Senior Report #1: Kicking it Off!
Welcome to Pillar’s “Senior Report” series! Throughout this year, I, Grace, will do my best to document our grade’s favorite memories, discuss big transitions of this year, and give advice that we would’ve liked to hear. For this first report, we’re recapping how we kicked off this bittersweet chapter and our early thoughts on what’s next?
This first quarter was packed with senior activities. Before the first day, we had Senior Sunrise and car painting. Since then, almost every week has had pink shirt, jersey, and game day dress-up themes; for instance, Abigail Wang names Nerd Day as one of her favorites! Another popular favorite tradition is rushing out to the gym’s center (or as Jason Murong calls it, the “alma mater and mosh”) during pep rallies after winning the spirit stick (seniors are undefeated so far)! Honestly, beyond helping with cute pictures, these traditions have truly created a sense of unity and common ground between everyone, no matter if they’ve been here since kindergarten or joined the Rebel family later on.
Moreover, seniors have started receiving recognition for their dedication and involvement across the years; senior nights have been hosted, National Merit Semifinalists were announced, and our Miss and Mr Vestavia were selected from a handful of incredible nominees (congratulations again, Ruth Graham and William Hurt!). Something that really stuck with me was Dr Inabinet calling this year "our time to leave our legacy."
Even the seemingly everyday moments have been special; Harper Wolfe and Ruth say they especially enjoy getting to eat lunch on the senior patio. Harper says, “The weather has been beautiful, and it has been so nice to spend a whole hour with my friends each day!” Also, a perk I haven’t heard others talk about enough: senior parking!
This quarter will also conclude with two of our homecoming dress-up days, including the much-anticipated Toga Day. Then, just when we’ve taken a breather during Fall Break, we will be back to a three-day week with the rest of homecoming festivities! From more senior dress-ups (namely grandparents and Disney) to a final homecoming dance, this week will be all the more special for our class. Harper writes, “I feel like our class demonstrates friendship in such a special way throughout the entire week—donating to a worthy cause, building the float together, going to the pep rally together, and hanging out on the senior patio”. I’m personally very excited for one last homecoming with my best friends!
What else are we looking forward to throughout the year? Many are excited for activities specific to their clubs and teams. Kelly Chen (and I!) are excited about future math team trips and creating the senior video for our banquet; Hannah LeNoir is excited to compete in Science Olympiad and French Convention; Kitty Watts is looking forward to the tennis season and her health science internship! I’m sure that if you asked any senior this question, they’d give so many different responses. Many are also looking forward to prom, College Shirt Day, graduation, and spending time with their friends in general.
What about post-graduation? There’s still quite some time between now and then (and lots of activities and events in the meantime that will be covered in future reports), so there’s a large range in what our seniors are expecting so far.
From Auburn’s flight program towards piloting to a PhD in nutrition for a teaching profession, future Surgical Physician assistant to pre-med tracks combined with music, many of the students I surveyed have a plan. At the same time, many students are still deciding whether they’re applying for selective programs or figuring out which fields they would like to dedicate themselves to. As Jason puts it, though he has a general direction, “I still have a bit of time, so I'll try to research more”. A common source of stress for seniors actually comes from this; after all, on top of handling our most challenging courses yet, we need to be planning, researching, and applying to programs for our future (and the college application process isn’t the most straightforward sometimes). Ultimately, it seems cliché, but it’s true: we don’t need to have everything figured out right now. There will still be plenty of time and flexibility to adjust and explore new opportunities. For now, continue to give it your all, and remember you have so many people here to support you at each step.
I asked one last question: what is some advice you’d give to underclassmen or your freshman self? I received many great answers, so here’s the summary: challenge yourself, whether it’s through learning, building relationships, or trying new things. Jason writes, “Explore. One of my biggest regrets was my unwillingness to try new things. Join clubs, give school your best shot, and try to find what you like doing outside of it too”. VHHS has so many opportunities and ways to get involved; from athletics to academics, leadership to charity, music to science, visual arts to world languages, there is quite literally something for everyone. It’s okay to try something unexpected and take risks; for instance, I did public forum debate my freshman and sophomore year, then turned to robotics for junior and senior year. I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to experience and learn from both of these teams.
In addition to building yourself up, build relationships with those around you. Appreciate the teachers who are there to mentor and care for you. Support and show up for your friends. After all, as the saying goes, the people make the place—it’s certainly what the class of 2027 will miss the most after walking across the stage.
For now, though, stay tuned for more, and make the most of another (or your last) year! Go Rebels!
Comments