BI Word - April 2026

Meet the Staff

Benjamin Smith Junior, Senior Columnist

Khaliq Carson Senior, Columnist

James Jennings Junior, Columnist

Boyd Junior, Senior Columnist

Abby Stump Junior, Senior Columnist

Sophia La Sophomo Column

Faith in Motion: Faith in Motion:

Eucharistic Procession Faith Motion: Eucharistic Procession

Eucharistic Procession

By:AngelaCiatti

OnApril21,BishopIretonhelditsfirsteverEucharistic Procession.TheentireschoolcommunitygatheredonFannon FieldforprayerandprocessedalongCambridgeRoadtowalk throughthestreetswithChrist.TheProcessionculminated outsideoftheChapelwhereweprayedandpraisedGod’s presenceamongus.HeadofSchool,

Ms.KathleenMcNutt,enthusiasticallysaidthatthiswasa highlightthatBishopIretonintendstomakeanannual tradition.ShesummeduptheProcessionbysaying,“Myhope isthateachstudent,staffmember,neighbor,policeofficerand passerbyfeltclosertoGodsimplybyHistremendous presenceinourmidst.Eventslikethesegetusallcloserto Heaven!”

FatherMoschettosharedthatbeforehestartedatBishop IretonhehadbeenthinkingaboutdoingaEucharistic Procession.Muchtohisdelight,whenfirstmeetingwithMrs. McNutt,shesharedherdesiretohaveone.Headded,“Atthat pointIknewitwassomethinginspiredbytheHolySpirit,and westartedworkonhowtomakeithappen.”AsFathercarried theMonstrance,whichheldtheconsecratedHostbeneatha canopy,surroundedbyaltarserversspreadingincenseand ringingbells,hehadoneoverarchingthought:“Iwasthinking aboutgratitude:gratitudeforthiscommunityandthefaith thatishere,gratitudeforabeautifuldaytohavethe procession(albeitabitwarm),andmostimportantlygratitude forChristintheEucharist.”

Towalkinfaithisoneofthemostpowerfulthingswecando andonthatday,withonebodyandonejourney,onecould feelGod’spresenceamongus.FatherMoschettoandMrs. McNuttareworkingonnextyear’sEucharisticProcession withanothergoal.Fatherhopeswecan“addtoitandhelp studentsengageinprayeronanevendeeperlevel.”

N e u ro d i v e r s i t y Aw a re n e s s

By: Liz Joyner

ThroughoutthemonthofApril,wecelebrateNeurodiversityAwarenessMonth.Itisatimeforustorecognize andspreadawarenessforthosewhohavelearningdisabilitiesandotherneurologicaldifferences Wecelebrate NeurodiversityinAprilbecauseWorldAutismDayiscelebratedonApril2.Duringthemonth,itisincredibly importanttorecognizethesedifferencesandthankthosewhosupportthemeveryday.NeurodiversityAwareness becameanofficialrecognitiondayin2008,and10yearslaterin2018,SienaCastellondevelopedNeurodiversity AwarenessWeek(CMD-IT) Theexpansionofawarenessforthosewithlearningdifferenceshasledtodifferent ways,notonlyaroundthecountry,butrighthereinourowncommunity,tosupportthosewhoneedit.Oneway tyofspecialservicepr Program.

Tommy

Schultz ‘26, and Peer Mentor Clover Kennelly ‘26

OnApril25,BestBuddies participatedintheFriendshipWalkin WashingtonD.C.Mr.AlbertHall, facultymoderatorforBestBuddies alsosharedthat“Quarterly,wehave madevisitstoAlternativePaths TrainingSchoolinMountVernonto playgamesandinteractwiththeir students WepartneredwiththeUno Clubtohaveapartythatseveral Optionsprogrammembersattended.”

Createdin2020,theOptionsProgramprovides“aspecialeducation programforstudentsdiagnosedwithmoderateintellectualdisabilities, providingstudentswithanindividualizedinclusive,student-centered Catholiceducation”(BishopIretonWebsite) Dr AgnieszkaSnyder, DirectorofSpecialServices,statedthattheOptionsProgram“serves studentswhoaremoresignificantlyimpactedbytheirdisabilitiesand requireindividualizedinstructiontoaccessthecurriculum.”Andwiththe helpofpeermentorsandteachers,BishopIretonprovidesstudentswiththe opportunitytolearninanenvironmentthatoffersastrongCatholic educationwhilealsoequippingthemwiththeskillsneededforfuture success.ThestudentsintheOptionsProgramareavaluablepartofthe BishopIretoncommunityandwhenaskedwhattheyhadtosayaboutwhat theirBishopIretonexperience,juniorEthanWeniersaidhistimeatBIhas been“life-changing”whileseniorKateDanaheradded“BishopIreton HighSchool-Iloveit!”Iknowallofthestudentsheresharethosesame sentiments.

