As school is starting, many students feel anxious about the school year academically, spiritually, and possibly about future friendships. With the overwhelming feeling, especially for our incoming freshman, of starting highschool, retreat is the perfect solution to calm down everyone’s nerves. In specific, Prestonwood High School students collectively go to a camp, Sky Ranch, during the start of each school year for friendship and spiritual bonding. Let us take a look inside into the wonderful times students were able to spend at Retreat 2024.

Freshman Maia Yap expresses her spiritual growth after retreat, “I believe I grew spiritually during my first year of retreat because after the sermon was over, I was able to think about numerous ways I could apply what I had learned to my daily life.”

Sophomore Logan Tevenos talks about her favorite part during retreat, “My favorite thing about retreat was getting to hang out with friends and having freetime to converse with some new classmates I would have never been able to talk to during school.”

Upperclassmen, Chris Fu and Nami Adenle, who have already been to retreat a few times, express their perspective about the time they spent during retreat.

Junior Chris Fu expresses his gratitude toward Pastor Newsome for his impactful sermon, “I would have to say worship was my favorite part of the whole retreat, and after listening to the sermon, I had the opportunity to grow spiritually by discussing the sermon with my friends afterwards.”

Senior Nami Adenle, who attended the retreat and the Senior Retreat to San Antonio picks out the highlights of both trips, “I really enjoyed the Senior only privileges this year, going to San Antonio was amazing as my Senior class was able to grow spiritually through our verse, Joshua 1:9, ‘Be strong and courageous.’ This trip truly taught us that if we stick together and have faith in God, we will be able to overcome anything and everything.”

Wow, the SkyRanch and San Antonio retreats this year were evidently super impactful and moving for our highschool students. Getting to grow spiritually at school and with your classmates is truly an experience that should not be taken for granted, and our Lions used this opportunity to the fullest. This positive start to the year will keep the former and incoming Highschool students in a positive headspace throughout the school year, Go Lions!