There will be a Cyber-Knights meeting, today (Feb. 5) after school in Rm. 300!

There will be a philosophy club meeting today (Feb 5) after school in room 215. The topic will be "How the Market and Media are Controlling You."

As we continue to celebrate American School Counseling Week, the counseling department wishes to thank the students!  The students are why the counselors come here every day and do what they do and it's why they love what they do!!!   Here is today’s trivia: What counselor was a Level 10 gymnast? And for the bonus question:  What member from the counseling department has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do? Head to the counseling office for a chance to win an iTunes gift card!!! And for yesterday's trivia--The person who guessed the amount of Marine Corps marathons that Dr Stabile ran--without going over the number--is Allison Sullivan.  She guessed 17...  Dr. Stabile ran 18 consecutive Marine Corps Marathons.  Allison, please go to the Counseling Office to claim your prize. And for the bonus:  Who else in the Counseling Office ran the Marine Corps marathon?  Answer:  Mrs. Erin O'Malley, who ran it in 2005. The answer to yesterday’s trivia question, “Which counselor has been on two TV game shows?” is Mrs. Herbst. The winner is:  Stacy Ho Grade 10.  Please go to the Counseling office to pick up your prize! Congratulations!!

There will be a meeting of the French Club Executive Board today at 3:10 p.m., and a general meeting of the French Club on Wednesday, February 12, also at 3:10. Both meetings will be held in Room 311.

GIRLS SOFTBALL SIGN-UP MEETING TIME CHANGE – Any girl interested in playing on one of the school’s two teams – Junior Varsity and Varsity – must attend a sign-up meeting tomorrow, February 6th at 1:35 p.m. in Room 146. It will be brief, probably 15 minutes or so. Please be prompt! Time change is because of Thursday’s early dismissal. Anyone desiring to try out must have submitted a physical and parent permission form to the Training Room prior to tryouts, which begin on Thursday, Feb. 20th.

Students involved in or interested in Spring Track need to attend an interest meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 1:35 p.m. in the Auditorium.

This Friday is the 1st Friday of February. Father Cozzi will celebrate the 7:00 a.m. Mass in the Student Chapel. A light breakfast will follow in the Chapel Lounge. All are welcome!

There will be a very important Medical Missionaries/Interact meeting on Thursday after school in room 326. Plans for the summer trip to Thomasique, Haiti will be covered!

Any Junior girl with a GPA of 3.0 or better who has an interest in attending Girls State the week of June 15 - June 22, please see or email Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 ASAP.  Interviews with the sponsoring group will take place here at DJO on Feb. 13.

The Social Justice Club is showing a movie on Friday after school in room 221. Anyone who is interested is invited. There will also be popcorn.

Food Distribution at Saint James is this Friday, February 7 from 6:30-8:30pm.

Would you like to learn how to dance like the stars? If the answer is yes we have a program for you! Ms. Leslie Mallory & Mr. Lewis Neal National Hand Dancing Champions are coming to O'Connell to teach several classes of Ballroom Dancing. The cost is $6.00 per session or $12.00 per couple. No experience necessary! Please see Coach Owens to sign up!

Everybody eats. So although the school day at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington revolves around academics, the cafeteria is often the hub of activitiy.

At the heart of the O’Connell cafeteria is chef Tony Dean, who has served the school community for the past eight years. Each week, he creates custom menus focused on locally sourced ingredients to please the palates of 1,200 teenagers and more than 150 staff members at O’Connell. Everything he and his staff serve is made from scratch.

Student correspondent, John Patterson, got behind the scenes to see what makes our cafeteria tick. Read the complete story in the Arlington Catholic Herald.

PHOTO - Chef Tony Dean serves up some of his famous grilled wings to seniors Darci Bevan and Leah Callahan.

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, four Bishop O’Connell seniors signed National Letters of Intent with their colleges of choice, in the presence of their families, coaches, school administrators, teammates and friends.

The ceremony began with senior Tara Ulepic, signing with the University of Pennsylvania to play lacrosse. Ulepic has been a dominant force in goal for O’Connell, leading the Lady Knights with 69 saves in our 2013 season. She was named to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Honorable Mention Team in 2013. 

 “She is a great example of the phrase, ‘hard work pays off,’” said Head Coach Ali Shafer. “Tara is a motivating team leader, hard worker, and such an inspiration to our program.”

