Six Reasons Why St. Mike's Will Always Be My Home

In less than five weeks, I will be graduating for Saint Michael's College. No matter how excited I am to enter the "real world," that is an absolutely terrifying thought. I love St. Mike's, and there are so many reasons why I'm going to miss being here. However, no matter what, this college will always be my home.

1. People are always holding doors open

This is one of the first things I remember noticing about SMC when I toured the summer before my senior year of high school. People are just so friendly! This phenomenon was something I didn't see again at any of the colleges I visited. You can be a good minute away from getting to the door, and some people will just stand there, smiling, patiently waiting - because why not?

2. Friendly faces

Huge thanks to everyone who showed up to the press conference this evening and for all the double taps on Instagram. Looking forward to a great week with you all. #S'appreciateIt

A post shared by The St. Mike's Community (@knightlifevt) on Mar 21, 2017 at 6:07pm PDT

Two of my mentors, Dave Landers and the late Fr. Mike Cronogue, have been well-known over the years for saying hello to every person they see throughout the day. Although maybe not every person at St. Mike's may be quite as enthusiastic as these two, it's hard to get across campus on any given day without having at least one person say hello to you (and it's usually more than that). Prospective families sometimes joke that I have people waiting around campus on tours just to say hi - but I promise it's not staged. I love that I know so many people, maybe just from a class years ago, from different clubs, or just from seeing each other around! (Above video: one of the friendliest faces at the SMC, Mike McCarthy)

3. Its outer beauty matches its inner beauty

As I sit here typing this, we're experiencing a long-awaited warmth. It finally feels like spring! Although the campus looks gorgeous even when it's a winter wonderland, I'm looking forward to the tulips now.

4. Being at SMC is like being with family

I feel like I have a lot of families here at St. Mike's. I have my Mike Check family, Drama Club family, Admissions family...and those are just a few of them. I always feel welcome when I'm on this campus, and that's what home should be all about.

5. We appreciate our alumni!

Happy Purple and Gold Day from your friends at the Saint Mike's Knightline #smcvtalumni

A post shared by Niall Keane (@nkeane117) on Mar 23, 2017 at 7:47am PDT

Once I graduate, I know I won't be forgotten. Alumni Appreciation Week, which we just celebrated a couple of weeks ago, is only one way that SMC remembers how important alumni are to the college. The Career Development and Alumni offices are always there for Purple Knights, no matter how long ago you've graduated. I feel very safe and secure knowing that St. Mike's will always be looking out for me.

6. Home is where the heart is

Our beautiful 70° day today!

To finish off, here's a vague and cliche statement that honestly means so much to me. It's like when people ask an SMC student about why they love St. Mike's, and they say "the community." Unless you experience it, it sounds fabricated. Saint Michael's will always be my home, because my heart will always be here. I genuinely love this school. It has done so much for me, taught me many things, and has prepared me for the "real world." I know that no matter where I go, part of my heart will always be here.



Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

A Day in the Life of a Stressed Out Senior

Hi everybody!

Today, I'd like to break slightly from the profiles I've been writing for the last few weeks on various faces around St. Mike's. Here is a truthful, unadulterated look into what a "typical" day is like for me this semester (although there's really no such thing as typical this time of year).

8:00am: Time to Get Up

On Monday, Wednesday & Friday, I force myself out of bed much earlier than I'd like to, so that I have time to relax and drink coffee before the day begins. On Tuesday & Thursday, I actually wake up at 6:15am because I have to be at my internship at 8:00am. I don't usually eat breakfast (although I probably should), but coffee is essential.

9:30am: Work Study / Internship

As I mentioned earlier, I have my internship on T/TH, and I'm typically there until around noon. I work at a local high school in the Guidance Department as part of Practicum, a year-long experience available for Psychology majors at SMC. On other days, I have my work study as an office assistant for the departments of Undergraduate Psychology, Graduate Clinical Psychology, Neuroscience, and the Institutional Review Board. I've done this for four years, and it's given me excellent experience. (If you qualify for it, I really suggest having a work study at St. Mike's.)]

