BI Word - October 2021 by BishopIretonHS

OCT. 18 2021

THE BI-WORD

BACK TO SCHOOL

Bishop Ireton students return to full time in-person school! Adjusting to In-Person School

Hollywood Homecoming festivities commence

Bishop Burbidge visits the Cardinals!

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader,

Welcome back to another

year of the BI Word! As students have been welcomed back into the building, a lot has been going on. Even though we are still in a pandemic, the building is bustling with excitement with events such as the Bishop’s visit and the Club Fair. Students have been able to start attending sporting events again, a long awaited day! We have a lot planned for

BI-WORD STAFF JANE ELKINS - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

this year with a new layout for the paper and we will be

JACK GRZEBIEN - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

involving the student body in the paper as much as possible. If you would like to have something put in the paper please feel free to reach out to Jane Elkins or Jack Grzebien and we will consider it. Have a great year! Jack Grzebian and Jane Elkins Editor In-Chiefs of the BI-Word

THAD WORTH - EDITOR CHRISTOPHER STONE- STAFF WRITER JAMIE KAISER - STAFF WRITER CAMI PEREZ - STAFF WRITER OLIVIA DICARLO - STAFF WRITER

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Adjusting to In-Person School

Cardinal Crazies are back!

Experience of Switching Schools

Hurricane Ida Devastates Communities

Disaster in Afghanistan

Lights, Camera, Cardinals!

Fun at the Club Fair

Washington Football Team Name 14 Contraversy

Senior Spotlight

Can Music Change Your Morals?

Bishop Burbidge Visits the Cardinals!

Hollywood Homecoming Festivities 09 Commence

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Adjusting to In-Person School By Jane Elkins

How has COVID affected the switch back to full in-person school?

The 2020-2021 school year was difficult for students and teachers alike. Even with the luxury of hybrid learning that provided a semblance of normalcy and the hard work from faculty and staff to still engage the student body in events, most would agree that the school year was far from normal. Rigid COVID guidelines made it so there were no attendable sports games, fully in-person school events, and in general, the social atmosphere that makes school fun was missing. Bishop Ireton’s initial switch to fully remote learning occurred in the spring of 2020 as the result of nationwide school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the stay-at-home order was lifted in Virginia, some schools and businesses were allowed to reopen with strict safety protocols. As a result, Bishop Ireton administrators implemented rigorous adjustments like social distancing, daily health checks, quarantine requirements, and close contact tracing that made classroom learning safe and compliant with CDC guidelines. This allowed Bishop Ireton to offer both hybrid and optional fully remote learning for the 2020-2021 school year. The student response to the new system was varied. Some appreciated the more relaxed online learning environment the hybrid model provided while others were indifferent to it. Senior Colin Nash, who followed the hybrid model last year, felt that the hybrid model made learning more comfortable. “It was nice to have a balance

between online and in-person instruction,” Nash says. “Teachers worked hard to engage students both online and in the classroom so I always felt on top of my classwork. It was also nice to attend class at home in pajama bottoms.” Senior Courtney LaRochelle, who was fully remote during the 2020-2021 school year, expressed her difficulties with her year fully online. “The social aspect of school was completely missing”, she says. “I didn’t get to see my friends or play the sport I love at school.” This year however, Bishop Ireton students are a little more fortunate. Recent changes in COVID severity due to the development and availability of the COVID vaccine and plateauing COVID infection rates has allowed the 2021-2022 school year to proceed fully in-person. Students can now attend each and every class in person, as well as fully in-person school events like sports games, Homecoming, pep rallies, and Mass. “I finally get to get to see my friends again in school which helps me know that I’m not alone when dealing with schoolwork and mental health.” LaRochelle says. “I also get to play soccer for my senior year and actually have my friends attend games.” From an academic standpoint, students seem to appreciate fully-in person instruction after having gone through a hybrid school-year. “Although hybrid learning was more comfortable, fully in-person learning forces me to actively pay attention and

