Parents of Saint Mary's sophomores visited the College on Friday and Saturday as part of the annual Sophomore Parents Weekend.
Sophomore class vice president Courtney Weston said the class board teamed up with Student Affairs to coordinate the weekend's activities.
"Seeing that everyone enjoyed that time with their parents was a nice feeling," she said. "This weekend gave parents a chance to be with their children at their second home."
Weston said events such as information sessions about different majors helped parents better understand their daughters' lives at the College.
"We came up with events to try to help the parent and child bond," Weston said. "Sophomore Parents Weekend is a time for them to hang out with their children. The parents actually got to come here, see their kids' rooms, be with their friends and see where they go to class everyday."
Sophomore class board member Morgan Matthews also said parents were able to get a better idea of what their daughters do in their daily lives.
"All the parents got to know each other and to know their daughters' friends," Matthews said. "Parents weekend incorporates our normal lives. It's showing them what happens on campus on a day that's not move-in day."
According to Matthews, the weekend was scheduled at an opportune time of the semester.
"With fall break coming up, we need a little bit of home here to feel calmer about finishing up the rest of this quarter," she said.
Sophomore Fiona Van Antwerp, whose mother and father visited her from Dearborn, Michigan, said this weekend strengthened her relationship with her parents.
"Seeing my parents before fall break took my mind off the amount of schoolwork I have," Van Antwerp said. "It was uplifting because it gave me an outlet to just relax and enjoy my parents' company."
Van Antwerp said she appreciated the opportunity to thank her parents for their support over the years.
"It's not until you get to college that you can fully appreciate everything your parents have done for you," Van Antwerp said. "It reminded me how much my parents are constantly there for me and how much they will always back me up in life."
According to Weston, Sophomore Parents Weekend served as the perfect reminder of all that parents do to help their children succeed.
"It's always nice to recognize that parents make such sacrifices for us to attend this school," Weston said. "Parents help you not sink through all the stressful times."