“Who is your favorite teacher?”

AnotherwayBishopIretonofferssupportforthosewithlearningdifferencesisthroughthePeer Mentorprogram.AccordingtoDr.Snyder“ourpeermentorsplayavitalroleinsupportingthese students”sharingthatthey“[help]themnavigateboththeiracademicandsocialexperiences.”

AndastheOptionsProgramcontinuestogrow,sodoestheneedforpeermentors.Currently thereare60peermentorswhofinditafulfillingexperiencetogotoclasseswiththeirmentee. JuniorBrockBaumann,andseniorsLukeSparrowandMarcellaForrerallserveaspeermentors forourOptionsProgram.Theyallsaythatbeingapeermentorhasbeenameaningful experience.

(counter-clockwise, L-R)

Peter Hart, ‘29, Will Santos, ‘27, and Ethan Wenier, ‘27

Kate Danaher ‘26 with peer mentors

LukeSparrow,oneofthePeerLeaders,wasrecognizedatthePorto CharitiesAdvocacyAwardsGalaforhisoutstandingworkasapeer mentorhereatBI,andreceivedtheSt.TimothyAward,whichis giventoonestudentateachofthefourDiocesanschools.It recognizestheirdedicationtonotonlyourcommunityandservice, butalsoshowstheirpassionforenrichingtheirknowledge,andthe knowledgeofothersaroundthem.Inresponsetoreceivingthis award,Lukestatedthathewas“honoredandbeyondblessedtobe abletoreceivethisawardfromPortoCharities”sayingthat“being amongthefourgiventhisawardmeanssomuchtomeandthe workthatIhavedoneintheOptionsProgramoverthesepastyears. IamtrulythankfultoeverybodyintheOptionsProgram,without theirhelpIwouldnotbewhoIamtoday.”BishopIretonisso gratefulfornotonlyLuke’swork,buttheworkofallthepeer mentors,andwearefortunatetobeinsuchalovingcommunity withallstudentswhobringjoyandmeaningtoeachday.

Month of the Military Child at Bishop Ireton

By:NatalieDrey

April is the Month of the Military Child. There are over two million people serving in the United StatesArmed Forces throughout the six branches: theArmy, Navy,Air Force, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, and the Space Force, with additional members serving as part of the National Guard.And with the millions of adults serving, there are just as many millions of children supporting their parents.

First celebrated by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy and created by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in 1986,April celebrates the strength and resilience of military children.

Growing up as military kids, there are significant challenges and sacrifices that have to be made, whether it be parent deployments, long days without seeing their parents, or moving around both the country and the world. Some have to cope with familial losses while others adjust to life when their parents return disabled or struggling with mental health.

Almost every military child has moved in his or her life either to another house, another state, or another country. Wherever they end up, they have to adjust to a new lifestyle, new friends, a new house, and new systems and rules. Some live on military bases while others learn to live in new neighborhoods and cities.

There are approximately 1.6 million military children, or “brats” as they are sometimes referred, and a number of them call Bishop Ireton their home.

“Iamsoproudofmydadforserving.IamluckytosayIhave himasarolemodelinmylifewhovolunteeredtobepartof somethingbiggerthanhimselfinordertoserveandprotectour countryandfreedom.Hehasinspiredmesomuchtothepoint whereInowamconsideringthemilitaryaswell.”

EvieLudvigson‘27:Army

“BeingaMilitarychildhasaffectedmeinseveralways.First,Ibelieveithas givenmetheabilitytoseparateandtrynewthingswithoutworryingabout friendgroups.Second,Ithinkithasgivenmethechancetoseealldifferent peoplefromalldifferentwalksoflife.Thirdandfinally,Ibelieveithas changedwhatIwouldhavelearned,ifIwouldhavestayedinoneplace.”

JohnGiesey‘29:Army

“Everytwoyears,Ihadtoleaveonelifeand completelystartover,wonderinghowmuchthings weregoingtochange.Whilethelifeofamilitary kidisn'taneasyone,Iwouldn'tchangeitforthe world!IlovethatIhavemetsomanypeopleinmy lifeandexperiencedsomanythingsthathave shapedmeasthepersonIamtoday.”

RoseStack‘27:AirForce

“Constantlymoving and'startingfresh,'as mydadsays,madeit easierformetoadapt tonewenvironments andchange.It'smade buildingconnections andnavigating through uncomfortable environments extremelysimple.”

