For many Liberty High School students, senior year is the moment they’ve been waiting for. It’s the time when everything starts to come together—the last football games, senior traditions, and late nights with friends—while also opening the door to something brand new. Senior year marks the end of one chapter and the start of another, bringing excitement, nerves, and plenty of reflection. 

As graduation gets closer, the days can feel a little surreal. Senior Kaiah Tong described the experience in a way that many can relate to: “It feels unreal, it’s crazy because I remember my freshman year so vividly and I remember thinking that senior year felt so far away. And now that it’s here it feels so sudden but I am so excited.” Her words capture that strange mix of emotions—where time feels like it has flown by, yet the future is rushing in faster than expected. 

For some seniors, this final year is about learning how to push through challenges. Senior Hailey Salazar said what she’ll take with her most is “the art of not giving up.” Whether it’s juggling AP classes, college applications, sports practices, or part-time jobs, the ability to keep going is something students discover about themselves in senior year. It’s a time when hard work pays off, and when the lessons learned often go beyond textbooks. 

Others see senior year as a chance to come out of their shell. Senior Connor Kolahi-Koocheki shared how much his confidence has grown: “I think I’ve gotten more confident and extroverted when it comes to talking and meeting new people not only in this school, but other schools too.” 

For many, this final year is about building relationships, connecting with people they might not have talked to before, and realizing that these friendships and experiences shape who they are becoming. 

As for Senior Manraj Pannu, who explained his thoughts on how he feels knowing this is his last year of high school, he explained, “Honestly, I’m happy this is my last year, because I can finally move on from just school to a better career, But it’s also sad to know that I’m going to be leaving all my friends and all the people I met here. I’ve had a good experience since I moved here from a different country, while experiencing a different culture. But meeting some of the people here helped me get through challenges of adapting to a new place, by showing me things are different than where I’m from. ”

Of course, senior year isn’t only about preparing for what’s next—it’s also about savoring the “lasts.” The last homecoming game, the last time decorating for spirit week, even the last time walking through the halls with your closest friends. These little moments may not seem big at the time, but they often become the ones seniors remember most when they look back. 

Senior year is both a goodbye and a beginning. It’s the chance to celebrate how far you’ve come, while also looking ahead to what’s waiting after high school. For Liberty High School’s Class of 2026, it’s a year of growth, excitement, and figuring out who they want to be.