The Knights' Pages - Bishop O'Connell High School

The Knights’PagesSPRING 20131

The knights’ pagesSpring 2013BISHOP O’CONNELLHIGH SCHOOL6600 Little Falls RoadArlington, VA 22213703-237-1400www.bishopoconnell.orgADmINISTRATIONKathleen Ryan PrebblePresidentJoseph E. Vorbach III, PhD ’83PrincipalRev. Phillip M. Cozzi ’94ChaplainSr. Catherine Hill, I.H.M. ’66Dean of AcademicsErin O’MalleyDean of Faculty and CounselingMeghan LonerganDean of StudentsADVANCEMENTKim AubryMajor Gifts703-237-1447kaubry@bishopoconnell.orgJennifer Brown ’02Constituent Relations703-237-1437jbrown@bishopoconnell.orgCindy KrechAnnual Fund703-237-1446ckrech@bishopoconnell.orgKat Ogdoc ’06Database Manager andAdvancement Support703-237-1445kogdoc@bishopoconnell.orgLetter from theChairmanMembers of the O’Connell Community,It has been a busy and rewarding second semester at O’Connell. Seniors and theirparents are beginning to hear from all of those colleges to which they applied, andthe class of 2013 has already collected scholarship offers totaling millions of dollars.This is quite a tribute to our students and their academic achievements and to ourfaculty for helping to make those successes possible.Congratulations are also in order for members of our sports teams and performingarts programs who have competed successfully, and who have brought great pride tothe O’Connell community. There are teams with tournament and league titles, teamswith national recognition, and instrumental and vocal ensembles with a whole list ofaccolades and awards.As we close out another school year, we are saying good-bye to our school’s president,Kathleen Ryan Prebble, who has tirelessly served this school and our studentsfor the past three academic years. She has accomplished a great deal in a very shortperiod of time, and we are truly grateful for her efforts across a very broad range ofareas.Bishop O’Connell is fortunate that Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach will serve as our new Headof School, beginning this summer. Never have I known anyone more dedicated to themission of this school than this distinguished graduate of the class of 1983. Pleasejoin me in giving him your full and complete support.Much has been done, but there is so much more to do.Respectfully and enthusiastically yours,Kevin Di GregoryChair, Board of GovernorsCOMMUNICATIONSMary Jane SpurlockDirector of Communications703-237-1425mjspurlock@bishopoconnell.orgCover Photo – The boysbasketball team celebrates theirWCAC title (photo by Brian Kapur,KapurPhotography.smugmug.com)2

StrategicinitiativeLaunched in April 2011, The Time is Nowis a bold strategic initiative designed torevitalize and transform the school.The Timeis NowIn the two years since the launch of TheTime is Now, over 200 supporters havecommitted almost $6.5 million in supportof this initiative. Nearly all of the projectsidentified as top priorities in 2011 havebeen funded—and many have been completedahead of schedule.Recent DevelopmentsSTEM Programs - We are committed tostrengthening and building on our STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering andMath) curriculum to prepare students forsuccess in college and beyond in STEMrelatedfields. Recent STEM programmaticimprovements include two new state-ofthe-artchemistry labs and the addition ofengineering coursework into the curriculum.Athletics - In partnership with MarymountUniversity, the baseball diamondat Harry “Jake” Jacobs Field has beenreoriented and renovated with new sod, anirrigation system, new fencing, a warningtrack and batting cages. Bleachers, dugouts, a press box and other improvementswill be will be added as funds allow.Auditorium - The largest gathering spaceat O’Connell for assemblies, performancesand the celebration of Mass, received amuch-needed upgrade with beautiful newseats in the lower section.The Next FundingPriorities—Phase IIThese Phase II improvements will requirean additional $8.4 million investment infacilities and programs:77Continued investment in our STEM curriculumand renovations to our sciencelabs77Completion of the outdoor athletic facilitiesrenovations with upgrades to thebaseball field and a new outdoor concessionstand77Additional improvements to the auditorium,including new balcony seats, lighting,sound and technology systems, and storagespace for props and scenery77Relocation and expansion of the MullerAcademic Support Center77General building renovations to improveenergy efficiency include replacementof HVAC systems and new classroomwindowsWe are thankful for the many individuals,families and businesses who havepartnered with us through The Time isNow strategic initiative. If you wouldlike to know how you can help with theseimportant efforts, please contact KimAubry at kaubry@bishopoconnell.org or call703-237-1447.4

