Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Rally Time with Chloe Klusman
April 11, 2018 01:40 PM | Volleyball
Throughout the next couple months, each member of the West Virginia University volleyball team will share their thoughts on what it's like being a Division I student-athlete at West Virginia and what makes being a Mountaineer so special. Next up – freshman Chloe Klusman.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hello Mountaineer Nation! I truly hope you enjoyed our tour of Woodburn Circle. It is my favorite place to be on campus, and I was very happy to share part of its history with you all.
For the past four weeks, my family and I have been acting on the season of Lent, meaning no meat on Friday's starting with Ash Wednesday! Although I was away at college for the spring, I still kept my Lent promise and gave up baked goods! Yes, it was painful – very painful – but it was the least I could do to honor my faith and the spirit of Easter.
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel home for Easter weekend! I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is known for its German-Catholic roots, and it's safe to say I was raised up in a Catholic parish. During the Easter season, celebrations are very peaceful and bright. A common thing to do every Friday of Lent is to attend your parish fish fry for some good fish, pizza and other meatless meals.
I was lucky enough to go home Friday evening with my younger sister, Ruby. I love attending the fish fry's because it's a great chance to catch up with all of the people I attended grade school with. On Good Friday, the last Friday of Lent, it is common for most of the community to "pray the steps." In Cincinnati, there is an area known as Mount Adams. In Mount Adams, there are multiple staircases that start near the Ohio River and lead to an old Catholic church at the very top of Mount Adams. You start from the very last step and as you move on to the next step, you say a prayer. Many people pray the rosary multiple times! My family has attended the event for many years now, and I love the unity and presence of faith from so many people.
As Good Friday ended, Saturday was a buzz of relaxation and preparation for Easter mass and festivities! One special thing my family does every weekend is a big breakfast. On this visit home, my family made sure my local favorites were there. I was so excited to have donuts and coffee cake from our local bakery – Graeters and Goetta (a German meat) – from our family deli. There's nothing I like more than a cup of coffee and a big family style breakfast in the morning!
One of my favorite family traditions is coloring eggs! I was so happy to color Easter eggs with my three younger siblings. I love seeing all the different colors and designs you can come up with! And don't worry, we watched March Madness through all of this, I promise! After cleaning up our eggs, my dad hoped on the grill with stuffed burgers and steak, while my mom and I put together sides and sautéed vegetables. It was just all so good, I may have gained a few pounds while I was home!
Finally, it was Easter day! Ever since I was a little kid, there was one tradition I looked forward to most. Sunrise mass in Mount Echo park, starting at 6:30 a.m. The entire mass is outdoors. Volunteers piece together a table for serving and a group of local alums and parishioners band together for the choir. As mass proceeds, you can see the sun rising up over the city of Cincinnati right behind the makeshift altar. You can see the entire city! Every year it takes my breath away. It's definitely worth the early wake up! After the conclusion of mass, we went to eat breakfast at my grandparents' house with my extended family. All the favorite homemade breakfast casseroles were there, and we thankfully took a nap before returning for the annual Easter egg hunt held in the backyard! Now being one of the older kids, we all take turns hiding each other's eggs. The best part is when you accidently find an egg from years ago that was never found! After all the eggs were found, I said my goodbyes and loaded up the car. It was time to head back to Morgantown!
I am so incredibly thankful for my family and community. Special occasions and celebrations bring everyone together, and I'm so happy I could celebrate Easter with all of my loved ones. This celebration of life and resurrection left me with a refreshing sense of love.
To all of you Mountaineers near and far, I wish you all a Happy Easter and a beautiful spring.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hello Mountaineer Nation! I truly hope you enjoyed our tour of Woodburn Circle. It is my favorite place to be on campus, and I was very happy to share part of its history with you all.
For the past four weeks, my family and I have been acting on the season of Lent, meaning no meat on Friday's starting with Ash Wednesday! Although I was away at college for the spring, I still kept my Lent promise and gave up baked goods! Yes, it was painful – very painful – but it was the least I could do to honor my faith and the spirit of Easter.
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel home for Easter weekend! I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is known for its German-Catholic roots, and it's safe to say I was raised up in a Catholic parish. During the Easter season, celebrations are very peaceful and bright. A common thing to do every Friday of Lent is to attend your parish fish fry for some good fish, pizza and other meatless meals.
I was lucky enough to go home Friday evening with my younger sister, Ruby. I love attending the fish fry's because it's a great chance to catch up with all of the people I attended grade school with. On Good Friday, the last Friday of Lent, it is common for most of the community to "pray the steps." In Cincinnati, there is an area known as Mount Adams. In Mount Adams, there are multiple staircases that start near the Ohio River and lead to an old Catholic church at the very top of Mount Adams. You start from the very last step and as you move on to the next step, you say a prayer. Many people pray the rosary multiple times! My family has attended the event for many years now, and I love the unity and presence of faith from so many people.
As Good Friday ended, Saturday was a buzz of relaxation and preparation for Easter mass and festivities! One special thing my family does every weekend is a big breakfast. On this visit home, my family made sure my local favorites were there. I was so excited to have donuts and coffee cake from our local bakery – Graeters and Goetta (a German meat) – from our family deli. There's nothing I like more than a cup of coffee and a big family style breakfast in the morning!
One of my favorite family traditions is coloring eggs! I was so happy to color Easter eggs with my three younger siblings. I love seeing all the different colors and designs you can come up with! And don't worry, we watched March Madness through all of this, I promise! After cleaning up our eggs, my dad hoped on the grill with stuffed burgers and steak, while my mom and I put together sides and sautéed vegetables. It was just all so good, I may have gained a few pounds while I was home!
Finally, it was Easter day! Ever since I was a little kid, there was one tradition I looked forward to most. Sunrise mass in Mount Echo park, starting at 6:30 a.m. The entire mass is outdoors. Volunteers piece together a table for serving and a group of local alums and parishioners band together for the choir. As mass proceeds, you can see the sun rising up over the city of Cincinnati right behind the makeshift altar. You can see the entire city! Every year it takes my breath away. It's definitely worth the early wake up! After the conclusion of mass, we went to eat breakfast at my grandparents' house with my extended family. All the favorite homemade breakfast casseroles were there, and we thankfully took a nap before returning for the annual Easter egg hunt held in the backyard! Now being one of the older kids, we all take turns hiding each other's eggs. The best part is when you accidently find an egg from years ago that was never found! After all the eggs were found, I said my goodbyes and loaded up the car. It was time to head back to Morgantown!
I am so incredibly thankful for my family and community. Special occasions and celebrations bring everyone together, and I'm so happy I could celebrate Easter with all of my loved ones. This celebration of life and resurrection left me with a refreshing sense of love.
To all of you Mountaineers near and far, I wish you all a Happy Easter and a beautiful spring.
- Chloe
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