The social studies department is offering Comparative Government and Politics this summer. This online course can count for honors or AP credit.

Find out more at www.bishopoconnell.org/summerstudies and sign up through the counseling office.

Those interested in trying out for the boys’ varsity tennis team should meet Coach Borgiasz outside of the Training Room at 3:15 ready for practice. Tennis tryouts will continue today, tomorrow and Monday. Dress warm, wind chills will be below zero.

The Baseball meeting that was previously scheduled for this past Tuesday will be today immediately after school in the auxiliary gym. If you plan on trying out you must attend.

Girls Lacrosse Tryouts will be postponed to Monday, February 23 at 4:30pm on the turf.

Calling all movie lovers! The DJO Film Club will be meeting tomorrow (Friday) during B lunch. The Academy Awards are this weekend, so come with your opinions on this year's nominees! See Mr. Meehan for details.

Registration for the DJO Madness basketball tournament is now due this Friday. Forms are in the Center Office, sign up TODAY.

This Friday and all Fridays of Lent, the 7 a.m. Mass will be celebrated in the Student Chapel. A light breakfast will follow in the Chapel Lounge.  This is a great thing to do for Lent! All are welcome! If there is a 2 hour delay on Friday, the Mass will be at 8:45 a.m.

Take this opportunity to renew your relationship with Christ. The Chaplain's Office is offering extra confessions every day after school from 3:00-3:30 until April 1st.  In addition, an extra Mass will be offered during B Lunch every Friday during Lent.

We have a winner in the Love Story Contest - Theresa Matula, a senior at DJO, is this year's 2015 True Love Story Contest WINNER. Her moving nonfiction short story tells of love, faith and family - love is not fiction. Congratulations, Theresa! Read her love story and others in the eBook in the school library catalog.

Yearbooks - the 2014-2015 yearbook is now on sale.  You may purchase your yearbook online or bring a check for $75 to the Bookstore.  Very few extra copies will be ordered, so be sure to purchase the book this year if you want one when they are delivered in August! 

Do you enjoy milk? Well today's your luck day; because the Young Teens for Healthy Decisions Club politely requests you to milk your wallet of 1 dollar to donate to charity and aid a greater cause. All profits of the charity will be donated to St.Jude's Children's Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project! All who donate at least a dollar will receive an exclusive wrist band of their choice and free candy; which you can freely share with your friends as a late Valentine’s gift. Stop by the cafeteria during the week of February 17-20 during all lunches to donate. Thank you!

On February 23 and 24, the music department will be holding 'open rehearsals' of its instrumental and vocal groups. Everyone is welcome to attend. More details will be coming soon!

All SENIOR Global Studies students- Please remember you must see Ms. Webb during KT before the February 27th to discuss your individual programs and your final capstone presentations. You may come see her or email her to schedule a meeting.

Congratulations to the DJO Jazz Band on a really great performance during the High School competition at last Saturday's Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival. DJO had some great solos on alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet and guitar, and everyone had a really great time, listened to other bands from around the region, and sat in on some very interesting clinics, etc. Thank you all again for your support!

Congratulations to Junior Saxophonist Jacob Vanaman on his selection to represent Bishop O'Connell and State Region #7 in a statewide competition for the Governor's School Summer Program." 

Attention, any student applying for the fall 2015 French Exchange Program! You MUST return your application form to Mr. Hobson no later than the end of school this Friday, February 20th. Either e-mail it or place it directly in Mr. Hobson's hands. If e-mailing, send as a pdf, return-receipt-requested. Including photos of self with family and friends is a helpful addition.  

Do you love cruising the ocean in your 200 foot sailing boat over the weekends? Of course you don’t, because you don’t know how to sail so listen up! There will be a Sailing meeting, TODAY after school in the upper gym for those who are interested in sailing. It will be brief.

The social studies department held its annual Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honors Society Induction ceremony earlier this week. More than 400 students, family members and guests attended the ceremony and the reception that followed. Dean of Academics, Sister Catherine Hill IHM, delivered a keynote address and Head of School, Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach, left the students with some closing remarks.

“It was a great ceremony,” remarked India Seldin, junior representative to Rho Kappa. “Sister Catherine’s speech was great. She asked how we would make the group better by our membership. It really made me think.”

The ceremony, run by a student executive board, lasted just under 45 minutes. The highlight came when Secretary Claire Saunders ’15 and Treasurer Marty Knauf ’15 took a moment to reflect on the significance and contributions of the social studies in the development of the individual by talking about the four main tenets of Rho Kappa: Veritas, Scientia, sapienta, and officium (truth, knowledge, wisdom, and service). While they spoke, President Anna Flach ’15 and Vice President Sarah Davis ’15 lit candles representing each virtue.

