Katrina Black '18

June 6, 2017

Senior Summer

Weird.

Next year I’ll be a senior. The majority of my friends will be seniors. I have been blogging since my first year, so those memories are documented and dear to my heart. This senior year, however, is probably going to go by faster than the past three. So, I thought I’d start blogging about it earlier — now, in the summer.

Packing up my belongings in Wheeler was not only other-worldly, it was also bittersweet. Living in a first-year building for three years is rare and people always questioned how I did it. The truth is, it was amazing. It is true that first year RAs have to do a lot, that some nights are crazy loud, and the halls aren’t always the cleanest. However, there is always a sense of joy and the great future of possibilities in those buildings. For most of its residents, that building represents the start of their college career! I got to experience that fresh-faced, beautiful atmosphere three times in a row. I count that as a blessing. Three years on the third floor of Wheeler could not have been more perfect.

Next year, I’ll be living in Figge, one of the senior apartments. I’ll finally be living with my grade again, with my friends down the hall and my peers all around me. It’ll be a transition, seeing as I’ve only ever worked as an RA for first years. However, our Figge staff is fantastic. Though the building will be full of different kind of atmosphere, that same sense of joy and future of possibilities will still surround me — just in an alternative way. I mean, we’re starting the next chapters of our lives in Figge. I can’t even imagine how strange and wonderful it’ll all be.

So this summer, as I snapchat those returning from abroad and those departing for it, as I cry-laughing texting those who I’ll be seeing every day come September, and as I tearfully (and repeatedly) say goodbye to those who have finished their last year on the Hill, I’ll keep this blog updated. Holy Cross gave me memories and family for a lifetime; it feels only right that I share these sentiments with those thinking of coming here as well.

February 9, 2017February 18, 2017

Little Shop of Horrors

Don’t feed the plants.

In other words, College of the Holy Cross’ Alternate College Theater (ACT) put on a production the 80s musical, Little Shop of Horrors. The unique thing about this year’s musical is that it was directed by 2015 alum Julia McCarthy, who previously directed a musical her senior year. Click HERE to read more about Julia and the production.

Every year, the college presents wonderful productions of both plays and musicals. Recently, they have put on “Middletown” and before that “Hamlet” and “Chicago.” ACT also has smaller, more improv-heavy events like Midnight Theater or The Festival of One Acts. Here are some photos from Little Shop below:

I have always loved musical theater and always wanted to do it here on the hill, but I knew I didn’t have the time to balance everything. However, eventually, I kind of just decided to do it anyway and I’m so, so, so glad I did. Sure, there were many late-nights (and forgotten meals), but the outcome was more than I could’ve hoped for. The cast, crew, and band were all so amazing and I am forever grateful for Little Shop.

So, the blog take-away is: I should follow Nike and just do it — that “it” could be trying out for a club sports team, joining an organization, talking to the cute guy in my Bio class, or even quitting the activity I’m no longer interested in. During my time here on the hill, I should aim to do what is both feasible and fun, but ultimately allowing myself to do what makes me happy.

March 3, 2016

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:

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:

Had to post for my Wheeler fam.

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.

December 3, 2015December 8, 2015

Miracle on College Street

Hello and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As you can see (or rather read), the holiday time is very special to me. It is true that during the holidays, everyone just develops this really sweet and rich holiday spirit, especially here at Holy Cross.

This week alone, there have been over five holiday events. Kimball dining hall is looking beautiful with decorations as are residence halls. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

3rd floor residents were really excited to decorate the hall after our floor meeting.

They covered their doors in wrapping paper and put up decorations everywhere.

My apologies that pictures do not do it justice.

One of my favorite Holy Cross holiday events is the annual tree lighting in front of Okane Hall. People from the Worcester community, as well as faculty and students gather in front of the hall to sing carols, drink hot cider and cocoa, and watch numerous holiday performances. My a cappella group is singing again this year and I am incredibly excited.

Our Wheeler RA Staff also decided to make a Christmas card! Though I can’t show the final product, here are some fun before pictures!

Fellow 3rd floor RA Michelle on the right and 5th floor RA Meghan in the 2nd left-square picture.

Also, living on the Hill means you get to really show your Winter fashion (AKA, my favorite fashion).

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross does the holidays RIGHT — they’ll be numerous events and people to rally that great holiday spirit. Holy Cross will become my second home and everyone knows there’s no place like home for the holidays.

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015

Week Update

Hello from the Hill!

Homework has increased once again and for some reason that usually means extracurricular activities increase simultaneously. My a cappella group, my Praise and Worship service team, and my RA Staff have all had events this past week. As a result, I did not blog last week.

I know — so not cool. However, I am back and excited to share last week with you.

1) Chateau de Wheeler. This event is a Wheeler (the oldest first-year dorm) tradition. All the residents venture out onto “Wheeler Beach” and enjoy an evening of fresh tunes, festivities, fun, and food. Who knows why it’s French (and why pasta is usually served)? Not I. All I know is that Chateau Round Two was even better than the first time. Below is the beautiful Wheeler staff and an overly excited Katrina.

