BI Word - September 2025 by BishopIretonHS

Meet the Staff

It’s a new year for the BI Word, and just as BI has new faces, so do we.

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

Abigail Crum Senior, Reporter

Madison Ingram Junior, Reporter

Abby Stump Junior, Co-Editor-In Chief

BacktoSchoolcardinals

Mrs.McNuttWantsYoutoBeTheOne!

Fun Fact:

Mrs. McNutt’s favorite Disney princess is Mulan!

BY:AbbyStump

By:AbbyStump

WelcomebackCardinals!Theschoolyearhasbegun anditisfilledwithnewsports,newclubs,newclasses andarenewedsenseofhope BishopIreton’sHeadof SchoolMs.KathleenMcNutthasaspecificmessage forthefreshmanclasswhocanfeeloverwhelmedin thisnewenvironment “Engage,engage,engage!”Mrs McNuttsays“thebestthingyoucandoishopin there Joinin Joinaclub Sitatanewtable,sayhito somebodyyouhaven’tsaidhito,joinateam,beapart ofanactivity”Atthebeginningofhighschool,itis soimportanttothrowcautiontothewindandjoin something.Fortheseniorclass,Mrs.McNuttoffers thiswisdom:“Thisisyourlastyearofhighschool Youcertainlyneedtobeleadersandtakeleadership roles Thisisagreatopportunitytotrysomething newbeforeyourhighschoolexperienceendsand yourcollegeexperiencebegins.“Godwantsusto engage”ToalltheclassesintheBishopIreton community,gettinginvolvedisthebestwaytoshare similarexperiencesandtofeelconnectedd Mrs. McNutt also shared what is in store for everyone this year and how we can become a part of the spiritual community. “I’m really excited about working with Father Moschetto and supporting him as he brings new ideas to the school w we are going to utilize the chapel ear was about building the chapel and bringing it to completion, and even up until the summer orking on punch list items, getting every , and dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s. But this y e it and the opportunity of growing mor urthermore, McNutt expresses her desir one can be Pilgrims of Hope and spr o Mother Teresa’s speech on “Inspir w students can “be the one e one another and to grow intellectually , and spiritually, the goal is to “‘be the one o assist a friend, be the one to help make the sandwich t , be the one to smile at somebody who s really having a rough day. That’s hopeful, because it makes the world a better place.”

WelcomebackCardinals!Theschoolyearhasbegunandit isfilledwithnewsports,newclubs,newclassesanda renewedsenseofhope.BishopIreton’sHeadofSchoolMs. KathleenMcNutthasaspecificmessageforthefreshmen classwhocanfeeloverwhelmedinthisnewenvironment. “Engage,engage,engage!”Mrs.McNuttsays“thebest thingyoucandoishopinthere.Joinin.Joinaclub.Sitata newtable,sayhitosomebodyyouhaven’tsaidhito,joina team,beapartofanactivity.”Atthebeginningofhigh school,itissoimportanttothrowcautiontothewindand joinsomething.Fortheseniorclass,Mrs.McNuttoffersthis wisdom:“Thisisyourlastyearofhighschool.You certainlyneedtobeleadersandtakeleadershiproles.Thisis agreatopportunitytotrysomethingnewbeforeyourhigh schoolexperienceendsandyourcollegeexperiencebegins.

“Godwantsustoengage”ToalltheclassesintheBishop Iretoncommunity,gettinginvolvedisthebestwaytoshare similarexperiencesandtofeelconnected.

Fun Fact: Mrs. McNutt’s favorite quote is: “Be who you are and be that well.”

