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After the afternoon’s pre-Socratics class let out, students on the New England High School Summer Program hurried back to the residence halls to change for recreation. The air was thick with humidity and temperatures in the 90s, making prefects and programmers all too happy to put on their swimsuits for a cooling afternoon.

Down on the recreation field, students were gathered in a circle, where prefects Justin Hoeing (’28) and Meg DeJak (’29) briefed them on the first game. Huddled up together and trying to comprehend convoluted instructions, they were suddenly surprised from behind by the prefects, who ambushed them with water balloons! Within moments it had become a full-on fight, programmers versus prefects — no conclusive winner, but no one cared. 

Now that everyone was soaked, the next event was naturally the slip and slide. Armed with squirt bottles of soap, prefects doused both themselves and the programmers before careening down the slick slope. The crowd enjoyed this activity for most of the recreation period, while some other groups played Spikeball and soccer until the blazing sun finally drove everyone indoors to the pool and a wild game of water polo.

Before dinner, all rushed to the showers to clean off the remnants of soap and chlorine, soon reconvening in Gould Commons a much-needed dinner. Then, gathering their books and bags, prefects and programmers walked down to study hall, refreshed from the exercise and eager to settle into their studies. 

Before the period began, prefect Adelina Margand (’26) gave a short talk about how best to read and prepare the first 11 chapters of Genesis, which the students will discuss today. “It’s very important to have humility when you read the Bible,” Adelina said. “We can’t presume to have a full understanding of what we are reading because it is revelation of Divine Truth, and the best we can do is interact with the text and really ponder it.” With this advice fresh in their minds, students took to the library for the next hour and a half to immerse themselves in the book of Genesis. 

When the bell rang to conclude study hall, all hurried up to St. Frassati Student Center for Coffee Shop, where they busied themselves with conversation and games over whipped cream-topped mochas. Groups faced off at four different Spikeball nets, while teams doubled up for pool and foosball. At the side tables, others played cards and board games — and one avidly binge-played Bananagrams. Then the music shifted to something a bit more upbeat, and the boys began clearing the floor, opening up a wide space, then making the rounds of the room, asking girls to dance. Soon pairs were all over Frassati, swing dancing with prefects happily teaching new steps along the way. 

Everyone was sorry when Coffee Shop ended, but the night was not yet over. After Rosary in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, the men and women headed back to their residence halls for dorm parties. For the men, the evening featured a set of group games followed by a bonfire, while the women held a disco-light dance party, complete with a fully decked-out charcuterie board. After such an energetic day, the night came to a peaceful close with group consecration, and then all went off to bed, happy and exhausted. 

Today marks another busy day! Visit the Summer Blog this afternoon to read all about it!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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