The National Dog Show

by Alex Pittelli ‘26 on December 11, 2025

A&E - Film & TV

A Dog Day Afternoon

Among Thanksgiving television traditions, one stands out as particularly endearing. It’s not the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as I rarely get up in time to watch it, nor football, as it often overlaps with dinnertime. In between, however, is the pinnacle of television: the American Kennel Club’s National Dog Show.

For those unfamiliar, the National Dog Show judges dogs based on how closely they match the idealized description of their breed. One dog is selected from each of its seven categories: hound, herding, sporting, non-sporting, terrier, toy, and working. The winners from each of these categories then meet in a final judgement to determine which dog is the perfect specimen of its breed.

Excited to see this year’s show, I sat on the couch with my own dog next to me and watched the last few minutes of the parade. The ridiculousness of the show might just be my favorite part. Alongside majestic dogs are bizarre breeds that I can only imagine must be inconvenient to care for, such as the shaggy Bergamasco and Puli, or the pretentious-looking Shih Tzu.

The show felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the commercialization of most television today. Although it was sponsored by Purina, it kept blatant advertisements minimal and instead focused on the show itself, as well as other fun segments. Some were educational, showing the backstage grooming process it takes to get a dog ready, while others focused more on popular culture and entertainment, such as having NBA Star Tyrese Maxey guide dogs through an obstacle course.

I found myself rooting for what I considered to be the underdogs of the competition. In the final round, I was glad to see the Belgian Sheepdog and the American Foxhound triumph over the aforementioned Shih Tzu, two Schnauzers, an English Setter, and a Bichon Frise by taking No.1 and No. 2, respectively.

The best part? Throughout it all, my dog lay next to me on the couch, sound asleep.

A PC Tradition: Homecoming Weekend

by Isabelle Camoin ’26 on October 9, 2025

News

The time-honored tradition of homecoming and family weekend brought a multitude of lively energy to campus this past weekend, Oct. 3–5. Many faces, new and old, were seen on campus; returning graduates, legacy family members, cherished loved ones, and even pets were flourishing this weekend amidst the fall air. The vibes on and off campus were high, kicking off the weekend with an open house in Raymond Dining Hall, where families could get a taste of the notorious chicken nugget meal.

Saturday was packed with events that embraced the Friar spirit of bringing everyone together. Seniors living off campus opened their doors to family and friends, bringing the community together over potluck meals and live bands in their parking lots. The Friar 5K had a large turnout with over 1,000 runners, where participants, young and old, began their Saturday outside Harkins Hall, trotting through and around campus, and crossing the finish line at Ray Treacy Track. Braeden McDevitt won the men’s category, and Dana Bush ’00 won the women’s. Our very own Dean Sears finished the race at No. 11 with an impressive time of 19:49.

Slavin Lawn was packed with yummy bites from food trucks, lawn games, and entertainment varying from live performances from the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film, live painting by Petal Pusher, and even a student band showcase. The hallmark of the weekend, Late Night Madness, featured performances from the PC Dance Club, PC Dance Company, Motherland Dance Group PC, the PC dance and cheer teams, and a cappella clubs before Carrie Underwood stepped on the stage to perform for the public and PC community.

The audience members for these performances were also introduced to the Friars men’s and women’s basketball teams, showcasing what is to come for their seasons this winter. This year was the first year the Amica Mutual Pavilion opened the floor to the public, and the student section was found in the higher seated sections. Friar students and family members filled the stadium with support for our on-campus groups.

Notable open houses of the weekend included visiting the new Ryan Incubator space in the Feinstein Academic Center, opening the doors to the new student entrepreneurship office, and Friartown’s Closet, the on-campus, student-run thrift shop supported by the Ryan Incubator, which was open for donations. Additionally, the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences celebrated its first homecoming weekend in its new home on campus, inviting alumni to explore the new technology and areas of study the center brings to the PC community.

All in all, the sunny weather and the fall breeze made for a great atmosphere to spend outside with friends, family, and other loved ones, bringing the Friar spirit alive.