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Mustang Moments
AC ARoUNd CAMPUS
On Friday, August 21, 2020, affectionately called Freshman Friday, more than 20 Bishop McNamara faculty and staff members - led by President/CEO Dr. John Barnhardt and Principal Dian Carter - ventured out to deliver Mustang Spirit Gear to members of the Class of 2024. A few days before the deliveries, each student and their family was asked to share where they would be “quarantined” that Friday. Freshman and their families were asked to be “camera ready” and were given a window of time when their special delivery would arrive. All social distancing rules applied and none of the school’s staff went into freshman homes. They traveled all around the Metropolitan Washington region. When students and their families ventured out to greet them, gleeful joy was the typical response. Welcome to your #BMHSFamily Class of 2024! n August through November, Bishop McNamara High School operated in Stage 0 - fully virtual. For more on this story, please read the feature article titled Bishop McNamara High School: On September 28, President/CEO Dr. John Barnhardt announced that Bishop McNamara High School received a major investment & Alice B. Clark Foundation – the family foundation of late construction pioneer Jim Clark. The investment of $1,000,000 from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation helps to establish the La Reine Science & Innovation Center, scheduled to open in 2021. For more on this story, please read the feature article titled Bishop McNamara High School Announces Major Investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. n
During the month of October, Bishop McNamara High School honored Respect Life Month as a Catholic school and supported National Bullying Prevention Month. Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church reminds the faithful and all people of good will to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During this month, the Catholic Church asks all people to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life as we are one human family. National Bullying Prevention Month encourages schools, communities, and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on all children of all ages. Both of these month long awareness campaigns were discussed and reflected upon during Mustang Mix, which is held virtually every Maroon day by faculty and staff moderators placed into groups of approximately twenty students from each grade level. n
On Thursday, October 8, the Fine Arts Department virtually hosted as part of its 2020-2021 Guest Artists Series Karla Garcia ’07. Originally from Oxon Hill, Maryland, Karla made her Broadway debut at age twenty in Hot Feet, a dance musical directed by Maurice Hines. Karla went on to perform in the national tours of Wicked and Addams Family followed by other Broadway performances such as West Side Story, Gigi, and Hamilton: An American Musical. Hamilton. n
Remaining Committed to Excellence in a Virtual World. n
in The Faith. Family. Future! Capital Campaign from the A. James Karla made history as the first Filipina cast member in Broadway’s
On Friday, October 16, Bishop McNamara High School virtually participated in the “Mustangs Go Pink” day. All members of the Bishop McNamara community were encouraged to wear PINK to promote awareness about breast cancer and support a cure. Students, faculty and staff dressed in at least 50% pink, donating $4 for the dress down day, with all donations supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). Additionally, the Edith P.
On Monday, October 19, Bishop
McNamara High School hosted in Moreau Chapel the Installation
Mass of President/CEO Dr. John
Barnhardt, which was celebrated by The Most Reverend Wilton
D. Gregory, S.L.D, Archbishop of Washington, DC. The visit from Archbishop Gregory was his third to our school. Archbishop
Gregory celebrated Mass in Moreau
Chapel among a small gathering of special guests including Secretary/
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Kelly Branaman, Principal Dian
Carter, and Dr. Barnhardt’s wife
Erica Barnhardt. The Installation
Mass was virtually broadcast to the entire student body and Archbishop
Gregory reflected on the themes of faith, hope, love, and community.
Bishop McNamara also extends much gratitude to Archbishop Gregory’s concelebrants Fr. Pawal Sass, Fr.
Everett Pearson, Board Member Fr.
Robert Boxie, III, and former Board
Member Fr. Charles Cortinovis who joined us for this beautiful Mass.
