An arena full of 7,000 students, all there for the same reason, to enrich their relationship with God. Everyone is yelling lyrics to songs we just learned. No one cares how you sound and no one is judging your lack of actual singing abilities. They just want to have a great time with you. Most of the schools have traveled hours and hours to get to Steubenville. We traveled eight hours. Which was nothing compared to the students from Canada and Florida. This demonstrates how much dedication they have to the experience one can receive in the arena.

At first, when we arrived, I was very reserved and did not want to be judged. Before doing anything else, we had just enough time to mingle and eat dinner. At this point I had mainly only talked to our school. Some of the girls went around taking pictures with random people but did not have much time to chat. Finally, it was time to go to the arena for the first speaker. Our first speaker and host was Chris Stefanick. He was absolutely hilarious! Chris was not one of those speakers where you secretly take a nap. During the talk, we were everything between up and dancing on our feet to sitting down quiet in thought. Chris Stefanick could take you from one second laughing till your stomach hurt to re-thinking all of the decisions you have ever made in your life.

Friday night was coming to a conclusion before any of us knew it. We were back in our room before a blink of an eye, or at least it seamed. Of course we were nowhere near ready to go to bed. My roommates and I went to another room that had two more friends of ours. It was lights out and our youth minister had to tell us we needed to go back to our room. One of my roommates and I went back to our room to get ready for bed, even though we still are hyped up on what we called our “Jesus High” which is when you feel so at peace with God, you can’t even imagine something going wrong. Well our 3rd roommate decided to stay at our friend’s room and waited for their 3rd roommate to show up. When she finally did, much past curfew, my roommate returned and we all had an awesome prayer session right before bed. A great way to end an eventful day.

Saturday was so unforgettable and also very intense! After breakfast and a couple awesome talks such as Fr. José Sánchez and Mary Bielski, the entire student group of Steubenville got ready for Paul J. Kim. Paul J. Kim is an amazing beat boxer and one of the funniest speakers I have ever gotten to listen to.

Saturday night is what most people remember. Adoration is the most intense connection I have ever felt with God in my whole life. Two of my best friends were on either side of me and they both started crying. Everyone said I would for sure cry because frankly, I cry at just about anything, ask my speech class. However, I did not cry. I was surprised myself, I just went back and forth from hugging this friend than putting my arm around the other. I think that was what God wanted me to be doing at that time. Not getting emotional but being there for those who were and those who needed someone there for them. I was that someone.

Sunday morning we had mass. Half of the students who came on our buses were half asleep because it was really early and we were up late last night on our “Jesus High.” Communion took about 20 minutes in itself, but what is there to expect when 7,000 people are trying to receive Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Steubenville was an amazing experience. Anyone who is having doubts about God or just do not think he is in your life, go to Steubenville. I felt I had a strong connection with God even before I went there. However, going to Steubenville made me realize the relationship you have with God can always get stronger.