THE BI-WORD Vol. 1 September 2026
Bishop Burbidge Visits pgs. 3-5
Words to Fly By: Admin Advice pgs. 6-9
New Faces in the Nest pgs. 10-11
Find the Cardinal, Win a Prize Pg. 2
Meet the Staff
Angela Ciatti Junior, Editor-In-Chief
Liz Joyner Senior, Managing Editor
Reporters Front Row, L-R: Elena Kokinda, ‘28, Angela Ciatti, ’28, Cora Croson, ‘29, Emma Salisbury, ‘29, Meredith Barker, ‘29, Andie Francis, ‘28, Matthew Mendoza, ‘27 Back Row, L-R: Arthur Stirewalt, ‘29, Ryan Fannon, ‘27, Sarah Ramirez, ‘27, Maddie Brown, ‘27, Mary Silis, ‘29, McKenna Flaaen, ‘29, Michael Metzgar, ‘29, Izabella Hernandez, ‘29, Liz Joyner, ‘27, Sam Dyck, ‘28, Chris Saint-Cyr, ‘28, Will Carlson, ‘29
Welcome Back, Cardinals! Before you start reading this first edition of the BI Word for the school year, we wanted to remind you that we are doing Find the Cardinal, Win A Prize this year! Remember the rules: Find the Cardinal (shown below) within this issue, email Mrs. Royle at beth.royle@bishopireton.org, before 3:05 on 10/2, say where you found it, and our staff will pick the winning name out of a hat for an Ireton surprise! Good luck and thanks for reading, Cardinals! ind f o t r e b em Just rem . It is l a n i d r a ct C e r r o c e h t ; be o g o l e h t n not withi e n o e h t d n sure to fi below.
A SPECIAL VISITOR A blessing at BI By: Ryan Fannon Bishop Burbidge made his annual fall visit to Bishop Ireton’s campus. He was welcomed by Bishop Ireton’s Chaplain and Campus Minister, Father Joseph Moschetto, who felt “blessed to have him on campus,” and by members of the Cardinal Crazies, BI’s spirit crew, who helped to share the school spirit with him before his day on Cambridge Road. Bishop Burbidge enjoyed the striped overalls worn by the Cardinal Crazies and even jokingly asked the crew if he could wear a pair of them. Once inside the halls of BI, Father Moschetto concelebrated the school-wide Mass with Bishop Burbidge, who delivered a beautiful homily to the school community about the upcoming year. He referred to the acronym “ART” and explained its meaning by encouraging the students to be Attentive, be Real, and be Together as they start this year. These words are meant to inspire everyone to be present and remain a united force for good as the school year marches forward. Bishop Burbidge also shared a personal experience during Mass, explaining that when he looks at the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Crucifix, he always says, “Jesus, I believe in your love for me.” He remarked that it might sound simple, but that it is so powerful because it is an act of accepting His love, trusting in it, and allowing yourself to be loved by Him. Bishop Burbidge ended Mass with a message for which everyone can feel grateful: that God’s love is a pure gift, that He knows us by name, and His love for us is forever.
“I was able to speak with him briefly before Mass since I was altar serving. Mainly just introducing myself and saying hi. He is a really nice guy who really cares about the students and staff in the schools and overall is a really great person and an amazing Bishop.” -William Valentine ‘30
After Mass, Bishop Burbidge met with various students, visited classrooms, and fully embraced daily life at BI. Father Moschetto said these times during the Bishop’s visit are part of what he looks forward to the most “because I'm proud of our awesome student body and I am excited for the Bishop to share in that.” Later in the day, Bishop Burbidge spent time with a group of students and faculty who traveled to Spain over the summer. Mr. Garrett Fabacher, the Social Studies Department Chair and AP Art History teacher, spearheaded the trip with Ms. Kristine Rier, the AP European History teacher. When asked about the meeting, Mr. Fabacher replied, “It was such an incredible experience for our students to meet with Bishop Burbidge to discuss not only the academic value of our trip to Spain, but the spiritual significance as well.” Mr Fabacher went on to say that “We had a great time connecting one-on-one with our Bishop and sharing about our journey.” Bishop Burbidge also enjoyed lunch with the seniors in the Student Council Association. Father Moschetto highlighted the importance of students interacting with Bishop Burbidge saying: “The Bishop is our shepherd and our leader here in the diocese, and so establishing a personal connection with him helps us, the sheep, to know his voice. I also think it's great for him to be able to interact with the students and hear what they think about life and faith.”
“High school hallways can be pretty overwhelming, but everyone I saw interacting with Bishop Burbidge walked away with a smile on their face. It was so nice to be around someone who makes everyone feel seen and cared about, who brings a simple kind word and a smile to every interaction.” -Molly McCullough '30
Possibly the most exciting part of the day for students came at the conclusion of Mass when Bishop Burbidge granted the students his “Bishop’s Holiday” - one day off from school later in the year. Before the visit, Father Moschetto had a feeling the Bishop might grant that gift. “If I was a betting man, I’d say yes,” and Father surmised that it didn’t hurt that Bishop Burbidge’s favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, had just beaten the Washington Commanders which surely pleased him. Freshman Connor Danysh, who experienced the excitement for the first time, exclaimed, “When Bishop Burbidge announced the holiday and everyone started cheering, I was definitely confused. Now that I know we get a day off of school later this year, I am so excited. I'm not sure how it works, but he should definitely come back and grant another!” Here’s hoping!
“The Bishop's homily helped remind me to be active in my own life and live it instead of just going through the motions. It reminds me of a quote from Mary Oliver that I learned in my creative writing class: "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." God wants us to be our real selves and loves us for who we really are, not who we pretend to be or think we should be.” -Mary Schweers ‘28 “Honestly, it feels amazing to be granted the Bishop's holiday since it can provide us with a break from the stress and focus on school and let us relax, while also working on our personal faith. And who knows, maybe we'll get a second holiday for an Eagles Superbowl like when I was a freshman!” -Sebastian Feitl ‘28
Back To School Admin Answers By: Sam Dyck
Ms. Kathleen McNutt, Head of School Event you are most looking forward to? “This may sound odd for the start of the year, but I look forward to our commencement exercises. Seeing the culmination of a student’s growth and development through their time at Bishop Ireton is certainly impactful for that individual, but it is tremendously impactful and inspiring for those of us who work here and provide the educational opportunities throughout the year. God’s presence is palpable at those events.”
Favorite Quote and Why? “While I have many, many favorite quotes from spiritual and faith-filled leaders, I do have a quote frame that sits on my desk as a great reminder of resilience: ‘If Plan A fails, remember there are 25 more letters!’ It goes quite well with our school motto to advance always!”
Dr. Timothy Guy, Principal Favorite TV Show and Movie? “I'm hooked on the new seasons of ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Reacher’ and could totally nerd out in a discussion about the movie, ‘Project Hail Mary’.”
Any advice for Students? “Recognize and take advantage of the opportunities that surround you here at Bishop Ireton, and not just with an eye towards how you might grow into your own future, but as a way to be the best version of who you are today as well.”
Ms. Tania Slaton, Assistant Principal, Dean of Academics, Science Teacher Favorite Quote and Why? “‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’ This is my favorite quote because I have a personal goal to make one person's day a little easier or a little happier each day.”
Favorite Coffee Order? “A Strawberry Acai Refresher (I don't actually like coffee).”
Ms. Jeanne Bliss, Assistant Principal, Dean of Faculty Favorite Sports Team? “College basketball = University of Kansas Men's Team (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!) Pro football: Denver Broncos (my hometown team!)”
Advice for Students? “No matter what grade you are in, be open to meeting new people and making new friends at BI. Make it a goal to get to know one new person in each of your classes and/or sport.”
Mr. Timothy Dodds, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Varsity Head Boys Lacrosse Coach Advice for Students?
“As far as advice goes, I would suggest being open to trying new things. Whether it's a club, an elective class, a team, or simply that connection within our community previously unexplored, find ways to grow and to leave no stone unturned.”
Favorite Coffee Order? “Favorite coffee order is anything from Dunkin'.”
Mr. Kevin O’Keefe, Student Activities Coordinator Advice for Students? “Wake up earlier. You get more done.”
Event you are looking forward to? “The Fall Pep Rally and Winter Ball.”
Have a great year!
Welcome, New Teachers! By: Meredith Barker, Will Carlson, Cora Croson, Matthew Mendoza and Emma Salisbury
Meet Mr. Matthew Eichner What brought you to Bishop Ireton? “I came to BI because, as I prepared to retire from a long-term role as an economist at the Federal Reserve Board, I spent almost two years discerning what I might like to do next, and how I could support the mission of the Church. In the end, I decided that I would like to teach at a Catholic school. I was thrilled when Mrs. Bliss reached out and invited me to interview for a position at BI.”
What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you? “For twenty years, I rode a motorcycle into work each day, commuting from the suburbs of Maryland into Washington.”
Meet Ms. Vanessa Milewski What brought you to Bishop Ireton? “A position opened up for a Spanish teacher at BI and I loved Bishop Ireton as a parent and I love teaching Spanish so I decided to apply. My kids were so excited that I applied and told me how nice everyone was at BI that I knew I was making the right choice.”
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing? “I would be annoying my kids by visiting them in college!”
Meet Ms. Sarah Fonda Although Mrs. Fonda has been at BI for three years in the theater department, you’ll see her more now that she is full- time!