participate at all times during class,” Nash says. Other students like LaRochelle, on the other hand, feel more challenged with in-person learning. “Online learning gave me a lot of free time to focus on my schoolwork. Now between soccer and other extracurricular activities, I feel a lot more stressed than last year, but I am ultimately happy to be able to bond with my team and classmates,” she says. Dealing with the restriction created by COVID-19 over the past year and a half has led many studenst to cherish the things we missed throughout quarantine and social distancing. If students want to continue to have fully in-person education we must follow Bishop Ireton’s COVID guidelines. Bishop Ireton requires all students to wear masks in all areas throughout the school with a few exceptions: namely, when eating in the cafeteria, when outside, or when playing a school sponsered sport. Otherwise, students must wear a mask properly on their face, fully covering their nose and mouth. Although the original stay at home and mask mandate was lifted in the summer of 2021, the arrival of the Delta variant made masks necessary once again. According to the Virginia Department of Health, the Delta variant is the main virus circulating throughout the US and is exponentially more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus. Although some argue that masks are ineffective in preventing the spread of the virus, numerous peer-reviewed and scientifically backed studies have proven otherwise. One study from the University of San Francisco found that mask mandates greatly slowed down COVID-19’s growth rate by comparing infection rates before and after mandating masks in 15 states. The study concluded that after 3 weeks of wearing masks, the growth rate slowed by 2 percent. “People should be considerate about the people around them. We are so fortunate to be able to have all of the things we missed last year, however the pandemic is not over and I think sometimes we forget that.” says LaRochelle. “Wearing your mask properly helps stop the spread and protects the people around you.”

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A new school year is upon us, bringing new beginnings and challenges. Here at Bishop Ireton the new year has also brought many new students, specifically transfer students. Since Covid hit, the past two school years the school’s population has increased, in large part to transfer students. This occurrence was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Bishop Ireton was one of only a few schools in our area able to offer a hybrid learning experience. Hybrid allowed for half of the student body to attend in person school while the other half attended school online, and vice versa. This provided a safe option for students to attend school in a somewhat normal way. This resulted in a larger number of transfers Bishop Ireton focuses on transfer students, and how the administration works to help set up the new students for success. TJ Bush is a junior and transferred to Bishop Ireton during the 2020-2021 school year during his sophomore year. He plays on the football team. When asked how different Ireton was from their previous school TJ said “Bishop Ireton has opened my eyes to so many things. The people here were very welcoming. I am so happy I made the change. At my old school the teachers didn’t really show the same effort and as students we were more carefree in the hallways and things.” TJ also commented about the differences between Bishop Ireton and his old school academically”The teachers didn’t really show the same effort as they do here and the classes at my old school had many more students in them.” To continue our curiosities we interviewed Quint Booker. Quint is a junior who transferred from Good Counsel highschool after his sophomore year. Quint enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his friends. We asked Quint how important transportation to school is for him and if there are any difficulties, here’s what he had to say. “When I decided

Experience Of Switching Schools By Jamie Kaiser

Juniors Quint Booker and TJ Bush both transferred to Bishop Ireton. Bush transfered last year in 2020 while Booker is a new student this year. to transfer to Bishop Ireton I was living in Maryland because that’s where I went to school before so my parents thought it would be easiest for transportation if we moved to Tysons in Virginia. It has taken some getting used to but it is definitely more convenient for my family and I .” We also talked to Quint on how much of a sacrifice this was, and his mindset on changes. He continued with “I understand that it is a big sacrifice, but coming to Bishop Ireton has been a very smooth transition especially academically. Transfering has already opened doors and opportunities for me to pursue college, and specifically collegiate sports. That’s why I think the sacrifice will pay off.” To conclude our interview I talked to Mrs. DiLorenzo and asked what her role is in helping transfer

students. had to say. She said, “Orientation gives transfer students the opportunity to meet other transfer stuents. They are also partnered with Peer Helpers who help acclimate thme to Bishop Ireon.” When asked what joy she feels in seeing transfer students thrive, Mrs.DiLorenzo responded saying , “I truly enjoy walking in the hall and seeing transfers laughing with another group of students because it can be very difficult coming from a different place to make new friends. And if any students that aren’t connecting or feeling comfortable, I encourage them to reach out to their counselors and try to join clubs and engage with the community.”

