As graduation rapidly approaches, the seniors on the ECHO staff took time to reflect on the moments that helped define their high school experience. Read their reflections below.
Luke Wells
Senior retreat was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. It was the most special thing I have ever been a part of. I was lucky enough to have the chance to go on the first retreat of the year. This allowed me to carry everything I learned with me throughout my entire senior year. Retreat gave me the opportunity to grow closer to so many people that I didn’t even know before the trip. Through my first three years at Trinity, I never really understood the concept of brotherhood. However, I can confidently say that after those four days I can call every single person on that retreat one of my brothers.
Coach Owens once told me, “It’s not what happens to you, but it’s how you respond that matters.” I was in a rough place after losing my dad towards the end of my junior year. I didn’t have the motivation to do my schoolwork. However, I remembered what Coach Owens said. It made me realize that ignoring my work was not the right way to respond. Even though it was tough, I did everything I could to keep my grades up and maintain a positive attitude.
After Trinity, I am going to the University of Kentucky. I will be majoring in Finance. My goal is to become a real estate developer. Trinity has taught me many things that will be useful in my journey through college. The most important thing I learned was how to manage my money. My. Norman taught me to create a weekly budget, and to invest a certain amount of money each month. I learned a lot from Coach Owens on how to manage my time. I plan on being very busy in college, so time management will be very important. Since coming to Trinity, my communication skills have also gotten a lot better. This will help me be able to meet new people without being shy or nervous. Trinity has shaped me into the person that I am today, and I will carry that with me the rest of my life.
Marty Wicinski
Now being done with high school, Trinity has molded me into a person who is ready to go out and experience the real world. Looking back, Trinity has taught me to step out of my comfort zone and has allowed me to get so much out of my four years. Coming in as a freshman, I was quiet and only talked to a few friends from grade school in the first few weeks. As weeks of school went on, I started to talk to guys in my classes and then guys who sat at my lunch table. I was shocked at how nice everyone was from talking about an upcoming project or talking about sports games that happened the night before. I have been able to make some of my best friends who I hang out with every weekend by having a simple conversation with them.
For upcoming Seniors, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone even more than you have. Sign up for the events. Go to those games. Talk to that one guy at retreat. For Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman, reach out to guys who you don’t know. The here time flies by, so I highly encourage you to make that effort sooner than later. Step out of your comfort zone and join that team or club.
As time flew by, and my four years at Trinity have passed, I have made very close friends who I never would have expected. Moments such as Senior Retreat, tailgating for rivalry games, and Pink-White practice only allowed me to meet more of my classmates who I can now call my brothers. We have all gotten closer through events that Senior year has to offer. A particular moment that stands out to me was the actual Pink-White dance. We were all on track both nervous and excited to go dance in front of the crowd. Almost everyone on the team has never danced before, so it was a great experience to go out and to have that experience with 60 seniors.
Griffin Brunstetter
Growth is a characteristic that Trinity truly develops throughout a student’s four years. I am someone that has seen significant personal growth over my time here. The big academic growth I have experienced was the trait of work ethics and not taking the easy way out. My freshman year I received a cheating report for using AI to complete a paper. Though at the time it felt like the world was ending, it was an event that changed my life positively forever. It taught me that though it might be the easier path to take, working to meet deadlines and developing the ability to speak with teachers when I am struggling is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It is important to create connections and relationships with those that are there to help you no matter the circumstances. There are people here in your corner, and it never hurts to ask for help.
The friendships I made here are ones that will last a lifetime. Trinity preaches the brotherhood and the positive force that drives the relationships at Trinity is real. I made connections with new people all four years. Even senior year, through senior retreat, I met people that I will be close with forever. These people either made for good times socially or were the best study partners I could ask for. From getting food and going to games together to sitting up on late night calls to study for AP tests I would not have gotten through Trinity without these friends. My friends are Trinity, have been there for me in some of the toughest times and I will forever be grateful for that. These connections will also benefit me post-graduation in the business world. Trinity is all about brotherhood and I can testify to the truth of that.
