The “Lasts” of California 2022

After admiring their art, students and prefects (plus ringer Fr. Sebastian) clashed with ferocious intensity in the Summer Program Basketball Tournament. It was a hot afternoon, but that didn’t seem to slow anyone down. Both the women’s and men’s games were hard-fought affairs, with the prefects claiming both victories. The competitors all exchanged congratulations and high fives when the games were done, then raced over to the pool to cool off!

Dinner immediately followed, but for about 20 programmers, it was a quick meal. Longing for a little  more philosophy — and one more great conversation — a group returned to the classroom, where head men’s prefect Dillon Raum (’21) led a seminar on Plato’s “Apology.” That, too, had to be brief, because only half an hour later, it was time for study hall. Students made the most of the opportunity, prepping themselves for Friday’s final classes by giving a close reading to Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” then practicing the next round of Euclidean propositions.

Following study hall, the group gathered to pray the Rosary in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, and then reassembled in St. Cecilia Hall for one last dance class. The Summer Program’s famed dance instructor — TAC’s college & career counselor, Daniel Selmeczy (’08) — is out of town for a wedding, so prefect newlyweds Mikaela and Dillon Raum (both ’21) ably took his place. The programmers have made remarkable progress over the last two weeks, and they look to be in great shape for Friday’s Farewell Banquet!

By the time dance class came to an end, it was getting late, but everyone wanted one last trip to the coffee shop, where root beer and ice-cream sandwiches awaited. They then made their way back to the residence halls, where prefects greeted them with a fabulous late-night snack of pancakes and sundry toppings! Over in St. Monica’s, the prefects hosted “Prefects on Tap,” an impromptu Q&A session about college life, spirituality, relationships, and anything else the programmers could ask! In St. Peter and St. Paul’s, the men prepared for the night’s next big adventure …

While the ladies of St. Monica’s were wrapping up their “On Tap” session, they heard a clamor outside. When they looked out their windows, they saw the men, dressed in their Sunday best. The men then proceeded singing “Wild Mountain Thyme,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “I Want it That Way.” The serenade, accompanied flowers and chocolates, made such an impression that it was the subject of conversation at breakfast this morning!

We now enter the final day of the program, with classes on Euclid and O’Connor, plus one last lunch, recreation period, and Rosary — as well as the farewell banquet and dance — still to come.  We will post photos and more tomorrow morning!