The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

From a young age, every student dreams of the day he or she will graduate. They can't wait to meet the day that all the hard work, tears and challenging tests and homework assignments lead to. For the Summerland Class of 2023, that day is approaching faster than they know.

Members of the senior class want to unite together and make lasting memories before they go their separate ways for postsecondary education. Summerland senior, Olga Mendoza, came up with the idea for a senior spotlight bulletin board.

Mendoza stated she started the board because of her desire to have the senior class leave a mark on the school. She wanted to have a new Summerland tradition that could last for future senior classes. Mendoza gives credit for the idea from Riverside Public School, which has a senior spotlight board. The Summerland board features several changes from Riverside's version, giving a unique and original concept to Summerland School.

Mendoza came up with the board purely just to have fun with the senior class. Her mission for the school body: gain knowledge and learn something about one of the 29 seniors in this year's class. As close as she and many of the seniors are, many of them attended different schools. To allow everyone to see the board, the spotlight will be located in front of the main stairs by the science rooms on the bottom floor. This way, students walking from classes can stop and see the board and even parents and spectators can ponder at the board when they are attending sporting events. The board will be left up for one week per senior, so that every senior has their time in the limelight, and passers-by have plenty of time to look at the board.

Each week the board will be decorated with letters, banners and other decorations provided by the school.

Mendoza stated that she will be the one changing the board every week, but she has no problem if the senior of the week wants to help decorate. Any help is welcome and she would never discourage it, as long as they don’t skip class or interrupt a teacher.

Each senior is asked to submit a few baby/childhood pictures that they find adorable, sports pictures if the senior is involved in any, and anything else the senior would like to share, such as the college they hope to attend or even a photo with their partner.

The project will run from the week of Sept. 4 until the week before graduation, about the last week of April. When the class of 2023 officially receives their diplomas, Mendoza plans on decorating the bulletin board for the entire class, leaving a lasting tradition for Summerland Public School. Each senior will be able to see the amazing individuals that helped them become the person they are today. No matter how far each of the 29 seniors is from one another, they will be united in the bond and connection they shared. All the inside jokes, secrets, and memories that they shared, will be displayed in a few simple pictures.

Any past, or future graduates, will forever remember the day they completed the worst or the best, four years of their lives. Mendoza said all the tears, stress and happiness they endured will forever be worth it when they achieve their dreams. As much as everyone can’t wait to leave high school and start the path to their career, they will miss their classmates and all people who have helped them become the person they are. Small projects, such as Mendoza’s senior spotlight, will help unite the class and make memories to keep each other happy even on the darkest days.

“When you walk down the stairs to your next class or come visit the school to watch a sport, take a look at the senior spotlight board and reminisce about the great times you had with your class, “ Mendoza said. “Good luck to the senior class of 2023 and remember to appreciate and savor every little moment.”