Despite its relatively newness, J-Term has transformed into a widely enjoyed part of student’s academic year.

Carsyn Gehl, ‘27, participated in Soar into Wahlert for J-Term, a requirement for all freshmen. During their time, students in Soar played games in addition to completing a required passion project.

“I learned how to bake cookies, and that was also what my passion project was as well,” said Gehl. 

As far as the sophomores, they had a more rigorous two weeks as they spent their J-Term doing college prep.

“We had to sit at Loras while a guy lectured us for two of the days of the J-Term. The rest of the time we toured around the college,” said Sienna Boyer, ‘26.

While the freshmen and sophomores had a required J-Term, juniors and seniors got to choose what they wanted to do with many different options. 

 These options varied from internships, college classes, service trips, Leadership in Sports, History of Sitcoms, and more.

Lucy Ward, ‘25, interned with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra for Graphic Design during her J-Term. 

“I really liked the team; they were really comfortable to be around, and I also learned so much about doing both careers and putting them together,” said Ward.

 Ward also learned a lot more about different writing techniques as well as the technology and digital side of creativity. 

Students weren’t the only ones impacted by their J-Terms. Mrs. Tamra Ropeter was one of the teachers in charge of the Mindfulness & Movement J-Term. 

“The takeaway we wanted the students to have is that we have a stronger brain when you keep your body moving. And then we added a little nutrition to it,” said Ropeter.

“I enjoyed being outside moving the most. One location our group went to was EB Lyons, and we did snowshoeing, which I had never done before and I loved it,” Ropeter continued. 

Ropeter also really loved seeing the students experience something for the very first time, and them telling her that they are going to continue to do that more afterwards.