From left, Hannah Roberts, Cooper and McKenzie Stine, Matthew Paeth and Dennis Elias learn about preserving mummies during Port Clinton Immaculate Conception School’s “The Holy Race Retreat.” (photo courtesy of Port Clinton Immaculate Conception School)

Ericka Castillo planned the event, assisted by Claire Zielinski. The theme was “The Holy Race Retreat” and was inspired by the television program “Amazing Race.”

The Holy Race Retreat began with Mass in the morning celebrated by Father John Missler, pastor of Immaculate Conception.

At 12:15 p.m., students were divided into family groups for traveling to different countries. Each family group contained a student from each grade level, a parent and teacher. Student leaders of these family groups led their groups to Eden, Islam, Egypt, Greece, India, Galilee and Rome.

After meeting in the gym, retreat leaders Ericka and Claire passed out clue envelopes, which helped the family leaders determine what country they would visit first.

Notre Dame Sisters Rosemary Hug, school principal, and Marilyn Marie Ellerbrock, associate director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, supervised along with Ericka and Claire to make sure all questions were answered. At each country the students would participate in an activity that taught them about religion in that country.

“The Holy Race Retreat” concluded at 2:30 p.m. with the whole school visiting Rome where they sang “Wherever I am, God Is,” symbolizing that God is with you always.
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Ericka Castillo is a sixth-grader at Port Clinton Immaculate Conception School.