To be eligible for Rho Kappa, students must have successfully completed four semesters of social studies at O'Connell, maintain a 3.5 GPA or better in social studies and overall, and have satisfied their Christian Service requirements.

This is the second year for Rho Kappa at Bishop O'Connell, and 126 senior and junior were inducted. Congratulations!

Pictured above: Senior Kathryn Gliot is congratulated by Dr. Vorbach as Sister Catherine looks on.

Pictured below (l to r): Rho Kappa executive board, Marty Knauf (treasurer), Claire Saunders (secretary), Anna Flach (president), India Seldin (junior representative), Sarah Davis (vice president), and Mr. Greg Haas (social studies department chair).

And know a saying from Nelson Mandela about knowing a language.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
- Nelson Mandela

All National English Honor Society Members, please pay close attention to the following announcements: You should have received a letter in your advisory either last week or this morning about the installation ceremony on Wednesday evening. Please remember that this ceremony is MANDATORY and that you are expected to arrive at 6:30, in appropriate dress as outlined in the letter, to line up for the procession. You are also asked to have your parents RSVP to Mrs. Cerniglia by this evening if they are planning to attend. If you know that your parents are coming, please let Mrs. Cerniglia know today so that we can order enough food for the reception. Finally, if you have not paid the $5 dues (this is separate from the installation fee), please do so before Wednesday! Thank you! Any questions?? See Mrs. Cerniglia today!

All French students who registered to take the National French Contest: It will be held directly after school tomorrow, March 11 and will last approximately one hour. You must be in your designated classroom by 3 pm. Room numbers will be posted on Ms. Webb and Mr. Hobson's doors and announced in class.

Congratulations on a great performance this past weekend for the DJO Jazz Band during the reception for the St. Timothy's Gala/Auction. The ensemble was "tight," and they rocked!

Hey O’Connell! Superdance 2015 is this Saturday. In order to attend, you must register! Once you are registered, be sure to get busy and get those pledges from your family, neighbors, teachers, and friends! Regis. takes place in the cafeteria during lunch on anchor days and every day after school!

This week’s spirit dress days (where you wear your O'Connell slacks or skirt with these dress out options) are only given to students who have REGISTERED for Superdance! Please register asap and help us find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Today is Team Tuesday. In honor of the first national sports league show us your favorite jersey.

Wonder Wednesday – Celebrate your favorite superhero and dress like the hero you are!

Theater Thursday – Dress in black and white to honor old Hollywood!

Freedom Friday – dress in patriotic attire to honor USA!

Attention anyone who volunteered for Superdance! Make sure to check what shift you are working. You can look at the email that was sent to you or come to the registration table after school in the cafeteria to look at the sheet. Thanks!

The Chinese Culture Club will be hosting a Chinese New Year Festival in the cafeteria lobby on Friday, March 13. Come by and try some Chinese egg rolls, take a picture in our photobooth, and have a chance to win Starbucks gift cards and other prizes in our games and calligraphy contest! We hope to see you there."

Do you know that the first person to actually receive this year’s awesome new Superdance t-shirt is a National treasure and none other than Nat’s third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman! Now you know!

Kathryn Baker will be competing in the Metro Finals tournament for debate this weekend at Loudoun County High School. At this tournament, the top 30 debaters of Arlington and Washington go head to head for a spot at the national tournament in May. If you see Kathryn before Friday, wish her luck!

The Debate Club will hold their final meeting and tournament send-off party Thursday (tomorrow) after school. Come celebrate this season's success!

This Friday, the 7 a.m. Mass will be offered in the Student Chapel. A light breakfast will follow in the Chapel Lounge. All are welcome to attend.

The Gamer Club will hold a SoulCaliber V Tournament today, March 12th, beginning promptly at 3PM in Rm. 202. The entry fee will be $2 for all tournament contestants. Join in, and have another great time in a fun and competitive atmosphere. Gamers-s-s-s Rock, Go Knights!

This week’s spirit dress down day’s are only given to students who have REGISTERED.

Today is THEATRE THURSDAY. WHO SAID BLACK AND WHITE WAS BORING? DRESS IN BLACK AND WHITE TO HONOR OLD HOLLYWOOD!

FRIDAY – FREEDOM FRIDAY. LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE! DRESS IN PATRIOTIC ATTIRE.

