Young Alumni Career Connections Night
Classes of '05, '06, '07, '08, '09

NEXT Wednesday, May 22, 7-9 pm
Carlyle Club
411 John Carlyle Street
Alexandria

Sponsored by the Ireton Business Network
We have a great group of established alumni from different business backgrounds who will share their stories and provide advice to young alums from 7 to 8 pm.  We are still looking for a few more alum in the following categories:  Engineering, Healthcare, Military, Commercial Real Estate, and Non-profit.
We will conclude the evening from 8 to 9 pm with complimentary cocktails and buffet.

If you would like to donate a few hours of your business expertise to help out BI's young alumni, or if you are a young alum who would like to join us, please contact Ryan Fannon or Casey Hogan '05.

 

Thanks to our wonderful Golf Committee, sponsors, and volunteers.
 

It is impossible to express all Bishop Ireton has brought to my life as the experience continues to reveal itself 30 years from graduation.  High school remains a unique time - so many "firsts" are experienced together. Under the guidance of priests and faculty whose lives were centered on devotion to God, and His children, an indelible mark was left. 

 

Ireton granted me the gift of faith. While friends share memories and laughs about Fr. O'Neill's and Fr. Fitzpatrick's religion classes, many specific lessons and conversations are remembered with stunning clarity. It is as if they took place yesterday.

We learned to discover God in our fellow man and I reflect daily on the fact that my closest friends were made at BI. It is said "a man is lucky to have one true friend", but I have been blessed with so many more. I spent years with the Vick, Sims, Vaccarino, and Thelen families during and after Ireton.  In every case I was another son; another mouth to feed (always welcome at the table); another child to correct; another of God's children to love.   

 

One of the most compelling memories of my term as Alumni President was to see this same experience repeated among graduates of other years.  Speaking with alums I would share: "The guys who would get on a plane in the middle of the night because I needed them, or for whom I would do the same -- they are ALL Ireton guys".  Invariably audience members approached me afterwards telling me this was their experience, too. This bond of friendship is shared by St. Mary's Academy women as well. Organizing the 25th Reunion for our Class of 1983 revealed that they, too, came together and reunited in a way that was heartfelt and touching.  That was my fondest memory of the reunion and what made it particularly special - something I have not disclosed before now. 

 

My fervent hope is that future Ireton students enjoy such friendships and love throughout life.  This hope brought me back to the school, and keeps me committed.  It all came together for me a few years ago when I saw Father Walsh. We laughed about the past and realized that life goes on.

 

Again, I stay involved out of a sense overwhelming gratitude.  Most especially to the Oblates, but also to Dr. Gar Whaley, who served as both my advisor and Wind Ensemble conductor.  I would not be half the man I am today were it not for his influence on my life.  Ken Baskette taught me to enjoy learning, and to have a genuine affection for teachers. Harry Sober created a swim team which built more character than any other single experience short of faith in God itself.

 

SMA Tea

201 Cambridge Road

Alexandria, VA  22314