Penn State serves a foundational role in the Hollingshead family. It’s a world-renowned school known for its engineering program and down-to-earth college town vibe, otherwise known as Happy Valley.

My grandfather graduated from Penn State, and so did his eight kids. The PSU grad train hasn’t stopped there- me and six of my cousins have Penn State degrees, and there’s more on the way.

The football tailgates, some of my favorite times while in school, have since transformed into family gatherings. The tailgates started off small, mostly consisting of close-by family and friends. But each consecutive year the tailgates would grow by a few more people, with the first game of the year always having the highest attendance.

When I heard about the family tailgate for the first Penn State football game this year, I knew that was something I couldn’t miss. I’ve been to some pretty big tailgates, but this year, the Hollingshead family tailgate was projected to be one of the biggest ever. I spread the message to my friends, and soon after, six of us booked an Airbnb the weekend of the first Penn State home game!

The Hollingshead Family Tailgate

It’s Game Day in Happy Valley. We had to drag ourselves out of bed from a late night out just a few hours ago, but it’s nothing we haven’t done before. Our wits gathered, we begin an hour-long walk to the tailgate. Over the river and through the woods, to the Penn State football tailgate we go!

As we cross the East Intramural fields, I spot the distinctive “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” flag waving in the clear blue sky, and I know we’re close.

We descend into the masses of people, looking for signs of where one tailgate starts and the next one ends. Through the crowd I spot my parents and brother, and they welcome my friends and I with abundant food, drinks, and conversation.

Spanning six cars wide, the tailgate felt like a safe haven in a sea of strangers. My friends and I catch up with everyone as we settle into the organized chaos.

At some point I glance at the time- what’s already seemed like a few hours has only been one hour! I can’t stop talking because everywhere I look, there’s a friend or relative I have yet to catch up with. It doesn’t take long for me to start losing my voice!

The vibes are immaculate as friends and family mingle together unlike anywhere else. Then I hear something I never thought I’d hear in this setting- “Group picture on the hill!”

My friends and I are the first to walk over, so my mom snaps a picture of us. But immediately after we see a wave of people walking toward us. I don’t know who did it or how they did it, but someone somehow managed to pull everyone at the tailgate together for the biggest group picture I've ever been in. We counted an astounding 130 people!

But before we know it, the tailgate wraps up and people start leaving for the game, since today’s football tickets are the cheapest they’ll be all season. We don’t have tickets, so we walk through campus to head to the bars downtown.

Realizations

As we walk through campus, my friends are taken aback at what we just experienced. Some of the details they shared didn't seem like a huge deal to me, but I take time to explore this new perspective. What started as catching up with family turned into something much deeper.

Upon arrival, my parents had food and drinks stashed away specifically for my friends and I, along with special-made Orange Crush drinks. Cas became emotionally overwhelmed when we all gathered for our big group picture. My dad finding Patrick a drink once our cooler ran out seemed to make his entire day. Everyone had a positive experience to share about my family, and they said everyone was warm, friendly and welcoming.

I considered that not everyone grows up with such a large, inclusive, wholesome family. Many friends of mine have lived some or all of their lives in less-than-ideal family conditions, ranging from divorce, to financial struggles, to drug or alcohol related issues. I realized how lucky I am to have been raised by such a great group of people.

But my life hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows…

Perspectives

Penn State Altoona is where my parents began loosening their grip on my life, and where my eyes were opened to the real world. I made all new friends, and with that, new perspectives and experiences. In a short time, life came at me fast:

I learned the consequences of underage drinking in my first year.

I learned that some people can be incredibly unpredictable, even diabolical.

I was taught the corrupt power structure of the world, and subsequently, how depression can affect someone so profoundly.

I learned that college will pass out whatever degree they can get someone to pay for.

I learned that connections and the people you know are far more important than anything you could learn in any engineering class.

The things I had to unlearn stack even higher. To this day, I’m still exposed to situations previously unimaginable to my former self.

But looking back, I wouldn’t change how things played out. Even if I had to learn these lessons later in life, it was better than learning those lessons as an impressionable, innocent child. My parents and family tried to create a safe space for my brothers and I to develop in the best way possible, and I’m grateful for their efforts.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all just humans trying to do our best given our own circumstances.

The Quest to Build

It’s said that you choose your parents before you’re born. Assuming this is true, this means you’ve already chosen the ways your soul needs to evolve. Rather than hold negative emotions about your parents, caretakers, or your upbringing as a kid, be thankful. Not just for the life lessons you’ve learned, but the areas prompting personal growth as well.

It hurts to hear, but it’s nobody’s job but yours to alchemize your life experiences, evolve from your experiences, and serve as a role model for the children of tomorrow. It’s already happening, as you hear people all the time saying “I won’t raise my children the way my parents raised me!”

Today I look around and see some people more happy to interact with strangers than with their own family. And that’s ok, because if unhealthy family dynamics remain unchanged into adulthood, it’s best to prioritize your own health and well-being without feeling guilty about it. Those who’ve recognized this fact oftentimes will go and build their own family.

I believe my friend group has done this to some degree. We'll say “no friends outside the friend group” yet we’re always including others into our core memories. We allow plenty of space for self-expression and exploration, perhaps something we believe we've been deprived of in our collective childhoods. I look around and scarcely find groups of people as close as I am to my friends, and it’s evident my friends and I give off a magnetic presence whenever we’re all together.

I don’t think the world’s problems will be solved in one generation, and some patterns may repeat to some degree. But in the long term, I believe the world is spiraling upward, not downward.

It’s only now as I write these words that I can put my jumbled notions into a clear and cohesive thought, because in real time, my friends and I have just crossed East College Ave. We hang out at the bars as we watch Penn State pummel Nevada.

After a few long hours and a temporary splitting up of the group, we reunite for a ride back to the Airbnb. It’s been a long day, and I’m eager to finally get some rest.

First Time?

With the main event of the week behind us, we now have a full day to spend however we like. We start with a popular hike that, surprisingly, none of us have ever done before, The Mount Nittany Loop.

It’s an uphill 15 minute hike until you get to the top, but from there, it’s all flat with various overlooks of the surrounding Happy Valley. It’s a much-needed exercise to get our blood pumping after two nights of alcohol indulgence. Excitedly, we conclude our hike down the mountain with a short drive to Penn State Creamery for ice cream.

It’s a few people’s first time at the renowned ice cream shop, settled conveniently right beside the freshman dorms of East Halls. Half-expectedly, we walk up to find a long line winding down the sidewalk. The line is going fairly quick though, and we need the time to choose from the dozen-or-so flavors available. You have to pick one of their flavors offered, because they WILL NOT mix any ice cream flavors together! I pick the delicious WPSU Coffee Break Ice Cream.

Winding Down

One of our traditions while in State College is going to Otto’s Pub and Brewery. Right off North Atherton, it’s a much-needed break away from the hustle and bustle of downtown State College.

Concluding dinner and our last night in Happy Valley, we hang out at the house and watch a controversial Flat Earth debate (lol!) before grounding ourselves with a game of BlackJack. We have enough quarters between us all to play a few hands, but sooner than later we’re headed for bed.

What started as a family legacy has now grown into something bigger. Happy Valley is where bonds are strengthened, new connections are made, and life itself is celebrated.

We had a great time “re-living our college days” in State College, and I’m happy to have so many great friends and family to spend quality time with. :)

I appreciate you taking time to read about my adventure! Take 10% off your next purchase at gagesnatural.com with code BLOG READER.

Happy Valley, 2025