KCACTF: Workshops

Baby It's Cold Outside

At Saint Michael's, being in Vermont means you need to be prepared for all sorts of weather that is thrown your way. This week is especially cold. We're experiencing temperatures of -22 degrees! If that doesn't give you a chill, I don't know what will. Unintentional rhyming. 

Any who, here are a few pictures that capture a week in January for me! I'm looking forward to the days where the weather will be a cozy +32 degrees and it'll feel like summer!

Prepared to weather the weather,
 in style!

A typical snowy walk on the way to
work at 7:15 AM.

I found a delicious cafe off of Church St.,
a perfect way to warm up with a caramel latte!
(Visit New Moon if you have the chance!)

I'll have to keep you posted on what warm and fun activities I'm doing to keep me out of the cold...although it involves walking across campus in the cold. Thank goodness for fleece-lined tights and layers!
Sending warm thoughts and hugs your way, especially to everyone in New England who's getting hit by the snow - I wish I had a snow day to play in the snow!
Katelyn :)

The Beginning of the End: The Eve of my Last Semester at Saint Michael's College

I know I have said this before, but truly this is the beginning of the end of my academic career here at Saint Michael's. Now I don't want to get all sappy (I'll leave that for May), but instead, speak to something that has made my SMC experience simply wonderful. 

As you're scrolling through this post, feel free to listen to this song (Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets) , as it was the main song for our VITA retreat this weekend:

Being apart of VITA Team has shaped me as an individual, leader, and team member. Most recently Team members were invited back early to participate in a retreat and planning process for the semester. 

When the day got closer and closer to go back to SMC, I was apprehensive. Why did I say yes to go back early? Why do I need to leave home? What did this mean for me, physically, emotionally, spiritually? 

Once our VITA Team reached Saint Anne's Shrine on Isle La Motte, about an hour from campus, my anxieties were subdued.  The Edmundites, along with benefactors and donations, built five gorgeous cabins so that SMC retreats could be held in a specific area instead of having to be moved around every semester. 

The cabins themselves are absolutely amazing, feeling very shiny, new, and cozy. The only thing that I missed was a fireplace! It was the perfect setting for our retreat. 

It was a great opportunity to connect as a VITA Team. We don't normally have the opportunity to be all in one space together as we all run different parts: LINK, Connections, Dessert and the Divine, Taize, and Socials. Meeting before the semester was ideal because we're all so busy doing so many things that we don't get to share in our faith all together at the same time all that often. 

The Christ Candle in the center, to each of our own candles,
demonstrating that we each have the light of Christ within us.

The theme for the retreat was "Celebrating Our Stories".  We focused on how God is working in and through our lives in obvious and not so obvious ways. I learned so much about myself and my VITA community that really set the tone for this semester. It was a welcome beginning to this last semester at Saint Mike's. I was able to reflect on where I've been and where I want to be. 

Times of prayer, reflection, and discussion enabled us to see that there are many stories that we can relate to, even if the details aren't the same. We were writing squares based off of questions and Scripture passages our Campus Minister Anna had chosen for the weekend. In the end, all of our squares were combined and we were able to see how even though there are parts that are different in our stories and our lives, they all come together to create something beautiful.

Our "Patchwork Quilt"

I am so grateful that I was able to start off my semester with this beautiful opportunity and I can face the semester head-on feeling refreshed and revitalized. 

Now I am off to finish unpacking and organizing for our first day of classes tomorrow! EEP! I can't wait to see all my friends coming back from break and make more SMC memories. 

As always, sending my love to you and yours!

Katelyn :)

Once Every 25 Years...

A new and exciting thing is occurring in the McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Mike's! 

What you ask?

NEW SEATS! 

Over Christmas break, new seats will be put in both the Recital Hall and Mainstage space. One of the really cool things is that the seats were being taken apart during finals week and we could stop by and check out what was happening. Naturally I took some pictures. 

Final image of the old seats

The Recital Hall empty - while a band practices!

One of the MOST AWESOME THINGS (definitely a QUIRK AND PERK!) that could have possibly happened was that we could take the seats! They were just going to be recycled and it was our opportunity to have a piece of McCarthy history! This was particularly interesting to me since I wrote my History thesis on the Saint Michael's Playhouse, now housed in McCarthy. I had also spent most of my time at Saint Mike's roughly in the Mainstage working on the play, during class, or during the summer season of Playhouse. These seats have been in the building since it's opening in 1976. It'll be great to have an update for my last semester here at Saint Mike's!

The man of the hour: Richie!