It was National Signing Day for NCAA football, and three varsity players made their commitments official:

Kamrin Moore (center in photo) signed with Boston College and will be playing football this fall for the Eagles. Moore, a captain, was a three-year starter for the Knights at safety and running back and led the team in rushing two years in a row, as well as providing a menacing presence in the secondary. Moore was named a VISAA All-State, All-WCAC player, and an All-Arlington player this season.

Marquis Rowe (right in photo) signed with Iowa Western College—former NJCAA football national champion, one of the top junior colleges in the nation—and will be playing football this fall for the Reivers. Marquis, a three-year starter has been Mr. Everything for the Knights, playing receiver, running back, defensive back and kick returner. Rowe was named Fairfax County Hall of Fame Private School Player of the Year, VISAA All-State, All-MET, All-WCAC, and an All-Arlington player this season. Rowe was also the Knights’ MVP.

Will Iacobucci (left in photo) signed with Alderson-Broadus College, a Division II school in West Virginia. Iacobucci paved the way for an explosive Knights’ offense as a two-year starter at left tackle. William was named a VISAA All-State, All-WCAC player, and an All-Arlington player this season. Will was also recognized as the Knights’ Lineman of the Year.

“The O’Connell community is extremely proud of each of these student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Joe Wootten. “We are glad that as a school we can take this moment with their families, coaches and teammates to celebrate this milestone. Congratulations to all!”

"The special week provides recognition for our school and college counselors who implement our comprehensive school counseling program", said Erin O'Malley, Dean of Faculty and Counseling at Bishop O'Connell. "Our counselors play a vital role in the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century."

In a proclamation marking National School Counseling Week, it cites the O'Connell school counseling team for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents and guardians as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career/college development; and for working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.

The school's counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in school counseling. The combination of their training, experience and their ongoing professional development make them an integral part of the total educational program.

"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, personal/social skills and career awareness in post-secondary options,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., executive director of the ASCA. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."

More than 30,000 school counselors nationwide participated in the week's festivities, beginning with the announcement of the National School Counselor winner of the year, of which Erin O’Malley annually serves as a member of the selection panel. At Bishop O'Connell, this week was a special opportunity to call attention to our counseling staff. Several activities were planned each day, including Mass dedicated to the counselors and a daily trivia contest, where students earned prizes for answering trivia questions about individual counselors.

We thank our school counselors and wish them a Happy National School Counseling Week!

Visit our school counseling office page to find out more about our counselors.

Pictured above - Counseling staff (L to R): Tom Giska, Robin Saracina, Kristina Herbst, Kathy Black, Emily Usle, Leala Kurtzke, Lacey Jacobsen, Erin O'Malley and Dan Stabile.

The Bishop O'Connell varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders traveled last weekend to Liberty University to a Christian Cheerleaders of America (CCA) competition. Both teams gave stellar performances. The JV squad placed first in the medium junior varsity division and won grand champions for the entire junior varsity division. Varsity placed third in the large varsity division.

Next up? The varsity squad travels to Winston-Salem, N.C. in early March to Compete in the National CCA competition, where they will be competing in the large varsity division. For this event, O'Connell will also field two stunt groups to competing in the stunt-a-thon, which is a one minute all-stunt competition.s

"This is a great year for our cheerleading program," said head coach Lacey Jacobsen. "They have worked very hard as a team, and, consequently, have put together some amazing performances."

Go KNIGHTS!

Pre-registration continues today after school for the 39^th annual SuperDance! Remember, when you register today, tomorrow, or Monday, your $10 registration fee will include a delicious, nutritious, mouth-watering, warm and tasty Chick fil-A sandwich! Sandwiches will be delivered to the cafeteria after the Assembly, but you must preregister. Registration will continue after the 14, but the Chick Fil-A will be in someone else’s belly! See you at the Registration Table outside the SCA room after school today!

Yearbooks are now on sale! Don't miss your chance to get this great keepsake. Yearbooks are being sold for $75 and you can purchase them online using a link in the Friday Blitz or bring in the money to the bookstore. Quantities will be limited, so purchase yours now! All seniors will receive a book.

Attention students attending tonight’s game - Paul VI will not be allowing any signs at the basketball game tonight. If a student tries to bring in a sign, it will be confiscated. Please show your school spirit and support for the team by honoring their request. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Chinese Culture Club is thrilled to be hosting a Chinese New Year's Festival during all lunches today (Feb 7)!  Stop on by and win a trivia prize, pose for a picture in authentic Chinese clothing, and have Luck written in Chinese calligraphy! Also, bring your money because they will be selling Chinese jewelry and spring rolls to benefit an orphanage!

