Senior year is often a time for transformation and growth as students prepare to enter the adult world the following year. As seniors enter this year of change, they reflected on the year’s firsts and lasts.
Starting the year off, senior Ava Krebs reminisced on her experiences painting her parking spot and attending senior sunrise.
“I think [painting a parking spot] put me in a really good mood and a really good mindset, that like every day I can come to school, and even if I don’t want to be there, I get to see this really neat parking spot I painted with my friends,” Krebs said.
Krebs shared her thoughts on attending Senior Sunrise.
“My whole friend group was going and I just thought it would be cute because I want to go to Senior Sunset and I think it would feel incomplete without having gone to Senior Sunrise,” Krebs said. “I think I will be potentially more emotional at Senior Sunset than I was at Senior Sunrise. But I will say, my parents like to take my picture every first day of school and that brought some emotions. So I think the whole process [has] you know, a little nostalgia, sentimentality.”
Similarly, senior Madison Watschke also reflected on these moments as well as a big first for her (and similarly many other seniors) — applying and committing to college.
“[Committing to college] was very exciting. Also a little scary, but it feels like a relief to have like, that stuff done,” Watschke said.
Many of these firsts can prepare seniors for adult life. Senior Ayla Marvasti turned 18 in October, giving her a taste of adulthood while still in high school. One opportunity that comes with being an adult is voting. Marvasti reflected on registering to vote and preparing to vote for the first time.
“It was exciting to [register to vote]. I felt excited to be able to take part in an important election. I am researching the candidates down the ballot, like beyond just the presidential election,” Marvasti said.
Accompanying these exciting new firsts are sentimental “lasts”. Some lasts can be upsetting while others can be celebrated like a first.
To celebrate her last first day of school, Watschke baked a “senior year” cake with her friends. While this last was fun in the moment, it led Watschke to reflect on the years leading up to her senior year.
“I made a cake with some of my other friends,” Watschke said. “It was very bittersweet. I mean, obviously it was a fun thing to do, but it was also a chance to reflect on all our years of high school and think about excitement towards senior year.”
As the year continues there will be many more firsts and lasts for seniors to look forward to and back on. Whether it’s the last college application or the first (and last) time being recognized at senior night, seniors have a lot to learn as they embark on this year’s journey. Marvasti described what she is looking forward to as the year continues.
“I’m looking forward to voting. I’m looking forward to being done with college applications, and looking forward to the second semester when everything is easy and not stressful,” Marvasti said.
