91����

For the last week, prefects and programmers on the New England High School Summer Program have looked forward to Saturday’s beach day with anticipation. Consequently, the dining hall pulsed with energy and excitement at breakfast, as everyone bolted down their meal, eager to make it to the buses on time. 

Although the drive to Newburyport takes about two hours, the trip passed by quickly. After praying the Rosary, the group filled the ride with games, laughter, and music. Passengers took turns going up to the bus’s microphone to tell “two truths and a lie,” leaving others to decide which was which. Keeping busy in this way, it seemed like no time before the buses arrived and everyone disembarked in Newburyport. After a grab-and-go lunch of chips and sandwiches, programmers split into groups headed by teams of prefects, and all set out to explore the town. 

Newburyport is a lovely, quaint old Northeastern beach town. The streets are lined with little shops and New England-style houses from the 1800s onward, marked with placards and signboards denoting their historical significance. Groups of students drifted down the streets, stopping to get coffee or gelato, popping into candy and book shops, thrift and antique stores — taking in all the sights that Newburyport had to offer.

The group could have explored the town all day, but the Summer Program’s packed schedule allows for little lingering. So, at mid-afternoon, everyone reconvened at the buses and drove a short way down to the beach. At just that moment, though, the fine weather gave out, and it began to rain! Surprisingly enough, the rain did not deter anyone from the excitement and exhilaration of the beach, and in a way made the experience even more striking. The sky was gray and lowering, but the water was crystal clear and most enticing; it ranged in color from pure and clear to different glassy shades of green and blue, fading in a perfect gradient out to the warm gray horizon. 

The water was breathtakingly cold, but no one could seem to resist it. Gasping and spluttering from the chill, students plunged in and ducked under the waves. Chicken fights and swimming races soon ensued, and the cold was forgotten among the frenzied activity.

When it was finally time to head back to campus, everyone changed into warm, dry clothes and loadhd back onto the buses. After grace and a quick traveling prayer, the prefects handed out fresh, hot pizza, and all enjoyed a makeshift picnic dinner on the way back to the College. The ride back was just as quick as the ride there, with students relaxing, sleeping, or chatting together about the lovely day they had enjoyed together.

Back on campus, students hurried to the showers to rid themselves of all sand and salt before going down to St. Frassati Student Center for the evening. Energy was still incredibly high, and spirits were indefatigable, as students danced and practiced the new steps that they learned in their Friday dance class. Then the prefects directed the group down to the auditorium, where tables were groaning beneath their heavy burdens of chocolate and candy. Prefects and programmers loaded up their paper bowls with treats, then settled into the auditorium’s seats to enjoy Surf’s Up, keeping with the day’s theme.

After the movie, the sleepiness hit. The day had been long and full, joyful and replete with memories. Students walked across campus and back to their residence halls, all too grateful to hit their pillows and fall asleep, still hearing the crash of those crystal waves in their ears.

Today promises to be a peaceful Sunday, marking one full week at 91����! Check Monday morning’s blog post to read about it!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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