SophiaLarose‘28: AirForce

“Mydad’stimeinthemilitary washardformeandmysister whenwewereyounger,butasI gotolderIlearnedhowmuchhe lovedourcountryandI’msuper proudofallhedidforthe military.”

NickMilewski‘26:Navy

NatalieDrey‘27:Navy

Love in Action: 2026 Service Day

By:EdenBoyd

Springhasfinallysprung!Thistimeofyear, BishopIretonisfullofhustleandbustle-with finalsandAPexamsnear,graduationquickly approaching,andtemperaturesheatingup,theBI communityislivelyandalwaysinmotion Anothernewertraditionoccurringduringthe springisourannualServiceDay.Onthisday, studentsintheirrespectiveadvisorygroupsleave campus,spreadoutovertheAlexandriaareaand completeactsofcommunityservice

WhenAssistantPrincipalofStudentLifeMr.Tim Doddswasaskedaboutwhatthecommunitywantedto accomplishonthisday,heansweredthatthecentral goalisto“livebyourSalesianvaluesandcharismsas wewalkintheworldasCardinals.It'snotsimplyto participateinobvious,concretetasksthatupliftour communitythatareeasilyidentifiable”Thisyear,46 advisoriesparticipatedinServiceDay.

Inreferencetothewidearrayofprojectsour studentbodyconductseachyear,Mr.Dodds alsosaid“whilethoseactionsinsmalldoses maynotseemmeaningfulordrastic,theyarea partofsomethingabsolutelyprofoundwhen augmentedbynearly1,000.”

HerearesomephotosofourCardinalteamout inthewildandmorecanbefoundontheback cover!

FLYING FROM THE NEST: FLYING FROM THE NEST:

FLYING FROM THE NEST:

CARDINALS TAKE LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CARDINALS TAKE LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

CARDINALS LEARNING OUTSIDE OF CLASSROOM

By: Angela Ciatti

The same week Cardinals returned from spring break, many were leaving the nest to experience the world outside of the classroom. Here are some of the highlights from these trips!

Military Science & WWII Classes Visit Military Science & WWII Classes Visit

USAF Air Mobility Command Museum

USAF Air Mobility Command Museum

Mr. Michael Rauer’s Intro to the Art of Military Science Class as well as the World War II class had a very unique experience going to the USAF Air Mobility Command Museum at the Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware. Mr. Rauer explains the events of the day: “during a nearly three-hour visit, the students were able to climb in an 83-year-old C-47 Sky Train that actually dropped Additionally, the students were able to tour a B-17 Flying Fortress and study the details from both inside and outside the aircraft. Students were able to fly a Cessna 174 flight simulator on the final approach to Dover AFB (No one crashed!). Outside on the tarmac the students were able to tour inside a number of vintage aircraft and explore the enormity of the C-5A Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the US Air Force inventory.” It was a very cool experience to learn about Military aircraft and its role in WWII.

members of the 82nd Airborne Division over Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Students and Faculty Go to the Virginia March for Life

On April 22, 2026, 31 students attended the annual Virginia March for Life in Richmond It was a beautiful day as the students and three members of the faculty, Fr. Moschetto, Ms. Caroline Duffy and Mr. Micheal Rauer, witnessed to protecting life at all stages. While in Richmond, Cardinals also met with Bishop Burbidge at the end of the route. It was a wonderful experience for Cardinals to stand up for what they believe in with fellow Virginians who believe in the same thingprotecting life at all stages and knowing the goodness and dignity that comes at each one of them.

Computer Science Honor Society Visits Georgetown University

The Computer Science Honor Society (CSHS) visited Georgetown University to learn more about computer science outside of the classroom lessons. There, students had the opportunity to hear from Dr Lisa Singh, director of the Massive Data Institute and Professor Jeremy Fineman who taught a lesson in parallel algorithms. Students also got any questions answered by Computer Science Students and Professor Buffum. They toured the campus and walked through the iconic clock tower building, Healy Hall. It was a great experience to learn about computer science while on the historic campus of Georgetown

Mandarin Classes Visit the China Folk House

Ms. Lisa Li’s Mandarin Class also went out of state to West Virginia to visit the China Folk House. There, “students were given a feel for cultural diversity in China” and “during the visit, the students explored traditional Chinese folk house architecture, learned about religious life in that region, and gained hands-on skills in creating linocut artwork beyond the Chinese language learning outside the classroom,” explains Mrs Li Not only did the students learn about Chinese culture and diversity, but they also were able to explore the architecture of the house, which, as Mrs. Li recalls, was “originally constructed in the Yunnan province, southwest of China, a rural area called Cizhong, as a regular residence. Due to flooding and the government's project launching in the area, the house was torn down. The original wood materials were shipped to here, West Virginia, and were used to rebuild as the China Folk House.” Not only was this a trip about culture, but also about history and rebirth as the house that the class got to visit was originally in China.