There will be a Boys Tennis Sign up meeting Tuesday February 11 at 3 pm in room 123. The meeting is for anyone interested in signing up for tennis tryouts which begin Thursday, February 20th at 3:30 pm at Bluemont Park in Arlington. The meeting is important and will be short. 

As we continue to celebrate American School Counseling Week, the counseling department wishes to thank the students!  The students are why the counselors come here every day and do what they do and it's why they love what they do!!!   Here is today’s trivia: Who has a Siberian Husky named Paisley (that loves to come visit O'Connell)? 2.  Who has a strong interest in civil war history and the environment?

Head to the counseling office with your answer! And for yesterday's trivia— The answer was Mrs. Black!  She loves British television and loves to draw. Congratulations to Bridget Doyle, grade 10 for answering correctly! Please go to the Counseling office to pick up your prize!

There will be a general meeting of the French Club on Wednesday, February 12, at 3:10. Both meetings will be held in Room 311.

GIRLS SOFTBALL SIGN-UP MEETING TIME CHANGE – Any girl interested in playing on one of the school’s two teams – Junior Varsity and Varsity – must attend a sign-up meeting today, February 6th at 1:35 p.m. in Room 146. It will be brief, probably 15 minutes or so. Please be prompt! Time change is because of Thursday’s early dismissal. Anyone desiring to try out must have submitted a physical and parent permission form to the Training Room prior to tryouts, which begin on Thursday, Feb. 20th.

Any Junior girl with a GPA of 3.0 or better who has an interest in attending Girls State the week of June 15 - June 22, please see or email Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 ASAP.  Interviews with the sponsoring group will take place here at DJO on Feb. 13.

The Social Justice Club is showing a movie today after school in room 221. Anyone who is interested is invited. There will also be popcorn.

Food Distribution at Saint James is tonight, February 7 from 6:30-8:30pm.

Would you like to learn how to dance like the stars? If the answer is yes we have a program for you! Ms. Leslie Mallory & Mr. Lewis Neal National Hand Dancing Champions are coming to O'Connell to teach several classes of Ballroom Dancing. The cost is $6.00 per session or $12.00 per couple. No experience necessary! Please see Coach Owens to sign up!

There will be a Spanish Club Meeting on Wednesday, February 12 immediately after school in Room 313. Please come and help plan for the next event.

SENIOR Global Studies students. You must see or email Ms. Webb to schedule a MANDATORY individual meeting if you have not already done so. This must be done by Friday, February 14th.

The Wrestling team competed in 52nd Annual St. Albans tournament this past weekend. Congratulations to… Bobby Kurtzke - who took 3rd, Mike Obeid - placing 7th, Scott Kurtzke - 4th, Tom McAteer - 8th, & Gabe Susinski - 5^th The TEAM placed 12th out of 32 schools. The Team also place 6th at the WCAC where - Bobby Kurtzke placed 3rd, Mike Obeid took 3rd, Scott Kurtzke 2nd, and Gabe Susinski placed 3rd.

Yearbooks are now on sale! Don't miss your chance to get this great keepsake. Yearbooks are being sold for $75 and you can purchase them online using a link in the Friday Blitz or bring in the money to the bookstore. Quantities will be limited, so purchase yours now! All seniors will receive a book.

Sign ups for Dancing with The Stars is going great! We currently have seven students signed up to participate beginning this Thursday February 13th day before the big "V" day celebration! We have room for 9 more! We need 4 more girls and 5 more boys! Please see Coach Owens to sign up room 224.

The winner of last Friday's Counseling Trivia Contest is Elizabeth Godbout. Elizabeth please go to the Counseling Office to pick up her prize. The answer to : Who has a Siberian Husky named Paisley (that loves to come visit O'Connell) is Mrs. Jacobson AND the Bonus question of :  Who has a strong interest in civil war history and the environment IS: Mr. Giska. Thank you for helping us celebrate our Counselors!

Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Basketball team for their two wins over the weekend; including their 73—66 victory over the Panthers and their 69-68 victory over the Eagles! Be sure to come out tomorrow night as they face Dematha at 7:30!

There will be a Model UN meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 10) immediately after school in room 126. Please come prepared to take a picture for the yearbook.

Please claim your lost and found items located in the school store by Friday, February 14. All items not claimed with be donated to charity.