I want to close by giving some advice to those that will follow our class. My advice is to get involved in everything you want. You will never find what you enjoy unless you try it. If something interests you, take the chance and see if it is something you love. I would not have the passion for digital media, my planned college major, if I had never been encouraged by an upperclassman to do the Trinity videoboard. Taking that step led me to running multiple social media accounts, starting my own media company, and getting to experience professional sporting events as a journalist. The more involved you are, the more people you meet and the higher chances you have of finding your passion. Trinity offers a club or group for almost everything and there are plenty of staff willing to help. Take risks and find what fits you; it gives you a chance to grow, meet new people, and figure out what you want your future to look like. SEIZE THE MOMENT! I love Trinity and am forever grateful for who this community has shaped me to be. Go Rocks, Trinity Forever!
Harper Haywood
One way I have grown since I’ve been at Trinity is through my faith. My faith has been challenged since I am not Catholic, and I attend a Catholic school. I have learned to take in other viewpoints and let them speak their mind on disagreements. Sometimes it’s hard to agree to disagree, but I think there’s peace in it, especially with things like faith. I believe it’s important to talk about things like spirituality, especially when it’s not a common topic, and with things like retreats and theology classes, you are able to at Trinity.
Something that I have achieved while at Trinity is winning a baseball state championship. It was always a goal coming in freshman year to do something of that caliber, and after falling short sophomore year, the team finally pulled through in the 2025 season. It was something so surreal, to finally achieve something you’ve only dreamt about. It made it so special doing it with my brothers who also were striving for that goal. It is something I will cherish the rest of my life, and something that I’m chasing this year as a senior. It made me respect everything else more, knowing what it takes to get to the top of the mountain.
My goal after Trinity is to go to college and get my degree but to then go into the seminary here back home. I want to eventually go into ministry, and Trinity has prepared me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. My faith has been challenged to its core, and doubts have rung in. But the doubts have only reminded me of the faith that I do have, and how to hold onto it. I want to make a difference and show everyone the likes of how the Lord has saved me. I pray that everyone gets to experience what the Lord has done for me.
My will to pass on is the starting catching role on the baseball team. I want to give it to Noah Boston and Nicholas Yorgy. They are juniors who will be seniors. They will have a year of experience, and they will be ready. They know that it takes a ton of hard work and dedication, and I know that they give it their all.
Nate Ryan
Trinity has taught me many things about myself since I started here as a freshman. I have grown up as a person in a number of different ways. Whether it’s football, track, schoolwork, or any extracurricular activities I’ve participated in, Trinity has shown me how to work hard to achieve something. I’ve also learned to really branch out from my shell and meet new people which will help a lot when i get to college considering I don’t have many friends going to Western Kentucky.
An achievement that I am proud of from my time at Trinity has to be the four state championship rings I have earned from time here. I have three for football and one for Track and being a part of those teams, and those guys showed me what it takes to win. I grew very close to a lot of my teammates and I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished. I even met some of my best friends through these sports.
I’m very excited for my future after Trinity and will be attending Western Kentucky in the fall. I plan on majoring in financial advising and meeting a lot of new people. I’m a little nervous, but I feel like the Trinity community has really prepared me well for the college environment. When I look back on these memories that I’ve made at Trinity, I will know that I was a part of something big and be proud of the class of 2026. I hope that I will see all these old faces again soon whether it’s for an alumni reunion or even just a sports event.
Kyle Schofield
When I first came to Trinity, I was a shy and scared kid. I remember the summer before freshman year I was scared to go to the first freshman football practice because I knew I was the only manager there. Over the last four years I have come out of my shell and have become less shy. I have learned a lot about myself and my brothers. I have made connections with teachers I never really thought I would make a connection with. I’ve grown in ways that I have deepened my faith because of Trinity and senior retreat. Even in this senior year I have grown a lot since the end of junior year.
