilledwithspirit andcelebration,juxtaposedwithseeminglynever-endingreviewdaysandlast-minutecram sessions.Tomakethisexamseasonlessdauntingandmoreapproachable,wehaveaskedteachers invariousdepartmentswhattheirbestadviceisforstudentsastheyprepare.

Ms.GinaGarcia(WorldLanguages)advisesstudentsto “takeadvantageofallofthestudyguidesthatteachers givethem,samplequestions,Googlenotes,anywebsites orlinksthatteachershaveprovidedtodopractice work.”

Mr.MichaelRauer(SocialStudies)gaveseveralhelpfultipsfortest preparationincluding:“Getagoodnight'ssleep(orasmuchasyou can);breakthestudysessionsfortheexamintomanageablechunks; considerwritinganoutlineofwhatyouneedtoknowregardingthe topicsormaterialsnecessarytomastertheexam.”

Ms.PaigeJohnson(English)highlightsthevalueofbeingcomfortable, stating,“startearlierthanyouthinkyouneedto,totakeouttheelement ofstress.Makehotcocoaandputonsomemusictomakestudyinga pleasantexperienceinsteadofatenseone.”

Mr.JackGaumer(Mathematics)gavearemindertostudents:“Mostteachershave certaintypesofproblemstheyconsiderespeciallyimportant,andthosetendtoappear againandagainthroughoutthequarter.There’sagoodchancethey’llreappearonthe final,too.Teachersarenottryingtotrickyou.”Healsorecommendednoise-canceling headphoneswithbackgroundwhitenoisewhenstudying.

Finally,Mr.JosephJacobeen(Theology)gave someimportantwisdomthatweshould rememberwhentimescanbestressfulor difficult:“Jesuslovesyou.Weloveyou.Take thepressureoff.Youridentityandfuture happinessdonotdependongettingperfect scores!”

Cardinals Soar into the Winter Season

By:PeterDiBella

Aswintersportsbegintorampup,excitementcanalreadybefeltacrosscampus.ThenewseasonbringsourCardinal studentathletesbacktothecourt,track,rink,andmattoshowcasetheirhardwork,talent,anddedicationinrepresenting BishopIreton.Anticipationisalreadybuildingasathletesprepareforthecompetitionahead.Goodlucktoallourstudent athletes!

BishopIretonkickedoffthewinterseasonbycelebratingSeniorSigning Day,recognizingtheseveralCardinalswhohavecommittedtocontinue theirathleticcareersatthecollegiatelevel.Families,teammates,and coachesgatheredinGodleyGymtohonorthehardworkanddedication thatbroughttheseseniorstothismilestone.

Congratulationsto:

FilipBoras-Men’sRowing-IonaUniversity

AbigailCrum-Women’sLacrosse-GeorgeMasonUniversity

McKennaDavis-Women’sSoccer-UniversityofRhodeIsland

ReaganLowrance-Women’sLacrosse-SavannahCollegeofArt&Design

KateMcCrocklin-Women’sLacrosse-WestPoint

This winter also marks a historic moment for Bishop Ireton as the girls ice hockey team has begun its inaugural season. Assistant Coach Ben Gerke is psyched. “It’s not often that you get to make history at your high school, but the BI Girls Hockey team did just that with the program’s first game ever.” Congratulations to sophomore Addy Soto for scoring the first goal in team history!The team went on to win two consecutive games against St. Mary’s Ryken andAFC proving they are a force to be reckoned with on the ice.

Pies, Traditions and Thankfulness: Our Faculty and Staff Share Their Thoughts

By:AngelaCiatti

What is your favorite type of pie?

It’sofficial-thefacultyandstaffatBishopIretonhaveaclear favoritewhenitcomestoThanksgivingpies-apple!With50%of therespondentsansweringapple,theBishopIretonFacultyand Staffareupsettingthetrendofpumpkinpiebeingthefavoriteof theseason.AccordingtoFoxNews,asurveydonebyYouGovlast yearshowedthat29%ofpeoplefavorpumpkinpieat Thanksgiving.Applewastheclosesecondat20%andpecanpie comesinthirdat14%ofthealmost10,000peoplewho contributedtothesurvey

It’supfordebateonwhichpieshouldbecrownedwinnerduring theThanksgivingseason,butonethingisforsure,ourteachers andstaffchooseapplepieforthegoldmedalwinner!

