Bishop Ireton High School in 2024 and Bishop Ireton High School in 1964.
Mr. Joseph Ferguson (BI ‘87), Vice Chair
Mrs. Jane Pisano, Secretary
Mr. James Barker
Mrs. Michaelen Kastantin Barsness (SMA ‘87)
Mr. Dan Blaine (BI ’03)
Mr. Blake Bynum (BI ‘08)
Deacon Malcolm D’Souza (BI ‘84)
Mr. Scott Fedder (BI ‘76)
Mrs. HJ Fleming
Rev. Christopher Christensen
Mrs. Nkem Konkwo
Mr. Marty Marinoff (BI ‘68)
Mr. Jack Murray
Mrs. Meghan Roberts
Mrs. Mary Kate Sparrow
Mrs. Kathleen McNutt (SMA ’87), Head of School
Dr. Joseph Vorbach III, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Arlington
Dr. Jane Hannon, Faculty Representative, Ex-Officio
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Mrs. Kathleen McNutt, Head of School
Dr. Timothy Guy, Principal
Rev. Noah Morey, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry
Mr. Dwayne Bryant, Athletic Director
Mr. Chris Gilliland, Advancement Director
Mrs. Nicole Mahon, Admissions Director
Mr. Josh Goldman, Communications & Marketing Director
Mr. Greg Zabicki, Finance Director
Dr. Jane Hannon, Assistant Principal, Dean of Academics
Mrs. Jeanne Bliss, Assistant Principal, Dean of Faculty
Mr. Tim Dodds, Assistant Principal for Student Life
Mr. Milton Powell, Diversity Director
Dr. Agnieszka Snyder, Special Services Director
Mr. Chris O’Hara, Counseling Director
Mr. Mike Gibson, Technology Director
Head OF SCHOOL Letter From the
Memories are important to each one of us as we learn and grow, providing us with a connection to our past experiences and feeding our faith as we look towards the future. Bishop Ireton High School now has sixty years of memories to share, all connecting us with different time periods, historical events, city changes, family experiences and the many people who have touched this institution. Whether you are Bishop Ireton or St. Mary’s Academy alumni, a current student, a parent who supported their child through Catholic education, a local parishioner or a community member, your memories of Bishop Ireton are unique and your connection is impactful.
In this 60th Anniversary year, we have taken time to recognize our school’s marvelous history. From its opening in 1964 under the leadership of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, to its ties and partnership with St. Mary’s Academy, to the years of modular classes and Education by Appointment, to its transition to become a co-educational institution, to its facilities expansions and pandemic navigation, to its soaring enrollment and dedication to our Salesian charism, Bishop
tiPRINCIPAL Letter From the
is a great time to be a Cardinal! I feel truly blessed to serve as principal of this incredible community, and I am grateful for all of our Cardinal Connections—the bonds we share with our students and their families, our talented faculty and staff, our alumni, and the many friends of Bishop Ireton. The care, love and support from our entire community strengthen our mission as a Catholic, collegepreparatory high school in the Diocese of Arlington.
As principal, I have the great privilege of witnessing the remarkable teaching and learning that takes place within our walls each day. I am continually impressed by the dedication of our faculty and staff to Advance Always and by the hard work of our students as they engage in a rigorous curriculum. And while we celebrate many successes, we also embrace opportunities for growth, always striving to enhance our academic programs and student experience.
For example, our Theology curriculum underwent an internal review and revision four years ago. As we now complete the full implementation with next year’s seniors—who were freshmen when these changes began— we are also engaged in a new phase of collaborating with other diocesan high schools to explore further enhancements of this important area of study across the diocese. Similarly, our Engineering program has reached an exciting milestone, with a group of rising seniors completing all of the Project Lead the Way courses we offer. Meanwhile, our Distinguished Scholars program has reached record participation, with students pursuing advanced inquiry in STEM, the Humanities and the Arts through research, field experiences and reflective presentations.
In preparation for next fall’s accreditation visit, which will evaluate our school along with all diocesan high schools, we have been deeply engaged in self-study. This process has allowed and challenged our faculty to explore, review, refine and further articulate our curriculum across more than 150 courses—including over two dozen Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) classes— ensuring that we continue to offer students a robust and challenging academic experience.
While we encourage all students to pursue the most rigorous coursework in which they can thrive, we also recognize the importance of providing strong academic support. To that end, we offer resources such as our math, writing and testing centers, which are available throughout the school day; before- and after-school help sessions with teachers; a homework help center; and specialized support classes through our Special Services department.
Beyond academics, we know that high school is a formative time for creating lasting memories, friendships and Cardinal Connection. That is why we strive to Advance Always not only in the classroom but also in the experiences that shape student life. We continue to honor beloved traditions—such as our award-winning theater productions and competitive athletic programs—while also introducing new opportunities, like our Love in Action school-wide service field trips, which began last year and have already become a meaningful new tradition.
At Bishop Ireton, we are committed to fostering an environment where students can grow intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Thank you for your continued support of our school and its mission. It truly is a great time to be a Cardinal!
Dr. Tim Guy Principal
A Life of Service to Others:
Rick Mondloch
If there was a name that dominated the Bishop Ireton scene in the 1970s and early 80s, it may have been “Mondloch.” That’s because the Mondloch family sent all six of their boys to Bishop Ireton, including Rick who began at Bishop Ireton in the fall of 1973 and graduated in 1977. The Mondloch name wasn’t just synonymous with BI, though. It was also closely associated with service to others. Before Rick and his brothers ever set foot on Cambridge Road, it was the early influence of his parents, Bob and Joyce, that provided a solid foundation for the family. “My parents did a wonderful job educating me and my siblings as to the importance of helping others in the community,” remembers Rick. That service to others was cultivated in Rick’s Catholic school education and his time at Bishop Ireton.
Rick began his Catholic school journey in Minnesota before his family moved to the Washington, DC area when Rick’s Dad took a job with the Department of Agriculture in DC in 1967.
Bob and wife Mary, together with their eight children, settled on Cornell Drive in Alexandria. The family suffered a devastating loss four months later when Mary, age 30, died suddenly of an aneurysm. In 1969, Bob remarried a Georgetown Hospital nurse named Joyce, who had responded to Bob’s ad in the National Catholic Reporter for weekend assistance in managing his large brood. Bob and Joyce moved their family to Alexandria’s Stratford Landing neighborhood in 1970. Then in 1978, when Rick was a
college freshman, tragedy struck again: Bob suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 46. The loss coalesced the family in powerful ways, ultimately becoming a testimony to their faith and resilience.
Rick attended St. Mary’s Catholic School (now The Basilica School of Saint Mary) in Old Town Alexandria beginning in 3rd grade along with many of his siblings. His love for basketball grew at St. Mary’s and he was recruited to play at Bishop O’Connell coming out of 8th grade. But the call to be a Cardinal was too strong for Rick to turn down.
When Rick’s parents chose Bishop Ireton for their six sons, it was the proximity to their home, a sports
program and the school’s Catholic identity and a strong education that were the key factors for their decision. Years later, Rick remains grateful for their choice of Catholic education.
The Mondloch family has had ties to BI since the late 1960s with all six boys in the family attending the school. The oldest, Tom, graduated in 1972, followed by Dan in 1975, Rick in 1977, Kevin in 1978, Roger in 1979 and Greg in 1982.
Rick’s impact at Bishop Ireton was felt throughout his time on Cambridge Road. He excelled in multiple sports, was involved in the Wind Ensemble, excelled in academics and served in student government. He earned eight varsity letters for three years of basketball,
three years of band, one year of football and one year of track. Rick was the President of SGA his senior year and earned leadership and Spanish awards at graduation. In 1977, Rick received the Outstanding HS Student Award presented by the Alexandria Jaycees.
One of Rick’s favorite memories as a BI student was being part of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble that included trips to Quebec, Canada, during Rick’s sophomore, junior and senior years. Dr. Garwood Whaley, who became chair of the Fine Arts Department at Ireton in 1971, commissioned music pieces for Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy students
to perform during tours around the world. “It was an expansive experience for me,” recalls Rick. “Going on a bus for that many hours to a different country, playing the trombone and being with my fellow classmates was an amazing experience. I still keep in touch with Dr. Whaley all these years later.”
