By: Amabelle ’25

The Class of 2026 recently participated in a special showcase of reflection and retreat outside of school, a tradition called Sophomore Breakaway Day. The Stingrays were divided into two groups with their mentors, rotating between locations and activities. One of the days was visiting the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The Sophomores were able to freely observe beautiful artwork and connect it back to themes within their own lives, such as their identities and their universes of obligation.

The Stingrays also spent their field trip at the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, a monastery in Fremont. Led in reflection by their mentors and small group leaders, who were fellow juniors and seniors, the sophomores participated in a nature walk around the gorgeous monastery, a colorful and creative teacup-decorating craft, and a blindfolded team-bonding challenge - all without their cell phones. With the fuel of delicious food provided by the Sisters, the Class of 2026 also got the opportunity to discuss their faith journeys and learn about those of their peers.

Sophomore Breakaway Day was a fantastic memory for the Stingrays, allowing them to learn more in Notre Dame’s “city as a classroom” model.