BI Word - October 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

SPIRT WEEK 2025 WRAP UP SPIRT WEEK 2025 WRAP UP

By:AngelaCiatti

EveryOctober,thehypeofspiritweekfillsthehallsofBishopIreton,andthisyeardidnotdisappoint. SpiritWeekkickedoffwith“DressYourAgeDay”wheretheteachersenjoyedwearingthelatestin teenagefashion-baggysweatpantsandhoodies-andfreshmenandsophomoresdonnedonesiesand binkiestodresslikechildren JuniorsandSeniorspulledoutallthestopswiththeirreaders,canes,and gray-hairedwigsastheelderly.Studentsenjoyedarowdyspiritrallywithaveryintenseroundof musicalchairs.Ofcourse,spiritweekwouldnotbecompletewithoutcelebratingourCatholicfaith,so onWednesday,FatherMoschettocelebratedmassfortheschoolandeveryonewastreatedtofurry friendsonFannonFieldfortheannualpettingzoo.

OnThursday,thecreativityreturnedwithourmuchanticipatedAdvisoryMorningandParade.The Waldman/SlatonAdvisorybroughtthepassionanddeterminationtowinthisyear. Aftermultiplenear misses,theytookdownthereigningchampsoftheRoyle/O'KeefeandtheLoia/Gerkeadvisories.One oftheseniorsinthewinningadvisory,DanielSantillan,sumsupthefeelingofelation “Ithinkallthe robberiesandclosecallswehadthroughouttheyearsmadethissuchasweetvictory.Allthe dedication,the6PMnightsinthebasement,andthelast-minutestressaddedtothedelicioustasteof victory.”TheirF1reenactmentwasaracefortheages. ByFriday,theschoolwaspumpedfortheannualpowderpuffgame.Alleyeswereontheseniorclass, whotiedlastyearasjuniors.Mr.AlbertHall,oneoftheseniorcoaches,recallsthemainplayersofthe game.“Incredibleshowingfromourseniorsinthisyear’sPowderpuffgame!Theywereledwithheart andenergybyAnnieSimon,poweredbyLucyAllen’sclutchtouchdownandanchoredbyhuge defensivestopsfromAnnabelleSeatonandEmmaZielezienski.Couldn’tbeprouderoftheteamwork andspiritondisplay!”Headded,“Ofcourse,IwouldberemissifIdidn'tmentionAddieBuffaloe’s groundbreakingrunaswell!”Afterlastyear,Addieknewtheywerereadytocomebackandsheis especiallyproudoftheteameffort.“Ifeltlike,asagrade,wereallywantedtoperformwellandwin especiallyafterlastyear'sgame/outcome.Atpractices,everyonewasfocusedandputintheirbest effortswhichhelpedusprepareforrealgame-likescenarios.”

TwoBIstudents,seniorLandonKochand juniorRyanFannon,gotthechancetobethe firststudentplay-by-playannouncers.They agreeitwasaprivilegetobeapartofthe experienceandRyanexplainedthat“itwasso funforLandonandmetobedownonthe fieldforthepowderpuffgame…andalthough thejuniorsdidnotwin,Iamlookingforward tonextyearandhopefullyaclassof'27 victory!”Landonexpressedsimilar sentiments,“IamthankfultoMrs.McNutt, Dr.Guy,andMr.Doddsforthegreat opportunitytohavebeentheplay-by-play announceralongsideRyanFannon.Itwas trulyaspecialexperienceandanawesome thingtobeapartof.GoCardinals!”The energyonthefieldwasmatchedonlyby LandonandRyanwhokepteveryone entertainedwithquickwitandspiritedcalls. SaturdaystartedoffwiththeHomecoming footballgameandtheannouncementofthe HomecomingCourt.Intheevening,students walkeddowntheyellowbrickroadtothe HomecomingDancewithmusicbyDJBob Artman.BishopIretoncrownedSeniorsGrant McNameeandCWJohnstonthe Homecomingkingandqueenandthestudents dancedthenightawa

Class of 2028! Thinking about joining the fun next year, but not sure about it? Senior Addie Buffaloe has some words of advice for you.

