Trinity School of Midland College Advising: TRINITY SCHOOL SENIOR RETREAT 2015

I just got home a few hours ago after spending the last day and a half with the Class of 2015 of Trinity School at Camp Butman. The camp is located in a very hot, dry, and remote area somewhere near Merkel, Texas. With the great leadership of Mr. Bell , a handful of teachers and I helped sponsor the trip for close to 50 students. Students spent the last 24 hours swimming, water sliding, playing recreational activities/games, and participating in a challenging short ropes course. Hot, sweaty, and tired might be some of the words all of us thought of as we drove back to Midland this afternoon. However, the students, the theme of the event, the stories shared, the laughs, the character of these students on display, and God's awesome presence among us are the things that I will truly cherish forever.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. This was the theme of our trip and the topic of our awesome breakout sessions. Sponsors and students took turns talking about a person whose shoulders they stood on to get to this successful point in their lives.Parents, your sons and daughters did a great job talking about you, their brothers/sisters, grandparents/, educators, religious leaders, and other peers that have helped them get to this successful point in their lives. So very proud of those that shared.

On the lower ropes course and during the different recreational activities I observed exceptional character, leadership, resiliency,commitment to task, and communication between the students. They were the "Band of Brothers" and if someone made a mistake, a fellow student was there to encourage and to lift up that student to try again. I found myself in admiration of these students. In fact, staff members of the camp that conducted the lower ropes courses mentioned to Mr. Bell that this was one of the very best groups they have ever hosted. Kudos to the class of 2015!

This reminds me of a study I saw at a national Noel Levitz conference several years ago. A study found that it was these very internal characteristics that led to a student's success in college, not one's grade point average or test scores. My hope for the Class of 2015 is that what happened at the Senior Retreat carries over into the classroom this year and next, as each of you begins a new chapter in your life when you go off to college. Be exceptional and be a Giant for those students below you that are watching each step you take.

Seniors, what was your favorite part/memory from the retreat? Feel free to share your experience here.

Students sharing who their Giants are