I do have to thank one of my best friends Richie for helping me to get the seats from McCarthy to my townhouse. He offered his car and services to and from the theater and my house. Even slipping on ice didn't stop this guy. I am forever grateful to have a friend like him, for other reasons included. :)

Be sure to check back for an update once I return to SMC! Everything will be bright, shiny, and new!

Katelyn :)

"Break a Leg!" The Early History of Saint Michael's Playhouse as a Regional Summer Theatre: Thesis Presentation!

Many things have happened already in December that are making it a pretty great month!

One of the most crucial events, particularly to my education, is that I finished and presented my thesis! I had the task of writing a 40-page thesis by December 7th, when I would present on my topic. You can check out the presentation below, recorded by the wonderful Alex! She's the best - she even picked out my outfit thank goodness!

Here's me presenting on my topic: An Early History of Saint Michael's Playhouse. Enjoy!

One of the great things about my thesis in History was that I was able to combine my interests in Theatre, my other major. Choosing Saint Michael's Playhouse, which I interned last summer with, enabled me to look further into the background of how the SMP originated. It's also great to see how far the theatre has come. I will also be lucky enough to intern with Chuck Tobin, the artistic director of the SMP!

My parents, my faith family, friends, and classmates were there to support me and I was so overjoyed that so many people were there to appreciate my hard work! It paid off and I received an A- on my thesis! I am more than satisfied and grateful that my efforts proved a great result! 

Working on this project demonstrated to me that I was capable of producing such a work of large size. While looking at graduate schools, I've been noticing that a similar piece of work is necessary for the capstone of those projects. I now know that I can do it! While daunting while it's happening, you definitely feel accomplished afterwards. It's a great feeling!

It also makes Christmas break that much more enjoyable! Be sure to be on the lookout for more blog posts about my semester wrap-up, what I'll be doing this break, and what's next!
Wishing you and yours a very merry Winter Solstice, (shortest day of the year!)
Katelyn :)

Excitement!

Today blogosphere I come to you bearing exciting news! I MADE IT ON THE SAINT MICHAEL'S LIBRARY WEBSITE! It features my most recent post, which you can find here. Check it out on the library website by going here! 

Or look at this picture!

LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTED PART!

In other news, I've successfully registered for my final (GASP) semester at Saint Mike's. I will be taking the following courses: 

This schedule allows me to have Thursdays 'off' which I will be filling with an internship! I will be working with Chuck Tobin in preparing for the summer of Saint Michael's Playhouse! Lots of fun and exciting things. 

I will also be stage managing our Spring Mainstage Production: Godspell! I've worked on this show twice in my life already and I can't wait to see what this time will have in store for cast and crew alike! 

And finally, things I need to complete by the end of the semester:
- 40 page thesis (20 pages already done woohoo!)
- Class presentation on Medieval Vaulting in Cathedrals
- Final presentation and 8-10 page paper on Christ iconography represented in church portals and architecture
- Presentation of my directing scene! December 9th woohoo!

So far - that looks to be it. I know it's a lot but my goal is to be done with 3/4s of it by Thanksgiving! It will make being home all the more special. 

This past weekend was Academic Preview Day - I loved giving tours to all the prospective students! If this applies to you, don't hesitate to contact me! 

Hope your Monday is spectacular! 
Katelyn :)

Library Living

My time this semester has largely been spent in the library doing research for my History thesis. On Monday, I submitted a 20 page draft of my thesis. Needless to say my brain has decided to go on sabbatical for the past few days to give me a chance to recover. 

My next task is to get a hold of more research for my final papers and presentations for my other classes. WHAT?! Crazy I know how time flies. Luckily for me, I am able to use the wonderful resources and reference librarians that work in Durick.  

How do you get a meeting with the librarians? Easy! Simply send them an e-mail or sign up for an appointment here! You can pick a date and time that works for you! You can also see which librarian has the research specialty you desire: i.e. Medieval Studies or Biology. I've worked with a few and they are definitely so helpful! They might even show you where the section of books you need - a tour of the things you'll find useful!

This is my favorite spot in the library to read articles!

Walking through the bound periodicals!

Walking through the library I stumbled across this cool piece of art!

Shout out to Mr. John Payne - he helped me find the bound periodicals I needed to give my paper another facet of research! He's going to help me with finding research for my Medieval Studies final presentation and paper and I'm super stoked! It's really great when you find someone who's interested in the same subject as you and leads you on a treasure hunt to find what you need! 

Any questions about the library or other resources at SMC? 

Sign up for our Knight Chat TONIGHT! Check out the page here :) Yours truly will be answering questions along with other bloggers from 7:30 to 9:00 PM!

Hope to see you there!

Katelyn :)