Although Rick achieved many accolades and developed the beginning of lifetime friendships during his student days on Cambridge Road, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales left a lasting impact on him and his entire family. “The Oblates supported our family after my Dad’s sudden death in 1978,” said
Rick. “They witnessed my wedding ceremony in 1987 and baptized both of my sons, Chris and Ted. They have been and remain some of the most inspirational men in my life.”
Rick’s time at Bishop Ireton coincided with a decade of innovation and curricular changes on Cambridge Road. In accordance with a diocesan initiative to update teaching methods, the school administration tried a new modular approach to learning based on the needs and abilities of each student.
Father Charles Norman, who was named principal in 1975, was instrumental in leading the school through the changing curricular landscape while supporting
Rick Mondloch (circled) and the members of the Bishop Ireton varsity boys basketball team in 1976-1977.
the young men through the high school years.
The Oblates instituted a program they called “Education by Appointment” (EA). “As a motivated teenager, I benefited greatly from EA because I was able to work at my own pace and earned the privilege of open campus during my sophomore year,” recalls Rick. “The challenge of EA, however, was that students fell behind in their studies because there wasn’t a built-in accountability system.”
During EA, very few formal classes were scheduled with the exception of gym and language lab. The plan was to provide varying amounts of instructional time and method according to each student’s needs. Small group instruction and individualized discussions were held with teachers. Over time, this approach was modified, but flexibility and a focus on the growth of the individual remained foundational at Bishop Ireton.
After graduating from Bishop Ireton in 1977, Rick attended James Madison University where he received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work in 1981 followed by his MA in Psychology and EDS in Counseling Psychology.
Rick’s long and storied career in education began
in 1985 at the newly opened Paul VI High School in Fairfax as a guidance counselor and basketball and golf coach. There he met Helen, an English teacher, whom he married in 1987. The Cardinals and Cambridge Road came calling next with an opportunity for Rick to return to his alma mater at Bishop Ireton where he served in a variety of capacities from 1987 to 1991. These included his role as a guidance counselor, Dean of Admissions, psychology teacher and basketball and golf coach. “It was a wonderful privilege to work at BI with staff who taught me as a student,” says Rick. “I enjoyed my daily talks with Fr. Godley about Philadelphia sports and his time as an amateur boxer in his youth that included him becoming a Golden Gloves boxer.”
Rick was also heavily
involved in the transition of Bishop Ireton becoming co-ed beginning in the 1990-1991 school year. Working alongside St. Mary’s Academy Principal Marguerite Scafati, Father Metzger and Guidance Counselor and Admissions Director Linda Zegley, Rick visited St. Mary’s Academy on Russell Road in its final school year before its closing in 1990 to discuss upcoming curriculum changes as Bishop Ireton began extensive preparations and coordination to open their doors to coeducation. Bishop Ireton had many elective courses that would be new to the SMA students, including a psychology course which was started and taught by Rick (and remains in place to this day!). In addition to academic preparation, Rick worked with school leaders at BI and SMA to begin planning for girls sports at Bishop Ireton. An emphasis was placed on field hockey
Rick Mondloch draws up plays as a basketball coach at BI years after his graduation.
and other popular girls sports at the time.
In 1991, Rick moved to the Fairfax County Public School system. He served as a guidance counselor at Centreville High School from 1991 to 1997 and then began a quarter century of work as a school administrator at Chantilly High School, Robinson Secondary School and Irving Middle School before retiring in 2023. In reflecting on his extensive career in education, Rich shared the impact for him personally. “My wonderful years as an educator allowed me to meet many parents, students and colleagues who helped me become the person I am today,” he says. “I can only hope that I had a similar impact on them.”
Despite a demanding career, Rick continued to stay heavily involved as an alumni volunteer leader at Bishop Ireton. That dedication to Cambridge Road continues to this day. His involvement includes being a co-class agent for the BI class of ‘77 (along with John Riley ‘77), being a staunch supporter of the Bishop Ireton basketball program, being a member of the BI Golf Classic Committee for 10 years and serving on the Bishop Ireton Board of Governors. Rick also chaired six 1977 class reunions. For his unwavering and passionate alumni dedication, Rick received the
Bob Pollard Distinguished Alumni award in 2014.
Despite having graduated nearly five decades ago, the love of Bishop Ireton remains strong between Rick and his brothers. Memories of the school, the faculty and their time there tend to come up around every family reunion and holiday. “Discussions and memories of Norman Grimm, Father Godley, Mr. Rich and Ron Umbeck are always brought up,” recalls Rick. “And these recollections do involve imitations and quotes from each one of them. It just was part of us. We lived it. We were very proud of Bishop Ireton and being part of the school.” One faculty and staff member who stands out for all of the Mondloch brothers is Father Charles Norman. Not only was he a beloved principal at BI, he was also an English teacher. Says Rick, “He is a true Oblate and exemplifies the Ireton spirit.”
In September 2024, Rick and his siblings gathered for a journey throughout Northern Virginia that they called the ”Magic Bus Ride”. Together, they visited all the schools they attended, paid their respects to their father at Mount Comfort Cemetery and of course returned to Bishop Ireton on Cambridge Road. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the gift of education, the sacrifices that their parents
made to provide Catholic education and the love of family.
Looking ahead, Rick is excited to help chair the BI and SMA Class of ‘77 50-year reunion in the fall of 2027, along with other dedicated BI and SMA alumni leaders. “I have thoroughly enjoyed giving back to the school, and I continue to stay involved as I remain thankful for the wonderful four years I spent there as a student. I can’t wait to celebrate our 50-year reunion with my wonderful classmates in 2027.” In thinking about the sixty year history of the school, Rick quickly added, “I am proud to count myself as a member of the BI community. Go Cardinals!”
Rick Mondloch’s senior picture in 1977.
GRADUATION 2024
2024 CLASS OF
Noah Alexander Abalahin
Lauren Madison Allen
Richard Ian Almon
Nathan Lawrence Amberg
Eleora Anteneh
Matthew Caroc Antonio
Allison Ary
Desirae Ashton
Aidan Thuong-Tin Bain
Allison Fleming Baldino
Bridget Seraphina Barker
Samantha Michelle Battaglia
Charlotte Benson
Kayla Elizabeth Bernescut
Charles Bestic
Maren Marie Blaha
Raegan Rose Bonner
Henry Boudreau
Blake William Brantley
Emma Catherine Breier
Emilie Buchanan
Callie Turner Buffaloe
Lane Alexander Burchard
Kyle Anton Burner
Emily Elizabeth Bush
Patrick Joseph Carpenter
Madeline Anne Carroll
Leora Sophie Cassin
Olivia Paige Catanzaro
Marco Andrea Cecchi-Rivas
Abigail Chun
Nora Kate Collins
Keyla Yara Cordero
Jason Corley
Blaine Sarah Cosby
Briana Alexis Cottrell
John Donovan Cottrell
Catherine Laurette Couri
Emily Elizabeth Crabtree
Laurel Hallock Crawford
Victoria Cremer
Eli Thomas Crenshaw
Sabrina Cruz
Biani Alexis Cruz
Madeline Claire Cunningham
Pennsylvania State University
Ohio State University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
University of Maryland
University of Maryland
Appalachian State University
Bucknell University
James Madison University
Chatham University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Virginia
Boston College
Christopher Newport University
College of William & Mary
Virginia Tech
Hampton University
La Salle University
Christopher Newport University
University of Virginia
University of Delaware
Saint Joseph’s University
Ohio University
Mount St. Mary’s University
University of Vermont
College of William & Mary
University of Florida
ESMOD Paris
University of Georgia
Virginia Tech
Boston University
George Mason University
The George Washington University
Northern Virginia Community College
University of Colorado Boulder
Saint Joseph’s University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Marquette University
Virginia Tech
University of Southern California
Marquette University
Christopher Newport University
Loyola Marymount University
United States Naval Academy
Pennsylvania State University
The
students from the Class of 2024 have graduated from Bishop Ireton and are now attending some of the finest colleges and universities in the country.
