Avoid the Shock of Being Underprepared: Stay Prepared with Zeus
In the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts, the College of the Holy Cross, a prestigious liberal arts institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, has become the stage for an unexpected blend of ancient mythology and modern-day student life.
Piper Guiney '28, a senior classics major at the college, woke up to an unusual surprise - her water line had been replaced with olive oil. The voice that claimed responsibility for this peculiar prank was none other than Zeus, the god of the sky, who admonished Piper for using ChatGPT to write her last essay for Greek history class.
The voice instructed Piper to go to Fitton Field to face her punishment, where she encountered a 12-foot-tall boulder. However, Piper refused to push the boulder, citing her recently done hair and lack of understanding of the reference. The voice, undeterred, repeated its command, referencing the myth of Sisyphus - a figure from Greek mythology known for his defiance and cleverness against the gods, who was cursed to eternally roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top.
Despite this unusual encounter, Piper is expected to attend a family Thanksgiving gathering and the much-anticipated Catalina Wine Mixer at Holy Cross. The Catalina Wine Mixer, a dapper party tradition at the college, sees students dressing up to meet, hold hands, and sing. Piper is also expected to attend this event this Saturday.
It's worth noting that the events surrounding Zeus and the olive oil water line, Piper's encounter with Sisyphus's myth, and the Catalina Wine Mixer are separate from each other. While Sisyphus's story could symbolise the struggle against seemingly insurmountable obstacles and the importance of attitude in the face of adversity, it remains unclear how directly it relates to Piper's story.
As Thanksgiving break approaches, causing excitement among students at Holy Cross, it seems that Piper's unusual week has only served to add an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming festivities. It remains to be seen whether Piper will take up the challenge to push the boulder or if she'll continue to focus on her studies and family gatherings.
- Amidst the preparations for the Catalina Wine Mixer, a popular event on campus known for entertainment, social-media posts, and elements of pop-culture, Piper '28, a senior classics major, is caught between ancient mythology and her modern life.
- Despite the unusual encounter with Zeus and the reference to Sisyphus's myth, Piper is expected to engage in campus arts events, such as attending family gatherings and participating in student social activities on campus.
- Piper's unusual week, filled with the blend of ancient mythology and modern-day student life at the College of the Holy Cross, will surely create lively discussions on arts, pop-culture, and student experiences shared on social media during Thanksgiving break.
