Tarmac Online

By Daniel Graziose ’27

Members of the Class of 2027 had the opportunity to gather for a night of faith, food, and fellowship. On October 29th, Get Colorized—the Junior Evening of Recollection—took place in Chaminade’s Athletic Activity Center (AAC). After a busy school day and an afternoon filled with extracurricular activities, students were able to slow down their minds and hearts, coming together as one class community for a night free from the stresses of everyday school life.

The junior year of high school is often considered one of the most important, as it’s during this time that everything begins to feel more real. From strengthening grades and making connections to getting involved in various extracurricular activities, life as a junior can certainly be demanding. That’s where an event like Get Colorized comes into play—a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge both spiritually and personally.

During the evening, students first gathered for food and fellowship, enjoying a dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, and French fries, topped off with chips and brownies. It wasn’t about being on a screen this time but about stepping back, taking a breath after the day’s busyness, and reconnecting with one another. As Nicholas Pozo ’27 shared, “The Junior Evening of Recollection helped me to spend time with classmates and friends away from the stress of schoolwork and tests. This was my first time going to an Evening of Recollection, and I regret not going before because of the great experience.”

After a time of camaraderie and laughter, the night shifted toward what matters most—deepening one’s relationship with God. Following the meal and meaningful time spent together, students turned their focus to Eucharistic Adoration and a powerful witness talk from Mr. Michael Dolce ’99.

Mr. Dolce’s witness centered on the idea that God truly comes to know, love, and see each and every one of us. We are made out of love and with a purpose, and though each of us has flaws, we are still perfectly loved by God. During Mr. Dolce’s testimony, he shared a moving story about his parents during the final days before his father’s passing, reflecting on how their love was truly unconditional. He spoke of the immeasurable love his father poured out onto him and his siblings and expressed how he longs to love others with that same depth and sincerity. Mr. Dolce also discussed life after his father’s passing, explaining how he built his own family through faith and perseverance, even when the road was difficult.

Nicholas Pozo ’27 added, “The beautiful testimony by Mr. Dolce and the prayerful atmosphere of adoration allowed me to spend time with my faith and grow deeper in it with my classmates.”

Mr. Dolce went on to share the challenges he and his wife faced in their desire to become parents, including years of heartbreaking setbacks. After continued hope and prayer, Mrs. Dolce became pregnant. Just when it seemed their journey might face another hardship, they received what could have been devastating news. Yet after one final visit—enduring the uncertainty of the pandemic and lifting their prayers to heaven—they joyfully learned that they would be welcoming a baby girl. He could now finally follow in the footsteps of his father—to love, to hold, and to truly know what it means to have that kind of impact on someone so close to him.

Reflecting on this moving talk, Christopher Geitner ’27 remarked, “Mr. Dolce did a fantastic job with the talk; it was far more inspiring than I could’ve ever expected, so credit to him. His story of perseverance through prayer showed the importance of always trusting in God’s plan for us, and his story of how much he prayed is a great example of how God will always be there for us and call us back to Him in the midst of our struggles. His story of all that he went through was very relevant to me as Catholics for Life president, where each week we look at how life, especially life in the womb, is worthy of respect. It is also fitting for this to be the focus of the talk as we learn about what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God in religion class. Overall, I thought the talk was emotional, exceptional, and inspirational.”

Through heartfelt testimony, prayerful reflection, and shared fellowship, Get Colorized reminded every junior that faith is not only something personal but also something lived out together—in the classroom, on the field, and within the heart of Chaminade’s community.