BI Word - March 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

Bishop Burbidge on cambridge road

By: Liz joyner

Bishop Burbidge made his annual spring trip to Cambridge Road to visit the Bishop Ireton Cardinals. The Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington visited with students and faculty in and out of classrooms. He enjoyed Theology teacher Mr. Joseph Jacobeen’s Apologetics class and learned about Mr. Garrett Fabacher’s AP Art History class’ field trip to New York City to put art into action by visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He even made a surprise appearance in Ms. Beth Royle’s Broadcasting class! Mrs. Royle said it was a “delight” to spend that time with the Bishop. He shared how important the role of communication is because it is a chance to spread the word of the Lord with others Bishop Burbidge enjoys hosting his Podcast, “Walk Humbly,” because he is able to “offer the Catholic perspective on the most recent events taking place in the world ” He shared a timely anecdote with the class, too In one of his short radio segments, he referred to the March Madness basketball tournament as “ one and done” meaning you lose and you are out But, he emphasized that “with God, we are never done He is always with us ” The fact that Bishop Burbidge spends such meaningful time with the students and leaves them with of the many reasons everyone looks forward to his

Bishop Burbidge was also able to meet with the seniors from our spring musical Hello, Dolly! Mirabelle Brantley, Co-Props-Masters, shared that she “really enjoyed the Bishop Burbidge visit” and how the theater department “talked with him about everything to do with the show” which included an “impromptu singing [of] “Put on Your Sunday Clothes!” Mirabelle even said that “BI is the only diocesan school to ‘make him a cardinal’ as a result of a gift given to him by the Director of Theater Arts, Ms. Katie Rice, which consisted of some BI swag! The Bishop remarked that “he always loves the shows at Bishop Ireton” and gave the cast a blessing prior to opening night.

One of the highlights of his day was visiting the students in the options program. Junior Sage Duskie-Billen and her peer mentor, junior Elizabeth Bresett, shared the fact that Sage was making her debut in Hello, Dolly! Sage was one of the policewomen and she loved being able to tell Bishop Burbidge about her role

It’s always a good day to be a Cardinal and on this day, it was a great day to be visited by the Bishop Ms Jennifer Grubb, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, says it best: “It is always a joy to welcome Bishop Burbidge to Bishop Ireton, especially in the spring when he can see the school and spend time with the seniors His visit means so much to our students and whole community ”

MOVINGFORWARD

FORWARD

By: Sophia Larose

MarchisWomen’sHistoryMonthwherewomenarecelebratedfortheimportant roletheyplayedinAmericanhistory.Itisatimewherewomenlookbackonthe pastwhilemovingintothefuturebyhonoringthosewhocamebeforethemand empoweringthosewhowillcomeafterthem Women,likeSusanB Anthonyand SallyRide,whofoughtforwomen’srightsandgenderequality,deservetobe honored.Itisatimewhenwereflectonwhatmanybeforeushaveachievedwhile lookingtothosewhowillkeeplightingtheway.

AtBishopIreton,thelightisshiningbright.FromHeadofSchool,Ms.Kathleen McNutt,toMs.LoriWhitley,theAssistantDeanofStudents,toMs.CaraGuzik,the FacilitiesServicesManager,tocountlessothers,thefemaleCardinalsinchargearethe embodimentofIreton’smotto:AdvanceAlways.

Ms.KathleenMcNutt

HeadofSchool

Ms.LoriWhitley

AssistantDeanofStudents

Ms.CaraGuzik

FacilitiesServicesManager

Every successful woman has her own personal journey and experiences that shape her as a person and other aspects of her life and Mrs. McNutt is no different. She attributes a lot of her success to hard work, dedication, and the passion of her mentors She points to her own mother as her biggest inspiration, especially when it comes to advocating for what’s right. “She was not shy in speaking her mind,” says McNutt and that is an important lesson for women to learn so their voices are heard. Her strong faith also shaped her into the person and leader she is today Mrs McNutt shares her spiritual connection to her work: “I see my work in education - in particular Catholic education - as my vocation.” This kept her motivated through tough times as she looked inward and upward: “There is great motivation to be doing what God is calling me to do.”