This isn’t necessarily an achievement or award but what I’m most proud of at my time at Trinity was being a manager all four years. Freshman year even though I had my doubts was the most fun season I have been a part of. All though our freshman team was terrible I still had so much fun meeting new people and making new friends. I grew close with my other managers every year I did especially junior year I got close with the senior managers that year. I still talk to those guys today. This past year senior year I grew even closer to the other senior managers throughout the season and grew with the younger guys. The relationships I made with the players and coaches is something I will always be proud of and will cherish forever.
I can’t chose one memory, but I have two. Beating St. X sophomore year in the playoffs at home and beating St. X at St. X in the playoffs Senior year. Sophomore year was the most people I’ve ever seen at a Trinity game. The atmosphere in the game and the crowd was something I had never seen before. The game was close for about three quarters until we pulled away. It was one of the most fun I’ve ever had at a Trinity home game. Now senior year this game was special. After we beat them in the regular season they were talking about revenge, but we just killed them. When the game started, I noticed that there were not a lot of St. X fans there which was odd to me, and then when we started the game and put three touchdowns in four drives, it all made sense. We ended up beating them 50-7, and the best moment was when Sonny blocked a field goal and took it back for a touchdown.
Josh Kepnes
In the last four years since I’ve been to Trinity, I’ve had experiences that have shaped who I am and have learned lessons that I’ll carry me throughout life. I’ve had special moments growing closer with the brothers I have here at Trinity, and had some funny and crazy moments that I’ll remember for life.
This past spring I was named one of the team captains on the tennis team. Its been a blast of a season for a few reasons. I got to be a leader for the first time at Trinity. I tried to put an excellent example on at practice every day working hard and giving it my all in every match. Every day I looked to talk to all my
teammates, meeting the new freshman seeing our team form together. Getting to be with the other senior brothers who I have played with for four years was special. Whether it was doubles with Griffin Phillips or getting to watch him win vs St. X it was great to see his growth or playing doubles with Chase Jorgenson and getting to have an awesome time at practices together. I also became good friends with underclassmen Carson Cunningham and Will Cameron. I played a lot of tennis over the last summer with them and Will who’s been my doubles partner this year; we’ve had some special wins.
Our chemistry on the court has been growing and we have done really well, sweeping Manual and winning big matches against KCD and CAL. I’ve gotten the ability to grow into a team with all of my teammates and leading them has been an honor. I hope the mark I left was that I love the brotherhood and energy from the team and helped contribute to it every day.
Cooper Arrow
My time at Trinity has truly flown by. I remember walking into book day freshman year thinking I had so much time. I felt like high school was never going to end and was really unsure of what to expect. I walked in not confident and anxious. Now leaving Trinity, I am more confident than ever and realize how quickly my time has gone.
I have grown at Trinity by becoming more social, confident, and more independent. I have learned the importance of a strong work ethic and being yourself. Trinity has helped me find a group that I consider brothers for life and have made my best memories with. Finding a core group helps you get more involved and connected. Trinity has so much to offer, so it is important to find things that interest you and get you involved. Sports are a great way to get involved, but there are plenty of clubs as well. My soccer career was amazing because I learned how to balance school and the season, but also made bonds that I will carry forever.
One positive memory I have from my time at Trinity is senior retreat. This is by far the best thing Trinity offers and should be taken advantage of by every senior. You will discover things about yourself that you might never share or discover otherwise. This is the moment when everyone starts to come together and understand what the Trinity brotherhood is really about. My best advice is to go into retreat open-minded. You more you put in, the more you will get out. Retreat is very confidential and not much can be shared, but it is worth the experience.
