As another year comes to an end and the stress of finals week nears, Saint Mary's juniors will spend this weekend with someone they love.
A tradition since the early 1980s, the College's annual Junior Moms' Weekend is an opportunity for junior women to spend quality time with their mothers on campus and around South Bend.
The four members of the Junior Moms committee began planning the event last April and have stuffed the two days chock-full of activities.
On Friday night, the new Student Center will serve as the backdrop for a wine and cheese reception for which 335 people have signed up. The event will feature a silent auction with many items from local businesses to gift baskets made by the juniors and their moms.
Junior Mom's Weekend chair Angela Rizzo said she is thrilled to have the reception in the new facility.
"I was very excited that we had the option of having an event in the new Student Center," Rizzo said. "The room is beautifully equipped with new furniture and a fireplace. It's a great chance to show our moms the new Student Center."
A dinner reception will be held Saturday night at the Century Center in South Bend. At the reception, 350 guests will view a slide show of pictures submitted by juniors of themselves with their moms and friends.
"I think the slide show will be so fun to watch," junior Elizabeth Voss said. "I love looking at old pictures and guessing who is who."
An essay contest - entitled "Can you "Belle"ieve this is my mom?" - produced five finalists who will read their essays at the dinner.
All of the mothers will receive a book of the essays submitted. The mothers will also receive a disposable camera and refrigerator magnet picture frame as souvenirs from the weekend.
Other optional events for mothers and daughters include a Yoga/Pilates class, Student Center and Opus Hall tours, spa treatments, the on-campus production of "Cinderella" and "Mamma Mia" at the Morris Performing Arts Center.
"My mom and I are really looking forward to going to the spa together," junior Megan Martin said. "It's one of our favorite activities."
The weekend will close with a mass Sunday morning at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.
"Forever my mother, always my friend" will serve as the theme for the weekend. For many Saint Mary's students, this will be a chance to introduce their college friends to the friend they've had since birth.
"I'm excited for my mom to finally meet the friends I've made over the past few years and to just have a good time with everybody," junior Talia Matury-Vacaro said.
