After surviving the dreadful junior year, many seniors look to senior year as a breath of fresh air. It’s their last year of high school, and since they don’t have to worry about SATs, ACTs, SBAs, and more standardized tests, senior year looks to be the most chill year of all. Although it seems that senior year is when everything piles up and is possibly the most challenging year of high school.
SAS Senior Valeria Samano is one of many seniors who were stressed out due to college applications, figuring out their path after high school, and just the overwhelming pressure. Samano quotes, “The worst part of senior year was definitely college applications. Those last three months of the first semester were the most demanding months of my life.” It’s not only seniors who recognize last year as the most stressful, but teachers and, especially, college counselors also notice it.
Upward Bound advisor Aliana Castillo believes that the senior year, especially application season, has many bright sides aside from the stress it latches onto seniors. She shares, “I loved seeing all the schools they applied to, and I feel like they hold themselves to such a standard. I’m so proud to see that they all work super hard and they’re so passionate about their education.” With the many struggles seniors have faced over the past 4 years, celebrations for them getting this far are very much needed.
On Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, Student Council and the College Center threw an “I Submitted Day” to celebrate all the seniors who submitted their college applications. College Center counselor, Ms. Rivera, shares, “I think it’s important to have events like these because it allows seniors to celebrate their accomplishments, but reminds them that there are still a few things that need to be completed.” With all the stress the seniors have been through, it is important to celebrate their milestones because of their hard work and how far they’ve come.
At the event, there were picture frames, chalk writing, an advice wall for upcoming seniors, banner making, and free desserts and drinks! Seniors and college center staff got to step away from all the college, financial aid, and scholarship applications to enjoy this moment, celebrating their hard work. Castillo shares that at the event, “
I loved seeing all the schools our students applied to because I feel like they hold themselves to such a high standard, and they’re passionate about their education.”
Samano quotes, “I think we all can agree it was nice to take a break and chill out on the quad with the fun activities and of course, the pastries were very much appreciated.” This event was a short 30 minutes during lunch to be a quick way to celebrate the seniors who had submitted their college applications, but there is a lot of work that goes into planning.
Student council had the biggest role in planning the event, but since many of the people in Stuco are seniors, there is a unique dynamic between planning the event and getting to attend it. SAS senior Riley Brinkle is the event chair for Stuco and shares how it feels to be planning an event that celebrates her. “I can see all the hard work come to life, I can separate a little from the craziness of organizing it all, and just be in the moment with my friends to celebrate it all.”
All the time put into planning the event is what makes sure the event runs smoothly, and so seniors get to enjoy it to its fullest potential! “I Submitted” day is one of many events that celebrate seniors for their hard work. With grad nite, prom, and graduation coming up, the second semester is a very emotional but fun semester that seniors can’t wait for!
