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California High School Summer Program students awoke on Tuesday morning, the second full day of the California two-week program, refreshed and recharged after Monday night’s festivities. 

Some students attended the morning Mass at 7:15 am, while others slept in until breakfast. After fueling up on eggs and cereal, students tackled the day’s first assignment — another of Sophocles’ tragedies, Antigone. This play follows the sorrowful events that unfold after Antigone’s uncle, King Creon, forbids burial rites for her brother, whom he condemns as a traitor to the kingdom. Forced to choose between loyalty to her brother and loyalty to her king, Antigone defiantly sets into motion a chain of heartbreaking events, compelling all involved to wrestle with their own loyalties and convictions.  

Under the guidance of their tutors and in collaboration with their sectionmates, students delved deeply into discussions of the conflict between duty to country and duty to family. Some defended or condemned the divisive characters of Antigone and Creon, while grappling with the notions of obedience, pride, and fate. 

At 11:00 a.m., the first class came to an end, and enthusiastic chatter filled the halls of St. Gladys as students poured from their classrooms. Many went straight to Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel for midmorning Mass, and discussions of Antigone continued over a lunch of orange chicken and steamed white rice. Students filled the tables with friendly conversation, and several tutors sat down to introduce themselves.

With a little time to kill after lunch, students visited outside or in the residence halls, waiting for the final class of the day: the Pre-Socratics.

Students received their first taste of philosophy at TAC through these fragments of texts from these authors who preceded Socrates. Writers such as Empedocles, Democritus, and Epicurus began shaping the way ancient scholars viewed various matters, including physics and metaphysics, generation and corruption, and even a small glimpse into atomic theory! The Pre-Socratics, in all their fragmented glory, are a challenging read, and the students worked hard to piece together what these different ideas might mean. Tomorrow, they will have the opportunity to compare them to Sacred Scripture’s account of creation in Genesis, which is sure to spark a great discussion. 

Having mulled long and hard over these matters in the land before Socrates, students now look forward to their first official recreation period! This afternoon, they will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of athletic activities, as well as arts and crafts. 

Come back tomorrow to hear how the rest of the evening fares, including the program’s first dance practice!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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