THE ROYAL NEWS
FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS
Co-Editors
NYAH PALMER
MADDEN PIEKARSKI
Writers
ZOE AMBURN
EMILY DOCKRILL
NYAH PALMER
MADDEN PIEKARSKI
SHREYA SHAH
AVA WEATHERBIE
Layout Manager
MADI WINER
EDITORS' COMMENTS
IMPORTANCE OF LEADING
LIVING IN THE NOW
INKWELL: NRHS'S CREATIVE SPACE
WHY LIBRARIES MATTER
CHICAGO ROCKED!
YOU SHOULD KNOW, NRHS DOES A LOT
SENIORS: ONE LAST TIME
COVER PHOTO: MADI WINER
INSIDE PHOTO: MADI WINER
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS. THEY DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OR VIEWS OF THE ROYAL NEWS, ITS ADVISOR OR NORTH ROYALTON HIGH SCHOOL.
NOTE FROM THE EDITORS
Here at North Royalton, the end of the year is approaching, summer is upon us, and the warm weather is getting everyone excited for the break to come. With the end of the year, we are saying goodbye to our senior class, and underclassmen are continuing their routine of new classes in the year to come. People are making plans with their friends for the summer while they prepare for the treacherous and upcoming finals week. One thing that our entire school can agree on is that we are definitely feeling the passing of time.
This issue is especially bittersweet for the senior writers on The Royal News team, as it’s our last edition before we say goodbye to NRHS. In this issue, you’ll find reflections on living in the present, the high school experiences of seniors, club recognition, and more. It has been our pride as co-editors to share the news, opinions, and happenings of North Royalton High School students with the greater NRHS community this past year. Thank you to all the talented writers, insightful interviewees, our artistic layout manager, and to Mr. Hemery for always encouraging us to express ourselves.
And thanks, as always, for reading, Madden Piekarski and Nyah Palmer, Co-editors
DON'T JUST PARTICIPATE,
THRIVE BY AVA WEATHERBIE
As a senior, I have been reflecting on my time at North Royalton High School. The opportunities I have taken, the ones I have missed, the memories I have made, and the lessons that I have learned from walking the halls of this school the past four years. Primarily, I have learned the importance of being profoundly involved in your community, specifically within a single area. Involvement in one’s community creates connections, relationships, and deeper understanding of those around you. It gives you a support system that assists you and challenges you to grow into a better person. School can be an exhausting environment, and giving yourself a third space, outside of school and your home, allows you to rest from the stresses that come along with being a high school student and a teenager in general. Having a chance to focus your passions into something productive toward your community gives you the opportunity to meet new people you otherwise would never have met, as well as forcing you to take on responsibility that can shape you into a person that has the qualities of a leader.
In my own time as a high schooler, being deeply involved in the track and field program has allowed me to become a disciplined leader and given me some of my closest friends in the world. Immersing yourself in at least one program or club (in a manner different from simply being a member) provides you with so many opportunities, and most importantly,
relationships that will significantly improve your high school experience.
Senior Liz Nuzzo is captain and four-year member of the softball team at NRHS, along with being a captain and four-year member of the girls cross country team. Liz echoes this idea of the importance of being involved when she remarked that, when she took responsibility and a larger role in softball and cross country, she could “look at things from different perspectives and connect with so many different people with different personalities.” Being a part of these programs and engrossing herself deeply into the heart of them allowed her to make a bigger impact and provided her with a new world view, one that helps her to be a more understanding person with the ability to form deeper connections with others. These connections led to making new friends and gave way to a new direction in her high school career, one surrounded by a community of girls she otherwise would not have had.
Fellow senior, Samantha Sutkowski, is also a very involved and committed student. She is on the varsity fall cheerleading team, competes for the varsity gymnastics team (serving as captain), and is a member of the track and field team as a pole vaulter. Sami said these leadership roles taught her “how to work and communicate with so many different types of people. I have learned how to become flexible and patient with others. It has made me a better teacher as well. And in finding great community within these activities, I now find my team's success just as important as my own.” These numerous advantages that come with being involved and putting effort into the activities you are participating in are invaluable and help to shape you into a dedicated person that can focus on being understanding and teaching others. It gives you skills essential to life after high school and just life in general! Moreover, Sami exemplifies how being a part of a community gives you that sense of belongingness, which definitively betters a student's ability to enjoy school. These communities of people provided by North Royalton through its numerous
clubs and sports are easily accessible through meaningful participation and genuine care for the work you are doing.
