Opening Trips Start Off the School Year

Traditionally, Trinity Hall welcomes its freshman class with an exciting camping trip – a perfect opportunity for new students to kick off their first week of school. This year, the Class of 2027 attended the camping grounds at Camp Sacajawea, located in Farmingdale, to take part in various outdoor activities. After traveling together by bus, students immersed themselves in a full day of activities, where they were able to make connections and bond with their peers. The girls worked collaboratively to take on challenges while boating, ziplining, rock-climbing, and taking part in archery and various ropes courses. In doing so, students put their problem-solving skills to the test, while persevering through the terrain. Additionally, students and staff members spent time eating lunch together, followed by making smores. Throughout their time there, the freshman class learned about their classmates and built long-lasting relationships prior to the start of academic classes. They worked together to learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust. At the end of the day, students boarded the buses once again to go home and rest from their day.

 

Following their day at Camp Sacajawea, freshman students returned to campus on Friday, where they were invited to spend time with the Class of 2026. Together, the freshmen and sophomore students took part in an icebreaker activity, led by sophomore president Cornelia S. ‘26. The sophomore class then assisted the freshmen class in writing letters to their big sisters, taking part in another long-standing tradition. During lunch, students and staff members were treated to an ice cream sundae bar as a way to celebrate the start of a new school year. The Class of 2027 received their new computers and learned how to use new apps and technology from Mr. Kabash and ended the day by taking part in a STEM technology workshop led by the STEM faculty members, where students became familiar with the apps used in many of the science and math classes. 

 

For the sophomore trip, the Class of 2026 continued the tradition of visiting college campuses as a way to gain invaluable insight into higher education and the college process. Students and staff members began the day with an early morning departure as they traveled by bus to visit Seton Hall University. There, they took part in a guided tour of the campus. From there, students headed over to Barnard College, Columbia University, an esteemed private women’s institution in Manhattan, where they met up with Trinity Hall alumna Christina ’22 while on a tour. Students were given a glimpse of college life in the city while learning about Christina’s experiences. Afterwards, they ended their day with a visit to the Museum of Jewish Heritage where they were guided through small group tours, allowing them to explore history related to the Holocaust. 

 

The sophomores joined the freshman class back on campus on Friday. They showed their maturity and leadership as they offered assistance and insight to the first-year students while working alongside them throughout the day. 

 

Junior Trip
The Class of 2025 boarded two full buses and set off on the annual Junior College Trip. This year’s trip entailed touring six college campuses around the state of Connecticut. The purpose of this trip is to expose the junior class to colleges and universities of different styles and sizes, with different programs in different areas. The first stop on the trip was to Fairfield University, where the group saw Trinity Hall alumnae Kelsey ‘23, Molly ‘23 and Victoria ‘23. Next, the group stopped at Trinity College for a tour and met up with Paige ‘23. The last stop on the first day was to the University of Connecticut for an information session, tour and a visit to UConn’s bookstore. After their first busy day, the juniors headed back to Nomad’s Adventure Quest, a favorite from last year’s trip for dinner, arcade games, laser tag, bowling and more. 

 

On the second day of the trip, the group traveled to Wesleyan University for an early tour of their campus, followed by a stop at Quinnipiac University for a (rainy) tour of the campus and lunch in their dining hall. Their last stop before heading back to New Jersey was at Yale University, where the group saw Dayra ‘22. This trip allowed the junior class to see a variety of colleges similar to others around the country and gain a better understanding of campus and college life to inform their upcoming college application process.

 

Senior Retreat
The Class of 2024 commenced their final year at Trinity Hall with an overnight senior retreat. Students started their day by gathering on Sea Bright beach to watch a breathtaking sunrise together. After taking in the serene sight, students boarded the bus and traveled to Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center in Port Murray. Once there, seniors participated in a series of activities that encouraged them to reflect on their high school experiences. Together, they engaged in moments of prayer, meditation, and reflection of the last three years, and discussed goals for their upcoming school year. Through writing, small discussions, and hands-on activities, the seniors continued to bond and plan for their future. In doing so, they supported the ninth-grade theology service project of Julianna ’24, and her plans for a “menstrual mission.” To address the needs of females in nearby communities, seniors created bags of menstrual products to be donated to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving women. With their collective determination and passion, the Class of 2024 is officially ready to take on their senior year and serve as leaders for their underclasswomen.

 

Retreat leader and humanities faculty member Sam Puma said, “Because the seniors missed out on their retreats and other experiences for opening trips, the chaperones felt that this experience was incredibly meaningful for them because it was the first time they got to bond as a class without masks or any other reservations.”