After high school, I am going to play soccer at Oglethorpe University. I plan to major in finance or something business related and eventually attend a graduate school. My goals are to have a successful season, win a championship, and maintain a high GPA. Trinity has helped me with these goals because I have been super successful at Trinity and have maintained a high GPA all four years. I have learned time management with assignments and how to succeed on and off the field. Teachers have served as mentors to me and are always wanting to help or give advice. Trinity’s courses have helped me prepare for living on my own and taking on new challenges.
To sum it up, Trinity is a very special place that I have learned a lot from and will miss a lot. I look forward to coming back to sporting events, alumni events, and seeing other students and teachers. For underclassmen, soak it up because your time goes by way quicker than you think. Some years and classes will be hard, but once senior year arrives, it is all downhill. Your perspective will change and you will miss these four years, so take advantage of every event and every minute with friends and family.
Lukas Ladson
Now, being a senior at Trinity and looking back at my four years here, I have learned a lot about myself and the way people are in life. One specific memory helped me realize all of this: senior retreat. Going into senior retreat, I didn’t think much of it. I thought it was just going to be something my parents were forcing me to do. I had a very closed mind heading into it.
Having to give up my phone was the start of it. I hadn’t been without my phone for three straight days since the day I got it years ago. But the truth is, it was one of the best experiences of my time at Trinity. Being disconnected from the real world with a group of friends made the experience 10 times better. It wouldn’t have been the same if we had our phones. The whole experience made me grow and realize a lot about myself that I wouldn’t have discovered without retreat.
I had my retreat early in my senior year, and the things I learned helped me grow a lot throughout the year. It allowed me to have a more open mind about everything and completely changed my perspective on people at Trinity. Everyone goes through their own problems and struggles, and it makes you feel lucky to be blessed with the life you were given. A lot of people would love to be in the situation we Trinity students are in, and I’m thankful senior retreat helped me realize that.
Wyatt Bonifer
One achievement I’m proud of since coming to Trinity is playing on the golf team as a senior. When I first came to Trinity I played basketball, and had never picked up a golf club in my life. However, after quitting basketball as a sophomore, I decided to give it a try. After trying out and not making the team going into my junior year, I kept playing, and decided to test my chances one more time. At tryouts, I played the best golf of my life, and made my way onto the team. By no means was I one of the best players on the team, but being able to compete in
tournaments and play a competitive sport again was still a very special feeling, and something that I didn’t think I would do again after my sophomore year.
Before Trinity, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a profession. However, I think I have found that, in large part due to the great teachers at Trinity. The first class that really got me into journalism was Video Production II, which I took sophomore year with Mr. Harris. This led me down the track of more great journalism classes during my time at Trinity, like Broadcast Journalism, Digital Media, and Online Newspaper Journalism. All of these classes, along with teachers like Mr. Harris, Mr. Waggoner, and Mr. Dotsey helped me find my passion earlier than many students do, which is part of why my Trinity experience has been so special.
Izac Stammerman
My moment at Trinity definitely had to be when I got my grade back from my AP United States History. I had spent my entire junior year stressing and worrying if I was going to be one of the few that would fail the test. I would continuously do bad on multiple choice tests, to the point where at the end of the year I genuinely think I did not naturally score better than an 80 on any of his multiple-choice tests. Thankfully, I still had a 90 in his class as it came to the end of the year. I remember having to take two full length practice tests and I had scored a 2 on both which was not a passing grade, and the average student populous all improved at least one point after taking the second. I was stressed, thinking that all my work and late nights would be for nothing and I took the test. I remember talking to my friends in a little break we had and asking about a specific short answer question that I was super proud of and that are notoriously my worst enemy when it came to the APUSH test, and my friends got super confused. Turns out, I had written about the ENTIRE wrong thing and likely got no points for that short answer. So, it became something in the back of my head as I finished the test, and I thought about it a lot until I had gotten my official grade. I was at work, and my friends had seen theirs and urged me to check mine, so I did. It turned out that I got a 3 which was a passing grade, and I was ecstatic. That was one of my highest academic moments I have ever experienced and will forever be a memory I treasure deeply thanks to Trinity.