- St. Francis de Sales

Mrs.McNuttalsosharedwhatisinstoreforeveryonethisyearandhowwecan becomeapartofthespiritualcommunity.“I’mreallyexcitedaboutworkingwith FatherMoschettoandsupportinghimashebringsnewideastotheschool I’malso reallyexcitedabouthowwearegoingtoutilizethechapel.Youknow,thelastyear wasaboutbuildingthechapelandbringingittocompletion,andevenupuntilthe summer,wewereworkingonpunchlistitems,gettingeverythingfinishedup,and dottingourI’sandcrossingourT’s.Butthisyear,wecanfullyutilizeitandthe opportunityofgrowingmoreasafaithcommunity.”Furthermore,McNutt expressesherdesireabouthoweveryonecanbePilgrimsofHopeandspreadlove. ShereferredtoMotherTeresa’sspeechon“InspirationDay”abouthowstudents can“betheone.”“Aswearelookingtoserveoneanotherandtogrow intellectually,athletically,andspiritually,thegoalisto“‘betheone,’”betheoneto assistafriend,betheonetohelpmakethesandwichtofeedthehomeless,bethe onetosmileatsomebodywho’sreallyhavingaroughday.That’shopeful,because itmakestheworldabetterplace.”

BishopIretonallowsstudentstobecomeinvolvedinthatonethingthatbringsthem closertotheirfriends,theirteachers,theircommunityandtoGod.Ifwecanall strivetobethatonepersontoliftsomeoneup,makeadifferenceinsomeone’sday, andjustbethebestwecanbe,thenitispossibletohaveapositiveimpact.Mrs. McNuttremindsusthatGodisultimatelytheOnewhoinspiresustobethebest versionofourselves.“IhopethateverystudentrememberstheimportanceofChrist beingatthecenterofwhateveryoudo.”

FatherJosephMoschetto!

By:MadisonIngram

Thisyear,BishopIretonwelcomesanewfacetoourCardinalfamily. MeetFatherJosephMoschetto,ournewschoolchaplain!Fromday one,FatherMoschettohasbeenexcitedtogettoknowthestudentsand diveintolifeatIreton.OneofFatherMoschetto’sfavoritethingsis interctingwiththestudents.“Ilovegettingtoknowallthestudents,all ofyou,andjusthearingyourstoriesandwhatyou'reinterestedin,”he shared.“Peoplehavesuchgreatenthusiasmhereandtheloveforlife. Soit’sjustfun;itliftsmeup.”Youmightevenspothimonthesidelines cheeringontheCardinals.FatherMoschettoisimpressedbythetightknitcommunityatIreton.Hedescribeditashavinga“small-town feel”wherepeopleknowoneanother,arepolite,andtrulycare.For him,thiskindofenvironmentmakesitevenmoremeaningfultoserve aschaplain,sinceit’sclearthattheBishopIretoncommunityvalues kindnessandconnection.FatherMoschettoturnedtosomeoneelsefor inspiration.Beforebeginninghistimehere,hespokewithFather Noah,BishopIreton’sformerchaplain.Hearingabouttheincredible workFatherNoahhaddoneforIretongavehimmotivation.“Itwas veryencouragingandinspiringtotakeonthisnewrole,”saysFather Moschetto.Hehopestospendthisyearguidingspirituallivesand showingeveryonehowtobecomeclosertoChrist.Hisgoalistohelp everyoneintheIretonfamilydeepentheirrelationshipwithGod.

FatherMoschettoisapriestandourspiritualleaderinschool,but therearealsosomefunfactsabouthimtoshare.Perhapsthemost surprisingthingisthathecanwalk25feetwithhishands!He’salso ahugesportsfanandrootsforalltheWashingtonteams.Father lovestowatchhockeyandwithfootballseasoninfullswing,he’s cheeringespeciallyloudforthehometownCommanders.Whenit comestofood,FatherMoschettoboaststhatnothingbeatshismom’s Italiancooking,especiallyherhomemadespaghetti,meatballs,and familyrecipesauce.

