SSM’s
Fall Break—Sometimes Not so Traditional . . .
As the final few weeks of the fall
term wind down, last minute projects will be completed, exams will be
taken, and we’ll eventually find ourselves ready to embark on Shattuck-St.
Mary’s annual Fall Break. Three vital aspects come
to mind—family, friends and community. During this brief, but
well-deserved respite, many of us will be returning to our hometowns,
or venturing far from home vacationing in some warmer climate, yet still
some of us will be staying close to campus, servicing the needs of the
community itself.
As our staff surveyed a few students
and faculty members, the consensus conveyed that many are gathering
with loved ones around the family hearth, enjoying the traditional fare:
turkey, turkey, and more turkey. And of course, with all the trimmings—cranberry
sauce, pumpkin pie and stuffing! These SSM members are
looking forward to picking up where they left off with their closest
buddies,“cruising” their favorite haunts, or just sleeping in till
their own body clock wakes them. Senior, Tom Holland, for instance,
is planning on “. . . going back home to Bolton, England, seeing a
few soccer games, and just “hangin” out.” Another Shattuck
member, English teacher and Hockey coach, Mr. Stafford, is flying to
NY to join his son, former SSM alum, Drew ‘03, one of the Buffalo
Sabre’s hockey players, on a “father/son” bonding trip throughout
the east for a week, sponsored by the Sabres organization. All the players’
fathers will be playing out their fantasies of being a professional
player, riding the team’s chartered jet to and from the week’s games.
Many others are traveling to warmer
places like Mexico, California, or Costa Rica, taking advantage of the
lengthy break. Those of us who are less fortunate, mid-westerners,
will only hope and pray that our current, mild temps will continue a
bit longer. Nevertheless, these SSM community members will certainly
enjoy this break regardless.
Still, a few others are going to be
volunteering their time, effort, and energy in working within the Faribault
community and throughout the country. For instance, Rachel Jung
’13, is not going back home, but instead, staying in town and working
with local institutions, performing various duties, fulfilling her community
service hours. In addition, ESL teacher, Ms. Stelter, along with
her husband, is heading to Camp Amicon, a youth organization
on Wisconsin’s Lake Superior, that focuses on helping “at-risk”
teens develop leadership, communication, and social skills: “We’ve
been helping out at the camp for a number of years out of our gratitude
for the amazing blessings that Americon has awarded us.” Not only
has the camp been a venue for their spiritual and personal development,
but it also has been responsible for the Stelters’ lasting, marital
bliss, Ms. Stelter added.
Regardless of your destination or particular
plans during Fall Break, the Spectator staff wishes you
a safe and healthy holiday!
~ The Spectator
Staff