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By far the splashiest event during the annual Saint Mary’s Weekend of Welcome is the Saturday pool party, when new students dive in—literally—to the games, activities, sun and fun that are part of the Saint Mary’s experience. As the SMC community welcomed new students to campus, it’s fair to say the pool party on Saturday, August 24 was a big hit: Over 250 students turned out to swim and dive, float and chill.

The pool party is for students just starting college and students who have just transferred to SMC. It’s an opportunity to get to know the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center and new classmates, and a chance to learn about Club Sports, special trips, and outings. And yes, you’ll likely get wet—which, after all, is the point.

The event is funded by the enhancement fee, which also supports concerts, cultural programs, wellness activities, and more for students. And the occasion gives new students the chance to learn about some of the plentiful amenities of campus life—starting with the offerings at the Rec Center itself: from a climbing wall to pickleball, fitness classes and a training room, spin classes and a hydrotherapy spa.   

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Jump In

A flotilla of pool floats took to the water for the afternoon bash, perfect for those intent on some serious lounging. Want something a little more active in the water? At the shallow end, a basketball hoop was installed for the day—drawing a crowd of enthusiastic players to jump in and join pick-up play.

Other games involved messy whipped cream faces, juicy watermelon eating, slippery watermelon wrestling—and, for the courageous, belly flop smacks from the diving board. It was a chance to be exuberant and silly with new friends and roommates. And a welcome to the community with a reminder that the SMC experience and sense of belonging is one that has joy and laughter in the mix. 

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Club Sports and Adventure Trips

Club Sports leaders were in attendance to introduce new students to the teams in 15 sports—women’s, men’s, and co-ed—that annually draw hundreds of Gael students to intercollegiate play. Campus Recreation shared information on how to sign up for adventure trips, fitness classes, and intramural sports. 

Antonella Avanto ’25, co-president of the Women’s Club Volleyball team, thoroughly enjoys this annual event as one of the things that makes Saint Mary’s special. It brings in lots of interest from all levels of players. “The pool party is a great event to share with students what Club Sports have to offer,” she says. Along with drawing together students for the love of the game, “meeting new people and making friends” is a big part of the experience. 

“The pool party is a great event to share with students what Club Sports have to offer…meeting new people and making friends.”

– Antonella Avanto ’25 

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Saint Mary’s President Roger Thompson stopped by to greet students. He began serving in that role in July—though incoming students received a welcome message by video from him even before that. And he has been enthusiastic about meeting new and returning students as the academic year begins. The turnout was terrific, he said. “The students were having fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching people try to jump and pop a balloon with a dart—the competition was fantastically fun!”

"The students were having fun and I thoroughly enjoyed watching people try to jump and pop a balloon with a dart—the competition was fantastically fun!"

–President Roger Thompson

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Judging from the smiles and raucous laughter, the pool party was a resounding success—and helped set a positive tone for the academic year ahead. As always, it’s a great event to energize students to dive right into the semester and to make the most of vibrant campus life. 

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