During all anchor day lunches, there will be special games that will be held in the cafeteria for the chance to win a special prize!   However, only students who have registered for Superdance can dress out. So everyone register today!

Attention anyone who volunteered for Superdance - Make sure to check what shift you are working. You can look at the email that was sent to you or come to the registration table after school in the cafeteria to look at the sheet. Thanks!

The National English Honor Society held its inaugural induction ceremony on Wednesday evening, March 11, and welcomed 114 junior and senior students to the Bishop O'Connell Chapter. Students and their parents witnessed the presentation of the charter to the four officers (pictured left with Mrs. Cerniglia): President, Francesca Pastore; Vice President, Susan Rodriguez; Secretary, Madeleine Lucchetti; and Treasurer, Ria Duffy. Each officer then spoke about the meaning of the book and pen emblem, the motto in Old English, the official colors of royal blue and gold, and the white carnation as the authorized flower.

The keynote address from former O'Connell English teacher Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick inspired everyone to "live to read" and to become fully immersed in the wonder of literature and language. Mr. Fitzpatrick proudly commented that sixty-five of the inductees had been his former students and how he was happy to share this occasion with them.

After receiving membership certificates, the newly inducted members joined the officers in reciting the NEHS Affirmation:

As a member of the National English Honor Society, I shall endeavor to advance the study of all areas of English and to foster a spirit of fellowship among students excelling in all facets of the English Language Arts, ever keeping in mind our national motto as our guiding principle:

                    Gelast sceal mid are: Duty goes with Honor

Dr. Joseph Vorbach closed the ceremony by exhorting the officers to accept the mantle of leadership and prepare the next generation to continue the work that they have started.

Moderator Mrs. Diane Cerniglia, along with the entire English Department faculty, looks forward to guiding these new members of the National English Honor Society to use this honor to empower others and to accept the responsibility of sharing the best of language and literature with others. In the words of American poet, Emily Dickinson,

                    We never know how high we are
                    Til we are called to rise
                    And then, if we are true to plan
                    Our statures touch the skies.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make Superdance 2015 such a success! 86% of the entire school registered for Superdance. Good job O’Connell! Remember that your pledge forms will be returned to you in Advisory this week and you can still receive more pledges! Let’s continue to fight for a cure!

If you lost a personal item at Superdance or forgot to retrieve your belongings from coat check, please check the lost and found outside of Ms. Hogan’s office or stop by the SCA room. Thank you!

Attention all SCA officers, councilors, and moderators: our next meeting will be today, March 18.

Superdance chairs: There will be a meeting today after school in the SCA room.

There will be a volleyball meeting today, Wednesday after school in the religion hall.

Calling all writers, artists, and editors! The Largesse literary magazine will have our next meeting today, Wednesday (March 18) after school in the ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WRITING LAB (Room 325). We'll announce the winners of our editorial board elections, and we'll take our photo for this year's yearbook -- so please arrive in uniform! Meeting will begin at 3:05 and will last about 15-20 minutes. Anyone who's interested in writing for the literary magazine is welcome to attend!

There will be an O’Connell Bake Sale for the Varsity Sailing Team today, March 18, so bring your money for some delicious treats!

Students from St. James parish are invited to a pizza lunch with Fr. Posey tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th.  Please report directly to the Trinidad Lobby (by room 226) at the beginning of your lunch period on Thursday.

A group of students from Bishop O’Connell recently attended the 2015 VMI Leadership Conference, hosted by the Center for Leadership and Ethics at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. O’Connell’s Christian service coordinator, Ms. Kathryn Hogan, and English teacher, Mr. John Meehan, accompanied the students of this trip.

The conference focused on motivating and inspiring other to the call of humanitarian public service. The opening speaker, E. Scott Geller, Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech, set the stage for the next two days.  His presentation was entitled, “Seven Life Lessons from Psychological Science: How to Bring out the Best in Yourself and Others.”

It was an especially memorable conference as the attendees were on hand as the 2015 Jonathan Daniels Humanitarian Award was presented to Rep. John Lewis (Ga.). Congressman Lewis, was a key leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee, leading the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. He has continued to dedicate his life of public service to protecting human rights and securing civil liberties.

"Being a leader isn’t about the title,” said Lily Saunders. “It’s about helping others and making a difference with your peers.”

Pictured (l to r): Sierra Moore, Rickie Miller, Colleen McGinn, Lily Saunders, Alexis Fernandez, Ellie Ward, Andrew Oudkirk, and Madison Wilson.

