When I first arrived at Stanford, I hoped to be a part of a Catholic community where I could grow in my faith and form meaningful friendships. My parents met through the Newman Center at UC San Diego, and growing up, I saw the close, lifelong friendship they formed through that community with their fellow students and priests. I hoped that I might find something similar during my own college experience. My freshman year, the Catholic community at Stanford was still finding its footing after the pandemic, and there were fewer opportunities to bring new students into the community. After a retreat in the Spring of a freshman year, every person on that retreat decided to apply to the leadership team for the following year because we all wanted to help change that. Over the next three years, the Catholic Community grew and became like a second home to me! Through Mass, social events, small groups, daily Mass followed by lunches together, and simply spending time at the Catholic office (definitely the best hangout spot on campus!), I found a place where I could deepen my faith, feel supported, and build some of my closest friendships at Stanford.