Following a bustling summer of Immersion Trips, athletic camps, academic enrichment, and more, hundreds of Prep men—hailing from 118 different communities in both New Jersey and New York—came together at Grand & Warren this month for the start of the 2023-2024 school year at Saint Peter’s.
A week of student orientation sessions began on September 6 with the Class of 2026. After filing through our courtyard, decorated now with crisp new banners showing off the cornerstones of a Prep education for all our neighbors to see, our sophomores gathered in our gymnasium for opening remarks and a welcome from Prep president, Dr. Michael Gomez, E.D., ’91.
“Many of us, students, faculty, staff, we call this place our second home. As sophomores, I’m hoping that you feel the same, that you call it home, that you look forward to coming here every day,” he said.
“You are in good company. And that’s the theme of the year….It’s a company built on Prep magic, which is really Prep love that is shared abundantly with each other, unashamedly, a love that celebrates hard work, that celebrates you, that makes it our work, which makes it good work. And we recognize God in every bit of it all.”
The day continued with happy reunions, student photos, outdoor games and activities, presentations on the year ahead, and an Honors Convocation.
The following morning, Prep welcomed the Classes of 2024 and 2025 home to Grand & Warren for our next orientation session. As our rising seniors prepare to take the next steps on their own journeys toward college and as our juniors take their first steps as upperclassmen, our entire Prep community wishes them much success as they too move ahead “in good company.”
Orientation week concluded on September 8 with the Class of 2027, which, while joining us at Prep for the very first time, also joins a brotherhood 151 years in the making. Guided by upperclassmen “Big Brothers,” our freshmen toured our campus, met their teachers, and practiced walking to and from all their classes.
Dr. Gomez offered all our students the same four pieces of advice that week: “Show up, grow up, stay humble, and stay hungry.”
And beyond mere attendance, he said: “Showing up also means being there for a friend. Show up for each other. Stand up for the guy next to you, and when he feels a little down, be there for him.”
By train, by Light Rail, by bus, by car, and by foot, our students thus arrived well-equipped for the official start of the school year on Monday, September 11.