2) Michelle and My First Hall Event – Hall events or programs are little dorm events, which are just opportunities for residents to spend more time together to relax or discuss relevant issues. Michelle and I decided to have some Fondue Fun and allow our residents to learn more about themselves and each other by taking a little “color” personality quiz.

3) Friends – It’s always important to make time for your friends. Living in Wheeler as a sophomore (or junior/senior) can be a bit difficult, because most of your friends live across campus. However, meeting up at Hogan Center or Kimball is essential because friends keep you grounded, no? My roommate and I met up with one of our “far-away friends” for off-campus dinner and henna.

4) Campus Life – After a while, all the work might get to you. So make sure you take breaks to eat, relax, and have fun. Good thing Holy Cross gives one the means to do all of those things.

It was a pretty day + I liked my romper = asking my roommate to take a picture.

Me asking my roommate to take a picture as well = this.

My roommate + fellow RA Lucca = impromptu photoshoot?

Glasses + a week of work = pretending to be Harry Potter while folding laundry?

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has got it going on. Work may be constant and the temperature may drop to 47 degrees on the 4th week of school (literally, this morning, 47 degrees), but nothing will be able to compare to the great friends and company I’ll have here on the Hill.

September 5, 2015September 5, 2015

Round Two

Hello, everyone! Summer is over and school has begun. Also, my title is a pun.

Please excuse my rhyming, but I’m just that excited to be back on the Hill. My title is a pun because I actually returned two weeks earlier than most sophomores for RA Training. Also, my roommate from last year, Madeleine, and I are ready for round two in Wheeler! Madeleine is actually running around right now (that’s how excited she is). Here she is below.

Also, living in Wheeler again–wheels go round, round two, bam. Okay, no more puns. Let’s talk about sophomore year.

Sophomore year has already proven to be quite hard. It seems that classes are more difficult and professors have higher expectations and the whole atmosphere just feels different.

However, that does not mean I am not looking forward to this year. In fact, challenge accepted. I feel that once you live here at Holy Cross, once you become so immersed in the culture and the organizations here, you honestly feel like you can do mostly anything — and I really believe you can.

Here on the Hill there is so much support. For example, RA Training. Training was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) experiences of my life. We had extremely busy days, but they were filled with so much fun and friendliness that it rarely felt draining. Here’s the lovely, fantastic Wheeler staff below.

The whole theme was Harry Potter — it was interesting for me. I know nothing about that whole series, so it was really cool to see how into it people were. Robes were worn and spells were cast — that’s all I’ll say about that (there’s Wheeler staff below with wands). Furthermore, the importance of our jobs were really emphasized, something I really appreciated.

Though it is a job, we are really supposed to serve as resources for the students overall. I honestly love getting to know others and helping them, so I am super enthusiastic for this year.

That’s all for right now. I actually have to do rounds for duty with one of our senior RAs Derek — he says hi.

So, the blog-take away is: All years on the Hill are great years on the Hill. You can go ’round anywhere, and you’ll always love it.

April 28, 2015

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)!

April 16, 2015April 28, 2015

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music … and Springtime!

Hey, guys!

Looking back at my posts, I realize I totally forgot one amazing thing about Holy Cross — how beautiful it is in the Spring!

Words cannot express how gorgeous it is, but I’ll try. Of course, right now nothing is in full bloom, but it’s sure getting there and it’s surely beautiful.

I mean, the way the sun hits the building Fenwick, the green grass after green grass, and the happy music dancing its way out of dorm windows are just a few examples of how great Spring is here on the Hill.

Honestly, it feels like all students were hibernating during the winter. I don’t remember the last time I saw someone sitting outside on a bench, (perhaps because all the benches were covered in snow)? Also, no one was eating lunch outside, but now that’s all I see. Students lounging on the Hoval grass or sitting on blankets outside of Kimball. It’s glorious!

Another great thing about Spring is Spring Weekend, including the Spring Concert. Spring Weekend is a weekend in May full of festivities. There’s a fair on Easy Street (the street on the right side of Hogan) with all sorts of fun: food, bouncy houses, water games, did I mention food?

Being a first year, I have not experienced the weekend yet, but I’m super excited — especially for the concert. Can you guess who it is? Wait a minute, let me take you there…

Do you get it yet? That was a “Bang, Bang” reference. “Bang, Bang,” the current pop song? The first verse is sung by…Jessie J, our Spring Concert artist this year!

The funny thing about the Spring concert is there is always a list of possible artists given out before the actual one is revealed. Everyone always has different guesses and this year, everyone I knew was convinced it would be Akon. But, alas, the price tag was on Jessie J. Ha. That was another reference. Corny jokes/puns are my specialty.

