Cole Huff ’23

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This past week has been a long time coming, a nice break after almost four months of school. Ironically, our breaks are often busier than school weeks: freshmen had their retreat, many sports continued to practice, and there were plenty of social events.

I led a group for Freshman Retreat, and during the two days of service, I came to a realization about Strake Jesuit. The retreat establishes and invigorates Jesuit’s special sense of brotherhood. At the closing ceremony, I couldn’t help but notice that more.

In the Competition Gym, freshmen and leaders were jamming to Taylor Swift, sharing stories with old and new friends. Tired leaders gathered on the gym floor, laughing about what went wrong, and celebrating how their hours of preparation paid off. Never before have I experienced brotherhood like that

Strake Jesuit is a special place for being able to offer that, and for that, I am thankful.

This sense of brotherhood extended through the week, for me at least.

After a Friendsgiving with the boys, I headed to my mother’s hometown of Lufkin, Texas, to enjoy Thanksgiving with her family. It was nice to see my grandparents and their many cats and dogs. Along with good company, I was thankful for the smell of cat food to be replaced by warm pumpkin pie.

If you were to ask me what I am thankful for, I’d answer you with the tried and true response, “Friends and family.” It’s cliché, I know. But I find that this one especially resonates with me. And so with a full heart and higher cholesterol, I find myself ready to make it to Christmas.