There will be a Boys Tennis Sign up meeting tomorrow (2/11) at 3 pm in room 123. The meeting is for anyone interested in signing up for tennis tryouts which begin Thursday, February 20th at 3:30 pm at Bluemont Park in Arlington. The meeting is important and will be short. 

There will be a general meeting of the French Club on Wednesday, February 12, at 3:10. Both meetings will be held in Room 311.

Celebrate LIBRARY Lovers Month and St. Valentine's Day by submitting a “love story!” Your love story must be unpublished, and written in about 200 words. Today is the last day that you can submit your story! The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

There will be a Spanish Club Meeting on Wednesday, February 12 immediately after school in Room 313. Please come and help plan for the next event.

SENIOR Global Studies students. You must see or email Ms. Webb to schedule a MANDATORY individual meeting if you have not already done so. This must be done by Friday, February 14th.

Bishop O’Connell’s varsity hockey team finished the regular season in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League (NVSHL) at the top of the Patrick division, with a 9-1 league record. Before they begin their playoff schedule, however, several players have the honor of participating in the 2014 NVSHL All-Star Game.

Senior Ian Schneider (forward) and sophomores Daniel Avdioukhin (forward) and Zach Hale (goalie) were named to the Norris-Patrick all-star team. This team will take on the Adams-Smythe all-star team on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at Ashburn Ice House.

O’Connell’s head coach Flip Collins was named the head coach of this All-Star team.

“This is quite an honor for our players and for our developing hockey program,” said Collins. “We will embrace this short all-star break and then focus on our playoff schedule. I couldn’t be more proud of all our players this season, and I look forward to what comes next.”

The hockey playoff games begin on Monday, Feb. 24. Please check the team page for exact game times and locations.

Yearbooks are now on sale! Don't miss your chance to get this great keepsake. Yearbooks are being sold for $75 and you can purchase them online using a link in the Friday Blitz or bring in the money to the bookstore. Quantities will be limited, so purchase yours now! All seniors will receive a book.

Attention: the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society induction will be next Wednesday @ 730 pm in the auditorium with pizza and refreshments in the cafeteria following the ceremony. This is a mandatory event. All inductees need to RSVP to Mr. Haas via email or in room 124 by the end of this week. Be sure to give an accurate head count of who will attend so we can order enough food.

There will be a Model UN meeting today (Tuesday, Feb. 10) immediately after school in room 126. Please come prepared to take a picture for the yearbook.

Please claim your lost and found items located in the school store by Friday, February 14. All items not claimed with be donated to charity.

There will be a Boys Tennis Sign up meeting today (2/11) at 3 pm in room 123. The meeting is for anyone interested in signing up for tennis tryouts which begin Thursday, February 20th at 3:30 pm at Bluemont Park in Arlington. The meeting is important and will be short. 

There will be a general meeting of the French Club on Wednesday, February 12^th, at 3:10. Both meetings will be held in Room 311.

There will be a Spanish Club Meeting on Wednesday, February 12 immediately after school in Room 313. Please come and help plan for the next event.

SENIOR Global Studies students. You must see or email Ms. Webb to schedule a MANDATORY individual meeting if you have not already done so. This must be done by Friday, February 14th.

Congratulations to Bishop O'Connell senior Jethro Torczon, who was recently named a Finalist in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.

In September, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

From the pool of Semifinalists, 15,000 Finalists were selected this month. These Finalists have the opportunity to continue the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million.

For more information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Pictured (l to r): Jethro Torczon (second from right) is congratulated by Assistant Head of School Carl Patton (far left), Head of School Joseph Vorbach (second from left), and Academic Dean, Sister Catherine Hill, I.H.M. (far right).

Anyone who is interested in going on the Mission Trip to Haiti in June must see Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 before the end of the week. That is this Friday, Jan. 21.

Congratulations to Freshman Kat Mendell who had the winning entry in the DJO Library’s True Love Story contest.

Students who registered for Superdance will pick up their Chick fil-A sandwiches during their lunch periods tomorrow (Wednesday) in front of the SCA room. Be sure to bring your school ID.

Anyone who is interested in going on the Mission Trip to Haiti in June must see Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 before the end of the week. That is this Friday, Jan. 21.

If you were unable to attend the girls lacrosse interest meeting, please see Mr. Tilson in the training room and inform him you would like to tryout for lacrosse. All physical forms must be turned before the start of tryouts.

The National Honor Society will meet in room 236 after the Superdance assembly. Attendance is mandatory.

