A.C.E. Retreat

By Steven Corona

On September 6, 2014, 80, Libra seniors and seven teachers attended an empowering retreat at Linda Marquez High School. Seniors participated in very powerful activities and games that bonded them and brought new knowledge to their lives. They learned skills that improved their cooperation with others and may enable them to lead successful lives.

The A.C.E program facilitators coordinated several team building activities. First, members formed a group of ten. These ten people bonded with each other through deep talks and games like crossing an imaginary lava river by stepping across eight wood tablets. Seems easy? The main rule was that each tablet required someone to be touching or else it would be “eaten” by the monster under the lake. This game required teamwork and, of course, hard work. All students shared their ideas on what could be done to cross everyone over the lake, and it paid off. The participants learned communication, listening, and teamworking.

During the lunch break, everyone ate Subway, played basketball, football, volleyball, while some just relaxed. There was so much food that some got seconds and thirds! They had a lot of snacks throughout the day, so no one was hungry. In the end everyone had the chance to answer students’ anonymous questions to situations they were dealing with. However, it wasn’t the hosts who offered the advice. It was the students who gave the advice to the anonymous students. “It’s surprising to see how brilliant the youth are at resolving things,” said Frank Vitale, facilitator for the A.C.E program. “The retreat is to help kids learn and experience success,” he said. “You can quickly see the change”. ”I love my job.”

The success came when students stepped out of their comfort zone. Frank Vitale started inviting students to stand up and sing. Sean Hill was the first to volunteer. Despite feeling nervous, he stood up to sing, and with an outstanding voice he experienced the feeling of stepping out the comfort zone. Frank explained, “Every time you step out the comfort zone it expands, making you feel more free.”

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