Hall Events
Howard offers many exciting annual events in addition to supporting other dorms' signature events and campus-wide tournaments and activities. With all the activity there's never a dull moment under the arches! Residents recall other fun events in the Howard Hall Rockne, a regular publication of many dorm events. Some of our successes have been captured in the ND-SMC newspaper, the Observer. Click around to learn more about all that awaits you as a Duck at Notre Dame!
Observer Stories
Marrow Registry
http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2008/04/11/News/Dorm-Holds.Successful.Marrow.Registry-3319626.shtml
Howard Halliday
http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/12/04/News/Nd.Smc.Students.Spread.Christmas.Spirit-3130690-page2.shtml
Interhall Football Playoffs http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/10/03/Sports/Womens.Interhall.Football.Howard.Edges.Chaos.Walsh.Defeats.Farley-3008034.shtml
Selected Rockne Stories
Taste from around the world: multicultural feast follows dorm Mass
Note: this is an annual and highly-anticipated Howard event. This write-up covers the 2007 event, but the meal occurred in 2008 and will occur again in 2009. Pack your favorite regional or international recipes!
Tantalizing aromas previously unknown to the Howard Hall kitchen came to be expected the weekend of April 1, when over fifteen industrious Howard residents volunteered to cook dishes of international or regional importance to them. Howard’s rich cultural diversity was captured in a smorgasbord of foods including jambalaya, dumplings, crab Rangoon, spaghetti, and desserts from around the world.
The feast immediately followed 5pm dorm Mass. The dinner was an excellent example of Howard Hall’s spirit of collaboration: residents including the multi-cultural commissioner shopped for all necessary ingredients, and many of the resident cooks spent hours perfecting their pastries or simmering their homemade sauces.
To encourage and enable participation, Howard footed the bill for this very special and personal hall dinner; cooks were also entered in a raffle, with freshman Hoai Xuan Phan winning a $50 iTunes certificate.
As high attendance was expected, Howard hosted the dinner inside the Coleman-Morse Center lounge. Guests included both Howard residents and hungry guests from around campus. We’re happy to experience Howard’s many cultures in such a delicious way each year and glad so many people got involved!
Social Howard hosts well-attended fall celebration
The change of seasons seemed to have gone unnoticed by many due to the abnormally warm weather. However, Howard Hall celebrated with Fall Fest, an evening of classic fall treats ranging from make-your-own carmel apple sundaes to cheese and crackers to pumpkin pie.
It was not only a chance to get some good free food, but a way for girls of all years to interact during the event. An overwhelming 65 girls showed up- the food was gone in less than 30 minutes! It was a great turnout and lots of fun, a good way for girls in the dorm to take and break and get to know one another.
Liturgical continues traditions of Sunday Sundaes, Monday night Mass
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” The Howard Liturgical committee once again offers Sunday Sundaes at the conclusion of each dorm Mass. The dessert break allows the Howard Ducks and their guests to experience Christian fellowship following 10pm Mass. We form bonds based upon our shared interests and responsibilities as students. We strengthen friendships and meet new people. We interact with hall staff outside of rounds and dorm memos.
The laughter and learning continues each Monday night, when a smaller group of about fifteen residents comes together to celebrate a thirty-minute Mass. Surprises are always in store with Father Pete McCormick, who Howard is pleased to host as presider each week.
A large group of 19 lectors and commentators serve Howard and the church at the dorm’s weekly Masses. Additionally, Howard residents and staff members serve as Eucharistic ministers and musicians. The instrumentalists and choir members make Mass enjoyable with upbeat music choices and enthusiastic participation.
Howard joins Carroll for Penn State barbeque, game watch
On September 8, the Ducks proved they were an adventurous group. It was this day when they strapped on their hiking books, gathered flashlights and compasses, and left the relative comfort of Howard Hall to visit brother-dorm Carroll across the lake.
Having arrived at Carroll after a long and arduous journey, the girls refueled with hamburgers and hot dogs graciously provided by the Carroll guys. Then, some of the girls even mustered the needed energy to play sand volleyball with their brother-dorm.
Let’s not forget the reason they came, however: to hopefully cheer the football team to its first victory.
Minutes before the Penn State game, Howard residents alternately marveled at Carroll’s spacious common area and wondered how in the world the guys would have TV reception by kick-off.
Finally, after passing cables through ceiling tiles (the flashlights came in handy), the guys got ESPN reception, and everyone settled in to watch the game. Cheers erupted and everyone was on their feet in the first quarter when Darrin Walls had a 73-yard interception return: the first touchdown of the season!
At halftime, the Irish were down by just one touchdown, and many of the Howard girls stuck around to enjoy ice cream and continue watching the game. A few remained to the bitter end. Despite the disappointing 31-10 loss, it was great to enjoy the game with Carroll Hall. Now time for the trip back home!