Perhaps,oneofthecooleststoriesaboutFatherMoschetto includeshim,BishopIretonjuniorNoelleClaeysandrubber bouncyballs.FatherMoschettorecountedtheentiretale:"One summerasseminarianIwasassignedtoHolySpiritParish. Therewasabitofa"prankwar"goingonintheschool(largely surroundingbouncyballs?)andstudentswereurgingmetopick aside:thepastor’steamoroneoftheteacher’swhowasthe opposingteam.InsteadofjoiningeithersideIdecidedthatI wouldmakemyown“team.”ThenonthedaybeforeIlefttogo backtoseminary,Ihid150bouncyballsallaroundtheschool andchallengedthemtofindthemall.Iftheycould,thenIwould concedethevictory.Sevenyearslater….Duringstudent orientationhereatBishopIretonastudent,NoelleClaeys, presentedmewithagiftbox.Perplexed,Iopenedtheboxand immediatelyknewwhatitwas:allofthebouncyballsIhad hidden!ThenIrecognizedNoelleandwasevenmoreamazed thatshehadkepttheseforsolong!AlthoughI’mnotsureall150 madeitbacktome(Iliterallythrewsomeupintotheceiling), enoughdidthatIconcededthevictory.Ididsohappilythough becauseitgavemesuchagreatlaughandIhadneverexpected toseethosebouncyballsagain!"

Noelle Claeys‘27withFr.Moschetto andthebouncyballs.

ItisgreattoseeFatherMoschettohave ahistorywithstudentsatBishopIreton andanevenmoreexcitingfuture.We lookforwardtomanyyearsahead!

NEW FACES ON CAMPUS

Let’s get to know our new faculty!

By:AngelaCiattiandAbigailCrum

We asked, they answed:

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharacterforaday,whowoulditbe?

Whatisonecoolfunfactaboutyourself?

Asakid,whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup?

Whatisthecoolestplaceyouhavevisited?

Mr.KevinGrinstead SocialStudiesTeacher

Ms.CeliaKennedy

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharacterforaday,whatwoulditbe?

“WinniethePooh.Ignoranceisbliss,andPoohhasablissfullife.Idesire theinnerpeacehehas.”

Asakid,whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup?

“IwantedtogrowuptobecomeaPokémontrainer Sadlynevercameto fruition,butIalsohadinterestinbeingafirefighterordetective.”

AcademicSupportTeacher

Whatisthecoolestplaceyouhavevisited?

“ThecoolestplaceIhavevisitedisAssisi,Italy!Gorgeoustownona hill,knownasthebirthplaceofSt.Francis.Iwanttogobacksome day!!”

Asakid,whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup?

“WhenIwaslittleIwantedtobeaNavySeallikemyuncle.”

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharacterfortheday,whowoulditbe?

“Belle-IlovetoreadlikeBelleandthinkitwouldbefuntowearherfancy dressforaday.”

Ms.MaryMcAlevy Counselor

Whatisonecoolfactaboutyourself?

“Iamthreestatesawayfromvisitingall50states(stillneedNorthDakota, Montana,andAlaska!)”

Mr.JesseMungin

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharecterfortheday,whowoulditbe?

“MowglifromtheJungleBook.Idreamedofrunninginthewoodsand speakingtoanimals.”

Asakid,whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup? “AMajorLeagueBaseballplayer.”

CollegeandCareerSpecalist

Ms.CordeliaAldridge

MathTeacher

Ms.MaryWhite EnglishTeacher

Ms.JanellCline MathTeacher

Whatisonecoolfactaboutyourself?

“AfunfactaboutmeisIwasontheVarsityEquestrianTeamwhileIwasin college”

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharacterforaday,whowoulditbe?

”IwouldwanttobeBellebecauseofthebeautifullibrary!”

Whatisonecoolfactaboutyourself?

“Ihave28firstcousins.”

Whatisthecoolestplaceyouhavevisited? “TheRingofKerryinIreland.”

Whatisthecoolestplaceyouhavevisited?

“IwenttoEphesusinTurkeytoMotherMary'shouseandhadmass.”

Whatisonecool,funfactaboutyourself?

“IenlistedintheArmyasaHeavyEquipmentOperatorandIoperated roadconstructionequipment,suchasfrontinloaders,bulldozers, graters,andscapers”

Mr.PatrickRiley

IfyoucouldbeoneDisneycharacterforaday,whowouldit be?“AreweincludingPixar?Ifso,IthinkIcouldhaveone awesomedayasLightningMcQueen.”

