August 2024
This month we had our writers to select and write about
a little know 'National Day' of August
National Park Service Founders Day
Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027
This prompt gave me a lot to think about. This prompt challenged me to do something I first thought was simple until I began writing. That is, to explain to you the importance of our National Parks.
August 25th is National Park Service Founders Day. Wow, that’s a mouthful. On this day in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed what is now called the Organic Act, establishing the National Park Service. As part of the Department of Interior, the National Park Service protects 400 areas in 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, totaling 84 million acres.
Many of us are not as eager as we should be when visiting national parks, but most of that comes from a lack of knowledge regarding national parks. There are many national parks in our area that I encourage everyone to visit. Some of those parks are Antietam Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain, Harper’s Ferry, Fort McHenry, the Chesapeake Bay, Flight 93, Valley Forge, and Gettysburg. Not only does visiting national parks give us more knowledge about our nation’s history, but we can also appreciate the soft beauties within our nation.
Unpopular opinion, I would rather visit a national park than a beach any day. That said, I’ve visited so many beaches in my life that I am probably just burnt out on them. It’s the same routine each time. Set up chairs, put sunscreen on, and sit uncomfortably in your falling-apart chair until an appropriate amount of time has passed before you can leave and call it a "beach day". No, thank you. Every national park is different and has so many activities to offer. From sightseeing to tours, museums, hiking, swimming, and kayaking, there is always something new to try and to see. Who wouldn’t be excited about that? The beach was always my mom’s thing, however, camping and exploring was always my dad’s thing. Safe to say my preferences mirror that of my father’s when it comes to things to do.
That said, what do I love most about national parks? Reflecting on this loaded question, it comes down to the memories I have with my dad. Ever since I was little, my dad would take me camping, and show me all kinds of things my mom would never have done. Not because she didn’t want to, but simply because it wasn’t her thing. Dad and I used to, and still do, visit Gettysburg every chance we got. Whether it’s just to have lunch or walk the battlefield, our passion for knowledge and history drives us to learn more and continue visiting our national parks.
Last summer, I remember going to Gettysburg with my dad to do a bus tour (yet again) and visit some museums. That was easily one of the best days I had that summer. We left bright and early in the morning and didn’t leave until close to dinner time. I not only learned so much about something I was passionate about, but I got to geek and nerd out with my dad and my aunt without feeling foolish for doing so. We toured the battlefield, visited museums, had lunch, and visited a bunch of shops, one of which I bought a really nice sweatshirt in. The most amazing part of that day was driving home and realizing how close I was to Gettysburg. I remember thinking to myself, "I could do this all again".
Later that same summer, I moved into college early as part of a bridge program where we all visited Harper’s Ferry. I’ve never taken so many pictures in my life, and I don’t believe my dad received so many text messages in his life. Sorry, dad.
To this day I keep trying to get my dad to go to Harper’s Ferry with me. I absolutely loved learning everything about Harper’s Ferry and, contrary to most, I loved writing the essay we had to write on John Brown from all the information we learned at Harper’s Ferry. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to write an essay, and everyone I talked to knew that.
My third National Park story takes place in the Shenandoah Valley when my family and I visited the Luray Caverns. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about it since we’d be going underground in a very fragile area. However, once we got down far enough, I was able to appreciate the pure and utter beauty of the caverns. It’s amazing to think that something so astounding actually exists; looking up at the sparkling rock crystals wondering how on earth they don’t fall to the ground. Truly amazing.
I believe that National Park Service Founders Day should be celebrated a little more, and definitely deserves more recognition. The memories that are made within parks all over the country are worth so much to families. Not to mention the lasting impact your visit will have on each member of your family.
The conservation of our National Parks should be advertised so much more than it is. In the past several visits I’ve made to Gettysburg, I was very happy to see how crowded the parking lots were at the visitor's center and around the battlefield. The idea that people are interested in learning about our nation’s history excites me, and I want nothing more than to be a part of it.
This prompt gave me the opportunity to express to you the importance of our national parks and their conservation, as well as my passion for them. I hope that on August 25th you might visit one of our amazing national parks and participate in the fun activities each of them has to offer. I promise they are so much more exciting than they appear. I hope my article will impact you enough to at least check them out. Happy National Park Service Founders Day.