Maintaining a strong connection to those around you is essential to leadership. Mrs. McNutt believes that “remaining connected to those people that you are serving” is the best advice she can give to the younger generation. She hopes they see that in order to become the best version of yourself, you must learn from others as she has done with personal role models such as her mom, and spiritual guides like Mother Teresea. Mrs. McNutt looks to Mother Teresa for inspiration because she was an exceptional woman and “she was this amazing communicator - she respectfully but firmly shared the message we must take care of everyone;” an ideology McNutt brings to her role as the Head of School, as a wife, a mother, a daughter and a sister

Mrs. McNutt’s journey from student to teacher to Principal to the Head of School at Bishop Ireton is a great example of how hard work and perseverance are keys to one’s success. Being a woman is not a disadvantage. Being a woman with high visibility is the chance to serve, learn, grow, and lift others up. Mrs. McNutt touches on her experiences as a woman climbing the corporate ladder. She emphasizes maintaining a work-life balance. When asked about her biggest challenge she answered: “My biggest challenge was taking care of my family, and keeping up in my own world - which was the world of education.” It is a balance many women juggle, but Mrs. McNutt believes she rose to the challenge and works at it every day.

On the Path to Easter: How We Can Prepare

By:Angela Ciatti

Cardinals,wearemorethanhalfwaydonewithLent.How’sitgoing?MaybeyourLentenplanshavegone exactlythewayyouwantedthemto,ormaybeyouneedabitofredirectionandrecommitment.Donotworryif youarepartofthelattercategory-thereisstilltimetoprepareyourheartforJesus’ResurrectionatEaster!As wejourneycloserandclosertoEaster,wealsogetclosertotheweekleadinguptoHisResurrection:HolyWeek. ThenormsofLentandHolyWeekcangetabitconfusingsometimes,so,ifyouarefeelinglost,readontoknow howtobestobservethisweekandbereadytocelebrateHisPassionandResurrection.

PalmSunday,whichfallsonMarch29thisyear,commemoratesJesus’joyousentryintoJerusalemforthefeast ofPassover.AtMassonthisday,thereadingsareaboutJesus’PassionandCatholicsholdblessedpalmbranches symbolizingthewelcomingcrowdthatlaidthesebranchesatHisfeetasHeenteredonadonkeyintoJerusalem.

Justfourdayslater,theChurchcelebratesHolyThursday.OnthenightbeforeJesuswastosufferanddie,He celebratedHislastmealwithhisclosestdisciples.HewashedtheirfeetandgaveusHisBodyandBloodthrough theEucharist;notasasymbol,buttoprovethatHetrulywantstoliveinourheartsevenafterHeisgone.

OnGoodFriday,werememberJesus’passionanddeath.ItmightseemironicthatthedaythattheSaviorofthe Worldsufferedanddiediscalled“good,”butthisisbecauseonthisday,“Hewaswoundedforour transgressions,Hewasbruisedforouriniquities;uponHimwasthechastisementthatmadeuswhole,andwith Hisstripeswearehealed”(Isaiah53:5).OnGoodFriday,throughthesuffering,torment,andpainthatourLord hadtoendure,HeopenedthegatesofHeavenforussothatoneday,wecanbewithHimforeternity.Many parishesholdGoodFridayServicesandStationsoftheCross,especiallyduringthetimeof12p.m.and3p.m., thehoursJesuswasnailedtothecross.

BeforethejoyousseasonofEaster,thereisonemoredayofwaitingandsacrifice-HolySaturday.Thislastday ofLentisspentpreparingforEasterandtheResurrectionofChrist.

AswegrownearertoHolyWeekandthecelebrationofoneoftheholiestdaysinthechurchyear,letusconsider whatwecandotoenterintoJesus’passionwithHimandbereadytowelcomeHimintoourheartsatEaster.

MostAskedQuestionaboutLent:What’sthedealwithmeatonFridays?

InrecognitionofFridayasthedayofthecrucifixion,canonlawcallsforabstinencefromeatingmeatonallFridaysoftheyear (seeCanon1251) ThebishopsoftheUnitedStateshavedeterminedthatoutsideoftheFridaysofLent,Catholicsmaychooseto substituteanotherpenancethatisparticularlymeaningfultothem,althoughtheycontinuetorecommendabstinenceonall

FridaysforCatholics

AbstinencefrommeatisrequiredforallCatholicsagefourteenandolderandhasnoupperagelimit

SinceJesussacrificedhisfleshforusonGoodFriday,werefrainfromeatingfleshmeatinhishonoronFridays

Man on the Street: What Cardinals are Doing to Prepare for Easter

BernadettePhan,‘27

“ForLent,I’mdoingmorechores formyparentssotheyhavelessto doaroundthehouseandI’m prayingmoreandjournalingmore.”

ReaganKaleta,‘26

“IdeletedInstagramfor Lent.”

JamesHess,‘29

“Ihavebeenwakingup30minutes earlierthannormalanddoinga devotionandprayingtostarttheday.”

