Marymount students, fresh off of retreat week, are back at school and eager to share their retreat experiences with the community.

The freshmen spent three retreat days on campus, mainly getting to know each other and forming solid connections to build upon in the coming years.   Freshman Sydney Freeman reflects on her experience, “Retreat was a really great bonding experience for my class. I met people I didn’t know at all, and got to know people that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know very well.” The girls spent their days doing trust, team building, and self-esteem boosting activities, as well as rock-climbing, and volunteering at A Place Called Home. The retreat team did a wonderful job planning the retreat, from the Frozen theme, to the fun-filled exercises and games.

“The retreat was filled with so many amazing things from the rock wall, to lifting each other up emotionally and physically, and having fun playing games,” says Sydney.

The sophomores likewise had a fun retreat on and off campus! Sophomore Ayanna Neal describes her adventures, “I personally thought this year’s retreat was so much fun. Getting to spend a day at Fulcrum was not only super exciting, but it was a great way to get to know your new classmates, as well as the ones from last year!  Learning to trust your friends is crucial, and it was amazing to do it at Fulcrum. Also, being able to spend a day at the L.A Food Bank was so incredible because I got to experience all of the hard work that goes into providing for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Knowing that you are making a difference is a priceless feeling that nothing could replace.” Service was definitely an important element seen throughout the retreats this year, from the ninth-graders’ visit to A Place Called Home to the sophomores’ visit to the L.A. Food Bank; it is clear that our sailors are dedicated to service!

Sophomore Bianka Gravillis says, “We were all just a big community, we were all sisters and I feel closer with every single one of them!”

Juniors experienced their first overnight off-campus retreat this year. The girls ventured off to Ojai, CA for three days full of fun in the sun! Juniors engaged in a lot of deeply emotional activities, which really bonded them as a class. Besides the wonderful fellowship activities that took place during the retreat, the girls also had the opportunity to use the rock-climbing wall, zip line, and much more at the retreat site. Pascale Williams ’16 contemplates, “Retreat was an amazing experience that I’m certain none of my class will forget. We bonded while doing various activities that forced us to work with one another. We had various speakers, students and teachers from school that spoke to us about many different subjects. We then broke into smaller groups where we’d discuss the subject. Other group activities composed of teacher student basketball games, pool time, and zip lining. Overall it was an awesome and unforgettable experience where us individual Sailors finally got onto the boat and became a crew.”

The seniors also started off their final year with a BANG! No longer Kairos, the Senior Sailors renamed their opening retreat “Tiko Kina” meaning “The dream that is life” in a native Fijian dialect. This retreat was the last major bonding moment for the class of 2015, and strengthened relationships between the girls as they move into their final year together. More united than ever, the seniors are ready to take on college applications, first semester academics, and the SATs together, with stronger support systems, and moreover, sisters. Aya Ghoneum, a member of the Class of 2015 explains, “I’ve always enjoyed retreat, but there was something very special about this one in particular. I think we all realized that this was pretty much our last experience like this together, and really embraced everything about it. I feel so deeply connected to my classmates, more so than I have before. Overall, this was an amazing bonding experience and I was really sad to see it end!” She continues, “Retreat this year was a chance to release the stress and pressure of our everyday lives and was a way to help us discover the dream life.”

Paula Mendoza ’15 adds, “Senior retreat is already special in its nature because it’s our last one. And as the first year not doing KAIROS, people were skeptical of what was going to happen. Looking back, it all unfolded perfectly; I definitely think that as a retreat leader, we as a retreat team and class surpassed everyone’s expectations. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience with my old friends and new friends! I don’t want to give anything away, but I can say that everyone’s in for an amazing experience during senior retreat.”

Although the seniors were sad to see retreat end, it was a great way to bring the class closer, and start the year off right!