12:15pm: Lunch

Eating is one of the greatest joys of life. Because I live in a townhouse, I don't eat in Alliot like many St. Mike's students do. Instead, I'm responsible for cooking my own food. Although cooking may be a chore for some, it's one of my favorite things to do. I don't really have time to cook throughout the week, so I spend my Sundays prepping my food for the week. It make's my life a whole lot easier.

1:30pm: Go Learn Stuff

I have a really interesting and atypical course schedule this semester. All of my courses are one day a week (T/W/Th), and are approximately 1:30pm-4:30pm. On Mondays and Fridays, I try to relax or do homework but usually I have some sort of errand to run. On Tuesday I have TH-410 Senior Seminar in Theatre, Wednesday I have PS-460 Practicum II: Working in the Mental Health System, and Thursday I have EN-323 Poetry Writing Workshop. I absolutely love having three discussion-style courses, and two of them are comprised of just seniors.

5:00pm: Be an Artist

Evenings are when rehearsals are! Today is an especially packed rehearsal day. At 5:00 is rehearsal for The War of the Worlds, the production I'm directing as part of Senior Seminar in Theatre. At 7:00 I'm getting together with some of my peers to work on a song we're preparing in order to audition to sing at Commencement. I have to leave early, at 7:30pm to rehearse with my friend Emily whose recital is this Saturday. Then at 8:30 is Mike Check rehearsal! (Dinner fits in here somewhere. I'm not really sure when I eat but I somehow manage to! Note the whole meal prep thing.)

10:00pm: Homework?

Realistically, I try to get my homework done on the weekends and whenever else I have free time. Sometimes this means staying up late and doing homework, during the week, but I'd much rather have this time to hang out with friends.

11:30pm: Go to Sleep!

I try to be asleep by 11:30 each night. This usually doesn't actually happen.

I hope this gives you some insight to the bittersweet insanity of spring semester senior year! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments. Make sure to check next week for another Day in the Life that I promise won't be about me!

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu

Twitter: @thebeardedchris

Insta: @christhebeard

A Day in the Life of: A St. Mike's Admissions Counselor

Meet Matt Seklecki!!!

Matt graduated from SMC in 2011 with a B.A. in History and Political Science. Since then, he has become a beloved admissions counselor at St. Mike's, as well as the tour guide and open house advisor for Founder's Society.

What originally drew you to St. Mike's as a student? (Matt had many stories, but here's one of them.)

I first visited St. Mike's in the Fall of 2006 as a senior in high school. my parents and I came the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and nobody was here. The campus was dead, quieter than I've ever seen it as an employee. We drove around and liked the area, and we were on our way to some Canadian colleges anyway. I'm also a Book Award recipient. Then I came back in April for an accepted student program and it just felt right - the size fit, and I talked with Jeff Ayers of Political Science and he was interesting and very easy to talk with. All of the cards just fell into place.

Why did you choose to apply to work at St. Mike's after graduation?

I was a tour guide for three years and was what is now the Open House & Yield Events Coordinator for two years, so I was familiar with the admission office. There were two jobs open, and so I applied. I really thought that I would just go home and do another summer of catering and travel in the fall and not really do anything for a bit and not have a plan, and probably terrified my parents. But I interviewed with the entire admissions staff one day in May and got a call in June, and they offered me the job - and here were are, almost six years later. I love St. Mike's and it's very easy to talk about my experience, and I've never really had trouble selling the value of a St. Mike's education, or talking to parents, students, and counselors. It's allowed me to do a wide range of different things from event planning to travelling - I think it really builds your self-confidence that "Hey, I just navigated the entire east coast for a Fall without too many hitches."

What's different about working here vs. being here as a student?

I think the lens that you view the college through is a big piece of it. As a student you're taking classes, getting involved in extra-curriculars, and pursuing a degree. As a staff member, especially in admissions, I'm responsible for selling the college on a daily basis and promoting St. Mike's to a wide range of audiences, and I think being knowledgeable about every part of the college to some degree. I think the real difference is the relationships. You talk to faculty and other staff a little differently, and interact with them differently when you're a peer in some regards instead of a student. It was definitely an adjustment; you really learn the ins and outs and build professional relationships with people as opposed to having student relationships. And you get to leave at the end of the day. I can go home and separate the St. Mike's that I work at, the St. Mike's that I'm an alum at, and then having a personal life. When you're a student, it's all one thing.