Service, Social Howard combine to express gratitude to soldiers
Social Howard and Howard Service paired up for a successful and innovative Halloween event: “Do Something Sweet So You Can Trick or Treat.” Throughout the evening of October 30, Howard ladies stopped by the common area to pen notes of appreciation for men and women in the military. In exchange they received trick-or-treating bags for use in the halls of Howard.
While it was great to hear laughter resonate as Ducks ran from door to door chiming “Trick or Treat!” the real value of this event lay in the 43 cards sent to solders in Iraq. Howard sent these thank-you cards and notes through anysoldier.com, an organization that allows people to send letters and packages to our service members in the Middle East who for whatever reason get little or no mail from people in the States.
According to the website, letters are the most highly requested item. Hopefully the cards and notes that we sent will be able to brighten someone’s day and boost morale.
Traditions new and old mark Howard Spirit Week and Hoedown
“Jungle Hoedown?” “Tarzan Goes West?” How exactly do you blend the traditional Howard Hoedown with a Jungle theme? And with Sorin’s “Jock Jams” to boot?
With an eclectic mix of all three, of course! With so many dances being held on October 5th, it seemed as though the ladies of Howard might be in quite the quack-mire. But by joining up with the Chicks of Lewis and the Otters of Sorin for their Fall 2007 SYR, the Ducks enjoyed one great night of music and dancing.
Held in the East Dining room of South Dining Hall, this year’s Hoedown was the culmination of a slew of activities in commemoration of Howard’s Spirit Week. With a movie watch, a barbecue feast from Famous Dave’s, and even a Bonfire on Holy Cross Hill, the week was a great chance for Ducks to “fly together” and celebrate their dorm community.
The presence of many a Howard girl at the dance definitely kept that spirit and community alive and capped off an awesome week. The girls of Howard took the seeming costume confusion and ran with whichever theme they fancied. Some chose jungle gear, while others donned their boots and 10 gallon hats as traditional cowgirls. The dance also featured an unconventional DJ whose mixes included the Backstreet Boys, Bon Jovi and the dance craze “Soulja Boy.” He even began to break dance in the dance’s final half hour. Seeing jocks, jungle dwellers, cowgirls, and even a DJ dancing to chart-topping hits and mixes was quite the sight. From freshmen to hall staff, each Duck had a wonderful evening at this year’s blended bash.
Academic commissioners, assistant rector plan forum discussion and dinner with men of Carroll
Tuesday, October 9th at 5:30 PM the ladies of Howard Hall gathered under the arches to make the (short) trek to Carroll Hall. The AR’s of Howard and Carroll coordinated an academic discussion aimed at further developing the issues and ideas presented and explored at Notre Dame’s 2007 Academic Forum.
This discussion was facilitated by an economics professor at Notre Dame, Ms. Abigail Wozniak. The discussion opened with the presentation of statistical data concerning illegal immigration. Based on this factual information, it is not surprising that many students expressed distress with the position presented by the mayor of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, Louis Barletta. The discussion ended with Professor Wozniak presenting her version of a comprehensive immigration plan which supplemented the ideas put forward at the forum.
In total, over forty-five students attended this academic conversational continuation of the forum. Food from Chipotle was also provided, making the discussion and company nothing less than excellent!
Interhall athletic team sets records, bonds in success
This football team has been the first of many things for Howard. It has brought a new dynamic to the athletic program, exciting the new young talented freshmen to join in and be active participants in dorm-athletic life.
The Howard football team returned home from break rejuvenated and renewed waiting to take on the tough opponent of Pasquerella West. The Ducks charged the field, but we’re down at the half by a touchdown. Despite brilliant play-making by quarterback Kayla Bishop and the offensive mind of coach Kyle Carter of O’Neill Hall, the Ducks just didn’t have enough. The final score was 13 to 12. The failure to convert on extra points cost the Ducks the game.
The positives that can be taken away from this season? A first time ever trip to the playoffs and all players and coaches will be returning again next year. And what better way to celebrate our success than with an end of the season team party coming up this weekend! Go DUCKS!
Howard Halliday boost Christmas spirit, raises hundreds for Camp Kesem
This year’s Howard Halliday underwent a much-needed makeover. With a fresh committee full of new ideas and freshmen enthusiasm, 2007 Halliday was better than ever. In addition to classic favorites such as hot cocoa, cookies, s’mores, and rockin’ Christmas tunes, this year’s Halliday also sported new hit features including a chocolate fondue fountain, pictures with Santa, and a serenade by ND’s own Glee Club.