“Mypieceofadviceforanyonewhois thinkingaboutplayingorisgoingtoplay nextyearwouldbe:100%doit!Ifeltlike itbroughtmyclassclosertogether,I talkedtosomanypeopleduringourearly mornings,andweallhadthesame commongoalwhichwastowin,butalso havefun.”

-AddieBuffaloe,Senior

By:MadisonIngram

BishopBurbidge’sVisit BishopBurbidgestoppedbyBishopIretonforhisannualvisit andhelpedstarttheyearonapositivenote.DuringMass,the Bishopemphasizedtheimportanceofunityandhowinall times,whethergoodorbad,weneedtostandtogetherasa community Themessagewasforustocometogether,no matterwhatthecircumstancesmaybe,becausewearebetter asone.AfterMass,BishopBurbidgedeliveredamessageto thedelightofstudents:BIwillreceiveaBishop’sDayOff! TheBishopspentthedayvisitingmultipleclasses,even surprisingthestudentsandMrs.RoyleinJournalism!The facultyintheTheologydepartmentreceivedaspecialmeeting withhim.Ms.MeganBrown,oneofthetheologyteachers, reflectedonthemeeting “WearesoblessedtohaveaBishop whowantstobeinvolvedinourschoolandinourlives Personally,Ienjoyedgettingachancetositdownwithhim andmembersofmydepartment.”Welookforwardtoseeing BishopBurbidgeonCambridgeRoadagain.

VisitorsatBI! VisitorsatBI!

Mr.JasonEvert

“Ithoughtthespeechshared somemuchneededtruthabout relationshipsthesedaysandwhat isneededinordertohavea healthyrelationship.”-Sebastian Perez-Garcia‘29

“Ireallyenjoyedhisspeechbecausehe spokehonestlyanddirectlywithout beingharsh.Hebalancedreligious perspectiveswithscientificfactsand personalstories,makinghismessage relatableandengagingforeveryonein theaudience.”-EvieLudvingson‘27

TheBIcommunitywasblessedtohaveMr JasonEvert,whoiswellknownforhistalksonchastityandhealthyrelationships,speaktothe studentsinaschool-wideCampusMinistryAssembly.Itwasn’tatypical assembly;Mr.Evertdidn’tjustlecture,hesharedrealdatingand personaladvicethatmanystudentscouldrelateto,andhespokeopenly abouttheimportanceofpurityandhowtobuildauthenticlove During histalk,Evertfocusedontheideaofrespectingyourselfandothersin relationships.Heexplainedwhymakingthoughtful,faith-basedchoices issoimportant,notjustfornow,butforthefuture,too.Healso discussedthechallengesstudentsfacetoday,likepeerpressureand societalexpectations,andofferedtipsforstayingtruetoyourvalues.Mr. Evert,whoisalsoaCatholicauthor,broughtbooksthatwereavailable forstudentsandstaffwhowantedtoreadmoreabouthistopics.It wasn’tjustaboutrulesor“don’tdothis,”butithelpedthestudents understandtheimportanceofmakingsmartdecisions,andrespecting othersaswellasyourself.

“DougKammerergavemesomegreat adviceafterwatchingandepisodeofthe schoolnewsandheshowedushow mucheffortandcreativitygoesintothe news.”-FionaRoehl‘27

Mr.DougKammerer

DougKammerer,theChiefMeteorologistforNBC4inWashington, DC,broughtastormofenthusiasmandinspirationtoMrs Royle’s BroadcastTechnologyandProductionclassthismonth Mr Kammerer sharedthathisfascinationwithmeteorologybeganwhenhewasjust eight-yearsold,andit’sclearthathispassionforforecastinghasn’t fadedonebit.Hegaveabehind-the-sceneslookatwhatit’sliketo reporttheweatherlive,anditblewtheBroadcastingcrewaway! Kammereralsosharedsomepersonalstoriesthatgavestudentsa glimpseintohislifebeyondbeingameteorologist.Heplayedbaseball fortheUniversityofNorthernColoradoandstillplaysinaleaguetoday. It'ssafetosaytherewasa100%chanceofexcitementinRoom202that day!

