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After Wednesday’s slower academic day, students on the California High School Great Books Program sped straight to St. Cecelia Hall, where they heard a talk from Executive Director of Admissions Jon Daly about the College’s application process and requirements, financial aid program, and students’ career paths upon graduation from TAC. Programmers also heard testimonials from Admission counselors and TAC graduates Rose Anderson (’26) and Max Alvarez (’26), who shared how they learned about the College and how it has affected their lives. 

After the admissions talk, students raced back to their residence halls to change for the Program’s famous Quad Race! Inspired by a classic 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 — students raced around the academic quadrangle in pairs, each competing for the fastest time overall. The best times from the girls and boys are then added to the leaderboard alongside the winners of past programs. Students lined up along the quad, cheering on their friends as prefects Luke Connelly (’27) and Addie Fellona (’28) provided commentary to the dramatic sounds of the Chariots of Fire theme song and other musical backdrops. 

While the previous records remain unbeaten, this year’s competitors turned in some impressive times! The girls’ champion was Audrey R., with a time of 46.04 seconds. Close behind her were the runners-up, Ana N., with a time of 46.42, and Lillian E., with a time of 46.75. The boys also had an impressive turnout, with winner Jack F. posting a 37.95 second run! The boys’ runners-up included Matius D. with 39.42 and Drake G. with 39.47.  An honorary mention also goes out to prefect Ben Caughron (’29), with a time of 39.37. 

Breathless and congratulatory at the race’s conclusion, competitors made their way to St. Joseph Commons, where they feasted on roast beef, mashed potatoes with red wine gravy, brussels sprouts, and bread rolls.  

Then it was time to resume the regular study hall schedule at the St. Bernardine of Sienna Library. Tomorrow, students will tackle Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy, Books III-IV, as well as a work by entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre and selections from Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae. The library’s calm atmosphere and air conditioning were a welcome break after today’s athletics and high temperatures! 

At the close of study hall, students walked to Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel to pray an evening Rosary before gathering behind St. Gladys Hall for Chaplain on Tap. Prefects prepared an abundance of root-beer floats, and students grabbed a cup (or two), then took their seats as Summer Program chaplain Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94), began to speak. As the sun set, he answered a variety of the students’ questions, including how to explain the existence of God solely through philosophical principles, what predestination really means, and the concept of God’s allowance of evil in the world. He spoke for about an hour and a half, allowing students to raise their hands and ask follow-up questions throughout. 

Once the event concluded, students headed back to their residence halls for a late-night snack of hot pizza. They then prayed evening prayers and went to bed. 

These last few days of the program will be filled with fun and excitement, as students finish out classes and prepare to return home. The Summer Program Blog will continue to have regular updates, and you are not going to want to miss what happens next!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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