Veronica Gass, Story Editor
Graphic by Victoria Tremblay
The high school mornings at this school usually start with the rush of backpacks and alarm clocks. But for NCHS seniors this year, their first day had breakfast, car decorating, and the best part of all, the senior shirts that go on for the rest of the week. Not only is this creating very special memories, but it also takes so much time to make happen.
The senior breakfast was the product of a group effort by administration started this year. “It began with a small group of counselors and myself brainstorming how to improve freshman orientation,” Assistant Principal Kristi Carriero said. “That’s when the idea to also enhance the morning for seniors came alive,” she said.
School and district administrators, and senior parents, took an active role in making the breakfast an experience for seniors. “We put together a plan and shared it with Mr. Egan and Dr. Luizzi, who were very supportive and gave their approval,” she said. “We also reached out to the PFA, who were amazing partners, helping us with decorations, food and creating a welcoming atmosphere.”
“It was truly a team effort, and that collaboration made the event feel even more special for the seniors,” Ms. Carriero said.
While the breakfast was new this year, senior car decorating has been a tradition for many years now. The day before school starts, the seniors get together and decorate each other’s car. “It was great to see people that I hadn’t seen all summer and hang out before school that day.” senior Molly Schimmeck said. “StuCo suggested a time slot of 9-11AM the day before school for everyone to meet up at NCHS and decorate their cars.”
Another senior tradition is wearing t-shirts which is a long process that starts in summer. “We designed the shirts in early July. We decided to do four t-shirts this year. First day of school: there is a pink and white senior tank top every year, so we already had one down, and then we asked around the grade and came up with our own ideas for the other three shirts,” Molly said.
Once the designs were finished, it was time to order them, “As soon as all the shirts were ordered, Emma Grzymski shipped them to her house, where they arrived around the middle of August,” Molly said.
When it got closer to school, “We then held 3 pickup time slots where everyone came and picked up the shirts they ordered, and then dropped off shirts to the people who were busy during all 3 slots,” Molly said. “We posted which shirts you would wear on which day on Instagram, and everyone wore them to school!
Overall, the administration has these events to try and give students their most treasured memories. Ms. Carriero said, “High school memories are ones students will carry forever, and we want to provide as many of those meaningful experiences as possible.”