Elizabeth Catherine D’Souza
Beatrice Da Roit
Margaret Da Roit
Ashlyn Brooke Davis
Miguel Antonio Trono De Guzman
Ashley Alexandra Deavers
Julia Jane DeNunzio
Omar Diallo
Olivia Grace DiCarlo
Alexander William Dietrich
Annika Miriam Ferman
Sarah Grace Finamore
Martha Bradford Fitzgerald
Matthew Liam Foley
Catherine Ford
Zoe Chrisanthe Francone
Jack Edward Garlock
Grace Ellis Gibbons
Claire Irene Gibbons
Max Joseph Gill
Tanah Gorman
Antonia Olivia Goulet
Mia Ya Wen Guiffre
Samantha Liu Guilaran
Erik Thor Gunderson
Calvin Lee Hall
Samuel Hamilton
Joseph Lindbergh Hardy
Sean Haskell
Thomas Hawald
McKenna Hayden
Eden Henok
Tristan Hernandez
Grace Marguerite Hodavance
Jamari Marques Hodnett
Madden David Holloway
Amelia Marie Hooper
Chloe Marie Hopkins
Evan James Jarosiewicz
Nina Jenkins
Molly Colleen Johnson
James Patrick Johnson
Mekai Johnson
Jacob Alvarado Jordan
Aidan Peter Kelleher
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Longwood University
St. Thomas University - Canada
Louisiana State University
George Mason University
James Madison University
Boston University
Fork Union Military Academy
Butler University
La Salle University
University of Wyoming
James Madison University
Fordham University
West Virginia University
College of Charleston
La Salle University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Miami
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
United States Air Force Academy
Villanova University
Trinity College Dublin
James Madison University
College of William & Mary
University of Virginia
Saint Leo University
Fitchburg State University
University of Michigan
James Madison University
University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Louisiana State University
University of Maryland
Virginia State University
Ithaca College
Virginia Tech
Pennsylvania State University
University of Central Florida
Spelman College
James Madison University
Northern Virginia Community College
Saint Joseph’s University
Virginia Military Institute
University of Pittsburgh
Erin Marie Kelly
Katherine McKelden Kernan
Bradley Khong
Saniyah Jade King
Parker Andrew Koch
Walker Alexander Kopp
Elise Gioia Ladino
Kayla Elon Lanier
Ava Katharine Lebens
Joseph Robert Lentini
Adriel Michael Lizarraga
Mackenzie Lodewick
Andrew Loesch
Owen Michael Loesch
Peter Loia
Mary Grace Long
Charlotte Callen Loughlin
James Rutherford Lowe
Aidan Cole Lundregan
Simon Arthur Maly
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Mann
Paige Martin
Maria Grace Mate
Andrew Keith Matherne
Kelsey Elisabeth Mathieson
Patricio Maza
Sebastian Maza
Logan O’Sullivan McCaffery
Franklin McClary
Steven James McCormick
Elizabeth Alexandra McMahon
Ellie Marie McNulty
Bemnet Mekebeb
Jacqueline Estelle Melley
Margaret Elyse Merrill
Cooper Metz
Torren Meyers
Hunter Victor Michel
Mary Eliza Mildrew
Anna Elizabeth Milewski
Caroline Grace Miller
Isabella Adeline Miller
Claire Elizabeth Mitchell
Diana Bindang Modu Atogo
Isabella Marie Moore
Julie Marie Moore
John Burke Moore
Joseph Vithao Murray
Jack Reyer Nagtzaam
Naomi Michelle Nelson
Cecilia Vy Nguyen
Raisa Musuamba Ntumba
John O’Brien
University of South Carolina
Saint Joseph’s University
George Mason University
Howard University
The University of Alabama
Marquette University
Christopher Newport University
Hampton University
The University of Alabama
University of Pittsburgh
George Mason University
University of Rochester
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
St Bonaventure University
Saint Vincent College
Fairfield University
Universidad de Navarra
The American University of Paris
Mercyhurst University
Clemson University
College of William & Mary
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
Pennsylvania State University
The University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario
Miami University
Mount St. Mary’s University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Syracuse University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Eastern University
Virginia Tech
Randolph-Macon College
Iona University
Hilbert College
Northern Virginia Community College
Syracuse University
University of Miami
College of William & Mary
Rochester Institute of Technology
West Virginia University
University of California-Irvine
James Madison University
Juniata College
Syracuse University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
Temple University
Kennesaw State University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Northern Virginia Community College
Sean Christopher Owens
Camilla Andrea Perez-Bonneau
Connor Alan Pollock
Charlotte Lynn Rayder
Hadley Jane Reardon
Colin Francis Regan
John Christopher Richey
Drexel Kevin Rieder
Aaron Rocke
Dominic Rojas
Jorge Rosado
Audrey Marie Ruhlen
Victoria Santacroce
Jacob Ryan Schlise
Eleanor Schmutz
Ryan Jack Schnur
Maura Kathryn Schroder
Valentino Schroeder
Grace Elizabeth Schweers
Morgan Elizabeth Seibel
Tomas Hart Shefrin
Conor Sims
Claire J Sims
Mary Smith
Saudia Sooklall
Lucas Gregory Soto
Isabella Marie Spooner
Andre Thomas Stewart
Darby Mary Frances Sullivan
Kendall Swain
Jane Elizabeth Swoope
Nicholas Palmiro Temple
Benjamin Baptiste Traylor
Desiree Gabriele Tripodo
Jonathan Patrick Underly
Alberto Alexander Urrutia
Francis Vanegas
Elina Maria Viana
Nicholas Patrick Waters
Hudson Charles Weintritt
Sawyer Lane Weiss
Maria Naomi Wise
Parker Davis Work
Larissa Marie Yaksic
Samuel Binx Young
Nicole Anna Zajac
Xiran Zhao
The Catholic University of America
James Madison University
Duquesne University
University of Virginia
University of South Carolina
University of Denver
University of Mississippi
James Madison University
Fork Union Military Academy
Jacksonville University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Auburn University
The Catholic University of America
Florida State University
Emerson College
George Mason University
The Catholic University of America
James Madison University
Richard Bland College
Florida Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
Syracuse University
Xavier University
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Northern Virginia Community College
College of the Holy Cross
James Madison University
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
West Virginia University
University of Virginia
Pennsylvania State University
Christopher Newport University
Texas A & M University
Northern Virginia Community College
James Madison University
Pennsylvania State University
West Potomac High School
Oklahoma City University
Marquette University
Christopher Newport University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Virginia
Clemson University
University of Florida
University of Mississippi
College of William & Mary
The Catholic University of America
Another Bishop Ireton athletic program writes its name into the school’s history books.
How do you follow-up a historic first state championship in school history? Would you even dare to dream about another one, the very next year? What if you didn’t have to dream it? What if, instead, you earned it? Well, that’s exactly what the Bishop Ireton girls basketball team did. After their historic Division 1 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Championship in 2024, they came back even stronger the very next year and defended their title with a second state championship.
In 2018, Bishop Ireton announced a new head coach for the girls basketball team. Kesha Walton, a standout Division 1 college basketball player who had coached at TC Williams (now Alexandria City High School) for 12 years, was tapped to lead the Lady Cardinals and continue building a legacy of winning for Bishop Ireton Athletics. In her first full season in 2018-2019, the team finished with a 12-6 conference record in the challenging Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and a 21-9 record overall.
The Bishop Ireton girls basketball team celebrates its second consecutive state championship with Head of School Kathleen McNutt (center, holding the plaque).
Though the team saw some success over the next few seasons, they never quite put all the pieces together. The disruption caused by the pandemic led to starts and stops for the players and coaching staff, which made it difficult to find consistency. In the 2023-2024 season, though, everything started to click. “From the very beginning, I knew this group was different,” remembers Coach Walton. “It wasn’t just their talent—it was their mindset, work ethic, and commitment to each other.” Led by four seniors committed to play collegiately as well as a talented crop of juniors, the team fought to a 10-3 WCAC record. That earned them the third seed in the conference tournament where they ultimately fell short in the semifinals. That might have been enough to discourage another team. But there was one tournament left on the schedule–the 2024 VISAA State Championship tournament. And the girls were not throwing away their shot.