Students from Mr. Paul Gerton’s Principles of Engineering class recently took a trip to Culpeper, Va. to visit production facilities at Tanom Motors.

Tanom Motors manufactures a three-wheeled motorcycle style vehicle called the Invader. Dave Young, co-owner and CFO of Tanom, gave the students a personal tour of the assembly line, explaining the processes used in each stage of production. He also discussed several important business aspects that included meeting safety regulations, marketing, and economics.

“This area does not have a plethora of manufacturing facilities,” said Gerton. “This was a great opportunity for our engineering students to see in practice some of the concepts they have been studying in class.”

Attention, students who have been accepted to the 2015 French Exchange! Remember that your first deposit MUST be submitted to Mr. Hobson by the end of school TODAY. Those who fail to do so will not be included on the finalized list submitted to our partner school in France.

On Friday, the DJO Symphonic/Concert Band performed at the District 12 Band Assessment, at Washington-Lee High School. They performed very well on our prepared pieces, and even better on our sight reading. Please join me in congratulating the members of the band in a job well done!

Senior Global Studies students- If you have not taken Dr. Vorbach's Global Politics Course, it will be this Wednesday afternoon. You must see or email Ms. Webb to register for the course. It is the last time it will be help before capstone presentations. Sophomores and juniors are welcome to register as well.

All SENIOR Global Studies students who have met with Ms. Webb individually and who have completed their requirements to finish the Global Studies program and receive their certificate- There will be a meeting after school on Tuesday, March 31st in room 319 to go over the presentation guidelines and schedule the presentation date and time.

Lost and Found is overflowing. Please check the tables in the cafeteria for your lost items, during lunch. There are also some rings and watches in Lost and Found. If you think they belong to you come to Student Life. Thank you.

Please remember to bring in your Superdance money as soon as possible! Your Superdance representatives will be coming around to your homeroom to collect your money so get those pledges in O’Connell! Remember, you can always donate more than the amount you pledged! Thank you!

On Saturday, Mar. 14, the students of Bishop O'Connell came together for the 40th consecutive year to participate in a 12-hour dance marathon to raise money to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Pledges are still being collected and the final tally will be in soon. In the meantime, enjoy a photo slide show from the event and read a reflection written by a senior after his last Superdance.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM SUPERDANCE

READ A REFLECTION WRITTEN BY A SENIOR

Find out more about Superdance at www.superdance.org.

Please remember to bring in your Superdance money as soon as possible! If you bring in your money by this Thursday you will receive ice cream during lunch! If we have 95% of pledges in by next Wednesday, April 1we will have no school on Holy Thursday! So get those pledges in! Remember, you can always donate more than the amount you pledged!

There will be a SALT meeting after school this Wednesday, in Room 220. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Blaser or Ms. Funk.

The Knights  pulled off a victory against Wilson High School on Monday when the #2 doubles team of Gianni Snidle and Shaun Freeeman won their match in a third set tie-breaker. The Knights will take on Ireton on Friday in their first home conference match at 4pm at Bluemont Park. Come out and cheer on freshman standouts Erick Rivas, Shaun Freeman and Evan Rickawitz alongside senior leaders Patrick Hughes and Kevin Shepard as they march toward the WCAC tournament.

Senior Global Studies students - If you have not taken Dr. Vorbach's Global Politics Course, it will be this Wednesday afternoon. You must see or email Ms. Webb to register for the course. It is the last time it will be help before capstone presentations. Sophomores and juniors are welcome to register as well.

Students from St. Agnes parish are invited to a pizza party with Fr. Edlefsen on Wednesday during your lunch period.Please report to the Trindad Lobby entrance at the beginning of your lunch period tomorrow for the pizza & soda.

Students who have seen their counselor for course selection and are still missing recommendations need to see their teachers to put the recommendations into PowerSchool and return to their counselor when completed.

The blood drive will not take place today.

The Young Women's Executive Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday March 25 to produce materials for the dress drive. We will also be hosting a guest speaker Monday March 30th during KT in room 128.

Seniors wishing to work the sophomore retreat need to check their O'Connell e-mail account and respond to the message sent out by Thursday.  If no response is received by Thursday, March 26, your name will be removed from the list of seniors wishing to work the retreat.

All SENIOR Global Studies students who have met with Ms. Webb individually and who have completed their requirements to finish the Global Studies program and receive their certificate- There will be a meeting after school on Tuesday, March 31st in room 319 to go over the presentation guidelines and schedule the presentation date and time.