Students who registered for Superdance will pick up their Chick fil-A sandwiches during their lunch periods today in front of the SCA room. Be sure to bring your school ID.

There will be tutoring at Tuckahoe Elementary School from 3:40-4:40.pm today. The kids would love to see you today! If you have questions, see Senorita Yanine.

Anyone who is interested in going on the Mission Trip to Haiti in June must see Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 before the end of the week. That is this Friday, Jan. 21.

If you were unable to attend the girls lacrosse interest meeting, please see Mr. Tilson in the training room and inform him you would like to tryout for lacrosse. All physical forms must be turned before the start of tryouts.

Anyone who is interested in going on the Mission Trip to Haiti in June must see Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 before the end of the week. That is this Friday, Jan. 21.

Are you interested in photography? Vintage cameras? Looking to improve your visual kinesthetic skills? The Photography Club will be having a guest speaker during A and B lunch today in room 302. All are welcome, however must RSVP with Mrs. Carr or club president, Nala Chehade

Global Studies students - Our next event will be next Wednesday, February 26 directly after school in the library. Our honored guest speaker will be author, Rear Admiral Terry McKnight, who will be discussing his military career as well as his book, Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia.

Congratulations to Chris Outlaw for breaking two swimming records. Chris swam a 50m freestyle in 21.23 seconds and a 100m freestyle 48.01. Chris received 2^nd in the 50m and Christian Tiernan placed 3^rd. The Medley team of Andrew DiBenedetto, Ian Stuver, Christian Tiernan, and Chris Outlaw got second place and the time that they swam was an All-American consideration cut.

We hope everyone can come out and support the boys basketball team as they take on Ireton at Galludet at 6:15 on Saturday! DJO fans have been the best in the area this year! Let’s show them how good we are in the playoffs.

If you were unable to attend the girls lacrosse interest meeting, please see Mr. Tilson in the training room and inform him you would like to try out for lacrosse. All physical forms must be turned before the start of tryouts.

Did you know Bishop O'Connell has a chapter of Rho Kappa--the National Social Studies Honor Society?

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 115 juniors and seniors were inducted into Rho Kappa in front of family members and friends in an evening ceremony in the auditorium.

The purpose of Rho Kappa is to promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in social studies among high school students, to provide opportunities for exploration in the social studies in secondary school environments and the community, and to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.

The chapter's officers (pictured above) presided over the event:

Co-Presidents - Caitlin Donegan and Monica Pearring
Secretary - Paul Tansey
Treasurer - Benjamin Stievater
Junior Counselor - Anna Flach

Dean of Academics, Sister Catherine Hill, I.H.M., provided the keynote speech where she congratulated the new members and encouraged them to embrace the tenets of the social studies honor society, particularly to dedicate themselves to working with others to find solutions to difficult problems, asking the right questions along the way.

"Our Church teaches us that everybody is our neighbor--our brother or sister," said Sister Catherine. "This encourages each of us to learn more about cultures, people, and events. The more we know, the better equipped we are to influence important decision making in our neighborhood and around the world."

Anyone who is interested in going on the Mission Trip to Haiti in June must see Mrs. Wentzel in room 326 before the end of the week. That is this Friday, Jan. 21.

ATTENTION SENIORS WORKING WITH THE JUNIOR RETREAT: Fr. Cozzi is conducting a training session for seniors who are working the junior retreat on Friday, February 28th. Please come to the auditorium balcony at 11:15 Friday morning. The meeting will take place during Knight Time. Please be prompt in signing in.

There will be a general meeting of the French Club on Wednesday, February 26, at 3:10 p.m. It will be held in Room 311.

There will be a FBLA meeting on Thursday, February 27th at 3:30 in room 118. We will have a guest speaker. We will also be taking our yearbook photo. You must be in full uniform.

Help is needed by Freshmen and Sophomores for the Community Yard Sale on March 8! Please come sign up in the Christian Service Office. 

All students can find updated opportunities to volunteer on X2VOL. Come by during lunch to speak with Ms. Heard about more details!          

Are you interested in photography? Vintage cameras? Looking to improve your visual kinesthetic skills? The Photography Club will be having a guest speaker during A and B lunch today in room 302. All are welcome, however must RSVP with Mrs. Carr or club president, Nala Chehade

Global Studies students - Our next event will be next Wednesday, February 26th directly after school in the library. Our honored guest speaker will be author, Rear Admiral Terry McKnight, who will be discussing his military career as well as his book, Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia.