The Class of 2013 came together as sisters during the two-day Senior Retreat at the Bethany Center. From Thursday morning, March 7, to Friday afternoon, March 8, the seniors tearfully reflected on the realization that their AHN experience and time with their sisters is coming to a close.

With demanding and challenging academic course work still left to complete and the stressful, time-consuming college application process, many of the seniors have been ready and excited to go to college. However, during the retreat, the girls realized the extent of what they will be leaving behind next year. They recognized how much AHN and the family of faculty and students have impacted their lives. Many of the members of the Class of 2013 opened up to their entire class, explaining the value of the support and love they have at Academy and how this environment gives them a comfortable and reassuring place to refer to when facing personal hardships.

Senior Catherine Young loved the retreat and the entire experience she had with her class. “I have been attending the Academy for 13 years. I can’t believe those years flew by, and I am getting ready to leave. I loved the retreat because I learned more about my classmates, felt our class truly bond, and recognized how much I will miss the AHN community.”

The Class of 2013 stayed overnight in the bunks of the Bethany Center, chaperoned by guidance counselors Ms. Kerry Keegan and Mrs. Darcy Dwyer, senior English teacher Mrs. Edie LeBas and Campus Minister Sister Mary Patricia Plumb SND.

Senior Christina Gerecke enjoyed this unique experience with her 69 sisters. “It was like a giant sleepover, staying up late talking and laughing with all of my classmates.”

The activities of the retreat are usually a secret, but in general, the girls did many fun, reflecting, and sharing exercises that enabled the class to grow closer as a whole. The Class of 2013 laughed as much as they cried and thoroughly enjoyed each other and the memories they shared from the last four years.