Page 159 - BEATS 24-25

A Letter from the Mountains

Dear Reader,

As I sit on a quiet ledge in Dharamshala, the Himalayas rising like

ancient guardians around me, I find myself reflecting on a week that has

changed how I view service, self, and everything in between.

Our CAS retreat wasn't just a school trip, it was a step out of our

comfort zones and into a world where the air felt crisper, and the lessons

were written in nature, not notebooks. On our first day, we navigated

mountain trails with nothing but an old-school compass and map,

learning quickly that sometimes the harder path really does lead to the

best view. We stumbled, we slipped—but we kept going. Together.

Evenings were filled with campfires and music under star-lit skies. We

sang, we shared, we laughed, and in the absence of screens and

schedules, we rediscovered the simple joy of human connection. It wasn't

always easy. There were long hikes, cold mornings, and moments when

we had to rely on each other more than we expected. But through every

challenge, we learned resilience, empathy, and the value of slowing down.

This retreat didn’t just give us memories, it gave us momentum. As we

return to our regular lives, the mountains stay with us, not just in our

photographs, but in our renewed sense of purpose, our strengthened

friendships, and our clearer vision for the CAS journey ahead.

- By Amani Sharma