Introduction
Every year, the senior class embarks on a 3 day trip to interact and bond with their peers. Staff members are also invited to assist and mentor the seniors as they learn the meaning of community. This year, senior counselor Jack Fitzsimmons challenged the class of 2023 to treat community days as their 40th reunion – sharing each other’s experiences without judgement, but of fondness for each other and an eagerness to learn.
I interviewed Mr. Shoemaker and three seniors on some key takeaways from this year’s experience and advice for the underclassmen – here’s what they said.
Interviews
Mr. Shoemaker’s take as a guidance counselor during community days:
[Q]: What is one thing that was consistently special through your years guiding seniors?
[A]: “I think what’s nice is the time away. It kind of comes during a good time of the year when college applications are ramping up and the deadlines are right around the corner. Normally the six week grade check is coming up, and then y’all get this gift of 3 days away. I think one of the special things is just coming together and realizing how nice it is to take time for yourself even when you feel like you don’t have any to take.
[Q]: Given that it was not an incredibly long time we spend away, what are some things you think we should continue to deliberate on?
Thematically, the things we talked about in terms of building community and bringing that back here – those sorts of things are always important. I had a great discussion with students on how taking care of the little things can have much broader impacts – you know, leading and taking care of the school and treating it like your own home. I always find that when seniors come back, they’re always a little older. I think that while it’s only three days away, it’s such an important three days that allows us to remember those small interactions to bring back community.
[Q]: What is one theme from community days that you would like the entire student body to emulate?
[A]: Clean up after yourself – that’s just what I like everyone here to do.
Next, I asked three Seniors to reflect on their experience as participants of community days. Here’s what they had to say.
[Q]: Why was community days meaningful for you?
Kevin Babu: It was meaningful because I got to meet new friends, learn more about people, have them learn more about me, and have a great time.
Tejas Murugesh: I think one of my fondest memories was meeting students I didn’t know very well – I got to connect with them even if I participate in different activities, I’m still quite similar and share similar interests. They’re quite nice people and the fact that I’ve never spoken to them after four years was surprising to me.
Jon Noquil: I felt happy and accepted by my peers, and it allowed me to talk with people I have not previously connected with.
[Q]: How has your experience at community days changed your view of your peers?
Kevin Babu: It helped me learn more about them. I got to learn more about people I haven’t talked to before and allowed me to do more stuff with them.
Tejas Murugesh: I initially thought that our class was filled with cliquey and exclusionary individuals but after talking to everyone – I noticed that our student body is very warm and welcoming. I really enjoyed that everyone was much more respectful than I initially thought.
Jon Noquil: It allowed me to perceive them in a ways that was more complex than it already was and lifted the stereotypes I had of people already.
[Q]: What is one piece of advice you would like to give to your younger brothers?
Kevin Babu: Make wise choices and be caring with your peers!
Tejas Murugesh: Branch out! Don’t always be in one group, and always meet new people because it will enable you to build a lot more connections when you go into the real world. Unfortunately with Jesuit, a lot of students only focus on friends inside of school – when we get into the real world, we wouldn’t be able to get out and meet more people.
Jon Noquil: Open yourself up to the experiences and don’t try to mentally lock yourself in – otherwise you’ll fail to encapsulate the goal of the retreat.
[Q]: How would you like to move forward as a student at Jesuit?
Kevin Babu: I would like to learn more about people and connect with those I don’t know much about.
Tejas Murugesh: In our last 8 months at Jesuit, I would like to focus on building connections and make an impact by helping students spread diversity and focus on our appreciation of differences in people. I think that I want to enable students to collectively understand that we’re all unique in our own ways, and that’s what makes us great.
Jon Noquil: I would like to open up my boundaries and bond with people I don’t normally talk to.
Conclusion
As the seniors embark on their last year in high school, their experience at community days would certainly help them set a positive example for their peers.
Stay tuned on the roundup for more Senior News