My Senior Retreat Experience

by Lauren Campbell '24

I have always looked forward to the senior retreat. With two older sisters, I had heard stories about the amazing experience that is one of a kind to Ursuline. When the day approached, I was excited to embark on this journey with a small group of classmates who were dedicated to strengthening their relationships with God and their peers. 

The most impactful part of the retreat was reminiscing about the old days. Although most of us had never met before Ursuline, we spent time together acting as if we had known each other since Kindergarten. After lunch on the first day, we had an impromptu recess, during which we all begged the chaperones to play outside with each other. We played freeze tag and football just like we would do when we were little. While a football game was going on, people were doing gymnastics and blowing bubbles, and it felt like Elementary school was repeating itself. In an environment where we are so focused on academics, it's almost as if we forget that we are still kids and should be enjoying ourselves, but this retreat changed that. We were reminded that this is truly our last chance to be like those young kids on the playground without a care in the world. Our worries seemed to disappear, and we were able to live in the moment. 

After our recess, we split into groups to review the counsels of St. Angela. We walked through what each counsel meant and how it applied to each grade at Ursuline. Each counsel corresponded with a grade and the main topics we could discover during that grade. We discussed being a role model, exploring your purpose, and being united as a senior class. We were able to feel what it truly meant to be united in times of frustration when it was time to sit around the fireplace and make smores. Although things didn't go as planned, and it took a little longer to get the fire started than anticipated, the senior class was able to laugh and make fun of the situation. We brought the light that the fire could not bring at that moment. We were the light in the darkness of the night as we sang songs and appreciated some of our final moments together as a senior class.  

My faith was strengthened by sharing experiences and memories with those I was close with, as well as girls I had never really talked to before. We learned from each other and prayed together, sharing the last moments of our retreat days at Ursuline. 

Through this retreat, we created a community that was welcoming. We ended the final day with a 'Just Dance' competition. On a normal day of school, girls would feel embarrassed to get up and dance in front of the grade with teachers watching, but on the retreat, it felt natural. Our supportive community fostered by the senior retreat allowed us to let loose and have fun, reminding us of the founding principles of Ursuline and the community of girls that St. Angela created: a community of encouragement full of learning and empowerment.