What is your favorite thing about St. Mike's?

The people. As frustrated as I may get sometimes at certain members of the community when we're trying to pull off an event, I just take a moment and watch the interactions that faculty and staff have with prospective and accepted students. I'm just amazed at what our students do and what they have done. I've always been proud to be an alum. It's a great place and there are so many opportunities - the people, the relationships with those people...it's the little things. We have our own little community in the admissions office, with all of the hard times that we share and how we pick each other up on a bad day, or support each other with all the things we're doing, in our professional lives and our personal lives. I feel there's a really strong sense of community that we talk about in a lot of our marketing publications, and I always tell families it's (in my experience) incredibly accurate. We don't just talk fluff about community, it's very solid.

What's the most stressful part of your job?

Feeling the weight of the college on our shoulders. We're responsible for bringing in the first-year class every year. If you look at our budget, the amount of revenue that comes from tuition is most of it, so our efforts are crucial. I think we feel collectively that if we miss by even a couple of students, it's a big deal. I do think that especially in years when the budget is tight, when we're not hitting numbers that we need to, we feel especially responsible for everyone's livelihood. That's a huge thing to feel.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

Last year, the Class of 2016 was the first class that I recruited of high school seniors. I can think of one in particular who I met at her high school in the fall, and was happy to send her an admit letter, watched enroll, and that was awesome, and then watched her grow over four years of college and graduate from St. Mikes. It's just incredibly rewarding to see a student go through that entire process and to have such a positive experience, and make a big difference here.

What is some advice that you would give to students going through the college admissions process?

Take a deep breath, relax, and slow down. It's a long, complicated, stressful, grueling process. You can manage all of that by being organized and timely. Explore options, use your resources - there are so many available: counselors, all of the online stuff. We as admissions people re not scary people, we're trying to help you. And know your contact information - it's my biggest pet peeve as of late.

Thank you Matt!

For more about Matt, check out his admission profile.

Is there a particular major, club, or person you want to know more about (or have something else you want to chat about)? Contact me:

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

A Day in the Life of: An American Studies Major

Meet Tyler Manley!!!

(The guy on the left)

Tyler is a senior American Studies major with a minor in Media Studies.

What drew you to American Studies?

I never really knew what I wanted to study coming in to college, but I knew I really liked learning about history, and especially American History, in high school. I declared the major at the end of my freshman year after taking U.S. History II (Since 1865) because I figured I'd major in something I definitely enjoy.

What about American Studies at St. Mike's do you like the most?

My favorite part is the mix of History and English and that you can kind of choose where you want to go with it.

Is there an area of American Studies that fascinates you the most?

I really like the cultural aspects of history, especially the WWII era to the present and the rapid cultural changes and shifts that happened within the country. It changed so much within forty years and went through so many phases. I think it's really interesting to see how some [aspects of historical culture] are still in part around today, for better or for worse.

What would you like to do after your graduate?

I don't really know. I'll probably work somewhere around Boston. Just like when I came into school, I've never really known exactly what I wanted to do. This past summer I did some museum work as an internship which I was interesting. I'm just going to look around and see what I can find, whether it's working in a museum or a library, or something completely different - I'm kind of open to just seeing what happens.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like to watch a lot of movies. I play drums in a band (Seven Leaves) which I've been doing for a while. I've just always really loved that; it's just nice to get together and play music with people. I play video games, hang out with friends, read books - a little of everything.

What's your favorite type of movie and what's your favorite movie right now?

That's tough. I would say it's probably a toss-up between sci-fi movies and horror movies at this point. This summer I saw The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the original one, for the first time. I really loved it, so that's the one that's stuck with me as a favorite, but it's hard for me to pick just one.

What's your favorite part of being at St. Mike's?

