By Erin Brody, Arts and Culture Editor
Traditions are a huge part of Saint Vincent College, but sadly, some had to be put on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. One tradition that’s making a comeback is Orientation’s Mystery Trip.
Gabby Bricker, a senior psychology major and Orientation Leader, helped organize this semester’s Mystery Trip, and she said, “It’s something that really only seniors have knowledge of [...] I was talking to some of my friends, and they all remember touring and [the Mystery Trip] being really hyped up.”
At the time this article was written, the trip’s destination was still unknown to students. All students were told that they would have to leave at 2 a.m. on Dec. 2 and arrive back on campus in the late evening for a registration fee of originally $250. As time wore on, Orientation lowered the price to $150 and has registered a total of 34 people.
In years past, Bricker recalls more people registering, and she even remembers people camping outside of the Campus Life Office to register their place for the trip. Tickets would end up selling out within an hour, but since the last trip was in the fall of 2019, most students are unaware of what the Mystery Trip entails, resulting in low attendance.
“There were a lot of things that contradicted this trip this semester,” said Bricker. “There was the Advent Retreat, but a lot of momentum deflated since it’s been so long since we’ve had one.”
Many students voiced how money was an issue, mainly because they considered the cost to be so high. Bricker, however, pointed out that, considering this year’s location, the price “is not even a quarter of it.”
The trip did, however, create a lot of buzz on campus whether students signed up or talked about what the trip entailed. Some admitted to be confused, thinking that perhaps it would be a day trip to Pittsburgh.
Despite the senior class being the only one to experience the trip before, not every senior was able to. Josie Rodell, a senior history major and president of the student-run musical theater club The Company, is going on the Mystery Trip for her first time but did not plan to do so until Orientation reached out to her, convincing her to take a well-deserved break.
“I was personally reached out to, saying that after all of the hard work I put into The Company’s production of Grease, it would be worth it to go and enjoy myself,” said Rodell. When asked what she’s most looking forward to about the trip, Rodell said, “Being away for a weekend, and I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend where I can just let loose and have fun.”
Rodell’s thoughts are shared by many students, even ones who were not able to go this semester. Although the next Mystery Trip hosted by Orientation will be for next year’s freshman class, there is a possibility that Activities Programming Board will host one for the whole school in the spring of 2023.
“Everything has to start somewhere,” said Bricker. “Even if we are rebuilding, I think it’s important that we do it now.”
Stay tuned for an update on The Review’s website to see photos taken by our reporters who went on the trip! Read more articles at https://www.stvincentreview.com/.
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