Senior discovers Mt. Irenaeus
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Opinion
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Have you gone there yet, St. Bonaventure students?
I have.
After celebrating "50 Days" with fellow seniors this past Friday, I awoke the following morning and walked to University Ministries.
Huh? Why go there?
If you didn't know already, there's a laundry list of activities every good St. Bonaventure student must partake in. Traditions such as playing on a Spring Weekend softball team, storming the basketball court and devouring a large Mangia pizza in a single sitting, are just a few of the "musts." There was one extremely important rite of passage, however, that I hadn't yet crossed off "The List."
Not true anymore!
As one of roughly two dozen students (and the only senior) who traveled to Mt. Irenaeus for the final men's overnight session of the year, I learned what a gift we have in the neighboring town of West Clarksville. With the exception of a few select 'dance parties' at the O.P., I honestly can't think of a Saturday night where I've continuously said to myself, "There's no other place I'd rather be than right here, right now and with these people."
Some argue that it's the food that makes the Mountain special. I won't dispute that. Steaks and the famous "Mountain Potatoes," which have a recipe as secret as Coca-Cola's, were downright heavenly.
More importantly, besides the homemade specialties, I was taken aback by the level of thoughtful dialogue and spiritual awareness I encountered speaking with my peers at the Mountain. I felt a sense of awe, and I recognized that although I will graduate in a month or so, there are others who will serve as great ambassadors for this great university - just as there have been for nearly 149 years.
It may be scary and emotional to leave the "Bona Bubble" during these final precious weeks, but I hope all seniors will try to visit the Mountain at least once before they graduate in May, even if it's just for a few hours to study or to eat a warm meal. With any luck, however, your visit to the Mountain will serve as a time to reflect and allow you to appreciate your final days at this university. Perhaps like I did, you'll also find yourself saying, "There truly is no place like Bona's."
Joe Tavares, Class of 2007
I have.
After celebrating "50 Days" with fellow seniors this past Friday, I awoke the following morning and walked to University Ministries.
Huh? Why go there?
If you didn't know already, there's a laundry list of activities every good St. Bonaventure student must partake in. Traditions such as playing on a Spring Weekend softball team, storming the basketball court and devouring a large Mangia pizza in a single sitting, are just a few of the "musts." There was one extremely important rite of passage, however, that I hadn't yet crossed off "The List."
Not true anymore!
As one of roughly two dozen students (and the only senior) who traveled to Mt. Irenaeus for the final men's overnight session of the year, I learned what a gift we have in the neighboring town of West Clarksville. With the exception of a few select 'dance parties' at the O.P., I honestly can't think of a Saturday night where I've continuously said to myself, "There's no other place I'd rather be than right here, right now and with these people."
Some argue that it's the food that makes the Mountain special. I won't dispute that. Steaks and the famous "Mountain Potatoes," which have a recipe as secret as Coca-Cola's, were downright heavenly.
More importantly, besides the homemade specialties, I was taken aback by the level of thoughtful dialogue and spiritual awareness I encountered speaking with my peers at the Mountain. I felt a sense of awe, and I recognized that although I will graduate in a month or so, there are others who will serve as great ambassadors for this great university - just as there have been for nearly 149 years.
It may be scary and emotional to leave the "Bona Bubble" during these final precious weeks, but I hope all seniors will try to visit the Mountain at least once before they graduate in May, even if it's just for a few hours to study or to eat a warm meal. With any luck, however, your visit to the Mountain will serve as a time to reflect and allow you to appreciate your final days at this university. Perhaps like I did, you'll also find yourself saying, "There truly is no place like Bona's."
Joe Tavares, Class of 2007
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