Theology teacher, Mr. Matthew Rose, wrote a reflection on the healing powers of Jesus to share at the senior boy's retreat early this year.

An expanded version of his original text has been published on the Catholic Exchange website this week. It has also been published on our Chaplain's blog site, "Knights of Faith."

Read "The Healing Power of Jesus" on the Catholic Exchange website.

Visit our "Knights of Faith" blog to read more entries.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!

The March 2015 edition of our student newspaper, The Visor, has hit the streets (hallways). Pick up your copy in advisory, or read it online HERE.

This edition includes great photos and stories about Superdance, Easter, and current events. Always favorites are the student profiles and sports stories.

Get your copy today!

Just a few weeks ago, Katie Scott, a reporter for the Arlington Catholic Herald shadowed our school chaplain, Rev. Gregory Thompson, for the day. And it was a very long day, beginning with 7 a.m. Mass in the chapel and wrapping up the day at an ice hockey game after 8 p.m.

Scott documented the day on social media and publish a story for this week's newspaper. It's full of photo, music and much more...

Bishop O'Connell High School is truly blessed by his presence!

Read "High School Chaplain Offers Ministry of Presence" in the Arlington Catholic Herald.

Pictured: Fr. Thompson chats with visiting eighth-graders from Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tommy Petersen, Max Johnson and Vince Pizzano, along with O’Connell senior Jacob Salazar. (Photo courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

Attention O'Connell! We are having a Sadie Hawkins dance! The name of the dance is Girl's Choice Spring Fling! It will be on Friday May 1st from 7:30 to 9:30 PM in the courtyard. Tickets go on sale next week for $5. Start planning on how to ask your man, ladies!

Please remember to bring in your Superdance money as soon as possible! If we have 95% of pledges in by next Wednesday, April 1^st we will not have school on Holy Thursday! So get those pledges in! Remember, you can always donate more than the amount you pledged!

Attention all National English Honor Society Members: Please check the list posted outside Room 323. If your name is highlighted in orange, you have not paid your $5 dues. Please give your $5 to Mrs. Cerniglia before Easter vacation. The officers will be in touch after Easter about an April activity.

Teens Against Type 1 is holding its first meeting today in room 310 during Knight time/B lunch to discuss the reality of the disease and dismiss the myths surrounding it. If you have any questions about the meeting, please talk to juniors Dylan Seagrave and Catherine Carroll.

The Tennis team will take on Ireton today in their first home conference match at 4pm at bluemont park. Come out and cheer on Freshman standouts Erick Rivas, Shaun Freeman and Evan Rickawitz alongside Senior leaders Patrick Hughes and Kevin Shepard as they march toward the WCAC tournament.

Students who have seen their counselor for course selection and are still missing recommendations need to see their teachers to put the recommendations into PowerSchool and return to their counselor when completed.

The Young Women's Executive Council will be hosting a guest speaker Monday, March 30 during KT in room 128.

There will be a philosophy club meeting today at 11:45am in Room 220. See Ms. Funk for more info.

Seniors who plan to work the sophomore retreat on April 14th must attend a training session on Monday at 11:30 in the auditorium balcony.  This will be a brief training session rather than a working lunch.

The Young Men's Executive Club is hosting its annual Gently Used Suit Drive beginning this Monday March 30th. Please see Coach Owens or any member of the YMEC for details!

Senior Global Studies students- if you have not taken Mr. Bettahuser's Business and Finance course, it will be offered Monday afternoon. Email or see Ms. Webb to register. This is the last time before capstone presentations.

All SENIOR Global Studies students who have met with Ms. Webb individually and who have completed their requirements to finish the Global Studies program and receive their certificate- There will be a meeting after school on Tuesday, March 31st in room 319 to go over the presentation guidelines and schedule the presentation date and time.

The Arlington Optimist Club is awarding $3,200 total prize money for  a 4-5 minute speech on "How My Optimism Will Help Me Press onto Greater Achievements of the Future." The preliminary contest is next Tues. March 31 at 7:00 pm here at O'Connell. Contact Mrs. Wentzel for an entry sheet in room 326. $1,600 goes to girls and $1.600 to boys.

After this week’s school Mass of the Solemnity of the Annunciation, we recognized Sister Elizabeth Goltman, who is celebrating her 50-year jubilee as a Sister, Servant of the I.H.M.

Sister Elizabeth is a 1962 graduate of Bishop O’Connell, who spent time at the I.H.M. Motherhouse in West Chester, Pa., studying college subjects and learning about the I.H.M. community and the Church before taking her vows. She has her master’s degree from Villanova and has served students in this diocese, as well as in Philadelphia and Miami. She has been a valuable member of the Bishop O’Connell math department for the past 12 years.

