"Trinity is just the type of place where, although there are groups within, the entire community is always linked together forever." This was written in last year’s "farewell" article by 2008 editor in chief of the ECHO Jon Lintner.

I may not be myself when I say this, but I am pessimistic that this is true. I fear for the worst. I fear I will not see the overwhelming majority of my classmates--my Trinity family members--after our day in May.

I even worry about those guys who I know I will see almost daily this summer. I wonder what a day will be like without the warm embraces, the handshakes or the simple nods of so many of you in the halls. What will it be like when we don’t have each other?

However, Trinity does have a certain something nobody can explain. Some call it brotherhood, but even that does not express the environment as it truly is.

As freshmen we scoffed at this notion when Senior Class President Eric Senn spoke so eloquently about it in his opening Mass speech. Then we matured, and when Senior Class President Willie Slucher addressed the school at this year’s opening Mass, we all felt it--sort of. Neither Slucher nor any one of us really understood brotherhood back then. It was senior retreat and a year full of experiences together which really opened all of our eyes. That is why I propose another address by the Senior Class president to be at the end of the year and why I am so jealous of the Freshman Class because they are about to embark on a journey only experienced by about 400 people a year. My advice to them: Make sure you leave with no regrets. In other words, "Dare To Be You."

By now, we all understand and feel the brotherhood. And if you don’t, I am truly sorry you missed out on what for so many of us could end up being the best four years of our lives. I have a hard time believing any university or college can give to us what Trinity has. Trinity did so much for me and gave me more than I could ever give back to it. At the top of the list are my incredible friends. Leaving them is the "bitter" part in the "bitter-sweet" feeling I know many of us are feeling about the prospect of college.

So, because of this, perhaps Lintner was right when he said we will all be linked in community forever. However, I would change it to say we will all be linked in brotherhood forever. Trinity brotherhood cannot be broken. So, from me, I will miss you all, I love you, and I will see you in the near future.