Tonight, Fools will be doing a Mash-Up of Jessie J’s “Price Tag” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” in honor of the concert. Sadly, a lot of our members are sick. It’s like there’s been a domino effect of the flu. Okay, okay. I’m done with the jokes.

So, the blog take-away is: Though I remember reading Katrina’s blog posts about Holy Cross winters, one even entitled “Frozen on the Hill,” I know that Spring will eventually come to this masterpiece of a school. Sorry, had to get one more in. 🙂

Below: 1) Me appreciating the Spring Weather (so excited)!!! 2) My roommate and my shadow enjoying the sunshine on the Hoval grass with some other Holy Cross students. 3) I found a ladybug in the bathroom — Spring has truly sprung! 4) Our Jessie J poster!

March 19, 2015March 19, 2015

Teen Vogue Weekend

This past weekend I travelled to New York City for a weekend at the Teen Vogue Headquarters. I was accepted into the three-day seminar event called Fashion University, held at the World Trade Center (Condé Nast). It was an incredible experience, one I will always cherish and remember.

That’s another great thing about Holy Cross. It’s only about 2-3 hours away from New York City. It’s totally possible for you and your friends to plan a weekend getaway to the “City That Never Sleeps.”

At the seminars, I met fashion icons such as Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, Rebecca Minkoff, Adam Selman, and so many more. However, the person I truly wanted to meet was Erika Bearman.

Erika Bearman is the Senior Vice President of Global Communications for Oscar de la Renta. Oscar is and will forever be my favorite fashion designer, may he rest in peace.

So, as you can imagine, I was more than excited to meet her. Moreover, I had recently found out that Erika was actually a graduate of, wait for it…HOLY CROSS.

That’s right. My favorite designer’s PRGirl was a graduate of this very college — I couldn’t wait. However, that morning there was a marathon happening in the city and I arrived late. As I got out of the car, I saw girls toting Oscar de la Renta gift-bags as they left the building. I had missed Erika Bearman.

I returned to my car an hour later and we prepared to enter the perennial NYC traffic. Then, something amazing happened. My sister told me to look out the window and there, on the street, was Erika Bearman.

Of course, I hopped out of the car and went up to her. She was so incredibly kind. She told me she missed Holy Cross and that she remembered how wonderful it is. We talked for a couple more minutes and she agreed to take a selfie with me (I rarely take selfies, so please excuse my super excited, non-filtered face).

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross students go on to do GREAT things in the world and throughout it all, they remain kind and humble.

Below are some pictures of my weekend at Teen Vogue Fashion University & my selfie with Erika. 🙂

From top to bottom: 1) A beautiful Cinderella-inspired Zac Posen dress. 2) Teen Vogue Editors and Lady Gaga’s stylist, Brandon Maxwell. 3) The aforementioned group utilizing a “selfie-stick.” 4) A rare Katrina selfie! 5) A list of the editors and speakers. 6) Teen Vogue was affiliated with the new live-action Cinderella and so they had a whole room dedicated to the movie. 7) The glass slipper from the movie! 8) My incredible view from the 63rd floor. 8) Gorgeous Edie Parker purses. I love the blue purse that resembles ice in the middle. 9) Second rare Katrina selfie with Erika Bearman.

February 2, 2015

Frozen on the Hill

Are you freezing? No? That’s cool.

I wouldn’t say I’m freezing, but I’m close to it. Truth be told, Winter is my least favorite season. I absolutely love the gorgeousness of the snow, but I can’t say I love the chilliness or sporadic snowballs here on campus. Honestly, I felt like I was on the set of Sharkboy and Lava Girl walking through mountains of snow.

Maybe you’re like me, someone who isn’t the biggest fan of snow and you’re wondering if you should attend Holy Cross. Let me tell you, it’s definitely worth it. The friends you make here and the professors you meet will make the snow seem as nothing.

HOWEVER, I will encourage you to stock up on Winter clothes. Right now, we are in our second snowstorm. Yes, second snowstorm. Classes were not cancelled this time, either. Please, make sure you bring your Winter boots, Winter coats, gloves, thick pants, and blankets galore.

Anyways, though this weekend was quite chilly, my friends and I went to watch the musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” here at Holy Cross. The cast was absolutely incredible and they received a standing ovation at the end! It was well worth it, regardless of the treacherous walk to the theater (did I mention I don’t like snow)?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is still something to do on campus, even if it’s covered in the snow. Last Friday it was Extreme Bingo, which I heard was actually super extreme. Being Frozen on the Hill also means lots of inside parties. I promise you will have something to do if you don’t feel like going out.

Let’s also not forget about the true snowy advantage of going to Holy Cross — SLEDDING. It might be the cliche freshmen thing to do, but it is no doubt a FUN thing to do. I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea (really, snow + Katrina = mayhem), but I’m actually really glad I did it.

So, the blog take-away is: I will get wicked cold up on the Hill, but nevertheless I will make wicked friends, memories, and snow-angels.

Audience Navigation

Utility Navigation

Tag: Holy Cross