The final months of high school are often described as a blur, but for the seniors at Liberty, every moment carries a newfound weight. The transition from the familiar hallways to the vast unknown of “real life” is a journey marked by both excitement and a quiet, lingering sadness. Through a series of interviews with the Class of 2026, a vivid picture emerges of a generation that has grown up, found its voice, and is finally ready to step into the sun.
A Transformation of Character
Perhaps the most striking takeaway from the senior class is how much they have changed since they first walked through the front doors as freshmen. High school isn’t just about credits and grades; it’s a four-year exercise in self-discovery.
Senior Kailey Salvador reflects on this shift with striking honesty: “The person who started here just wanted to fit in and go with everyone else,” she says, “The person graduating has her own beliefs and doesn’t care what others think.”
Senior Elizabeth Crisostomo Krasowska remembers herself as “super shy and reserved,” a girl scared of being different. Today, she is a leader in multiple clubs and describes herself as a social and outgoing person who “truly changed for the better.”
For others, the change was about internal strength. Senior Landon Evans points toward a newfound sense of discipline and happiness. Whether it was through sports, academics or social circles, the Class of 2026 is leaving as a more “adult” version of the kids who started here. As Noah Bernal puts it, “I was closer to a kid than an adult… I was living a completely different life.”
The “Hit Me” Moment
When does the reality of graduation actually set in? For some, it’s a slow burn but for others, it’s a sudden realization triggered by a specific event.
For the athletes, the end often comes on the field. Evans felt the finality of his high school career during Senior Night, realizing it was his last time practicing with the fellow pears he’d spent years playing alongside.
Salvador saw the moment as more bittersweet: “I realized it’s finally ending when I talked to my parents about looking at apartments for next year.”
Crisostomo Krasowska and Conner Kolahi-Koocheki are still waiting for that final “hit.” They anticipate the yearbook signing party and the senior prank, those high energy, sentimental traditions to be the eye-opening moments where it truly feels like the “last day.”
The Unexpected Void
Every senior expects to miss their friends, but many were surprised by the smaller, niche parts of the high school experience they’ll leave behind. Bernal realized that the simple, everyday habit of talking to friends in the halls is something he’ll miss most, acknowledging the bittersweet reality that everyone is finally “going their different ways.”
One of the most heartening responses came from Kolahi-Koocheki, who noted he will miss the staff and teachers. He didn’t expect to build genuine connections with authority figures but found that many teachers at Liberty went out of their way to foster real relationships with their students. Even the stress of the curriculum has its fans; Salvador admitted she might miss finals week, not for the tests themselves, but for the relief and the tradition of spending the subsequent day off with friends.
Celebrations and New Horizons
Before the serious work of “becoming an adult” begins, the Class of 2026 is planning a summer of epic proportions. From Evans’ cruise to the Bahamas with his “buddies” to Crisostomo Krasowska’s getaway to Destin, Florida, the theme of the summer is freedom. Salvador is taking it a step further with an international tour of Italy and Spain before hitting New York City.
But underneath the travel plans is a deep-seated excitement for what comes next. Bernal is ready to start his career and “make money,” while Evans is taking his talents to the next level, having committed to play college football. Kolahi-Koocheki is headed to Boulder, eager to continue his education and further “find himself as a person.”
As these students prepare to flip their tassels, the mood is best summarized by Crisostomo Krasowska: “My feelings about graduating are very mixed. I’m sad that I’m leaving the place I’ve spent half my life in, but I’m also happy because I know there are new opportunities out there waiting for me.”
The hallways of Liberty may soon be empty of the Class of 2026, but the impact they’ve made on each other and the growth they’ve achieved will follow them wherever they go.
