Last week, our freshmen had the great opportunity to attend the annual freshman retreat here at our school. The retreat provided students with the opportunity to step away from their regular classes and experience a fun-filled day, helping them focus on faith, friendship, and personal growth. Through fun icebreakers, meaningful reflection sections, and exciting games, the retreat helped students connect to each other and to their faith.

The day began with freshmen meeting in small groups with retreat leaders. Each group did icebreakers and bonding games. The first speaker shared her high school experience and lessons on self-discovery. Afterward, students reflected on who they are and wrote it down to receive again as seniors. This reflective mood carried into Mass. Lucy Beeken, a freshman who attended the retreat, said, “Mass felt super calming, especially because the whole school wasn’t there, and it was a really great opportunity to reflect.”

Following the Mass, another speaker, who is a senior here on campus, shared insight on their high school experience, reassuring students that it’s okay to change. Each group had the opportunity to have a question-and-answer session with their group members and group leaders. It was a great opportunity to share thoughts and get questions answered for students.

Lunch gave everyone a chance to relax and enjoy time with friends, followed by games on the field. The games were super fun and brought the spirit up. Emerson Slinde, a freshman who attended the retreat, said, “The games were so fun. They were probably my favorite part.”

To wrap up the retreat, one last senior speaker came to talk to the freshmen. She also shared insight into her high school experience. Lastly, students wrote letters to their senior self, giving them an amazing opportunity to reflect on themselves and set long-term goals. Elise Melody, a freshman who participated in the retreat, said, “My favorite activity was writing a letter to my senior self; it was a really great opportunity to reflect.”

Overall, the retreat was much more than a normal day at school for students; it was an amazing opportunity for students to not only grow in faith and friendships but also in their understanding of themselves. By the end of the day, it was obvious that the retreat made an impact on all the students who participated.