ComputerScienceTeacher

Ms.Arria EnglishandTec Teac

Whatisthecoolestplaceyouhavevisited?

“GlacierNationalParkinMontana.Theviewsandwildlifewere absolutelyincredible!”

Whatisonecoolfactaboutyourself?

“Onecool,funfactaboutmeisthatIamtheundefeatedchampionofUnoinmy family.Mysecret:AllisfairinUno.ThatmeansthattheUnocreatorsare WRONGandyoucanindeedstack+2andWild+4!”

Asakid,whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup?

“WhenIwasakid Ireallywantedtobeaballerina.Hilariously,I eshoesIwore

SaintCarloAcutis,PrayForUs!

By:BenSmith

PopeLeoXIVofficiallycanonizedthefirstmillennialsaint,CarloAcutis

OnSunday,September7,2025theCatholic Churchexperiencedsomethingextraordinary.

PopeLeoXIVcanonizedCarloAcutis.Hewas veryyoung,butleftamajorimpactonthis world.CarlowasborninItalyanddiedatthe ageof15fromanaggressiveformofleukemia. WhenCarlowasjustsevenyearsold,hesaid thathislifeplanwas“toalwaysbecloseto Jesus.”Hecarriedthatdevotionwithhimfor hisnexteightyearsinfluencinggenerations bothyoungandold.

At a young age Carlo showed interest in the Church by praying the Rosary and receiving the Eucharist. His passion for the Church led him to visit many birthplaces of the saints. Although what Carlo is most known for is how he used his computer skills to create an online database of Eucharistic miracles around the world. His love and use of the internet to spread prayer, is part of the reason he is considered the Patron Saint of the Internet.

St.PierGiorgioFrassatiwasalso cannonizedbyPopeLeoXIVon September7,2025asthepatron saintoftheyouth

SaintCarlo’sreachhasmadeitswayallthe waytothehallsofBishopIreton.Ms.

GabrielleBaniqued,BI’scomputerscience teacherandDirectorofDiversity,explained howshecametoknowaboutSt.Carlo.She recalls,“IthinkIlearnedaboutCarloAcutis justthroughsocialmedia.Ithinkalotof youngadultsreallyclaimhimasafigurein termsof[his]journeyofholiness.Hespent hislifecreatingwebsitestoevangelize."She andherstudentsuseHTMLcodeintheir classontheinternettoshareinformation; justasCarlodidyearsago.Itisthatshared experiencethathasbroughttheyounger generationtoadmirethenewestSaint. AposterhonoringSt.CarloAcutisthat hangsinMs.Baniqued’sClassroom

CarloAcutisspenthislife devotedtoJesusandthe Scriptures.Hewillbe rememberedgreatlyand celebratedannuallyon October12.SaintCarloAcutis, PrayForUs!

PopeLeo’shomilyattheCanonization MassofCarloandPier

Bishop Ireton: The Lower Parking

Lot “We Before Me”

By:NatalieDrey

Traffic.Acommonoccurrenceineverydaylifethataffects everyone,evenhereatBishopIretoninthelowerparking lotatdismissal.

ThelowerBIparkinglotisthemainareawherestudents andfacultyparktheircars.Overtheyears,BIhas expandedtheparkinglot,butitcannotbeexpandedeasily duetodrainageissues.BIlowerlotdriversmustfollow twoimportantrules:Adheretotherulesoftheroadand onlyturnrightontoCambridgeRoadbefore3:30pm.

Theclosingbellringsat3:05pmandthelowerlotfrenzy begins.Studentsracetobethefirsttotheircarstogetto jobs,sportspractices,games,orfamilyobligations. Parentsarrivetopickuptheirstudents.Itgetsbusyfast, causinghightrafficandevenhigherbloodpressure.

“I think our parking lot is a bit too chaotic.”

