When 2026 graduate Adrian Alagic woke up on his final day of high school, he expected it to feel like any other school day. But by the end of the day, conversations with his friends, final goodbyes and numerous celebrations made him realize he was experiencing a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.

For the class of 2026, the final day of high school brought a mixture of excitement, reflection and anticipation. Students spent their final hours with people they’d known for four years, saying goodbye to their favorite teachers and celebrating the end of their high school experience.

Adrian Alagic said he was surprised by how much he loved the day and by how many people he had the opportunity to speak with before leaving the building on his final day. “I did not think it was going to be very special but I was very surprised by how many people I got to talk to and really thoroughly enjoyed it,“ Adrian Alagic said.

As the day came to a close, the entirety of the school gathered together in the Commons before the bell for one last sendoff, the paper throw. Adrian Alagic said the gathering represented both the excitement of moving forward and the realization that an important chapter of his life had come to an end.

Amongst the meaningful moments through the day, one thing stuck out, a comic strip given to Alagic from his music teachers, Susan Eckerle and Carolyn Herman. “The goodbye I received from my music teachers had a little comic strip about the next big adventure that felt very special, and I really appreciated the message behind it,” Adrian Alagic said.

While seniors reflected on their accomplishments and future plans, younger students experienced the day from a different perspective. Watching the graduating class leave the building gave underclassmen the opportunity to look ahead to their own futures and the traditions that come with reaching senior year.

Sophomore Evan Alagic said one of the most memorable moments of the last week was when upwards of 50 seniors gathered into a bathroom. “My favorite moment during the senior’s last week was when a ton of seniors went into the bathrooms and started blasting Fetty Wap,” Evan Alagic said.

Watching seniors leave also encouraged freshman Vir Shukla to reflect on his own future high school career. Seeing seniors take their final steps out of the school made Shukla realize that his own last day will arrive soon, marking the end of his high school career. “Watching the seniors leave after the bell reminded me of the fact that sooner or later, I will also leave the building for a final time,” Shukla said.

For the graduating class, the final day was not filled with assignments, quizzes or class schedules. Instead it was defined by conversations, memories and goodbyes shared with the people who helped shape each other’s high school experience. As the halls return to their normal routine, the Class of 2026 leaves behind friendships, traditions and memories that will remain part of the school long after the last bell had rung.