Prom tickets are now available.

SCA Class officer forms are available in the SCA room and are due back on Wednesday, May 13.

There will be a meeting of newly inducted National Honor Society Members in room 231 after school today.

In honor of former principal Richard Martin, the PTO awards $500.00 to a senior at graduation, who has written the best essay entitled "What O'Connell has meant to Me". The essay should be no longer than one page double-spaced (longer will not be accepted). E-mail the essay to Mrs. Stabile by Friday, May 8.

Are you passionate about O’Connell? Are you responsible? Do you take initiative to help others? If you answered yes to any of these questions than we invite you to apply to be a mentor for the Knight2Knight program for next year’s freshman class. Must be a rising 11^th or 12^th grade students and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Please see Mrs. Jacobsen in the counseling office or contact her at ljacobsen@bishopoconnell.org for an application. Applications are due on May 22^nd.

"If you are a sophomore or junior and you are currently a keyette and you did not vote on Monday, May 4 then please see Mrs Graif in room 114 to cast your ballot as  the final count will be made on Tuesday immediately after school."

Will the following seniors of the Spanish honor society please see Señorita Yanine during C lunch today for imperative information about graduation. This meeting is mandatory.
Victoria Adams, Mariel Cardenas, Rachel Cuevas, Anna Flach, Kevin Fraser, Kylan Luna, Carmen Pizzano, Miguel Saunders, Erin Sweeny, Stephen Thiringer, and Jenna Ferraro. Muchas gracias!

Did you pledge over $300 for Superdance? If so, you can dress out for your AP and final exams, but only if you have brought in your money! The list will be posted on the SCA room door.

Congratulations to head softball coach, Tommy Orndorff, who reached 700 wins in his coaching career at Bishop O’Connell yesterday. The Lady Knights recorded this win in the last regular season game of the year, defeating Paul VI, 10-0 in six innings.

In his 30 years at the helm of the O’Connell softball program, Coach Orndorff has led the Knights to a 700-80 record (.897 win percentage), which include an impressive 21 Catholic league tournament championships and 19 Virginia Independent School state tournament titles.

“Pretty amazing,” remarked Coach Orndorff. “I came to O'Connell thinking that I would be here a year or two, and move on.  Thirty years and 700 wins later, I'm still here.”

“It has been a great run, one that I have thoroughly enjoyed,” he continued.  “But, truth be told, it has never been about me. It has always been about my players.  Players win games!  Players win championships!  I am fortunate that the program has attracted some great players through the years… and continues to do so.  I like to think that we have played the game the right way and for the right reasons—namely, our love of the game.  It is who we are, and hopefully we are not done yet.  There are still games to be won—and we are going to give it our best shot doing so.  I like to think that it is our time of year."

Read more about Coach Orndorff, who was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame last November.

Follow the Lady Knights as they head into tournament play this week. Find their schedule at www.bishopoconnell.org/softball.

Pictured above - The O'Connell softball team celebrates Orndorff's 700th win after the May 4 game vs. Paul VI.

The May Fine Arts Boosters Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30pm in the Band Room. 

Please note that this is a change of location.  We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, May 13. 

SCA Class officer forms are available in the SCA room and are due back on Monday, May 11.

In honor of former principal Richard Martin, the PTO awards $500.00 to a senior at graduation, who has written the best essay entitled "What O'Connell has meant to Me". The essay should be no longer than one page double-spaced (longer will not be accepted). E-mail the essay to Mrs. Stabile by 3PM Today.

Come support the O'Connell Boys and Girls crew team tomorrow, May 9, at the Anacostia Community Boathouse where they will be competing all day in their WMIRA D.C. area championships. It's going to be a beautiful day for racing! Go knights!

Did you pledge over $300 for Superdance? If so, you can dress out for your AP and final exams, but only if you have brought in your money! The list will be posted on the SCA room door.

French Honor Society seniors- see Ms. Webb by today if you would like to order a graduation cord. They are $8 and will not be ordered until payment is made. This is the last chance to purchase a cord.