“MeetingDougKammererwasanhonor!His passionforweatherisinfectious,andlearning fromhimwasaprivilegethatwillinspiremy futureinbroadcasting.”-LizJoyner‘27

“Itwasfascinatingtoseehowbroadcastinghaschanged.No moregreenscreensorcameramen,justcomputersandrobots. Hewassogenuineandkind,andthecoolestmomentwaswhen hetoldmehe’dactuallymettheBackstreetBoysafterI mentionedthem.Myonlyregretwasnotaskingfortickets.” -IanHixon‘27

AFox5Friday!

TheBishopIretonCardinalsgotsomespecialattentionwhenFOX5DCvisitedforits“ShowUsYour Spirit”segment Theenergyandexcitementwereonfulldisp Cardinalcommunitysoamazing.Duringthevisit,FOX5spo McNutt,whoexplainedhowtheIretonfamilyisinfusedwithtw ourschool EveryCardinalshowedupandshowedoutonFan therewasevenasp ndplayersrepresent

Emma!

By:AbbyStump

It’sfallatBishopIretonandthatmeansit’stimeforthetheater.This yearthetheaterdepartmentispresentingJaneAusten’sEmma.It'sanew andrenewedversionofthisstory,personallyeditedbyMs.KatieRice, BI’sDirectorofTheaterArts,whohasmadesurethisplayisfunfor everyone.Riceexplains,“WechoseaJaneAustenstoryfirstand foremostbecauseit'sher250thbirthday,andsowewantedtohonor suchaniconicauthor.WeeventuallychoseEmmabecauseit's humorous,andithasmanywonderfulcharactersinit.Wedidlookat severaldifferentversions,severaldifferentstageadaptations,andwe foundthatthestageadaptationseitherhadtoofewfemalecharactersin themortoofewcharactersingeneral.”Shedecidedtoaddthreenew characterstotheplay:twonarratorsandJaneAusten'ssisterCassandra tohelpbringthestorytolifethroughtheeyesofboththepeopleinthe storyandalsotheaudience JaneAustenwouldoftenreadherstories aloudtoherfamily,especiallyCassandra,whowasheronlysisterina familywithfivebrothers.Ricemaintainsthatevenwiththesechanges, itisstillJane’sstory.

InadditiontothecountlesshoursMrs.Ricehasputin,theBishopIreton props,costume,andsetdesignteamshaveworkedtirelesslytoprovidea magicaltheatricalexperience Thestarsoftheshowarepracticinghard andarereadytoshowtheirfellowCardinalsthescenestheyhavecreated toreproducetheearly19thCenturylifestyle.Mrs.Ricelaudsthecast’s versatility.“Wehaveanawesomecast,andthey’rejustmeldingintotheir characterstogether somepeoplemightbeservantsatonepoint,andthen changeintoadifferentcharacter Wearehavingbasecostumesandthen puttingthingsontopofthat.”Shesaysthattheyalsoaregoingtohavea bigturntablethatwillmoveeverybody,similartothatusedintheplay Hamilton.

Mrs.Riceespeciallyloveswheneveryoneinthetheaterdepartmentjoins forcestomakesomethinggreat.“Weworkreallycloselytogether.Thatis themainthingwhenyou’redoingashow,thecollaboration.Itis incrediblydifficulttogeteveryonetogetherandmakesureeverythingis runningsmoothly Wewantedtoallspeakthesamelanguageandbe focusedonthesamething.Forexample,thecostumeteamandIpickeda jeweltonecolorpalettesothatitwouldstandoutagainstthescenicart fromthescenicartteam.”Whenaskedaboutherfavoritecharacterfrom theplay,Ms Ricemightsurprisesome “Itendtoliketheevilcharacters, soMrs.Eltonismyfavorite.Inormallyliketheantagonist.Ijustthink they’resofunny.”

Herhopefortheaudienceissimple Shewantsthemtobereadytofall backinlovewithJaneAusten OpeningnightisFriday,November14and ticketsareonsalenow.