Thank You toOur SupportersAs of March 31, 2013, thefollowing individuals havegenerously pledged theirleadership support, or madean outright gift, to The Timeis Now strategic initiative.AnonymousRichard L. Abood ’74Elizabeth AboodAES CorporationSydney and Gloria AlbrittainMichael Albrittain ’80 andKristine AlbrittainW. Sydney Albrittain ’83 andWhitney AlbrittainPeter F. AllgeierKathleen M. Almy ’70Brian B. Anderson ’85 andKelly MarshMark and Valerie AndreottaSue and Gary AndresWilliam and Joanne ArmorWilliam A. Bagot ’70Farras and Zayn BakirBruce and Joan BarrowTerry M. Belt ’84 andSarina Termini Belt ’85Thomas and Andrea BenderTed and Lisa BennettPeter Bergmann/Bergmann’s Cleaning, Inc.Mr. John BernhardtSuzanne Sniscak Blevins ’70Arthur and Wendy BonairGeorge Boras ’83 and Susan BorasJulianne Rish Bourne ’83 andJames BourneAlbert Bracht ’70Marc A. Brammer ’70Theodore A. Breiner ’72 andMaureen Daunt Breiner ’71John Brough ’82 and Karin BroughAndrew and Denise BrownRichard W. Brown/Bethesda Blues, LLCKevin T. CallaghanBrendan E. CallahanSylvia Totten Carlson ’70William Carpenter ’76 andDeborah CarpenterGregory F. Carroll ’73Suzanne and Richard CarrollJames CartwrightLarry and Barbara CaudleW. Rance CleavelandThomas and Pamela ClineThomas H. Conaty ’64Timothy A. Cope ’68Timothy M. Corbett ’70 andKathryn Giebel Corbett ’70Luis Felipe and Ana Maria CordobaDavid M. Cotter ’92David and Susan CourtneyJeffrey Craigmile andCristina Pola Craigmile ’83Peyton and Leslie CrossErick CrouseMeghan CurtisJoseph and Cheri CusumanoRodney and Teresa DadeEva Herbst Davis ’83Skip and Joanie DawsonJohn Depenbrock ’61 andAnne DepenbrockJohn and Kathleen DickmanKevin and Gerry Di GregoryTina Marrocco Dodge ’84David C. Dominy ’93Steven J. Donovan ’86Mike DoughtyPat DriscollBill Duryee ’61 and Patricia DuryeeDennis E. Dwyer ’61Jonathan D. Dwyer ’93Thomas J. Fadoul ’70Teresa Langen Fahlgren ’83Fannie MaeMichael A. Farrell ’70Timothy P. Farrell andKathleen Barry Farrell ’80Brian M. Fay ’72Kevin J. Fay ’73 and Nancy FayStephan E. Fay ’71 andAnn Marie Morris Fay ’71Robert and Karen FornaroRosemary T. FoxEric FracassoKirk and Maria GalianiJoseph and Jerry Gargiulo Jr.Renee Walsh Garnett ’83Ronald J. Gilbert ’65 andSue Boyles Gilbert ’65Dan and Michelle GillickNicholas J. Giuliani ’77Brendan D. Giuseppe ’84Mark Goetzman ’77 andMartha Holroyd Goetzman ’80Lily Fernandez Griffin ’83 andThomas GriffinPatricia Pettit Griffin ’70Bruce GudenbergTimothy E. Guinan ’93Constance Culosi Gulley ’83 andSteven GulleyDalton and Nan GustafsonEdward and Anne HallAlbert Halprin andJanice ObuchowskiAbdel-Rahman HamedJoseph M. Harrington ’67Parker Harrington ’75 andRosemarie HarringtonPaul Hartmann ’70 andBarbara HartmanJames and Judith HathawayJames W. Hathaway ’93Michael J. Hayden ’74 andJulie Naylor Hayden ’74Caitlin HealyKevin and Sally HealyKevin J. HealyMary Jane Healy ’83Mark A. HenryJane Hayes Hohmann ’70Karen O’Malley Holland ’70Ralph E. Horvath andCathleen CampbellJohn K. Hughes ’70Alexander Inglese ’72 andKaren Carter IngleseMichael A. Ingrao ’72William J. JacarusoWilliam R. Jacobs ’82Claudia S. Jadrijevic ’86 andBruce DeBloisRobert D. JentgensPaul Johnson and Judy DunnMark D. Jones ’83Maggi Hanlon Keating ’85William and Dawn KerrMark T. Kimmitt ’72Joseph H. Kimmitt ’68Robert M. Kimmitt ’65Richard Kingman ’70 andAnn Reilly Kingman ’71Donald and Marie KlawiterJoseph R. Koons ’64 andNancy Hayhurst Koons ’65George B. Korte ’67Richard G. Kramer ’66Gerald KundeRobert Kurtzke ’77 andLeala KurtzkeTara Laposa ’93Gretchen LaundonLarry and Colleen LeberEric W. LeonardSusan C. LeousMary Flaherty Lewis ’70Donald P. Libera ’70Jennifer Borntraeger Loucks ’74Richard M. Loughery ’70 andPhyllis Mayo Loughery ’70Michael D. Lubeley ’65Donald T. Lynch andKimberly BurnettJohn and Peggy MaddoxElizabeth Von Drehle Madeira ’83Marymount UniversityRobert J. McCahill ’71 andRobyn Boyle McCahill ’71Douglas and Michele McCormickJames and Dawn McDonaldTerrance McGovern andMargaret Hogan-McGovernMichael J. McGuire ’00Tom McKean ’73Donald Mellen andAnne Pida Mellen ’70Christopher J. Melnick ’84Brian K. Mercer ’72James W. MercerGus Meruvia ’77 and Staci MeruviaMicrosoft CorporationKatherine P. MuthRobert and Mary Ann NirschlO’Connell Alumni Class of 1989O’Connell Alumni Knight PartyO’Connell PTOKathleen Boylan O’Keefe ’83Kelly Olszewski-HertelOppenheimer Funds, Inc.Reverend John P. Peterson ’81Helen Wilkinson Petrakes ’80Pharmasap, Inc.Thomas R. Poos ’70Kathleen R. PrebbleTodd J. Preti ’83James A. Puglisi Sr. ’74 andMary Elizabeth PuglisiTimothy C. Puglisi ’74Marie QuinnDaniel and Mary Kay ReillyKevin Reilly ’77 and Sharon ReillyRobert B. Richards ’66Robert N. Riviello ’62Edward G. RodriguesRui RodriguesRobert and Jeanne RucksMichelle Lalle Rush ’70Eduardo and Megan SalasAnne E. SchaffnerScitor CorporationKevin S. Scully ’70Ronald and Kathleen ScullyJeannie Jreige Semaan ’86 andMarcel SemaanJohn and Andrea ShankReilly M. Shaughnessy ’76Paul Sheridan ’89 andRachel SheridanSHW Group, Inc.Siemens CorporationHarold SmarrNeil SolomanAmber SouthChristopher and Jodi St. GeorgeSamuel and Marian StarrThomas Stevens ’68 andLindy StevensDavid and Karen StuverWilliam and Jamie TanisTimothy and Marie TaylorDennis L. Telzrow ’63Evan ThomasThomas E. Tiernan ’72Melissa TierneyRev. Stephen J. Tisinger ’70Karen M. TraceyMichael Underwood andLisa Mercer Underwood ’74JoEllen Urban ’82Joshua Vance ’88 andAmy Every Vance ’89Michael P. Vandermark ’82Stavros and Berit VeletsisJoseph E. Vorbach III ’83 andColleen VorbachPatricia DeIuliius Walker ’70Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley,Emrich, P.C.Martin Walsh ’62 and Nan WalshPatrick J. Walsh ’62 andMargaret WalshJean Winslow Whitesell ’73Gregory and Donna WilsonJeffrey R. Winslow ’70 andJanet Greenwald Winslow ’71Douglas I. WoodDon and Stacey WoodKevin P. WuestRaymond Zdancewicz ’74 andSandra ZdancewiczDonald and Catherine Ziegler5

School NewsCoast Guard CommandantVisits Global Studies ProgramAdmiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the U.S. CoastGuard, visited Bishop O’Connell for an afternoon discussion withstudents enrolled in the Global Studies program. He presentedthe Coast Guard’s role in events that were familiar to those in theroom, including the recent rescue of crew members aboard theBounty during Hurricane Sandy. He also talked about the U.S.Coast Guard as a role model for maritime services in countriesaround the world. Admiral Papp shared photos and stories of arecent trip that took him to Malta, Bahrain, Singapore, Guam andfinally Hawaii, before returning to headquarters in Washington,D.C. The students asked questions about the future of the CoastGuard and his career highlights. He encouraged the students to“find a way to serve,” and to find something for which they havea passion. He said he never considered the Coast Guard a job, butrather a privilege to sail the seas and to serve his country. Findout more about the Global Studies Certificate Program at www.bishopoconnell.org/global.Speech and Essay Winnersand VFW Teacher of the YearO’Connell students swept several local speech and essay competitionsthis year. In February, three freshmen claimed the top threeprizes at the Alexandria Sunrise Optimist Club essay contest. ClareAdams took 1st place, Maureen Duesterhaus took 2nd place andKatherine Katz took 3rd place.Just up the road at the Arlington Optimist Club essay contest, threeother freshman students took top honors: Claire Stemberger wasawarded 1st place, Stephanie Salinas, 2nd place, and Isabel Fernandez,3rd place.At the John Lyon VFW Post 3150 Voice of Democracy oral essaycontest earlier this year, freshman Virginia Schilder won first place,junior Rhett Nugent won second place and freshman Isabel Fernandezwon third place. The O’Connell community was also honoredwhen Post 3150 named English department chair, Diane Cerniglia, asthe Teacher of the Year. Read about all of this year’s essay and speechcompetitions at www.bishopoconnell.org/essays.Dr. Michael E. MannJohn Lyon VFW Post 3150 awardsRobotics Program Gets a BoostThanks to a $1,000 sponsorship from Lockheed Martin’sSTEM Education Outreach program, O’Connell’s robotics clubhas registered as a “FIRST Tech Challenge Team.” The FIRSTprogram allows high school students to design, build and programrobots to compete against other teams at the local, stateand regional level. The club meets regularly after school, mappingout goals for this year, and making plans for competing inthe 2013-2014 school year. The students are guided by scienceteacher, Anthony Rennekamp, engineering teacher, PaulGerton, and O’Connell alumnus and MIT graduate, SamanthaPalazzolo ’06. Don Brobst, senior mentor for the WashingtonareaFIRST program, recently visited the O’Connell roboticsprogram to demonstrate a typical robot and familiarize the studentswith the program elements. “This program encourageshigh-quality work,” he told the student. “Equally important tothe actual level of competition is teamwork and cooperationwithin and among teams.”6