May God bless President Barnhardt and his family as he advances
Bishop McNamara’s vision to form empowered leaders, inspired by the
Gospel, who transform the world. n Wright Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization providing support services to families facing breast cancer, shared their breast cancer educational program and virtually shared information with students, faculty and staff. EPW has a special family connection to Bishop McNamara High School as several of Edith Wright’s
family are graduates of Bishop McNamara High School. n
On Monday, October 26, The Fine Arts Department hosted virtually as part of its 2020-2021 Guest Artists Series John Donato, who is an accomplished and celebrated American fine artist and muralist. Mr. Donato is best recognized for creating large-scale community murals and widely collected whimsical works of fine art on canvas and wood. Whichever size or material, John’s creations are uniquely styled, fun, engaging and inspiring. John’s art is often described as having “smile impact” - irresistible compositions that capture attention, induce smiles, and nudge observers towards a more joyful mindset. n On Sunday, October 25, Bishop McNamara High School held its Fall 2020 Virtual Open House for prospective students and their families. The annual event attracts middle school aged students and those interested in transferring to the school. A successful event that was virtually packed began with opening remarks from President/ CEO Dr. John Barnhardt and Principal Dian Carter. Virtual guided tours were led by current students focused on classroom visits, resources around campus, and the school’s state-of-the-art facilities were displayed online through a 360 virtual tour. There were also faculty and staff representatives from all departments. Special thanks to the Admissions Department including Admissions Directors Robert Nolte and Vincent Harrington ’09 and Admissions Assistant Director Deanna Warnock for hosting this virtual event and to all faculty, staff and students for your time and commitment. n On Friday, October 30, Bishop McNamara High School announced this year’s winners of the High School Principal Association Veteran and Novice Teacher of the Year Awards. Director of Fine Arts and Bands and Orchestra Anthony Conto is this year’s winner of The Veteran Teacher of the Year Award. Social Studies Chairperson Jaleshea Cobbs is this year’s winner of the The Novice
Teacher of the Year Award. n Anthony Conto is in his twentieth year at Bishop McNamara High School. Under his direction, his ensembles have received numerous honors and have cultivated a reputation for musical excellence. Mr. Conto has been recognized as a Faculty Caritas Award winner for distinguished service, is an honorary member in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and has been nominated by the Grammy Foundation for their Music Educator of the Year Award. Mr. Conto also has been a board member for several professional music education organizations, serving as President of both the Washington Archdiocesan Music Teachers Council and the Maryland Band Directors Association. Congratulations Mr. Conto! n
Jaleshea Cobbs is in her third year at Bishop McNamara High School. After graduating from Kent State University with a degree in Integrated Social Studies, Ms. Cobbs moved back to the District of Columbia and began working in education. Working in both private and public schools, she has taught a wide variety of courses including Global Studies, Government and Politics, United States History, World History, Psychology, and Sociology. Ms. Cobbs joined the Bishop McNamara faculty in 2018 and quickly made important contributions through her active and engaged involvement in the life of the school including serving as faculty moderator for the Freshman Class and advising the My Hair My Crown Club. She was recently selected as Chairperson of the Social Studies Department. Congratulations Ms. Cobbs! n
On Tuesday, November 3, Bishop McNamara High School was closed on Election Day to enable all eligible voters within the Bishop McNamara community to exercise their civic rights. Bishop McNamara students who were eligible to vote this year were reminded to engage in their civic duty to participate in our electoral processes as citizens of the United States. n
On Thursday, November 5, the Athletics Department hosted the Bishop McNamara High School Virtual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The evening brought together alumni, current families, board members, administration, coaches, and employees to celebrate those who have excelled in athletics on and off the field. The induction class of 2020 included three individuals from Bishop McNamara - Keith Lytle ’75, Tiffany Evans ’93, and Stacey Oldenburg-Buckhaults ’00 and one team - the 2003 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team. For more on this story, please read the feature article titled Bishop McNamara High School 2020 Hall of Fame Virtual Induction Ceremony. n On Saturday, November 7, the Parent’s Club organized the annual Father/Son Gathering under the title Men In It to Win It! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, protocols were in place to hold a safe event including temperature screenings, wearing of masks, and social distancing measures. The Father/Son team with the highest points were tagged as “2020 Mustang Men.” Father/Son teams competed in various challenges that required athleticism, strategy and a sense of humor. Points were earned in each challenge based on how the team finished in each category. Each challenge lasted sixty seconds. Bishop McNamara High School would like to thank the Parent’s Club and all their volunteers who helped to organize this special morning. n
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BISHOP McNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME
