Senior year is the year most people want to make a change. They need it to be memorable and filled with activities that unite the senior class and friends. There are plenty of traditions worldwide that are created to unite the graduating year and the Garden city class of 2026 is no different. They started the year off strong with Senior Sunrise and senior backpacks.
“I think it’s really great for several reasons but one is we just want to develop a culture at the high school, and we want the classes to be very proud of their time here,” Ryan Meng, Head Principal, said.
So far the spirits of the seniors are high. They are excited to start the school year with their friends and new opportunities to connect with the senior class. However, none of this could’ve been done without the seniors who stepped up and made Senior Sunrise possible.
“We started planning a week or two before it happened. We made a group chat towards the end of last year. It was Emma Wheeler, Juliane and Abigail Elam. I just really wanted it to happen and I know others did too,” Julianne Jarmer, Health senior, said.
Jarmer was just one of the incredible seniors who decided to lead the senior class into senior traditions. The other trend has been around for years. Senior backpacks provide a fun and simple way to say goodbye to senior year and welcome growing up by using a childish backpack throughout the year.
“I have a Spider-Man backpack. I really like it. It’s sort of a comic book style that just looks so cool,” Eric Resendiz, Arts and Comm. senior, said.
Many are embracing their childish side with this form of expression and its allowing more room for conversations. The backpacks also remind everyone that they were all children once and it’s alright to go back and feel like a child again.
“I’ve seen so many people with different backpacks like mine and it just feels like we’re all connected. Like an inside joke that I get to be a part of,” Pearla Aniles, Arts and Comm. senior, said.
The senior class is slowly becoming more connected and the positivity is spreading. More seniors are recognizing each other and forming relationships whether big or small and others hope it can spread throughout the whole school.
”For the seniors I would love for them to lead the underclassmen in just supporting our activities, and making every moment of the senior year memorable. We want people to enjoy being here,” Meng said.
