Reflection by Paw

The Speech

In early December a form was handed out to about 125 juniors who were nominated to attend the annual Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schhol's Retreat. Only six total juniors would be picked to attend this once in a lifetime 4-day retreat. January came around and I still had not known whether I was chosen or not when during my Algebra class I received a letter admitting me into this annual getaway.
Going into the retreat I was both anxious and nervous. I had heard multiple reactions to the retreat, some being positive and others being negative. Being a person ready for anything I was excited to see the experience that I would have. Also attending the retreat with me, was one of my best friends Will Trainor. Entering the holy doors of the retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut with him ensured myself that I would have a good time. As we entered into our small groups, we were placed with boys and girls from different school, incluiding no one from your own school. This ensured that all would meet new people immediately in hope that friendships would blossom. I started off in the retreat being a bit quiet and nervous, differentiating from the way I am normally with my close friends from home. As the week went on myself and Will starting saying jokes that would conclude with, "since 'Nam." This is from a popular movie called Superbad and myself and Will took this to a whole new level. Everything we said ended with "sicnce 'Nam." Our fellow students loved the jokes and Will had quickly become the most popular kids on the retreat. My nervousness was gone and I had began to be myself.
One evening we were in the main meeting room going over things we had learned about the other schools, and about the Xaverian Brothers in general. Kids from Maryland, New York, Kentucky, and a few other states went up raving about how they thought they were from the best XBSS school and such. After hearing this I turned to Will sitting next to me and asked whether I should go up. I told him what I planned to say and he immediately responded with, "If you don't go up I will." Thats all I needed to hear. I took my turn and walked to the podium in a fairly nervous state. I was about to talk in front of a group of kids in which I did not know and truly I did not feel comfortable with. I stuck it up and began my speech, "Hey guys, I'm Mike from Saint John's Shrewsbury. All I keep hearing is how you all think your school is the best XBSS school, but the difference between SJ and all of you is that we KNOW we are the best school!" After this there were roars in the crowd. Some disagreeing jokingly and others laughing. I continued my speech saying, "There's a lot of competition between XBSS schools, especially between SJ, SJ Prep, and Xaverian because we play eachother in multiple sports every season. In most sports things are very even, we win one, they win one, and so on and so forth. Except in basketball that is, I don't think we've lost a basketball game since 'Nam!" The crowd erupted with laughter. With these few words I had no idea that I would soon come to meet some great people. I stepped down from the podium with a huge smile and was extremely happy with my performance. Everyone on the retreat now knew who I was, including Mr. Connell who was one of the leaders of the retreat who was a bit annoyed when I turned the serious speeches into a laughing matter. This did not matter to me, I had opened up to all, and had finally been able to show my real self.
By the end of the retreat everyone on the retreat loved all the members from SJ. We received hugs from everybody as we exited the chapel on the final Thursday. As we were exiting I thought to myself, why not head out with a bang? So as I walked out of the chapel i announced to all, "Peace I'm Outta Here!" A famous quote from the movie Billy Madison. The entire Saint John's crew at this time received a standing ovation as we left. Nothing could have been better. We left our mark on the XBSS Retreat in a way that wil never be forgotten.
The experience on this retreat showed me that there should never be a time that I do not show my real colors. If someone does not like the way I am then they don't, all I can do is be myself. This retreat encouraged me to become a whole new person, mentally, spiritually, and even comically. This retreat truly changed me and I am happy that it changed me for the better, and every one of those students will be in my heart untill the day I die.


Michael X. Abraham
Saint John's High School
Personal Reflection
25 May, 2010