Probably just the community; everyone's really great, you know. It's so small that even if you don't really know someone, you know them enough to just say "hey" and have a small conversation in passing. It's just nice, everyone's really welcoming, and it's just a good place to be.

Thanks Tyler!

Want to learn more about the American Studies department? Check it out here!

Is there a particular major, club, or person you want to know more about? Contact me:

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

A Day in the Life Of: A Classics Major

Meet Ben Carroll!!!

Welcome to the first of many Senior Profiles that I'll be posting over the next several weeks. I hope this will help you get to know students at St. Mike's while learning more about specific clubs, majors, and career paths.

Ben is a senior Classics major with minors in Literary Studies and Medieval Studies.

For people that don't know, what exactly do you study as a Classics major?

I study Latin and Ancient Greek texts and some history and cultures of those civilizations. The major includes reading the epic poetry of Homer and Virgil, the letters of Pliny the Younger, and the New Testament in Ancient Greek.

What made you choose to be a Classics major?

I had taken Latin for four years in high school and I found that language is something I particularly excel in, so it seemed pretty clear to me. Most of the other majors I might have otherwise chosen weren't quite practical, so I figured I might as well complete a major that I really enjoy.

What's your favorite part about your major?

My favorite part is how small the major is. There are only three or four majors in the whole school. All of my classes have either been one-on-one or in small groups, which I much prefer to sitting in a lecture hall with 100 other students.

How do you balance studying three disciplines with your social life?

It came very easily as there's a lot of overlap between Classics and Medieval Studies, and the Lit Studies minor happened almost accidentally because I gravitated towards those types of courses for my free spots.

Why do you think studying Latin and Ancient Greek is important?

It's a lot of the same reasons as why people would say studying history is important. It's fascinating to look back at how humanity has evolved and how far it's come, and it's important to keep track of humanity as a whole and on a cosmic scale.

Do you know what you want to do after you graduate?

I don't. Not a clue.

Thanks Ben!

Want to learn more about the Classics department? Check it out here!

Ben is also the President (Acapapa) of Mike Check, the all-male a cappella group at SMC! Check out their Facebook (link above), check us out on Twitter or Instagram, or on Snapchat at MikeCheckSMC!

Is there a particular major, club, or person you want to know more about? Contact me:

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

College on a Budget

The wonderful paradox of college: there's so much to do and so many friends around and you're "as broke as a college student."

Thankfully, there are so many ways to enjoy yourself and have fun while surviving on a college budget!

1. Thrift stores

Thrift stores might be one of my favorite things in the world. Goodwill is pretty close to SMC and they have $1 Sundays & Mondays. Today I got four dress shirts for my internship for only $11!! How awesome is that?!? 

2. Take the bus

One of the big perks of going to St. Mike's is the opportunity to take the city bus (CCTA) for free for all four years! The bus is an easy, fast, and free way of getting into Burlington - and there's plenty of reasonably priced and even free things to do there. When it's still warm out, I love to walk along the waterfront and take in the sights and sounds. When it's colder out, I love to walk down Church Street, especially when it's lit up for the holidays, and when it gets really cold (but also all the time), I like to get a coffee and browse one of the amazing bookstores!

3. Go to free events on campus

We are so excited to announce "Into the Knight," the college's first-ever Spring concert series! We have a great line-up this semester beginning next Friday, January 27, 2017 with @musicofmadaila. We hope to see you all there! #smcvt #smcvtsa #smcdefender

A photo posted by SMCVT Student Association (@smcvt_sa) on Jan 18, 2017 at 11:53am PST

Nearly every event on campus is free for students. This includes plays, speakers, concerts, recitals, festivals, sporting events for all varsity and club teams, gallery openings, lectures, and more! You're paying to go here, so you might as well do as much as you possibly can (especially since there's so much available at SMC). One of my favorite events was seeing Tig Notaro's stand-up. She quickly became one of my favorite comedians, and I'm still so psyched I was able to see her right on campus!