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A Disaster in Afghanistan

By Thad Worth America’s removal of troops in Afghanistan prompts outrage

Source: Air Mobility Command Public Affairs 640 people in a C-17 Globemaster III

On September 11th, 2001, foriegn terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and crashed two of them into the World Trade Centers in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia. A final plane crashed in a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania after targeting the White House or the Capitol, but missing its target due to passengers onboard reclaiming control of the plane. Soon afterwards, President George W. Bush sent American troops to Afghanistan to eliminate the terrorist group responsible: Al Qaeda. He also ordered his generals to remove the government that allowed these terrorists to use that country as a safe haven: the Taliban.

After 20 years, 4 presidents (including President Biden), thousands of American lives, and trillions of dollars, America withdrew from Afghanistan on August 31st, 2021, leaving it in the hands of the same people who were there twenty years ago and ending America’s longest war. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, massive protests and riots across the country, and the 2020 election looming, President Trump signed a deal with the Taliban agreeing that America would begin to withdraw its troops in Afghanistan and begin the release of Taliban prisoners. Despite criticism, President Biden followed through with the peace deal. What has caused the current controversy is how President Biden continued to follow the

agreement when the Taliban openly broke it and took over Afghanistan. According to CNBC News, an additional 100 to 200 Americans are still in Afghanistan. The American exit caused panic among American allies, with people running alongside planes leaving the Kabul airport. According to Fasnaz Fassihi of the New York Times a 17 yearold soccer player named Zaki Anwari was so desperate to escape Afghanistan that he held onto an American plane as it took off and fell hundreds of feet and died. Women threw their children over the barbed wire fence to American soldiers hoping that they would take their children with them to America. Feminists were worried that the Taliban would enact strict rules on what women can wear

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and do as they did in the 1990s. Another concern is that the Taliban will forbid women and girls from going to school or having any role outside the home.There are fears that the Taliban will allow terrorist groups to use Afghanistan as a safe haven and training ground like they did in the 1990’s. The Taliban have claimed that they would not harbor terrorists or allow them to seek a safe haven in Afghanistan. One reason that the Taliban would not harbor terrorists is that they don’t want to go to war with the U.S. again. Another reason is that they want to be in complete control of Afghanistan and not have power be contested. According to Azi Paybara of the New York Times, one of their main enemies is Islamic State Khorasan or ISIS-K is the local faction of ISIS, a Middle Eastern terrorist group that captured Mosul in 2014 and held on to it for three years until they were forced out in 2017. Khorasan is the name of an Iranian province and the historical name for a region that covers much of Afghanistan, Eastern Iran, and Central Asia. Without having on-the-ground intelligence it has been more difficult to conduct operations against terrorists. According to Mathiew Aikins of the New York Times, this is what happened to Zemari Ahmadi, an aid worker. Mr. Ahmadi was loading what military analysts thought to be explosives, but was just water. A drone followed Mr. Ahmadi home which the analysts claim was a suspected ISIS safe house. The US commander then ordered a missile strike on Mr. Ahmadi’s car, which killed him and nine other people, including seven children. After 20 years of fighting, thousands of lives, and trillions of dollars, Afghanistan is in the same hands as it was when America first invaded. Despite this, the people of Afghanistan will continue to strive to make their country a better place. They are searching for the house on the hill that is America. The people of Afghanistan will never quit. They will never stop believing in America and the ideals it represents. These are the kind of people that America needs. We can only pray that their dreams for a better life are realized.

