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Saturday marked the last full day of the One-Week California  High School Summer Program, and students were determined to make the most of it. 

The day began with an early hike to the “Punch Bowls” for an eager group of programmers and prefects, who left campus at 5:00 a.m. to make it back for breakfast. A staple for TAC students, the Punch Bowl Hike is six miles round-trip, featuring a waterfall and deep pools at the end. 

Those who did not hike enjoyed a slow morning, sleeping in before a warm breakfast of chorizo breakfast burritos, potatoes, fruit, and hot coffee. All then made their way to St. Cecelia Hall to hear from Jon Daly, Executive Director of Admissions, on the details of the College’s application process, the financial aid program, and students’ career paths upon graduation. Programmers also heard testimonials from Admission counselors Rose Anderson (’26) and Max Alvarez (’26) about how TAC 51���� changed their lives. 

From there, students made their way to several vans and a bus, which were waiting to take them to Carpinteria State Beach! As soon as they arrived, everyone began swimming in the ocean, building sandcastles, or playing games of Spikeball and volleyball. Many treated themselves to snow cones, and a group of programmers gave each other henna tattoos, drawing designs of the sun, animals, and even the Sacred Heart. 

After a few hours of sand and sun, everyone loaded back onto the buses for a Vigil Mass at the Santa Barbara Mission. The high school students filled the small church, and the pastor welcomed everyone from TAC warmly. When Mass concluded, the group gathered up for a photo on the Mission’s steps, then loaded back onto the buses for State Street, where they enjoyed dinner, gelato, and shopping in several prefect-led groups. At sunset, they mustered at the city’s famous dolphin fountain for one more group photo. 

Students prayed the Rosary on the ride back to campus, then lapsed into exciting conversation. Back on campus, the night was far from over! St. Gladys Hall’s Patio was decked out in lights for the farewell dance! Tables of snacks and drinks lined the patio, and everyone hit the floor, testing out the new swing dance moves they had learned during the week, and enjoying one last party before departures in the morning. 

A few hours of later, all gathered in St. Cecelia Hall for a short skit from the prefects: a song and dance from the “Renaissance Boys,” the prefect boy band! Following this hilarious entertainment came a photo slideshow of highlights from the last week. Many teared up as they reminisced on the many lasting memories they had made in such a short time. 

When the slideshow concluded, students wiped tears as they hugged goodbye and headed back to the residence halls for curfew. Many programmers stayed up late into the night chatting, laughing, and holding onto the last precious moments with each other before heading home. 

This morning, the residence halls are slowly emptying as students head out. Come back to the Summer Program Blog one final time this afternoon to wish all the programmers goodbye and safe travels as they journey home!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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