As the weather gets warmer, even when it is only around 50 degrees, the Hoval becomes a sanctuary for Holy Cross students. Students take advantage of the lawn chairs, benches, and outdoor seating to soak up the sunlight, eat lunch, or chat with friends instead of doing homework. Others can be seen tossing a football, playing a quick game of spikeball, or most recently, playing a game of hacky sack. Holy Cross also creates a fun atmosphere as the weather improves by featuring unique pop-up food stands and food trucks. Recently, Ben & Jerry’s came to campus in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, and students have also enjoyed The Dogfather’s hot dogs and brick oven pizza. On Tuesday, April 21, I was especially excited to see a boba drink pop-up.
For $6.50 of my own dining dollars, which I still have plenty of, I was able to enjoy a refreshing beverage. The flavors included pomegranate blueberry, peaches and cream, s’mores, and mango strawberry. I chose pomegranate blueberry, which came with bursting boba, my favorite kind. It was served in a large cup, had a deep blue color, and was delicious. The drink was both sweet and tart, with a citrusy flavor that made it a great pick-me-up. It felt like a fun treat and something different from what we usually experience on campus.
Overall, I think it is great that Holy Cross uses the Hoval as a space for community. There are always different clubs hosting tables, fire pits at night, performances on stage, and food events that bring people together. The warm weather truly makes a difference and campus always feels a little more alive.