ZachMoeller,‘28

“IgaveupInstagramfor Lent.”

BeckettEngelhardt,‘26

“ForthisLentLukeSparrow andIbothgaveupprocessed sugars.”

RyanFannon,‘27

“IgaveupIceCream.”

Celebrating Culture at at

By:MadisonIngram

Celebratingdifferentculturesisimportantbecauseithelpsshowotherssomethingtheymayknownothing about.AndtheBishopIretonCulturalFairdoesjustthat!HereatBI,weshowdiversityallaround campus,butespeciallyonthisday!ThiscelebrationofculturesismadepossiblebyourDirectorof Diversity,Ms.GabrielleBaniqued,whoexplainedthattheculturalfairis“anannualschool-wideevent wherestudentscansharethegiftoftheirculturalheritagewiththeirschoolcommunity.”Sheexpressedthe importanceofhavingthistimeimplementedinourschoolbecause“studentsaretheoneswhoaskedforit! TheexistenceoftheCulturalFairwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutstudentsaskingforit,andthe continuationoftheeventdependsonstudentsparticipatinginit,whetherbyrunningorvisitingthe booths.”Ms.Baniquedhopesthisyear’sfairhasadominoeffectand“thatstudentswhodon'tseetheir culturerepresentedareinspiredtohostaboothnextyear!”Ifyou’refeelingupforit,makeaboothand represent!Ihadtheprivilegeofinterviewingavarietyofboothhostsandassistants,whotoldmeabout theircultureandwhyitissoimportanttothem.

“SoI'mfromBangladesh,andI'm representingBengaliculture.There's somanythingstochoosefrom.It'sso hardtojustsayone,butIwould havetosayourmusic,ourfood.”

-ElijahAmond‘27

“I’mVietnamese.Ifeellikeit’sjust goodtobeawareofothercultures andyouknow,trynewthings!”

-BernadettePhan‘27

“I’mrepresentingItaly.Myfavorite partaboutmycultureismyfamily andthepeopleingeneral.They'reso happyandfunandloud,veryloud, likemeandthefoodisdelicious!”

-IsabellaLascialfare‘27

“OurcultureisAfrican/Caribbean American.We’vegonethroughalot ofstruggle,butwe’rebondedbylove andGod.There’sbeensomuch divisionintheCaribbean,butnow wecanbeunited!”-McKinleigh Rountree‘27,AlaniHenning‘27

“MycountryisTanzania.Themain takeawayofmycultureishowit bringsfamiliestogetherandhow differenttribesunitetogether.”

-NoreenNjau‘27

“MycultureisFilipinoculture.We lovetomakefood,andeat.Welove tosing!Weareamazingandwelove Jesus!”

-Mr.MarkPatubo,ScienceTeacher

Irish American Heritage Month

By:AbbyStump

IrishAmericanHeritageMonthis celebratedinMarchandhonorsthe history,culture,andcontributionsof IrishimmigrantsintheUnitedStates.It isatimetolearnabouthowmanyIrish peoplecametoAmerica,especially duringthe1800s,andhowtheyworked hardtobuildnewlivesdespitefacing discriminationandpoverty.Irish Americanshavehadabigimpacton Americansociety,includinginpolitics, labormovements,andculture.At BishopIreton,thestudentsparticipated intheannualCulturalFairwhereIreland wasproudlyrepresentedbytheIrish AmericanClub.Thestudentssharedthat learningaboutIrishcultureisimportant becauseithelpsothersunderstandthe challengesimmigrantsfacedandhow differentcultureshaveshapedthe country.Overall,IrishAmerican HeritageMonthremindsustoappreciate diversityandrecognizetheroleIrish AmericanshaveplayedinU.S.history.

“Ilovebeingabletosharethecultureof IrelandandconnectwithothersofIrish heritage.”

-AdelieLupo,‘26

“Iwishthereweremoresheepandopen fieldsandcastles(inAmerica).Iwould alsoloveitifthereweremoreIrish fashionlikekilts.”

-PierceAldridge,‘26

“IlovecornedbeefonSt.Patty’s day St Patrick’sdayhasalways beenfun.”

-Mrs.VictoriaEichler,FineArts Teacher

Hello, Dolly! - A match made in Heaven!

Interview with Technical Director Ms. Arianna Tilley

By:NatalieDreywithcontributionsbySilasDevonish

OnMarch20,2026,BishopIretonpremiereditsspringmusical Hello, Dolly!,createdandperformed bythetalentedBishopIretonTheatreArtsDepartment(BITA)students Itwasapackedhouseforits performanceswithlinesgoingoutthedooronsomedays! Foranyoneinterestedinthisgrandmusical,our BI Word staffreporterSilasDevonishreachedoutto Ms.AriannaTilley,theTechnicalDirectorof Hello, Dolly!, withsomequestions.

