The Senior Class of 2013 gears up for one of Jesuit’s most esteemed traditions, Community Days. They will leave on the
morning of Tuesday, September 18 for three days, and during this time, they hope to build connections with their fellow brothers that will last a lifetime.
Community Days began at Jesuit in 1971 with the intention of strengthening community bonds in the senior class. “Community Days has evolved over time from 1971,” said Senior Counselor, David Oglesby, “but the focus has stayed the same.”
Specifics about Community Days are largely unknown to the students prior to their own experience, as an effort to let every student enter Community Days with an open mind. Even parents are left without certainty of where their son is going for three days, but they are assured that he will be sleeping inside and under the care of Jesuit staff. This secretive aspect of Community Days adds to the overall excitement and anticipation by the students.
Students are not allowed to use their phones on the trip and are told not to discuss the details of Community Days when they return. While on the trip, seniors will participate in several team building and bonding exercises with other students. “I’m really excited to finally take part in this tradition that has been going on for so long,” commented Dylan Clancy ’13, “my dad did it, too, so I will be the second generation of Clancy’s to go through this, and probably not the last.”
“I’m kind of nervous about the trip, but I really want to see what it’s all about,” remarked Caleb Kunasek ’13. “You hear rumors and legends, but I want to see it for myself.” The senior class has a positive attitude as they approach Community Days, which will allow them to get the most possible out of the trip. Will Brown ’13 described the Class of 2013 as “particularly close and tightly knit,” but he added, “I think this will make us even closer.”
Students can only speculate the details of Community Days until their final year at Jesuit to know for sure all of the mysteries and facts that surround Community Days. One sure aspect of the trip is the trip’s capabilities to bond the senior class. The Class of 2013 will hopefully gain a closer relationship with their classmates, and learn the true meaning of brotherhood.