At the end of the practice, Stephen gave a short talk on dance etiquette and the dancing culture of Thomas Aquinas College. He encouraged the gentlemen to be courageous and chivalrous, asking the ladies to dance, leading them, and escorting them off the floor when the dance was over. He then entreated the ladies to be gracious and courteous as they prepared to get a taste of an authentic TAC dance. All in all, the students are well prepared for tonight!
After an hour of practice, the recreation period began. Many students stayed behind to practice their newfound dance skills, while others spread between the Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center, the athletic field, the library, the bookstore, and the residence halls. It was an easy-going afternoon. Eventually, all headed to a dinner of creamy sherry chicken, brown rice, and green beans.
Once they had eaten, the programmers went down to Dolben Auditorium for a talk sponsored by the TAC Admissions department. Jean Carlos Guerreiro and Clara Ramos Ghigliotti are both recent alumni and full-time admissions counselors, and they shared their stories on how they came to the College. Jean had quickly fallen in love with the community and the immense intellectual satisfaction, and Clara spoke about her desire to read and discuss original source texts rather than textbooks, craving an authentic and rewarding education.
Associate Director of Admissions John Jost then shared his story as well. He talked about how his own experience of the Summer Program helped him to refocus on what was important to him as he searched for a college to attend. Once he realized that Thomas Aquinas College met the needs he had in education, community, and spirituality, he was unable to resist it. He then went over TAC’s application process, the financial aid program, and some practical applications of an education for its own sake. All the students received a folder with information pamphlets, Thomas Aquinas College’s Blue Book, contact information, and other helpful forms.
Study Hall came next, where students spent the first hour reading Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Everything that Rises Must Converge.” The second hour was devoted to their last three Euclidean propositions, which they practiced on classroom whiteboards with prefects’ help. That hour passed all too quickly, and before they knew it, their final study hall was over!
Rosary followed in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, and then Coffee Shop hour. The Bl. Frassati Student Center was aglow with excitement!
