The Knight's Roundtable
February 2021 V6
Dear Families,
The Knights Roundtable is the Diversity, Equity, and Unity newsletter created for DJO students, family, and community. Each month will center around a theme. The initiative on Diversity, Equity, and Unity is key to the ability of Bishop O'Connell to fulfill its mission and to have a positive effect on society. This fact has been evident in the past year as our nation has faced a series of incidents, tragedies, and challenges that have had a profound effect on us. As we struggled to learn, to lament, to heal, ask hard questions, and acquire wisdom, we came together as students, alumni, parents, faculty, and administration in efforts to implement change. Sit back, grab a snack, and enjoy reading about current events, student stories, and how to be involved in making O'Connell a place that all students feel proud to say, we are family. GO, KNIGHTS!
Black History Month
February is Black Heritage Month. Let us all take this month to remember and acknowledge the achievements and history of African Americans not only in the United States but all over the globe. Come along as we highlight milestones, achievements, and African American individuals that have made a lasting impact on the world.
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, an African American doctor, witnessed her aunt suffer through cancer treatment. After her aunt passed, she wanted to develop a new type of treatment that does not produce side effects. She is working on curing cancer with lasers, and the article explains that “gold nanoparticles are injected into tumors. When lasers are directed at the nanoparticles, the particles start to vibrate and warm-up, destroying the tumor cells with heat. Because the treatment is delivered locally, it does not affect the surrounding healthy cells.”
If you wish to find out more, here is an article about Dr. Green:https://www.the-scientist.com/scientist-to-watch/hadiyah-nicole-green-targets-cancer-with-lasers-67313
“I have the personal faith that mankind will somehow rise up to the occasion and give new directions to an age drifting rapidly to its doom. In spite of the tensions and uncertainties of this period something profoundly meaningful is taking place...Here and there an individual or group dares to love and rises to the majestic heights of moral maturity. So in a real sense, this is a great time to be alive.” MLK The Quest for Justice Nobel Lecture Dec. 11, 1964
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eklVqcp8_pWcWr7D8pOGTFvaR7jZZl_DCUhwfbggDFA/edit?usp=sharing
Movies of the Month
Looking for new places to eat? Here are some Black-owned restaurants in our area!
Austin Grill (Springfield, VA)
- Markers Union (Reston, VA)
CupCakes & Beyond (Fairfax, VA)
Grace’s Pastries (Herndon, VA)
Pie Gourmet (Vienna, VA)
Scholarship Opportunity--Esperanza Education Fund
In 2021, the Esperanza Education Fund will again award scholarships of at least $5,000 and up to $20,000 to immigrant students and/or students who have two immigrant parents in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to attend community colleges, public colleges and universities.
Students are eligible for the scholarship regardless of ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status. For more information about the scholarship and to read more about our AMAZING current scholars, please visit http://www.esperanzafund.org/.
The scholarship application is now available and can be accessed through here. The application process is entirely electronic, and all applications are due on April 1st, 2021.
We will hold an application tip session on March 14th, 2021 to provide an overview of the application and tips for filling it out. The zoom link can be accessed here and RSVP page here.
Meeting ID: 919 8693 0300
Passcode: 679193
If you or your students have any questions, please email apply@esperanzafund.org.
Calling all Musically Gifted Students and Music Lovers
The following event is offered by the Diocese of Austin on Saturday, February 13. Please see registration info below.
The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) Austin Chapter, together with the Office of Worship and the Secretariat of Life, Charity, and Justice, is hosting Plenty Good Room, a special virtual event for pastoral musicians on Saturday, February 13 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We are privileged to have composer, producer, and recording artist W. Clifford Petty (https://voicesasone.com/artist/w-clifford-petty/) who will help us to understand the culture, language, talents, and musicality within the Black apostolate.
Our communities have been challenged by the coronavirus pandemic and social unrest. In the midst of suffering from isolation and division, pastoral musicians should accompany the faithful through their hopes, joys, fears and anxieties because music has been a constant source of healing. As we seek to encounter others by building bridges, this webinar will help us to explore how the music, culture, and history of the Black apostolate helps to heal the wounds of our broken society. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin will offer opening remarks.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Register online by February 10 at www.npmaustin.org<http://www.npmaustin.org>
$20.00/person
Service Opportunities
In this unprecedented era, serving the community is different than it used to be. Dr. Coolidge, our Christian Service Director here at O’Connell, has offered some ways that you can give back.
Making cards to take to a local senior center, or for Hospital Heroes
Book Drive to take to a local children's hospital
Letters to servicemen and women overseas thanking them for their service
Contribute to our DJO student Peace Mural -- See link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd_oSvBeRCgruUdezX5yh7npkhH3QBUxJ9YBV44OHHg/edit
Make a meal for a neighbor/friend in need
Run errands for a shut-in neighbor
Yardwork,
tutoring
Trash clean-up in your community
An AmeriCorps virtual program (Cost $10) https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wdcfy2mlda/event/823837/
Join DC group, Little Friends for Peace (virtually) on Monday (2:00 - 3:30) for a MLK program http://www.lffp.org
Black Student Heritage Club
Did you miss the last newsletters?
- September: https://www.smore.com/41kvb-the-knights-roundtable
- October: https://www.smore.com/109cs-the-knight-s-roundtable
- November: https://www.smore.com/dfub1
- January: https://www.smore.com/9af4q
Care to Share, We'd love to hear from you!
Email: bdavis@bishopoconnell.org
Website: bishopoconnell.org
Location: 6600 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA, USA
Phone: 703-237-1400
Twitter: @DJOdiversity