Ms.Tilleyandallthestudentsinvolvedinthe productionof Hello, Dolly! wanttoemphasizethe hardwork,time,dedication,andeffortputintothis musicalandwishforallstudentstobringtheirfamily andfriendstoseethismarvelousproduction.

Doyoulikedoingplaysor musicalsbetter?

Howlongisitgoingtolast?

“OurProductionof Hello, Dolly! runs about2hoursand30minutes, includinga15-minuteintermission However,donotbealarmedbythe amountoftimeyouareinthetheater. Hello, Dolly! isfast-pacedandfullof high-energydancenumbers,funsongs, andlaughter”

Whatis Hello, Dolly! about?

“Hello, Dolly! isacomedythatcentersonatrue“jackofall trades,”DollyGallagherLevi.Dollyisacharmingmatchmaker whoalwaysseemstoknoweveryone’sbusiness-andhowtofix anysituationintotheirfavor

Whenbusinesstycoonandmoney-obsessedmillionaireHorace VandergelderhiresDollytofindhimawife,Dollysecretly decideshisperfectmatchmightactuallybe herself Meanwhile,Horace’snieceisina“RomeoandJuliet”style romance(withoutthedeath!),andHorace’semployeessneakoff toNewYorkCityforadventureandaccidentallyfallinlove. Therearetwistsandturnsforeveryrelationshipinthisshow. ButthroughallthechaosandDolly’smischievousplans,the showshowcasesthepowerofloveandhowlifeisbrighterand betterwhenyouhavesomeonetoshareitwith” “Honestly,itdependsontheshow.Iloveworking onshowsthatlendthemselvestoalotofcreativity, bothonstageandoffstage.ThisBITAseasonhas beenjustthat!Everyteaminourdepartment(Cast, Crew,Costumes,ScenicArt,Props,Dramaturgy, Marketing&Publicity,etc.)hasbeenabletodesign andcreateextraordinarythings.Watchingthem succeedintheirendeavorsisthetruegiftofbeing TechDirector,nomattertheshow.”

End of Winter Season Basketball highlights

By:JoeSubasavage

TheIretonCardinalsfinishedthewinterseasonstrong.Congratulationstothe girl’sbasketballteamforwinningtheVISAAstatechampionship!Athree-peat fortherecordbooks!AndCoachKeshaWaltonwasnamedtheVISAACoachof theYear.Sheishonoredfortherecognitionandgivesfullcredittoherteamand coaches.InaninterviewwiththeAlexandriaTimes,CoachKeshaexplainedher thoughtsabouttheseason:“Ihadtoconvincethemtotrusttheprocess.Webuilt fromthebottomup.Ittookawhilebuteachplayerlearnedhowtobeagood teammate.”

Theboy’sbasketballteamhadthemostwinningseasoninschoolhistoryfinishing withastrong19-12recordwhichisthebestrecord(mostwinsinaseason)in schoolhistory.SeniorSilasDevonishmadeIretonhistorybybecomingthealltimemaleleadingscorerfortheCardinals.HecreditsGodandhisfamily.“When Ifirstgotthemessage,itdidn'treallykickin.But,ittooksomeself-reflection, andIfeelgoodaboutmyselfbecausetheaccomplishmentsyoucanseeisproofof puttingintheworkeversinceIwasalittlekiduntilnowsoIamprettyhappy aboutmyself."HehasbeennamedtothefirstteamVISAAandsecondteamfor theWCAC.

Aftertheexcitingendingonthebasketballcourt,springsportsareinfull-swing. Goodlucktoeveryoneplaying!

IS YOUR MARCH MADNESS BRACKET BUSTED? SO IS EVERYONE ELSE’S!

By:KhaliqCarson

Cardinals' March Madness Picks 2026

Howard University ofArizona

Texas Tech UNC Duke

UVA Florida Georgia

Michigan Houston UConn

Arkansas Villanova

Alabama High Point

Purdue Hofstra Vanderbilt

MarchMadnessisalwaysexcitingtowatchsimply becauseyouneverknowwhatisgoingtohappen.The tournamentisnotoriousforhavingallkindsofupsets andtwistsweneverexpected.ThisyearMarch Madnesshastrulyliveduptoitsname,bringing shockingupsetsandunexpectedoutcomesthathave ruinedbracketsacrossthecountry Accordingtothe AssociatedPress(AP),“therearezeroperfectNCAA Tournamentbracketsleftamongthemillionsthat enteredinESPN'sbracketchallenge.”Theoddsof creatingaperfectbracketisnearlyimpossible,ranging from1in9.2quintillionforrandomguessestoabout1 in120billioneven withsomeactualbasketball knowledge.Sonoworries,ifyourbracketisalready busted.You'redefinitelynotaloneandthere'salways nextyear!