4. Go to Alliot!

I've got a HUNCH that alliot BRUNCH is the best deal in town 😍☕🍳 #startyourdayright #fruitsaladyummyyummy

A photo posted by Taste of Alliot (@tasteofalliot) on Nov 13, 2016 at 8:23am PST

The meal plan at St. Mike's is foolproof - as long as you live in a room without a kitchen, you are automatically put on the unlimited meal plan. This means that you don't have to count swipes, budget dining bucks, or anything like that. Eat as much as you need to, bring an apple home for a snack, and you don't need to worry about grocery shopping (unless you want to, of course). Once you're a junior/senior and live in the townhouses or apartments, there's lots of ways to save money - but you'll get there when you get there.


Want more tips on budgeting in college? Have other questions? Get social!

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

New Year, Happier Me

With the difficult year of 2016 over, we have a lot to look forward to in the next year. In the words of my friend Pat Cornacchio, "New Year, new me."

Unlike the many who say the phrase every time a new year rolls around, I don't actually love that expression. There's a lot about me that I like and love, and I'm proud off what I've accomplished this year. However, there are a few things that I'd really like to accomplish in my final (yikes!) semester of college.

1. Finish with grades I'm proud of



In the last two semesters, I've worked my butt off and I've done really well in school. I'd like to finish strong and complete my last semester with straight A's. With the job market ahead of me, I'm hoping this persistence will pay off to employers (and also I just really like doing well).

2. Spend more time with friends



I over-committed last semester, and friends went to the wayside a bit. My schedule leaves me with classes only from Tuesday-Thursday, so I'm going to utilize some of that free time and have fun, something I haven't done enough of lately. Although I hope to stay in touch with all of my friends, this is the last time we'll be next door neighbors (literally and figuratively), so I'm going to live it up.

3. Cook good food



I can't count the number of times I've watched the Food Network, said "Holy cow, that looks delicious," and then cooked whatever was fast and easy. I absolutely love cooking, and I'm promising to myself to stop being lazy and actually become a truly good cook (even though it'll take more than a few months).

4. Read more books, watch more plays & good movies, and listen to more music



I definitely watch too much Netflix and spend too much time on my phone. There are so many great things to watch and read out there and it's about time I took advantage of all the resources I have at hand.

5. Be happier



Yes, easier said than done, but there's a lot that can be done with just a positive attitude and seeking out the things that make me happy.


I hope you take advantage of the new year and work on creating a better you! For those of you still on break, enjoy it, rest a little, and have fun.


Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard

The Turkey has been Eaten...CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

When late November rolls around, you can be sure that you'll be eating a whole lot of food. Between Alliot Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving(s), and the actual holiday with your family, there's a good chance you'll be stuffed (get it? like turkey?)

(Follow @smcknights on Snapchat for all the current happenings at SMC!)

However, as great as it is celebrating a holiday almost completely devoted to food, I can now properly celebrate my favorite time of year without being heckled by my turkey-loving peers!!!

It began to look a lot like Christmas only a short week ago, when we got our first snow and it actually stuck! Thanks to the power of social media, quite a few SMC-ers got great snapshots of the event and shared them with #smcvt.

Last night campus became a winter wonderland. Who’s ready to let it snow? ❄️ (📷: Saint Michael’s College Dept. of Public Safety) #smcvt

A photo posted by Saint Michael's College (@saintmichaelscollege) on Nov 21, 2016 at 7:32am PST

Who wants to study for Econ when you just want to play in the snow? ❄️️❄️️❄️️

A photo posted by Paige Bulson (@paigesb16) on Nov 22, 2016 at 5:43am PST

Please welcome our new official Library Greeter, Roberta Frost! We hope she sticks around. #smcvtlibrary #smcvt

A photo posted by St. Michael's College Library (@smcvtlibrary) on Nov 21, 2016 at 7:00am PST

Happy Monday 🎃❄️

A photo posted by emma_kal (@emma_kal) on Nov 21, 2016 at 5:48am PST

Now the St. Mike's trees are lit, people are jolly (and maybe a bit stressed about finals), and there's a chill in the air.

It's my favorite time of year, and I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere else.

Happy holiday season to you and yours!



Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard
Snapchat: christhebeard

And They Lived Happy Aca-After

There is no better way to spend my Monday and Wednesday evenings than with Mike Check, the all-male a cappella group at St. Mike's. These guys are like brothers to me, and their humor keeps me alive (and sometimes drives me insane). The semester is quickly starting up and I'm so glad to be back to singing! The year started up with auditions...

Acapapa wants YOU pic.twitter.com/Ap2XJ3Mdm2

— Mike Check (@MikeCheckSMC) September 8, 2016

...which went incredibly well! We have three new members: Evan, Joe, and Spencer!

Say hello to our NEW MEMBERS!!! What handsome boys! #AcapellaBoys #MikeCheck #smcvt

A photo posted by Mike Check (@mikechecksmc) on Sep 21, 2016 at 5:28pm PDT

If you haven't heard us before, we sing a mixture of current hits, nostalgia from the 90s, barbershop re-imaginings, jazz standards, and more.

From our family to yours, we'd like to wish all of our fans a very Happy Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/W4tqCtp8m1

— Mike Check (@MikeCheckSMC) November 26, 2015

Once auditions are over, we begin learning the songs in our set list (which we choose in the first week of the semester). Some of the songs are fan favorites from past semesters, and some are brand new arrangements! In recent years, we began a trend of arranging (adapting a song for a cappella) our own music, so about half of our songs are arranged by Mike Check members. Below is an old clip of Take One Me, arranged by Pat Cornacchio '18.

Pat loves Mike Check! Do you? Come listen to us this Friday at 8:00! (@patcorn95) #smcvt #vt #btv #acapella #music #singing

A video posted by Mike Check (@mikechecksmc) on Dec 9, 2015 at 7:59pm PST

This year, we actually have six seniors! That means (up to) six senior songs between the two end-of-semester concerts! Senior songs are a great way to showcase veteran members of Mike Check as well as a wonderful excuse to sing a variety of music. All of the members of the group have very different tastes in music, which makes for a great variety in concerts! You can learn about the members of Mike Check here.

We're really looking forward to this year, and we hope you are too!


Want to catch updates on everything Mike Check? Follow us on social media!

Facebook
Twitter (@MikeCheckSMC)
Instagram (@MikeCheckSMC)
Snapchat (MikeCheckSMC)

Taking Time to Breathe

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around for a while, you could miss it.

College is a whirlwind. Senior year is one hundred times that. The last four weeks have blown by, but this weekend I finally had a chance to take time to breathe. 

On Friday, I hung out in the new residence hall to celebrate my friend Kelly's birthday! There was Chinese food from Jin (literally a minute down the road) and fantastic company.

Kelly's apartment in Res Hall 4!

Saturday, I got to relax! Corinne and I had our radio show (every Saturday from 12-2pm on wwpv.org!) and we went to Firebird Cafe after, which has some of the best lunch food around. For the rest of the day, there was a whole lot of nothing going on, which was exactly what I needed. I saw some friends in the evening, and it was a great time to decompress after a crazy week.

Our super professional radio show.

Finally, Sunday was more than just homework day! Corinne and I finally went on a hike, hopefully the first of many. We hiked Mount Philo which is a short drive from campus and only takes about an hour to summit! It was a nice way to start the day, and the perfect way to get some exercise in and enjoy nature. It was the first of many things to cross off my senior year bucket list!

The view was simply stunning.

We're cute sometimes.

Now that I'm settled into the semester, you can expect to hear from me more often! Let me know if there's anything in particular you want to learn about. Until next time!

Questions, comments, concerns, cat videos?

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard
Snapchat: christhebeard

And here's a raccoon with a hat because why not:

A photo posted by Jonathon (@jonathontheraccoon) on Sep 25, 2016 at 11:48am PDT

#latersummer

It's been quite the few months! I'm so excited for students to return to campus, and to meet the ~500 new students that will be coming home for the first time. It's so gorgeous up here at SMC during the summer, but it's not the same without everybody here.