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

“ForGod’sgraceandmercyandthemeanstobeabletoprovideandassistthosethatwouldotherwisegowithout.” -Ms.JanellCline

“Mybeautifulwife,mytwowonderfulchildrenandgoodTVshowsandfilms!”-Mr.JoshGoldman

“MysonWalkerandmyhusbandMr.Gerke(nottheMr.GerkewhoworksinSpecialServicesbutIamgrateful forhim,too!),mywholefamily,myBishopIretonfamily,andTJMaxx.”-Ms.KaitlynGerke

“Mysweetgirls,EmilyandKatie,andmywholefamily!”-Ms.BethRoyle

“Iamgratefulformyfriendsandfamily,Mexicanfood,andtheMathHelpCenter.”-Mr.JackGaumer

“Myfaith,myfamily,andmostcertainlyBishopIreton!”-Ms.KathleenMcNutt

“JesusandmybeautifullittlefamilythatIlove;).”-Ms.LanaO’Donnell

“Iamgratefulformyfamilyandfortheopportunitytocelebratewitheveryone.”-Mr.ThomasCogliano

What is your favorite Thanksgiving Memory or Tradition?

“LiterallydrivingtoGrandma'shouseforThanksgivingdinner. Ononeparticularyear,manyyearsago,weweretiedupin trafficafteralatestartandwerequitelatefortheturkeydinner(whichwemissed),soweendedupwitha"Truckstop" Thanksgivingdinnerofhamburgers.”-Mr.MichaelRauer

“Oneyear,whenIwasinmiddleschool,allofthecousinsrakedtheleavesinmygrandparents'yardbeforedinner We competedtomakethetallestpile,thencombinedthemintoonehugepile.Afterdinner,wealljumpedintotheleaves.It'sa wonderfulmemory!”-Ms.PaulinaAlfonso

“WhenIwasyounger,IwouldalwayshaveasleepoveronThanksgivingnightwithmycousinswhoarecloseinagetome, andwealwaysstayedupverylateandplayedvideogamesallnight.Idefinitelytreasurethosemoments,Iwasluckyto havesuchfunwithfamilyfromayoungage.”-Mr.KevinGrinstead

“MyfavoriteThanksgivingtraditionisthepooltournamentmyfamilyplaysafterweeatdinnertogether.”

-Ms.MollyMcGraw

“Makingmygrandmother'scinnamonrollswithmydaughtersandmymom.”-Ms.MeganBrown

“Forthepast14years,myfatherandIhavebrinedtwoturkeysthenightbeforeThanksgiving.Thistraditionmeansa greatdealtousbecauseitstartedtheyearaftermymotherpassedaway.Shewasalwaystheonewhomadetheturkey Wemaketwoturkeys,sowewillhaveplentyofleftoversfortheweekend.Themostmeaningfulpartofthistraditionis thetimeIgettospendwithmyfather.”-Ms.NicoleDiLorenzo

“Thanksgivingmorning,wealwayswokeuptowatchtheMacy'sThanksgivingDayParade,whilefoodwasbeing prepared.Itwasallhandsondeckforeveryone.Inmyfamilywealwaysnameourturkey-aftersomeonefamousthat wedidn'tlikethatyear.” -Mr.JosephCrain

“Myfavorite(new)traditionofThanksgivinghasbeendeepfryingmyturkey.Secretweapon:Popeye'shasaturkeyoff menu...doyourselfafavorandaskforit.”-Mr.TimDodds

“MyfavoritetraditioniswatchingtheMacy'sparadewithmymomeachyear.”-Ms.MaryKateWiedemer

“Everyyear,myneighborhoodhasaThanksgivingfootballgameandIamthestartingrunningbackformystreet’steam. It’snotalwaysprettybutit’salwaysfun.”-Mr.JackGaumer

“Beingwithmygrandparentsandlisteningtomygrandmothertellstories.”-FatherMoschetto

We are grateful for all of the faculty and staff at Bishop Ireton and all that they do!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with pie, memories and thankfulness!

Christmas Cryptogram

BY:NATALIEDREY

In this puzzle, every letter stands for another. Once you find out what a letter stands for, put it in and keep going until you can read the message. This is a quote from one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time.

To give you a hint, the letter N is equivalent to the letter A. No letter is equivalent to the same letter.

“NRZHXKPKOJNK,LRIGK,HXJLVXMHXNCRKYKPBLHNCIPNBJO