St. Francis Xavier retreats to camp on S.C. coast

Photo provided Karlena de la Cruz, science teacher, walks back from the mud pit after experiencing salt march ecology first hand.

By JASON WERMERS
Item Staff Writer
jwermers@theitem.com

It's not much of a stretch to call St. Francis Xavier High School, with fewer than 40 students in grades nine through 12, a family.

That family held its first retreat recently, taking 37 students and as many teachers and administrators as could make it down to Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island, about an hour south of Charleston.

"It really felt like family, almost like a family vacation," said Mary Floyd, 16, a junior.

It was still chilly, especially at night, during the retreat, which took place from April 6-9. The trip had multiple purposes: academic, spiritual and strengthening of the school family.

Students took part in "seining," which is basically taking a large net across the water and seeing what comes up. They took samples and got an up-close look at marine life off the South Carolina coast.

"It was more hands-on, not learning in a classroom," said Sheryl Dizon, 18, a senior. "We got to touch things."

Dizon even earned the title "fish dork" from one of the educators at Camp St. Christopher.

"He asked us how many kinds of fish are in the Atlantic Ocean," she said. "I guessed 15,963. He said, 'That's good. Scientists actually believe there are between 15,000 and 17,000.'"

A highlight for some students was walking through a marsh.

Photo provided Matthew Osborne handles a baby alligator, guided by a camp counselor as students look on.

"We walked waist-deep in marsh mud," Floyd said. "I didn't want to at first, but once I was in, it was so much fun."

"It smelled like hard-boiled eggs," Dizon added.

Science teacher Karlena de la Cruz came up with the idea of the retreat. She used to teach at a private school in Fayetteville, N.C., which would send its science classes to the Outer Banks each year for a similar retreat.

When she shared the idea with Principal Susan Lavergne, she supported it. Lavergne came back later and asked if the whole school could participate, especially because it is so small.

"I had to think about it," Lavergne said. "Then I thought, 'Why not?' Now I'm so glad we did. It was wonderful to be with the students on a different level, not as principal to student."

All the teachers worked together to incorporate the trip into their lessons. For example, students in debate class argued the pros and cons of offshore drilling. English classes read "It's Easy Being Green," published last year by teenager Emma Sleeth, which describes ways that even one person can live an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Photos provided From left, Kevin Kulungowski, Rochelle Gibson, Jaylen Owens, Jade Jackson, Sheryl Dizon, Rose O'Conner, and Karlena de la Cruz tramp through the mud pit to experience salt marsh ecology.

"It showed us what we can do to stay green," said Rudy Ramos, 18, a junior.

Part of the book's premise is that people should be "good stewards of God's creation," which gives religious backing to environmental principles.

"I learned that you can make do with what you have," Floyd said. "You can do much smaller things, like turning everything off in the house that you aren't using."

"It's simple things, liking picking up a piece of trash, even if you didn't put it there," Dizon added.

"Use what you have instead of buying a whole lot of things you don't need."

Contact Staff Writer Jason Wermers at jwermers@theitem.com or (803) 774-1295.