The SCA Class officer forms are available in the SCA room and are due back by the END OF TODAY.

Elections for SCA Executive Board will be held tomorrow during Knight Time. Be sure to cast your votes!

FBLA will have an end of the year meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12, during C lunch in Room 202. All are welcome, especially if you are interesting in being part of the club next year. ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool and your Christian Service Project has a DASH that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan!

Seniors! You have ONE WEEK to get your prom tickets! Prom is going to be an unforgettable experience and we want everyone there. Get your tickets after school for $58 TODAY. Thank you for your help in making Prom a success!

Seniors--- All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or as one of the librarians.

The following students MUST see Señorita Yanine in room 310 by today if they would like to graduate with cords as part of the Spanish honor society....Tori Adams, Rachel Cuevas, Kevin Fraser, Carmen Pizzano, Miguel Saunders, Erin Sweeney, Steven Thiringer

For those students who are scheduled to volunteer at Tuckahoe tutoring tomorrow, May 12, in order to fulfill their service requirements for graduation, PLEASE be sure to be at Tuckahoe Elementary School by 3:40 pm. Muchas gracias!

Did you pledge over $300 for Superdance? If so, you can dress out for your AP and final exams, but only if you have brought in your money! The list will be posted on the SCA room door.

Congratulations to Zachery Wilson who won 3rd place in the State Competition in Richmond for the Virginia Right to Life Speech Contest. Zach is not only a speech winner but has an extra $250 in his college fund.

Elections for next year’s Executive Board will be held today during Knight Time. Be sure to cast your votes!

FBLA will have an end of the year meeting today during C lunch in Room 202. All are welcome, especially if you are interesting in being part of the club next year.

The Young Women's Executive Club will be having a meeting in room 122 onThursday May 14th right after school.

The Gamer Club will host a final Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U Tournament on Thursday,

May 14, beginning promptly at 3PM in Rm. 202. The entry fee will be $2 for all tournament contestants, which will be the last event for senior participation. Join in on the gaming competition, and have another great time in our final tournament of the year. Class of 2015, Go Knights!

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool and your Christian Service Project has a DASH that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan!

Are you passionate about O’Connell? Are you responsible? Do you take initiative to help others? If you answered yes to any of these questions than we invite you to apply to be a mentor for the Knight2Knight program for next year’s freshman class. Must be a rising 11^th or 12^th grade students and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Please see Mrs. Jacobsen in the counseling office or contact her at ljacobsen@bishopoconnell.org for an application. Applications are due on May 22^nd.

Seniors! You have SIX DAYS to get your prom tickets! Prom is going to be an unforgettable experience and we want everyone there. Get your tickets after school for $58 TODAY. Thank you for your help in making Prom a success!

Seniors--- All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or as one of the librarians.

Did you pledge over $300 for Superdance? If so, you can dress out for your AP and final exams, but only if you have brought in your money! The list will be posted on the SCA room door.

Congratulations to the Crew Team on medaling in 5 of their 6 events at WMIRA DC championships Saturday. The girls placed 3rd in both of their 8s events. The Boys second Varsity 4 and Novice 4 placed 2nd in their events. A special shout out to The First Varsity 4 of Antonio Marrero, Collin Snyder, Jeff Dixon, Jason Pazirandeh, and Tyler Dittmer on winning by 10 seconds over Wilson, Ireton, St. John's, and Walter Johnson. They will go on to represent the school at SRAA Nationals in two weeks. Congrats boys!

Please be sure to complete the elections in your Advisories this morning and send your ballots to the SCA room. Thank you!

SCA Class Officer Nominees – please bring your speech to the SCA Office by Thursday. All Class office nomination forms are due today; forms will not be accepted after 3 p.m.

Attention All Seniors: At the end of the 1st period block all seniors are to report directly to the gym for Baccalaureate Mass practice. Do not stop at your lockers. Once in the gym, find your advisory and line up in alphabetical order.   Again, all seniors report to the gym at the end of the period 1 block.

