Episode 95: Fantasy Sports Midterm ReviewRunning Time: 26:35 This Week's Guests: Mr. John Meehan and the 5th period students of  Honors American LiteratureTom Brady or Tom Sawyer? Eli Manning or Ethan Frome? What happens when we take the same principles of Fantasy Football and bring them to life in a literature classroom? Welcome to fantasy sports, O'Connell High School English Department style! This week's episode goes inside one of DJO's Honors American Literature classrooms to watch how students are transforming midterm reviews into a full-contact brain game that is anything but a spectator sport! Come cheer for your favorite fictional characters and learn how students are rooting for their literary heroes to help prepare for this year's exams. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 94: A Christmas Carol Radio Show (Re-Gift Edition)! Charles Dickens (1843) Running Time: 1:02:21 Original Air Date: 12/11/15 Directed By:  Co-Director (student) Kathryn Baker  Starring: The Narrator (student) Laura McLellan  Scrooge - Fr. Gregory Thompson, Chaplain Fred - Mr. Trent Jones, Art Fred’s Wife - Mrs. Jill Williams, Science Poole - Sister Tracey, Science & Math  The Party Guests: Young Scrooge 2 - Mr. Sam Pell, Science & Latin Belle - Ms. Lisa Monyihan, History Mr. Fezziwig Mr. Joe Crivella, Art  Mrs. Fezziwig Ms. Kathryn Hogan, Christian Service The Cratchit Family: Bob Cratchit - Mr. John Meehan, English Mrs. Cratchit - Ms. Allison Lattie, Religion Tiny Tim - Mr. Jim Shirey, DJO Faculty  The Ghosts: Marley - Dr. Joe LeBlanc, History Christmas Past - Mrs. Michelle Taylor, English Christmas Present - "Coach" David Owens, Religion Christmas Future - Mr. Frank Roque, Dean of Student Life Student Ensemble: Young Scrooge 1 - Peter Lucas Fan - Ale Rocha Tom - Andrew Oliveros Martha Cratchit - Isabel Fernandez Peter Cratchit - Aly Speier Business Man 1 - Liam Behan Business Man 2 - Thomas Guiseppe Joe - Miranda Smith Maid - Aidan Mulcahy With a Special Appearance By: "Town Girl" & Co-Director - Ms. Sara Zimmerman, Drama It's the holiday season! And Christmas is once again in the air at Bishop O'Connell High School. This week, DJO was proud to stage our second annual production of the "radio play" adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring a cast of teachers, students, and faculty members from all corners of the Bishop O'Connell family! Regrettably, it appears that The Grinch stole our audio input of this year's show during the live broadcast, and so our recording of last night's production has been swept away to the Island of Misfit Toys.  But it's Christmas, and there's no point in crying over spilled (cookies and) milk! So we'd like to send a special thanks to everyone who took part in this year's production -- which included highlights like Mr. Pell singing Italian arias, Ms. Moynihan choreographing a team of teachers Jingle Bell Rocking to the Christmas Macarena, Father Thompson taking an onstage #ScroogeSelfie, and a cameo appearance from our very own Counseling department's Ricky Tanis in the role of the beloved Tiny Tim. Thanks to the magic of the DJO drama program, this year's rendition of A Christmas Carol proved that much like snowflakes, every adaptation of this winter tale is wonderfully unique in its own way. Included here as our Christmas present to you is the audio from last year's production. We apologize again for the last-minute re-gift -- but we promise, it's a real treat. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 93: The Podcast About PodcastsRunning Time: 27:00 This Week's Guests: Mrs. Courtney Lewicki Mr. John MeehanThis week, the Bishop O'Connell English department hits the road for the annual Virginia Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development's annual conference in Williamsburg, Va., where our very own Mrs. Courtney Lewicki will be delivering a breakout session to educators from all over the state in which she'll be discussing -- what else! -- the awesome teaching and learning potential of enhancing traditional instruction with your very own school, department, or classroom podcast. Join our off-site podcasting duo of Mrs. Lewicki and Mr. Meehan (likewise on the road at a conference this week from Seattle, Washington) brought together through the magic of the internet this week as we talk about the educational advantages and college- and career-ready skills that podcasting can provide. This week's episode offers a valuable insight into the awesome work that our teachers and students are doing each and every day at O'Connell High School -- and you won't even have to drive all the way down to Williamsburg to hear the cool things that podcasts can do! Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 92: What are You Thankful for, DJO?Running Time: 16:40 This Week's Guests: Dr. Joseph Vorbach, Head of School Mrs. Diane Cerniglia Ms. Allison Gibeily Natalie Leiva, Class of 2018 Roisin Bergeron, Class of 2018 Mrs. Courtney Lewicki Mr. John MeehanJust in time for the holidays, O'Connell High School is serving up a special Thanksgiving episode of our weekly English Department Round Table Podcast. This week, we're celebrating the spirit of the season by asking members of the O'Connell community "what are you thankful for, DJO?" As you're enjoying a plate of turkey and a slice (or two) of pumpkin pie with your own family this Thanksgiving holiday, tune in to this week's episode for a thoughtful side dish of holiday insight from the O'Connell family of administrators, faculty, and -- of course -- our amazing students, as we reflect on this season of gratitude, community, and thanks. