Senior Events

Keep an Eye Out, Seniors!

ASB Officers discuss possible senior events in Spring.

By Thinh Huynh

Senior events are a way to build final bits and pieces of memory to end off high school. Senior Nicole Gonzalez really hopes that, even with COVID protocols, we will have a senior picnic.

“Seniors should be provided with a senior-only event because I think this being our only last year, a lot of seniors would like to have a long-lasting memory for them to remember as they leave their high school year.” Gonzalez said. “I think for seniors we should have a senior picnic. A lot of people don’t go to events because they are crowded so they don’t have a lot of stuff to do. I think senior picnic would be a perfect opportunity because it’s mostly you and people that you know so it gives you an opportunity to chill and vibe with them.”

Senior cruise, senior picnic, and prom are events that happen only once in your high school experience. Due to COVID and the pandemic, we quarantined and discontinued events for the past two generations of seniors. However, this year we are back in person which provides a chance for the reemergence of these events.

These senior events are critical for the students last year. ASB officer Queena Huang gives insight into what events are being planned for next semester.

“We’re trying to get some dances right now but the district is really cautious because of COVID so everything has to go through the district first.” Huang said.

Dances are one of the few events that Rodrigues and the ASB officers are working hard to get. Activities Director Jennifer Rodrigues elaborates more on what she has for events so far.

“At this point in time, we have stuff on the books but not the full approval from the district. That’s part of the reason why I push some of the events, like senior picnic and things of that nature, to the spring rather than doing it at the beginning because I didn’t know what the procedures and protocols were going to be.” Rodrigues said.

Events are getting planned and processed through the district as we are speaking. However, senior events are not the focus of next semester, as AHS believes welcoming students back is the main priority.

“I wouldn’t say focus but it’s a priority because we did lose a lot with quarantine and [Rodrigues] is trying to make everyone feel welcomed, not just the seniors.” Huang said.

Huang says that senior events are not the only priorities of this year. Rodrigues confirms this by explaining what she hopes to accomplish this school year, specifically. Her main goal is to rekindle the normalcy of high school during this school year and build the missing high school experience.

“My main priority is to have [events] and be able to have some fun and bring back some type of normalcy for the students. That high school experience.” Rodrigues said.

Senior Mia Celzo finds senior events as a way to build stronger connections with classmates that you might not see again.

“I think we do need those senior-specific events just because it is our last year of high school.” Celzo said. “You want to make the most memories as possible so when you have all of these only senior events you get to do it with all your classmates who you eventually may not see after high school.”

Senior events allow for students to create experiences that they may never have made before. Gonzalez hopes to make up for her past negligence of school events this year, which may be true for most seniors.

“I want to accomplish getting involved in events. I wasn’t really involved in school events, but this being my last year, my ‘senior year,’ I wish to be more socially active in events.” Gonzalez said.

Senior Events are critical in building the senior experience but some may argue that it is not the only way. Clubs and other extracurriculars are a great way to build memories with your peers as well.

“Committee is a really fun thing to be in and there’s a lot of things you can do. You can get to know new people, you get to bond with other people, and you get to do a lot of stuff which is pretty fun.” Gonzalez said.

Though club activities are a great way to create the “senior experience,” senior events are a once-in-a-lifetime deal. These events allow people to experience an activity that they may never do again.

“I’m really hoping we can just resume the big events like prom.” Huang said. “Personally, I saved all my dances for senior year and I’m really trying to go.”

Rodrigues agrees as prom is a once in a lifetime opportunity and class of 2022’s one and only chance to attend.

“If I could only do one senior event, I would do prom.” Rodrigues said. “I think [prom was] one that everybody missed out on. Last year’s senior didn’t get it junior or senior year. Seniors didn’t get it junior year.”

Which senior year event are you most looking forward to?

Senior Darren Wen

“Keep Prom! It’s the biggest event and everyone is looking forward to it.”

Senior Destiny Weatherford

“ I would [keep] prom. It’s the most senior thing to do in high school and everybody needs to experience it.”