Retreat coordinator, Tran Tran, said, “The theme of ‘searching’ is about finding who we are as a people, our happiness, our appreciation and respect for others, our inner Christ and how we can be an inspiration to others.”

Through the many activities, students were given the opportunity to reflect on themselves as individuals, discovering their strengths and weaknesses.

“I think it was a good theme because throughout the years of high school, everybody has gotten so accustomed to their routines,” said Kimberly Milar. “We never stop to think about all the things that we searched for and reflected on at the retreat.”

Caitlin Colipano agreed. “I liked the theme of ‘searching’ because it relates to everyone. We are all searching for our inner selves, happiness and God. I interpreted it as searching for ways to improve myself to impact others around me and for my faith.”

Students were energized and excited, enjoying the many activities that were planned by their classmates.

“One activity that was planned during the retreat were creating a paper chain linked with individual strengths and weaknesses of each student and making customized bracelets accentuating certain characteristics or traits of a person,” said retreat coordinator, Kiloni Ramo. “These particular activities, I believe, helped the Junior Class make new discoveries about themselves and therefore assisting them in their search for themselves as well as a search for Christ.”

“I enjoyed the bracelet-making activity because it gave everybody in our division the opportunity to stop and think about one another,” said Milar. “It was great to look around and see everyone giving their handmade bracelets to people they usually do not even socialize with.”

Retreat leaders and coordinators worked to make the retreat worthwhile.

“Not only as a retreat leader, but retreat coordinator, I had the responsibility to conduct and organize meetings, generate a proper schedule for the retreat, and provide assistance to the leaders and offer creative ideas,” said Ramo.

“Kiloni and I had similar duties because we were the main retreat leaders, and we wanted it to be a great experience for everyone.” said Tran. “ I had to help smaller groups with activities and was also in charge of making sure that all the supplies needed were there.”

Many students appreciated the efforts to make the retreat memorable.

“I think that the retreat went very well,” said Colipano. “I could see that the retreat leaders and sisters made a big effort in putting it together. I also appreciate the creative ideas that they incorporated into it. In our senior retreat, I’m looking forward to seeing more smiles and bonding among my classmates.”

Ramo agreed.“The retreat was an overall success. What I liked best about it was the opportunity for our friends to familiarize themselves with people in the class that they normally would not. It was an opportunity for our class to bond aside from ‘cliques’ and build a stronger relationship as a class.”