The Young Women's Executive Club will now have their meeting Friday 5/15 during B lunch in room 122. On June 3rd we will also have a guest speaker right after school in room 122. We will discuss the speaker during Friday's meeting.

The Gamer Club will host a final Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U Tournament on Thursday, May 14, beginning promptly at 3PM in Rm. 202. The entry fee will be $2 for all tournament contestants, which will be the last event for senior participation. Join in on the gaming competition, and have another great time in our final tournament of the year. Class of 2015, Go Knights!

Christian Service Reminder: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool everyone has a P or an “I”. If you have an “I” that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan! 

Seniors! You have five DAYS to get your prom tickets! Prom is going to be an unforgettable experience and we want everyone there. Get your tickets after school for $58 TODAY. Be sure to go to Mr. Britt’s Classroom. Thank you for your help in making Prom a success!

Seniors--- All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or as one of the librarians.

As we count down the days until graduation for the class of 2015, we will shine the spotlight each day on one of our seniors. The class of 2015 is an accomplished group of students who have contributed their talents in the classroom, in clubs and organizations, on stage, on the sports field and throughout the community. We are very proud of all of them and know they will represent Bishop O'Connell well as they enter the next chapters of their lives.

Meet today's featured member of the Class of 2015 on our SENIOR SPOTLIGHT PAGE.

It's that time of year already! Time to gather your used textbooks and uniforms and consign them through the PTO's Used Book and Uniform Sale (USB).

Please visit the USB web page and make a reservation for one of the drop-off times below:

SENIORS DROP-OFF TIMES (reservation times available NOW):

Wednesday, May 20 - 9:30 a.m. - noon (Cafeteria)
Tuesday, May 26 - 9:30 - 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Cafeteria)

DROP-OFF TIMES FOR ALL STUDENTS (reservations will be taken beginning the week of June 5):

Thursday, June 11 - 10 a.m. - noon (Social Studies Hallway)
Friday, June 12 - 10 a.m. - noon (Social Studies Hallway)
Saturday, June 13 - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Social Studies Hallway)

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE USB WEB PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Thank you for supporting the PTO.

Good luck to the Bishop O'Connell rowing team this week as they travel to Philadelphia to compete in the Stotesbury Invitational Regatta.

Read a Q&A with Coach Smith and Coach Saracina in this week's sports blog - The Week That Was.

Today is the last day of school for seniors. Starting next week, your new Executive Board members will take over. We would like to congratulate and announce Bishop O’Connell’s new exec board members: President – Marissa Luna, Vice President – Sean Pazirandeh, Secretary – Christian Tran, Treasurer – Colum Bergeron. Thank you to all of the candidates who ran and to everyone for voting!

Will all of the candidates for SCA Class Officers please come down to the SCA room after announcements to pick up your speeches.

Seniors! THIS IS THE LAST DAY to get your prom tickets! Prom is going to be an unforgettable experience and we want everyone there. Get your tickets after school for $58 TODAY. Be sure to go to Mr. Britt’s Classroom. Thank you for your help in making Prom a success!

Attention all DJO students: the announcement you have all been waiting for has finally arrived! O'Connell's annual dodgeball tournament will take place in two weeks on May 29th and May 30th! There will be two brackets this year, one for boys and one for girls. Team sign up packets will be handed out during lunches today and all next week in the cafeteria. Start strengthening those rotator cuffs!

Seniors---All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or as one of the librarians.

Christian Service Reminder: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool everyone has a P or an I. If you have an I that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan! 

As you clean out your lockers, please place any books, paperbacks binders, notebook paper, pencils, pens, markers, or partially used marble notebooks in the boxes marked. These supplies will be sent to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Southwest Virginia and even used right here in Arlington County. Thank you so much for sharing and caring!