Read other articles by Gracie Smith
National Book Lovers Day
Devin Owen
MSMU Class of 2026
There are typically 365 days in a year—aside from leap years of course. This means that there are hundreds and hundreds of National days in a year to celebrate! If you happened to read my article last August, you would have read about National Sister Day, which takes place on August 4th each year. As someone with multiple sisters, it is a day I hold close to my heart. However, there is another day in August that I find to be worth celebrating as well: National Book Lovers Day on August 9th!
Now, not to say that it is obvious that I would be a fan of such a day but, in all fairness, I am an English major and a writer so books are basically a lifeline for me. I find that books are crucial to our existence though, they just hold so much knowledge! The best part about books is that they don’t just carry knowledge, but rather that they open a door to totally new worlds for the readers. There is romance, action, horror, fantasy, history, and so much more. Each genre is a new and different world for the reader to explore.
Since the day is centered on book lovers and not just books in general, I want to focus on book lovers personally! I asked friends, family, and peers to tell me about their favorite books and why they mean so much to each person! The answers that I received from each person allows you to open your mind to different books and genres. There were so many books and authors that I hadn’t known of that I can now look into. After reading this article, maybe my fellow book lovers can add a few new options to their reading lists!
The first person I interviewed was my boyfriend Ayden, who is like me and enjoys reading a good book in his down time. Ayden’s favorite book is "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. The novel follows the ‘misadventures’ of a young teenage boy named Arnold Spirit Jr.—who typically goes by just ‘Junior’—as he makes the decision to leave the Spokane Indian Reservation. Ayden read this book while he was still in high school as well and found it to be helpful in adjusting to the changes brought with being a teenager. This is one of his favorite books because it was super easy for him to relate to and connect with. Finding novels that have characters which remind you of yourself is always a comforting experience because there may be aspects of the book where you and this character could relate due to being in a bad place, but the character emphasizes that there is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel and that
the problems can be solved. Ayden said he would recommend this novel to "any high schooler who is struggling. It’s a great book about a kid who finds himself in all the sticky situations but figured out how to solve his problems to the best of his abilities. It’s also really cool to see how life on a reservation differs from life off of a reservation and the cultural differences that are emphasized."
My second interview is going to be much more familiar to my readers of the Emmitsburg News Journal as it is from our recent Graduate writer Claire Doll! Claire has two books that she finds to be incredibly noteworthy: "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and "Writers and Lovers" by Lily King. These novels both "fall generally into the genre of women’s fiction and portrays the struggles of women becoming someone in the world while faced with internal and external pressures," which is exactly what makes Claire like them as much as she does. Claire made sure to emphasize Sylvia Plath’s "The Bell Jar" specifically as a great novel to read as Sylvia Plath is one of her icons and she finds her to be such a lovely writer, which I cannot help but to agree with! Claire stated that both of these novels "have to do with the protagonists as writer while they also face challenges with mental health and societal status!" With all of that in mind I personally
can’t wait to dive into these novels! "I used to like romance novels, but I’ve fallen in love with women’s fiction as a whole as a 22-year-old college grad just trying to figure things out." Personally, I relate with Claire on this because as a 20-year-old woman, it’s hard to figure out where I fit in the world and what my purpose will be. The entire genre of women’s fiction again is a form of comfort because it is so relatable.
Finally, I would like to tell you about one of my own favorite novels. This is the first book I can think of when someone asks me for a book recommendation because it is just absolutely riveting! "Where The Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens is—in my opinion—a work of art. Ironically, I hated it at first but after pushing through the first few chapters, I couldn’t put it down. This novel became my pool and beach read for the summer, and even after finishing it I take it with me for travel to reread. The book is a mix of jumping from the past to the present in attempts to solve a suspected murder, so it embraces the theme of a coming-of-age narrative whilst also being a haunting and thrilling mystery novel. I loved this novel so much because it kept me on my toes, I didn’t want to put it down because you never knew what would happen next. The whole book takes you by surprise, with every twist and turn that comes in each chapter. The story is
incredibly chaotic all of the way through, yet towards the end it becomes more peaceful, which is a nice change of pace. I think this is a novel so good that everyone should read it! Hopefully this will give you the opportunity to expand your reading lists this year and embrace being a book lover! Be sure to celebrate your love for books on August 9th this year!