Fun at the Club Fair By Thad Worth

On September 16th, Bishop Ireton held a fair, but not your average fair. This was the B.I. Club Fair. All of Bishop Ireton’s 58 clubs set up booths in Murphy Hall and jostled for the attention of students. Some clubs catered to a specific group of students, such as the Latin Club or the French Honors Society. Others, such as the Cardinal Crazies and Model U.N. are meant to appeal to all walks of life. No matter who you are, there is a club for you at Bishop Ireton. Many new clubs were created this year such as the Knotty Knitters, the Yoga Club, and the Minecraft Club. Mr. O’Keefe estimates that up to 70% of the school’s student body is involved with one or more of the nearly sixty clubs at B.I. The Astronomy Club had a large turnout for its first meeting. It’s faculty moderator is Mrs. Briody, and Mr. Waldman and Mr. Holec also help out with running the club.

Mr. Waldman majored in astronomy when in college, so he will contribute much to the Astronomy Club A club that stands out from the other clubs is the Cardinal Crazies Club. While some clubs may cater to a small group of people such as a language club, the Cardinal Crazies is different. It brings all of the different sports teams together and supports all of them by sending its members to different sporting events and cheering on the Cardinals on the field, the court, and on the mat. On September 16th, Murphy Hall was filled with students hoping to find others like them. It was an opportunity to find kindred spirits after a year of hybrid schooling and few gettogethers. Next year, this unique fair will likely include more clubs, and attract a larger crowd.

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Volleyball Senior Spotlight: Ana Jones By Chris Stone

The Girls’ Sports Senior Spotlight this issue focuses on senior Ana Jones, and her time with the volleyball team. Jones is the captain and a star outside hitter for the team. This is her fourth year playing for Bishop Ireton, but she has been volleyball for 8 years as she started playing in 4th grade. Jones is proud of the teams curent 10-4 record but knows that there is always room for imporvement. “We definitely have a lot to work on, but we have grown so much since we started in August”, Jones says. “ I think that we can place high in WCAC championships and in states. We just need to work hard and play the game we all know and love.” These high expectations for this season also match her personal expectations for the future of her career. Jones recently commited to play Division 3 volleyball at the Illnois Institute of Technology.

Football Senior Spotlight: JJ Johnson By Chris Stone

The Boys’ Sports Senior Spotlight focuses on football player JJ Johnson. Mr. Gillil, the Director of Advancement and wide receiver coach at Bishop Ireton described JJ as a leader, and a team player. “He has given the offense stability, and has consistently been a safety net for the team’s quarterback, Jamie Kaiser,” he states. “He has a good connection with his quarterback, and his demeanor is good for the team.” The recent injury of the team’s starting quarterback, Jamie Kaiser, has led JJ to fill in the position during his absence. JJ, who played quarterback during middle school, as well as on JV, eventually returned to his usual position at wide receiver. He did well in his start at the new position against St. Stephens and St. Agnes School. While JJ does not yet have any college scholarship offers, he is definitely working hard to get one. The team as a whole has been working hard alongside JJ. The new coaching staff and change of culture has led to high hopes for each of the players, as well as the future of the program. These hopes will be tested as the team takes on our big rival Saint Paul VI Catholic High School for our homecoming game.

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Hollywood Homecoming Festivities Commence By Cami Perez and Olivia Dicarlo The 2019 Bishop Ireton Football team took the field before their Homecoming game. This was the last time Bishop Ireton went head to head against PVI.

Are you ready to walk the red carpet into homecoming? That’s right, this year’s theme is Hollywood. The homecoming game and dance is a place to have fun and hang with all your friends. You get to get hyped for the Homecoming football game and get all dressed up for the Homecoming dance. Overall, it’s a great time to see all your friends, take pictures, cheer on our football team, and have fun at the game and dance. Additionally, you can dance all night in the school gym with good music, games and snacks. Bradley Klinck, the president of SCA, thinks COVID will play a small role in homecoming and spirit week. “I don’t think anyone will even feel a difference because of COVID.” He says. “We’re lucky to be having the dance and game again, and apart from masks, everything will be the same. It is going to be a great first experience for freshmen and sophomores.”

