‘25 SENIOR YEAR RECAP
Cover Photo by: Kaiden Lee
SENIOR SPLASHIN’
Stories by: Kaiden Lee and Daunte Mandujano Narveson
GRIZZLIES POST-GRADUATION PLANS
Story by: Henry Seehawer
Senior Grizzlies Reflect on Graduation and Beyond:
As the Class of 2025 approaches graduation, seniors are buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves, ready to close one chapter and begin another. From college plans to summer adventures, these students shared their thoughts on what’s next, who they’ll miss, and their advice for underclassmen.
Ezekiel
Cano: A Mix of Emotions
Ezekiel Cano feels a blend of excitement and apprehension about graduation. “I’m excited to be done with school, but a little scared for real-world responsibilities,” he admits. This fall, he’ll head to Oregon State University to study business and is eager to rush a fraternity. This summer, Ezekiel looks forward to hanging out with friends and trying new things. The person he’ll miss most? Spencer Payne, a mentor and brotherly figure who has guided him over the past four years. His advice to underclassmen: “Run in the halls, blast music, and definitely invest in a rolling backpack… it’s so convenient!”
Illeana Barsotti: Ready for Independence Illeana “Illy” Barsotti is eager for the independence college offers. She’ll study marine biology and Spanish at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, chosen for its hands-on marine studies program. This summer, Illy is excited to backpack across Europe with friends. She’ll miss Mr. Knoedler, a teacher who made a difference. Her advice: “It’s okay to say no to things, it’s your senior year, so make time to enjoy it!”
Emilio Gonzalez: Eager for New Opportunities
Emilio Gonzalez is thrilled about graduation and the opportunities college will bring. He’ll study mechanical engineering at Oregon State University, and is excited to meet new people on its large campus. This summer, he’s looking forward to a trip along the Mediterranean coast. Emilio will miss Ms. Clarno, his EASA teacher of four years, with whom he’s grown close. His advice: “Get your college stuff done early so you can enjoy the last part of your senior year.”
Nylan Bills: Carving His
Own Path
Nylan Bills is unequivocally excited for graduation, seeing it as a chance to “do my own thing and carve my own path.” After a two-year church mission, he plans to attend Brigham Young University on a pre-med track. This summer, he’s thrilled to coach one last MCTA tennis camp with his friend Jameson. Nylan will deeply miss Henry Seehawer, a longtime friend he may not see for a while. His advice? “Don’t let anxiety or stress stop you from getting the most out of your senior year, it’s your last chance to do all the things you want in high school!”
Owen James: Content and Ready to Move On Owen James feels fulfilled by his high school experience and is excited to graduate. “The hay is in the barn, and I’m ready to move on,” he says. He’ll attend OSU Cascades to study mechanical engineering, drawn to its small classes and location. This summer, Owen plans for trips with friends and starting a job. He’ll miss the teachers who helped him grow and really cared about him, he also admits he’s going to miss all his friends. His advice: “Experience everything, dances, activities, all of it. Don’t overload your senior year; prioritize fun and have reasonable expectations.”
Riley Donahue: Embracing New Horizons
Riley Donahue is excited to graduate and seize new opportunities. He plans to attend the University of Kansas, intern in sports photography, and cheer for the Kansas Jayhawks. This summer, he’s ready for a break to spend with “the boys.” Riley will miss Coach Spence, a daily confidant over the past four years. His advice: “Enjoy it, spend time with friends, and take advantage of school events, you’ll never get to do them again.”
Senior Splashin’ is an exciting, student-organized event among high school seniors, hosted by senior Jude Becher, although it is not affiliated with MHS. To participate, seniors download the “Splashin” app, which serves as the central hub for this thrilling water-based game. Each participant pays a $5 entry fee, which is pooled together into a prize pot. With 152 participants joining the game, the prize money totals around $760. The goal of the game is to eliminate your assigned target by soaking them with a water blaster, but players must also record the moment of elimination to earn points, which are then uploaded to the
app. These points can be used to activate various power-ups, such as revives, which allow players to continue if they are eliminated, or vanish mode, which lets them temporarily hide from their pursuers. Additionally, players can place bounties on others, adding layers of strategy to the game. The event is structured in multiple rounds, with players being assigned new targets as the game progresses. In the third round, players who fail to eliminate their target are automatically eliminated from the game. As of May 1, 2025, the game is still ongoing, with 95 players remaining in the third round.
SENIOR SIGN-OUT BRICKS
Any student who completes the Theater Pathway or gets inducted into Honors Thespian through the International Thespian Society is welcome to paint a memorial brick. This started in 2021 when the pathway teacher, Dani Potts, first started teaching at MHS. The bricks are located in the dressing rooms because that area is specifically theirs. The seniors can paint whatever design they wish; the only requirement is that the senior’s name and graduation year are somewhere visible on the brick. Potts
commented, “Seniors also write a letter to the department that lives in a binder in the Black Box for future students to read. Most of the time they write a farewell to the department, advice to new students, or thank yous to the people and experiences they have had. Some are poems, some are drawings, but all of them are written by students for students, and they become cherished department time capsules.”
