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Thursday was the second-to-last day of the California High School Great Books Program, and the programmers tackled all the day’s activities with enthusiasm, determined to make the most of every moment. 

After Thursday’s penultimate day of classes, students scampered to the ponds, whooping and hollering as they got amped up for the watermelon polo face-off! The intense match was harder than one might think, with two teams vying to be the first to score by carrying a giant watermelon across the pond. The catch? The watermelon and the players were slathered in Crisco! With slimy hands and eager faces, students jumped into the ponds to begin the competition.

The girls were up first: Team Hannah Chadwick (’27) versus Team Riley Edwards (’28). After three intense matches and many excited cheers from the onlookers, Team Hannah emerged victorious, with a final score of 2-1. 

Following the girls’ intense match, it was the boys’ time to shine, and Team Ben Caughron (’29) faced Team Will Kerner (’29). The first round lasted a long time, with each team carrying the watermelon close to the goal before someone from the other team grabbed it and launched it back. The highlight of the match came from programmer Kevin M., who, when the watermelon disappeared, managed to grab and carry it across the goal line with triumphant shouts, while everyone else still hunted for the watermelon several paces behind him. The teams played three more rounds, yet Team Caughron remained undefeated. Then, an impromptu round of prefects versus students took place. The prefects, outnumbered, were soundly defeated by the students, and the programmers’ shouts of victory could be heard across campus.

After the matches were finished, many students jumped into the pond, throwing watermelon at each other, and swinging from the rope swing into the water. Then, everyone raced up to the lawn in front of St. Therese Hall, where the prefects prepared a giant waterslide. Crisco-covered students were then doused in an abundance of soap as they raced down the waterslide. 

Laughing, messy, and very happy, students made their way to the showers and dinner, where they chatted over spaghetti and meatballs, veggies, and warm bread. Many expressed sadness that the program is coming to an end. “I don’t want to leave!” Ana E. shared.

Then they were off to St. Bernadine Library for the program’s last study hall, where they read the last two books of Boethius and a short story by Flannery O’Connor. Immediately after study hall, students prayed their evening Rosary and made their way to St. Patrick’s Coffee Shop, where they enjoyed delicious smoothies and participated in the many activities in the rec room, including pool, ping-pong, Bananagrams, and more.

Soon, it was time for an early curfew and the final dorm parties! In the female residence hall, the girls enjoyed pancakes, syrup, and whipped cream as the prefects each took the hot seat for “Prefect Girls on Tap.” 

Suddenly, the sweet sounds of singing outside the building reached the girls’ ears, and as they went to investigate, they were met with a surprise: the boys had come to serenade them! Complete with guitar accompaniment from Jordan K. and Dominic Monnereau (’28) on banjo, the suitors sang “Red is the Rose,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and finished with a grand finale of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Upon concluding their songs, the men presented the women with roses and chocolate, then said their goodnights.

All then returned to their respective residence-hall courtyards, where one more late-night snack of buffalo chicken dip, chips, and carrots was waiting. Before going to bed, many of the girls hugged each other, took pictures, and began reflecting on the goodbyes that would come in the following days. 

Tomorrow is the final day of the Summer Program! Students will say goodbye to the classroom and their sections in the afternoon and have one last hurrah together at the farewell banquet and dance in the evening. Come back to the Summer Program Blog this afternoon and Saturday morning to hear all about the grand finale!

One more bonus treat: See this video from Sunday’s hike and Mass on the hilltop!

More photos from the High School Summer Program

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