Liz Nuzzo also notes that since she chose to involve herself in something that she is passionate about, she can "take time away from school and focus on the task and have fun” as well as build a community that “has given me a family and made me closer with other people through meaningful friendships.” The profound impacts that Liz has been able to make on her team have in turn served to impact her just as much, showing that pouring into something that excites you will allow that activity to pour right into your own experience as a high schooler and beyond.
Sami maintains this by mentioning that by exploring her passions, she has been able to “learn how to be a determined and adaptable person from my experience in high school. In high school I was able to experiment and find a good balance between school work, a social life, and activities.” This pathway toward exploring things allows her to find genuine joy and pride. She said, “If I strive for the same balance in college, I can be just as successful as I was in high school.”
These essential life lessons were taught to her through the constant interaction with her community of people that all share a common passion. Taking part in this perspective during high school gives her the skills she needs to be successful in college as well, which is a clear benefit to being involved! Consequently, the key to being able to get very engaged in activities outside of one’s academic prowess is finding that thing you are passionate about, whether that be through a sport, service, creativity, or cultivation. There is something that everyone enjoys, and finding an activity that aligns with that will make high school a much more enjoyable experience, one not defined by the stress of school and social pressures of your peers.
Capitalizing on the wealth of opportunities one has here as a student at NRHS is an amazing decision that will utterly transform the possible pathways you can take while here. It gives students a safe ha -
ven away from stressful responsibilities and allows them to pursue activities that they are interested in through a network of people that are interested in the same thing. Sami supports this idea through her own experience with these activities, saying that “whether I step onto the mat at gymnastics, the track for cheer, or walk up to the pit at pole vault, everything educationally related leaves my mind. It helps to alleviate stress because I'm not constantly thinking about academics. I have different priorities when it comes to different places.”
This relief from school-related stress that comes from being involved is yet another reason to consider being a part of something bigger than yourself. It is a distraction from your required responsibilities and allows you to make more room in your schedule for something that fulfills you, instead of being stuck between a classroom and your house. I urge all students to take advantage of the ability to be deeply ingrained in the community here at North Royalton. Casual commitment to a couple of clubs is a good thing, but really embracing a certain sport, club, or other extracurricular will genuinely make a difference in how one develops as a person and how they interact with others. Also, being involved gives students privileges and access to things that other students do not have, such as better relationships with staff and a greater sense of trust and responsibility given to them earlier on.
Taking this idea with you throughout your time as a high school student will alter it for the better, but it is also just as important to continue on with this mindset into future endeavors in life. Looking into life after high school, whether that be at a university, a trade school, the military, or a gap year, it is important to continue to get involved! It also underscores why it is so important for students to get involved now while all these clubs are easily accessible! It develops a better understanding for how to reach out to others and make connections that are very valuable. Get involved and stay involved, North Royalton—it could be the difference between a memorable high school experience or a squandered one.
BY EMILY DOCKRILL
Words have more than one meaning. “Present” can mean a gift, time, a presentation. “Present” is a word that embodies each of those terms, but I will define it as the only moment you ever experience first hand. It's every moment you’ll ever have because they only happen once. People love to recreate photos or experiences by visiting places again, but there is always something different. It’s not the view people are chasing, or even the memory, but the feeling.
NRHS senior Paige Hunady, when asked about a memory she wished to recreate, said visiting her grandparents in North Carolina. Her grandparents no longer live in North Carolina, but she still wants to go back to the place that holds part of her childhood. Nostalgia is the feeling associated with past events, like revisiting North Carolina.
A large part of living in the moment is being brave and courageous to get out of your comfort zone. High school is the time to experiment, make mistakes, and fail over and over again. Nobody should discourage you from what you want to do. Paige explained that high school got better for her once she expanded her social activity and quit worrying. She said, “Nothing’s really that deep.” After high school, you may lose contact with friends, move to different places, and build new lives. High school is a stepping stone into embracing the bigger you. It’s a path to becoming
who you want to be in the future. As Paige put it, “Graduation signifies moving on to another stage in life.” More "nows." And although everything you do now sets up the future, sometimes people are too hung up on the next thing.
Yet, going back is never the same. So the "now" matters.
