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Energy was high when New England Summer Program students came out of their Friday afternoon classes, flushed and fired up from defending their arguments and exploring St. Thomas Aquinas’ fifth proof for the existence of God. Conversations continued during the walk down to St. Frassati Student Center for the first dance lesson of the Summer Program. The men and women lined the room on each side, while prefects Gabe Livingston (’28) and Paloma Gallivan (’27) demonstrated the first few steps of East Coast Swing. 

Soon the floor was awash in couples trying out the new turns while Gabe called out directions on the mic. The room resounded with laughter and confused chatter as each pair picked out the steps and tried to stay on beat.

When the lesson came to an end, dancers hurried to change for rec period, then reconvened in the Pope St. Paul II Athletic Center 10 minutes later to play basketball or swim.

A fish-taco dinner followed, and appetites were hearty after such an active day. The room buzzed with energy and excitement, especially as students talked over their acts for the upcoming Open Mic, voicing their expectations and anticipation. After dinner, everyone joined in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel for Stations of the Cross led by Fr. Moses, then walked back to the Student Center for some bonding time. 

Next came Open Mic Night, and the party moved to Olivia Music Hall. The hall’s stage was lit up with warm ambient light, and the tables in the entry way were piled with snacks. Program-bearing prefects and programmers took their seats, and the event began!

As the night’s Master of Ceremonies, prefect Sophia Forrester (’29) ascended the stage to announce the first act — Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” by Evangeline P. on the piano. The night’s acts varied widely, from quartets to clarinet, from juggling to yo-yo, from poetry to improv. Henry T. double-fisted two Rubik’s cubes and solved them at the same time, while Preston N. spontaneously composed and performed an original piece on the piano, in a key and mood requested by random members of the audience. 

The conclusion of each act was met with raging applause and shouts from the audience, and the Open-Mic Night came to a close with a fire poi show from Cosmas F. in the dark outside of the Music Hall. After this finale, the group moved to a bonfire on the adjacent lawn, and everyone enjoyed s’mores and conversation. Eva F. brought out her guitar, which was passed around the fire, while he group sang and talked.

When it was finally time for curfew, head prefect Matthew Bohrer tried to get the programmers to head back to the residence halls, but was met with cries of “one more song!” Swayed by the mob, he allowed one last tune, and the night, at last, came to a close.

Today the Summer Program heads to Newburyport beach for the day. It should be eventful and exciting  — don’t forget to read about it tomorrow on the SummerBlog!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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