After two hard fought games, the team reached the tournament final where they faced off against conference foe Paul VI. When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 56-52 in favor of BI. The girls had secured their first state championship in school history. Elation followed. The team celebrated and cut down the nets. They won not only due to their immense talent on the hardwood, but also because of their camaraderie as a team. They banded together not just as teammates but as family. It was that bond that got them through the difficult losses and helped them bounce back even stronger. Following their historic victory, Coach Walton was named VISAA Coach of the Year (adding to her honor as WCAC Coach of the Year) and Nyla Brooks (BI ‘25) was named Player of the Year.
With six seniors graduating, a new group of seven rising seniors would be tasked with leading the Lady Cardinals. The 2024-2025 team starred three seniors committed to playing college basketball in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)–Amirah Anderson at the University of Pittsburgh, Theresa Hagans at Boston College and Nyla Brooks at the University of North Carolina. The team also featured three other seniors who are set to play college basketball next season including Kayla Washington (Longwood University), Jaylen Manning (Hamilton College) and Anaya Wilson (uncommitted as of this publication). This time, there was no flying under the radar as the underdog. “Winning the first state championship in school history was an incredible accomplishment, but with success comes expectations,” said Coach Walton. “There was definitely pressure to prove that it wasn’t a one-time thing—that we were building a program with staying power. I felt a responsibility to keep raising the standard and to make sure our team didn’t get complacent. We knew we would have a target on our backs, and our schedule was loaded with top-10 teams in the country, so we had to be even better. Instead of letting the pressure weigh us down, we embraced it. We leaned into the mindset that champions work harder, stay disciplined and never settle.” The team played a national schedule from the start before another year of challenging games in the WCAC. The Lady Cardinals were regularly ranked in the top three in the DMV and in the top 25 nationally. BI’s UNC commit Nyla Brooks was named a McDonald’s AllAmerican–the first in Bishop Ireton’s history.
Though they competed well in the regular season, the team had two things on their minds as they approached the postseason–winning a WCAC Championship and winning the VISAA State Championship. Despite making the conference finals, they ultimately came up short in the WCAC Championship to national powerhouse Bishop McNamara.
Any other team might have folded after that stinging loss. But the Lady Cardinals bounced back and notched two wins just days after the WCAC loss to secure a return trip to the state championship game. Their opponent? Paul VI. After a back and forth battle, the Cardinals defeated
the Panthers 58-52 to secure their second straight Division 1 VISAA State Championship. “When that final buzzer sounded, it was pure joy, relief, and pride all at once,” recalls Coach Walton. “Winning the first championship was historic, but defending it was a whole different challenge. In that moment, everything we sacrificed, every tough practice, every late-night film session—it was all worth it. Seeing the players celebrate, embrace each other, and realize what they had just accomplished was unforgettable. We weren’t just state champions again—we cemented our legacy. We proved that Bishop Ireton is a powerhouse, and this program is here to stay.”
Coach Kesha Walton cuts down the net after the girls basketball team captures its first ever VISAA State Championship in 2024.
Not content with a state championship, the team traveled to East Rutherford, New Jersey at the end of March for the prestigious Throne National Championship. There, they took down Californiabased Mater Dei in the quarterfinals (the number 7 ranked team in the country), Bishop McNamara in the semifinals (the number 3 ranked team in the country and avenging their three losses from earlier in the 2024-2025 season) and Sidwell Friends in the finals (the number 9 ranked team in the country) by a score of 61-44 to win The Throne National Championship. Nyla Brooks was named the finals MVP with 25 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game. The team finished with a 31-6 record and a final ranking of number 6 in the country by ESPN’s SCNext.
With seven seniors set to graduate in May, is a third straight state championship and a repeat at The Throne off the table? Not quite. Because for the BI girls basketball team, it’s always been about more than the individual players on the floor. “Losing seven seniors is always tough, especially a group that has helped build this program into what it is today,” says Coach Walton. “They’ve set the foundation, raised the standard, and shown what it takes to compete at the highest level. That being said, I feel confident about the future of Bishop Ireton girls basketball. [The younger players] understand the expectations, the work ethic required and the pride that comes with wearing a BI jersey. We will continue to compete at the highest level, and I have no doubt that the next group is ready to step up and continue the legacy. Talent wins games, but culture wins championships. What makes this team special is the commitment, chemistry, and heart they bring every single day. These young women genuinely care about each other, and that trust translates onto the court. They push each other to be better, hold each other accountable and embrace the challenges that come with playing in the toughest conference in the country. Success isn’t given; it’s earned through preparation and hard work. That’s what will continue to make BI girls basketball a powerhouse in the future.”
With that kind of leadership at the helm and that mindset instilled in the players, win or lose in the future, the girls are gonna be alright. And no matter what, there’s nothing anyone can do to take away the back-to-back state championship banners and the National Championship banner that will hang proudly in BI’s Godley Gym for years to come.
“The St. Francis de Sales Chapel is the heartbeat of the [Bishop Ireton] community. Here, in the midst of a typical busy and noisy and hectic school day, one can find serenity.”
While complete demolition of the current chapel and the building of a new chapel wasn’t feasible, there was a possibility to do something outside the box. Or rather, as it turns out, inside the box. Instead of building a new chapel entirely, what about building in the footprint and with the bones of the original building? A capital campaign was launched and over the course of a few years, $3.9 million dollars was raised and the project began in earnest in December 2023. Throughout all of 2024, construction company K3 worked tirelessly with architect CJ Howard, Jason Louis from the Office of Planning, Construction and Facilities for the Diocese of Arlington, Bishop Ireton Head of School Kathleen McNutt and Bishop Ireton Chaplain Father Noah Morey. The entirety of the inside was gutted and prepped for the new space. The outside was transformed with a standing seam vaulted roof, a bell tower and three crosses. Challenges and setbacks emerged throughout the year but were dealt with quickly and efficiently thanks to those leading the project.
As construction progressed, plans were made in the fall of 2024 for the opening of the chapel. Since the building itself wasn’t new, there would be no formal dedication of the chapel. But with a brand new altar installed, an altar dedication Mass was needed. Originally scheduled for mid-February 2025, the completion date for the chapel was pushed to March and so the altar dedication Mass was rescheduled for March 21, 2025. Thanks to round the clock work and divine intervention of good weather, the construction
crews, landscaping team and specialty workers were able to finish what they needed to do on March 20, 2025.
The following day, more than 100 guests entered the renovated chapel for the first time for the altar dedication Mass. The altar dedication, led by celebrant Bishop Michael Burbidge, involved placing relics in the middle of the altar, sealing the altar, anointing the surface with holy oil and finally, dressing the altar.
“The St. Francis de Sales Chapel is the heartbeat of the [Bishop Ireton] community,” said Bishop Burbidge during his homily at the altar dedication Mass. “Here, in
the midst of a typical busy and noisy and hectic school day, one can find serenity. I’m sure St. Francis de Sales is very pleased with everyone here and is looking down with light upon you.”
When the Mass finished on March 21, there were smiles all around the beautiful new space. It was a joyous occasion for Bishop Burbidge, representatives from the Diocese of Arlington, the visiting priests, Head of School Kathleen McNutt, Chaplain Father Noah Morey and the many benefactors and people who made this project a reality. And it was the first of many times that the BI community could join their hearts with the heartbeat of Bishop Ireton.
20
Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrates Mass on the newly dedicated altar in the renovated St. Francis de Sales Chapel on March 21, 2025.
DISPLAYING HISTORY
FOR ALL TO SEE
THE BISHOP IRETON LEGACY WALL PROVIDES A SNAPSHOT OF THE SCHOOL’S 60 YEAR HISTORY.
