Two Days in Paradise: Leadership Retreat

Hyun Ji Kim

Carrying her overpacked sling bag on one shoulder, Shannen Leong (12) excitedly boarded the white van that would take her from school to paradise, Lost Paradise, for the next two days.

Extending from the 10th to the 11th of August, high school students with positions in StuCo, ExCom, and Dorm Council took part in the Leadership Retreat. At this retreat, students redefined their understanding of leadership, bonded with their group, and planned for the year.

After arriving on the exotic Thai-style resort, students spent the first two hours getting comfortable and interacting with their peers. Students were found playing Korean games in circles, chatting in the conference room, and playing volleyball in the garden. One of the highlights of the retreat was when the senior class president, Rahul Gill (12), stepped into the ocean without hesitation, attempting to retrieve the volleyball that he had bumped over the fence. Other students cheered him on as they recorded the rare scene on their devices.

The atmosphere of the retreat was rather laid-back and relaxed, but it did not hinder the students from being productive as well. Knowing when to have fun and when to be serious, students listened intently to the inspirational talks given by Mr. Ronzheimer, Mrs. Allen, Mr. Steinkamp, and Mr. Brewster. The speakers reminded the students what it meant to be a leader and what being a leader required.

“When I think about the meaning behind the word ‘leader,’ the first thing that comes to my mind is someone who serves. A leader must be willing to give and sacrifice for the group. And importantly, leaders need to be responsible enough to face the consequences when things go wrong,” Harin Park (12) told her friend when asked to define the word ‘leader.’

Thankfully, these students won’t have to bear the burdens of leadership alone. The retreat allowed committees to bond through group activities. Although the unpredictable weather disrupted some plans, the students were able to have fun regardless. And in the midst of all the fun, the students spent their time productively as they planned and made goals for the upcoming year.

“My goal as a leader this year is to leave a legacy and make memories before I graduate. I want to influence those in my class and lower grades positively this year,” Senior Class ExCom, Aaron Tan (12) explained.

The two days flew by quickly, and it came to an end as Mr. Allen and Richard Baek (12) led the students in worship. Boarding the vans that had brought them to the resort, the students returned to school, with new definitions of leadership and new hopes for the upcoming year.