A break...

Joe Otting was the first on the scene...

... in the studying. Just as the Stedsmen like to take a break from their exercising by getting water, so too when they are studying. During Finals Week, three study breaks were held, affording the Stedsmen, well, a break. Enjoying various offerings of food from Chick Fil A to Raising Cane's, and yes, Insomnia Cookies too, the Stedsmen had a break from the books, writing, and worrying to be surrounded by comfort foods, friends, and frivolity. On the late night study break with Chick Fil A, Quinn Littlefield shared, "It was just what we needed."

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

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... while Littlefield gives his approval.

A win...

Steds A or Big Cats, we're all Steds...

... win for Steds! The much anticipated Steds Derby did not disappoint. Held the last weekend before the Yacht Dance, the Steds soccer teams, Steds A and Big Cats (Steds B), taking the pitch at Ricci Fields, the match saw gentleman against gentleman in what has to be the biggest campus intra-hall rivalry. No doubt, each side was playing for keeps with every possible advantage taken and exploited. Steds A, heavily favored, had a deep bench of talent with Rafa Souza, Steds sophomore, resident Brazilian, at the helm. On the other side, the Pride, Big Cats, was lead by Jonathan Granda Acaro, Steds junior and weekend pickup soccer player. While the Big Cats may not be A team material, what they lacked in technical skills they made up in spirit. Plus, the Big Cats had one more thing going for them. Unable to reserve the pitch, the Steds Derby was actually playing on an open field that had long grass, slowing the game down and helping the Big Cats. 

As the game unfolded, the two teams were evenly match in almost every respect, and spectators were treated to a real barnburner of a match. Steds A team pushed, and Big Cats scratched back. The Big Cats pounced, and Steds A side stepped, dodging certain pain and a trip to St. Liam's. It was the proverbial seesaw. Finally, with regular play ending, the Pride was proud, winning the match with a score of six to four. Afterwards, the traditional sharing of jerseys and handshakes were had, and following the formalities of the beautiful game, all had Mission BBQ in the Flounge.

On the Steds Derby, Fr. Ralph shared, “As a member of the original Big Cat team, you're always a Big Cat. But today, A or B, we're all Steds!"

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

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... and barbecue...

... for all!

At Steds...

All's quiet in the Steds lobby

... the is lobby is empty. Quiet, the hallways are devoid of the usual noises of laughter, conversation, and high jinx. with only seniors and those helping with graduation, St. Ed's is not its usual self. Still, life is continuing as seniors are enjoying their victory lap, Senior Week, and rectors, like Fr. Ralph, are engaged in mopping up actions and making preparations for August.  On the quiet, Fr. Ralph said, “It's summer time, well, almost. But for all of Stedsmen who DID NOT graduate. don't rush back. Enjoy your summer... because I already am!"

With summer starting, the Gentlemen's Monthly will be every other day. Enjoy!

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of Mary peeking through the tall trees of God Quad by LaFortune Student Center. Since the regilding, Mary and the Dome shine like never before, making a pair of sunglasses a must to see the beautiful sight.

Still, what an appropriate picture to share on this special day... Mother's Day!  How could we not remember our moms? Thanks and all our love for our moms and all that they do, seen and unseen, for us. And whether we see them or not, they, like Mary, are watching over us. Indeed, where would we be without you? So, Steds moms, make sure to collect your hugs and kisses from your Gentleman today!

All of our love... and enjoy your day wherever you may be!

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE. 

Saturday squirrel.

Taking it all in

As everyone is frantically making an exit from campus, others are enjoying a front row seat to all the action. For a change, our squirrels are enjoying seeing us scurry about here and there, packing and loading, and other strange and petty things. This squirrel was captured perched atop a chair on Library Quad. Enjoying the sights and smells of campus, not to mention a tasty treat, this squirrel had a front row seat to all the action of move out day. On seeing the students moving out, this squirrel non-verbaled, "What's that? I am just enjoying my breakfast."

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE. 

Move...

Storch has left the building.

