The junior class took a day away from their usual school routines and gathered for a a day of fun and faith-building at St. Francis Xavier parish in McKean. The juniors went on a retreat centered around the theme “Be The Light.” The retreat helped students reflect on their faith, form stronger relationships with classmates, and simply get to know each other better by taking part in things from Bible study to spike ball.
The day began with a moving story from Mr. Duke, who spoke about his friend Dale and how God transformed his life. For many students, this message left a lasting impact.
“The thing that stuck with me the most throughout the retreat was the story that Mr. Duke told at the beginning of the day about his friend Dale,” said junior Lincoln Laquidara. “It was moving to hear about how God can change someone’s life.”
As the day went on, students had opportunities to take part in a variety of activities, spend time outdoors, and enjoy time with friends old and new. One of the highlights of the day for many was lunch, not for the food, but because of the freedom to relax, play games, and connect.
“Getting to sit on my friend’s car, playing cornhole and spike ball, teaching people how to skateboard, and listening to music over pizza with good friends was something I’ll cherish forever,” Lincoln shared.
His classmate Jonah Wyant echoed the same point of view.
“It was a fun experience, playing spike ball and getting to know the other kids in my class.”
The retreat was also especially meaningful for students who are new to the Prep family. For junior Nathan Hanel, the retreat provided a natural and welcoming way to form new bonds.
“It’s my first year at Prep, so this was a good way to get to know my classmates outside of the classroom,” Nathan said. “I didn’t grow up religious, but since coming to Prep, I’ve been interested in learning as much as I can about God, and this retreat was just another step forward.”
The retreat also offered moments of personal insight and growth.
“Something I learned about myself throughout the retreat is that I am very good at making new friends,” Lincoln said. “I wasn’t able to catch up to the people that I wanted to hangout with for the day, but I met a bunch of new people as I signed up for my events, and I got to know them better throughout the day.”
The theme of the day was “Be the Light,” which was a message that hit home with Nathan.
“The theme, ‘Be the Light,’ really stood out to me,” Nathan said. I never really thought about how important I could be to some people, even if I have only had one conversation with them. Impressions last.”
Overall, students described the retreat as a refreshing break and a meaningful time to grow closer to both their classmates and their faith.
“Refreshing,” Jonah said when asked to sum it up in one word. “It was nice to be able to get away from school for a day to see my friends, learn about God, and have fun.”
