Page 193 - 2017 yearbook

Opening Your Heart By: Daniel Chavez

A fundamental part of religious Sophomore students were able to attend the Many students did not expect to bond
formation at the school was attending retreats Cardoner Experience, an overnight retreat, with each other during these retreats, but they
led by students in the Peer Ministry classes. which focused on the brotherhood that bonds certainly left the event surprised to know more
Students in middle school participated in a day students together. about their classmates than they did before.
of reflection with their theology class. Juniors were able to attend the Additionally, they also learned a great deal about
Students in the high school had a Junior Experience, a retreat focused on further themselves.
distinct retreat for each grade level. The different strengthening the students’ relationship with “It was an unexpectedly moving
retreats built upon the previous experience. each other. Seniors attended the Senior experience that helped me get a lot closer to my
Freshmen students were able to attend the Experience, which was held at Our Lady of classmates than I thought I would be able to,”
Hurtado Experience, a service oriented retreat. Florida Spiritual Center for the first time. said sophomore Sion Bissessar.

Reflecting on the previous talk, junior Javier Saumell leads a group of seventh graders in his
small group through a thoughtful discussion. The group was participating in a Day of Reflection.

Participating in a team building exercise, sophomores and junior Seventh graders toss a spool of yarn during their day of reflection in Reflecting at the site where the bonfire was held the night before,
peer ministers, along with English teacher Mrs. Kelly Garganta form the initial icebreaker activity. This activity symbolized the students’ sophomores Ignacio Aguilar, Jorge Suarez, Gabriel Lugo, Ryan
a circle at the Cardoner Experience. The Cardoner Experience took connection to everyone around them in the school. Bermudez and Brandon Delgado share thoughts on the retreat during
place in February. a small group activity. The group was surprised to learn many things
they did not know about each other before the retreat.