By Allie Napoli
Staff Writer
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend at St. Bonaventure.
With St. Paddy’s Day approaching, it is evident that decorations, festive outfits and green drinks are favored topics of discussion. There is no way to ignore the excitement and anticipation that comes along with St. Patrick’s Day weekend, not to mention the student traditions that go along with it.
Freshman sociology major Jessica Gallicchio feels up-to-date on all the Irish traditions for St. Patrick’s Day based on her high school experience.
“In my high school, if you didn’t wear green people pinched you,” Gallicchio said. “I’m excited to start new St. Patrick’s Day memories at St. Bonaventure.”
For senior marketing major Jonathan Garbin, St. Patrick’s Day weekend on campus is a form of school bonding.
“It’s getting warmer outside, and it’s a good way to celebrate the beginning of spring and hang out and meet new people,” Garbin said. “Everyone is outside with their friends, playing Kan-Jam and running around being crazy.”
Crazy seemed to be how most Bona students describe St. Patrick’s Day weekend on campus. Jessica Misiaszek, a graduate student in the integrated marketing communications program, remembered the eccentric outfits she has seen in previous years at St. Bonaventure.
“Obviously everything is green — even the bars serve green beer,” Misiaszek said. “But people wear insane stuff. Huge hats, tutus and knee socks are a normal sight on St. Patrick’s Day at (St. Bonaventure). It’s a lot of fun.”
Bill Dubiel, a graduate student in the integrated marketing communications program, said Bona’s certainly knows how to celebrate on the 17th.
“St. Patrick’s Day is definitely unique,” he said. “It’s not like anything else. Halloween is nothing compared to St. Patrick’s Day.”
Dubiel said it is inevitable to see students out and about on the greenest holiday of the year.
St. Patrick’s Day is Jess Ireland’s favorite holiday for many reasons, and rightfully so. Just read her name. The freshman strategic communication major said she knows all about the responsibilities of being Irish and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
“Since my last name is Ireland, I feel obligated to go crazy for St. Patrick’s Day,” she said. “I always go to New York City to see the parade with my friends. It’s awesome! We all get decked out in green and run around all day. I’m sad to not be going this year, but I’m really looking forward to my first St. Patrick’s Day weekend at St. Bonaventure.”
The cold weather will not stop any student from finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow this year. The next two days will without a doubt be filled with gold coins, four leaf clovers and a lot of green beer. According to Dubiel, “It doesn’t even matter if you’re Irish or not.”
Everyone’s Irish for a night on March 17th.
