By Claire Fagan, Staff Writer
After a school year that felt simultaneously like three weeks and a decade, the class of 2022 is graduating. The impact our seniors had on our own school will remain for years to come, but who will fill the spaces they leave behind? Allow The Current to formally introduce the class of 2023, River Hill’s next senior class!
Three years seemed to pass incredibly quickly for the next senior class. They’ve gone from transitioning to a new school to touring colleges in what seems like no time at all. Rising senior Whitney Ye explains, “High school kind of went by in a flash, so it’s kind of shocking that we’re seniors already, or almost seniors at least.”
As seniors, the class of 2023 will be expected to lead and be model students for the underclassmen to follow. However, Whitney worries that the tumultuous years of high school have negatively affected her class’s ability to advise. Whitney doesn’t believe her class has developed enough or spent enough time in person to effectively lead the school. She admits, “I feel like that’s because the pandemic happened. I feel like we’re all still not in the mindset of being a senior, I guess.”
However, rising senior Brooke Fox disagrees, taking a more optimistic approach. Brooke believes her class will be able to overcome the challenges of senior year and flourish as figureheads of the school. She elaborates, “I think every single person I know in our class has some sort of leadership role in some sort of club they’re in, something they’re passionate about. Given all that leadership experience and passion, I think our class will definitely be able to lead this school pretty well.”
Apart from being leaders, seniors also receive a new schedule next year made up of their own interests. Rising senior Eleanor Kim comments that she is “excited to take classes that are interesting to me rather than just part of graduation requirements.” By the time most students reach their senior year, many graduation requirements are filled. The only subjects that require you to take a course each year of high school are Math and English, students have up to five extra class spots for electives senior year. Potential electives include Photograph, Forensics, Choir, and more.
Whitney agrees with Eleanor, saying, “I have a lot more classes that are more fun, relaxed classes rather than all those heavy-duty classes.” Going from junior to senior year can be an abrupt shift from rigorous courses to fun electives. Students also have the opportunities to aide for a favorite faculty member and receive work-release for an internship or part-time job during their senior year.
This increase in electives also enables students to follow their passions. Rising senior Elizabeth Fu states, “I’m taking three science classes next year, which I’m really excited about because I really want to explore more science and STEM-related stuff. I plan on going to college for that.” Having a wider range of classes to choose from senior year enables seniors to explore their interests and find a potential career path. More than any other year, seniors can create the schedules they want.
Of course, beyond the diverse classes available to River Hill’s twelfth graders, one thing takes priority. College applications, often the biggest stressor for seniors, are inevitably approaching.
Eleanor feels slightly overwhelmed by college applications. She expresses, “I’m worried because there are so many schools to choose from, but I feel like the school has prepared us to choose wisely.” River Hill teachers and counselors are prepared to assist all seniors with their college applications to minimize their stress.
When asked about senior year, Elizabeth said she wants to submit her college applications so that school can be less stressful. “The second college apps are done, or after I get accepted into a school, I think my life will get way easier. I’ll actually get to relax and enjoy the high school experience that I feel like I kind of missed in sophomore year.” The class of 2023’s senior year will be a second chance at a calm, normal, and full school year.
Brooke is ready for senior year to begin so that she can finally make concrete decisions about her future. She comments, “I think [next year will] be more surefooted. Right now everything is up in the air. It’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to go to college. Where am I going to go to college? What am I going to do in college?’ It’s just a lot of questions, so as a senior I think a bunch of those questions will be answered.” Seniors will be able to fill in their future as they apply to different schools and figure out their path forward.
During freshman orientation, teachers inform students that high school will pass by quickly. Now, ¾ of the way through their high school journey, River Hill’s rising senior class is realizing just how true that sentiment is. The class of 2023 is fully prepared to lead, learn, and cherish their final year of high school.