Once Spirit Week concludes and the weekend begins, the game and dance become the main focus. Students can show their school spirit, come decked out in Bishop Ireton gear and help our Cardinal Crazies cheer on our football team! Bishop Ireton will be playing PVI so students should bring their loudest voices and all their school spirit. Once the game is over students can go home just in time to prepare for the dance. At the dance the ladies are expected to wear a school appropriate dress that provides modest coverage. Guys are expected to wear a nice pair of dress pants with a dress shirt. Students are permitted to bring one additional outside guest if approved by the school. Once arriving at the school, students should make their way to the gym to attend the dance. Upon entering students can enjoy and dance to music with their friends. Students should check

their email to submit song suggestions for the dance! Song submissions are required to be school appropriate and not contain any explicit lyrics or illicit themes. Additionally, administration has required that students must arrive before 8:30 and do not allow any students to leave until 10:30 pm. As Mr. Pressimone said “It will be a ‘mask-erade’ ” because students will have to wear a mask inside of the gym the whole time. Then they can dance to the songs that the school plays and have a blast with all their fellow classmates. Once the dance is over, students can leave the school with their guests and continue the night with their friends. In all, Bishop Ireton Students and staff have worked hard to ensure a COVID safe and fun homecoming week. Students should follow both the COVID and dress code guidelines to ensure a fun night for everyone.

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Cardinal Crazies are back Students show spirit and enjoy the return of in-person sports All photos courtesy of Mrs. McNutt

Seniors Annanbelle Dreher, Connor McNutt, Callie Rieder, and Bradley Klinck along with junior Molly McNicol lead cheers in the student section of our first official home football game since the pandemic that allows students.

Seniors Colin Nash, Madeline Esposito, and Dom Codd along with sophomore Colin Regan cheer on the football team as they play Archbishop Carroll. This game was a neon out and students dressed in bright and flashy colors.

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Seniors Kendall Dunham, Liz Ferguson, Brigid McGraw, Stella Hermann, Katie Scolese, and Diya Mehta enjoy their time at the first football game against St. Albans School. Student turnout was great and the Cardinal Crazies brought their spirit! Annanbelle Dreher, the leader of the Cardinal Crazies, hypes up students at our red-out football game. The Cardinal Crazies is a school spirit club that’s goal is to increase student engagement at school events and games.

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Hurricane IDA Devastates Communities By Jack Grzebien

A rescue team responds to Hurricane Ida and helps a woman to safety. (From Catholiccharitiesusa.org, courtesy of Marco Bello, Reuters) Hurricane Ida, the first significant hurricane of the 2021 season, made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana on August 29th. This storm had winds seven miles per hour less than what is needed to make it a category 5 (157 MPH). The last Category 5 hurricane in the United States was Hurricane Michael which damaged the Florida Panhandle. Hurricane Ida was reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina which extremely devastated Louisiana. Ida, which developed in the Caribbean Sea, has taken 82 known lives in the southern states as of September 27, left over a million residents without power, and created damage to numerous homes, vehicles, and public spaces. There are still places in Louisiana that are without power, mainly the more remote Bayou communities. AccuWeather estimates the total damage to all from Ida is around $95 Billion. While the Hurricane greatly affected the Gulf Coast, it also affected more northern states such as New York and New Jersey. These states were hit with heavy winds and rainfall.

The New York City Subway system was flooded and put out of commission due to remnants of Ida pushing north. The flooding from the storm killed “at least 46 people in the region” according to CNN. Prior to the hurricane, FEMA had started to stockpile food and water for those affected in the southern states. According to WhiteHouse. gov President Biden during a press conference said, “FEMA pre-positioned more than 4.3 million meals and more than 3 million liters of water, and other critical resources in the region before it hit.” In the same press conference the President also mentioned that 250 generators were sent down for use after the hurricane hit. The Red Cross has sent its volunteers out to start the recovery efforts. The Red Cross released in a statement saying “the Red Cross has response vehicles circulating through accessible areas to provide meals, water and critical supplies such as comfort kits and cleaning items.”