“Reflecting on the past 50 years all I can say is WOW!” said Sister Elizabeth. “It has been a wonderful journey of love and faith with great support from the sisters that I have had the privilege to live and work with during my religious life.”

She continued, “While this is a singular vocation it is one that I feel must be traveled with the support of others, family, the Sisters that I have lived and worked with, the students I have taught and who have taught me, and the families that I have met along the way. With all of this, the guidance and love of Jesus and His Mother Mary has been the rock that guides and supports me on this journey.”

Congratulations and thank you, Sister Elizabeth!

We have collected just under $61,000. In order to receive Holy Thursday off from school, we must receive $28,300 in the next two days! All students... please send in any money you have received in pledges to the SCA room immediately! Every dollar helps! Everyone, and we mean everyone, needs to get out there and collect those pledges in order to meet this goal. Having Holy Thursday off is a blessing... there is no guarantee that this will happen unless each of us brings in the pledged money. Thank you!

If you took the AMC test in February please see Mrs. Koranek in room 116 if you want the solutions pamphlet.

Attention all National English Honor Society Members: Please check the list posted outside Room 323. If your name is highlighted in orange, you have not paid your $5 dues. Please give your $5 to Mrs. Cerniglia before Easter vacation. The officers will be in touch after Easter about an April activity.

Students who have seen their counselor for course selection and are still missing recommendations need to see their teachers to put the recommendations into PowerSchool and return to their counselor when completed.

The Young Men's Executive Club is hosting its annual Gently Used Suit Drive. Please see Coach Owens or any member of the YMEC for details!

Attention editors of the Largesse literary magazine: today's meeting has been postponed. Please see Mr. Meehan before break to confirm calendar dates for when we will meet after spring break! And to anyone else who's interested in submitting an original work of creative fiction, poetry, or artwork to this year's literary magazine, we would love to include your work in this year's Largesse! Please see Mr. Meehan, Francesa Pastore, or Patrick Rohan for more details on how to submit!

All SENIOR Global Studies students who have met with Ms. Webb individually and who have completed their requirements to finish the Global Studies program and receive their certificate- There will be a meeting after school TODAY in room 319 to go over the presentation guidelines and schedule the presentation date and time.

The Arlington Optimist Club is awarding $3200.00 total prize money for  a 4-5 minute speech on "How My Optimism Will Help Me Press onto Greater Achievements of the Future." The preliminary contest is this TODAY at 7:00 pm here at O'Connell. Contact Mrs. Wentzel for an entry sheet in room 326. $1600 goes to girls and $1600 to boys.

The O'Connell Singers, Bishop O'Connell's Select Women's Vocal Ensemble, will be holding auditions for the 2015 -2016 school year for all current DJO women. There will be a 15 minute info meeting after school on Friday, April 17. The audition will be held Monday, April 20 during Knight Time with callbacks on Tuesday, April 21. The audition requirements include: Perform a solo vocal piece that best represents your ability, sight sing an eight measure musical exercise, match note patterns on the piano, and perform a short choral work with current O'Connell Singers members. Please speak with Mr. Kadeli if you have any questions or scheduling issues. We look forward to seeing the talent you will bring to our group and our school!

A group of students from Bishop O’Connell recently attended the 2015 VMI Leadership Conference, hosted by the Center for Leadership and Ethics at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. O’Connell’s Christian service coordinator, Ms. Kathryn Hogan, and English teacher, Mr. John Meehan, accompanied the students of this trip.

The conference focused on motivating and inspiring other to the call of humanitarian public service. The opening speaker, E. Scott Geller, Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech, set the stage for the next two days.  His presentation was entitled, “Seven Life Lessons from Psychological Science: How to Bring out the Best in Yourself and Others.”

It was an especially memorable conference as the attendees were on hand as the 2015 Jonathan Daniels Humanitarian Award was presented to Rep. John Lewis (Ga.). Congressman Lewis, was a key leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee, leading the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. He has continued to dedicate his life of public service to protecting human rights and securing civil liberties.

"Being a leader isn’t about the title,” said Lily Saunders. “It’s about helping others and making a difference with your peers.”

Pictured (l to r): Sierra Moore, Rickie Miller, Colleen McGinn, Lily Saunders, Alexis Fernandez, Ellie Ward, Andrew Oudkirk, and Madison Wilson.