The Spire

Kate Santini ’27

Staff Writer

   Each first year student is required to take a year long seminar known as a Montserrat course. The over forty seminars that are offered as Montserrat courses are divided into six different clusters that cover broad topics: Contemporary Challenges, Core Human Questions, Divine, Global Society, Natural World, and Self. These Montserrat courses serve as a reflection of Holy Cross’ commitment to interdisciplinary education.

     On October 29, all members of the Global Society cluster were invited to attend a special event which took place in the Hogan Ballroom. This event was hosted by the HartBeat Ensemble, a professional theater group based in Hartford, Connecticut. Their mission is unique in the sense that they use theater to spotlight stories from everyday citizens of the Greater Hartford area. They also pride themselves on their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive theater community. 

     Inclusion was actually the primary topic of discussion at this event. Students were broken off into groups of 10-12 people and were prompted to tell stories about times in which they felt excluded, whether it be from a social circle, family members or sports teams. What made this discussion unique was that students were instructed to simply let their peers speak. No nodding or words of affirmation were permitted. While this rule may seem strange, most students agreed afterward that the silence from their peers made them feel as if they had been truly listened to. After students shared their personal stories, they were then able to comment on the other stories that resonated with them. Breathing exercises were also regularly encouraged during these discussions.

     Carly Costaregni ‘27 says, “The cluster event was very welcoming and inclusive. It allowed me to get to know some of my fellow classmates a little better.” 

     Maggie Baughman ‘27 adds that the group mediators were very “insightful” and that overall, the experience “helped me connect with peers.”

     Upon returning to the ballroom, students were encouraged to collaborate in designing the poster assigned to their table. This exercise was meant to help students creatively reflect on their conversations. Afterwards, everyone was able to walk around the room and peek at other group’s creations. 

     Students left in high spirits and felt comforted by the stories their peers had shared. As a whole, the event reaffirmed how difficult and frustrating it is to feel to be excluded in various social settings. This conversation was valuable and necessary as it reminded students of the importance of inclusivity.