Top Row L-R: Will Scheib, Cora Wack, Joey Schneeberger
Middle Row L-R: Corinne Riley (Campus Minister), Sophia Van Horn, Fatima Solis, Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress O.P. (Chaplain)
Bottom Row L-R: Shannon Gregory, Olivia Firsching, Solimar Kwa
4th Year
Major: Economics; East Asian Studies
Email: cjw2cn@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: I can speak Chinese
I’m a 4th year from Annandale, VA who loves noodles, memes, and the Rosary (among other things). I spend most of my free time drawing cards and writing letters to friends (yes, pen pals still exist!) My favorite movie is Coraline, and my favorite saint is St. Jean Vianney. My other hobbies include Zumba, Silent Disco, playing basketball & softball, and laughing at myself. But above all these, I love my Catholic Faith!! Christ has revolutionized the way I look at life, and I love spreading His joy and peace in whatever ways I can.
Talk to me about: gratitude, the 7 Sorrows devotion, Taiwan, veiling, Cracker Barrel
Favorite Quote: “We receive each morning and each day in its entirety from the hands of God. It is a masterpiece of a day that he has just asked us to live. If we could research the history of the world and watch this day as it was being developed and formed from the beginning of time, we would grasp the unique value of one single human day. ”
-Venerable Madeleine Delbrel
4th Year
Majors: Economics & Religious Studies
Email: jbs4ck@virginia.edu
I grew up in Richmond with my dad, mom, sister, and dog. Ever since I gave the second reading at my First Holy Communion, I have found fulfillment in delivering the readings at Mass. That excitement drew me towards serving as the worship chair for Catholic Hoos. My spiritual journey has been led by Catholic writers spanning from the days of the Early Church to the modern age. Some of the pieces that have helped me along my spiritual journey have been: Humanae Vitae, the Catechism, Humility of Heart, My Way of Life, Confessions, and Mere Christianity. In addition to finding God through the words of the Church Fathers, surrounding myself with solid people has brought me into a greater relationship with Christ.
Favorite Quote:
“A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
― From G.K. Chesterton’s book, Orthodoxy
4th Year
Major: Computer Science
Email: swk3st@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: I believe there is no wrong way to hold your pencil.
Hi! My name is Solimar, but you can call me Soli and I am from Yorktown, Virginia (or to NOVA people near VA Beach or not NOVA).
Since being at college, my relationship with God has grown exponentially, thanks to the community of Catholic Hoos. The simple things I enjoy in life: TV shows (too many to name), TopGolf, my cville cat Poppy, tortellini, spontaneous outings, and giving overly eager smiles to strangers as if I had known them for years (this might just be creepy and confusing on their end but who's to say). I have gone to more concerts than I can count and I always love hearing new music suggestions. If you ever need help your e-portfolio, hit me up.
Favorite Quote: "The glory of God is man fully alive."
― St. Irenaeus
4th Year
Major: Biology
Email: fcs7bt@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: My first semester I spent a lot of time pretending to play the trombone in the Cavalier Marching Band, but now I know how to actually play.
I drink soda the way other people drink water, and I love late night Croads runs for some fresh chicken tendies and candy. I’m honestly surprised my body hasn’t given out on me yet. I like to ride in the back of Matt’s pickup truck, because it reminds me of the motherland, El Salvador. My favorite food is a nice, cheesy pupusa from Doña Azucena, but don’t tell my mom, because she thinks hers are my favorite. You can catch me on the daily in the common room procrastinating or in the adoration chapel singing praise and worship with Jesus.
3rd Year
Major: Economics and Spanish
Email: osf2xu@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: I've been keeping prayer journals since age 7.
Hello there! My name’s Olivia and I’m from San Diego, California. I’m incredibly grateful to have been brought up with the Catholic faith because it has influenced every facet of my life. St. Therese’s subtle and intentional way of loving has particularly inspired me and given me a heart for the little things. One of my most treasured pastimes is befriending random people, like my mailman, the leaf raker on Elliewood Avenue, the ambassadors, or the troubadour that plays guitar on the Lawn on nice evenings. Once you tell me your birthday, I’ll remember it forever. I love novenas, playing cards, baking chocolate chip banana bread, and driving with all 4 windows down and the sunroof open. I am happiest in any context where I get to serve.
Favorite Quote: "Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment."
― St. Josemaria Escriva
Faith Formation: Will Scheib
3rd Year
Major: Computer Science and Statistics
Email: wms9gv@virginia.edu
I love being outdoors, whether that be camping, hiking, or just sprawling out in the grass somewhere. As you might imagine, I love studying outside too. My top three favorite spots are the Lawn (obviously), the patio outside Newcomb Hall, and the tales outside Clem (you can catch the sunset there while chilling with Icaus). I love playing sports -- especially basketball -- with friends almost as much as I love growing in my own faith and having faith-filled conversations. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to get to know all of my fellow Catholic Hoos!
Favorite Quote: "Every Christian needs a half-hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy. Then he needs an hour."
― St. Francis de Sales
5th Year
Major: B.A. Religious Studies; M.T. Elementary Education
Email: sdg8ee@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: I lived in England for 17 years, but I don't have a British accent.
Excuse me!! You can find me at STA 60% of the time (the other 40% I’m probably running a taxi service). I have a twin sister who also goes to UVA and you can often find me somewhere close to her. My all time favorite Disney movie is the Lion King, and if I was a Disney princess I think I would be Anna from Frozen. My go to article of clothing is a onesie, but for some reason society doesn't accept that as a suitable thing to wear out and about. Since transferring to UVA last year, I have grown to love college basketball, but more importantly, I have been falling deeper in love with the person of Jesus Christ.
Favorite Quote: “Criticism of others is thus an oblique form of self-commendation. We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked.”
― Fulton J. Sheen
Co-Communications: Sophia Van Horn
4th Year
Major: Religious Studies and Italian Studies
Email: smv4ss@virginia.edu
Fun Fact: I have a note on my phone from August 8, 2018; it reads, “Chicken names: Ricky Bobby, Canada, Dorothy, Caroline, Betty, Betsy, Trixie, Georgia, Mabel, Iris, Gwen”
I'm from the coastal city of Hampton, Virginia and yearn to serve the Lord with open hands and a full heart. I love to find the truth, beauty, and goodness in all things that direct my mind and heart to God. I love sharing my faith with others and loving people where they are. You can find me drinking black coffee, leaving the pool at North Grounds, reading away in the Rotunda, or frantically setting up for Mass in the chapel.Ask me about Bon Appetit cooking videos and Italian-Coronavirus study abroad fiasco!
Favorite Quote: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." St. Mother Teresa