As the fall semester comes to a close, many seniors are reflecting on what it means to be halfway through their final year of high school. With graduation only months away in the spring, the end of the semester marks a major emotional and academic milestone for the Class of 2026.
For Carmello Smith the moment feels unreal. Football was a big part of Smith’s life, but it is now over so fast. “It’s scary but exciting,” Smith said. “We’ve spent years saying we can’t wait to be seniors, and now half of it is already gone.” Smith explained that balancing classes, responsibilities, and future plans has made time move faster than expected. He has a lot on his plate.
Angelina Borelli shared a mix of pride and pressure with her final year of wrestling at high school coming to an end. “I feel accomplished, but there’s still so much to do,” Borelli said. Borelli is also so stressed with her college applications and with keeping up her grades. “College applications and grades really matter now, so it’s stressful, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”
Others, like Zayda Todd, are feeling emotional. With her mom being part of the school staff it had a big impact on her. “This school has been my second home,” Todd said. “Knowing that I only have one more semester here makes everything feel more meaningful.”
For Gisele Castro, the semester ending is a reminder to stay focused. With school ending and Castro missing a lot of school, she had a lot to catch up on. “Senior year isn’t just about memories,” Castro explained. “It’s about preparing for life after high school.”
Meanwhile, James Jones sees it as motivation. “The finish line is closer,” he said. “That makes me want to work harder and enjoy every moment.” With Jones wanting to go to a 4-year college and become a pediatrician.
High school for some is an exciting part of their life, but for others it’s just another day and can’t wait to get out. Angel Valerio is one of those students that can’t wait to get out of high school to go to trade school. “I want to go to school and actually make money,” Valerio said.
As the school year ends it is an exciting moment for most the seniors, but not all the seniors.
