St Ignatius College Prepatory - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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Scott Malman. Amanda Ow, and Nicole Martin talk outside during Kairos. Elizabeth Ontano, Jonathan Talbot, Helen Tso, Dana Fisco, and Kelly Kennedy discuss their personal reflections during Junior retreat. Working hard on a skit, freshman become better acquainted with each other during their class retreat. How Has Retreat Changed Your Life? “I no longer saw the school as segregated between Burlingame kids, Marin kids, jocks, and ‘outcasts’—we were all juniors.” -Mick Terrizzi ‘04 “It taught me how to be more respectful of my peers and take advantage of my talents.” -Ciara Vielnveg ‘05 “It gave me a chance to see past the illusions and images people created for themselves and just let me see who they really were.” -Kayt Solso ‘03 “It was a really good start to my time at SI. It helped me meet new people to start the new year. Retreat helped me feel more comfortable with myself and my peers. -Annonymous ‘06 Retreats

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Growing. ather Wright speaks to the seniors on Kairos. Each year all but a few seniors attend the four-day event. The details of the retreat are kept well-hidden from those who have not yet attended. Juniors participate in a blindfold game on their retreat. Trust is an important aspect of personal growth. Freshmen enjoy the music during their first retreat at SI. During their retreat, Brendan O’Callaghan. Josh Bornstein, and Maya Simpson perform skits in Bannan Theater. Retreats

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Being» “ Others Although St. Ignatius' eight Immersion groups went to many different parts of the world, each group enjoyed similar experiences and learned valuable w lessons. The students lucky enough to participate in this program were able to find out what it’s like to live in the real world. All of the Immersion programs offered its participants a chance to travel to a new and exciting place—even the San Francisco program. On this trip, students witnessed a new and shocking aspect of our own home city. Many of the participants admitted to believing in stereotypes before they went on Immersion. Fortunately, the students found out that the people they are helping do have problems, but the same problems do not apply to all the people in their area. For example, the San Francisco Immersion kids found that the people in the Tenderloin are among the brightest and nicest ones they will ever meet, even though some of them do suffer from substance addiction. All we have to do is treat others like the human beings they are. Working and eating with these disadvantaged people every day helped the Immersion participants get to know them very well. These people were happy to have someone there who was willing to listen to their stories. This leads to the whole point of an Immersion—to build a community. Once SI students began talking with others, they realized that they were people just like you and me. The experiences on Immersion have been described as “the best of our lives. The trips represented something special to all that participated. They now have a greater sense of the community around us, and what they can do to help it. Appalachia Scott Ngai, Yvannia Perez, Megan Wolohan, Mr. Ted Curry (leader), Carolyn DeVoto, Noelle Gaston, Elinor Gregorio, Mike Lcto. Birmingham. AL Front Row: Violet Quesada, Carry (volunteer), Erin Kunse, Conor Keane, Laura Scully, Allison Dean, Ms. Mary Ahlbach (leader). Back Row: Fiona Shannon, Mr. Perry Gentry (leader), Gina Conti, Lindsay Burton. Matt (volunteer).