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Foolsapalooza 2017

This is my third year being in “Fools on the Hill” and each year being in the group just gets better. We had our annual big campus event Foolsapalooza last Saturday and it was so beautiful. Our group selected some songs we did this semester and other groups (The Delilahs, Off the Record, and WPI’s Technichords) performed a collection of their songs as well. Every year, we also vote on a specific charity we want to send our donations to and this year I recommended a charity my sister and I began about five years ago. The charity raises money for the Cove Basic School in Clarendon, Jamaica. This was actually the elementary school my mother attended as a little girl and we have been in the process of rebuilding the two-room school. Each year we go down to Jamaica and bring them school supplies, Christmas gifts, games, and the funds to start renovation.

 

happy. friends. smiles. hugs. laughter. love.

 

 

me, my mother, and my older sister

 

It was amazing having my family come up to see me perform with the a cappella group that has helped me grow so much at Holy Cross. It was even more amazing having such lovely support from the Fools, who are so immensely talented and brilliant. Each year I feel that we grow closer and closer, though each year I do shed real tears when the seniors graduate. However, next year I’ll be one of those graduating…

That’s for another post.

 

 

a group picture we took at the end!

 

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has some awesome organizations and some awesome people in those organizations. I can definitely find a group that I feel comfortable in if I come to Holy Cross, a group that both challenges and excites me. 
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Fashion Shows and Appreciation

HI!

I’ve written many posts about the glorious time that is the week before break, but I’m back at it again with a more positive outlook. Sure, this week (this semester, really) has been intense with work and activities, but as I always emphasize, the love shown on this campus continues to make it all worthwhile. Plus, it’s the day before break–Mama, we made it!

Last Friday was one of the school’s biggest and best events — the Black Student Union Fashion Show. The event is held at Mechanics Hall, which is absolutely beautiful in itself. Students participate as hair and makeup designers, clothing designers, models, and performers. It’s not just Holy Cross that shows up either, but rather what seems to be everyone in Worcester. Needless to say, it’s a big deal.

This year’s theme was Television and each segment of modeling portrayed a different channel (Safari, Weather, etc). There was also a performance from Worcester’s Boys & Girls’ Club, Holy Cross’ Fusion Hip Hop team, and a touching tribute to the many black lives lost to police brutality and other injustices. Here are some pictures of the wonderful event below:

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Mechanics Hall — ain’t she a beauty?

Along the lines of beautiful things, last week was RA Appreciation Day and there was such outpour of love that I know did not go unnoticed. Being an RA can be quite overwhelming at times, so I believe we were all grateful for a day when our deeds were acknowledged. My admiration and appreciation goes out to all the RAs out there who continue to walk around with a smile on their face or who are always lending a helping hand. You all rock!

Enjoy some pictures (and some instas) from that glorious day:

 

 

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Had to post for my Wheeler fam. 

 

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Appreciation for all those in the Residence Life Department too! They put up all our names so that we could write positive notes for everyone! 

So, the blog take-away is: What the world needs now…is love, sweet love. Holy Cross has lots of that love and when I show up as a first-year student, not only will I be welcomed and accepted, but I’ll be wholly loved as well. 
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Organization Thank Yous

Hey, guys!

Well, it’s happening. My first year here at Holy Cross is slowly, but surely coming to an end.

Projects, presentations, and papers are all due this upcoming week. Everyone is undergoing a period of pressure right now, attempting to stay steadfast until finals. However, once Friday arrives, Spring Weekend begins! That’s why the anticipation for Spring Weekend is so great — something to look forward to.

Sadly, Spring Weekend is not here yet (nor is Jessie J). But Fools on the Hill and CASA are! I wanted to make a thank you post for the organizations I am a part of before the year ends. Both Fools and CASA have been so amazing to be a part of and I am so grateful to be a member of such fantastic organizations.

CASA has given me so many laughs and memories this past year. I began the year as a timid, CASA first-year intern, and now I am ending the year as an imminent CASA Co-Publicist.

My parents are both Jamaican and I grew up in a Caribbean church and community, so joining CASA really eased some my fear of not fitting in at Holy Cross. During set-up for our first campus event, another CASA member and I went off campus to get true, authentic African and Caribbean food. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. We returned with patties, samosas, fried rice, and so much more.