Sunday morning views. (Props to Facilities for the beautiful gardens!) #smcvt

A photo posted by Saint Michael's College (@saintmichaelscollege) on Jul 24, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

I've learned a whole lot this summer. I've seen what it looks like to work in college admissions, and I've realized this is the type of place that I could work in for a long time. I love the college process, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life working with it, as an admission counselor and as a guidance counselor (or so I hope). It's so exciting to me to see students come to campus for the first time and realize that this is home for them. (If you're thinking about St. Mike's and haven't come for a visit yet, please do - I knew this was the place for me the moment I stepped on campus.)

One of the best parts of my job was the wonderful people I worked with! Here are some rad photos:

We also made these super cool First Year Fridays videos! If you haven't watched them yet, I definitely suggest it. They're great for a lot of laughs, and you might learn a thing or two, too.
















Hope you enjoy! You'll hear again from me soon.


Questions, comments, concerns, cat videos?

Email: cholloway@mail.smcvt.edu
Twitter: @thebeardedchris
Insta: @christhebeard
Snapchat: @christhebeard


Cute animal post of the week:

* おはようございます✨ Good morning! あずきのハムカップケーキ😋 Hammy cupcake❣️ ． 食べてるから触ったらムッとされるけど、 そこがまたかわいくてたまらない😂❤️ ． Don't touch me🐹 ． #ハムスター#ジャンガリアン#hamster#hamstagram#hammy#hammie#pet#petlover#instapet#petstagram#petsofinstagram#instaanimal#fluffypack#weeklyfluff#cutepetclub#animalsco#petsvideo#fluffy#ふわもこ部#IGersJP#カップケーキ#🐹

A video posted by nori🐹 (@nococo.k) on Jul 11, 2016 at 6:10pm PDT

Symposium Weekend: Celebrating the Academic Year

In the last full week before final exams every spring, Saint Michael's celebrates the end of the academic year with the Academic Symposium. Throughout the week, students present their work that they have spent either a semester or a full year completing, and it's really a fantastic experience. I know -- "academic symposium" doesn't sound too exciting. But, to know so many of these students and see the culmination of months and months of hard work is really amazing.

The week starts off with presentations from the Fine Arts department on Monday and Tuesday, which includes the student recitals for many of those who have been taking music lessons for the last year. On Wednesday, senior Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts (known as MJD) majors present their final projects that they have worked on for the entire year. They consist of documentary films, web documentaries, and books, all of which require a huge amount of time (conducting interviews, editing, research, and more). Here are a few of my favorites!

Guarding the Flame: Classic Automobiles and Their Custodians
A documentary film by Sean Faust and Connor Vandagriff

Intronet: An Exploration of Introversion in the Digital Age
A book by Erin Murphy

Cabin Fever: A Behind the Scenes Look at American Summer Camps
A book by Susanna Shigo (blog here)

Not Forgotten: Death and The Evolution of Memorialization in the 21st Century
A documentary film by Kathryn Miyahira and Paul Detzer (Kathryn's blog here)

Not pictured:

The Talk: Sexuality Education in a Promiscuously Prude America

A documentary film by Meghan Lynch, Julie Shea, and Jessica St. George

Watch the film here!

Over the course of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, there are many research presentations all over campus. Many of these come out of various courses, but many of them are also from independent research! It's impossible to make it to all of them, especially when you have your own classes and commitments. However, I was able to make it to my good friend Erin's fantastic presentation entitled: The Evolution of Anti-Abortion Terrorism: Examining Attacks by Christian Extremists as Acts of Domestic Terrorism in the United States.

Erin's presentation!

Finally, Saturday is the campus-wide poster session in which students from many of the departments on campus are able to present their research and work in a concise little poster! It's nice to have all of these posters in one contained area so that students and other visitors are able to see all sorts of research without having to go too far! A bunch of my friends were presenting. Here are a few!

Fiona Moynihan '16
Childhood Bipolar Disorder: Epidemic or Misdiagnosis?

Jordan Moore '16
Stage Management for "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Mariah Kelley '16
Social and Academic Anxiety in the Context of the High School Classroom

Anna-Maria Forger '17
Costume Design for "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Patrick Cornacchio '18 & Melissa Hickox '18
Dramaturgy for "The Crucible" & Stage Management for "The Crucible" 

Nathan Dean '16
Surface Enhanced Flourescence from Magnesium Nanoparticles

Symposium is a really nifty way to finish off the year right before the insanity of finals hits everybody. If you're in the midst of your own finals, I wish you the best of luck!

