By Micah Ingram
As the final bells approach, it’s time to look back on everything that made this year one for the literal and metaphorical books, and to look ahead at plans for the summer. The 2025-2026 journey was more than just a series of tests and lectures; it was a collection of moments that transformed a group of individuals into a community.
To ensure these memories don’t fade with the summer heat, we put together a survey to document the milestones that defined our year. We wanted to hear about the triumphs, the challenges, and the everyday scenes. As a freshman, I can say this year was a wild ride of feelings, friendships, and, most of all, unique memories. AI came into these halls not knowing what to expect, and I’m leaving with a phone full of photos (which I did not take during the school day) and a million stories to tell. It’s been a whirlwind of surviving my first week, finding my lunch spot, and classroom fails.
When I reached out to all of you, I got a ton of responses describing your experiences. To start, I asked for your grade levels, and surprisingly, my fellow freshmen were the ones who filled out the form the most.
The first question was about some teachers who made this year extra special, and made their classrooms feel like home. Whether it was the “GOAT” energy in Dr. Douglas’s AP Gov Class or the laughter-filled projects in Mr. Davis’s room, the best moments happened when teachers kept things real and vulnerable. Students appreciated Mr. Buczek’s chill vibe in World Cultures and the freedom to discuss controversial topics with Mr. Nascimento. It was clear that the classes we enjoyed most were the ones where we actually felt engaged.
Even during the tougher subjects, the teachers still made it fun, with Mr. Bayless helping students survive Physics while we rated his daily fits, and Dr. Lamar showing students how Neuroscience actually connects to students’ real lives. Or, finding a home with Mr. Decker in Theater 1. In terms of academic growth, science, math, and English were the recurring subjects where people felt they made the most progress.
Looking back at the gradebooks, the 2025-2026 year was a massive learning curve. Academically, we moved past the basics and dove into the deep end, tackling everything from the Krebs Cycle and cranial nerves to the “disgusting” world of advanced trig and derivatives. While some of us were busy mastering Spanish subjunctives or building helical gears, others were having a mid-year realization that the old “study the night before” strategy just doesn’t hit the same anymore.
Whether it was learning about Mean Absolute Deviation or realizing that school is just one big social construct, we’re all leaving this year a little sharper.
Beyond the classroom, our extracurriculars were a total movie. We saw massive wins across the board, like athletes making state teams in cross country, earning all-region honors, or sprinting a 11.0 in the 100m. The creative side was just as loud, with one student finishing a 93,000-word novel manuscript (would love to write more about that, so please, if you’re reading this…email me!) and others taking the spotlight at the Variety Show and Winterfest.
From the adrenaline of football recoveries and winning volleyball games to the strategic victories at Model UN, the hustle was real. Some of us found our place on the lacrosse field or stage managing three different shows, while others celebrated the simple victory of just making it through the season.
When it came to school spirit, the calendar was packed, but a few events clearly stood out. Homecoming week popped, especially for the dress-down days, powder puff games, and the high energy of the Friday pep rally. Prom and Friday Night Lights also brought the heat, giving us a chance to actually hang out with friends outside of a stressful classroom setting.
The smaller, more niche moments were just as legendary. Whether it was the chaos of the Kona Ice and pizza party, the performances at Winterfest, or the chill vibes of Worldfest, there was something for everyone. Even more specific traditions like Dignity Chapel, PDC, and the PALs trip got some love, proving that some of the best memories happened when we finally got to step away from the books.
Looking ahead, the goals for the next few years focus on the “lock-in” mentality. A huge chunk of the grade is aiming for the Principal’s List and straight A’s, with a collective vow to finally stop procrastinating. Or, on the less broad side, perfecting their jewelry stack to writing a second novel manuscript (again, please contact me).
Before we officially ‘lock in’ for 2027, the grade is ready for a much-needed reset. We asked around to see how everyone is planning to spend their freedom. The most common answers are going on vacation, hanging out with friends, and getting much-needed rest and sleep.
To wrap everything up, we couldn’t look back on the year without mentioning the soundtrack that got us through it. The vibes were all over the place, ranging from the high energy of Katseye and Don Toliver to the classic rotations of Mr. Brightside and Hotel California.
As the final bells finally ring and we head into the break, we’re leaving behind the “disgusting” math equations and the stress of the Krebs cycle for a much-needed summer reset. So, keep those jewelry stacks fresh, keep working on those novel manuscripts, and most importantly, enjoy the freedom. Bye-Bye, 2025-2026 Year!
