Mustang Moments

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CAMPUS MUSTANG MOMENTS

Peer Ministry Retreat: This summer, our 2022-2023 Peer Ministers had their annual retreat, which focused on the intersection of leadership and faith to prepare them for serving their community during their senior year. Congratulations and thank you to this year’s Peer Ministers for all of their work! n

Freshman Orientation: We were so excited to welcome the Class of 2026 as the 2022-2023 school year got underway! This year’s Freshman Orientation featured a scavenger hunt, team-building activities, mapping out class locations, and the first-ever Freshman Family Cookout, which was a huge success! We pray that the Class of 2026 has a strong start as they continue to embark on the Mustang experience. n

Honoring 30 Years of Service to Catholic Education:

Congratulations to Ms. Brenda Stephens and Mrs. Saiedeh Khalili! These incredible educators were honored for their 30 years of service to Catholic education by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools at their Opening of School Liturgy in August. His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory celebrated the Mass, which was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. n

Honoring our Teachers of the Year: Let’s also celebrate Mr. Armani Mason-Callaway '09 and Mrs. Mary Nolte! Mr. Mason-Callaway, a teacher in our Technology and Engineering department, was recently named our Veteran Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Nolte, a teacher in our Theology department, was recently named our Novice Teacher of the Year. The Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools Office and the High School Principals’ Association present these awards each year. These outstanding faculty members were recognized in an article in the Catholic Standard and were presented with their awards at the High School Principals’ Association Professional Development Day in October. n

String Quintet Reception: The Bishop McNamara String Quintet was honored to perform at Chevy Chase Country Club in September for a reception in honor of His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory and the Consortium of Catholic Academies. n National Dance Day: The Bishop McNamara Dance Program had an amazing time supporting National Dance Day in September. This year our dancers performed the National Dance Day routine and created a fun-filled dance routine for their friends at school. The performance was filmed in the main gym and can be viewed on our Instagram page (@bmhsmustang). n

FADE Guest Artists: The Bishop McNamara Fine Arts Department was thrilled to welcome the following artists so far this year as part of their FADE Colloquium Series: In September, FADE Colloquium featured DuPont Brass. DuPont Brass is a one-of-a-kind, brass-driven supergroup from the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Originally composed of five music majors from Howard University trying to raise money for tuition during the Christmas season, they have grown to a 9-piece ensemble consisting of brass, a rhythm section, and vocalists. The performance was supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. n

Mustangs Go Pink:

Bishop McNamara students, faculty, and staff held our annual “Mustangs Go Pink” fundraiser on Friday, October 7th. Everyone had fun dressing up in pink to support breast cancer research, and we were thrilled to raise over $5,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. n

In November, FADE Colloquium featured Bridging the Gap, the acclaimed string duo featuring violinist Peter Wilson and double bassist Aaron Clay. Hailed by The Washington Post for "... superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship," Bridging the Gap is a unique duo that offers a new voice to many musical styles by uniting the sounds of two bowed and bridged instruments not often heard together. n

Spirit Week: In October, as we prepared for the Homecoming football game, the BMHS Family participated in Spirit Week! This year’s themes were:

Pajama Day Decades Day (90’s and 2000’s)

Class Colors Day Twin Day Maroon and Gold Day

On Twin Day, there were a lot of Mr. Monahan's! Faculty and staff surprised Mr. Monahan, a teacher in our Theology department, by all wearing his signature "go-to" outfit. n

Back to School Liturgy:

It was an honor to welcome His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory to our Back to School Liturgy on September 13th. Cardinal Gregory gave a wonderful homily to begin the school year and remind everyone that we are all children of God together. n

Spirit Week Liturgy:

During Spirit Week, students, faculty, and staff took a moment to center themselves in the presence of the Lord and celebrate the first all-school liturgy in the main gym since 2020. Msgr. Raymond East served as the celebrant, and the liturgy included a community meditation in memory of Father Everett Pearson, performed by our choir and American Sign Language III students. n

Thanksgiving Mass:

The Bishop McNamara community also celebrated Thanksgiving Mass in November. The Mass was celebrated by Father Phil Ilg from Holy Family Catholic Church and Deacon Keith Somerville ‘83. n