What brought you to Bishop Ireton? “The amazing theater department and faculty attracted me to BI, and I have to credit Mrs. McNutt for hiring me TWICE (1st at St. Louis School when she was Principal when I moved down here to NoVa in 2017)!” What is your usual coffee order? “I love an iced caramel macchiato!”
Meet Ms. Grace Garwood What brought you to Bishop Ireton? “I truly believe God led me to BI! I had heard wonderful things about the school from friends, and I felt called to share the knowledge and experiences from my own studies with the next generation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and to help students grow in both their faith and their understanding.”
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing? “If I wasn't a teacher, I would love to work in medicine, perhaps as an endocrinologist.“
Fall Sports Rundown By: Arthur Stirewalt
The first month of the school year has been a great one for the Cardinals in athletics. The football team has been firing on all cylinders with back to back wins against McKinley Tech and Ron Brown High School. Junior Quarterback Jack Brookes is pleased with the team's effort: “I think on offense we have run the ball well, the offensive line has opened up holes for the backs, and the receivers have gotten open very well. And the defense has held the offenses to low scoring drives.” When asked about how the team can continue to thrive, Brookes laid out a simple plan: “High energy through all 4 quarters. Staying focused in practice, and preparing off the field to have confidence on the field.” Head Coach Milton Powell is happy with the season so far citing the “growth of the team and the continued maturation of the entire program.” He also noted his excitment “to have more chances to compete later in the season.” The Cardinals look to keep the momentum going into Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) play. The girls tennis team's recent program success has continued this season with wins against St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, St. John Paul the Great, and St. Paul VI. Coach Tom Noone is excited to build on the opening chapter to the 2026 campaign saying “the most important thing to build with a program that currently has just one senior is a positive culture.” Hopefully the Cardinals can continue to build that winning culture heading into conference play. Boys Soccer has also had a strong opening on the pitch for the 2026 campaign. A decisive victory against Bullis School, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Episcopal alongside strong ties against Paul VI and Benedictine has the Cardinals jockeying for position in the ever competitive WCAC. Senior captain Gavin Mohr is proud of the first few games: “We have started the season strong, and we look to continue playing well in the WCAC to earn a high spot in the rankings. We hope to go far this year because this is the best we have looked in a while.”
Meet Mr. Aaron Elder: Bringing heart to Ireton Athletics By: Michael Metzgar After meeting Mr. Aaron Elder, it is clear how much he values community. As Bishop Ireton’s new assistant athletic director, he understands that sports are not just about winning, but about learning life lessons and building relationships: “I got into this profession because of the relationships that you get to build with people. I really liked the sense of community here.” Elder focuses on what fans don’t think about: “I genuinely enjoy the behind-the-scenes work, the operational side of athletics.” From preparing the fields to ensuring the visiting team knows where to go, he concentrates on what some might describe as little things, but to him, those are the big things. He is married with a two-year-old daughter and understands the importance of having a positive impact through sports: “The idea of servant leadership is probably where faith in my role connects the most.” He is no stranger to sports management, having mastered in sports leadership at James Madison University, following his time there by working as a club sports director at Georgetown University. Elder looks forward to having a positive impact on the students and appreciates Bishop Ireton’s philosophy: “I always really connected to the idea of advance always because that fits into how I try to approach things personally and professionally.”
Elder is well-versed in the competitiveness of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), as a graduate of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. But his allegiance to purple is not getting in the way of his new job at Ireton. Elder expressed his excitement “to put these colors on… to start a new chapter here at BI.”
From Cadet to Cardinal: Meet Mr. Antwon Bailey By: Andie Francis
There’s a new Card in the nest! Meet Mr. Antwon Bailey, Bishop Ireton’s new athletic operations manager. Hailing from Landover, Maryland, the St. John’s College High School graduate, former football player, and coach made his way to Cambridge Road at the beginning of the school year. “I was ready to get into the athletics side of education,” Bailey said. After receiving a degree in sports management and teaching for over 12 years, he is excited to start this new chapter. From the get-go, he felt BI’s strong sense of community and positive atmosphere, which is what turned this Cadet into a Cardinal. His prior relationship with another Cadet-turned-Card, Athletic Director Mr. Milton Powell, whom he coached alongside at St. John’s, also helped make the decision an easy one. Coming from St. John’s, a school known for its dominant athletic programs in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and across the country, Bailey liked that “one thing that sets BI apart from the other schools in our area is the number of multisport athletes on campus.” Bailey appreciates the commitment of students who play multiple sports. He believes “it plays a big part in fostering a positive school culture and grows camaraderie while at the same time making it easier to support your classmates.” For student-athletes balancing sports and academics, Bailey offers one piece of advice: “You fail to plan, you plan to fail.” He emphasizes the importance of time management and encourages the student part of student-athlete: “When you’re playing a sport and the curriculum is demanding, you gotta take advantage of those opportunities where you can study.”
