As the school year comes to a long-anticipated end, Spartanburg High School seniors look forward to their final send off. Friday, May 2 was a half day for seniors, a time dedicated to making fun memories while saying goodbye to the school most have attended for four years.
Nalani Manigault (12) had fun watching fellow seniors maintain their balance on the jousting arena while trying to defeat their competition.
“I’d say my favorite event at Senior Field Day was jousting! This is primarily due to the fact it was something you could do with a friend, rather than a more individual activity,” Manigault said. “I definitely think Senior Field Day was a great way to end my career as a high school student, and I have no regrets about going. It gave us the chance to engage in childhood activities once more, in a sense, and to say goodbye to everyone while doing it.”
After checking in with their first period teachers all the seniors met in the arena for a meeting with Principal Andrew McMillian and Guidance Counselor Piper Holmes about the semester’s final events and assignment turn-in dates leading up to graduation. Once the meeting was over the seniors walked down to the football field together. This year the field events that were available for the seniors were: a rock wall, an inflatable joust arena, a mechanical bull, volleyball nets, corn hole, various sports balls and an arcade punching bag. The US Airforce was also recruiting on the filed by giving out popsicles, merchandise and hosting a football station.
Cameron Moore (12) had a lot of fun hanging out with his friends during senior field day, but it was also a bittersweet end.
“It was fun to be able to hang out with senior friends, but it was also sad because I know the year is slowly coming to an end,” Moore said. “Senior year is a fun and unique year. The end can be very emotional.”
The lines for the events were not very long, allowing seniors to ride the bull multiple times and compete in volleyball or corn hole tournaments during the three-hour event. About an hour into field day a co-ed seven versus seven football game broke out on half of the field, while other seniors climbed the rock wall and soccer players played Kick ups. As the day went on and the temperatures rose, you could find groups of seniors sitting in the shade chatting with their friends. At around 11 a.m. lunch was served: Papa John’s pizza, chips and soda.
Ace Johnson (12) had a lot of fun at senior field day climbing the rock wall but felt that there should’ve been more activities to fill up the four hours.
“My favorite event of senior field day was rock climbing. I thought the parade was fun; it was cool to see my underclassmen friends and throw candy at them. I thought senior field day was fun, but there wasn’t enough to do. It’s definitely a cool tradition to end my High School career with,” Johnson said.
The day ended with a senior parade around the campus at noon. Seniors piled into their or their friends’ decorated cars and blasted music as they waved to their past teachers and the underclassmen. They were cheered on by the crowd. Cars were decorated with streamers and window paint saying “Class of 2025.” Seniors threw candy out to the underclassmen waiving them off. The parade led the seniors off campus, marking the end of their high school career.
Cameron Kendrick (12) really enjoyed the senior field day, especially the parade, feeling as though it was an awesome final celebration of the end of High School.
“I thought the senior parade was great! It was my favorite part of the day. You get to have an experience that is totally your own doing it. I thought senior field day was a great send off for seniors. An awesome final celebration after the last 4 years,” Kendrick said.
Unlike previous years, this wasn’t the official last day for seniors. Due to the days missed of school because of Hurricane Helene some students had to return to school the following Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, yearbook distribution was pushed back to graduation practice on May 16 instead of handed out on senior field day per tradition.