-Beckett Engelhardt, Senior

“I think there have been about five accidents since the beginning of school, just by people not paying attention.”

-Brady Comey, Senior

“Theparkinglottrafficsituationisfreneticandcanbechaotic,” saysBIAssistantPrincipalofStudentLife,Mr.TimDodds. SeniorNatalieCordleagrees,saying,“Ihavetosprintoutofmy classesanddrivewithmybackpackontomakesureI’moutand ontimeforwork.Ifyou’renotoutoftheschoolby3:05,it’ll takeyouthirtyminutestogetoutoftheparkinglot.”Senior AdamTampio,adds,“Thedelaycomesfromhavingsomany studentsinsuchalimitedspace…there’sadensitymaximum andwe’vehitthatalongtimeago.”Otherstudents,likejunior EllieDeNunzio,havedecidedfightingthetrafficisnotworthit, insteadwaitinguntil3:30p.m.orlatertodrivehome.

Notonlydoesfightingtheparkinglottrafficwasteprecious time,itaffectsstudents’work-life-schoolbalance,asthetraffic oftencausesstudentstorunlatetoafterschoolactivities.Senior MarcelaPerez-Bonneausays,“I’msometimeslatetofield hockeypracticeorI’mlatetopickupmylittlesister.”Senior ElisaStedtrecountsthat“I’malwayslatetopracticeatWitter Field,”thelocalfieldBIusesforsports,whileNatalieCordle laments,“I’malwayslatetowork.”

Opinionsonthecauseofsuchaglutoftrafficabound. Variousstudent’ssuggestionsrangefromkidshaltingtraffic whiletheywalkslowlyacrossthestreet,tothejamofpeople alltryingtoleaveatthesametime,tothecongestedleftturn lane,tothefacttherearetoomanycarsandonlyoneexit.Mr. Doddsbelievesthatacombinationoflittlethingsaddsup:“I thinktheculpritisnotjustdriversbutpeoplewalkingas well.”Hesuggeststhatmultipleissuessuchascarsturning leftbefore3:30pm,studentscrossingCambridgeRoadoneby oneinsteadofwaitingingroups,anddriversnotfollowing awsaretoblame.

“It takes me twenty minutes to go a mile.”

-Elisa Stedt, Senior

Therearenumerousreasonstrafficcongestionexistsin thelowerlot.Howcanthestudentsandstafffind workablefixes?“Theonlysolutioninmymindistoget morekidstobikeandtakethebustoschool,”advises AdamTampio.BeckettEngelhardtsuggests;“Ithink weneedtobuildanundergroundsectionofitlike Gonzaga.”Somestudents,however,thinktheparking lottrafficisnormalandmanageable.SeniorMaddy Probstexplains“Ithinkthesystemworksaswellasit canwiththestructureoftheparkinglot.”Mr.Dodds believesthatthebestwaytofixtheissuesintheparking lotisforthecommunitytoworktogether,studentsand driversalike,tofixthetrafficissuescausedby incoordinationandalackofspatialawareness:“Ifthere isnorightofwaybeingrecognizedwehaveastandstill inacompletelydifferentdirectionthatshouldn’tbe there.Becausewedon’tdothosethingsasacommunity, therearegoingtobesomeofthosejams.Ibelievethatif wehavethecapacitytothinkof“webeforeme,”the system,althoughimperfectfor“me,”isbetterfor everyone.”

Whileitisunclearwhetherthecongestioninthelowerparkinglotcaneverbeerased,fixed,oreven decreased,itisclearthatalldriversatBishopIretonwhenthedismissalbellrings,needtofollowthe rulesoftheroadandusespatialawarenessandcommoncourtesy.Ifeveryoneadoptsthe“Webefore Me”mentalitystartingat3:05pm,maybe2025willbetheyearthatthefrenzyofthelowerlotcan becomeathingofthepast.

Senior Spread: words from the class of ‘25

By:EdenBoyd

Whatareyoumostlookingforward toforyoursenioryear?