It’s hard to overstate the magnitude of trying to capture the 60-year history of Bishop Ireton in a single artistic installation. Having served thousands and thousands of young men and women since the school’s founding in 1964, it would be impossible to note every accomplishment and showcase every impressive achievement of the many alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the school even if you had unlimited time to compile the information and unlimited real estate to display it. But what the school had in early 2024 was an approaching 60th anniversary and a blank, 25-foot wall connecting the original building, built and opened in 1964, to the new building, built and opened in 2020. That wall would become the Bishop Ireton Legacy Wall–a history of the school and a collage of photographs that best represent that history.
The first goal of the project was to determine what exactly it would be. Different ideas were pitched and explored in the planning phase. Most ideas came back to telling the history of the school chronologically. For a while, it seemed like a decade by decade timeline might be the best way to display the breadth of information that needed to be conveyed. As time went on,
however, there was simply too much information to sift through and varying amounts of information from different time periods, leading to a lack of balance in every draft. There was incredible recordkeeping maintained in the first few years of the school. In the archives at Bishop Ireton, you can find a detailed scrapbook of newspaper clippings, documents and anecdotes from just the first year of school. That alone could take up an entire wall. So instead, a succinct history of the school was written, separated into nine sections roughly based around key milestones in the school’s history.
Once that was finished, the second goal was to compile photos that best represented the history of the school.
The Bishop Ireton yearbooks proved an invaluable resource for finding what was needed. Thousands and thousands of photos were sifted through before settling on the several hundred that make up the legacy wall collage.
The last big decision was how to display this on the wall. With such a large canvas, the text was positioned on raised glass in the center with the photo collage surrounding it on all sides and secured on the wall as a large decal. Despite the size of the wall, room was
left for the installation to grow as the school continues to add history.
After months of hard work and thanks to the intrepid organization of several Bishop Ireton employees and alumni, the Bishop Ireton Legacy Wall was installed in November 2024. It was blessed by Chaplain Father Noah Morey on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 and officially unveiled on Wednesday, November 20, which was the 60th day of school in the 60th year of the school’s history.
Now, the Bishop Ireton Legacy Wall stands opposite a series of large windows that overlook the recently renovated St. Francis de Sales Chapel. It physically spans the space between the old and the new. But perhaps more importantly, it serves as a representation of the school’s past while the next generation—the students who move past it everyday— walk by with an understanding of what came before and their eyes on the future.
Ask many recent Bishop Ireton graduates what some of their favorite memories are from their time at the school and it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear a number of them say the Kairos retreat they attended or led. Look no further than Mary Kate Costello (BI ‘26) who, after attending Kairos this year, said, “Kairos was one of the best weekends of my life. I never imagined that I could have gotten so much out of the retreat, and it really helped me put things into perspective and realize God’s love for me.” So, what exactly is a Kairos retreat?
Kairos was developed in 1965 by a team of priests, brothers and laymen in the Diocese of Brooklyn. It has been adapted for teenagers from a different retreat movement. Kairos is a fourday lived experience of an authentic Christian community. Although there are several local schools that participate in Kairos, Bishop Ireton owes a debt of gratitude to St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC for its role in bringing Kairos to Cambridge Road. In 2011, six BI students joined St. John’s Kairos XXXVII. Those six students then returned to Alexandria to lead Kairos I at Bishop Ireton.
This school year is the 13th year for Kairos at Bishop Ireton. The Campus Ministry team, led by Chaplain Father Noah Morey, are constantly working to make Kairos a faith-filled and Christ-centered place where people are inspired, friends are made, and lives are changed. Kairos is open to juniors and
seniors, and three retreats happen each year. While on Kairos, the retreatants are on the Lord’s time. The retreat places great value on living the present moment and experiencing the presence of Jesus through the sacraments and the witness of adult and student leaders.
While the specific details of the retreat are kept under wraps to keep the experience unique for each student who attends, each has a strong focus on Mass, confession and Eucharistic adoration. In addition, there is morning/night prayer and Scripture readings, games, small group discussions, peer leaders sharing their personal faith journey, personal reflection time and community meals. The four-day retreat is the longest offered for students at the school.
Each person who attends the retreat has and will continue to process their experience in their own personal way. But most return having experienced something entirely different than what they were expecting. Maddie Roche (BI ‘25) sums it up best.
“Last spring I had the opportunity to be a participant on Kairos XXV, and I walked away feeling confident in myself, my community and most importantly, my faith,” recalls Maddie. “Initially, I went on Kairos to be with all of my friends for the weekend, but I never could have imagined my faith coming alive in the way that it did. Kairos XXV was the very beginning of my spiritual journey. This winter, I had the privilege of leading Kairos XXVII, where I got to watch retreatants embrace the experience just as I had done the year before. Leading this retreat taught me a few valuable lessons: 1. What it means to serve others, 2. The power of being present, and 3. My faith journey is still unfolding. Through this experience, I learned that as I lead others, God is leading me. Kairos truly is God’s time, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it.”
A group of Bishop Ireton students pose at the end of their Kairos retreat in 2014.
Father Bresnahan, former Bishop Ireton chaplain (center), with a group of Bishop Ireton students on Kairos retreat in 2016.
Cambridge Road Comes to You
While it’s always nice to see alumni on campus at Bishop Ireton, the impracticality of welcoming everyone back led to another option: going to them.
It’s always a joy to welcome alumni back to Bishop Ireton. It’s great to share both the familiar spaces and the new ones and rekindle some of the memories from their time on Cambridge Road. While that’s a primary goal, it’s not always ideal or possible for many Bishop Ireton alumni. Some live too far away, others aren’t able to travel and some have other reasons for not being able to return to their alma mater. So if the Bishop Ireton alumni couldn’t make it to Cambridge Road, maybe Cambridge Road could go to them.
In 2019, when Head of School Kathleen McNutt first came on board, she worked directly with the Bishop Ireton Advancement team to figure out a way to travel around the country to visit with alumni. It started in December 2019 with a swing through four cities in Florida including Boca Raton, Clearwater, Orlando and Tallahassee. In January, the Advancement team and Kathleen traveled to Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. In March 2020, the BI team was in New York City for the annual BI at the Big East gathering when the pandemic shut everything down. Travel that was planned for the rest of 2020 and early 2021 was nixed.
In the fall of 2021, the team was able to resume traveling and visited Baltimore before really ramping things up in 2022 and 2023. Kathleen and the Advancement team visited alumni in Philadelphia in February 2022, San Francisco and Los Angeles in May 2022 and Chicago in September 2022.
In September 2023, travel expanded with a whirlwind Texas tour where the team from BI visited alumni in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas before returning to Los Angeles in December 2023. In September 2024, a trip was executed to Raleigh and Pinehurst, NC. The school has also continued to host BI at the Big East in New York City every March and just wrapped the 14th annual event in March 2025.
Looking ahead, the team looks forward to visiting more cities around the country with the simple goal of flying that Cardinal spirit from Cambridge Road in Alexandria, Virginia to wherever the Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy alumni are around the country.
Alumna
with Joann Reilly Hughes, SMA ‘76
Bishop Ireton:
Joann Reilly Hughes:
We recently spoke with Joann Reilly Hughes, a 1976 St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) graduate, where she reflected on her long connection with both Bishop Ireton and SMA.
Your family has had wonderful ties to both Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy and the Catholic community in Alexandria for well beyond half a century. Tell us about your fondest memories growing up in the faith-filled Alexandria Catholic community and the impact your parents had on you and your siblings.
Growing up in Alexandria’s Catholic community was a blessing. My fondest memories revolve around the close-knit environment that felt more like an extended family than just a community. My parents were the heart of our faith journey—they didn’t just practice their faith but truly lived it through service and dedication. Their example instilled values of compassion, resilience, and integrity in me and my siblings, all of whom attended Catholic schools from grade school through college. The support and sense of purpose we found in this community remain a cornerstone of our lives.