Not only are they providing materials and shelter, but they are also providing mental health support and other health services to those affected. According to On The Water, a fishing magezine and website, fishing brands AFTCO and Marsh Wear started an online campaign to raise money for fishermen who were affected by the disaster in Louisiana. They raised $41,642 which was all donated to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund all of which was noted for helping Louisiana fishing guides. The rollout of the aid has been good but not great. Some have complained to the government that they applied for a $500 direct deposit for help and still have yet to receive any of it. The more physical needs with food and water have had better distribution because they are stored in facilities accessible to many. Hopefully these natural disasters lessen and that when they do come to the United States the country stays prepared for the safety of its citizens.

Lights, Camera, Cardinals!

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Dress lavishly for this years Hollywood themed Homecoming Spirit week! By Olivia Dicarlo and Cami Perez

Monday Met Gala Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Ensemble Cast Day

Movie Genre Day by Grade

Advisory Retreat

Friday Homecoming T-Shirt Day

Freshman:

SHIRTS CAN BE PURCHASED IN THE CAFETERAI DURING LUNCH!

Western

Sophomores: Comedies DRESS UP AS Juniors: YOUR Musicals DRESS UP AS FAVORITE A CAST OF A CELEBRITY WALKING DOWN MOVIE OR TV Seniors: WITH A GROUP THE OF FRIENDS Action/Adventure RED CARPET. This years Homecoming Spirit Week is Hollywood themed and will take place the week of October 18thOctober 22nd. On Monday students will be dressed up as if they are attending the Met Gala, wearing dresses, suits and other elaborate costumes. Tuesday of Spirit Week is ensemble cast day where students will dress up in group costumes such as Scooby Doo characters. Wednesday is the class theme day. Freshman will be in their jeans and cowboy hats for western theme. Sophomore students will be dressing up as comedy movies with characters such as Ricky Bobby or Happy Gilmore. The Juniors will be dressing up as musical characters like West Side Story. The Seniors have an action adventure theme where students have the opportunity to dress up as Star Wars characters or Indiana Jones. Thursday is advisory retreat day where students will dress up in group costumes as an advisory and will be judged on how good their advisory theme is and have the opportunity to win a prize. Friday is homecoming t-shirt day where students have the opportunity to wear the homecoming t-shirt they purchased.

DRESS UP AS WEAR YOUR THE THEME BISHOP IRETON YOUR ADVISORY HOMECOMING COMES UP WITH T-SHIRT

What Spirit Day are you looking forward to the most?

Kaitlyn Mann

Zoe Francone

“I am excited for Esemble Cast Day the most because my friends are planning to dress up as Alvin and the Chipmunks.”

“I look forward to comedy day the most because it is my favorite movie genre. I am also excited to see everyones funny costumes.”

Sophomore

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The Washington Football Team decades long name controversy comes to an end By Jane Elkins

Last year, the Washington Football team ditched its moniker “the Redskins” after Fedex, a major investor and corporate sponsor, called for a name change. The team has been in the nation’s capital since 1937 and controversy over the team’s relation to Native Americans was brought to public attention after Native American Leaders asked them to remove the lyrics “Scalp em” from their fight song in 1972. According to USA Today, 20 years later in 1992, a petition to change the team’s name was brought in the US Federal Court System where it remained unresolved for 17 years until it

was ultimately denied. In 2006, yet another petition was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office requesting that the legal patent protecting the name be rescinded. This, along with a few more years of mixed public criticism, prompted Daniel Synder, the owner of the franchise, in 2013 to state in an interview with USA Today that “We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.” Critics of the name change argue that the political correctness of the 2010’s was behind the controversy rather than an actual complaint from Native Americans but it is important to note that since the fight song lyric change there has never been a time where the name was widely accepted. In 2020, the team’s name was temporarily changed to

The Washington Football team until the franchise could agree on a permanent name. A year later, a name has still not been decided however it has been narrowed down to 8 options; the Red Hogs, Defenders, Armada, Presidents, Brigade, Commanders, Red Wolves, or staying as the Washington Football Team. “At first I didn’t like the name Washington Football Team,” senior Charlie Murphy, a devoted fan of the franchise, says. “But, it has now grown on me and I don’t really want it to be changed again.” Fans seem to share this sentiment as many do not have strong opinions over the new name selection. However, they all can agree that they would like to see a winning season over anything else.