Another NRHS senior, Albert Armin, said that some of the little things in life such as seeing his
PHOTO BY MADI WINER
girlfriend in the hall and doing silly activities with his friends may seem insignificant to others, but they bring him joy. Albert has a large future ahead of him, one that he’s planned forever. But, even now, as Albert continues to research and prepare for his future, those little things he mentioned, those are the things that matter. Living in the moment isn’t about not thinking about the past or the future at all, but it's about enjoying every aspect of life because tomorrow is never promised.
Mr. Kish, a psychology and history teacher at NRHS, said, “I was raised in the belief that you should always think about the future rather than experience the steps along the way.” There is a difference between working toward the future and making it the most important thing in your life. When you let your undecided future guide you and control you, you miss out on everything else. Mr. Kish explained, through personal experience, that the hardest lesson he learned was to value the people you love because you never know what the future will hold and if they will be there with you.
Mr. Dietrich, an NRHS ELA teacher, shared that he worked hard in order to create a future he’s proud to live in today. But he appreciated the moments and where they led him. Now, Mr. Dietrich exclaims that he wouldn’t change anything about his life because he is living his best life.
It’s hard to understand what it means to live in the present, but living in the present is just making a moment meaningful because every experience is one of a kind; it’s yours.
There are things that have led us to now—those were things in the past—and there are things we can do now that will help us in the future. But it all starts in the only moment you actually have.
The presentation of your life will never be fulfilled without being in every moment. That is the gift of life: living in the present. So, live in the moment, experience the good and the bad because every moment, once passed, impacts your future. One moment leads to the next, and when you think about it, the only way to create a future is to be in the present.
INKWELL: A CREATIVE SPACE
Inkwell, North Royalton’s literary magazine, has been in its current form for twenty-one years under the guidance of ELA and creative writing teacher Ms. Leatherman. The professionally-published magazine, which features each year’s best student-created poetry, short stories, art and photography, mirrors collegiate publications and has received much recognition (it was featured on PBS and many of the students have won awards from their work from other literary magazine contests). In twenty-one years, the book has never been quietly dropped, but is released with
a celebratory party that Mrs. Leatherman organizes and hosts. The jazz band plays. The artwork is displayed. And the writers read their work to large audiences of parents, students, and community members.
This year’s celebration was no different, as the students shared their incredible talents to a filled community room. The magazine is truly a reflection of the students’ talents and Ms. Leatherman’s commitment to the arts here in North Royalton. To watch the full event, check out it out on the NRHS Youtube Channel.
A PAGE'S PERSPECTIVE ON LIBRARIES
BY NYAH PALMER
When most people think of libraries, their association begins and ends with books—but libraries have so much to offer beyond the books lining the shelves. Through my position as a page at the Middleburg Heights Library, I’ve obtained a unique perspective on what libraries truly contribute to communities. During an average shift, I’ll likely see a middle school student meeting with a tutor, an adult on a work call in a private study room, and a group of kids competing in Mario Kart on the TV in the teen section. I’ll even overhear calls made to reference librarians from elderly people inquiring about tomorrow’s weather. This is just a small snapshot into all the ways that people of all ages make use of the library.
thoughts of but never seen in person,” she said of the experience. “It was like my own surreal moment of awe and the culmination of my love for reading.” Other past authors include S.A. Cosby, Ann Patchett, and Barbara Kingsolver. The library has also been a huge asset for me personally on several occasions. When our street lost power for a full week two summers ago, I spent long hours at the library to charge my phone, gain access to free Wi-Fi, and check out books to read once I returned to my dark, offline home. And before that, while the pandemic was still in full force, my family picked up many of the free COVID-19 tests given out by the Royalton Branch.
It’s a place for local organizations and clubs to meet, such as Girl Scout troops, book clubs, political organizations, or hobbyist groups such as the Cleveland Audubon Society. It’s a forum for the sharing of information through cooking classes, guest speakers, or lectures on topics ranging from gardening tips to philosophical theory. Our conference rooms have also been used for concerts and performances—I recently had the privilege of listening in on a local Irish band. Then there are the many events that library staff put together themselves, such as weekly storytimes for kids of all ages, soap-making or jewelry-making, and the Middleburg Heights branch’s famous annual ‘Grinchmas’ celebration (which involves a visit from the Grinch himself).
