Preserving the culture and traditions that make Bishop Verot Catholic High School a beacon of Catholic education in Fort Myers is important. The rapidly growing school lives by the mantra: “It’s Just Different Here!” The newest Bishop Verot students had an opportunity to see that mantra brought to life in an exciting Freshmen Retreat.
With a freshman class of 227, the largest ever at Verot, the retreat had to be modified to accommodate so many students while still maintaining the unique bonding experiences past retreats have offered. The freshmen boys stayed overnight on Aug. 21, 2024. The girls arrived on Aug. 22, after doing service work in the community. A joint mixer then took place before the boys left and the girls spent the night.
“The freshman retreat is a great experience for freshmen to get acclimated into the school,” said Camilla Motley, a senior retreat leader. “They meet new people and experience the Verot family to learn what we are all about.”
A key component of the annual retreat included participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
“Going to Mass really helps the students get adjusted to the faith life, because faith life is such a big part of Verot,” Camilla said.
The students also participated in a candlelight vigil in the school courtyard, where they heard inspirational talks and prayed together. This is when the students learn the alma mater, and the importance of the motto: “Non Exidet – We will not fail.”
Another tradition is going into the community to volunteer and perform service hours at locations such as the Calusa Nature Preserve, Children’s Advocacy Center, Community Cooperative Inc., Ronald McDonald House, Special Equestrians, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, and the VA Clinic.
Bobby Lecker, another senior retreat leader, explained how the freshmen were taught how “service is more the idea it is not about you and that the student’s mission is in God. It is to go out and help other people to provide to the community and to strengthen it through our service.”
For the freshmen, the retreat helped them to feel more welcome while also meeting many more people than they had in the first week of school. One freshman admitted that he barely spoke to anyone at school before the retreat, but now he feels more comfortable at Bishop Verot and talks with everyone.
Freshman Taylor Hoffman said she didn’t know what to expect attending Bishop Verot, but after meeting the senior leaders she felt everyone was very welcoming.
“The retreat makes us feel good about being freshmen and that we are actually getting welcomed into high school and that we are excited for the next four years of our lives,” Taylor said. “I kind of just hope to become part of the school culture. The seniors are definitely a big influence on that, and I look up to them as role models.”
The goal of the retreat is to incorporate the freshmen into the school and make them feel special and wanted at Bishop Verot, Camilla explained. “We try to invite them in and get them the new experiences so they can have the best experience possible.”
Small group discussions take place to allow each student to share their story and what they expect to get out of Bishop Verot. The retreat offers new experiences outside of the classroom while the new students are given advice to stay true to themselves.
Freshman Ethan Alexander left the retreat thankful to the senior leaders.
“It is awesome to be welcomed in to start the high school career,” Ethan said. At Bishop Verot, he aspires “to grow my faith in Jesus and to make friends who also love God how I do.”
Camilla said she hopes the big takeaway from the retreat is that the freshmen get new connections. “I think connections are an important thing at Verot so this can be the start of what can be an amazing four years.”
After learning about the culture and traditions of Bishop Verot, the 227 freshmen are certain to become an important part of the school’s culture and history.
The total enrollment is 893 and the freshman application process in now open for the 2025-2026 school year. To reserve a spot for the Freshman Placement Exam, please apply at bvhs.org/admissions/application-process.