Students Take a StandAgainst BullyingCourtesy of student correspondentMary BarnaThis year at Bishop O’Connell a bullyingpreventionteam, called “DJO Upstanders,” has been put in placenot only to create awareness of the problem of bullying, but alsoto encourage students to “stand up” against it.DJO Upstanders is made up of 30 members of the O’Connellcommunity — students, parents and staff — who helped framethe program. In October, the team hosted a Stand Up to Bullyingassembly with a message for students not to just stand by butto stand up for what is right. The term “upstander” was used todescribe people who report acts of bullying they witness.Special guest speaker for the assembly was Paul Hewitt, basketballcoach at George Mason University in Fairfax, who gave an inspiringspeech to the students about the importance of respectingeach other. There also was a contest for students to make “StandUp to Bullying” videos, which were shown to the O’Connell communityat the assembly.Erin O’Malley, dean of faculty and counseling, serves as themoderator for DJO Upstanders. “It is exciting to see how manyindividuals are participating in the efforts this year,” she said.“The students have quickly embraced this program with enthusiasmand support. We have many new plans and programs inthe works for the upcoming months and even for next year.”Thanksgiving with theMissionaries of CharityFor most students at Bishop O’Connell, the Thanksgiving holidayweekend began on Wednesday, a planned day off for the school. But onegroup of seniors joined Christian Service Coordinator Mannikka Heardfor a special day of service. The group traveled to Northeast Washingtonto lend a hand at the Gift of Peace home which is run by Mother Teresa’sMissionaries. Some students helped with yard work, while othersworked in the kitchen, preparing for the afternoon meal service.In the meantime, O’Connell’s Art Department Chair Joe Crivella wasbusy shopping for Thanksgiving staples for the Missionaries of Charity’swork. For more than 15 years, he has coordinated the “TurkeyBlitz,” a two-week fundraising drive at school which helps the sistersat the Gift of Peace home feed a growing number of families in need.This year, armed with over $3,000, he was able to deliver four overflowingpallets of provisions that would feed 150 families in total, 30more than last year.Dantzler is Intel FinalistSenior Alexa Dantzler is one of 40 high school students aroundthe country to be named a 2013 Intel Science Talent Search(STS) finalist.“This is such a special honor, and we are thrilled that Alexa’shard work has been recognized at this level,” said sciencedepartment chair Doreen Curtin.Dantzler’s project, entitled “Quantification of PerchloroethyleneResidues in Dry Cleaned Fabrics,” began as a freshmanscience fair project at O’Connell, and has continued to grow inscope and detail. Early in her research she recognized the needfor more accurate measuring devices to improve her project,and was able to team with Dr. Paul Roepe and two graduatestudents in the Chemistry Department at Georgetown University.The results of some of this work were published last yearin the Journal of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.As an Intel STS finalist, Dantzler spent seven days in March inWashington, D.C. at the national STS competition. The week’sactivities included two days of intense judging, some mediatraining, and a public exhibition at the National GeographicSociety. Participants met with Intel Innovators, Einstein Fellowsand past STS winners, and visited Capitol Hill and theWhite House, where they met President Barack Obama.Dantzler was honored by her peers to be selected as the GlennT. Seaborg Award winner. As the Seaborg awardee, she wasasked to speak on behalf of the finalists at the black-tie awardsdinner held at the National Building Museum on the last day ofthe competition. She began by thanking Intel and the Societyfor Science & the Public for making the week possible.“During this week, we have taught and inspired each other,and are consequently now more enthusiastic about science andour roles in the scientific community,” she said in her remarks.“We will continue to question our world because questions fuelinitiative and initiative leads to answers…We have diseases toprevent and cure, new energy to harness and save, efficient technologysystems to build, and diagnostic tests to improve, amongother things. We have no time to lose. While the world awaits us,it also needs us. Let the research never stop and let the curiosityand inspiration continue to be planted and flourish.”As a finalist, Dantzler was awarded $16,000 from the IntelFoundation. Earlier, when she was named a semi-finalist, theschool was also awarded $1,000 from the foundation in orderto continue the development of STEM programs.Alexa Dantzler is joined at the awards dinner by two of her mentors—Dr. Paul Roepe and Doreen Curtin.7

A Busy Winter Season forthe Performing ArtsBishop O’Connell theatreprogram staged the musical“Meet Me in St. Louis,”for three performances inNovember. This rare treasureis based on the heartwarmingmovie by the same name.Memorable musical numbersincluded The Boy Next Door,A Raving Beauty, The TrolleySong, Have Yourself a MerryLittle Christmas, WheneverI’m with You and A Day inNew York.In December, musical ensemblesjoined forces withstudent readers to presenta special Christmas program—anEvening of CarolsYoung Men’s Executive ClubA group of young men from Bishop O’Connell recently took an afterschoolfield trip to Tysons Corner to visit a retailer called “The Art ofShaving.” The students were greeted by the store’s manager, ChristopherWhite, who discussed some of the finer points of shaving, andshowed them around the upscale barbershop and spa. This was thefirst of many field trips and seminars sponsored by the newly formedYoung Men’s Executive Club at O’Connell. According to the club’smoderator, David Owens, “the purpose of the club is to help youngmen learn simple courtesies that may seem trivial and old-fashioned,but they are foundational in a civil society.”and Readings. Members of thecommunity enjoyed beautifulChristmas music combinedwith readings and prayers, asour students guided the audiencethrough the story of thepromise of the Messiah andthe birth of Jesus.The theatre program staged aspecial black box presentationof “The Billion Dollar Saint”in February. In this farce,St. Francis of Assisi foundhimself visiting a Jesuit Universityinstead of a FranciscanMonastery, and managed toconvert the football team tothe simple way of life, settingoff a comedy of misunderstandings.Later in the month, themusic program presented Broadway Desserts, an elegant eveningof Broadway musical selections and delicious desserts. As a specialfeature this year, students voted for their favorite I.H.M. Sister to beserenaded by the men of the concert choir. Sister Tracey Uphoff andSister Maureen Christopher Dusterhoff tied for this honor!O’Connell and MarymountFinalize Baseball Field AgreementOn January 30, Bishop O’Connell President Kathleen Prebbleand Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank metto finalize the agreement for joint use and maintenance ofO’Connell’s new baseball field. The meeting took place in PresidentShank’s office, which is filled with baseball memorabilia.His love of the sport stems from his days as a college player.President Prebble said, “It’s exciting for us to add another level to ourpartnership with Marymount. We have an academic partnership for dualenrollment, and now we are partners in athletics. It will be great for ourfamilies and neighbors to be able to come watch a collegiate game.”President Shank noted, “We are delighted that Marymount and BishopO’Connell have such close ties. Bishop O’Connell is an excellentschool that produces outstanding graduates—many of whom chooseto continue their educations at Marymount University. By workingtogether, we benefit the students at both of our institutions, as well asthe wider community.”For more information on Marymount University, visitwww.marymount.edu.8

KapurPhotography.smugmug.comBoys Basketball Claims WCAC andAlhambra Tournament TitlesThe boys basketball team, coached by Joe Wootten, came into this year’s Washington Catholic AthleticConference (WCAC) tournament as the number two seed. In early tournament play, the Knights defeatedGood Counsel of Maryland in the quarterfinals, before needing two overtime periods to prevail over PaulVI of Fairfax in the semifinals. O’Connell faced St. John’s College High School of Washington, D.C. in theWCAC championship game, where the Knights rallied to an emotional 58-53 win before a near capacitycrowd at American University.Several weeks later, O’Connell was invited to participate in the prestigious Alhambra Catholic InvitationalTournament (ACIT), which brings some of the best Catholic high school basketball teams to Cumberland,Md. each year in March. This year’s field included WCAC rivals, as well as teams from the Baltimore area,Richmond and Indiana.In hard-fought tournament play, Bishop O’Connell defeated Mt. Saint Joseph and La Lumiere beforeprevailing over Benedictine College Prep in the championship game.“This championship capped off an unbelievable year—30 wins, two major championships, and a greatgroup of guys,” said Coach Wootten. “I am so proud of them. They were determined, coachable, and simplygot better every single day.”BasketballProgramGives BackBefore the Christmas holidayall three boys basketballteams—freshmen, JV andvarsity—worked together toprovide necessities and gifts forthree families in need. The teamssupported the work of House ofHope in Glen Burnie, Md., andtogether they donated winterclothing, toiletries, diapers, toysand gift certificates for localdepartment stores and restaurants.When all was said anddone, their donation basketswere overflowing, and they wereable to pull together extra boxesof items to give to Baltimore CityDepartment of Family Services.“God has certainly touched thesefine young men,” said a notefrom Pastor Judy Kelly from theCommunity United MethodistChurch of Crofton, Md., whichbenefitted from some of the extrababy-related items. “What awonderful example of giving!”Royalettes Earn National RankingThe 21-member Royalette Dance Team traveled to Orlando, Fla. early inFebruary for the National Dance Team Championship, sponsored by theUniversal Dance Association (UDA). Teams qualify to compete at thisevent based on their performances over the summer at dance camps allaround the country. For the Royalettes, this year’s championship was onefor the record books. From a field of nearly 50 large varsity teams fromaround the country, the O’Connell team’s Pom routine performance in theopening rounds earned them a spot in the finals for the first time in theteam’s history.Under the leadership of Chrissy Salvador ’95 and Kelsey Timmerberg ’04,the team has been performing throughout the school year at pep rallies,football and basketball games, and other special events. For Nationals thisyear, the Royalettes performed in both the Jazz and Pom categories. TheJazz performance earned them a Superior rating and semi-finalist status.But, it was the Pom routine in the end that earned them a spot in thefinals, where they ultimately placed 21st in the nation.9