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 91: Student Battle Raps and Rhetoric REMIX!Running Time: 23:40 This Week's Guests: Sabena Chadda as Jacob Black Elysse Anderson as Edward Cullen Serena Davis as Walt Disney  Vanessa Nkurunziza as Dr. Seuss Alec Quiroga as Cristiano Rinaldo Seth Viani as Tom Brady Bishan Shourie as Darth Vader Christopher Ho as Vladimir Putin #1 Tyler Dittmer as Ronald Reagan and  Daniel Danenberg as Vladimir Putin #2 It's a second installment of the O'Connell English Department Battle Rap Showdown! Featuring Honors American Literature students assuming the personae of a star-studded lineup of figures from history, literature and pop culture, this week's episode is a second showcase of our students' high-energy display of rhetorical techniques and verse poetry in action. This week, we've got literary monsters trading lyrical barbs, icons of sports squaring off for rhetorical supremacy, and beloved children's cartoonists getting up close and personal with their lyrical smack talk. Join us for a look inside life in our Honors American Literature classroom, full of excitement, humor, and creativity. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 90: Student Battle Raps and RhetoricRunning Time: 20:12 This Week's Guests: Will Whitt as The Burger King Katie Geraghty as Inspector Javert Katherine Gardinier as Maximilien Robespierre Sophia Stalnaker as Cleopatra Abi Dinegar as Mary Queen of Scots Clara Cobb as Elvis Presley Hannah Pin as Michael Jackson Hugh Bothwell as the T Rex Kyley Van Doorn as the Brachiosaurus and  Bart Whelan as Spongebob Squarepants What happens when DJO students go toe-to-toe trading verses of rhyme and rhetoric to flex their poetic prowess? It's the first ever O'Connell English Department Battle Rap Showdown! And if you've never listened to a DJO English Department Round Table Podcast before, you are in for a real treat. Featuring Honors American Literature students assuming the personae of a star-studded lineup of figures from history, literature and pop culture, this week's episode is a high-energy showcase of rhetorical techniques and verse poetry forms in action. From smack talking dinosaurs to shade throwing historical icons, this week's student showcase is an awesome look at life in our Honors American Literature classroom, full of excitement, humor, and creativity. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 89: The Declaration of IndependenceRunning Time: 17:57 Thomas Jefferson (1776) This Week's Guests: Elysse Anderson Sofia Cardenas Sabena Chadda Katharine Colclough Thomas Cook Natalie Leiva Frank Lucchetti Vanessa Nkurunziza Hoang Pham Pio Soliven Our election season is drawing to a close, and so the DJO English Department Round Table podcast decided to kick it "old school" this week with an in-depth conversation about the founding document that made our democracy possible in the first place. This week, join Mr. Meehan and a super-sized student panel to hammer out the finer points of a new nation as we explore the rhetoric, power, and poetry of The Declaration of Independence. Tune in for a spirited conversation regarding the age-old principles that helped shape our country, and learn how 21st century students are finding new life and modern relevance in their study of this watershed text of literature and historical significance. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 88: A Student Club's Take on Edgar Allan PoetryRunning Time: 20:44 Edgar Allan Poe (1849) This Week's Guests: Thomas Bascom Jinlee Colucci Cameron Feeley Victoria Gordon Caileigh Keegan Just in time for Halloween, Bishop O'Connell's newest student organization -- the Poetry Club -- joins together for their first official meeting to dissect a seminal, seasonal, and spooky favorite of Gothic literature: the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. Join Mr. Meehan and the founding members of the DJO Poetry Club as we take a haunted sleighride through Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells" and pay special attention to all the things that go bump in the night along the way. This digital conversation is a great chance to get a feel for what the Poetry Club is all about. So grab some candy corn and join us for a scare, won't you? Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 87: Students Sound Off on Hamilton: An American MusicalRunning Time: 17:32 Lin-Manuel Miranda (2015) This Week's Guests: Mr. Meehan Erika Williams Tonight at part of their Great Performances series, PBS will air Hamilton's America -- an in-depth documentary about the making of the smash Broadway musical written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda in the title role of "The Ten Dollar Founding Father," Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. First Lady Michelle Obama has called Hamilton "the best piece of art in any form that I have ever seen in my life," and critics and audiences alike have been similarly impressed by this revolutionary fusion of hip hop and history. Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for drama, a 2016 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, and 11 Tony Awards -- Hamilton has garnered unprecedented levels of academic and popular acclaim. So what makes this show work? Check out this week's episode to hear insight from both an educator and a student's perspective as we explore this latest supplement to the O'Connell High School American history and literature curriculum. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 86: Students Sound Off on Ethan FromeRunning Time: 19:16 Edith Wharton (1911) This Week's Guests: Elysse Anderson Roisin Bergeron  Ryley Howard Vanessa Nkurunziza Sofia Cardenas As the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, Ethan Frome feels like a perfect book to discuss how a story's setting can influence the lives of its characters. So is there any joy to be found in the bleak, frosty landscape of Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome? Even if the characters in this novella don't fare so well, it doesn't stop O'Connell students from enjoying a spirited, energetic conversation regarding the story's themes, setting, and broader character arcs. Check out this week's episode for another spirited look at life and literature through the eyes of students at O'Connell High School. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.