The graduating class of 2014 will experience some changes in the traditional senior activities from previous years.

Due to the cancellation of STAR testing and other schedule issues, there will no longer be a Senior Knott’s Trip. Students in past years would go to Knott’s Berry Farm during STAR testing  when attendance for seniors was not required. This year, students taking the new Common Core field test will go to computer labs during designated times of various school days to test; therefore seniors will still be required to stay in class.

Although the Knott’s trip will not  take place, ASB is trying to plan an alternate activity not taking place during school hours.

Traditionally, seniors went to Dave and Busters for a Senior Breakfast approaching the end of the year. Due to a revised graduation day for SJHHS, the breakfast spot was reserved for Capistrano Valley High School, resulting in a senior lunch for us as opposed to the traditional breakfast. This may not end up being such a terrible switch, however.

“When we had it as a brunch, it was just a continental breakfast; nothing special. As a lunch, we will have much better food and more variety for seniors,” said Brooke Valderrama, ASB Activities Director.

Additionally, a new tradition began on the first school day of 2014 with a “Senior Sunrise.” SJHHS seniors gathered on the football field on the first official school day of the 2014 year and enjoyed breakfast with their classmates while watching the sunrise. At the end of the year, seniors will gather again on their last official school day to have dinner and watch the sunset.

“The senior sunrise will be a nice way to start and end our graduating year,” said Skyler Forche (12).

Another change the class of 2014 will experience is graduation at Stallion Staduim. Many other schools–especially in our district–graduate on their home fields; however, SJHHS has always been fortunate to reserve the Bren Center. This year will be the first that a senior class will graduate on the SJHHS home field.

“It’s something more special and memorable for the seniors to be able to experience a graduation in our Badlands stadium,” said Valderrama.

“I am sad that we do not get a trip to Knott’s. But the new activities that ASB planned for the seniors sound awesome. I am also super stoked to graduate in the Badlands,” said Tommy Nelson (12).
Despite these many changes in senior events and activities, class of 2014 is sure to graduate with lasting memories and new traditions to leave behind for classes to come.