Over winter break, many White Station students found a way to stay connected through Winterfest, a church retreat at DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tenn. Students such as Ethan Shepherd (11) met with other high schoolers across the state.

“I had a lot of friends from school and from my church going there, and I wanted to meet new people,” Shepherd said.

The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee purchased DuBose Conference Center in the ‘50s as a church training facility.  Today, it houses multiple programs, including Winterfest and Camp Gailor-Maxon.

During the retreat, campers were split into small groups. Over the course of the week, group members grew closer to one another as they worked on skits and presentations.

“There were a lot of new people that I got to meet,” Shepherd said. “I got really close with a lot of people in our small groups, and I had a really good time.”

Throughout the day, there were a variety of activities that kept the campers entertained, including a talent show and trivia. The end of the retreat culminated with a New Year’s Eve dance set to the theme of the “Roaring ‘20s.”

“It was really great,” Shepherd (11) said.