School Events & Traditions

The Student Council Association (SCA) is the driving force behind the annual soup drive, which benefits the food pantry at Christ House in Alexandria. The event brings in thousands of cans of hearty soup every year, but it started much smaller in 1975. That first year, they collected 1,153 cans.

At the end of the week, all the cans are displayed on the football field (weather permitting) or inside the auditorium. The student body gathers to celebrate their successful event, and to pray a special Living Rosary, praying for those who will ultimately benefit from their soup collection.

The Homecoming football game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19 when the Knights host Archbishop Carroll. Students, parents and alumni all take part in this celebration of Knighthood! Later that evening, the students gather back at the school for the Homecoming Dance.

The week leading up to Homecoming is Spirit Week at Bishop O'Connell, where each day has a special theme. Students have fun dressing up for decades days and "wacky-tacky" day, and enjoy special treats all week long.

For the past 20 years the Bishop O’Connell High School community has participated in what has been called a “Turkey Blitz,” a two-week fundraiser to support the Thanksgiving efforts of the Gift of Peace home which is run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Northeast Washington D.C.