Cardinals in service

By:NatalieDrey

BishopIretonisaschoolofservice,readytohelpwheneverpossible.Ourstudentsandfacultyhave proveditinmultipledifferentways.BishopIreton’sSt.Lucydonationprojecthasfarexceeded expectations.ThedonationsduringSpiritWeektotaled287poundsofdifferenttypesofhygiene productsforthoseinneed.Theamountisenoughtoprovidetruckloadsofrelieftothepoorfortwo months.

AnotherwayBIisshowingservicetothecommunityisthroughtheGirl’sVolleyballteam’sDigPink event.TheyworkwiththeSide-OutFoundationtodonate,educate,andraiseawarenessfor metastaticbreastcancer.BIvolleyballteamsplayedBishopMcNamaraonOctober17,honoring formerIretonvolleyballcoachNadineLilavous,whosuffersfrombreastcancerherself,aswellas themanyfamilymembersofplayers.Thegymandgirlssportedpinkuniformsanddecorationsto remindspectatorsofthecauseforwhichtheywereplaying.

DigPinkwasanoverallsuccesswiththerafflesandconcessionstandsraising$8,005,breakingtheir recordfromlastyear.BoththeFreshmanandJVgirlswontheirgamesandVarsityputupahard fightagainstBishopMcNamara.DonationstoDigPinkandtheSide-Outfoundationremainopen untiltheendofthemonth.

JennyMichael,arepresentativefromtheSide-Outfoundationpraisedthevolleyballteam’sefforts:

“Virginiaisthenumberonestateintermsofparticipationandfundraisinginthesoutheast.You guysareabigpartofthat.Welldone!”Manyplayershavelostfamilymemberstobreastcancerso thisgameisacelebrationoftheirlivesandthosewhocurrentlysufferorhadsufferedfromthe disease.“DigPinkmeansalottomebecausemygrandmawasdiagnosedwithmanykindsof cancersincludingbreastcancerandmymomhadbreastcanceratonepoint,”saysjuniorBrianna Lettelier.Shecontinues,“DigPinkisagoodwaytohelpsupporteveryonewhohaditandpassed awaysadlyfromitanddonatetowardfindingacure."SeniorKateMerrillexplains:"Mygrandma hadbreastcancerandshewasreallystrong,andIthinkDigPinkisaboutcelebratingthelivesof peoplewhohavediedfrombreastcancerandalsosupportingtheresearch."Theteamhasbeen nationallyrecognizedasSide-Out'sbiggestfundraisersandsupporters.

TheAndrewBensonMemorialSpecialOlympicsSoccerTournamentwasheldonSunday,October 26.Thisisthe5thyearthattheschoolhonorsstudentAndrewBenson,formercaptainoftheBishop Iretonboyssoccerteaminhissenioryear.Thegamesareheldinhismemorywhilealsogivinga chanceforstudentswithintellectualdisabilitiestoparticipateinsoccer.Iretonisproudtoholdthe tournament,givingbacktothecommunitywiththisandotherworthwhilecharitableendeavors.

OutonthecourtsBI’sgirlstennisteamsupportedacauseoftheirown.TheVarsityTennisteam playedWCACrivalElizabethSetoninitsRacquetsForResearchmatchonOctober9.Racquetsfor Researchwasamatchintendedtoraisemoneyforcancerresearch,specificallytheLombardi ComprehensiveCancerCenter,whichholdsaspecialplaceintheheartoftheteam.

WhenHeadVarsityCoach,TomNoone,wasdiagnosedwithmerkelcellcarcinomainthesummerof 2023,hebegantreatmentatGeorgetownMedStarHospital’sLombardiComprehensiveCancer Center.HistimespentattheLombardiCenterhelpedhimbeatbackhiscancersothathecould comebackthisyeartocoachboththegirlsandboystennisteams.CoachNoonebelievesthatthe breakthroughadvancesmadewhenhewasbeingtreatedatthecenterdeservetobecelebrated. RacquetsforResearchincludedbakesales,t-shirtsales,andrafflestoraisemoneyforthecenter. Manyvolunteersshoweduptohelpinthefundraiserincludingparents,students,theJVGirlsTennis TeamledbyCoachGregoryHenderson,andtheboystennisteamduetoplaythisspring. SeniorCaptainNovaToveyrecountsthat“Ireallyenjoyedplayingforapurposebecauseitwasa hugemotivatortokeepongoingevenaftersomedifficultpoints.Itwasaverymeaningfulmatchand Iamsohappytheteamwasabletopulloutawin.”“ItwassofunplayingintheRacquetsfor ResearchmatchagainstSeton.I'mgladwewereabletosupporttheLombardiCancerCenter,which hasdonesomuchtohelpCoachNoone,”MaryKateCostello,senior,remarksaboutthematch. FreshmanBahkitaKarengesaysthat“playingforsuchagoodcausewasquiteexhilarating.Itfelt greatusingatalentGodblessedmewithtodogoodwork.Thatwasoneofmyfavoritematchesof theseasonbecauseitbroughtsomanypeopletogethertohelpworkforacharitablecause.”

