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 Taking
confidence in each other and in our class, the class of 2005 and I
built unity and personal strength on Friday at the senior retreat.
Led by Bob Solonyka and two other directors, we went through a series
of obstacles geared towards building teamwork, communication, and
leadership skills. Being of particular importance to us were the lessons
of leadership that will hopefully help us to be an important influence
in the school and leave behind a legacy for future generations. Different exercises such as: playing tag blindfolded, crossing between cinder blocks on wooden planks, being caught on a backwards fall, swinging from a cable over PVC pipes, being carried between a “spider web” of cables, and crossing between trees on tightropes all helped us with team-building skills. “The ropes course was a nice change of pace from the last few years at the Pro-Sanctity Center,” said Al McKnight, “I feel a lot closer to all my friends.” Probably the biggest challenge for us was climbing the large, daunting wall in the  center
of the campground. It was at least 12 feet high, made out of wooden
planks stuck in the ground. Ten of us stood on one side looking up
at the top, and by the end, we all had to be over it on the other.
Having to use each other as hoists, we all got over the wall in our
groups of ten. Even Chris Sanchez was able to surmount the structure,
commenting from the summit, “Jesus! How did I just do that!?”
Abiola Kosoko was the last to get over the top by jumping and catching
the hands of myself and Steve Stackhouse. It was a big thrill to stand
with our group on the other side and take a picture.  Food
was provided by numerous Mount Michael parents who deserve many thanks
for their effort. Anne Haas, Linda Dugan, Karen Anderson, and Jeanette
Behrendt were on hand at the retreat with smiles and the great food
and drinks. Sister Carolyn was present too, of course. She commented
on the senior class saying, “It was wonderful. All the guys
listened and worked through the challenges. I’m sure proud of
all of them.” Principal Ridder and Dean Struckman also made
an appearance at the retreat to have a few laughs with us seniors
and make sure we were having a good time. We were.After each obstacle, we discussed the point of each exercise and what we could take away from it with our group and group leader. Dan Hooyboer said, “It got a bit old listening to those guys talk about morals all the time, but, I mean, we are seniors and I guess we have a lot of responsibility.” Indeed, we do have a lot of responsibility, and we are only here for a very short time yet. The senior retreat helped the entire class to realize that; to see clearly where we are and to decide how we want to be remembered when we’re gone. Through the fun and games, we came away from the retreat with a clear goal in mind, and a kindred unity amongst our classmates that feels confident enough to go out and reach it. – Article by Ben Hankey - Pictures by Scott Lindgren |
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