The Young Women's Executive Club will now have their meeting Today during B lunch in room 122. On June 3rd we will also have a guest speaker right after school in room 122. We will discuss the speaker during Friday's meeting.

Are you passionate about O’Connell? Are you responsible? Do you take initiative to help others? If you answered yes to any of these questions than we invite you to apply to be a mentor for the Knight2Knight program for next year’s freshman class. Must be a rising 11^th or 12^th grade students and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Please see Mrs. Jacobsen in the counseling office or contact her at ljacobsen@bishopoconnell.org for an application. Applications are due on May 22^nd.

Did you pledge over $300 for Superdance? If so, you can dress out for your AP and final exams, but only if you have brought in your money! The list will be posted on the SCA room door.

Andrew Edmondson

University of Missouri - B.A. History and African-American Studies
Marymount University - M.A. Secondary Education

Co-coordinator of Freshman Study Skills

Faculty Moderator of Unity Council

Girl's JV Basketball Coach

If you walk down the history hallway in between classes you’re likely to hear a boisterous voice greeting passersby as they stroll to class. You won’t even need to listen hard. It’s all consuming. If you’re a student then you barely look up to know it’s your favorite Honors World History teacher, Mr. Edmondson. If you’re a parent, you’ll be immediately drawn to the infectious laugh and lively disposition. Whoever you are, you’ll be greeted with a smile.

Mr. Edmondson has stood sentinel out front of room 125 since 2007. Although he has taught various courses throughout his tenure, he has settled into being the primary instructor for Honors World History, shepherding the freshmen through their time here at DJO.

“With him teaching our freshmen, we have solid academic consistency in the social studies,” Mr. Haas, social studies chairperson, commented when asked about Mr. Edmondson’s contributions to the school. “He is a force. Most students who come through here have had Mr. Edmondson. And those who haven’t still know him.”

“He makes an inviting and fun classroom environment and reaches us at our level,” remarks junior, Joseph Buckreis. “Freshman year with Mr. Edmondson was the best. I can’t wait to have him as a teacher again!”

Along with Honors World History, Mr. Edmondson teaches several social studies elective courses, including a long-time student favorite, African American History. As an elective open to sophomores through seniors, this class has quickly become a go-to course for students seeking to broaden their educational core curriculum.

Mr. Edmondson boils the class down to perception. “The class views American history from varying perspectives. Students discuss events and topics after hearing from people with a different world view than they might be used to. It’s about the American experience. Each American experience.”

Mr. Edmondson’s course isn’t just a popular elective among students either. As colleague, Mr. Blazer, notes, “It’s an important class for our school, for our students. And he’s the one to teach it.”

Senior Mary Husk commented on her elective course with Mr. Edmondson, "His class is interesting because it educates us on the problems of the world. I've gained knowlege that helps me in my other classes, and at the same time I've become more aware of what is going on around me."

Other than leading our students in the classroom, Mr. Edmondson also finds time to help coach with the girls’ basketball program, co-coordinate the Freshman Study Skills program and co-moderate the Unity Council. One of these alone would be enough. To do all three is a testament to Mr. Edmondson’s energy and desire to help teach the whole person. 

And these aren’t just passing hobbies or a way to fill out the resume. Every task is handled with care. In fact, we are congratulating Mr. Edmondson this week as he is being inducted into the Fairfax Stars AAU Basketball Hall of Fame.  A true honor. Evidence of his excellence and dedication. But we already knew that over here at DJO.  

It’s a great day to be a Knight!

Visit the social studies page to find out more about what is happening in the department.

On Sunday, May 17, 2015, Bishop O'Connell seniors gathered with their parents and the school's faculty and administration for the Baccalaureate Mass in the school auditorium. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Gregory Thompson, the school chaplain. Also on the altar were Rev. Michele Benetti and Deacon Edward Gliot.

After Mass, the group traveled to the Waterford at Springfield, to enjoy the Baccalaureate Breakfast. Special guest speaker for the event was O'Connell alumnus, James Morhard '74, currently the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of the U.S. Senate.

