Preview Knight

Preview Knight

Paul Manetto ('26)

On February 27 Bishop O’Connell hosted its annual Welcome Knight for the incoming class of 2029. The prospective students who attended came from across the DC metro area, after receiving their acceptance letters two weeks prior on February 14. The O’Connell student body came together, hoping to give the new students a chance to see what life at O’Connell is all about. Staffed by the Student Ambassadors, members of this group helped to give tours, explain various aspects of the school, and stand by to answer any questions families may have. The school was split into three main parts: the cafeteria, gym and auditorium. Student Ambassador Jeffrey Raboin, a sophomore, said that he was “ most excited to show that O'Connell is more than a school. It's a gathering place. Here it is easy to find your place. You fit into the community and the community wants you.” In the cafeteria, new students could shop for O’Connell themed merchandise outside of the school store, and see a preview of the different departments and classes offered at O’Connell. In the gym, all of the sports at O’Connell were seated by their banners, ready to answer questions for incoming athletes. On the other side of the gym clubs ranging from FIAT to the DEU showed off their accomplishments, students could take a picture with the O’Connell Knight and relax with a scoop of ice cream. Finally, in the auditorium the Theatre program gave a sneak peak of its spring musical Godspell several times throughout the night. The Visor was able to gain exclusive interviews with four prospective Knights: Addie Fentress, Chloe Thompson, Kate Smiley and Julie Beegan, all from Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Herndon, Virginia. 

When asked what their favorite part about the preview night was, Addie Fentress said, s “the athletics”, citing “softball” as her sport of choice. Julie Beegan additionally mentioned sports, although she was interested in “soccer and basketball.” Fentress also said that she enjoyed meeting “all the teachers,” with Chloe Thompson also enjoying meeting the teachers, being impressed by “the academics” particularly in the math department. Kate Smiley offered a different reason, mentioning “the clubs” as her favorite part and adding that a major factor to her going to O’Connell next year would be that “a lot of my friends are going here”. 

The Visor also reached out to Mrs. Annie Hallett, O’Connell’s admissions director to answer questions about the purpose of Preview Knight. Mrs. Hallett said that “We have Preview Knight to welcome our newly accepted students into our Bishop O'Connell community. It gives our accepted students and their families an opportunity to visit the school, get questions answered, and learn what we are all about here at DJO before they decide to enroll.” and also that it was important because it “is critical for our accepted students to feel welcome. Our current students, faculty and staff know how important and special our community is, but we want our new families to feel that connection as well!”

Preview Knight was a great way for new students to see what makes the O’Connell community special and to see why this school would be a great fit for them in their high school career.