“I’mexcitedfortheseniors’lastday.Ithink,like,tie-dyingshirts,that’sreallyfun.“

-ReganSchultz

“Justthefeelingofcompletion.ItsverysatisfyingtoknowthatalltheworkI’veputinhas sortofpaidoff,andnowI’mhereat,like,thepinnacleoftheschool.Icansortofhavean enjoyable,interestingsenioryear.Gettingtolookoutfromthemountaintop,it’sagood feeling.”-NewmanStirewalt

Whatisyourfavoritememoryfromyour timeatBishopIreton?

“ProbablymakingallthefriendsIdid.Comingfromamiddleschoolwhereyoudon’tknowalot ofpeople,itwashardtofeelincluded,youalwaysfeltoutoftheloop,outofthecircle.So,finding mypeopleandreallygettingclosewiththem,Ithinkthat’sbeenmyfavoritememoryfromBI.“

-LaurenWhitman

“MyfavoritememoryatBIwasadvisorydaymyfreshmanyear,whenmyadvisorywonandwe gottocelebratetheentireday.”-NiamhMoreno

“IlikedbeatingSt.Steven’smyjunioryearinourbaseball game.”-TrevorPickard

Whataresomewordsofadviceyou couldgivetothefreshmanclass?

“Ithinksomewordsofadvicearetomakealotoffriendsandbekindtoeveryone.Turninyourworkon time,andmakesureyou’refriendswithyourteachers,becauseyouneedthatlater.”-IsaacNienabar

“Turnyourworkinontime.Juststayontopofyourwork andjoinasmanyclubsaspossible.Tryouteverything, you’llneverknowwhatyou’llenduploving.”-SophieAry

Autumn Athletics in the Nest!

By:RorySheehan&PeterDiBella

Autumnathleticsareunderway!BishopIretonheldits firstschool-widepeprally(pictured)wherewe celebratedallthefallsports.However,thefirst“team” honoredwasfromMr.ThomasCogliano’sandMr.Jack Gaumer’sAdvisoryforwinningtheAdvisoryChallenge from2024.AsfortherealBishopIretonteams,thecrosscountryteamcameupasbigwinnersattheAdidasXC ChallengeonSeptember20(pictured).Boththeboysand girlsteamsfinishedfirstoverall.SeniorReganSchultz ledthewaybywinningherrace,whilesophomoreCate Messingplacedfourth,juniorJasonDaygrabbedthird, andjuniorJustinHuynhcamein11thplace.

CoachBobArtmanpraisedtheteam’s performance:“Thisisthebesttwoteamswehave hadatBIinallmytimecoachinghere.Wehad someoutstandingindividualperformancesthatled toagreatteamresult.ReganSchultz'ssecondhalf ofherracewasfantasticanddemoralizedher competitioninthefinalstraightawaywithher speed.CateMessingreallyranwellforsomeone comingoffaninjury,whileJasonDay'shardwork overthesummerispayingoff.Iamreallyproud ofeveryone,andIamthankfultotheentire administrationatBIforgivingusthisopportunity toreallybondasateam.”Weknowtheyhave moremedalsintheirfuture!

FieldhockeyhasalsobeenonarollandourCardinalfootballandsoccerteams arecomingbackfromsometoughmatch-ups.TheBIvolleyballteamis2-2in conferenceplaywhiletherowingteamrecentlyhitthewaterattheHeadofthe Anacostia! It’smid-seasonandtheathletesareshowingalotofenergyandfight.There’sa goodchancewe’llseeevenmorebigmomentsasthefallgoeson!

New members of the Ireton family

Cardinals,let'sgiveawarmwelcometothenewboysVarsityLacrosseCoachand newathletictrainer!TimDodds,thecurrentAssistantPrincipalofStudentLife,is theHeadVarsityBoysLacrosseCoach,andRonajahHolmes,isjoiningMichael Robertsasanathletictrainer.Inaddition,JamesEatonwasrecentlynamedas Ireton’snewHeadVarsityGolfCoach.Welcometothenest!

Mr.TimDodds