38th AnnualSuperdanceFor the 38th year in a row, students fromBishop O’Connell High School cametogether for a 12-hour dance marathonto benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation(CFF). Driven by the desire to help finda cure for this disease that has affectedO’Connell families and tens of thousandsothers around the country, students collecteddonations and pledges from neighbors,friends and family, and then dancedthe night away to a the music of live localbands and talented DJs.A few first-time acts brought new energyto the crowd at Superdance. O’Connellalumnus, Dylan Vorbach ’11, performedwith “Gentlemen of the College,” the oldesta cappella group at William and Mary.The group was headed north for springbreak gigs in Pennsylvania, New York andNew England, but stopped by to sing a few2013 Superdance committee members10

songs. “You could hear a pin drop when the’Gentlemen’ took the stage,” said one of thechaperones.Faculty members also pitched in to boostthe entertainment line-up. Science teacher,Nolan Britt, performed with The BlueJays, and music teacher, Laura Van Duzer,rocked the gym with The Understudies.Before the midnight hour, 99.5 DJ ChrisStyles took over the entertainment andbrought new excitement to the gym. “ChrisStyles engaged everyone in the room andhelped cap off a great event,” said seniorMichael Bonini.The final song at Superdance is alwaysBilly Joel’s “Piano Man.” This year theentire student body made a large circlearound the gym floor and swayed shoulderto shoulder as the dance came to a close.“In the end, it was one giant group hug,”said senior Shanna Ferrari.Wrapping UpThe final numbers for Superdanceare still being calculated as donationscontinue to stream in. At the end of thenight, the students reported a preliminarytotal of $112,000 which they hopewill continue to grow.To read more about Superdance, visitwww.superdance.org.Danny Bessette ’02 (far right) with his wife, Jackie Heppes Bessette ’03,and his parents (far left), John and Pat Bessette.Alumni Pitch InO’Connell alumni come back to the school to support Superdance every year, and totake a trip down memory lane. The Superdance committee sets up a special alumniroom decorated with t-shirts from past events. There alumni and their families met upwith old friends, enjoyed a snack and browsed through old yearbooks.Just a few miles down the road, a group of 2002-2003 graduates organized an off-sitealumni gathering as another way for alumni to show their support for those sufferingwith Cystic Fibrosis. At Arlington Rooftop in Clarendon, more than 250 alumni, familymembers and friends joined forces to support Danny Bessette ’02 and his personalfight against this disease. Danny recently spoke to O’Connell students letting themknow that he was facing a double lung transplant in the near future.“I am amazed by the generosity and support that was shown on Saturday to Dannyand his family,” said organizer Libby Muldoon ’03. “It is incredible to be part of theO’Connell community and to see this event continue to grow.”The alumni event raised more than $5,500 to be donated to the Children’s OrganTransplant Association (COTA) in honor of Danny Bessette. Follow his progress atwww.cotafordanielb.com.11

Annual GivingEvery gift, whether large or small makesa difference in the lives of our students.Please make your gift before the end of ourfiscal year, June 30, 2013. ContactCindy Krech at 703-237-1446 orckrech@bishopoconnnell.org for moreinformation.Annual Fund—Spring MatchAnonymous alumni have stepped forwardwith a challenge to our community. Thisspring, they will match—dollar for dollar –all unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund upto $25,000. We need your help to maximizethese generous matching funds.By giving to O’Connell you are not onlymaking a significant difference in the qualityof our everyday programs and servicesto students, but you are also making apowerful statement about the importanceof O’Connell in your family’s life. By saying“Yes!” to O’Connell you are saying “Yes!”to the excellent quality of the teaching,coaching, programs and opportunities theschool provides.There’s no better time than NOW to give tothe Annual Fund!77Donate online atwww.bishopoconnell.org/give77Return the enclosed envelope with acheck payable to Bishop O’Connell HighSchool or with credit card information77Find out if your company matches your donationat www.bishopoconnell.org/matching77Donate through your employer withUnited Way #8273 or DFC #65190Planned GivingPlanned giving is a way for you to makea gift to help Bishop O’Connell whilesecuring the financial needs of your familyand loved ones. Donors are encouraged toconsult their tax planners or attorneys aswell as the Advancement office so that theproper vesting language is used to ensurethe funds to the school.Often a planned gift may provide for lovedones and the school as well as create taxbenefits for you. You can make a currentplanned gift such as giving stock to theAnnual Fund or a deferred planned gift.Deferred planned gifts include establishinga trust or annuity, giving stock, real estate orlife insurance; naming the school as a beneficiaryof your pension plan or rememberingBishop O’Connell in your will.Join The President’s ClubAnyone who makes a gift of $1,000 or more to Bishop O’Connell in a fiscal yearbecomes a member of the President’s Club. Commitments may be spread out overmultiple payments through the year. These investments demonstrate the highest levelof commitment and lay the foundation for O’Connell’s success.President’s Club members enjoy:77An invitation to the President’s Club reception in recognition of their leadership.Peter St. George ’1277Recognition in the annual President’s Report.77An exclusive tie or tote embellished with the O’Connell logo.77Invitations to special events throughout the year.We are grateful to thealumni, parents and friendswho over the yearshave stretched in theirsupport of our mission andbecome members of thePresident’s Club.Join the Young Alumni President’s ClubSupport from young alumni at any level isimportant to Bishop O’Connell. Eligibilityin the Young Alumni President’s Clubis determined each year, based on year ofgraduation and gift amount:77Class of 2003–2005, 8–10 years sincegraduation, $500 or more77Class of 2006–2008, 5–7 years sinceStephanie Gulley ’12graduation, $100 or more77Class of 2009–2012, 1–4 years sincegraduation, $25 or moreYoung Alumni President’s Club membersenjoy:77Recognition on the list of leadership–level donors in the annual report.77Networking opportunities with currentPresident’s Club members at specialevents.12

12th Annual Gala and AuctionBob & Mary Beth St. John get in the spirit of Mardi Gras.Pam Benson models the beautiful pearlring available in the live auction.Save the Date13th Annual Galaand AuctionFebruary 8, 2014More than 250 parents, alumni, faculty andfriends of O’Connell donned evening attireand gathered at the McLean Hilton on Saturday,Feb. 9 for the school’s 12th AnnualGala & Auction. This year’s theme—MardiGras, A Knight of Celebration—helpedtransport people to Bourbon Street, wherebeautifully wrapped baskets and specialgift items were arranged amidst masks,feathers, glowing votives and beads galore.The evening began with a VIP champagnereception, where attendees perused thesilent auction items and enjoyed somerefreshments before the main event. Fromthere, the crowd moved to the ornatelydecorated ballroom for a three-coursedinner and a fast-paced live auction, whichincluded enticing packages such as TaylorSwift tickets, an Annapolis boat trip withDr. Vorbach, and a trip to Kinsdale, Ireland.In addition to the auction, raffles, andother fundraising events of the night, therewas a special appeal to help purchase moreclassroom tablets and mobile devices.Through the generosity the attendees, theschool received an additional $19,000 forthis important technology improvement.At the end of the night, the event broughtin $200,000. This money will be used tohelp advance the mission of O’Connellby supporting important programs at theschool, including faculty development,facility renovations and, of course, technologyimprovements.The Bishop O’Connell community is verygrateful to the sponsors of this year’s Gala,the generous donors who contributedunique and wonderful auction items, andto the individuals who attended and madethis such a successful evening. The eventwould not even be possible without thetireless efforts of countless volunteers;we thank all of you for your time andenergy! Special thanks to our wonderfuland talented Gala co-chairs, Julie Gazalaand Staci Meruvia, who guided us throughmonths of planning to arrive at this veryspecial and successful evening!2013Gala SponsorsBattlefield FordSheehy Auto StoreAlcalde and FayFlik Independent School DiningSHW GroupAdvancement PartnersCardinal BankDaniel and Monica StabileDTZ, A UGL CompanyRAD SportsWalsh Colucci Lubeley Emrich andWalsh PC13