“Racquetsforresearchhadagreatturnout,andIamsogladwegottoraiseawarenessandfundsfor theLombardiCenter!”recountsseniorMaddyProbst.Sheadded,“EventhoughCoachNoonedidn't sayit,weknewthismatchmeantalottohim,andwewerereadytofightforthewin.Wewereso gladwepulledoutawinagainstSetonforCoach!” currentlyraised$12,200fortheLombardiCancerCenter. 31,2025,soifthecausehitsclosetoyourheart,donatenow.

Want to donate to Racquets for Research? Visit the donation page below!

https://hoyasgive.g eorgetown.edu/ca mpaigns/racquetsfor-research

October Action: Sports Wrap!

By:EdenBoyd

Volleyball

TheBishopIretonvolleyballteamhasmuchtocelebratethis fall!OnFridayOctober17,theteamplayedagainstBishop McNamarainitsDigPinkgame.Thisgamewaspartofa charitydedicatedtofundingresearchandraisingawarenessfor metastaticbreastcancer.Theteamcaptains,seniorsEllie SimoesandKateMerrill,havebeenleadingtheteamintheir blocksandkills,respectively.SeniorMaggieHodavanceand SophomoreAnnaHudsonhavebeennominatedforshutouts,as wellasleadingtheWCACindigsandassists Keepupthe greatwork,girls!

Field Hockey

IretonFieldHockeyrecognizedsixseniorplayersandTommy Schultz,theteammanager,onitsseniornight Althoughthe seasonrecentlyended,seniorKateMcCrocklinreceivedallWCAChonorsforfirst-teamandseniorSophiaAryand juniorLucyMcLallenandsecond-teamrespectively Juniors NeveDwyer,QuinnDwyerandLilyAckermanreceived HonorableMention

Cross Country

Ourcrosscountryteamhashadashow-stoppingseasonthisfall The CardinalscompetedintheWCACChampionshipswherethegirl’steam finishedastherunner-upandtheboysplacedfourthoverall Theteam haditsseniornightatAlexandriaCityChampionshipsonOctober8, hostedbyEpiscopalHighSchoolandthespeedyCardinalsaddedtothe trophycaseafterfinishinginfirstplaceattheStateCatholicCross CountyChampionship.TheseCardsareflyingintotherecordbooks!

Girls Tennis

Girl’sTennisSeniorDaywasOctober6anditdidn’t disappoint TheybeatFairfaxHomeschoolAthletic Associationina5-4nail-biter!It’sbeenastrongseason,and theywereabletocelebrateeightseniorsatthegame!

Ireton’sfootballteamismovingthroughthisseasonledby seniorcaptainsNickMilewski,JackLungren,BradyComey andLandonKoch.Seniornightwillbecelebratedon November8,thefinalgameoftheseason.

TheCardinalcheerleadershavehadastrong,productive seasonpreparingforwintercompetition,whilealsodoing sidelinecheerforourteams Theyhostedclinicsonweekends andplantorecruitmoregirlsfortheirwinterseason.The cheerseniornightwillbeheldduringthelastfootballgameof theseason,November8.Theywillbecelebratingtheir captainsandathletesintheClassof2026whichinclude: ElizabethBuzby,AlejandraFerrer,AvaGursky,andGG Rhulen.V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Cheer

New Sport Alert

Girl’s Ice Hockey skates into the Nest

CoachTannerJones

ComeseetheladyCardinalsin action!Abovearetheirfirstthree games.