These field trips provided once in a lifetime experiences for our Cardinals to learn about their interests in the real world and step outside of the classroom and see what they have learned in the classroom in action!

National Poetry Month

By:AbbyStump

NationalPoetryMonth,celebratedeveryApril,isatimetorecognizethe powerandcreativityofpoetryinoureverydaylives.Schoolsandlibraries oftentakethisopportunitytohighlighttheimportanceofliteratureand encouragestudentstoexploredifferentformsofexpression.

AsAssistantLibrarianMs.AnastasiaVestermarkshared,“IthinkIcan speakformostlibrariansbysayingthatwelovetocelebrateliteratureand bookrelatedholidays!PoetryMonthisespeciallyfuntocelebrate becausewegettheopportunityinthelibrarytoshowcasesuchabeautiful andcreativesideofliterature;andhopefullyinspirestudentstolearn aboutpoetryandtobecreativeintheirwriting.”Activitieslikedisplays, readings,andwritingchallengeshelpbringpoetrytolifeandmakeit moreaccessibletoeveryone.

BishopIretonorganizedafunandinteractiveeventtoget studentsinvolved.“WehaveadisplayofEnglishteachers' favoritepoems,andweareaskingtheschooltotryand matcheachteachertothepoemtheyselected.Attheendof themonth,wewillrevealthematches!Also,checkoutour Instagrampage@iretonlibraryforPoetryMonthrelated content!”Thesekindsofactivitiesnotonlymakepoetry moreengaging,butalsohelpstudentsconnectwiththeir teachersandpeersthroughsharedinterests.NationalPoetry Monthremindspeoplethatpoetrycomesinmanyforms,as theschoolLibrarianMs.CourtneyFosterexplained “NationalPoetryMonthisanopportunitytosharethebeauty anddiversityofthisformofliterature.Therearesomany differenttypesofpoetrytobeenjoyed:fromformaltofree verse,rhymedtounrhymed,serioustoridiculous.Ifyou thinkyoudon'tcareforpoetry,chancesareyoujusthaven't foundtheformthatspeakstoyouyet!”

Ourteachersalsoseethismonthasachancetoinspire theirstudents.Ms.RosieDriscoll,oneoftheEnglish instructorsandapublishedpoet,sharesthat“Forme NationalPoetryMonthisafuntimetointentionallyshare thewonderofpoetrywithmystudents.”Ms.Driscoll added,“IwouldloveforeachpersonatBItodiscoverat leastonenewpoemthismonth.Youcouldaskfamily members,friends,teachers,orco-workerswhattheir favoritepoemis;checkoutthelibrary'sdisplayofBI Englishteachers'favoritepoems;orsearchonlinefor poemsbytopicatsitessuchasThePoetryFoundationor TheAcademyofAmericanPoets,whichcreatedNational PoetryMonth30yearsago.”Markyourcalendarsfor April30whenMrs.Driscollsays“[Theyhave]oneof theirfunmini-celebrations,PoeminYourPocketDay, whichinvitespeopletopickapoemyouloveandshareit withsomeoneinsomeway.”Altogether,NationalPoetry Monthencourageseveryonetoexplore,enjoy,andshare poetryinmeaningfulways.

Favorite Poems!

‘RING’ING IN

By:MadisonIngram

It’sspringtime,andthisseason,we’respringingintoprom!The themeforthisyearwas“SecretGarden”andtheCardinals lookeddi“vine!Thenightwasfullofsinginganddancingwith ourveryownTrackandFieldCoachDJBobArtmanonthe beats TheCardinalsalsocelebratedseniorsGrantMcNamee andMaggieLuffforbeingthisyear’sPromKingandQueen! Thankyoutoallofthefacultyandstaff,includingthe AlexandriaCityPoliceDepartment,forkeepingeveryonesafe aswecelebratedtheoccasion Anotherbigthankyoutoour StudentLifestaffforputtingtogetherthisamazingevent!

Some members of the junior class had a special moment during Bishop Ireton’s Ring Mass onApril 20. There were 17 juniors who received rings that were blessed by Father Moschetto. Their parents came to support them and the auditorium was full of Cardinal pride. The students received their rings on stage, taking a photo with our Head of School, Ms. Kathleen McNutt.

