The End of an Era: MHS Seniors Share their Last Words

By Bailey Smith

After four remarkable years together, it is finally time for the MHS graduating class of 2026 to part ways. As do all families, the class has faced some struggles along the way, however, their meaningful bond continues to persevere, making their quickly-approaching graduation all the more special.

Emerging from a middle school experience jaded by the Covid-19 pandemic, the class of 2026 began freshman year with an innocent longing for connection and normalcy. From their first Welcome Back rally, these students knew that high school was going to be a wild ride, with something new waiting around every corner. 

Over the past four years, they have grown both as a class and as individuals, collaborating on projects like homecoming floats, spirit days, and senior prank. Overcoming obstacles such as student government conflicts and friend group controversy, their winding journey together has contributed to their mixed feelings surrounding graduation.

The Class of 2026 gathered bright and early on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, to take part in the Senior Sunrise tradition.

When a pool of graduating seniors were asked about their general attitude towards graduation, the majority stated that although they are excited to move onto the next chapter, they will miss the community at MHS. Senior Alivia Stark even shares that she is "abundantly happy for the idea of growing and having a new environment,” but is still going to miss everybody. This aligns with the overall consensus that the soon-to-be graduates are both sad to be leaving their community behind and looking forward to what the future holds for them. 

The same students were also asked about what they will miss the most and the least about high school, in which many responded that they will miss the social environment, but not the academics. Senior Sean Torres goes as far as to say that the school work itself was “a little bit of a waste of time”. And you know, it could be seen as both sweet and concerning that the students value the relationships they have developed, over the actual academics. 

The students were also questioned on their growth over the course of high school, which revealed that many of them now see themselves in a better light, simultaneously increasing their confidence. Olivia Ruiz even shares in an interview, “When I was a freshman, I was really mean,” and goes on to explain that once she separated from the people who were negatively influencing her, she became more in touch with both herself and those around her. 

As the bitter-sweet day of graduation grows closer by the day, MHS Seniors are adamant in making the most of their last weeks spent together as a class. They look forward to making final memories during their senior trip to Disneyland and Universal, and partying until sunrise on Sober Grad night. Ultimately, it's moments like these that make the early morning wake-ups and never-ending assignments worth it, as the community they have fostered has played the biggest role in shaping their high school experience.