One of Bailey’s goals for athletics this year at Ireton is to grow athlete retention. “Some kids really have a breakthrough as freshmen, and sometimes that doesn’t continue into sophomore and junior year.” He is hoping to keep athletes playing all four years while growing the teams. Bailey is focusing on creating a culture where the students feel like an important part of athletics and want to truly be a part of the teams. He recognizes that the Cardinals have plenty of heart and he hopes to keep that heart beating.
Cardinals at the Club Fair By: Elena Kokinda On September 9, students in all grades attended the annual Club Fair. Over 70 clubs were displayed during the event. From the Uno Club to Morgan’s Message, there was a place for every student to be involved. Signs of Faith ASL Club What does your club do? “Signs of Faith ASL Club’s goal is to give students the opportunity to learn American Sign Language, learn about Deaf culture and accessibility, and participate in service and fundraising projects that support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.” -Meredith Barker ‘29, Vice President Formula One Club Who should join your club? “Anyone who is interested in the Sport of Formula One or motorcar sports in general should definitely join!” -Abigail West ‘28, Vice President
The Daily Bread Breakfast Club What is your biggest event or activity? “Mass; our Catholic faith revolves around the celebration of the Eucharist. As of now, the club doesn't have one specific big event, but our breakfast is great: we have donuts and sometimes homemade baked goods!” -Christina Ciatti ‘29, Vice President
Students are saying.... Which club(s) caught your attention? Why? “The Be the Good Club caught “Anima Christi Club - it brings together high schoolers and the faith in a cool new way.” -Ava Perez-Acosta ‘28
“Inviting, exciting, enthusiastic” -Zach Moeller ‘28
my attention because it was cool to see people making an effort to make the world a better place.” - Catherine Lowe ‘30
What are three words to describe your experience at “Exciting, fresh, buzzing” the club fair? -Erin Allen ‘27
Welcoming the New Faces on Campus! As the year begins, let’s welcome all of the new faces on campus including our freshman and new faculty and staff. Previously in this issue, you met five of our new faculty and staff, but we wanted to let you know that in the two next issues, the following new teachers will be highlighted: Ms. Teresa Cory- Registrar Ms. Anastasia Adams- English Ms. Katie Scolese- Campus Ministry Ms. Emily Perotti- English Mr. Andrew Zager- Science Dr. Adam Kellam- Math Mr. David White- Social Studies Mr. John Harrison- Theology Mrs. Christy Brooks- Science
Senior Check-In By: Christopher Saint-Cyr
Members of the Class of 2027 were asked the following questions:
Now that you're a senior, how does it feel? Has it sunk in yet? What is the event you are most looking forward to this year? “Now that I am a senior, I am feeling pretty ready to graduate. Application season has really made it sink in, with deadlines and decisions coming quickly.” “The event I am looking forward to most is my senior night for girl’s soccer. It's a big night, and I am excited to celebrate it with my fellow seniors and my family.”
Grace Hanik ‘27
“It's definitely sunk in that I'm a big dog at school now! It feels great, but senioritis is definitely getting to me!” “I am looking forward to spirit week! That has always been my favorite time of year.”
Justice Joyce ‘27
“It's sunk in but I'm still kinda in disbelief.” “I'm looking forward to my senior prom and beach week.”
Amanda Vergara ‘27 “Being a senior feels odd, not really because I don't feel like a senior, but because it feels so weird knowing all my other friends are seniors and that this year will be so short.” “I am not necessarily looking forward to a certain event, but in the spring when more people start announcing where they go to college will be a fun time for everyone and it will be interesting seeing where everyone goes.”
William McKnight ‘27
Spirit week 2026 October 5-9
5 6 7 8 9
Mon
Jersey Day
Tues Childrens Book Day Freshman - Cowboys Sophmores - USA Juniors - Country Club Seniors - Country Core
Wed
Country Day
Thurs
Advisory Day
Fri
Powder Puff
Saturday Oct 10 is Homecoming Game and Dance!
Ireton Word Search! By: McKenna Flaaen and Mary Silis
FIND THE FOLLOWING WORDS: BISHOP HOMECOMING FOOTBALL BACK TO SCHOOL CARDINAL FIELD HOCKEY CROSS COUNTRY
ROWING CHEER VOLLEYBALL SOCCER FANNON FIELD CLUB FAIR AUDITIONS
TEACHERS TENNIS MASS BACKPACK JOURNALISM
Find the answers on the next page!
Ireton Word Search! Answer Key
FIND THE FOLLOWING WORDS: BISHOP HOMECOMING FOOTBALL BACK TO SCHOOL CARDINAL FIELD HOCKEY CROSS COUNTRY
ROWING CHEER VOLLEYBALL SOCCER FANNON FIELD CLUB FAIR AUDITIONS
TEACHERS TENNIS MASS BACKPACK JOURNALISM
WELCOME BACK CARDINALS!