- Joann Reilly Hughes (SMA ‘76)
BI: Describe for us your most vivid memories of Russell Road in the 1970s and your experience as a student from a day-to-day perspective at St. Mary’s Academy, including being taught by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
JRH: Russell Road in the 1970s was its own vibrant world. St. Mary’s Academy was a hub of disciplined yet joyful energy. The Sisters of the Holy Cross were extraordinary educators—strict yet nurturing, always encouraging us to think critically and act with purpose. I vividly recall bustling hallways, lively theology debates, and the camaraderie of my peers. The Sisters’ influence extended beyond academics; they instilled in us the importance of living our faith through action, lessons that resonate with me to this day.
BI: Seeing the combination of great leadership, enhanced facilities, enrollment boom and community engagement, describe the momentum Bishop Ireton has experienced in recent years from your perspective.
JRH: Bishop Ireton is flourishing in every sense. Under Kathleen McNutt’s visionary leadership, the school has seen remarkable advancements in academics, athletics, and the arts. The state-of-the-art facilities provide an environment where students thrive, and the newly completed chapel is a beautiful symbol of faith and community. What stands out most to me is the heightened sense of engagement from alumni, parents, and students. BI’s growth reflects its unwavering commitment to excellence and its Catholic values, creating a truly inspiring atmosphere.
BI: In less than two years, your SMA and BI Class of 1976 will celebrate your 50year reunion in the fall of 2026. As you look ahead to that milestone golden reunion, what excites you the most?
JRH: The golden reunion is an opportunity to celebrate our shared history and reconnect with old friends. I’m most excited to see classmates I haven’t seen in years and relive the memories that defined our youth. It’s a chance to reflect on how SMA and BI shaped our lives and ensure their legacy continues for generations to come.
BI: Share with us about how your family is doing these days and the exciting things happening in your life today.
JRH: My family is thriving! My son Reilly, after earning his MBA, is enjoying a successful career and living in Florida. Don, Reilly and I recently celebrated Christmas in France and Germany, where a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral was a highlight of our trip. Growing up our family took an extra special trip every five years to Ashford Castle, Ireland and to this day we have the most amazing memories. Since the passing of both of my parents, we continue a close family connection by gathering at the beach and enjoying our family time together. These moments remind me of the importance of family and the SMA/BI community that continues to inspire and uplift me. My life is full of gratitude and joy as I look forward to the future.
HOMECOMING
BI Theater Arts Stages:
Bishop Ireton performed the challenging play as part of the Diocese of Arlington’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
“If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we’d live like animals or angels in the happy land that needs no heroes. But since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human at all … why then perhaps we must stand fast a little — even at the risk of being heroes.”
This line, from Robert Bolt’s 1954 masterwork, A Man for All Seasons, rings as true today as it did for the playwright more than seven decades ago and as true as it did for the protagonist who spoke those words, St. Thomas More, in the 16th century. Perhaps that’s why, more than 70 years after it made its Broadway debut and almost 60 years since its acclaimed film adaptation, which won six Academy Awards including Best Picture, it’s still a popularly produced play in theaters around the world.
When Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diocese, he asked if any of the diocesan high schools would be interested in staging the play as part of the golden jubilee. The play, a favorite of Bishop Burbidge and whose protagonist, St. Thomas More, is the patron saint of the Diocese of Arlington, was a natural fit for the celebration. The theater team at Bishop Ireton, led by Theater Arts Director Katie Rice, jumped at the chance. The nerves to execute the play were high but there was also confidence that the team and students could rise to the occasion.
That’s when the real work began. Over a three-month period in the fall of 2024, the cast was assembled, the play was staged and rehearsed, lines were memorized, a huge set was built on the stage of Garwood Whaley Auditorium, costumes were designed and technical elements were dialed in. Leading the cast was senior Donovan Furey, playing the challenging role of Thomas More.
One of the most unique elements of this production was the casting of a schola. This group, which performed various
music from the period during the show, is not a part of the original script. But the addition to the Bishop Ireton production served two purposes. First, it provided more opportunities for students to be a part of the cast–especially young women for which there are not many written parts in the play. An additional 10 girls were cast to fill out this chorus. The second, as Mrs. Rice says, was for a story purpose: “In this theatrical context, we might also think of the schola as a type of Greek chorus, reflecting the emotions which the audience feels at various points in the show.”
On the night of November 15, the curtain rose on an outstanding production of the challenging material. The cast performed with aplomb, the technical elements were beautifully executed and the audience responded in kind. One particularly interested party was able to see the show on November 16. Bishop Burbidge met with the cast and crew backstage before the show began and then enjoyed the production that evening. It’s safe to say that the Bishop was pleased with the performance. It was a fitting piece to both mark the diocesan golden jubilee and continue the excellence of Bishop Ireton theater.
37 TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
Thank you to the golf committee, sponsors, volunteers and golfers for attending the 37th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic, which was held on May 13, 2024 at Mt. Vernon Country Club in Alexandria.
The winning scores for the event were:
Net Winner (Score of 53)
Eric McNutt ‘89
Kerry McConnon ‘89
John Sharp
Alex Gutierrez
Gross Winner (Score of 54):
Dan Blaine ‘03
Tim Tassa ‘03
John Hassan
Charles Brittingham
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.
Golf Committee:
Brendan Kearney ‘04
Chairman, Bishop Ireton Golf Committee
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
Join Bishop Ireton for the 38th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic!
MAY 5, 2025!
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 38th Annual Bishop Ireton Golf Classic, visit bishopireton.org/golfclassic or scan the QR code below.
It’s not a new trend, but there are more Bishop Ireton alumni than ever returning to Cambridge Road in new roles.
By Josh Goldman, director of communications & marketing, bi ‘06
When I graduated from Bishop Ireton in 2006, I had my eyes fully locked on the future. I knew what my summer plans were. I knew where I was going to college. And if you’d asked 18 year old me, I probably had big dreams for where my life was headed. I knew that I’d be back to Bishop Ireton at some point. Maybe I’d be back for a reunion. Maybe I’d swing back to support Bishop Ireton Theater Arts in which I was very involved while in school. But if you’d asked me whether or not I would ever consider working at Bishop Ireton when I was 18? I would have told you, no way, not now and not ever.
In 2019, when the opportunity to return to Bishop Ireton as an employee as the Director of Communications & Marketing came about, I’ll admit that I was hesitant at first. I don’t think I’d been back to the school in nearly a decade despite frequently passing the campus while driving on Duke Street. Despite submitting an application, I didn’t know how I’d feel about coming back to work at my high school. But the interview process put me at ease. The school was both familiar and different. And ultimately, I thought that Bishop Ireton was a place on which I could have an impact, much in the same way that the school had an impact on me. I’m not sure I realized it
at the time but in 2019, I was a little lost career wise. And after nearly six years in my role, I like to think I’m a little more found than lost at this point. Working at Bishop Ireton has been a blessing that continues to grow.
Now, I’m one of 18 employees at Bishop Ireton who are working at their alma mater including three from St. Mary’s Academy and 15 from Bishop Ireton: Head of School Kathleen McNutt (SMA ‘87), Nicole DiLorenzo (SMA ‘89), Beth Royle (SMA ‘89), Ward Foley (BI ‘82), Stephen Crooker (BI ‘88), Ryan Fannon (BI ‘89), Luke Delaney (BI ‘94), Elizabeth Subasavage (BI ‘98), Dr. Rebecca Vaccaro (BI ‘98), Tom Cogliano (BI ‘02), Kevin O’Keefe (BI ‘08), Ben Gerke (BI ‘12), Catherine Boyle (BI ‘14), Kaitlyn Gerke (BI ‘14), Maggie Lohrer (BI ‘16), Gabby Baniqued (BI ‘18) and Matthew Burdick (BI ‘21).
Though that list is extensive, it doesn’t include the many who have returned previously before leaving to pursue other work.
So how do some of the alums who’ve returned to Bishop Ireton feel about working at their alma mater?
Josh performing onstage in Garwood Whaley Auditorium in 2005 (L) and Josh in front of the stage in Garwood Whaley Auditorium in 2025 (R)
A New Look and Sound for REAL WORLD Wednesdays
After initially launching as a panel Zoom discussion in 2020, Bishop Ireton re-launched their alumni interview series as a long form podcast in 2023.
