By Rory Mahon ’18

As the school year nears its end, students prepare for comprehensive exams and summer vacation.  It is a hectic time of year, as students juggle day-to-day schoolwork and extracurricular activities while reviewing for comprehensive exams.  To provide a break from this tedious routine and reinvigorate exhausted sophomores, Mr. Michael Foley ’99 hosted Encounter: A Sophomore Evening of Recollection on Thursday, April 14.

Coach Robert Pomponio commenced the event with a handball tournament, pitting homeroom against homeroom.  The students enjoyed their time on and off the field, playing their hearts out and supporting their fellow homeroom members.  After many rounds, Homeroom 2H emerged victorious.

“We had two hundred sophomores. The handball tournament was incredibly exciting, and it was full of community spirit and healthy competition,” noted Mr. Foley.

After the games, the sophomores gathered for dinner served by members of C.R.O.S.S. After devouring chicken sandwiches and snacks, the students shuffled into Hearst Auditorium for religious talks and Holy Hour.  Mr. Foley led the opening prayer, and Mr. Robert Hazelton ’82 followed with a lesson about the strength of parental love.  

Father Ernest Lorfanfant ’55 brought in the Eucharist for Adoration while Mr. James Renna played the guitar and sang to create an environment conducive to peaceful meditation. Everyone prayed in front of the Eucharist, asking for a release of stress and inspiration for success.  The service concluded soon after, and the refreshed sophomores returned home.

“The days leading up to Encounter, I was on the fence about going.  As the night progressed, I realized I made the right decision by attending the event,” noted Ryan Malloy ’18.

The night proved to be a successful event, and the sophomores yearn to finish the year strongly after encountering God and obtaining peace.  The freshmen now have the opportunity to participate in a similar occasion, Down to the Wire, today, April 20.