California
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July 25, 2024
Though in the midst of digging deep for truth in Euclid and Boethius, students on the California High School Summer Program still had plenty of time Wednesday to set aside for faith, fellowship, and some new perspective on college applications.
After leaving their classrooms, the high schoolers attended a brief Admissions talk about TAC’s program of Catholic liberal education, application process, and financial aid. Admissions counselors answered their questions about test scores, student loans, and more, then sent their audience out to participate in the afternoon’s recreational event: the Quad Run!
Inspired by an iconic scene from Chariots of Fire — in which Harold Abrahams successfully completes Cambridge University’s Trinity Great Court Run before the King’s Gate Clock strikes 12 — TAC students throughout the years have competed in footraces around the Academic Quadrangle. They race to beat not just the fastest times of their fellow programmers, but also the records held by previous Summer Program champions.
Some 50 programmers participated in Wednesday’s run, meeting in the Academic Quadrangle to stretch out, lace up their running shoes, or, in some cases, abandon their shoes altogether in preparation for their races. As prefects played music from speakers and their peers cheered them on, the runners sprinted through the arcade in pairs, the women first and then the men. The runners achieved some truly impressive times, with some running so fast over the finish line that they couldn’t slow themselves in time to prevent landing the nearby bushes!
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In the women’s races, programmer Grace E. took the winning time of 44.32 seconds (just one second behind the women’s course record!), while Ben C. beat his fellow programmers in the men’s race with a time of 39.45 seconds. Prefect Xavier Grimm (’27) joined in the race to steal the best men’s time overall, defending his position as a Quad Run champion, which he won on his own program two years ago. While no one set a new record for the fastest time, everyone had fun trying!
Then, exhausted but exhilarated, the runners headed to dinner in St. Joseph’s Commons to refuel on chicken pot pie, salad, and mashed potatoes. At Study Hall, they resumed pondering Boethius and preparing Euclidean propositions.
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Then it was time for the community Rosary in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, followed by “Chaplain on Tap” with Program Chaplain Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94) on the patio behind St. Gladys Hall. While feasting on root-beer floats, students listened as Fr. Sebastian answered the questions they had anonymously submitted throughout the week. To every question, whether on the topic of the sacraments, Catholic doctrine, prayer, or morality, Fr. Sebastian gave a clear and thoughtful response, stressing how the Church’s teachings are never contrary to reason.
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At the end of the night, Fr. Sebastian encouraged students to pursue God’s will for their lives wholeheartedly: “Ask yourself, ‘What great thing can I do for the Lord?’ What can I do that, at the end of my life, I can look back and say that there are souls who will be in Heaven because of the love for God that I have and the good that I did in this life?’”
Students returned to their residence halls still reflecting on Fr. Sebastian’s words for some final moments with friends before bed. Together they enjoyed a nighttime snack of pizza and filled their common rooms with laughter and conversation until it was time for lights out. In class today, they will continue with their Euclid propositions and have their last discussion of The Consolation of Philosophy. Read more details about their classes later today on the Summer Program Blog!
