Every year, Trinity’s Senior Retreat stands as one of the most meaningful experiences students take with them after graduation. Time and time again, seniors return saying the same thing: you leave with a different understanding of your classmates, your school and yourself.

One of the most common themes from seniors is connection. Many students are surprised by how quickly walls fall when everyone steps away from their usual routines. “You get to know kids that you don’t know very well better,” said Wyatt Bonifer. Stories shared on retreat open eyes and change perspectives. Seniors often discover that people they barely talk to have had similar experiences. As Coleman Wuertz put it, “Retreat changed my perspective on some people and helped me connect.”

This deepened connection is what so many call the Trinity brotherhood. “You might think you’ve experienced it, but Senior Retreat is what it truly should feel like,” said Max Corbett, Trinity Class of 2026 president. Others echoed the same idea, that by the end of the week, “every single person will have 39 new best friends,” according to Henry Nash. Even close friend groups grow stronger. “It made me 10 times closer with my close friends,” added Michael Hourigan.

Another powerful theme is gratitude and self-reflection. Away from distractions, many students say they learned to appreciate what they have and who they have. “I learned to always be grateful for what you have,” Porter Houchin shared, while others talked about discovering “endless support” from their Trinity brothers, as Cade Partin emphasized.

Retreat also provides something rare: a real break. No buzzing notifications, no rushing from class to practice. “It’s good to get off your phone for a few days,” said Reese Ridenour, noting that being disconnected from the real world helps everyone be fully present. Jacob Lewis agreed, saying he valued “getting away from the busyness of everyday life” and spending time truly connecting with friends.

Ultimately, Senior Retreat is about stepping out of your comfort zone and discovering more than you ever expect about others and about yourself. As Coleman said best, “Go on retreat… you will learn more about yourself than you think.”