As the Class of 2025 counts down their final days and prepares for graduation, seniors are holding onto the memories made throughout their final year of high school. From a beach trip on ditch day to the game of senior assassins, many reflected on the traditions that helped create lasting memories.

English teacher Hanna Anderson, an SCHS alumni who graduated in 2002, reminisced on her own senior year experiences. Now as a teacher she enjoys watching students make similar memories.

“I always like the goodbye rally – that’s always fun. I like when everyone’s lined up in the gym before graduation and just going down the lines, looking at former students and telling them, ‘Congratulations’ and ‘Good Luck,’” Anderson said.

Senior Xavier Trujeque shared a similar sentiment, explaining that participating in senior traditions throughout the years have brought him closer to students in his class and allowed him to spend meaningful time together before graduation.

“I’ve been able to talk to more people who I wouldn’t always be able to and just create memories with people I never thought I would and hang out with each other one last time,” Trujeque said.

For senior Jo Ann Smith, participating in ditch day was one of her favorite memories. With Smith being the main lead for planning the event, she was able to see the payoff of her efforts when her classmates came together to celebrate one last time.

“I had to pick a day where everyone could go and there was no overlap with any holidays and events,” Smith said. “I think it comes easier for me since I know a lot of people and I can easily get in contact with people, but it definitely was a struggle getting everyone to be on the same page with something.”

Smith noted that the pressure of planning such events can come with high expectations, which is something she advises future seniors to approach with more ease and flexibility.

“One thing that I did subconsciously was put too many expectations on what ditch day would be, and then when our entire class didn’t show up, I was like, ‘Oh my God, they didn’t ditch.’ But I found out that they did and they just did their own thing,” Smith said.

While students continue to keep certain traditions alive and create new ones, Anderson reflected on how the spirit of traditions are slowly fading over the years, some of which she experienced during her own senior year. However, she acknowledged that many of the past senior traditions have changed over time and emphasized the importance of seniors having time to celebrate and reflect after years of hard work.

“I think these traditions are important just to go back and reflect on all four years of high school. I think that no one really realizes how important they are until it’s gone,” Anderson said.