Read other articles by Devin Owen
National Respect for Parents Day
Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025
When I was little I quickly noticed that the best feeling in the world was knowing my father carried me to bed when I fell asleep in the car or on the couch. As I got a little older, and the end of a movie would approach, I would either force myself asleep or pretend I was, so that he would have to carry me. The older I got however, I started noticing that he would wake me gently so I could walk myself to my bed. This was a rude awakening as I realized I was too big to be carried. Sometimes I would just stay asleep on the couch so I wouldn't have to feel the difference between being carried to bed and walking myself. I know that I will be chasing that feeling for the rest of my life.
The feeling of safety, warmth, love, and lightness. Not only was I able to feel light because my father is the strongest person I've ever met (physically and mentally), but because I never needed to be weighed down by fear or despair. My father was there. To carry me, to protect me, to love me. I grew up with many brothers, but my dad never let me be alone. He showed me that playing in the mud was fun, jumping into the pool wasn’t scary, and he lifted me up and ran when I was too little to play baseball in the backyard so that I could be a winner. My dad showed me how to appreciate nature, how to have a sense of adventure, and how to have reverence for the Lord. He gave me his artistic ability.
My dad is so talented, even his doodles are impressive. He also created a complex, amazing, summer long treasure hunt that had us reading coordinates, running all over town, finding hidden messages, solving puzzles, even canoeing down a river, to get to the treasure. He made challenges that played to each of my sibling’s and I’s strengths, and made it inclusive for every age from 20 to 4. He has such a great imagination. He has given me so many wonderful memories. He has instilled in me his sense of humor, his taste in music, and so much more. Because of him, I am both goofy and contemplative.
My Dad has shown me the kind of man I am worthy of, the kind of man who is strong and makes sacrifices, who provides and protects, who is the head of the household, but also isn’t afraid to randomly start dancing in the living room, venture into the woods, or tell a hilarious joke. He is the first man I’ve ever loved and the first man who ever loved me. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him. I love making him laugh and making him proud.
My mother is a saint. She gives more, and puts more goodness out into the world than anyone I’ve ever met. She is the epitome of true beauty and grace. My mom has brought eight children into this world, and has raised each one with abundant love and faith. Not only does she nurture us, teach us, heal us, provide for us, and make a home for us, but she teaches full-time, drives us everywhere, prays for us every day, maintains friendships, volunteers, devotes time to children with special needs, and so much more.
The list of my mother’s capabilities is endless. She does so much that she has to reheat a cup of tea 4 times before drinking it hours later, because she doesn’t have the time to sit and drink it the first time she makes it. My mother has tremendous faith and compassion. She has been through a lot and yet her faith and reliability has never faltered. When I was young I used to think about how she made motherhood look so easy.
She could balance everything perfectly, and make even the most mundane things into something exciting. When she had to take all of us with her to the grocery store, she made it into a scavenger hunt for us. She would also pull out all the stops to make our childhood amazing. When my little siblings couldn’t do the "Heights Olympics", which was a thing our elementary school did before summer, because of Covid, she organized it right in our backyard. She would make us fun themed breakfasts like snowman pancakes or green eggs and ham, she would show us fun crafts, she would host fun parties, and she would sing us songs when we were babies.
One of my favorite things my mom has done is make scrapbooks. She put so much effort into these beautiful handmade books full of photos from our childhood and you can see just how much she loves us and how motherly she is. I will always cherish those scrapbooks.
Now that I am older, I love having conversations with my mom, planning trips, supporting her like she has always supported me, and laughing with her. My mother has become my friend and it makes me so happy.
August 1st is National Respect for Parents Day. Take a moment to thank your parents for everything they’ve done for you. They have poured their heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, their everything into you so that you can have a wonderful life. It may be hard to see it sometimes but you are cherished by them. And if you are a parent, thank you for doing your best. You’ve taken on a tremendous responsibility and you are doing great. Your child is the most precious thing you’ll ever have, and you are the most important part of their life. You are the key to their success. Thank you for looking out for them. It may be hard to see it sometimes, but we are grateful.
Read other articles by Dolores Hans
Global Sleep Under the Stars Night
Claire Doll
MSMU
Class of 2024
I grew up ten minutes from Baltimore City. My whole life I have looked into the night sky to see just bits and pieces of stars: scattered, twinkling pinpricks of light, floating in the almost-black sky. I say "almost black" because the night sky was never completely dark where I lived. I later learned that this was a result of light pollution, which casts a tinge of unwanted light into the night sky, painting it a grayish black. Skyglow. Growing up, I never saw the full, black night sky.
