As seniors, it is safe to say that most people of the class of 2026 are feeling some sort of sadness, as this is their last year in high school: their last year of “being a kid” and their last year enjoying life without the adult responsibilities that are yet to come. In a way, seniors are all saying goodbye to their youth and are finally growing into adults. Which is why it is important for them to cherish the moments they have with each other, and that includes celebrating all of the little events that are planned at Clark Magnet High School to commemorate student accomplishments and make the best of their last year together.
Following the senior Catalina trip, came Senior BBQ, which is a tradition at Clark dating back to the first senior class at Clark. During Senior BBQ, the graduating class gets together to enjoy burgers—not just school burgers from the cafeteria— but homemade style, freshly grilled by Dr. Pruitt and Mr. Doom, beloved Clark teachers.
The event started with all the seniors gathered together on the amphitheater steps, making it a full circle moment for some seniors. “I remember sitting on the amphitheater steps on the first day of school. We had a rally where all the teachers were introduced, and I remember feeling so welcomed yet nervous since I was just a freshman. Now, four years later, I’m sitting back here again,” senior Isabella Murzynowski said. After Mr. Zamlich took the final panorama pictures at the top of the roof, all of the hungry seniors were finally able to eat and enjoy the rest of the Senior BBQ.
Tickets were passed out in multiple colors, determining when people would get their meals to prevent traffic jams in the lines. “When it was my turn to get my burger, I noticed there were a lot of Hawaiian-themed trinkets on the table, and I grabbed a green-and-white flowery lei,” senior Zuhair Alam said. Soon, the lunch area seemed to turn into a Hawaiian party, with everyone wearing tropical, colorful flower leis. Some people wore Hawaiian button-down shirts with printed flowers.
All of this was possible because of the students in ASB who spent a lot of time getting everything ready and planning, “A major part of the behind-the-scenes that people don’t see is the amount of planning asb does together, for this event we took time blowing up balloons and had to plan the logistics behind the decorations,” senior class president Shawheen Balouch said. Mrs. Ohanian, the senior class advisor for the class of 2026, was a huge help in the process of planning Senior BBQ.
As the Senior BBQ came to an end and the lunch bell rang, all the seniors left, with a reminder that there is a lot to look forward to this year. The spirits of students were definitely rising. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the senior events because so far they have all been good, and it makes me feel extra special because it’s not just an entire school event, but it’s only for our grade, which makes everything more fun,” senior Liam Chatham said. With that, another Senior BBQ was successfully completed!
