THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, DR. JOSEPH VORBACH:
Our students kicked off the 4th quarter with a busy first week.
There was a brisk tempo of field trips early in the week -- opportunities that are developed by the extra efforts of teachers to bring classroom learning to life in more meaningful ways for students.
As we get closer to graduation, seniors in the Global Studies Certificate Program have begun making their senior capstone presentations and I was privileged to sit in on two that were particularly thoughtful and insightful.
The Global Studies Program is a rich one for students who get involved because of the way in which members of our community give of their time to enrich student learning. This week, Mr. John Hecklinger, the President and CEO of the Global Fund for Children and a member of the DJO class of 1988, spoke to students about the impact of his O'Connell Superdance experiences on the career path that brought him to his current role.
The next day, retired Ambassador Peter Allgeier, former O'Connell board member and former Ambassador of the United States to the World Trade Organization, spoke to the Global Studies program about the current state of global trade.
Today, thanks to the hard work of Father Thompson, Mr. Ed Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Cristy Rugo and a host of volunteer faculty and staff helped run the junior class retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Vienna. This is on the heals of the Kairos VI retreat attended by 45 juniors and seniors last weekend.
This week also included a signing ceremony for student-athletes who will be continuing their athletic pursuits in college. This is another special moment at the school when these distinguished athletes are surrounded by family, classmates and teammates as they celebrate a hard-earned moment. At this particular event, the diversity of sports and institutions represented was noteworthy--from New England to Texas and places in between, O'Connell student-athletes have remarkable opportunities to continue competing as they prepare for what lies ahead in their lives.
And as all this activity took place throughout the week, we continued to be humbled by the generous giving of time, talent and treasure that supports the mission of our school. We can do what we do, carry on the rich traditions of this great school, and plan for its future because of this generosity.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!