John Carroll is filled with traditions that have been going on for years — one of those being Senior Retreat. Retreats are graduation requirements, and each grade level has one. Throughout the years they may expand and get longer, going from a one-day event to an overnight trip.

Senior Retreat serves as a bonding moment for the class. This year there will be a couple of changes including the retreat returning back to a full-class event. It will not be broken up into smaller groups of seniors. An extra night is being added, too, so it will now be two nights and three days.

This year Senior Retreat will be taking place from March 26 to 28.

Retreat Coordinator Rhys Gadbois commented, “An increased length in retreat will enable students more opportunity for free time and processing of retreat-related events. Senior Retreat has always been an excellent bonding experience, but it has also always felt a little rushed.”

He explained that time has always felt rushed, so this will provide time for everyone to just relax a bit more and have more time together.

Mr. Gadbois said this change will benefit the students, too. “It is difficult for some kids to jump right into heavy emotional content on the first night of retreat. Having a first night where things are little more causal will allow kids to relax more, shake out the jitters, and then enjoy the spiritual bonding experience.”

For some students, may be more difficult to open up right away so this may put them more at ease more comfortable.

Even with a bigger group attending, there will be some slight changes to the structure of the retreat; however, everything else will stay the same.

Senior Tyler Rote said, “I am unsure how to feel about there being retreat being two nights but the whole senior class being there together is good because it is our last year all together. I am also really looking forward to the rock wall.”

Senior Isabella Grace commented, “I am excited for Senior Retreat to happen but also curious to see what it will be like with our entire class all together. Also, I am mostly looking forward to playing laser tag.”

Not only are the students excited but so are the teachers. Mr. Gadbois said, “I am excited for the variety show and the prayer experience.”

This year’s Senior Retreat will be held at the end of March. Various faculty and staff members will attend with the senior class.