Interview Concluding Freshman Year Experience
Holy Cross, a vibrant college community, has been a transformative experience for three freshmen: Ashley Stracco, Michael Kieyah, and Matt Hollatz. As the heads of the class of 2028, they have learned valuable lessons about finding balance, making connections, and embracing new opportunities.
Ashley Stracco, now more of an extrovert, has improved her leadership skills since arriving on campus. She credits her academic journey with teaching her that while academics are important, they aren't everything. Finding a balance is crucial, she says.
Michael Kieyah, on the other hand, has learned about himself and what he wants to accomplish through college. He advises first-year students not to be afraid to try new, unfamiliar things. This open-mindedness has helped him gain opportunities at Holy Cross.
Matt Hollatz has been involved in a wide variety of activities, from Choir and Theatre to Spud and SGA. He has learned the importance of individual discipline and self-control in college, as well as the Jesuit motto of being a man and woman for others.
The three freshmen have found that several key factors contribute to making a college campus feel like a community. These include a sense of belonging and emotional support, peer mentorship and early connections, orientation and shared experiences, social spaces and informal interactions, academic and identity-based meetups, and encouragement to explore and branch out.
These factors provide freshmen with emotional security, social connections, academic support, and a slower-paced space to acclimate, all of which contribute to a college campus feeling like a true community.
Friends have been a source of support for all three freshmen during their first year at Holy Cross. Ashley Stracco credits her friend Lizzie Swanson for providing support, while Michael Kieyah, Matt Hollatz, and the rest of the class of 2028 all mention friends as a source of support.
Through their interviews, they emphasized the importance of getting involved in campus clubs and activities. Emily Carbone '28, the Features Editor at Holy Cross, agrees. She encourages first-year students to put themselves out there and try new things to find their people.
As the heads of the class of 2028, Ashley Stracco served as the class president, Michael Kieyah as Vice-President, and Matt Hollatz as treasurer. They look forward to the next academic year and the opportunities it may bring. They encourage all first-year students to embrace the Holy Cross community and make the most of their college experience.
- Ashley Stracco's leadership skills have flourished in the community at Holy Cross, a transformation she attributes to the education-and-self-development she's received.
- Being open-minded and trying new things, as Michael Kieyah learned, can lead to personal-growth opportunities on the campus.
- Matt Hollatz, immersed in a diverse range of clubs and events, has discovered the significance of education, self-discipline, and alumni mentorship in achieving personal-growth.
- The vibrant campus community at Holy Cross, according to the freshmen, is built upon features such as peer mentorship, shared experiences, and a supportive environment that fosters learning and personal-growth.
- The class of 2028, led by Ashley Stracco, Michael Kieyah, and Matt Hollatz, is committed to embracing the features of the community and encourage fellow students to similarly immerse themselves in the club activities, events, and education opportunities for a richer college experience.