When Real World Wednesdays kicked off in the fall of 2020, it was an initiative designed to connect current students from Bishop Ireton with a diverse group of people beyond the classroom who could spark their interest further or even assist them in the future. It was originally conceived as a panel show hosted via Zoom at the height of the pandemic.
The first episode was held on October 14, 2020 in Hellmuth Library and featured a conversation between Director of Advancement Chris Gilliland and John T. Applewhite Jr. (BI ‘87). John had a wealth of experience in the professional world, perhaps most notably being the coinventor of the Super Soaker. Though that episode wasn’t recorded, it was streamed
virtually to attendees. What followed were two and half years and 20 episodes of content, with one streamed every month. These episodes featured alumni and friends of the school and were structured in part like a panel you might see at a conference with all guests in related fields.
During the spring of 2023, an idea was kicked around to change the format of the program. With the exponential growth of podcasts over the last decade, shifting Real World Wednesdays to a podcast seemed like a positive direction as the series continued to grow. With the green light to shift formats, the question then turned to developing the format for the show. Inspired by the work of Guy Raz who hosts the popular podcasts “How
I Built This” and “The Great Creators,” a long-form interview with an alumnus or alumna from Bishop Ireton or St. Mary’s Academy spanning their life and career was determined to be the best path forward.
At this point, the biggest remaining question before recording a pilot episode was who would be the host. It had to be someone engaging and preferably someone who had some experience on the mic. Who better than Ryan Fannon, Bishop Ireton Class of 1989 and Associate Director of Advancement? Not only is Ryan a lifelong Cardinal, but he has also served as the voice of Villanova athletics for more than 25 years, calling both football and basketball games for Villanova radio.
With that, a pilot episode was recorded hosted by Ryan and featuring Josh Goldman, Director of Marketing and Communications and Class of 2006. Though the intention was just for the episode to be a proof of concept, it became the first episode of the revamped Real World Wednesdays in October 2023. Since then, the show has featured deepdive interviews with alumni and friends, including former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell (BI ‘72), Patricia McArtor, a 1944 St. Mary’s Academy graduate, architect of the St. Francis de Sales renovation project and Senior Construction Manager for the Diocese of Arlington CJ Howard and Jason Louis respectively, Broadway actor Jake Odmark (BI ‘04), Ourisman CFO Mike Bennett (BI ‘72) and Head of School Kathleen McNutt (SMA ‘87).
The current schedule for the show is a new episode every month during the school year, with Season 2 of the revamped podcast coming to an end at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
But with a wealth of alumni and stories to be told, the sky’s the limit for the podcast.
The New
To hear an archive of older episodes, scan this QR code.
Head of School Kathleen McNutt with former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell After Recording Real World Wednesdays
The Old
Bishop Ireton celebrated its 60th anniversary with a stunning Gala at the Westin Alexandria on March 22, 2025.
In early March 2020, it was full steam ahead for Bishop Ireton’s first gala and auction since 2014. Then, well, things didn’t exactly go as planned. The world shut down and so too did the 2020 gala. A few years later, once the world had reopened and things began getting back to normal, Bishop Ireton staged its first gala in nearly a decade in Murphy Hall at BI. The space was transformed for “The Spirit of Bishop Ireton Gala & Auction” and the night was a tremendous success. $120,000 was raised for the Bishop Ireton Annual Fund. The following year, in March 2024, the gala returned to Murphy Hall, and BI welcomed more than 300 guests to Cambridge Road. The event far surpassed the previous year’s fundraising and $190,000 was raised for the Annual Fund.
It turns out, though, that despite the success and elegance of the 2023 and 2024 galas, they were just a warm-up for what was next. The 2025 gala was set to fall right in the midst of the 60th anniversary year for the school and as such, things needed to be bigger. Much bigger. The gala moved from BI’s Murphy Hall to the nearby Westin Alexandria, which allowed for more guests. And thanks to the hard work and long hours put in by the Advancement team and the work of the Events Manager, sponsorships and silent auction items were secured early and often. Tickets to attend the gala sold out nearly a month before the special evening.
On March 22, 2025, BI welcomed more than 520 guests to the Westin Alexandria for a night to remember. Guests entered past a 1964 Ford Mustang and were treated to live music from the BI Jazz Ensemble; hors d’oeuvres and cocktails; fellowship with alumni, friends of the school, benefactors, faculty and staff; a beautiful sit-down dinner; an exquisitely decorated ballroom; and dancing with a live band to close the evening.
Following dinner, a special video commissioned for the 60th Anniversary year and directed by the Communications department premiered (you can see that video by scanning the QR code in this article). After the video premiere, the paddle raise portion of the evening raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Annual Fund in the span of just 10 minutes. Additionally, two alumni–Marty Marinoff (BI ‘68) and Mike Bennett (BI ‘72)–were awarded the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Award during the celebration for their tireless dedication to Bishop Ireton and the BI community.
In total, the Gala celebration raised more than $400,000 for the Bishop Ireton Annual Fund, far exceeding what anyone thought was possible. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard and to the volunteers who made the night come alive, the 60th Anniversary Gala will be one to remember for years and years to come. Oh what a night!
HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE & CARDINAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
The Head of School and Cardinal Leadership Circles are a community of our most engaged alumni, parents, and friends who support the school with annual fund 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 Circle and Cardinal Leadership Circle donors. Tuition does not cover the total cost of educating a Bishop Ireton student, and many of our families receive financial assistance to enable their children to attend. Gifts to our Annual Fund or one of our scholarships play a key role in supporting the daily operations and enhancing the mission of Bishop Ireton High School.
HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE DONORS
Tom Beale
Rob Beer
Michael and Niki Bennett
Mike Cammisa
Scott Fedder
Mike Hopke
Bruno Maestri
BR and Laura McConnon
Brian and Pam Murphy
Raul Ricaurte
Jim Schoenadel
Brock and Terry Swartz
Peter and Louise Fecanin
Hank and Ann Sterbenz
Anonymous
Eric McNutt
Boeing Company
Linda Gaghan and Gaghan Mechanical, Inc.
Jay and Trish Barnwell
Helmut and Mandy Mertins
Rebecca Aughney
Mark and Laura Rayder
Jim and Carolyn Barker
Philip and Marguerite Leopold
Patrick Brown and Mary Gillespie
CARDINAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE DONORS
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Cathedral of Saint Thomas More
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
The Basilica of Saint Mary
Community Foundation of Richmond
Professional Maintenance Management Inc
Computerware, Inc
John and Heidi Abegg
Michael F. Bailey and Rosemary Gutierrez
Quynh V. Bain
Christopher and Ann Ballard
Christiaan and Ellen Berge
Jennifer and Joseph Bobrowski
Jason and Beth Boehlert
Jouhn and Bernadette Borja
Ms. Aimee J. Brennan
Charles Brittingham
John C.O. Bryant
Patrick J. Cady
Christopher Hardin and Mollie Camp
Sean and Lara Cassidy
Mike and Kim Catanzano
Anonymous
Robert and Caroline Cheatham
David and Lisa Marie Cheney
Mr. James Cochran
John and Angelica Codd
Ernest and Diane Coggins
Scott and Kara Cosby
Patrick and Mary Costello
William and Adrien Cotton
Patrick and Gail Coyle
Dennis and Christine Curry
Barbara Dalmut
Thomas and Christine Danaher
Philip Davies
Randy and Amanda Davis
Jane E. Davis and Luciano F. Boglione
Michael and Janelle Day
Nicole D. Dilorenzo
Paul and Jennifer Dyck
Julia Ebron
Jay and Margaret Erb
Elizabeth and Paul Evans
Gary and Mary Fedorochko
Michael and Nancy Fife
Jonathan
Jeffrey A. Hoge
Hodges
Colin and Rosemary Jellish
Cedric and Catherine Welch
Richard and Margaret Jensen
Leila and Soren Johnson
Shaun and Lisa Kelleher
Paul and Laura Kopp
Christopher Kuss
Heather and Karl Lady
Grant and Lucia Lebens
David Ward and Lorraine Luciano
Dario and Rebecca Lugo
Kate and Jeff Hull
Katherine Kopp
Rob and Mary Rosado
Andy and Stefani Nick
Darren Lemaster and Julia Peyton
Margaret McAneny
Adam and Abigail Ingols
Thomas Santos and Lauren Degnan
Janis Garcia Keating
Greg Welsch and Anne Termine
The Oblates of St. Francis de SalesWilmington-Philadelphia Province, INC.
