Siblings Weekend brings younger brothers and sisters to campus

“G-52!”

“Yes!” “Darn it!”

“I-27”

“BINGO!” “Oh no!”

The familiar sounds of Bingo echoed through the ballroom of Loyola Hall this past Saturday, the tournament a part of the full schedule of activities for Siblings Weekend. The weekend, now in its sixth year, allows younger siblings the opportunity to spend time with their favorite Crusader and get a glimpse of what life at college is like.

It also gives Holy Cross students a change of pace as spring approaches with the promise of finals and many long nights of studying. “Uniting family and education gives students a breath of fresh air in the middle of the term,” says Andrew Rhoades ’07, student event coordinator.

Cara O’Connor ’08 shared some games of Bingo with her 8-year-old sister Erin and 9-year-old brother James. On Saturday, the trio had also attended the Siblings Weekend festival in the Kimball Quad, which featured spin art Frisbees, arts and crafts, photo key chains and caricatures.  Other offerings included Indoor Olympics on Friday night, a multicultural fair, two showings of the hit film Happy Feet, and a dance party at the Edge, Holy Cross’s own dance club in Crossroads.

Spearheaded by Brenda Hounsell Sullivan, director of Orientation, Transition and Leadership, and Ed Coolbaugh, assistant dean of students and director of Residence Life and Housing, Siblings Weekend represents a collaboration of efforts from student programs and the administration. A total of 84 siblings enjoyed this year’s event.

“I think the program allows students to share the college environment with their siblings,” says Coolbaugh. “Holy Cross students can show what college is really like rather than what is shown on TV and in movies. It really allows these siblings to see that where their older siblings are succeeding in college, they can, too.”

Between rounds of Bingo, Erin and James showed off their tattoos — paw prints for Erin and an eagle for James. Don’t worry, they were only temporary tattoos given out earlier at the festival.

Of the weekend as a whole, Cara says, “It’s fun. It’s like you don’t really think of the stress of school when they’re around.”

Erin and James won bubbles and ring pops at Bingo, solidifying the opinion that this was indeed a great weekend.

The crowds around the hot chocolate and ice cream machines at Kimball Dining Hall speak volumes every year, and this year was no different — Siblings Weekend was a hit.