As these seniors prepare to walk across the stage, their plans and reflections offer a glimpse into a bright future filled with adventure, growth, and a touch of nostalgia for their high school days.
SENIOR PARKING SPOTS SENIOR SUNRISE
While seniors have been parking at MHS for years, a new tradition started this year: hand painted parking spots. At the beginning of the school year seniors tapped into their creative side and expressed themselves through creating unique designs. However, creative expression does not come cheap; the cost to paint your chosen spot was $60; this was on top of a parking pass for $45, so all together next year’s seniors are looking at $105.00, if the tradition continues. It is important to note that after this is all said and done, there is no guarantee that you’ll get to park where your painted parking spot is located. It has been reported that some seniors haven’t been able to park in their special spot, because someone else is parked there. To make matters worse, you can’t really do anything about it which, for some, kind of defeats the purpose of purchasing a spot in the first place. Senior Gus Blank said, “It was fun, I really don’t care if someone parks in my spot, because I’ll just steal someone else’s spot.” The memories are, of course, priceless.
Senior Sunrise was a memorable event where seniors gathered on the football field at Wortman Stadium to kick off their final year. As the sun rose, students enjoyed free donuts and drinks while hanging out with friends and chatting. The atmosphere was relaxed and full of laughter as everyone reconnected and made new memories. There were also games and activities set up on the field, giving students a chance to bond with their classmates. Overall, Senior Sunrise was a great way for seniors to kick off their last year of high school together, and it is fitting that the year will end with a Senior Sunset on Thursday May 29 on Baker Field hosted by ASB.
Story by: Kaiden Lee
Story by: Daunte Mandujano Narveson
SENIOR SPORT NIGHTS
Story by: Scout Jones
For every sports season there’s a special night to honor the seniors. Senior night traditionally takes place during the last home game, to represent it being the senior’s last game on their home court. Depending on the sport, the ceremony takes place either before or after the game. Usually the player receives a gift of some sort, then a short speech about their time at McMinnville and what they plan on doing after graduation. Both the coaches & underclassmen will help plan the senior night, knowing that when it’s their year to graduate, they’ll receive the same honor.
SUPERLATIVES
Photos by: Kaiden Lee and Scout Jones
Most likely to be PRESIDENT: Viviana Garibay
Most likely to be a FASHION DESIGNER: Beetle Jones and Jameson Rickards
Most likely to SELL OUT A STADIUM TOUR: Kaira Llerenas
CLASS CLOWN: Phoenix Carr
Most likely to be an INFLUENCER: Lydie Angevine and Daisy-Mae Struk
Most likely to be a SUPERHERO: Reed Klosterman and Kane Sullivan
Most likely to be a BILLIONAIRE: Rowan Easterday
BEST RIZZ: Tanner Schulz
BEST BROMANCE: Tanner Schulz & Tanner Leikam and Sean Gerbrandt & Damon Ledbetter Kearl
Most SCHOOL SPIRIT: Jude Becher
Worst case of SENIORITIS: Jaxon Smith and Henry Seehawer
Best GAL PALS: Serenity Franke and Addy Behring Most likely to be a BROADWAY STAR: Serenity Franke
Life of the PARTY: Henry Seehawer and Ezekiel Cano
Most likely to be an OLYMPIAN: Gus Blank and Macie Arzner
BEST HAIR: Jasmin Solis, Alesandra Jimenez, Rylan Keith, Adisyn Botten Best COUPLE: Alexander Keleher and Kira Shields
BEST TALL & SHORT DUO: Toli Halloran-Steiner and Truitt Bjorlin
Teacher’s Farewells
Story by: Henry Seehawer Photos by: Ruby Riddle
Seniors!! Congratulations on this accomplishment. This is the end of a very long journey, one that has taken your whole life to complete. We're proud of you, and I know many other people have been a part of your life these past 13 years of public education who feel the same way. The best part, though, is now you get to start the real work. The rest of your life is what you've been preparing for this whole time. What you thought was a long road to graduation was actually just the runway to a much larger and more important adventure. And we'll be here in the halls of MHS cheering you on from our classrooms. Now, go change the world! One day, one year, one journey at a time.
Mr. Brisbin
Congratulations Class of 2025! Make new friends, keep the old, take care of each other, and wear sunscreen!
Mrs. Olsen
Dear Seniors,
As you leave this school and community you have built for the last handful of years, I wish you the best of luck, and thanks for all the great memories in class and in our halls. Between the conversations in and between classes, the laughter and the frustration, I hope that you carry on all the lessons, good and bad, you have learned in these halls to go off and make the world a better place as you learn and grow. Wherever the future leads you, use it to better your community and humanity, and never take your gifts for granted. My friends, take care, be safe, make good choices, and always remember, whatever happens, "such is life."
Mr. Warmbier