Why We GiveMartha Holroyd Goetzman ’80 and Mark Goetzman ’77Parents of Jack ’08, Margaret ’10 and Emma ’12have a desire to participate in making thesegoals a reality.We think we all need a reminder as alumsand parents that Bishop O’Connell not onlywants but NEEDS our help in many waysand in particular and immediately, in afinancial way. There is a misperception bymany that tuition alone is enough to keepthe school running, updating and improvingand that the Diocese and individualparishes provide some financial funding.The only way to upgrade the facility, keepteachers and classrooms technologicallycurrent, maintain high standards for hiringand retaining teachers and staff, attractmore families and remain educationallycompetitive and spiritually supportive iswith the financial help, no matter howlarge or small.As alums, we happily support the AnnualFund as a way to give back to a schoolthat gave us so much both as students andparents. Undoubtedly, the education we receivedwas great preparation for our yearsof college and graduate studies and we givea nod of appreciation to our parents forchoosing Bishop O’Connell for us. We lookback warmly and are so grateful for therelationships and friendships we made andhave maintained since. We share our fondmemories with all of our siblings and ourthree children who also attended BishopO’Connell. O’Connell is and always hasbeen full of great people…teachers, staff,clergy, students, families, and more! Onceyou join this community, you are always amember of the O’Connell family, and forthat alone, we feel we have an obligationand hope we all have some desire to givesomething back.We returned to O’Connell in 2004, whenwe started looking at various schools foreach of our children, and determined withthem that Bishop O’Connell was the bestchoice. We were happy to find that thecommunity was the same warm, nurturing,spiritual, inviting place we left in 1980,however there were many improvementsto the facility, updates to the curriculum,support for the teachers and necessary fundraisingefforts needed. We were happy tobe a part of some of the changes that haveoccurred and some of the long-term visionsthat are still being formulated and realized.These many goals cannot be reached forour children, our school and our communitywithout the financial contributionsof each family in some way, in particularthrough the Annual Fund. We all wantour school to be the best it can possibly benow and in the future, and once again, wefeel we each have an obligation and should14

her brother, and sister attended Our Ladyof Good Counsel, with Robyn going on toO’Connell. It was at O’Connell that Boband Robyn met, and graduated together.After college, marriage, and startingcareers, we settled in Vienna to start ourfamily. Years later, we had the pleasureto return as active members of the DJOcommunity for another nine years as oursons Corey ’03, Casey ’06, and Colin ’08attended. It was with tremendous pridethat we were able to present our sons theirdiplomas at graduation.Robyn (Boyle) McCahill ’71 & Bob McCahill ’71Parents of Corey ’03, Casey ’06, and Colin ’08Catholic education goes back generationsin our family. Bob’s grandfather, father, anduncles were Jesuit products of Canisiusand Marquette, and the Boyles of Washington,D.C. saw Robyn’s father, aunt,and uncles attend Trinity grade schoolin Georgetown, and St. Patrick’s and St.John’s. In keeping with this tradition,Bob, his sister and his brother attendedSt. Agnes School and O’Connell. Robyn,Our whole family benefitted from theacademic programs, spiritual guidance,strong traditions, sports programs, lifelongfriendships, and so many wonderfulmemories. We were so blessed to have thisopportunity and to be able to provide forour sons. (Now the pressure is on them tokeep the tradition going!)We give to continue keeping the traditionof Catholic education and service going.We give in gratitude for all that BishopO’Connell High School has provided forour family. We give so others may share inthe experience, and form their own lifelongmemories.Terry (Turner) Iannaconi ’61So many stories of O’Connell alumni givinginclude a long list of family members andmultiple generations of O’Connell alumni. Inmy family the list is short. I have a niece whois the only other O’Connell graduate in thefamily and a brother who attended O’Connellfor a short time. Notwithstanding the absenceof multiple generations of O’Connelltradition, my solo experience filled me withenough pride to go around.As I think back over my early years, I recollectthe thousands of families in multiple parishesand the bishops, priests, nuns, brothersand others who had the vision and senseof sacrifice to pull together the resourcesto produce a regional Catholic high schoolthat a half century later is still growing andcontinuing to produce outstanding graduates.An Internet search for the term BishopO’Connell High School results in a burst ofdata that leaves me filled with pride.I recall the talks in church many years agoabout fundraising to build a regional Catholichigh school. My parents, who had little togive financially, made the sacrifice to supportthat building fund. As a person in the businessworld today I appreciate more than Iever could have as a young person the financialand personal resources required to buildand operate a major educational institution.A few years ago there was a movie andbook, “Pay It Forward.” The story lineinvolved a young boy who promoted apyramid scheme of kind acts. In the storythe boy would do a kind act for each ofthree people and then encourage each ofthose recipients of kindness to do a kindact for three others and so on. In thesepost-Madoff days when the term “pyramidscheme” is synonymous with greed and corruption,the concept of a pyramid scheme ofkindness is enticing. The concept of payingkindness forward is compelling. The reasonwhy I give is because I am compelled toreturn and, if possible, multiply the kindnessof all those who paid such kindness tous in enabling us to receive an outstandingCatholic high school education.The journey of writing this article took adelightful turn recently. As I thought of thosewhose kindness helped me along the way Irecalled two of the sisters in particular—SisterJoanne and Sister Michelle Marie. Frommy very earliest days at O’Connell the nunshad been more than teachers in a classroom.Today we would call them mentors. Theywere women of great intellect and personalstrength who shared with all of us an aspirationof intellectual and spiritual growth. Ihad the opportunity to visit with them atCamilla Hall, the retirement home for I.H.M.Sisters in Immaculata, Pa., not long beforeSister Joanne’s passing. I feel blessed to haveknown these sisters and to know that theycontinue to pray for all of us.Ultimately the reason I give to O’Connelland other organizations that serve to makethe world a better place is because I can, andbecause there is no way to adequately payit forward for all that I received from thosewho have helped me along the way. As I payit forward I know there will be many moreyears and generations of O’Connell graduateswho themselves will, hopefully, pay itforward for the generations to follow them.15

The Class of 1977 met up on Friday,Nov. 30 at the Ireland’s Four Provinces fora pre-reunion bar event. Then on Saturday,Dec. 1, members of the class made a greatshowing at the All-Alumni Knight Partyheld in the school gym. Classmate PeterWarren and his band, The Fabulous Dialtones,provided the entertainment for theevening. Class of 77 members agreed thatthis was a great way to celebrate their 35-year reunion, having a special table sectionat the Knight Party, but being able to sharethe experience with other classes, too.ReunionWrap-UpsBoys Lacrosse Alumni EventThe Class of 2002 held their 10-yearreunion Nov. 23 at the Clarendon Ballroom.There they reconnected over mini appetizersand drinks. The main event beganat 7 p.m., but when the official party waswinding down, a core group continued tosocialize at other venues in the area.The boys lacrosse alumni held a corn-hole tournament on Feb 16, 2013 to raise funds andreconnect with the program. More than 50 people showed up to eat, drink and throwbags to benefit the O’Connell lacrosse program. It was a great mix of current players’parents, alumni and friends of the program. Colin Malone ’03 and John Hathaway ’03won the tournament. In the end, thy raised almost $1,000, setting the bar high for futureevents. Special thanks go to Fireworks Pizza and John Murphy for sponsoring the foodand beverages.16

