When going into senior year of high school, one of the only thoughts that comes to mind is realizing that you’re almost at the end, soon to be facing your lasts of high school. Whether it’s your last games, last performances, or last season, it’s the sadness that surrounds everybody.
Many seniors enter their last year with constant fear on how their last high school year will end. Going into senior year, many wish that they had gotten advice from previous seniors about eventually parting from high school activities and the hardship that surrounds that.
“Just make it worth it,” Masa Taura says. Taura has been a part of Shorewood football, wrestling, and track all four years of high school and was the captain of these sports. The biggest thing he has seen from a lot of seniors is that they get scared when starting their last high school season, the position of that constant fear and not making your last year worth it. “But, in the end, I think sports are there to grow your character,” Taura says. “Sports are there to give you the opportunities so that you can grow.”
The biggest advice from Taura is to spend your last high school season learning and growing your character and finish your last season without any fear of failing or doing poorly.
Geo Matthias, the current president of Shorewood Drama’s Troupe 640, has been a part of Shorewood Drama for all four years, participating in every show they came across. When looking back at the four years, Matthias will miss the camaraderie between their peers, as well as having a nice creative outlet through lighting design.
“Make the most of your time in high school theater by fully immersing yourself in each experience. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new roles or responsibilities to grow,” Matthias said
As with any activity within high school, you typically put a lot of effort and work into it. Sometimes when you’re nearing the end, those are the times you miss the most. The times when you eventually realize that you won’t ever be participating in these activities with the same people ever again. “It’s so bittersweet that theater only happens for eight nights and then it’s over in an instant,” Lelaina Carter says. “I feel so lucky to have been a part of it. I will cherish the memories I made in Shorewood Drama forever.”
Carter has participated in Shorewood Drama all four years of high school, a department full of an amazing community and friendships. Her advice for incoming seniors is not to take things too seriously and give it your all.
Ending a high school experience comes with mixed emotions and feelings. You may find yourself valuing the opportunities that you came across throughout the four years. But, when you eventually are nearing the end of the four years, this is where many seniors realize they are ready to move on to the next steps. “I think I’ve done my part, not only to do well in my sport but also to make sure that I’ve helped the underclassmen under me the best that I can,” Taura says.
Matthias said they felt bittersweet, feeling a mix of excitement for what the future might hold. “I felt nostalgia for the memories created in theater. And I spent a lot of time appreciating the opportunities and experiences that high school theater has provided me with.”
When looking back at freshman year, many seniors mention that they have changed drastically, whether it was specifically from the activity that they had done throughout high school or just themselves as a person. “When I look back on freshman year I feel like a brand new person, so much wiser and mature,” Carter says. “Shorewood Drama has made every aspect of my life better and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Many seniors believe that they have learned and grown throughout the four years in becoming a much better person, learning life lessons and skills within their activity. Taura believes that senior year was all about remembering that life is more than that activity you’ve committed to throughout high school. “Life is more than what I’m going to do right here, right now,” Taura says. Starting his freshman year he had that mental aspect that he always had to win, but now closing in on the end of senior year, it’s more important to have the mentality of growing into the best person you can be.
When looking back at high school, there are many memorable moments that you may take away. Many seniors may mention the valuable skills they have learned, but one of the biggest things to come out of it is the friendships you have achieved. “By far I remember the new and old bonds with my cast and crew mates strengthening this year and I am very thankful for this opportunity,” Matthias says.
Senior year is such a bittersweet experience. You get attached to an activity that you’ve done during high school and it can be tough to eventually move onto the next chapter, especially if you’ve created an amazing community within it. The last year is the perfect time to prioritize making the most of your final year and cherishing friendships. “What I’ll remember most is the friendships I made, the relationships I will have for life. I will never forget the people I got to work with,” Carter says.