Cuyahoga County Public Libraries (CCPL) also host a series of authors throughout the year, dubbed Writer’s Center Stage. Senior Madden Piekarski attended one such event by author R.F. Kuang, held at Case Western’s Maltz Performing Arts Center. “I thought it was really cool to attend an event and hear about the inner workings of an author I had read and heard the
I’ve utilized the library in a myriad of smaller but no less essential ways as well. I’ve gotten passport photos taken, received the required CPR certification for a previous job, and I’ve lately begun borrowing DVDs from the library’s extensive collection to play on my laptop’s DVD player. It’s an easy way to circumvent the costly fees and subscriptions of a dozen different streaming services. These are all examples of the little ways that the library’s services can ease the headache of certain chores or save you in a pinch. Many teenagers tend to forget about the library once they outgrow the Summer Reading Program, but libraries can be an important resource for high schoolers. Private study rooms can be reserved as an excellent space for students to get work done.
Senior Chloe Lee makes use of these spaces when she has a lot on her plate: “I go there to study when I know I’m going to get nothing done at home,” she explains. By moving to a different environment, one that encourages quiet concentration, she’s able to combat procrastination. “I feel weird going on my phone, so I get pushed to do more work instead.” CCPL also has a collection of test prep books, such as official SAT and
ACT study books. These can be pricey to purchase new, especially considering they’re only useful until the test is over. Borrowing them can be a great alternative that’s both cost efficient and more sustainable.
You don’t have to be a reader to make use of your local library, because the library has something for everyone. If not for books, then you might want to browse newspapers and magazines without having to pay for a subscription, or check out CDs and DVDs for entertainment. If you have a library card, you also get free access to all the New York Times games, including the Crossword puzzles (which are otherwise behind a paywall). Or consider stopping by a nearby library’s Maker’s Space, which has recording studios, 3D printing, and embroidery machines for any creative endeavor.
sential space for people without consistent housing to seek relief from the weather on hot days or in dangerous storms.
CCPL seeks to provide resources for all demographics of people, and so library services are designed to be easily accessible: you can sign up for a library card in under two minutes online, which can then be used to access the Libby app—and you’ll have access to an entire archive of materials all on your phone. And if you don’t have time to stop by and browse, then you can use the drive-up book pickup and subsequent return chutes instead. For those with disabilities, CCPL also offers a Library2You delivery service.
Libraries are also central cornerstones for the community. They provide tutorials for necessary skills, such as assistance with taxes or insurance policies. They grant access to printing and faxing equipment, and they directly help those most in need through regular volunteer-led food distributions and free after-school snack programs for kids. Additionally, they’re an es-
Libraries are state-run institutions, which means their funding depends on community usage and tax levies. As Ohio’s Public Library Fund was recently abolished, CCPL’s funding may now vary from month to month and is at risk based on changing tax levies. If you’ve ever made use of library materials or services, I encourage you to continue supporting your local libraries! With every book checked out or program attended, you’re not just bolstering your own personal knowledge: you’re also sustaining your community.
YSTUDENTS ROCK CHICAGO!
our North Royalton Theater program presented their annual spring musical, Chicago, in March, and it was a big hit! After three months of hard preparation, Chicago debuted on Mar 25, 2026, with their in-school performance. Students were
trayed them as “beauty of cell block” and “most stylish on Murderesses row.”
BY ZOE
AMBURN
wowed by their performance. Student and costume helper, Jovi Brosky said, “I absolutely loved it! My favorite part was when they sang ‘They Both Reached for the Gun.’ My favorite character had to have been Velma, and my favorite song was ‘All That Jazz!'”
Chicago isn’t a new musical; in fact, it's been around since 1926. Originally, it was a play created by Maurine Dallas Watkins based on two unrelenting court cases back in 1924, about two women who were accused of murder. At the time, Maurine was working as the courthouse beat journalist at the Chicago Tribune. When she saw the two cases, she was inspired to write the play. While reporting on the two women's cases, she por-
After working at the Chicago Tribune, Maurice later went to Yale to attend the new Drama Program. The script was originally turned in as an assignment for the Drama School under the name “The Brave Little Women.” The script was then turned into a full production under the director George Abott, and later debuted on Broadway on December 30, 1926. The play ran for 172 performances and closed on May 28, 1927. The play also ran at the West End in 1938, after being banned by Lord Chamberlain, due to the portrayal of crime. In 1927, there was also a silent film adaptation starring Phyllis Haver as Roxie Hart. The silent film was heavily censored compared to the original play. Later, in 1942, there was another film adaptation under the name Roxie Hart, which starred Ginger Rogers, but it was once again heavily censored due to Hollywood and moral standards at the time.