Read Father Thompson's Homily on the Knights of Faith blog site.

View photo highlights from the morning's activities below:

Congratulations to the crew team on a very successful Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia, the largest high school regatta in the world, this past weekend. The Men's Varsity 4+ continued their hot streak by earning a bronze medal in their category, the first Stotesbury medal in O'Connell Crew's history. Best of luck to them as they travel to Camden, New Jersey for SRAA Nationals this weekend

Operation Smile Student Club meeting today, May 19, B lunch, Room 315.  THERE WILL BE COOKIES

We need graduation ushers. Students interested in being an usher at graduation can sign up this week in the Activities office.

The Italian American Club is collecting boxes of pasta from May 18th through June 5th to donate to St. James Food Distribution. Please bring in any type of boxed pasta to donate. Collection boxes are located at both Trinidad and Underwood  entrances

The Gamer Club will be hosting a FIFA 15 Tournament on Thursday, May 21, beginning at 3pm in room 202. Come on out and join in on the fun. The entry fee is $2.00. See you there!"

Are you passionate about O’Connell? Are you responsible? Do you take initiative to help others? If you answered yes to any of these questions than we invite you to apply to be a mentor for the Knight2Knight program for next year’s freshman class. Must be a rising 11^th or 12^th grade students and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Please see Mrs. Jacobsen in the counseling office or contact her at ljacobsen@bishopoconnell.org for an application. Applications are due on May 22.

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool everyone has a P or an I. If you have an I that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan.

O'Connell Cheerleading will be holding tryouts for the 2015-2016 squad this week. Clinics are May 26-28 (Tuesday-Thursday), and tryouts on the 29th (Friday). Go to bishopoconnell.org/cheerleading for more details.

Attention all DJO students: the announcement you have all been waiting for has finally arrived! O'Connell's annual dodgeball tournament will take place in two weeks on May 29th and May 30th! There will be two brackets this year, one for boys and one for girls. Team sign up packets will be handed out during lunches today and all next week in the cafeteria. Start strengthening those rotator cuffs!

As you clean out your lockers, please place any books, paperbacks, binders, notebook paper, pencils, pens, markers, or partially used marble notebooks in the boxes marked. These supplies will be sent to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Southwest Virginia and even used right here in Arlington County.

Twenty-five students from Bishop O'Connell were pathfinders in the first-ever DoD Laboratory Day held at the Pentagon earlier this month. This showcase of programs and projects from Department of Defense laboratories was attended by senior leaders, program managers, sponsors, Congressional staff and media. Bishop O'Connell students were part of a contingent of area high school students interested in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) who were invited to take part in the day's events.

The goal of Lab Day is to increase awareness of the programs and projects conducted by more than 38,000 scientists and engineers in DoD laboratories and facilities across 22 states. This work not only advances the capabilities of the Armed Forces, but also has a significant impact on technology advances for the civilian world.

The keynote address was given by Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work. Also on hand were Alan Shaffer, Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and Frank Kendall, Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

"Over 100 past, present and future projects were on display in the Pentagon courtyard and in the South Parking Lot," said chaperone and college counselor, Dr. Dan Stabile. "Our students were able to view emerging technologies in such areas as robotics, regenerative medicine, aircrew-mounted physiological sensor suits, high-performance computing modernization program, physics-based modeling and simulation, and helmet modification for mitigation of traumatic brain injury."

"Lab Day opened my eyes to all the important work taking place in these research facilities," said junior Elizabeth Roberts. "I am definitely interested in pursuing a career with the Defense Department after college."

Read more about Lab Day from the DoD web site.

Photos below - two groups of O'Connell students at DoD Lab Day 2015.

Congratulations to the Bishop O'Connell softball team who clinched the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division 1 championship for the 20th time in 22 years.

The Lady Knights entered the state tournament as the No. 1 seed and shut out Liberty Christian, 5-0, in the semifinal game on Thursday, May 14, before defeating Paul VI in the title game, 5-2, the next day.

