This is not your grandmother’s siblings’ weekend. As Director of Student Activities and Orientation Heather Hall and senior Resident Assistant Leah Kicinski prepare for Aquinas Jr. Saints Weekend 2011, they each reflect on the past three years of the program’s evolution from a small, sibling oriented experience to an exciting, weekend-long series that involves both family and friends.

“I think the program is more attractive,” said Hall, as she described her three-year involvement and its inclusion in the St. Thomas Aquinas Week celebration.

This year, as multiple AQ clubs and organizations flock to the scene, Jr. Saints Weekend has become a diverse series that allows for a variety of guests to participate in college activities as well as experience the many exciting aspects of downtown Grand Rapids.

The festivities begin with a showcase of AQ’s celebrated theater department at the Medieval Dinner Theater on Friday night. This annual performance involves student directors and performers and a themed dinner in the Wege Student Center Ballroom. At this event, students and guests will have the opportunity to participate in a popular feature of St. Thomas Aquinas week while exploring possible academic and extracurricular activities at the College.

“It’s two awesome traditions at one time,” said Kicinski, of the time-honored events of St. Thomas Aquinas and the recent addition of the Jr. Saints.

Afterwards, students and guests have the option to participate in a Grand Rapids Griffins game, of which the first one hundred tickets and transportation are generously sponsored by the RHA. The game, in addition to the campus’s close proximity to downtown, allows for guests to view the wide range of activities available in the area.

“Grand Rapids is really their weekend,” said Hall, who explains that, in contrast to past years, Jr. Saints weekend now allows for a personalized experience of the entire Aquinas community.

Downtown Grand Rapids, as it is central to the lives of AQ students, is thus available to guests of the event to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Aquinas athletics also plays a vital role in both the students’ experience and the Jr. Saints activity roster. On Saturday afternoon, guests will gain a unique and exciting look into college sports through the Spirit Program sponsored by RHA and the AQ Saints Squad. At this event before the men’s basketball game against Cornerstone University, guests can participate in the school spirit Aquinas offers through sign painting and additional activities designed to prepare the group for an enthusiastic viewing of the game. The game is free for students and guests.

On Saturday night, AQ Programming Board will host a well-known performer and highlight of the evening. Justin Kredible, host of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” will present his unique brand of live magic in the Wege Student Center Ballroom. Kredible, who boasts his performance is “like a magician, but cooler,” will provide a myriad of tricks and delights for the whole family.

Jr. Saints Weekend, with its variety of games, activities, and performances, is no longer reserved solely for students’ siblings.

“This is really opening Aquinas up,” said Hall, as it allows for both a diverse showing of participants and events. In addition, the placement of the program at the end of St. Thomas Aquinas Week allows for guests to “share the energy” of the joint celebrations. The Aquinas traditions, coupled with its proximity to downtown Grand Rapids, allow for an exciting experience for all guests.