Athletic Hall of FameOn April 13, six alumni and one team were inducted into the Bishop O’Connell Athletic Hall ofFame. More than 50 family members, former coaches, teachers and friends gathered in the gym fora lively evening of awards and great stories.Congratulations to the 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame honorees:Fred Benevento ’69Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, alsoCoach of Girls Track and FootballFred was Athlete of the Year his junior yearafter earning MVP honors in three sports,and five varsity letters, which he repeatedhis senior year. He returned to O’Connell as afootball and girls track coach from 1975-1985.Mike Garcia ’72WrestlingMike, a fierce competitor, was one ofO’Connell’s best wrestlers in its storied wrestlinghistory. In his senior year, Mike won firstplace in the Virginia Independent SchoolsTournament and also captured the championshipin the prestigious St. Albans InvitationalTournament.Jason Palumbo ’88Football, Wrestling, TrackJason truly gave it his all on the football field,wrestling mat, and track for O’Connell. Infootball, he was leading the area in rushingand touchdowns his senior year before aseason-ending leg injury. Jason earned a scholarshipat the University of Wyoming, where hebecame a top wrestler in the WAC conference.Lauren Aste Polek ’91Tennis, SoftballLauren earned 14 varsity letters in four sportsat O’Connell. She played at #1 singles in tennisand was the team MVP her senior year. Insoftball, Lauren started every game for fouryears and was a team captain and a first TeamAll-Met her senior year. She also lettered inswimming and winter track three years each.Delaunta Cameron ’94Football, BasketballFrom his football linebacker position, Tay ledthe team with over 100 tackles and on offenserushed for over 800 yards and 10 touchdowns.He became an All-ACC linebacker at GeorgiaTech and played with two NFL teams. Tay wasalso a four-year letterman in basketball, wherehe was selected as MVP of the Virginia IndependentSchools State Tournament his senior year.Bob KlubaBoys & Girls Tennis CoachBob was a part of O’Connell for many years,coaching the boys’ team for 25 years (1987-2010) and the girls’ team for 22 (1989-2011).During his tenure, the girl’s team won conferencechampionships seven times including fourconsecutive years from 1997-2000 in whichthey amassed an undefeated 62-0 record.1991 Softball TeamWith a 21-1 record, thisteam set the standard ofexcellence for future softballteams at O’Connell.Coach Tommy Orndorff’steam boasted three firstteam All-Mets, plus asecond team All-Metpitcher that lead the teamto the top of the Washingtonarea. The senior classfour-year record was68-10 with three CGAAchampionships.17

AlumniRoll CallRick DeutschJohn Maguire ’63 received ElectricalEngineering degrees from Cornell in 1967and Ohio State in 1968. He just retired thispast year from Georgia Tech in Atlantaafter 22 years.Lenny Iddings Lianee ’66 is delightedto announce the publication of her fourthbook of poetry, The ABC’s of Memory.Published by Script Works Press, the bookprobes the American psyche by examiningsuch icons as Mr. Potato Head, MaryWorth, and Wonder Bread. The bookalso shows little life moments of ordinarypeople. Lenny’s book can be found onAmazon.com.Jim Sonnhalter ’66 is proud to announcethe birth of his fifth grandchild. His youngestdaughter gave birth to her first child inAugust. It was a bouncing baby boy namedAustin David Flannigan.Brian C. Murphy ’66 recently completedsix months of service as a Legal Educationand Justice Advisor at the U.S. Departmentof State, based in Kabul, Afghanistan.Back in the U.S.A. for three days, he departedfor Bulgaria, where he was invitedto serve as a judge in the Philip C. JessupInternational Law Moot Court Competition.Years ago, he served as a Fulbrightlecturer in law in Bulgaria. He has nowbeen recommended for a second Fulbrightlaw lectureship, this time in Macedonia forthe 2013-2014 academic year.Jacqueline Sweeney ’68 has published38 books and has a new one coming outthis fall with Scholastic. The title is PoetryPlaylets, aimed at students in grades 3-6.She also has a new novel for childrenaged 8-12. Find out more on her web pageat jacqueline-sweeney.com.Rick Deutsch, ’67 has written One BestHike: Yosemite’s Half Dome—currently theonly guidebook to this extremely strenuoushike. It has already sold 10,000 copies. Ricklives in San Jose, Calif. and has done thehike 35 times.Rudolph Garcia ’69 retired in 2005 afterworking 30 years as a Foreign Service as atelecommunitions/IT specialist, living ina dozen countries. In total, he has visitedor lived in almost 85 countries! He is nowputting his daughters through local collegein Colorado Springs.Jim Kenney ’72 recently marked 35 yearsin Civil Service. He also is a columnist forwww.DCSki.com. Read about his son, VinceKenny ’09, on page 21.CynthiaDonavin ’74moved to NewYork City aftergraduatingfrom DJO,and became aprofessionalballerina withthe JoffreyBallet. SheCynthia Donavindanced professionallyfor ten years throughout theUnited States and in Europe. She returnedhome to finished up a bachelor’s degree inKinesiology at the University of Maryland,and a master’s degree in Arts Managementat George Mason University. She is thefounder and executive director of the ClassicalBallet Theatre in Herndon, Va. She ismarried and has two great children.Jimmy FelterJimmy Felter ’76 is the producer, editor,and writer for “The Incredible Dr. Pol,”which currently airs on Nat Geo Wild, andis breaking all time ratings for the channel.2012 also marked the release of the featuredocumentary “Harvest of Empire” basedon the ground breaking book by JuanGonzales that chronicles the last 100 yearsof American immigration. Felter servedas the producer, editor, and director ofphotography for the film, which won theInternational Documentary Associations“2012 ABC News Video Source for Editing”award. In 2006, Felter founded Voice ofHaiti, an organization working with theHaitian government to help provide cleanwater to an expanding number of residentsof southern Haiti.18

Eileen McCarthy Grant ’76 is the directorof group exercise at Skyline Sportand Health in Falls Church. She is alsoplanning a trip to China with her twosons (aged 20 and 16) to visit her daughter(Rosie, age 23). Rosie has been in Chinasince June 2012 and is teaching English ata foreign language school in Qingdao.Carlos Cervantes Sr.’79 received theesteemed Conrad Egan Excellence Awardfor Service from the Fairfax County Housingand Community Development in 2012.This is the highest award given from FairfaxCounty Redevelopment and HousingAuthority recognizing outstanding serviceto FCRHA residents, partners and clients.Emmett Duffy ’78 was recently selectedas one of the Commonwealth’s outstandingfaculty members by the State Councilof Higher Education for Virginia. Duffyhas been a Professor of Marine Science atWilliam & Mary since 1994 and hasestablished in international reputation inmarine ecology, with his current researchfocusing on the importance of biodiversityin the Chesapeake Bay and other areas ofthe world.Simonne Valenti Zarbin ’81 is proud toannounce the birth of her daughter Ava.She entered the world on October 10, 2012.Ava ZarbinFr. Edward Horkan ’86 was ordained apriest for the Diocese of Arlington in 2003,and is now at St. James parish in FallsChurch.Tina Santoro Ward ’87,became a grandmotherOctober 2011. KennedieReese Ward is now 16months old.Todd Maxey ’87 marriedJoanne (Jo) Fazzioin 2001. He is now theproud father of twostepdaughters, Stacy andKim, and grandfatherto two granddaughters,Kaylee and Anastasia.Todd is currently theKennedie Reese Wardowner of TJ MaxeyEnterprises, where he and his wife own amixed use office building.Catherine Svercl ’92 designed a homeremodel project that won a silver awardin the energy-efficiency retrofit categoryof Qualified Remodeler’s Master DesignAwards for 2012. She also received severalgreen certificates for this project.John HabibArsala ’95spent five yearsat the UnitedNations and hasrecently takena position withan alternativeasset managementfirm inNew York. Heand his wife,John Sebastian ArsalaCatherine, arecelebrating their 7th anniversary this year,and his son, Sebastian, has just turned four.Patrick Opitz ’97 received a certificationin Sustainability Management and is nowworking at WDC Solar to help make solarpower affordable to low income communitiesin the Washington, D.C. area.Lewis Carney ’02 andhis wife Amanda welcomeda baby girl onDecember 28, 2012.Kyle and KaitlinAhrens Kersey ’02have relocated toManuel Antonio,Lewis Carney Costa Rica with theirthree sons, Camden(3), Kieren (5), and Braeden (6). They operatea vacation hospitality business on theCentral Pacific coast, where the rain forestmeets the sea. Find out more atwww.greencoastrentals.com, where theyoffer nice discounts to DJO alumni.James McCrery ’83 – What’s Old Is NewThere was a time in recent past when plans for a new or renovated Catholic churchwould often include a strikingly modern building design. But the trend is changing andin parishes across the country there are capital campaigns and building projects centeron a return to a more traditional design.James McCrery ’83, founder of McCrery Architects inWashington, D.C. is one of only a handful of architects inthis country whose area of expertise is at the forefront ofthis trend. McCrery received both is Bachelor of Sciencein Architecture and his Master of Architecture from OhioState University. He has been a registered architect since1998, developing a profound interest in classical and traditionalarchitecture early in his career.His firm has been commissioned to design a variety oftraditional projects around the country for both secularand Church clients. Projects around Washington includethe U.S. Supreme Court Book Store and the statue pedestalfor President Reagan now displayed in the Rotunda of theUnited States Capitol. There is also a very long and growing list of projects for Catholicchurches all around the country, including a new 150,000 square foot Carmelite Monasteryin Wyoming and a chapel on Boston Harbor for the Archdiocese of Boston.In 2011, after a national search and intense interview process, McCrery was commissionedby Rev. Michael Burbridge, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, N.C. todesign a new cathedral campus for the diocese, with the 2,000-seat Holy Name of JesusCathedral at its center.With a growth rate in the Catholic population four and a half times that of the generalpopulation, the current cathedral church—the smallest in the continental UnitedStates—is busting at the seams. This will be the first American cathedral in over 100years to be built with a traditional Roman Catholic architectural design. Plans and progressfor Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral can be seen at www.holynamecathedralnc.org.“I continue to have a great deal of admiration for the I.H.M. Sisters at St. Michael’s andBishop O’Connell,” McCrery says of his early inspirations. “My background in Theology—thanksespecially to Sister Charles Borromeo, Mr. Welsford and Mrs. Connolly—drew my interests to Catholic architecture.”McCrery lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Faye Phillips, and his two children,James and Grace. They are members of St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill.19