Feature on SMC Theatre Blog

Hello readers!

This week, I am being featured on the Saint Mike's Theatre Department blog. Please check it out!

Link is here.

Photo from the SMC Theatre blog!

On that note, I'm very excited to start working on all of my projects for senior year. In the spring, I will be working on my theatre capstone project (and collaborating with a friend and fellow theatre major, as WOTW will be her capstone as well). In the fall, I will be taking History and Issues, the psychology capstone course, in which I will be drafting my final thesis for the major. I will also be taking Directing in the fall, which I am incredibly excited for. All year long, I will be interning at a local high school for Practicum, a psychology internship course with an in-class component as well.

I look forward to sharing all of those adventures when they begin. But first, it's time to finish off this year strong! I hope to post here more often in the next month as well as next year.

Please contact me if there's anything at all you would like me to write about! Social media links are above, you can email me, or comment below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring Has Sprung!

We're just a day away from Spring Break here at St. Mike's (which includes Easter break this year). It's a beautiful 50 degrees, the sun is shining, and students finally have the opportunity to go outside and enjoy the weather! Spring means a whole lot of things when you're in college.

1. Hanging out with friends

From the Color Run last spring!! It was such a beautiful day to be outside.

If you look outside on any given spring day (given that it's not raining), you'll see a ton of students hanging out on the green. The Ultimate Frisbee players are out on the library lawn every day at 4:00, people bring their guitars and ukuleles outside and play, students sit at picnic tables and chat, and everybody just gets to enjoy the weather.

2. Spring break!

I'll miss this campus while I'm gone!

You might go on a trip with friends, go visit family, or just take the week to relax. No matter what you do, spring break is looked forward to by all, as a chance to breathe after months of hard academic work. Enjoy it!

3. Time to apply for internships

My intern family from Saint Michael's Playhouse two summers ago!
They're hiring - contact me to find out how to apply!)

Many consider college as one of the best times of their lives. One of the greatest benefits of college is the opportunity for internships, both during the academic year and the summer. Whether they're paid or unpaid, internships are a great way to get experience and give you a better chance for graduate school and future employment opportunities. Summer internship applications tend to be due in March, so if you're planning on applying, make sure to check your due dates!

4. The semester is almost over (AHH!!)

My drama club family from the end of last year. 1/4 of them have gone and graduated,
and we're losing more this year. I miss them all terribly.

When we get back from break, there is only a short month and a half before the semester is over. It's scary how quickly college flies by. Take advantage of every moment, and love what you do!!!

Closing Weekend: A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Spring 2016 Mainstage Production, A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare opened on March 3, ran for three performances, and has two more this weekend, March 11 & 12.

Midsummer is my first ever Shakespeare play, and it's been quite the experience. It's taught me the importance of understanding the text, and making sure I understand what each and every word truly means. I'm incredibly thankful that I don't have an enormous part; it's been the perfect size for me to digest the language and context. I look forward to using this newfound understanding for both contemporary and classical works in the future; I've realized that I must not only make sure I understand the dialogue. but also make sure not to fall into a pattern of speech. Each word and sentence has to have meaning, and this show has been a great reminder of that.

Furthermore, the cast and crew of this show is absolutely fantastic!! I love these wonderful people so much, and I'm going to miss sharing this experience with them. It's been such a pleasure working more closely with some actors/classmates that I hadn't had the pleasure of knowing well until know (shoutout to my fellow Nobles). I'm certainly going to miss the seniors in the cast, but I'm so happy for them that they will be going onto bigger and better things. It's scary to think that next year I'll be in their place, and I realize that I'm going to miss the theatre department here very much.

SMC Social Ambassador Theatre Majors took over the school's Snapchat account, @smcknights, last Thursday to hype up opening night. Here are some of the highlights!!

Come see Midsummer this Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm! Admission is free for all!