By:JoeSubasavage

Thisyear,BishopIretonstarteditsfirstgirl’sgolfteam.TheteamwascreatedaftertheWCAC decidedtoseparateboys’andgirls’golf.AccordingtoHeadCoachMr.JamesEaton,Headof SchoolMs.KathleenMcNutt,wasabigadvocateforanall-girlsteamatthisschoolandthosein theconference.CoachEatonwasconcernedaboutfindingplayers,buthehappilyreportedthat thereareninegolfersonthisfirsteverBishopIretonGirl’sGolfTeam.CaptainsMaeve McGuire‘28andKensiSylvia‘26leadtheteamthatincludes:MiahMalur‘29,SofiaKeefer‘29, EmilyTorrey‘29,EmilyJacobs‘29,FinnKunik‘28,NoraWieczorek‘28, andAlyssaPodoff‘27.

MaeveMcGuiresaid,“I'veneverhadmorefunonthegolfteam,andit'sallbecauseofmy amazingteammates.Allofourgirlsaresosupportiveandgenuinelyfuntobearound.I'm excitedforwhatgreatthingswewilldonextyear.”SofiaKeelerechoedthatsentimentbysaying, “Iwassurprisedtohearthattherewasgoingtobeagirlsgolfteam!Itissocooltohavethefirst evergolfteamhereatBishopIreton.Ihavelovedthecoachesandmyteammateseversincetryouts.ThisgolfteamhasbeenthehighlightofmyyearandItrulyfoundafamilyhereatBI.”

TheteamplaysintheWCACwithsevenotherschools.Theyusethesamecoursesastheboy’s teamandplaypracticeroundsandmatchesatMountVernonCountryClubwhileusingthe rangeatEastPotomacGolfLinks.CoachEatonbelievesinhisteamandworkedhardtogive themthesameopportunitiesastheboy’steam.“Mygoalisforeverygolfertohavethesame opportunitytopractice4daysaweek.Ithasbeenchallengingbutwehavemadeitworkwitha lotofhelpfromtheathleticdepartment.” Thereisnodoubtthisteamisdriventosucceed.WiththesupportofeveryoneatBishopIreton, thegirl’sgolfteamisreadytoteeupalegacy.AndwithCoachEatonatthehelm,theyarewell ontheirway.“Iamabigadvocateformoregirlsingolf.Itcanbeastuffysportandonethatcan beintimidatingforsome.Sohavingtheavenueforgirlstoplayagainstothergirlsissoawesome.

IhaveadaughteratBI,butitfeelslikeIhave9more.”

ThegirlsarewaitingtoseeiftheywillmakeittotheWCACChamptionship.Goodluckandhit ‘emstraight!

Signing on the Dotted Line

By:AngelaCiatti

CongratulationstoourBishopIretonCardinalswhosigned theirlettersofintenttoplaycollegiatesports!Allten athletesareexcitedtoplayatthenextlevel.Butdon’t forget,“OnceaCard,alwaysaCard!”

DominicAtwater-Football-CatholicUniversityof America

MaxwellBoudreau-Rowing-RollinsCollege

JudeCook-Lacrosse-UniversityofMaryWashington

PeterDiBella-Rowing-UniversityofSanDiego

CooperDonaghy-Lacrosse-UniversityofMary Washington

JackLungren-Football-ChristopherNewportUniversity

EthanStrange-Lacrosse-VirginiaState FionaSullivan-Rowing-UniversityofWashington

JamesWalker-Rowing-RollinsCollege

EmmaZielezienski-Soccer-NorwichUniversity

THEDAILYBREAD BREAKFASTGROUP

ACELEBRATIONOFTHEARTS A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

BY: BEN SMITH

TheEveningofTheArtsisanannualcelebrationwherestudentsoftheFineArts departmentcansharetheirachievementsintheater,music,visualart,dance,and poetry.Thisyear,attendeescanlookforwardtoalargearrayofdisplaysand performancesincluding,butnotlimitedtolivemusicalnumbers,dance performances,andshorttheatricalperformances.Newthisyear,theeventwill includepoetryreadings.Theadditiontopoetrythisyearisexcitingformany peopleintheBIcommunity.Ms.RosieDriscoll,oneofourEnglishteachers, sharesherenthusiasm:“I’mexcitedtoworkwithstudentperformerstoadd poetryreadingtotheevening’sprogram!”ThiseventishighlyinclusiveofallBI artists.

Earlier this spring, four baby chicks arrived to Cambridge Road. Sadly, they have left the nest to continue their adventures, but incase you did not see them, see the picture to the left and their names below(in order of L-R)!

Thomas Eggison

Steve Harreggton

Kenchick Lamar Pickles

We can’t wait for another flock next year!