... out day! Today was the last day of finals and tomorrow is the last day for all undergraduates to move out of the Hall by Noon. As you can imagine, the hallways were full of activity, moving this or that thing out, throwing out a year's worth of trash, donating items to Goodwill, returning room keys and saying good bye. And as the witching hour drew near, the Hall became quieter and quieter as the Stedsmen dispersed across the country and globe for the summer. Finished with everything, finals and moving out, Dane Storch, former hall president, junior, and now rising senior, walked out of the Hall and flashed the victory wave. On seeing Storch giving the sign of victory, an unnamed passerby exclaimed, “That’s a free man!”

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

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Let's take a...

Enjoy Avey's photos...

 ... break from Finals Week. Instead, let's take a look at those on "endless vacation"... our study abroaders. Oh, they have their rigorous classes, but they also have their field trips and free weekends. Whether it's skiing in the Alps, sunning on a beach in Ibiza, or enjoying some herring in Lapland, our study abroaders really do make the most of their time while away from campus. And our very own Brendan Avey, Stedsman, Virginian, and Dublin study abroader, is no exception. When Brendan was in between classes and boarding a plane, I was able to ask him some questions about his time away from St. Ed's.

St. Ed: When you’re not in classes and studying, where have you been?

Avey: I’ve taken the several trips around Ireland and the continent. So far, I have been to... 

•   Bordeaux, France: Went on a wine tour

•   Amsterdam, Netherlands: Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house, canal cruise, Heineken tour, biking around the city

•   Iceland: Swam in geothermal lagoons, took bus tours to see the Black Sand Beach, craters, geysers, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights

•   Garmisch, Germany: Visited my dad who was playing in a military veterans hockey tournament. Skied the German Alps with my sister, hiked Patrnack Gorge. It also happens to be one of Dane Storch's favorite German cities, Shout out to him for the hiking and food recommendations

•   Belfast, Northern Ireland: Historical tour of the Troubles, visited Giant's Causeway

•   Copenhagen, Denmark: Lunch at Ammann 1921 (Michelin guide restaurant), canal tour, Rosenborg castle tour

•   France (Normandy and Paris): Met up with mom, dad, and sister in Normandy. Full-day guided tour of Omaha and Utah beaches, American and German cemeteries, and more. Briefly visited Paris before my flight and saw the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe

•   Rome, Italy, and Vatican City: Went to St. Peter's Basilica on Holy Saturday and sat in the 5th row for Easter mass with the Pope in St. Peter's Square. Visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum.

•   Barcelona, Spain: Visited Montserrat monastery and winery, Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia, and did a Seafood Paella cooking class

St. Ed: Ghee whiz kid, are you studying abroad, or are you traveling and taking classes on the side?! But still, how is the Dublin program?

Avey: The Dublin program is amazing and has many required trips in Ireland throughout the semester that bond the program and teach students, myself included, about the history and culture of Ireland. Still, for each trip I take, I collect magnets from major cities and try to collect unique coasters from the *very few* bars and pubs I've visited abroad. On free weekends, I've been able to go to so many amazing places, and I plan to go to Lisbon, Madrid, Toledo, Florence, Edinburgh, and London in my last few weeks abroad. I've also been lucky enough to see my family twice in France and Germany, and I also got to give them a tour of Dublin for a few days. Yeah, classes are great!

St. Ed: Have you been able to meet up with your fellow Stedsmen studying abroad?

Avey: Of course! My favorite moment with my fellow Stedsmen was St. Patrick's Day when over 200 Notre Dame juniors from other abroad programs (and others who were on Spring Break from the US) came to Dublin to celebrate together. During that weekend, I got to connect with many old friends from classes, see many of the Stedsmen who are abroad, and meet a ton of new people too.

St. Ed: Of your extensive travels, which trip would you say was your favorite?

Avey: My favorite international trip was to Rome, where I was able to go to Easter Mass with the Pope and explore fascinating Roman history with the Dublin program and a few students from the Rome program, including Stedman Louis Rauch. The food was also amazing in Rome, including the pasta and lamb shank I had for Easter dinner. This definitely beats my usual Easter plans, which revolve around staying on Notre Dame's empty campus and eating at NDH.  

St. Ed: Well, it sounds like you’re winning now Avey! 

Avey: I’ll really be winning when I return to St. Ed’s and Notre Dame!

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE. 

... of his study abroad adventure!