Relax, Rejuvenate, and Reflect!

Duchesne’s Class of 2024 headed to Stoney Creek Ranch located in New Ulm, Texas to participate in their Junior Retreat. Every year the Class of 2024 goes on a retreat to disconnect from their busy schedules and bond with their fellow classmates in a safe space away from the chaotic nature of high school. Through this retreat, students had the opportunity to center themselves in the presence of nature while being in community with their whole grade. Class Campus Ministry Representative Kate Thorne, Upper School Campus Minster Brittany Garcia, and the Retreat Squad (a group of Duchesne teachers) planned the event.

Grace King, Bea Maruri, Natalia Reyes, Blake Blanton, Victoria Carroll, and Samantha Yeboah about to toast their marshmallows for smores by the camp fire. (Photo: Tessa Harfenist)

Three buses left the Duchesne campus at 8:45 am on Thursday, February 23rd with students divided by their advisories. All the buses stopped at Buc-ee's, so the girls could get snacks and beverages for the trip. After arriving at Stoney Creek Ranch, students relaxed in their cabins for a brief period, and then reconvened in Z-Hall where the itinerary was read out loud. During the afternoon, girls made dog toys for shelters. Students and teachers brought t-shirts and extra clothing to be cut into strips. Then students braided them in different sizes to create the toys. Junior advisor, Mikel Jones, played old hits on her speaker while students created cards for senior citizens. Simultaneously, other students began to climb the daring ropes course. The ropes course allowed two students to go at the same time. Below girls cheered on their fellow classmates as they attempted the ropes course. Even Mrs. Jones decided to do the ropes course after everyone who wanted to go had gone.  After dinner, Brittany Garcia presented to the grade about the Beatitudes, which transitioned into the students creating skits that focused on each of the Beatitudes. Thursday was finished by a toasty bonfire and s’mores for both teachers and students. Molly Day said her favorite part of the retreat was, “being able to make new friends and grow my friendships with my old ones. I had an amazing time not only hanging out with my friends, but also challenging myself on the ropes course.”

The Class of 2024 the final day of the retreat. (Photo: Brittany Garcia)

On Friday morning, students were given time to journal and reflect on their relationships in their lives after Upper School Music and Theology teacher Kathy Montgomery presented to the grade about Mary, Untier of Knots. Students reflected on the knots in their own lives and were given pieces of knotted ribbon they could untangle during the reflection. The Q&A panel with the retreat score teachers was a wonderful chance for students could ask anonymous questions on relationship advice, college advice, or anything that they wanted to ask the teachers before the end of the retreat. Teachers read the questions and gave their best explanation on a panel at the front of the stage with the microphone. At 1 p.m. the Duchesne girls headed back on the busses to go back to school after a retreat filled with friendship and reflection.