On September 4-5, the SJR Class of 2028 was formally welcomed to the school during its orientation and class retreat.
The Class, the school's largest since 1988, spent September 4 on campus, meeting the administration and their teachers. They began the day with a series of workshops including Chromebook training, uniform expectations and a 'campus insiders' tour featuring a trip to the boiler room!
After lunch, they visited their homeroom classes to get their locker assignments (and learn how to use a Master lock!). Once the task was completed, they went through a brisk schedule of classes, meeting all of their teachers and getting a sense of the flow between classrooms.
Along the way, they earned 3 wristbands - featuring the words "St. Joseph, Pray for Us," "Vir Fidelis," and "Think. Lead. Serve."
On the morning of September 5, the class boarded 4 buses and headed north to the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus for a full-day retreat. Upon arrival, they celebrated Mass with Fr. Lamorte in the Chapel, highlighted by music from Anthony Frydel '26 and Nicholas Pantano '25.
Before lunch and icebreakers, they heard St. Marcellin Champagnat's famous story of the lantern - his prayer to Mary saving him in a blizzard. The lantern joined the Green KNights throughout their day on the property.
In the afternoon, the Class of 2028 enjoyed a walk to the Hudson River and heard from upperclassmen as well as Principal Bruno, who drove home his expectations for the group this year while welcoming them to SJR.
By the time they hit the fields for free time in the afternoon, each freshman earned 3 more wristbands - these featuring the charisms of the Xaverian and Marist brothers as well as "Brotherhood" bracelet.
With further education on the school history as well as the Xaverian and Marist traditions at SJR, the freshman will continue to develop into the faithful man just as the 8,100 Green Knights who came before them.