Senior homecoming? Check. Senior speech? Check. Next up? Senior project.

With the final moments of high school just around the corner, the end evoked mixed feelings for the Class of ‘26.

For senior Luwam Mebrahtu, who joined the school in first grade, the finale is bittersweet.

“I’m kind of sad to be leaving the people I’ve known for basically my whole life, but I’m also really excited to meet new people and go to college and have that college experience,” she said.
She revealed that consistency is what she will miss most.

“I am definitely sad that I’m never gonna have the same routine. And coming to school, I’m never gonna be able to arrive with my sister anymore,” she said. “My favorite memories have been arriving at school. I always walk in with my sister, and we get Starbucks before school sometimes.”

For many, it’s simply the atmosphere they mourn. Senior Franny Wagner, who has been at the school since kindergarten, will miss the community most.

“I feel like I’ve really seen everyone grow throughout the years, which has been kind of crazy. I just think about these connections that I’ve had since I was five years old,” she said.

In an effort to cherish their last moments with the community, many have adopted new habits, such as playing games during tutorial, talking to peers they’re unfamiliar with and spending time together after school.

Senior LaRon Johnson has adopted a new mentality.

“I’ve been trying to live in the moment a little bit more, not being so caught up in work or what’s going on in class, kind of just enjoying the time I have left with my teachers and then with my friends, just being with them is kind of enough for me,” he said.

Similarly, senior Lilly Spurgeon is cherishing her last weeks by engaging with the community.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my friends inside and outside of school, and I’ve been trying to talk to new people and make new friends,” she said. “I feel like I should spend the last time I have at SPA interacting with people, that’s really important to me.”

The commencement celebration is scheduled for June 7. However, seniors are obligated to complete an independent capstone project of their choice in the month leading up to the celebration.

All of the projects are unique and personal. For Spurgeon’s project, she is traveling to work on a farm in Alaska with several of her friends.

“I’m super excited for my senior project, I think it will be a cool opportunity, and I’m excited to spend time with [my friends] in the last moments of the school year,” she said.

The class of 2026 said their final goodbyes on April 24 when the upper school student body lined the hallways to bid farewell and departing seniors walked out the Huss exit and into four weeks of senior projects.