As another school year comes to a close, many high school seniors are embarking on the final journey of their high school careers. Senior year can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for students as they prepare for their future and say goodbye to their beloved high school. For many seniors, the journey begins with excitement and anticipation as they look forward to the traditional senior events such as homecoming, prom and graduation. These events are a chance for seniors to celebrate their accomplishments and create lasting memories with their classmates.
“Living in the moment is something that I always think about when looking back at my last year of high school,” senior Evan Brown said. “My top two favorite memories are the senior dinner and grad bash because I was able to spend time with all of my classmates. These memories seem like they just happened yesterday, and it is hard to believe that we will be graduating next week. Time really flies by when you are having fun.”
As senior year progresses, the journey becomes more intense as students work to balance their academic responsibilities with the demands of college applications and extracurricular activities. This can be a stressful time, but it also offers opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. For some seniors, the journey may include taking advanced classes, participating in research projects or engaging in their schools community. These experiences allow students to explore their interests and develop valuable skills that will serve them well in the future.
“This year I served as senior class president,” senior Lilly Phipps said. “By being senior class president, I was faced with many challenges throughout the year. Not only did I have the responsibility of representing my class, but I also had to balance my schoolwork and extracurricular activities too. I played a total of four sports this year. I did cheer, soccer, softball and weightlifting, which made me an extremely busy girl. Although at times it became a little stressful, I found a passion in being a leader not only for my classmates but for my teammates as well.”
Senior year is not just about academic and extracurricular achievements though. It is also a time for personal growth and self-discovery. Seniors have the opportunity to reflect on their high school experiences and consider what they want for their futures. They can explore their passions and interests, take risks and step outside of their comfort zones. Additionally, senior year is a time for students to prepare for the transition to college or the workforce. They learn important life skills, such as time management, financial responsibility and communication. They also gain valuable experience through internships, volunteer work and part-time jobs.
“Most days after school, I go to work at a golf course in Quincy,” senior Mackenzie Jackson said. “Having a job during my senior year helped me learn many new lessons and life skills which I did not know before. I will be able to take these lessons and carry them with me for the rest of my life. Getting a job during senior year can help students build a professional network and make connections with people in their field of interest. These connections can be valuable for future career opportunities.”
Graduation is a time of great excitement and accomplishment for seniors in high school. However, the transition to college or adulthood can be difficult for their younger peers. For juniors, saying goodbye to graduating seniors can be an emotional and challenging experience.
“I do not know what I am going to do next year,” junior Molly Lamb said. “So many of my best friends are in the graduating class and I have grown so close with so many of them this year and I am not ready for them to leave. They have taught me so many life lessons that I cannot wait to pass on to the juniors when I am a senior next year.”
As the journey of senior year comes to an end, many students feel a mix of emotions which include excitement, nostalgia and even a little bit of sadness. The journey of senior year is one of growth, challenge and discovery, and it sets the stage for the next chapter of a student’s life. Whatever the future holds, the memories and lessons learned during senior year will stay with students for a lifetime.
