The Night Before Finals

Night

THE

Before Finals

WRITTEN BY

Kathryn Pawelko |

ILLUSTRATED BY

Noah Kroese

‘T

was the night before finals, when all through the dorm, Not a student was sleeping, not even ol’ Norm;

The books were piled ‘round the students with care, In hopes that good grades soon would be theirs.

The seniors were huddled all snug in their beds, While visions of commencement danced in their heads; The lib’ry was filled with juniors and sophomores, While graduate students cried “It’s all such a chore!”

When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away from my books I flew like a flash, Tore down the stairs and opened up Snapchat.

The moon on the Palouse, the hills and the snow, Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a marching band, with eight tubas premier, And a towering figure, helmeted and horned Joe Vandal appeared, the library transformed.

More rapid than the athletes the “bandals” they came.

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; “Now, trumpets! Now, tubas! Now, trombones and flutes!

On, French horns! On flag guards! on, clarinets and troops!

To the top of the Tower! To the top of the mall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As semester notes before the final test fly, When freshmen meet with professor leap sky high”

So to the top of the Dome, the “bandals� all flew, With backpacks of books and uniforms, too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the wind, Sweet holiday jazz sounds from the Kibbie descend.

As I lowered my phone, and was turning around, In through the doors, faculty came with a bound.

Encumbered with PowerPoints, from lectures well past, To help all their students finish their tests!

And a bundle of keychains made at the Mill, Joe Vandal handed them out in good will.

His eyes — how they twinkled! His actions, how merry!

The chaos he caused in the lib’ry was plenty !

Then came ASUI carryin’ coffee.

To help procrastinators who’d been naughty!

And the smell it circled like smoke from a candle, Transformin’ weary students back into Vandals!

The librarians all smiled with eyes shining bright, As they watched the bedlam within their sight!

They loved the hustle and bustle of finals week, The hectic research all-nighters before break!

All the staff of U of I, they really do care, I laughed when I saw this; other schools can’t compare, My laugh stopped Joe Vandal, and with a nod of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, Rounding tutors to help students who had shirked!

And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, the door he closed.

He sprang to the Dome, the drum major gave a whistle, And away they all marched, heeding dismissal.

But I heard Joe exclaim, as he ran out of sight.

Happy Finals TOAll! AND TO

All! A Good Night!