Can Music Change Your Morals? By Jamie Kaiser Music can come with many different beats, many different sounds and from many different cultures and times. Music is healthy for the mind and soul but at what point is music not healthy for you? Can music change your actions and thoughts affecting your morals? This question is one that we don’t talk about enough especially for youth and teens who can understand the music. Well if you frequently listen to much of today’s popular music, you can understand that the songs’

lyrics relate to more vulgar and inappropriate themes oftentimes degrading women and promoting violence. We know that all these things are bad but are these songs making it seem ok for people to do these types of things too? People’s morals shouldn’t be changed just from music. But if people continue to fill their brains and thoughts with bad and harmful things your mind can change unexpectedly. A great quote to explain this from Lao Tzu is “Watch your

thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” The quote makes a lot of sense when it comes to this topic and explains how what you listen to and encourage can creep up on you. In conclusion, listening to music that is vulgar is not healthy for anyone, so next time you think about listening to that kind of music, remember the quote from Lao Tzu.

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Bishop Burbidge visits the Cardinals! By Jack Grzebien

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington visited Bishop Ireton on September 28. His day was filled with Mass, visiting classrooms, talking with students and more. This visit was the last visit on his schedule of all the high schools in the diocese this year. The Bishop’s visit started with an all school Mass that was attended in person by all first floor advisories while the rest were watching it virtually in their classrooms or meeting space. Bishop’s homily in the Mass focused around the idea of helping others talking about a person who’s “got a guy” when in reality God wants you to be the guy who helps out. He also touched on the stress that students face in school and how students need to step back and let God in. The Mass finished off with Salesian Leader Katie Scolese giving a Salesian reflection about Mother Teresa and her service and how we should be able to provide service in our own lives. Following the Mass the school gave the Bishop all black Crocs and Jibbitz, plastic shoe

charms that can be attached to crocs, designed specifically with BI lettering. The Bishop then gave a “Bishop’s Day Off” for the students and faculty. After Mass, he began going around the building popping into classrooms and interacting with students and teachers. The Bishop visited Ms. Duffy’s Catholic Social Taching Class and was able to speak with some of the students and the class. One student, Connor McNutt, who was in the class, said “the Bishop clearly has taken an interest in schools in the diocese and cares greatly about the students in the schools.” The Bishop spoke with this class about what they had been learning and answered any questions the students had for him. The Bishop was able to attend the daily decade with students and faculty members in the chapel before lunch. After attending the daily decade the Bishop had lunch with different student leaders and those involved in clubs such as Kennedy Clifton, President of the Minority Student Athlete Alliance. The Diocese of Arlington is

not the first diocese our Bishop has worked in. Before being sent here he was the Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh from 2006 to 2016. While he was there he helped start the process to build a new cathedral. While discerning his call to the priesthood Bishop Burbidge was influenced by those around him such as a teacher who thought that he might be called to the priesthood. Bishop Burbidge knew that he wanted to enter into a career of service first thinking about being a teacher and then the priesthood after that. While the Bishop was visiting Bishop Ireton he said that he “always feels really welcome at Ireton.” One of his favorite things to do while not in his official role is to visit with other priests in a social setting or attend sporting events of schools in the diocese. The Bishop’s visit is one of Bishop Ireton’s most special events of the year. From all school Mass to the Bishop visiting classrooms and chatting with small groups, the school community is happy to welcome the Bishop and be able to enjoy a day with him.

Thanks for reading!

BI Word - October 2021

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