Moving and Shaking

Creativity abounded Wednesday evening as students danced, did arts and crafts, and performed during Open Mic Night!

As soon as Wednesday’s classes came to an end, students on the California High School Summer Program were on to an afternoon of fun! They met up in St. Joseph’s Commons for Dance Class #2, with prefects Max Alvarez (CA’26) and Rose Anderson (CA’26) demonstrating a seamless three-step waltz. The programmers took to the steps well and, in little time, were dancing beautifully around the room like an elegant ballroom scene. 

Recreation followed, and, while many dispersed to pursue myriad other activities around campus, some students continued dancing in the Commons. Outside on the fields, some played soccer or volleyball, others painted portraits and flowers, and still others tie-dyed t-shirts. Later, everyone enjoyed a dinner of baked potatoes, steak and garlic bread before heading to St. Bernadine of Siena Library for the day’s study hall. Students began preparing for their first class on Holy Scripture, reading from the book of Genesis. This afternoon, tutors will guide them through the opening chapters, sometimes verse by verse, in hopes of finding intricacies and nuances lurking within a text already known to us. The students also prepared to demonstrate this morning’s Euclidean propositions, inoculating themselves against the inevitable nerves and jitters that arise whenever they are called to the blackboard.

When study hall ended, the students prayed the Stations of the Cross on the lower campus, led by Rev. Miguel Batres, O.Praem. (’08). Together, they processed down the path, illuminating the way with candles as they contemplated the mystery of Christ’s Passion and death.

Afterwards, everyone went to St. Patrick’s Coffee Shop for refreshing milkshakes. With sweets in hand, everyone sat down to watch Open Mic Night. Select students performed for all to see, singing, playing piano, reciting historical speeches and poetry, and performing skits and magic shows, all for the audience’s enjoyment. The students then returned to the residence halls for pancakes. The girls talked about their favorite parts of the day, thinking the night was over — only to be surprised when the men appeared in front of their dorm, singing Irish hymns and classic songs!

When the wooing finished, the men presented roses and chocolate to the ladies, who cheered in thanks for the wonderful surprise, then departed for a pancake party in their own dorm. All in all, it was a night to remember!

Come back to the Summer Program blog later today to read about the students’ foray into Scripture!

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