In terms of Fools, I had never been in an a cappella group before Holy Cross, but I am so glad I joined one. Fools has truly helped me adjust to campus. It provided me with comfort during stressful weeks and when I needed to smile, it reminded me that I have hilarious, musically-inclined friends.

Our Fools Senior Show is this Thursday, when we will sing many songs from this past year.

Here are some examples of our 2014/2015 songs:

Ain’t It Fun by Paramore

Fallin’ by Alicia Keys

Blackbird by the Beatles

Stay with Me by Sam Smith

& a Beyonce Medley

Thank you, CASA and Fools, for making my first year on the Hill a great one!

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has a myriad of incredible organizations. These groups will not only be fun to join, but will also make Holy Cross feel more like home. 

Below: An assortment of Fools Pictures and CASA Culture Night Pictures (shout out to my fellow decorations committee folks)!

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Lots to Do

Hey, guys!

So today’s blog post is going to be about, well, a lot of things. This week has been quite interesting up here on the Hill. It was as if every event was happening at the same time. In order to organize my thoughts, I’m just going to give you a list of the many happenings here on campus.

1. Dr. Seuss. Our Dr. Seuss celebration! Today we honored the great author Dr. Seuss, one of my favorite authors (“Greens Eggs and Ham,” “Cat in the Hat,” “Horton Hears A Who,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” anyone)? They had a small display in one of our campus buildings, passing out Swedish fish and assorted fruit made to look like elements from some of Dr. Seuss’ tales.

2. Friendliness. That is something so salient here at Holy Cross. On my way to my last Friday class, I passed four friends. It felt almost surreal saying hi that many times, but that’s how it is here. You will often bump into people you know. Then, after class, I overheard a student giving a confused-looking father and son directions. Holy Cross, everybody.

3. Windows. You’re probably wondering what this one will be about. Well, here at Holy Cross, we like to advertise events on the large Hogan 1 windows. It’s a very intensive process, because one has to write everything backwards. Thankfully, I had my friend Michelle there to help me. Basically, she did the bottom, better half of the window. All I can say is: tears were shed.

4. HUNGER GAMES. That’s right. You heard me. Have you ever dreamed of being a part of the Hunger Games? That dream is becoming a reality here in Wheeler. The entire dorm will be participating in a District 12 version of Assassin. It’s a widely popular event on the campus. Only one will survive. May the odds be ever in your favor?

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has amazing events, as well as amazing students. Also, the Hunger Games. Need I say anything else? 

Pictures below: 1) The assorted Dr. Seuss items. 2) Cat in the Hat treats (made of strawberries and bananas). 3) Swedish Fish in memory of “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” 4) Dr. Seuss FOOD! 5) Cat in the Hat Cookies! 5) Our CASA Culture Night window, feat. fellow First-Year CASA Intern Linda.

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The Glamour of First Year

It feels as if I just started writing this blog. Yet, my freshman year is already close to complete.

Though cliche, the phrase holds true — time flies when you’re having fun. I doubt that without the great friends and amazing experiences I’ve had here on the Hill the year would have gone by so quickly. I’ve been to so many events, talks, discussions, as well as dances, games, and other colleges.

Just two days ago, about 13 of my friends and I took the Holy Cross shuttles to Boston to celebrate my friend’s 19th birthday. We had planned to ice skate, but Boston suggested otherwise with it’s decreasing temperature and Queen Elsa-esque winds. So instead, we opted for a movie and then dashed to the Cheesecake Factory.

I cannot even begin to describe how great my cheesecake was, but something was even greater. Traveling with my friends, even if only for about an hour in traffic, is now one of my favorite memories. We cracked jokes, sang embarrassingly loud to the bus’ radio, and simply just had ourselves a grand time.

In Boston, we screamed when the intensity of the wind surprised us, laughed when one of us (me) nearly tripped over the sky-high snow piles, and ran as fast as we could to catch the subway. It was incredibly fun and we got to celebrate my friend’s birthday off of campus, which, let’s face it, will eventually seem less glamorous than it did at first.

However, there are still plenty of amazing events back here on The Hill. Last night, Fools on the Hill sang the national anthem at a hockey game and tonight there is a formal Oscars viewing party in Wheeler basement. Hey, maybe the glamour’s not all gone.

So, the blog take-away is: My first year will be one of my best years, but only if I remember to make the most of every opportunity, to spend time with friends, and to simply be a squealing, laughing, celebrating freshman. 

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