In the 1960s, Gwen Verdon read the play and asked her husband and future choreographer of Chicago, Bob Fosse, to make a musical based on the play. Fosse would approach Maurine Watkins numerous times to obtain rights to the play, but Watkins would decline every offer. Watkins would end up passing away in 1969 due to lung cancer, and Fosse would finally gain rights to the play. Watkins’ trust officer ended up giving reasons why Watkins refused Fosse’s offers, stating that over time, Watkins had become deeply disturbed that she had helped a murderer be acquitted. Finally, Fosse moved ahead with the development of the musical with the help of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Richard Fryer. The show
debuted in 1975 on Broadway and closed in 1977. The West End then debuted the musical in 1979, which ran for 600 performances. The current 1992 revival holds the record for the longest-running show currently on Broadway, the longest-running revival, and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The musical has only been beaten by Phantom of the Opera, which is the longest-running musical in history. Finally, another film was released in 2002 under the same name, which starred Renee Zellweger, Richard
a certain excitement around musicals that aren’t around plays just because of the music aspect— don’t get me wrong, plays are still very exciting— but the music really brings the show to life, and I think that’s especially true through Chicago. I’ve loved the show Chicago for a while, and it’s one of the first musicals that got me into musical theater, and it’s really a dream come true to be able to work on this as my senior musical.”
Gere, and Catherene Zeta-Jones. The film won an Academy Award for Best Picture at the 75th Academy Awards. Nowadays, the musical is a cult classic and is one of the most well-known musicals in history. Chicago has been a highly anticipated show, as the North Royalton Theater Program has never done a show like this before. Chicago is about greed, violence, adultery, and many more illegal things that are glorified to be fun and exciting. Mrs. Jahnigen said, “I was very excited for the stylized choreography of this production and the opportunity for our NRHS students to dive into a more mature production with characters unlike anything they've been able to portray before.” Students were also excited to work on the show. Senior publicity and house manager Norah Bell said, “There’s
But how did they manage to pull off this impressive performance? Students had been working hard since January to pull the show together. Just as rehearsal had begun, North Royalton had a historic seven-day streak of snow days. Director Mrs. Jahnigen said, “Obviously, snow days are always tricky as our rehearsals begin in January. However, I did build in some extra days in the schedule in case we missed rehearsals.”
Whether it’s snow days or sickness, the North Royalton Theater Program showed their resilience and gave us a spectacular show. We especially thank the seniors and Mrs. Jahnigen for their time at the high school, and we are excited to see what the program has to offer next!
PHOTOS BY VY-VY VO.
NRHS IS AMAZING: TELL THE WORLD
BY SHREYA SHAH
As the winter sports basketball, swimming, wrestling, and gymnastics have all come to an end, North Royalton has, yet again, shown all-around extraordinary accomplishments. With all these sports having either district or state qualifiers, they continue to flourish in a growing, well-publicized environment.
Even with the different spring sports, the level of achievement has remained the same. It’s fair to say that the hard work of hundreds of practices have clearly gathered attention, rightfully so, with their media presences, awards, and spirit. In fact, the North Royalton High School Instagram, announcements, and schedule have readily
posted updates of the competing boys’ basketball teams and wrestling teams for the eager fans at home to cheer on their fellow classmates.
Alongside athletics, in the academic realm, the Mock Trial team advanced to states for the second time in school history. All of these students equally attended practices, prepared for months, and even received extra assignments on top of their normal coursework.
Prisha Pramod, captain of the team, said, “I’m not sure if people realize how much time we put into the trials.” In addition, specifically, as a member of the Mock Trial, we put in
a total of 600 hours of time poured into focusing on the trial, and, it goes without saying, but our advisors, Ms. Sladky and Ms. Cancilla, spent even more. They each single-handedly turned an unqualified, not even a regional-advancing team into a powerhouse of prepared state attorneys and witnesses.
To understand just how difficult it is to make it to that level, visualize this: each year, more than 200 mock trial teams across Ohio compete in the official competition, making our state the most competitive. Also, we come from the largest, most difficult regionals in the state. From that field, only 27 teams advance to the state level. Of those 27, nearly half come from private schools, many of which benefit from independent funding and legal teams on standby. Among the remaining public-school qualifiers, most represent programs consistent with recent state appearances and long-standing infrastructure. After accounting for funding advantages and historical experience, just one team remains—North Royalton High School—a fully public program based purely on hard work.
North Royalton and reflect a school that supports many paths to excellence.