ByRorySheehan

Thiswinter,anewgirl’sicehockeyteamwill behittingtheiceatBishopIreton.Itmarksa neweraatBIwithHeadCoachTannerJones atthehelm.JonesgrewupinVirginia,playing youthhockeyfortheAAAVirginiaStatesmen andtheWashingtonLittleCapitals.Heplayed throughouthighschoolwhichculminatedwith hisyearsattheNCAADivision3and Division2levels.Afterhiscollegegraduation fromVirginiaTechin2017,Mr.Joneshas workedasaprivateicehockeycoachandthen forSt.JamesGym,NorthernVirginia’slocal sportsplex.JonesisalsoknownasanEBUGEmergencyBack-UpGoalieforthe WashingtonCapitals!TheCardinal communityiseageraboutthenewseasonand CoachJones’expertiseonandofftheice. FreshmanVirginia“Ginny”Purkey,anavid icehockeyplayer,echoestheanticipation.“I decidedtocometoBishopIretonbecauseI wantedtoplayhockeyhere…Iamsoexcited tobeapartoftheinauguralgirlsteamat Ireton!Ithinkwewillhavealotoffunthis yearplayinganddevelopingasplayersand people.”Welcometothenest,CoachTanner Jones!Wearelookingforwardtowatchingthe ladyCardinalsonice!

Hispanic Heritage Month At BI!

By: Ben Smith

Hispanic Heritage Month is significant because it recognizes the contributions and rich history of Hispanic Americans while reflecting on and honoring their diverse culture. It is valuable in uniting us as a school and community.

In their own words!

“The main two elements that bind all Hispanic countries are the Spanish language and the Catholic Religion."

-Ms. Maria Vasquez Calva, World Languages Teacher

“Hispanic heritage month reassures students that their cultural roots add value to our community. It also says ‘you belong here.’” -Ms. Sandra O’Reilly, World Languages Teacher

“There is a good amount of Hispanic students here at BI and I feel like through various clubs such as the Spanish Heritage club that its pretty fun.” -Jeremias Ventura, Class of 27'

Blessing of the Pets

By:AbigailCrum

ThispastOctober,BishopIretonhostedtheannual blessingofthepets.TheanimalswereblessedbyFather Moschetto.Allanimals,rangingfromdogs,Guineapigs, andeventurtles,werewelcome!

Blessingofthepetsoriginatedinthe13 centuryasaway tocelebrateSt.FrancisofAssisi’sloveofanimals.Assisi isconsideredthepatronsaintofanimalsandIreton’s FatherMoschettosharedaninterestingfactaboutSt. FrancisofAssisi’sabilitytoconnectwithpets: ”There is a story about him talking to a wolf and persuading him to leave the town alone!”

FatherMoschettoexplainsthattheblessingofthepets eachyearisawayto“claimthemforChristintheorderof grace”.

Father Moschetto’s most memorable memory:

“Mymostmemorablestoryfroma blessingofthepetsactuallyhappenedat mylastparish Someone’srabbitescaped andtheywerechasingitaroundthe parkinglot!”

HalloweenManontheStreet

By:NatalieDrey

dChristiancelebrationoffallbring scaryghouls-it'sHalloween! areveryexcitedforthismonsterm deepdiveintothestudent’slovefo hthisspookytimeofyear,suchas beastwerewolf,flyingspectersint dthelonglostdeadofEgyptmummies.AskingBishopIreton rfavoriteHalloweencreaturegleanedinterestingresults.Our ntshadaclearfavorite-1.Ghost(37%)2.Vampire(28%)3. olf(17%)4.Zombie(10%)5.Mummy(6%). ughtofmodernHalloween?Trickortreats;that’sright,candy. answerstowhatistheirfavorite.Willitbegummycandyor olwasbitterlydividedovertheissue.Bothsidesfoughtfor untilourfinalresultscamein.Chocolatewonwithanoverall studentswhilegummycandyfinishedwith42%minority. orthetricksorthetreats,onethingiscertain:BishopIreton studentsenjoyitall!