Olivia Giaquinto, Shannon Murphy and Erin Sweeney were named to the First Team All-State Team.

Patty Maye Ohanian was named the 2015 VISAA Player of the Year.

Head Coach Tommy Orndorff was named the 2015 VISAA Coach of the Year.

Read more about the championship game in the Arlington Catholic Herald.

Pictured: Seniors Olivia Barksdale, Erin Sweeney, Maddie Kelly, and Shannon Murphy.

Congratulations to everyone who ran for next year’s SCA. Your class officers are:

Rising Sophomores: President – GG Richmond; Vice President – Joe Andres; Secretary\Treasurer – Hugh Bothwell and Kirsten Knauf … whose run-off ended in an exact tie.

Rising Juniors: President – Michael Giannelli; Vice President – Cora Wack; Secretary\Treasurer – Sierra Moore

Rising Seniors: President – Erin Stuver; Vice President – Diego Garcia; Secretary\Treasurer – Robert Muratore

All newly elected officers, please come to the SCA room after announcements for a brief meeting. Thank you and Congratulations!

All students interesting in running for Class Councilor: forms are available in the SCA room; elections will take place on Tuesday, June 2 in advisory.

The Italian American Club is collecting boxes of pasta through June 5th to donate to St. James Food Distribution. Please bring in any type of boxed pasta to donate. Collection boxes are located at both Trinidad and Underwood  entrances

O'Connell Cheerleading will be holding clinics on May 26-28 (Tuesday-Thursday) and tryouts are on the 29th (Friday). Go to bishopoconnell.org/cheerleading for more details.

There will be an interest meeting for girls tennis to discuss the upcoming fall season. All current team members and students interested in trying out for the team are to attend. The meeting will take place today, Tuesday, May 26, after school in room 123.

There will be a brief girls soccer meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 3:00 in room 146 for anyone who is interested in trying out next fall. Please be on time. 

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool everyone has a P or an I. If you have an I that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan

All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take any of your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or ask one of the librarians. If your name is on the list there is a problem. You must see the librarian to clear it up.

As you clean out your lockers, please place any books, paperbacks, binders, notebook paper, pencils, pens, markers, or partially used marble notebooks in the boxes marked. These supplies will be sent to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Southwest Virginia and even used right here in Arlington County. Thank you so much for sharing and caring!

This past weekend, the Bishop O’Connell Men’s Varsity 4+ brought home the national title from the 2015 Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championship Regatta in Camden, N.J. This is the first championship for the O’Connell rowing program.

Team members on the winning boat included, Tyler Dittmer, Collin Snyder, Jeff Dixon, Jason Pazirandeh and Tony Marrero. The regatta started off on Friday with a relatively light heat for this boat, resulting in the second fasted overall time of the day and a ticket to the next round on Saturday morning. In the semifinal race, O’Connell took a very close second to Canisius (Buffalo, N.Y.), qualifying them for the Grand Final later that day.

When asked why the Men's Varsity 4+ did not sprint, Tony Marrero remarked, "Now we know what they can do. We were able to watch their move, and now we know how to react.” 

The Men’s Varsity 4+ Grand Final race had a bit of a delay due to geese on the course, but the Knights did not let that faze them. The men were quickly up off of the starting blocks, and over the course of 1,500 meters, only extended their lead. The Episcopal School, the Stotesbury champions from the week before, laid down a desperate sprint in the last minute of the race, but the O’Connell men were able to hold them off. The Varsity Men's 4+ posted a national title winning time that was 1.7 seconds faster than the second place team.

The Women's Varsity 4+ (Ryan Brideau, Kristina Colevas, Emma Morris, Julia Bailey, Maggie McLellan) also qualified for the semifinals on Saturday morning after placing second in their preliminary heat and beating the Stotesbury champion from the weekend before in a last-minute sprint to the line. In the semifinal race, O’Connell’s women’s team was just barely edged out of second place, resulting in their placement into the Petite Final later in the afternoon, where they finished second overall, placing them 8^th in the national standings.

