Category: Features
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Mardi Gras
Eleanor Laville ‘28 Features Staff Writer Happy belated season of Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras, translated to “Fat Tuesday” in French, is a Lenten celebration that is notably celebrated in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and Venice. This year, Mardi Gras landed on February 17; however, the carnival season lasts for…
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I Went to Ukraine: Here’s What I Saw
Ashwin Prabaharan ‘26 Co-Editor-in-Chief From Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, I joined the Governor George Pataki Leadership Center in its first trip of the year to Ukraine. George Pataki served as Governor of New York from 1994 to 2006, and the Center works to supply Ukraine with material aid and…
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Holy Cross Cupid
***URGENT PSA!!!*** THE HOLY CROSS CUPID IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE HOLY CROSS MATCHMAKER SERVICE Dear Crusaders, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day full of heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, lovely dinner dates, and passionate odes of love. If you and your partner failed to make reservations on…
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The Heist of the Worcester Art Museum
Emily Carbone ‘28 Features Editor The Worcester Art Museum, frequently used for Art History classes, events, and an informative space to pass the time, is a pillar of the Holy Cross community. With over 38 thousand works, it’s a museum packed with artworks to explore, and a popular spot in…
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Professor Playlists: Matthew Eggemeier
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor Professor Name: Matthew Eggemeier Academic Department: Religious Studies Classes you teach: Political Theology; Liberation Theology; War, Prisons, and Immigration; Theology and Empire Preferred music platform: iTunes, Nugs (live music app), Relisten (live music app) What is your go to playlist? This is likely scandalous…
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President Rougeau Discusses SuarezAI, Fulbright, Easy Street, Olympics, and More
Ashwin Prabaharan ’26 and Will McHale ‘26 Co-Editors-in-Chief On Feb. 12, The Spire conducted our first interview of the semester with President Vincent Rougeau. The topics of conversation included the official release of SuarezAI for Holy Cross students, student success related to the Fulbright Program, plans for the Easy Street…
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Getting Ready for the CASA Fashion Show
Ella Woei ‘26 Staff Writer One of Holy Cross’ most highly-anticipated events will be making its return to Mechanics Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21. This year’s Caribbean African Student Assembly (CASA) fashion production, titled Roots and Divinity, combines elements of Caribbean and African spirituality to explore the story of African…
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Crusader of the Week: Ann O’Malley
Amelia Ciarleglio ’27 Features Editor Name: Ann O’Malley Class Year: 2026 Hometown: Milton, Mass. Major: Political Science and Spanish with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies Campus Activities: Her Campus, Spring Break Immersion Program, Hanify-Howland Committee, Pre-Law Society, Admissions Senior Fellow and Admission Tour Guide Favorite Movie: “La La…
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Peep My Crib: Lehy 3
Emily Carbone ‘28 Features Editor Quite a while ago, I wrote a feature on Lehy 3, RA Haley Labdon’s room. Perhaps it was the memory of that piece that inspired me to feature the room of Matt Hollatz, another Lehy 3 RA. Matt got lucky: he not only has a…
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Signature Of All Life: soal by Devika Sarin ‘08
Caroline Kramer ‘26 Staff Writer Over the past couple months, I have been supporting Devika Sarin ‘08 with the pre-launch of her app, soal, through the HC Network. The mission of soal is to create a new way of discovering and engaging with art from emerging artists around the globe.…
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What’s Happening in WPS?
Sophia Mariani ’26 Chief Copy Editor As a senior and an education minor, one of my favorite parts of my coursework has been the experiences I’ve had engaging in the Worcester Public Schools. A majority of my classes have had Community-Based Learning (CBL) components, which typically involve being immersed in…
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Peep My Pets 3
Tucker Scott ’26 Staff Writer Pet(s) Names: Wilson Pet(s) Age: 5 Pet(s) Breed: Golden Retriever How did you first get your pet? After my family’s childhood dog, Fenway, passed away we started talking about getting a new puppy during COVID (as many did during COVID). One day we went to…
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Crusader of the Week: Marie Meisner ’26
Viveca Stucke ’26 Chief Features Editor Name: Marie Meisner Class Year: 2026 Hometown: Holliston, MA Major: English Major, Creative Writing Concentration, Education Minor Campus Activities: Spring Break Immersion Program Co-Chair, SPUD Program Director, Ignite Retreat Leader, Liturgical Coordinator, Campus Tour Guide, The Purple Senior Editor Favorite Movie: “Mamma Mia!” Favorite…
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It’s Winter…What You Can Do in Worcester
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor As we settle fully into the winter season, campus enters what I like to think of as its period of hibernation. Reflecting on my four years at Holy Cross, the winter months occupy a uniquely quiet space in the academic calendar – a time…
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Sexual Respect Awareness Week
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor Each year, typically during the week of Valentine’s Day, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosts Sexual Respect Week in collaboration with the Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity. This initiative is led in partnership with the SGA Director of Sexual Respect and Awareness…
