This year’s Shrine Mont trip was slightly different than most. There was much controversy around the fact that the traditional same gender group discussions were becoming co-ed. However, the faculty decided to do both the single gender and co ed discussions due to weather accommodations. Everyone had to adjust to these circumstances, and did so with flexibility and an open mind.
Seniors Oliver Miller, Luke Pascal and Sarah Kotulan stated that their “high” of the trip was the hike. However, this was said with some doubt with reference to the “45 degree vertical” towards the end of the hike, Oliver stated. Regardless of the struggle, each and every one of them reached the top successfully. Luke Pascal mentioned how his favorite part of the trip was the “process” of the hike. He emphasized how he truly appreciated the time that it took going up the mountain, and made the most out of that aspect of the hike while spending time with his friends in a different atmosphere. He talked about the importance of cherishing the process, and that being with his friends while absorbing the environment was the most special part of it.
While speaking with Mr. Humphreys, he mentioned how the unexpected weather turned out to work in favor of the teachers and seniors given the fact that the hike was the best hike at Shrine Mont he has ever done. Mr. Humphrey’s task of helping students up and down the rock was undoubtedly the most crucial job at Shrine Mont. Several students mentioned how this key moment of getting up and down the rock with the guidance of Mr. Humpreys required a large amount of trust. However, students chose to overcome their fears in order to reach the final destination.
The goal of the trip was to help the class of 2024 bond with one another in ways that they had not before, and ultimately this was a success. Sarah Kotulan mentioned that she now talks to more people outside her close friend group, and says hi to a lot of people that she interacted with on the trip in the hallways. The Shrine Mont trip shaped out to be an extremely special experience where the grade as a whole turned out feeling more connected and united as a whole.