Sarah Lyle
Patrick and Margot Lynn
Sarah and Brian Magruder Lyle
Andrew and Raewen Massaro
Timothy and Lauren McCarthy
Sean and Jennifer McHugh
Owen and Megan McIntyre
Aris and Gibson McMahon
Daniel and Martha Mica
Charles and Susan Miller
John and Katherine Miller
Michael and Regina Mohr
Richard J. Mondloch
Kevin Brothers and Sheila F. O’Connor
James and Trish Pacious
Thomas Perry
Jennifer and Brian Persico
Robert A. Peterson
Paul and Jane Pisano
John P. Riley and Patricia Ryan
Philip and Veronika Riley
Daniel and Donna Robertson
James and Robyn Skorupski
Mr. Harry Sober
Robert and Mary Storch
Kevin and Dominique Stuart
Edward Stuart
Dawn and Jeremy Stump
Michael and Jaqueline Sweet
Christopher and Christine Tampio
Timothy and Catherine Thompson
Jonathan and Rebecca Underly
Jose and Aimee Viana
Raymond and Deborah Welch
Jeffrey and Kristen Zottola
6Reasons to Be a Part of the Golden Cardinal Planned Giving Program
No matter your age, it’s never too early to start thinking about your legacy and planned giving opportunities. There are a lot of places you could choose to leave a gift but why not Bishop Ireton? A gift to Bishop Ireton would leave a legacy and provide support to future generations of students. Here are six reasons why you should consider planned giving to Bishop Ireton:
1
Sustaining the Mission
Bishop Ireton High School’s mission is in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales. Bishop Ireton is a Catholic, college preparatory school that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, creative, social and physical development of all of its students. 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.
2
Supporting Future Generations
A planned gift can help the school grow and maintain its programs, facilities and faculty, which directly impacts future students. Your generosity can provide scholarships, support extracurricular activities or fund technology upgrades, ensuring that future students benefit from a well-rounded, modern education. In addition, by making a planned gift you would help ensure that the school can continue offering a value-driven educational experience to students for generations to come.
3
Leaving a Legacy
Including the school in your estate plans is a powerful way to create a legacy of philanthropy. Your gift can honor your connection to the school, whether as an alumnus, parent or community member. It can also be a way to ensure that your values are passed on to the next generation.
4Tax Benefits
Planned gifts can also offer significant tax advantages. Gifts through wills, trusts or other planned giving vehicles can reduce the estate taxes your heirs may face, while ensuring that a portion of your assets are directed to a cause you care about.
5
Flexible Giving Options
Planned gifts can be tailored to your financial situation. You don’t have to give a large amount outright; instead, you can leave a percentage of your estate, a specific asset, or even make the school a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy. These options allow you to balance your financial needs with your desire to give back.
6
Memorialize a Loved One
A planned gift can also be made in memory of a loved one, creating a lasting tribute that reflects their passion for Catholic education, community, or faith.
For more information and any questions you may have, reach out to advancement@bishopireton.org.
OBITUARIES
We pray for the repose of the souls of all those lost in the Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Academy communities.
Eric Michael “Rick” Reinitz (Former student) November 13, 2019
Scott Reinitz (‘68) July 13, 2023
Hugh Groves, Jr. (Father of Cheryl (Groves) Panagiotopoulos (SMA ‘81) and Mike ‘79) January 8, 2024
Marianne Dolan Konka (SMA ‘74) January 11, 2023
Benecio Raul De Paolis-Quispe (Former student) March 8, 2023
Ramona Coakley (Mother of Michael ‘78) January 26, 2024
Lucielle Messina Moylan (Mother of Maurice ‘80) February 1, 2024
Karen Jane Harris (SMA ‘66) February 12, 2024
Wendy Lynn Peters (Mother of Kendall, Jr. ‘19 and Owen ‘20) February 17, 2024
Mary Schnebelen (Parent of Ronald ‘75 and Jeff ‘77) February 26, 2024
Samuelle (Sam) Bowen (‘21) March 4, 2024
Antonella Galindo (‘20) March 8, 2024
Betty Jean Clayton Monroe (SMA ‘49) March 13, 2024
Cynthia Leigh (McGuire) Rundgren (Former SMA student and sister of Leslie SMA ‘77 and Tracy ‘79) March 25, 2024
Peggy Edgerton Fields (Parent of Bret ‘77 and Matt ‘87) March 26, 2024
Marion Moon (Friend of Bishop Ireton) April 1, 2024
Vivian Spendley (‘23) April 3, 2024
Giuseppe Cecchi (Grandparent of Piero ‘23 and Marco ‘24) April 4, 2024
Helen Ruth Savill (SMA ‘65) April 8, 2024
John J. Ralston, Jr. (‘76) April 19, 2024
Kathleen Keuhner Field (SMA ‘70) April 19, 2024
Cliff Cooks (Assistant Coach) May 2, 2024
Rosemary Cotter (Parent of Tom ‘72, Christine SMA ‘73, Michael ‘74, Kevin ‘75, Dennis ‘76, Daniel ‘77) May 13, 2024
Peter Flipi
(Parent of Rosalyn (Croce) ‘81, Jacki (Ondracek) ‘82, Mark ‘83) May 13, 2024
Helen Cilinkski Terry (SMA ‘48) May 17, 2024
James Thomson (‘71) May 18, 2024
Ann Armstrong-Dailey (Parent of Pete ‘80 and Patricia SMA ‘81) May 22, 2024
Gary Hyde, Jr. (‘81) May 23, 2024
Donna Marie (Limbach) Casey (SMA ‘63) May 24, 2024
Ken Stepka (‘73) May 25, 2024
Daniel Begg (‘09) May 26, 2024
Stephanie Shaw (SMA ‘67) May 31, 2024
John Ferree (‘78) June 1, 2024
Stephen Zink (‘72) June 4, 2024
Olga Constanza “Connie” (Velez) Hawkins (SMA ‘82) June 5, 2024
Sister M. Anne. Frederick (Tardiff), CSC (Former SMA and Ireton Staff Member) June 10, 2024
Joan Peterson White (SMA ‘64) June 10, 2024
Mark Bush (Parent of Jerry ‘84 and Michael ‘86 and grandfather of Brian ‘23 and Emily ‘24) June 11, 2024
Rose Kirk (Grandmother of Allison Dunnegan ‘23) June 24, 2024
Clara Zmuda Stader (SMA ‘79) June 25, 2024
Mary Cummiskey (Mother of Mike ‘72, Pat ‘74 (Dec), and Terry ‘77) June 26, 2024
Margaret “Peggy” Swartz (Mother of Brock ‘74 and Brent (Former Student) and Ben (Former Student)) June 26, 2024
Sister Rita Bray, CSC (Sister M. Celestyn) (Former SMA Religion Teacher) June 27, 2024
Mary Gleeson (Mother of Tim ‘77 and Theresa (Gleeson) Bielecki, SMA ‘84) July 2, 2024
Frederick “Flip” Toepke (‘69) July 2, 2024
Rev. William N. Dougherty, OSFS (Former Faculty Member) July 6, 2024
David Dyer (‘78) July 10, 2024
Arlene Buscher (SMA ‘52) July 16, 2024
Eugene Brake (Former OSFS, Priest, and Faculty 19691971) July 20, 2024
Anne C. Strasser (Parent of Mary Hellen DuBois SMA ‘81, Susan Strasser SMA ‘82, and Edward Strasser III ‘84) July 20, 2024
Eleanor Dyer (Mother of Renee SMA ‘76 and Paul ‘80) July 21, 2024
