As the new school year begins, high school seniors navigate a bittersweet milestone: their “last firsts.” With the final year of high school unfolding before them, each new experience—the first day of school, the first football game, a first college application—makes a lasting memory. Sentimentality and feelings of nostalgia are at an all time high as seniors reel at how quickly time passes.
With the first quarter almost done, excitement is palpable. Seniors are finishing up their college applications and desperately trying to avoid the onslaught of senior slump. A flurry of emotions surround the senior class, from stress, to anticipation, to sadness. So many exciting moments have already happened, including the first pep rally where class spirit soared through the air as everyone rallied behind their favorite RM sports teams. “My favorite part of senior year so far was the first pep rally. You could feel the energy of how hype everyone was, especially since the Homecoming game was later that day,” senior Krish Parikh said.
In addition to pep rallies, the last first day of school was also a huge milestone, cementing the completion of a major life chapter. “It is the last time you have the anticipation of not seeing your friends all summer and finally getting to see them,” Parikh said. “Also finding out your classes for the first time, seeing who your teachers are, and if you have any friends in your classes is so nerve-racking, yet fun.”
The various sports teams and events here at RM, such as basketball, volleyball and tennis, are very important to most students. “[I am most looking forward to] the last first game of the baseball season because I get to lead my team and every first game of the season is hype; everyone is so excited!” senior Aitan Yachin said.
Baseball is not the only sport people anticipate watching with their friends and waiting all year for. “The first football game of the season has been my favorite part of senior year so far,” senior Max Zeballos said. “It is such a good feeling to finally be seniors at the front, getting to lead the student section with chants, cheers, and spirit.”
In addition to all the exhilarating moments of senior year, it is also a heavy-hearted time when they have to say goodbye. Each event becomes a reminder that they are not just marking time that passes by, but also savoring the last few moments of childhood before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. “When thinking about graduating, I am most sad to leave my friends. It is crazy how you can go from seeing your friends every day for years to then suddenly not seeing them for months,” senior Abby Grandin said.
It isn’t only missing friends, it is also missing the teachers and the faculty that have helped them through their four years here at RM. “I’m going to miss seeing all of the teachers I met and made such great relationships with like Mr. Davis and Ms. Halloran,” Grandin said. “They really helped me discover my passion for engineering and my love for writing.”
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