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This morning was bittersweet for the students on the California High School Great Books Program; for now, the end begins.  

The morning began the same as every other, with a hot breakfast in St. Joseph Commons, followed by the last social hour in St. Patrick’s Coffee Shop. Students enjoyed refreshing iced-strawberry matcha lattes, chai teas, and iced coffees with vanilla cold foam. The noise was almost deafening as all chatted about the last day of class, their remaining summer plans, and the past two weeks. 

Then it was off to class to discuss the conclusion of Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy. Students examined the notions of chance and Divine Providence in light of Boethius’s questions to Lady Philosophy, opening up discussions on the Final Judgment, necessary acts, and free will. After two weeks’ contemplating these deep themes, students drew on all the program’s readings, and tutors guided the sections to a better understanding of these difficult yet important inquiries. 

After bidding Boethius farewell, students either attended midday Mass or relaxed in the residence halls. Then it was time for one last lunch together: walnut shrimp, chow mein, and steamed white rice. 

Before the last class commenced, programmers sang together outside St. Gladys Hall, a longstanding TAC tradition before students take their last exam each semester. Upon entering their classrooms, programmers were surprised with gifts from the Admissions office: a copy of C.S Lewis’s Screwtape Letters, prints of their section photos, a Summer Program certificate of completion, and a TAC mug and tote bag

Then, students took their seats to finish their final class. The discussion was on Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Parker’s Back.” The work follows the life of bitter, atheistic Parker, whose desperate search for beauty and meaning leads him to cover his body in tattoos. Moved by a strange grace he both longs for and resists, Parker feels compelled to have an image of Christ tattooed on his back, leading him to question Who He is. Students probed the striking account of Parker’s conversion and God’s powerful call on his life.  

At the end of class, students rose from their chairs tinged with sadness as they thanked their tutors and sectionmates for two incredible weeks. 

The academic portion of the Summer Program is now over, but students still have a full day ahead of them. Come back to the SummerBlog tomorrow morning to hear how they spend their final night at TAC! 

More photos from the High School Summer Program

Tap on the right center edge of the image to scroll through the album.