Juniors think about next year

emotionally and mentally.

“I feel very sad and lonely,” Naseri said. “Most of my friend group and the people I would talk to throughout the day were seniors. Especially since I take higher-level classes, I doubt I’ll see many people from my grade in classes next year. My mornings will be at UNI, so I probably won’t see many familiar faces.”

Meza echoed similar emotions but said the experience has also helped her shift focus toward what’s ahead.

“I feel scared. It’s hard to process the fact that it will soon be my turn,” she said. “The whole thing is very sad, but it was a turning point for me. It signaled the end of the school year, so I’m also excited that it’s summer.”

Both students expressed how much they’ll miss the Class of 2025, after spending at least two years growing alongside them.

“I’ll miss the variety of different people,” Meza said. “Every person you talked to brought something unique. Getting to know them was incredible.”

With their own senior year on the horizon, emotions are already stirring for current juniors. Naseri admitted that looking ahead is both exciting and nerve wracking.

“Looking to next year, I’ll probably be anxious, scared, confused and maybe even happy,” she said. “The thought of being a senior makes my stomach turn, so the less I think about it, the better.”

For many students, the departing seniors left behind more than just empty classrooms, they left behind lessons. Meza reflected on the biggest takeaway she learned from watching the graduating class.

“I’ve learned to appreciate the things around me,” she said. “From what I’ve seen and been told, time flies. Watching the seniors in our final months together really made me see that I should value each moment.”

As the school transitions into summer, one thing is clear, while the seniors are gone, the impact they had will remain, shaping the next class of leaders.