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Things to Do During Your Last Semester
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor As I approach my final semester at Holy Cross, I felt compelled to put together a bucket list for these last months on the Hill. With 115 days left at time of writing this (not that anyone is counting), it felt only right to…
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Interview with Athletics: Kit Hughes
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor 1. What are some of the primary goals that Athletics is focusing on this semester and academic year? This should be an action-packed semester for Crusader Athletics. We are excited for our nationally broadcast (CBS Sports) basketball doubleheader against BU on Feb. 2, as…
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Cross My Heart
Holy Cross Cupid Holy Cross Love Advice Column Question: What are the Holy Cross Cupid’s views on AI relationships? Is my relationship with my AI girlfriend (her name is Claudette) real and valid, or does it not count as love? 😔 Answer: Dear Mr. Claudette, Finding someone you are compatible…
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Crusader of the Week: Bryce Maloney ‘26
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor Name: Bryce Maloney Class Year: 2026 Hometown: Worcester, MA Major: International Studies, Russian Studies Campus Activities: The Spire, BJF, SPUD Favorite Movie: “The Godfather” Favorite Song: “Shangri-La” by the Kinks Favorite color: Blue Favorite sports team: Celtics Favorite class taken at Holy Cross: Politics…
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Interview with Public Safety: Shawn De Jong, Chief of Police
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor Throughout their four years at Holy Cross, there is one that students undoubtedly interact with: Public Safety. Whether through getting new key cards, obtaining a parking pass, the displeasure of a parking ticket, or through an emergency, students are sure to have some level…
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Reflecting on the Spire’s Fall Semester
Ashwin Prabaharan ’26 Co-Editor-in-Chief It has been an honor to lead the Spire and its fantastic staff for the last several months along with my better half, co-Editor-in-Chief Will McHale. I’ve grown not only as a leader, but I believe as a writer and a colleague to all with whom…
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Letter from the Editor: End of Semester Reflection
Will McHale ‘26 Editor-in-Chief With our final Spire issue of the Fall ‘25 semester, I wanted to offer some reflections on the great work that our members have done throughout the semester and express how much I am looking forward to another great set of Spire issues in the spring.…
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Introducing the Beaven Bulwark: Holy Cross’ New Social Justice Publication
Ian Sykes ‘28 Opinions Editor Hello my dear Spire readers! It is I, your favorite liberal agitator Ian Sykes, and I would like to present to our campus community a new publication named the Beaven Bulwark. Named after its namesake building, Beaven Hall, home of the sociology and anthropology departments…
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Crusader of the Week: Vedanth Natarajan ‘27
Emily Carbone ‘28 Features Editor Name: Vedanth Natarajan Class Year: 2027 Hometown: Farmington, CT Major: Chemistry Campus Activities: HC Pre-Dental Society (Co-Chair), HC Orchestra (Violist), Farrell Research Lab Favorite Movie: The Prestige Favorite Song: Let it Happen – Tame Impala Favorite color: Cobalt blue Favorite sports team: Ferrari (Formula 1)…
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Cross My Heart Week 4
Holy Cross Cupid Question: Over Thanksgiving Break, I naturally reconnected with an old fling from my high school and we ended up hooking up. I’m starting to like him a lot, but there are some red flags and I’m not sure what he’s looking for. I feel like it’s a…
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Interview with Rachelle Beaudoin: New AI Art Course
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor 1. What is the description of your AI Art course? In this studio-based course, we will take a hands-on approach exploring how AI is reshaping art and image making. Working with traditional media alongside AI tools, we will create work that centers human creativity,…
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Office of Advancement Interview with Ben Lepper ‘25
Viveca Stucke ‘26 Chief Features Editor 1. What is the primary purpose of the Office of Advancement? The Office of Advancement is dedicated to inspiring and deepening the continued engagement with the College. Our goal is both to connect our alumni and friends to benefits, services and one another, and…
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President Rougeau Discusses AI Concerns, Economic Impact Report, WooFridges Initiative, and More
Ashwin Prabaharan ’26 & Will McHale ’26 Co-Editors-in-Chief On November 14th, The Spire spoke with President Vincent Rougeau for our second conversation of the academic year. The topics of our interview included growing concerns about the implications of AI among students and families, details of the Holy Cross Economic Impact…
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Crusader of the Week: Evan Garcia ‘26
Emily Carbone ‘28 Features Editor Name: Evan Garcia Class Year: 2026 Hometown: Dartmouth, MA Major: Political Science and Religious Studies Double Major, with a Peace and Conflict Studies Concentration. Campus Activities: Student Government Association, Spring Break Immersion Program, Pax Christi, Green Fund, Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee, Alpha Sigma Nu, Religious…
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The Institutional Review of AI Task Force at HC
Emily Carbone ‘28 Features Editor Artificial intelligence is becoming a tool used on the daily by millions. I doubt any reader of this article can say they’ve never touched it. Maybe you’ve used it to put together a grocery list, get advice, or generate a worksheet for an upcoming quiz.…