Underclassmen and teachers wish seniors farewell in annual senior walk
A senior embraces their underclassman friend as they go on their final walk through the building. Photo by Ana Rodriguez
May 26, 2022
The Class of 2022 walked the Manual building today for the last time, trailed by leaves and petals of flowers they gave to their favorite teachers and friends. The tradition has noticeably been absent from the school for 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Class of 2020 and 21 doing a drive-by graduation and walking the empty building respectively. But this year the Seniors enjoyed the resuming of the regular senior walk tradition.
Although many underclassmen hadn’t experienced the tradition before this year, they were excited to say their goodbyes and well wishes to their senior friends.
“As a sophomore who hasn’t had that much experience with this school’s community because of the pandemic, it’s important to me to get a sense of how much this school means to our seniors,” Mimi Mutchnick (10, YPAS) said. The only students at Manual who had experienced a full senior walk were the seniors themselves.
Many seniors left tearfully, giving flowers, notes, presents and hugs to their teachers and friends as they walked throughout the building wearing shirts and sweatshirts that said what college they will be attending.
“I’m really sad to see all the seniors leaving. Some of them have been my mentors and inspiration ever since freshman year and they are like family to me. I hope to see them in the future again.” Sean Stewart (11,YPAS) said.
Teachers were also excited to return to tradition after not being able to say goodbye to their students in the past two years. Many Students formed lines around many teachers to share hugs, gratitude, and best wishes for the future.
But the overall feeling of the event was joy as many seniors prepared to move on to the next chapter of their lives beyond high school.
“I feel excited graduating right now! I’m super happy to finally be away from my parents and do my own thing. I’m also gonna miss all the little freshies too!” Amy Johnson (12, MST) said as she waited in the small gym to go through the building the final time before graduating.
The Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony will be held on May 27th at Freedom Hall.