HereatBI,theCardinalshavebeentunedinand lockedintofollowingthemadnessclosely.Andsome oftheirpredictionsshowsomeclearfavorites.Duke, UniversityofArizonaandHoustonarefanfavorites withMichiganandArkansasreceivingalittlebitof loveandhome-townUVAgettingsomelooks.Other powerhouseteamslikeFlorida,UConn,andUNChad ahandfulofvotes,showingabitofdiversityamong thestudentbodyandstaff.

Ofcourse,noteverypickhasworkedout.Imean,even Mrs.Royle’schoiceofFloridahasalreadybeenbusted outoftherunning.Butthat'sjustpartofwhatmakes thistournamentsoexciting;anythingcanandwill happen,andnoone'sbracketissafe.Asthetournament continues,Cardinalswillbewatchingcloselytoseeif theirtoppicksstillintherunningcansurvivethe madnessandcomeoutontop.

By:EdenBoyd

TheBishopIretonModelUNteamrecentlycompetedatthe VirginiaTechConferenceinBlacksburgandcamebackwitha win!BIreceivedthetopawardforitssizewhennamed"Best SmallDelegation.”Eachteammemberdemonstratedstrong diplomaticandproblem-solvingskillswhileworkingin committeestacklinginternationalmaternalhealthissues, nationalemergencyoperations,popstarsecurity,andthe Spidermanmultiverse.

Inadditiontotheteamaward,fourstudentsreceived individualrecognition:QuentinLisecki'26,LoreleiBurns'27 andBellaPalomino'27wereeachselectedastheOutstanding Delegateintheircommittee,andDanielSantillan'26received anHonorableMention.TheteamwasaccompaniedbyDr.Tom CrossandMs.GabrielleBaniqued.Congratulationstoall!

ON THE MAP!

SOPHOMORE GOING TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE

By:AngelaCiatti

Dr.TomCross,oneofBishopIreton's historyteachers,ledtheinaugural GeographyBee!Tenstudentsentered andsophomoreJamesFeeleycame outontop.Hehasthechanceto competewithothertopschool championsfromaroundthecountry atthe2026NationalGeographyBee inCambridge,MassachusettsinMay.

Goodluck,James!

Two BI Art Students Honored with Awards

1stPlaceWinner

By:JamesJennings

LastmonthatEpiscopalHighSchoolintheAngieNewman JohnsonGallery,over30talentedartistscompetedforawards overtheweek-longevent.Featuredatthiseventwasarange ofdifferentartpiecesincludingpaintings,ceramics, photography,sculptures,drawingsandmore.Twostudents fromBishopIretonwerehonoredwithawardsfortheirart.

JuniorKolbyCurrywon1stplaceandseniorCampbellTaylor won3rdplaceintheoverallceramicsdivisionatthe AlexandriaAll-CityHighSchoolArtExhibition. Congratulationstothesestudentsaswellaseveryoneelse whoparticipatedintheevent.

KolbyCurrywaspleasantlysurprisedbyherfirstplacefinish.

“ItfeltreallysatisfyingtowinbecauseIspentsomuchtime andeffortonmypiece.Iwouldnothavepreviously consideredmyselftobeaveryartisticperson,soitcameasa bitofashockthatsomeoneelsethoughtmypiecewasgood enoughtobeenteredintoashow,letalonewin.”Curry channeledherfamilywhenproducingherart:“Mypiecewas inspiredbymymombecauseherfavoriteanimalsareturtles andshelovestheoutdoors.Additionallymywholefamily lovesnatureandweliveoutinthesticks,soitseemedpretty logicaltomakeapieceaboutsomethingthatIhaveabitof knowledgeontomakeitsomewhatanatomicallycorrect.”

CampbellTaylorrespondssimilarlysayingthat“itfeltreally nicetoberecognizedafterputtingsomucheffortintomy work.Winningtheartshowgavemeagreaterappreciation formyartwork.” Herartwork,aceramicmangopiece,was “brightandcolorful”andshe“alsowantedachallenge…by blendingthecolorstoseeifIcouldachieveanombreeffect.”

Congratulationstothesetwoartistsonajobwell-done!