Saint Mary’s is hosting its annual Junior Mom’s Weekend in the coming days, providing an opportunity for junior Belles to bond with their mothers on campus.
Junior class co-representative Sarah Connaughton said the spring tradition is one students have looked forward to since freshman year.
“It was one of those weekends coming in to freshman year that I was already looking forward to,” she said.
Junior class co-representative Anna McCambridge said in an email that the weekend is not just for mothers, though.
“Junior Mom’s Weekend isn’t exclusive to mothers only, but open to all the special and influential women we may have in our lives,” she said.
McCambridge said the weekend events start Friday, with a reception for the moms and a karaoke event.
“The weekend will begin with a wine and cheese reception on Friday night, where then moms and daughters are invited to O’Rourke’s for a night of Karaoke and drinks,” she said.
Karaoke night is new to the weekend’s schedule, Connaughton said.
“We collaborated with O’Rourke’s, and they’re putting on a karaoke night, which should be exciting,” she said. “They’re letting the girls in until midnight, even if [they’re] under 21, too.”
In addition to a nature trail walk Saturday morning, McCambridge said, events planned for Saturday afternoon include a trunk show featuring products from local companies, and a Palm Sunday Mass offered at the Church of Loretto in the evening.
“We have included local vendors from the South Bend area to come and showcase their products,” she said. “We have a mix of boutiques, skin care, cosmetics, soap works and even [juices for sampling]. ... It’s Palm Sunday, too, so we had to make sure that the time counted for the moms between Saturday and Sunday.”
The weekend will conclude with a banquet and auction for the students and their moms, McCambridge said.
“The Hilton is hosting us on Saturday night, where we will share a meal with our moms, and even President Cervelli,” she said.
Connaughton said the baskets were brought in by moms and local companies to raise funds for senior week.
“This is a huge fundraiser for the junior class,” she said. “All the money that we raise will be put towards senior week for senior year.”
McCambridge said this event is important to the community because students get to introduce their families to the experience of being a Saint Mary’s student.
“Belles love this weekend because it is our chance to show off Saint Mary’s,” McCambridge said. “For many parents, they don’t always get to see what life is like as a Belle, and this is their chance.”
Connaughton said she is looking forward to experiencing the weekend with her mom, a College alumna.
“My mom went to Saint Mary’s, actually — she graduated in ‘87,” Connaughton said. “And I know this is one thing for her that she has been looking forward to also sharing with me, because she kind of pushed me to come to Saint Mary’s, but now she also gets to share in the weekend with me.”