There are also countless other clubs like newspaper and video club that are working hard, even if they don't operate in an awards-based system. Visibility plays an important role in how programs grow and how school pride is built. Athletics benefit from frequent updates, detailed announcements, and dedicated platforms that help generate excitement and long-term support, having administrative roles dedicated solely to
PR. Although it may be financially difficult, all the clubs could benefit from an athe same attention, having someone dedicated to publicity of all the great things going on here at the school. Expanding similar recognition for academic and arts programs—such as brief explanations of awards or competition results—would help students better understand these achievements and encourage greater appreciation across the school.
Mock Trial is not the only program finding success. Royal Harmony has recently placed at competitions, Science Olympiad students earned medals, all four bands received superior ratings at the state level, and National Art Honor Society recently held an art show.
Ben Swab, an award-winning performer in Royal Harmony, says, “Those wins weren’t luck.” These accomplishments highlight the breadth of student talent at
North Royalton has much to be proud of: from band earning superior ratings, to Science Olympiad medalists, to Key Club raising over $5,000 for the community. Celebrating all forms of excellence reinforces the strong, supportive community that already exists. By continuing to build on what the school already does well through balanced recognition of academics, arts, and athletics, North Royalton can further strengthen its identity as a well-rounded school by celebrating all forms of it—loudly, proudly, and equally.
ONE LAST TIME: SENIORS' FINAL BOW
BY MADDEN PIEKARSKI
With the coming of the end of the year, the senior class is finally reaching what is considered the be-all endall of high school. With what many believe to be their impending freedom, there is an event that sets the stage for the rest of the summer: prom. Prom is the time for many within the senior class to express themselves and let loose as they all come together to realize this is the last big hurrah.
This is such an important event to so many that people have gotten their dresses or suits months in advance. Senior Chris Pascu remarked, “I got parts of my suit at different times. The shirt I got over the summer, the pants I got eight months ago, and the jacket I got three months ago.”
In a similar fashion, Ava Weatherbie stated, “I got my dress in January right after the really bad winter storm.” This event is super important to those attending, and the senior class is prepared to go out in style.
stated he has been too “stressed by AP tests right now,” as we are right in the thick of AP testing, which can be extremely time-consuming. Despite this, the senior class will surely pull through and look glamorous as well as have an amazing time.
Along with the worries of dress, many people differ in what they are seeking out of the event. Some people are excited about the formal dress required. Arianna Bokman commented, “I’m mostly excited to dress up with my close friends because I’ve never been able to dress up this formally before!”
On the other hand, some people do love this event but are struggling at the last minute or haven’t even had the chance to think about shopping for formal wear. Personally, I obtained my dress last week and still haven’t thought about what shoes I’ll be wearing. Similarly, when asked, Thomas Perkins
Nethra Sriram agreed, saying, “I’m so excited to dress up and wear my dress and heels and have fun with my friends!” Others are just happy to be around their friends and peers in celebration. Sana Hameed mentioned, “I’m super excited for prom because I’m going to be hanging out with my best friends the whole day.” Linden Hopper said, “This event brings all of the seniors together and almost gives us one last chance to enjoy this moment with everyone.”
Everyone is hyped for the day and ready to enjoy all that it has to offer. This signals the end of high school and being around the people we’ve
known for most, if not all, our lives.
With the end, many have had to think about their aspirations for the future—the “What comes
next?” part that no one realizes they’ll have to face until it's all around them—but they are also surrounded by the things they are going to miss. It seems that the majority are going to strive to keep the relationships they have forged during their time at the high school. Senior Nyah Palmer stated, “I’ll miss seeing my friends! We’re all going to different colleges in different states, so it’ll be harder to meet up. I’m confident that my most important relationships will last long distance, but I’ll definitely miss the easy proximity.”
Another senior, Peyton Hanzel, remarked, “Honestly, I am going to miss the social aspect and seeing
people every day. I feel like without school, I’m not around people as much.” In continuation, Lucee Adkins expressed, “I’m going to miss seeing my
friends and the familiar routine of getting up every day.” While the senior class is about to be split into a fifty-piece pizza, the relationships that stand strong after everything may last the rest of their lives.
Everyone fears drifting away from those they hold close, but by embracing the end with a magnificent event, such as prom, at least it will be memorable. The senior class is about to take off into their own new set of butterfly wings—wings that will set us all free. And while some may be sad or excited about graduation, at least they’ll know they are going out with a bang. Cheers to the senior class of 2026!