As always, Halliday’s underlying theme was to spread the holiday cheer to those in need. This year, we decided to support a cause a little closer to home. All proceeds from Halliday t-shirt sales as well as cash donations at the event benefited Camp Kesem, a ND student-run summer camp for children whose families have been touched by cancer. We couldn’t have asked for a better night or our event. With snow falling and a prime location in the courtyard outside LaFortune, Halliday was the perfect mood-boosting study break for approximately 200 ND students, helping the event to raise over 800 dollars for Camp Kesem. It was a smashing success and a great time for all. We can’t thank our hard-working freshmen enough for putting a fresh face on Howard’s signature event!
Brother and sister dorm unite for meaningful Advent prayer service
Among the stress of approaching finals and the anticipation of Christmas in the air, students from Howard and Carroll took a time-out to reflect on the beauty and meaning of the Advent season. Fifty men and women from the two sibling dorms met in the Howard Chapel on December 10 to experience the candlelight service, entitled “Watch for the Light,” presented by their fellow dorm mates.
The service opened in darkness with readings, songs, and prayers on the coming of the light of Christ and was soon illuminated by the soft light of fifty handheld candles filling the worship space.
Readers supplemented scriptural passages with writings by 16th century English bishop Thomas Morton and the 7th century Venerable Bede on topics pertaining to the Advent Season. A combined Carroll-Howard worship choir led the group in advent songs based on prophetical psalms and the canticle of Mary. Seniors Milo Dodson and Bridget Ronan each contributed with their reflections on the feelings of anticipation and hope that they each experience and what Advent means to them. Slowly becoming more illuminated to symbolize the coming of Christ’s light, the service concluded with the prayers of the faithful and an uplifting and hopeful “Soon and Very Soon.” Participants gathered in Howard’s lounge afterward to share in cookies and hot chocolate and discussed making the very successful Howard-Carroll Advent Prayer Service an annual event.
Multicultural committee sponsors ten tickets to Black Images show and discussion
In order to show or support and commitment to our campus’ multicultural community, Howard Hall purchased a number of tickets to Black Images. The performance included dancing, poetry readings, short skits, singing and a number of other acts that focused on African American culture. Multiple dorm residents were also performing at the event, which made it a wonderful opportunity to also support a few of our Howard ducks.
After the show, the girls met up in LaFortune to discuss multicultural issues that were raised in the skits as well as those that are present here at Notre Dame. Multiple girls commented that they learned a lot about African-American issues and that they enjoyed the television sitcom theme, which gave a sense of continuity to the diverse performances.
Eighty residents share homemade crepes, French culture after Mass By Sarah Hunger, Class of 2008
Several Howard Seniors, eager to share a part of their study abroad experience with their fellow Ducks, teamed up to make French-style crepes from scratch. Served after Mass on November 18, these French specialties were made according to a traditional Parisian recipe, including such toppings as strawberries, bananas, nutella, and jam. Nearly 80 women attended this event, making it one of the most successful of the semester in both attendance and enthusiasm.
As one of the seniors that contributed to this event, I felt especially touched that such a large percentage of the Howard community showed interest in experiencing that which I discovered while in Paris last year. However impossible it may at times be to perfectly articulate the aspects of French life that, over the course of a year, evolved from foreign to familiar, I appreciate being given the opportunity to share pieces of that newfound awareness with my friends and fellow Ducks.
These types of cultural events help to shape the diverse community we strive to foster, and we look forward to sharing more of our Ducks’ experiences in the upcoming semester.
Academic committee sends packages abroad
Living in a foreign country where life is strikingly different from life in the United States cannot be easy. In order to ease any homesickness Howard’s ducks may have felt during their fall semester abroad, the academic committee for Howard Hall sent care packages to all the ducks not living in Howard.
Residence hall life is truly something special and missing out on it (even for an amazing semester abroad!) can be disappointing. Our care packages made up for any sadness the ducks may have felt from missing Notre Dame. The packages included an Observer, a Scholastic, note pads, stickers, a CD with current US hit music, and possibly most importantly, a card signed by the residents of Howard.
The packages were meant to show ducks who were studying abroad that they were greatly missed and that everyone in Howard was wishing them the best of luck in their studies and travels. Students who received the packages reported that the cards were heart-warming and especially appreciated. Bon voyage!
Howard hosts well-received photo contest
The hallways needed a personal touch, and Howard’s seniors stepped up to the plate in our first annual photo contest. Residents submitted favorite photos, many taken on campus or during semesters abroad. The wide variety of photos submitted reflects our unique and talented senior class.
Residents first saw the photos at the December 2 dorm dinner, at which they voted for their favorites. They now enjoy the photos on a daily basis, as ten of them were matted and framed and are prominently displayed throughout our dorm. What a wonderful way to capture our experiences at ND!