But until I moved to a more rural home, or until I began college at the Mount, I thought this was normal. I thought that stars were minimal in their appearance, and the sky at night would never be the inky black that we were told it’d be, and I should be thankful to live near a city. I fell asleep to the hum of the highway at night, car engines and tires against pavement and the symphony of vehicles that would crescendo into dawn. I fell asleep to real, human, alive noise. We checked local traffic by looking into the backyard window, and at night we counted few stars.
This is not to say I am not thankful for my childhood spent under a tainted night sky. My fondest memories include midnight swims where the pool water glowed electric, and mornings at the Baltimore farmers market (with the most delicious fried oyster mushrooms), and sunsets that melted into faraway city skyscrapers.
So, why Global Sleep Under the Stars Night? After all, I’ve never even camped until I was 19, and the thought of more than fifteen scattered stars in the night sky seemed unthinkable, almost fiction.
When I moved to northern Carroll County after my high school graduation, and then to Mount St. Mary’s in August 2020, I realized the importance of space—not even outer space, but real, physical space surrounding me. Or, in better terms, the emptiness encircling me. Landscapes and corn fields and mountains. And deep into the night, when all traces of light vanished, there they were: stars. Lots of them. Constellations, even, trailing across the sky like baby’s breath dotting grass. Stars linking and connecting and sparkling—definitely more than fifteen of them—pressed against the black sky.
In college I would grow to be more outdoorsy—from camping trips in Shenandoah backcountry and Assateague Island to midnight drives in Emmitsburg and beyond—I learned just how breathtaking the dark can be.
True darkness is when there is no difference between closing your eyes and opening them. My mind goes to the ultimate form of darkness before the earth as we know it was created: "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Can you imagine—no stars, no moon or sun? Total and complete darkness, everywhere and nowhere, in your waking and sleeping and dreaming states?
While chilling, true darkness can also be beautiful. A Forbes article titled "The Death of Night" focuses on the downfall of light pollution and the irreversible effects. "Light pollution and its trademark ‘skyglow’ is getting worse. Much worse. It’s getting so serious that stars, beautiful open clusters and even distant galaxies in the night sky there were visible just a decade ago are now impossible to see," writes author Jamie Carter.
This isn’t talked about enough. Sources of overlighting—streetlights, floodlights, factory lights, and even indoor lights—all contribute to light pollution. In fact, cities are easily viewable from the International Space Station at night, revealing even from outer space that humans are present.
Do we really need to be that known to the universe?
Remote regions such as Siberia, the Sahara, and the Amazon are blanketed in total darkness, while the night skies in countries like Singapore, Qatar, and Kuwait are soaked in artificial light. In America we are somewhere in between, depending on location. In Emmitsburg I fondly recall stargazing at night, finding galaxies in the dark night sky, as if I had grown up picking out stars all along.
August 8th is Global Sleep Under the Stars Night. I’m not suggesting you pitch a tent in the backyard or book a camping trip in the middle of nowhere. Rather, I urge you to stay up late that night—take a walk or sit on the porch—and look up. Go on a drive and find constellations, trace them with your finger, park and turn your headlights off. Gaze until the darkness grows normal, until the difference between closing your eyes and opening them are sparkling pinpricks of light against outer space. Do you understand that there are galaxies and other worlds out there, millions of stars and planets? That the universe is far too incomprehensible, but rather something to be marveled? And have you ever recalled something more beautiful?
I chose this day—or night—because I never got to sleep under the stars when I was younger. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything, and I mean it, but my discovery and fascination of stars has truly shaped me as a person. I have grown to not only love the sky but also cherish it. I desire to preserve the sky for my children, for future generations who are already at risk for a more artificially brightened world.
While light is associated with symbols of knowledge and truth and goodness, you cannot have light without the absence of light. Darkness is not all that it’s interpreted to be; in fact, the unknowing, the mystery, the lingering fear is natural, and what shapes our experiences. God used the very fabric of darkness to create day and night. Without darkness we would have never revealed the galaxies embedded in the deep universe, the stars trailing their twinkling dust in a forever black sky.
Read other articles by Claire Doll
Read Past Editions of Four Years at the Mount