Christopher Franco and Lauren RoubikLauren Roubik ’02 and ChristopherFranco were married October 13, 2012 atthe Basilica of the National Shrine of theAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary inBaltimore. Deacon Robert Shepherd offici-ated. Following the reception at the BaltimoreMarriott Inner Harbor the couplehoneymooned in Myrtle Beach. They livein Reston, Va.Brandon Moore ’04 married his wife,Kristina, and they purchased their firsthome only a few months later in Fair Haven,N.J. It’s been a big year!Kristina and Brandon MooreTerry Belt and Tom Reilly Join Forces inReal EstateIt was the winter of 1980. Terry Belt ’84 and Tom Reilly ’84 were freshmen at O’Connelland they were on the basketball team. At 6' tall, Terry played guard and at 6'2" tall, Tomplayed forward. When spring rolled around, they were teammates again, this time on thebaseball field. Belt was one of the leading hitters on the team.Reilly recalled recently, “I’ll never forget thisone time Terry smashed the ball directly atme. I was playing first base and I’ve neverseen a ball hit so hard.”Belt laughed, “You made the play of your lifeon that ball too.”Reilly responded, “That’s called self-defense!”Terry BeltTom ReillyTheir friendship continued throughout highschool and in 1984, they both graduated. Belt went on to play baseball at Georgetown University.And Reilly moved on to Brown University, where he played football. Their pathsdiverged at that point, but they carried with them a bond that was created both by theirpartnership in sports and by the foundation they were given in their years at O’Connell.Belt graduated from Georgetown University in 1988 with a degree in finance and embarkedon a successful career in real estate. He resides in Vienna, Va. with his wife andtwo sons.Reilly graduated from Brown University that same year with a double major: politicalscience and organizational behavioral and management. His career path led him into thelegal industry, where he focused on employing technology to assist in the practice of lawand to promote business development. Reilly is married, has four children and is a lifelongresident of McLean. After two decades, Reilly decided to get his real estate license andquickly rose to success as Rookie-of-the-Year for his company.In 2008, both Belt and Reilly became part of the founding agents at a new McLean officeof Keller Williams Realty. Terry Belt was a part of The Belt Team (a family business thatincludes his parents, Jerry and Gail Belt, and sister Christy Belt Grossman ’79), and TomReilly continued to operate as a solo realtor in the office.Last year, Reilly officially joined The Belt Team, as Senior Buyer Specialist. According toBelt, this was “a natural fit.” Both continue to be active in the community. Belt is involvedin a number of community organizations and especially enjoys coaching youth sports.Reilly has served on the Board of Directors of the Hamlet Swim Club, as an usher at St.Luke Catholic Church.Catching Upwith Jason &David FulbrookIn January 2006, Jason Fulbrook’09, a freshman at the time, wasdiagnosed with a leukemia calledBiphenotypic Acute Leukemia. It isone of the rarest and deadliest formsof leukemia because its origin as acancer is in the bone marrow stemcells that produce all blood cell types.By a miracle, he was diagnosed earlybecause of the blood test he took toparticipate in sports at O’Connell. Forthe next five months, Jason was inthe hospital and had to undergo tworounds of chemotherapy, the maximumradiation treatment, anotherchemotherapy treatment at WalterReed, and then he transferred toChildren’s Hospital in Washington fora bone marrow transplant. By anothermiracle, his brother, David Fulbrook’07 was a perfect bone marrow donormatch and helped save Jason’s life.Fast forward seven years, and the familyis happy to report that both youngmen are doing great. David is nowa second year medical student andJason is a healthy junior at the Collegeof William and Mary, studying chemistryand playing rugby in his sparetime. Because Jason now only has hisbrother’s blood in his system, he couldnever get the same leukemia again.According to their father, JimFulbrook, the family is extremelygrateful for all the support andprayers that came from the O’Connellcommunity during Jason’s ordeal.“The Fulbrooks have a family motto,”he said. “We are more of who we arebecause of each other.”David ’07, Emily ’13, and Jason ’09 Fulbrook20

