A Year of Nostalgia

Abby Becker
May 23, 2011
Filed under Features

Seniors reminisce on the ups and downs of their last year at Westminster.  

 Each year, a new class rises to the top of the hierarchy of high school as the oldest of the school.  They set the example and enjoy their final year at Westminster full of lasts: the last Carnival, the last Spirit Week, the last Christmas Banquet.  Senior year is not only full of lasts, but firsts: first time to use Seniorville, first time to park all year round, and first time for senior privilege.

As graduation nears for the 2010-2011 class, seniors reflect on their year at the top of the school.

“I will never forget all the fantastic times I have had at the school functions like CB, Spirit Week, and just all the activities that I know are still to come that go along with graduation,” said Anna Becker, senior. 

“My favorite part of senior was being a fan at as many sporting events as I could attend—especially all the hockey games,” added Collin Henry, senior.  

One of the most anticipated aspects of senior year is senior privilege during study hall.  Seniors are frequently seen walking to class with a variety of take-out food and drinks.  

“My favorite part [of senior year] was definitely the senior privilege.  I only had it one semester, first hour, but it was awesome.  I got to sleep in most days,” said Katie Weir, senior. 

Fourth and fifth hour are clearly the most prized study hall hours because seniors are allowed to leave during lunch.   

“I went to the zoo, played Break the Ice, and painted my nails.  We also went to Chick-Fil-A a lot because it’s so close,” said Rebecca Harding, senior. 

Traveling to the Czech Republic was a highlight for seniors in band and choir.

“I will never forget the Czech Republic and Germany trip because it was a completely new experience, and I grew closer to a lot of people on the trip,” said Katherine Hickman, senior.  

Summer seminar trips will remain in seniors’ memories as an unforgettable experience. 

“I will never forget the opportunity I had to travel to Washington for Summer Seminar…I experienced God’s majesty through his creation as well as people.  Conversations I had with fellow peers…have changed my life and have given me a peek into God’s plan and desire for my life,” said Abbie Clark, senior.  

There is one infamous event that this year’s seniors will never forget: Spirit Week.

“Losing was kind of sad, but it was really funny, and I had a great time…It’s funny because I heard from alumni that your senior year is different because people aren’t as ‘cliquey’, and you grow closer as a class.  I always thought, ‘yah right’, but it’s so true.  I felt especially closer as a class when we lost during spirit week,” said Weir.

“I won’t ever forget Spirit Week ’11.  I know we lost, but we still had an amazing time and didn’t let it ruin our moods.  Nothing will beat our entire grade on that Friday night screaming our heads off that we got second and still acting like the champions,” added Sarah Davis, senior.  

Spirit Week 2011 was more hectic as usual due to the Snowpocalypse. While the missed snow days of Spirit Week were adjusted into the next week, the week of craziness was not the same, especially when the senior class lost overall.  

“This has kind of been a rough year for a lot of seniors, but I’ll never forget how we all came together during the rough times to lift each other up and be there for one another, one classic example: spirit week,” said Erinn Flowers, senior.

Every class wants that victorious moment when first place is announced—the quintessential Westminster senior moment—but the senior class handled their loss in stride and humor with the Biggest Loser T-shirts.

“Seniors as well as juniors handled the result of Spirit Week exceptionally well.  The t-shirts were by no means supposed to be making a negative statement about the outcome of Spirit Week…[they] were a symbol of who we are as a class.  These ‘let downs’ have shaped us and have provided the class of 2011 with laughs and unity,” said Clark.  

As the year comes to a close, the seniors are on their way out of Westminster’s doors and into their future, and the juniors are taking the next step up on the high school ladder.  Of course, the seniors couldn’t leave without giving a bit of advice to the rising seniors.

“Do not let your years pass you by without appreciating every day you have.  Looking back, I feel like I wasted a ton of time just trying to make it through the day and looking forward to the next day,” said Becker.

“Build lasting relationships with friends throughout high school, work hard in school, try not to complain as much because we really are blessed to be able to attend such a great school as the Academy, and don’t forget to be there for each other,” added Flowers.  

From an academic standpoint, “don’t slack off senior year because all grades count, and colleges still look at your second semester senior year grades,” said Weir.  

“Don’t be lazy when you are applying for colleges.  Don’t wait until the deadline gets close,” added Sinae Kim, senior.  

 This year was anything but a typical last year of high school.  From construction on the building to removing the seal and splitting up Carnival and Spirit Week, and the highly anticipated move to the new campus, many things have been atypical for this year.  Not only will next year be a year of new beginnings for the seniors, but for Westminster as a whole.