Stotesbury Regatta – One week earlier, the O’Connell crew teams competed in Philadelphia in the largest youth rowing regatta on the planet. The Knights sent a total of five crews to the regatta. The system for Stotesbury is a time trial with all teams in the event, resulting in the top 12-18 teams (depending on the number of teams in the event) moving on to seeded semifinal races. From the semifinal, the top two teams in each event move to the Grand Finals.

The Men’s Varsity 4+ earned O’Connell’s first-ever Stotesbury medal with a third place finish in the Grand Final, where they were edged out by the Episcopal School (Philadelphia) and St. Joseph's Prep. The top three boats in that final were all within two seconds of each other, with the fourth place team finishing six seconds behind.

Also qualifying for semifinal races at Stotesbury were the Women’s 1^st Varsity 8+ (Ryan Brideau, Kristina Colevas, Emma Morris, Julia Bailey, Maggie McLellan, Claudia Reing, Abby Clukey, Sarah Kelley, Devin Christensen) and the Women’s 2nd Varsity 8+ (Selene Swanson, Riley McGovern, Sam Venkatesh, Sarah Pachon, Erin Stuver, Allie Celemente, Geri D'Archengelo, Claire Stemberger, Carly Swason). Both raced competitively, but did not qualify for the finals.

The Men's Varsity 8+ (Libby Scully, Alex Damjanovic, Alejandro DiNapoli, Josh Gardiner, Mikey Roche, Nick Morales, Jack Beecy, Lucas Gaitan, Cristian Marrero), after a strong race in their first heat, did not move to the next round.

Rowing earlier in the day, the Men's Junior 4+ (Liam O'Brien, Austin Berry, Harrison McBride, Holden Snyder, Jack McCormick) went up against a very tough field, and did not advance out of the heats.

“The success in the past three weeks was definitely a team effort,” said Coach Greg Smith. “Each day they would push each other to achieve more, and support each other through just about anything. As for a gold at the national championship, it still feels surreal. It was special to watch this team grow from December until now. Having a national title under our belts has created a new attitude for the team, that I am confident will lead to further success in the future.” 

Read about the earlier Washington Metro Championships.

Team registration forms for dodgeball can now be turned in today Wednesday, the 27. The tournament begins right after school THIS FRIDAY. The $30 for each team must be turned in with registration forms. Find juniors Kevin Dannaher and Miguel Escudero or Coach Heeter to receive or turn in forms.

O'Connell Cheerleading will be holding clinics today and Thursday, and tryouts are on the 29 (Friday). Go to bishopoconnell.org/cheerleading for more details.

There will be a brief girls soccer meeting today, Wednesday, May 27th at 3:00 in room 146 for anyone who is interested in trying out next fall. Please be on time. 

The Italian American Club is collecting boxes of pasta through June 5 to donate to St. James Food Distribution. Please bring in any type of boxed pasta to donate. Collection boxes are located at both Trinidad and Underwood  entrances

All students interesting in running for Class Councilor: forms are available in the SCA room; elections will take place on Tuesday, June 2 in advisory.

Did you know you can earn credits towards graduation in O’Connell's Summer Studies program? Courses available are Comparative Government & Politics (Online) with an AP option, Survey of American Music, Behind the Wheel Driver's Training and several Computer Courses with a hybrid online format. Please come by the Counseling Office for course information and registration forms.

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: If you check your 4th quarter grades in PowerSchool everyone has a P or an I. If you have an I that means your project is incomplete. Even if you think you have submitted all required materials, SOMETHING IS MISSING. Please come see Ms. Hogan! 

All library books must be returned and all fines paid before you may take any of your final exams. If you have any questions check the list posted at the library window or ask one of the librarians. If your name is on the list there is a problem. You must see the librarian to clear it up.