Joe & Alexa SchaffnerBrian & Trish JasionVince KenneyAlexa McGonigal Schaffner ’04 and JoeSchaffner ’05 were married on the Rotundasteps at the University of Virginia on December29, 2012. Those celebrating with theSchaffners didn’t let the 40-degree weatherdeter them on this happy day! Wedding attendeesincluded Dan Turissini ’04, KevinZdancewicz ’04, Robert Glorioso ’04, andRachael Schaffner ’00.Patricia Adkins Jasion ’06 married BrianJasion on March 24, 2012 at historic St.Mary’s Church in Alexandria. This was thesame church where her parents (ActivitiesOffice Assistant, Julie Adkins and DelaneyAdkins) were married. Also in attendancewere family members, Brian Adkins ’16,Betsy Adkins ’12, Mike Adkins ’09. BothBrian and Trish are Virginia Tech alumniand have recently settled in outside ofRichmond in New Kent, Va.Camille Richards ’08 graduated fromVCU School of Nursing in 2012 where sheworked as a part-time research assistantfor the school as well as a part time carepartner at the hospital. She is employed asa nurse in the Evans-Haynes Burn Center,the oldest burn institution in the U.S. andthe only burn certified center in Virginia.Vince Kenney ’09, son of Kathleen andJim Kenney ’72, recently attained LevelII certification from the Professional SkiInstructors of America Association and willgraduate in May with a degree in ComputerScience from Saint Vincent College inLatrobe, Pa. Vince has accepted a softwareengineering position with a unit of the BoeingCompany beginning after graduation.Melanie Delaney ’10, daughter of JosephineBertran Delaney ’76, is studyingabroad this year (2012-2013). Melanie, whoattends Babson University, is a junior and isenrolled in the University of Seville in Spain.She loves it there and her Mom is hoping thatshe is learning to speak fluent Spanish! Shehas traveled to many places in Spain but hasalso made it to Morocco, Portugal, Amsterdam,Paris, London and Brussels.In MemoriamThomas Coipuram Sr.December 13, 2012Father of Thomas ’85 and grandfatherof Grace ’15John R. DavisNovember 30, 2012Father of Rachel ’02, Colin ’04, andStephanie ’05Victor D. Di GregoryJanuary 1, 2013Father of Chairman of the Board ofGovernors, Kevin Di Gregory,grandfather of Jessie ’03, Patrick ’05,Margaret ’08, and Anne ’15Jason Emma ’03December 24, 2012Brother of Max ’07Richard E. HardyJanuary 13, 2013Father of Mary Tillman ’84, Robert ’86,Kevin ’90, Michael ’91, David ’95, Timothy’98, Anne Marie ’00, and Richard ’02Rev. John F. Kurtzke Jr. CSCFebruary 28, 2013Brother of Catherine ’71, Joan ’76,Robert ’77, Elizabeth ’72, James ’79, andChristine ’85John MouldDecember 3, 2012Father of John ’74, Rick ’75, Andy ’76,Christopher ’78, Dan ’82, and Patty ’83Marie NaylorDecember 28, 2012Mother of Julie Naylor Hayden ’74,grandmother of Melissa ’96, Jeremy ’02,and Benjamin ’05Robert E. O’Donnell ’73February 24, 2013Spouse of Deborah ’73 Brother of Margaret’74, William ’78, Joanne ’80, and Terrence ’81Douglas RichardsonJanuary 10, 2013Father of Katherine Jane ’14 and Nicole ’16Brother James (Leo) Rieck, FSCNovember 17, 2012Former Faculty and Coach (1962-1971)Carol A. (Poos) Robinson ’61February 26, 2013Marguerite Louise Kimnach RyanDecember 7, 2012Mother of Kathleen Prebble, PresidentErma SteibMarch 10, 2013Mother of Bart ’63 ( former faculty)Henry E. Strickland Jr.December 20, 2012Father of Mary ’72, Stephen ’73, Elizabeth’74, Michael ’76, and Kathleen ’87(deceased)Teresa StricklerDecember 1, 2012Mother of Joan ’61, David ’65 (deceased)Jeremy TabonesJanuary 22, 2013Brother of Jen ’07Dr. Boyd HagyDecember 12, 2012Drama Director(1963-1966)Boyd Hagy taught Englishat O’Connell and served asthe drama director in theearly years of the school. Heproduced several memorableplays, including Brigadoon,Carnival, Call Me Madamand Harvey. He is remembered fondly by his students,who said he was always able to work witheach of them as “diamonds in the rough.”Bob TaborFebruary 4, 2013Assistant Principal, Teacher,Coach (1984-2010)Bob Tabor was a retiredFairfax County PublicSchools principal who cameto O’Connell as an administratorand coach in 1984.Bob received his master’sdegree in administration from the College ofWilliam and Mary and was certified in biology,government, and social studies. He previouslyserved his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from1951-1953. Before leaving O’Connell for healthreasons, Bob served as the Dean of Faculty,where he was a valued mentor to many facultymembers. He was a wise, kind and humble man.He was loved and appreciated in the BishopO’Connell community and will be missed.21

Join us for a special evening reception anddinner at Bishop O’Connell High School tohonor three exceptional alumni.Tickets are $20 per person. Please RSVP by May 31 to Jennifer Brown’02 at 703-237-1437 orjbrown@bishopoconnell.org.AlumniAchievementAwardsFriday, June 7at 6 p.m.Scott Wilson ’87Distinguished Alumni AwardScott Wilson is the founder and principal designer of ChicagobasedMINIMAL. His creative work in industrial design wasrecognized last year through the prestigious National DesignAward by Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National DesignMuseum, which honors excellence, innovation and lastingachievement in American design. Wilson is a former designleader at Nike, Thomson Consumer Electronics, IDEO, FortuneBrands, and Motorola, and has created some of the world’smost recognized consumer design icons. With creative projects that span industries from technology,consumer products, fashion, furniture and much more, he has been described as “equalparts visionary designer and serial entrepreneur.”Wilson’s work has been recognized with more than sixty international design awards andhas been exhibited at Cooper-Hewitt, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Art Institute ofChicago. He has been featured in publications such as ID Magazine’s Top 40, TIME Magazine’sStyle+Design100, WIRED Magazine and Fast Company’s Masters of Design, where he wasnamed one of their 50 Most Influential Designers in America.Photo by Kenny KimPhoto courtesy of Rep. Frank WolfJames Zumwalt ’00Young Alumni Achievement AwardJames Zumwalt, was awarded the Bronze Star at a ceremonyin Washington last summer. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.)presented former Navy Lt. Zumwalt with the medal, notinghis “exceptionally meritorious service” in Iraq in 2010 witha Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. Zumwaltserved two tours in Iraq with EOD teams, who were oftenvulnerable to explosives and sniper fire. He now works for agovernment contractor in the Washington area.Julia Wentzel Wharton ’85Knights Service AwardIn 2003, when the only Catholic elementary school inBlacksburg, Va. closed its doors due to financial issues. JuliaWentzel Wharton—a mother of four young girls—rallied thecommunity and established a new Catholic school for theNew River Valley area. Renting a space in a vacant publicschool building, Wharton used her ties with schools in theDiocese of Arlington to solicit contributions of furniture,materials, supplies, donations and prayers. She took no salaryas director for the first five years to help the school get on its feet. Today, St. John NeumannAcademy has 107 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and 10 teachers. It has outgrownits rental space, and Wharton dreams of building a larger facility on their own piece ofland and someday adding a high school.22

Class ReunionsClass of 1963 is planning their 50-yearreunion for Oct. 11-13, 2013. Check out thewebsite for updates, class notes, andspecial information atclassreport.org/usa/va/arlington/bohs/1963.Steve Habeger (shabeger@vt.edu) or DaveKrauss (dkrause24@comcast.net) are thepoints of contact.Also, the class of 1963 is invited to bespecial guests at the commencementceremony for the Bishop O’Connell classof 2013 on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at theBasilica of the National Shrine of the ImmaculateConception in Washington, D.C.A reception will follow the event. Pleaseemail alumni@bishopoconnell.org to let usknow you are coming.Class of 1968 is beginning tomake plans for their 45-year reunion.Please contact Nancy Kenney atKenneyN@sec.gov with any ideas.Class of 1973 is planning their 40-yearreunion on the weekend of October 11–14,2013 (Columbus Day weekend). Pleasecontact the committee chair Judy KimmittRainey at jjk22101@gmail.com or theplanning committee’s main mailbox atDJOClassof1973@gmail.com for details.Class of 1978 is making plans aroundColumbus weekend for their 35-yearreunion. Please contact Scott Gaboury atssigaboury@aol.com for more details.Class of 1983 is starting to make plansfor their 30-year reunion. Please emailGeorge Boras at gboras@yahoo.com to stayconnected with your class.Class of 1988 is ready to plan their25-year reunion. Contact Joe Bullis atjoebullis@yahoo.com.Class of 1993 is celebrating 20 yearsthis year. Please Contact Molly O’HaraDowley at modowley@me.com to help planthe reunion.Class of 2003 – Has it already beenten years? Please stay connected with thereunion planners to get the latest informationon party plans. Please email LibbyMuldoon (libbymuldoon@gmail.com),Pat Boland (ptboland@gmail.com),Sean Whitfield (spnw85@gmail.com), orAtheni Asihel (aasihel@gmail.com).Your ReunionStarts HereIt’s never too early to start planning yourclass reunion! The alumni office can helpyou get organized and publicize your nextevent. Contact alumni@bishopoconnell.orgfor more information.UpcomingAlumniEventsHomecoming 2013Join Us Under the Tent!Saturday, October 12, 2013Come back to O’Connell and enjoyan afternoon of friends and football!All alumni and their families are invitedto join us for lunch underour Alumni Homecoming Tentbefore the O’Connell homecomingfootball game. Find out more atwww.bishopoconnell.org/homecoming.Questions?Contact alumni@bishopoconnell.org.23

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT #6479MERRIFIELD, VA6600 Little Falls Road, Arlington, Virginia 22213www.bishopoconnell.org • 703-237-1400CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTEDUpcoming EventsConnolly Golf ClassicFriday, May 10, 2013www.bishopoconnell.org/connollyclassicClass of 2013 GraduationReception for the Class of 1963Wednesday, May 30, 2013Alumni Achievement AwardsFriday, June 7, 2013 at 6 p.m.www.bishopoconnell.org/achievementawardsHomecoming Football GameSaturday, Oct. 12, 2013www.bishopoconnell.org/alumni24