On March 20th and 21st, our sophomore class traveled to Forest Home Ojai Valley Center for a retreat that was more than just a break from the classroom. Surrounded by nature and away from daily distractions such as our phones, we had the chance to connect, forgive and grow as a class. From significant talks to moments of quiet reflection, the experience left a lasting impact on the sophomores who attended.

“The sophomore retreat exceeded my expectations in unexpected ways. Going into it, I expected a mix of reflection, prayer, and bonding, but I didn’t realize just how meaningful the time away would be,” Bella Gordillo ‘27 said.

​​The sophomore retreat was more than just time away from campus; it was a chance for our class to bond and build stronger relationships. Through shared experiences in life, meaningful talks from upperclassmen, and tears shed together, we walked away with a new perspective on ourselves and our classmates. Whether it was forming new friendships, deepening existing ones, or simply taking a step back from daily stress, the experience left a meaningful impression on our class.

For many, one of the most important and memorable aspects of the retreat was the candle-lighting ceremony. In a quiet, emotional moment, students passed the flame from candle to candle as a symbol of support, forgiveness, and friendship.

“I shed so many tears during the candle ceremony,” Maddie Bakula ‘27 said. “Everyone giving their candles to people they cared about or forgave was such a powerful experience.”

Several students found themselves sharing that powerful moment. “The candle lighting helped me bond with people I don’t know very well,” said Emma Rodriguez ‘27. “ I’m not usually open with others, but that night I felt safe being vulnerable.”

This feeling of openness and community was a common theme throughout the entire retreat. Talks from the CMLT leaders really resonated deeply with us sophomores.

“Her talk about mental health really stood out to me,” said Maddie, referring to one of the leaders at the retreat. “I couldn’t stop crying. She helped so many of us feel less alone.”

Other girls found that the retreat opened their eyes to how similar we all are beneath the surface. “It made me realize that even if we aren’t close friends, we’re all going through something,” said Emma Mendez ‘27. “That gave me a new sense of empathy.”

For Bella, the retreat even sparked healing in a long-lost friendship. “A friend and I had grown apart, but we talked again during the retreat,” she explained. “The candle ceremony reminded me that friendships can be rekindled. That moment gave me so much hope.”

While the retreat included lots of emotional moments, it also allowed for fun and meaningful connection. From our small group discussions to heartfelt letter-writing and paired dyad conversations, we had the chance to connect one-on-one with classmates we hadn’t spoken to much before.

A dyad is a pair of two people or things. To determine our dyad, we participated in an unusual activity: without speaking to each other, we had to get in line based on the order of our birthdays. After this, we were paired off in twos; our partners were our dyads for the remainder of the retreat.

“Being with my dyad was one of my favorite parts,” Leilah Robertson ‘27 said. “We already hang out at school, but during the retreat, we had deeper conversations. It really changed our relationship.”

Leilah also used the retreat to let go of some difficult memories. 

“Writing a forgiveness letter helped me forgive someone from my past. I didn’t expect to cry as much as I did, but it showed me that I’m not alone—I have friends here who truly support me.”

One thing a lot of participants expressed was their surprise at how emotional and impactful the retreat was.

“I didn’t expect it to be that deep,” Lila Munoz ‘27 said. “But I definitely cried more than I thought I would. The talks and the group discussions helped us all see each other in a new light.”

One thing that arguably the entire sophomore class can agree on is that we all wish the retreat was longer than just one day.

“There was so much emotion packed into one day. A little more time to decompress and reflect would have made it even better,” Charlotte Wilson ‘27 said.

Still, what remained consistent throughout everyone is a deep sense of gratitude. For the experience itself, the bonds it created, the bonds it strengthened, and the personal growth it inspired.

“This retreat changed the way I see myself and others,” Leilah said. “It reminded me that we’re all teenage girls figuring life out together, and that’s something really beautiful.”

The sophomore retreat may have lasted just two days, but its lessons—on empathy, forgiveness, and connection—will last far longer. For many of us, it marked the beginning of a compassionate and emotionally open chapter in our high school journey.