Ducks round out pep rally season with new mascots, special spirit day for Duke game
The final three pep rallies of the season once again featured the enthusiasm of many Howard Hall residents, including three separate duck mascots. Juniors Melissa Cameron and Katie Buza and sophomore Gina Camarata each took a turn leading the Ducks in lively cheers at the rallies. That’s right, Howard outfitted and trained a new duck mascot for each of the seven home games!
Especially exciting were the Air Force pep rally, which followed a ND Women’s Volleyball victory, and the Duke pep rally that Howard hosted. The Ducks were loud and proud from beginning to end of the Duke pep rally, and we believe that spirit propelled the Irish through Saturday’s game.
The entire Friday of the Duke pep rally was a celebration of Howard Hall. Residents spotted wearing a hall shirt on Friday got to choose one of many prizes including sequined headbands, pins, sunglasses, and candy. Additionally, each senior attendee received a small gift, their choice of duck socks or rubber ducks and a soap dish. To celebrate its special day Howard also sponsored an afternoon pizza party, and it was fantastic to see so many girls come decked out in their pep rally gear. Hall staff made the event especially spirited through their zany costumes including sparkly tights—looked great but felt itchy—tank tops and body paint. At least 60 boisterous ducks attended the final pep rally of the year. Their excitement (Gooooo Ducks!), adorable new duck umbrellas, and fun attire made the pep rally one to remember.
Howard Campus Ministry offers private basilica tour
This fall Howard had the wonderful opportunity for a private tour of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart given by the awesome Brett Perkins from Campus Ministry. In his tour Brett combined history, interesting facts about the Basilica and Catholic churches in general, and symbolism behind the beautiful artwork, thus making sure that there was something relevant and intriguing for every participant. Among the questions Brett answered for his lovely audience of over 20 residents:
What did they do with the old baptismal font when they got a new one? How did the Basilica designers decide which saints to put in which windows, and how can you tell them apart? How many pipes does the organ have and just how much is it insured for? How many relics does the Basilica hold? What about the tabernacle of gold and its intricate designs? Why should you never upset an artist who is painting a Basilica? Church? Chapel? Basilica? What does it all mean?
Sr. Katherine offers tasty meal
On February 3, as the wind howled down South Quad, dozens of ducks warmed up and ate to satisfaction inside Howard Hall’s pink lounge. Indeed, Howard residents took well to Rector Sr. Katherine’s first-ever chili dinner, which featured homemade spicy chili, as well as a cheese and cracker tray. Most of all, fellowship was plentiful and winter coats were unnecessary at this Monday night gathering.
The turnout was so great that the ducks gobbled the several batches of chili—complete with ten pounds of meat—in about one hour. Residents complemented Sr. Katherine’s idea to have the meal as well as the chili itself. A great choice for a February day in South Bend, IN!
Residents view diverse films at Browning Cinema
Ten Howard ducks were able to attend the university’s 19th annual Student Film Festival on Thursday, January 24th at the Browning Cinema in DPAC. The festival showcased fifteen short, student produced films that took us through a roller coaster of emotions.
Some, like “Pope Michael” were funny and made us laugh out loud. Others made us reflect on the recent events of the Jena Six. Still others made us anxious for our own “ring by spring” or a date with a famous Notre Dame athlete. The films portrayed the diversity of Notre Dame’s students in thoughts, opinions, and talents. It was a truly unique experience to see their hard work and dedication and to recognize their accomplishments.
Many of our own friends were involved in the production of these films and it was nice to show our support for their work. It was a culturally enriching experience that introduced many of us to the DPAC for the first time and hopefully inspired some of us to pursue our own studies in film.
Girls have fun crafting Valentines for friends, roommates
On February 11, the 2nd and 3rd Floors got together to celebrate the fact that Love was In the Air! They decorated Valentine's cards for each other—kindergarten style—complete with construction paper, Crayola markers, scissors, glue and decorative jewels.
There were snacks for all and, while a few watched the romantic comedy playing in the background, most of the girls spend the time chatting! Around 40 girls from both floors made their way to the Green Lounge between 8-10 pm and the results were beautiful! A favorite valentine featured a pop-up heart that bounced up when the card was opened! The night was a great chance for both floors to hang out together as well as embrace their inner child!
Ducks assist Special Olympians through Late Night Olympics
The JACC was hopping on January 26. It wasn’t a home basketball game but proved to be equally exciting. Nearly twenty Howard girls teamed up with brother dorms Carroll and Alumni for the evening. Their mission: to dominate in games ranging from volleyball and basketball to target golf and table tennis. Most importantly, the teams and spectators of Late Night Olympics came together to raise funds for Special Olympians.
While we couldn’t help to smile at the intensity of the obstacle course competitors or enjoy our teammates in broomball and bags, the most satisfaction came from knowing that our efforts on the court benefited some very skilled and dedicated athletes and their families. Play ball!