For the last two years, Benet Academy shut down the shadow program due to the pandemic, sticking to open houses and Step Up Days. However, returning this year, the shadows are back. Many current Benet Academy students remember their experience as a shadow as it may as well have been the sell on the school they currently attend. Junior Bella Kurelko remembers playing games with her shadow in class, while fellow junior Alex Marker remembers having Buona beef sandwiches for lunch. Others remember how their host impacted their life after the shadow day, staying in touch for years to come. On the other hand, Mr. Grigas remembers falling up the stairs on his shadow day.

On average, Benet Academy hosts seven to eight hundred shadows a year who are composed primarily of seventh and eighth graders. Mrs. Kelsey Lauren Peceniak, Manager of Admissions and Recruitment, who runs the new shadow program, said, “the students wanted the traditional student experience.” In all, Kelsey and the rest of Benet Academy are energetic about this special milestone in a prospective student’s journey.

The Shadow Program comes back with changes implemented. Shadows will now only be at Benet Academy from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., meaning they will miss ninth period. Also, Benet Academy students will have to apply to host a shadow. Sophomores and juniors will lead eighth graders through the first semester, while freshmen and sophomores host the seventh graders in the spring. Overall, Benet Academy cannot wait to have its shadows back. The excitement can be felt throughout the recruitment office and in the halls.