Retreat

LEADING THE WAY

During the final meeting on April 27 before the junior retreat in May, senior small group leaders eat their lunch as they listen to Campus Ministry director Bill Creach. For the first time, the junior retreat will be led by 21 seniors. | ALENA GILLESPIE Starting a new tradition, seniors help with junior retreat

ALENA GILLESPIE

STAFF WRITER

and helping people feel comfortable with sharing in their small groups,” Young said. Creach said he believes the juniors may connect more to the seniors leading the retreat.

Gathered together in the auditorium with lunches in hand, “I am hoping the juniors are more open because they’ve got senior small group leaders listened to the plans of the people close to them in age giving the retreat,” Creach said. “I junior retreat prepared by Campus Ministry director Bill hope that some of them (juniors) will help next year because Creach. they had a good experience on the retreat.”

This year for the first time, 21 seniors Coming out of the retreat, Patterson said will be dedicating their time on May 14, her goal is for the juniors to come together the day before graduation, to lead the juniors in their retreat. “The idea is getting the juniors ready “I hope they can get closer to each other as a class as one. “I hope they can get closer to each other as a class and get some deep level of to be seniors,” Creach said. “It'd be like and get some deep level understanding before senior year,” Patterson handing off the baton of the old guard to the new guard.” For the first time in more than 10 years, of understanding before senior year.” said. Young said she wants the juniors to recognize that they will be the new leaders of the juniors will have their retreat together the school. as a class, rather than being split into two groups over a two day time period. SENIOR AMY PATTERSON “I hope they gain fellowship and are more open to being vulnerable to peers as well as

Senior small group leader Amy learning what it means to be a leader,” Young Patterson said she is looking forward said. to being a leader as she will meet more According to Creach, there is always room underclassmen before she graduates. for friendships to grow stronger within classmates.

“I don’t know that many juniors, so I would say I look forward “I hope they get closer as a class and new friendships are to getting to know the juniors,” Patterson said. formed or old friendships get closer,” Creach said. “I still think

Prior leadership experiences led to being selected as a small there’s a lot of people in the class that don’t know each other group leader. yet.”

“I love getting leadership roles,” senior small group leader Being seniors, both Patterson and Young have words of Maizie Young said. “I’m excited for another opportunity to do wisdom for the juniors before they graduate. that before I graduate.” “Enjoy it and power through,” Patterson said.

Leaders have been prepping for the retreat by attending Young adds that being open and having a positive mindset is meetings led by Creach that go over the day, small group key. activities and preparing speeches. Young said she feels that her “Be open to other people you aren’t really friends with and goal is for everyone to be themselves. enjoy your time at Miege while you have it instead of

“I think my main responsibility is helping lead discussions anticipating getting out,” Young said.