In hopes of offering the graduating class an experience that is reminiscent of a pre-COVID-19 senior year, Student Council is bringing back an array of activities scattered through the last month of school. 

Many of these events were either canceled or altered in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but are now making a comeback. Student body/senior class president Kiera Connor is “very excited for them.” 

“I know last year a lot of these activities got canceled and so I’m glad that we are getting to experience them,” Connor said. “We have quite a few things planned. It’s going to be a very busy last month of school and I’m just excited that we get to do [the activities].” 

Graduation will be held Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. The school will be returning to the University of North Texas Coliseum for graduation, after two years of different venues. 

“It does make sense for us to go back [to UNT] because it is a money option and also it’s just been tradition,” Connor said. “I think it was cool that [the class of 2021] got to have The Star last year just because the seniors didn’t really get much.” 

StuCo has sent callouts, letters and emails letting seniors know that they had from September through the end of January to RSVP for tickets to participate in graduation. Those that didn’t RSVP will still be able to graduate, but will be sitting in the overflow section and not on the floor of the Coliseum. Those students will receive two tickets for family or friends. 

“As it is right now, a hundred graduates have to sit up in the stands at UNT,” said Allison Stamey, senior class adviser and student activities director. “I don’t like that. I think all graduates should be in the same place, then we wouldn’t have to have the RSVP. I wouldn’t have to disappoint any parents like we have been doing.” 

Before graduation, students can participate in Senior Honors Night, which will be held on Tuesday, May 10. This event has been a senior tradition for over 30 years. The dress code is business casual and it will begin at 7 p.m. Seniors will be required to line up at 6:15 p.m. and a reception will be held afterward. 

“This is about academics, it totally focuses on our top ten and others with scholarships and awards,” Stamey said. “We give awards for scholarships, for grade point average, and we give awards for perfect attendance.”

The 87th Rosecutting ceremony will be held on May 17 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. This event allows seniors to reflect on memories from their high school experience with their friends. The event started in 1935 and was altered in 2020 and 2021. 

The traditional ceremony will return this year, with seniors lining up in the auditorium to be connected to one another with a long maroon ribbon that wraps around a rose that each student holds. The ribbon is then cut on stage with their friend group to signify the end of the seniors’ time at the school. 

“When I tell you tears are going to be falling, we are really going to be shedding some tears,” Connor said. “It is so sad but it’s just such a beautiful representation of what’s actually happening.”

Students can submit pictures of their friends and classmates to [email protected] that will be put in a slideshow and played during the ceremony. The dress code is semi-formal attire and admission is free. Each senior will pay $2 to participate.

Elementary and middle school walkthroughs are on May 16. Seniors participating in elementary walkthroughs will arrive at their old elementary school at 8:30 a.m. Middle school walkthrough seniors will be checked out of the school at 2:40 p.m. and will begin the walkthrough at 3 p.m. The Lillie J. Jackson preschool will hold senior walkthroughs May 9 at 8:30 p.m.

“I think it’s super special for those young children to see,” Stamey said. “[Seniors] love to go back and see their old teachers but it also benefits the young students.” 

Senior Picnic will be held May 19 at Circle R Ranch. To participate, seniors need to turn-in a signed permission form and pay $35 to receive a t-shirt by May 12. The picnic includes an all-you-can-eat lunch, a maze, hay-riding, volleyball games, waterslides and more. 

“Nothing’s going to be normal again but we can still get back to having and doing fun activities and things that get you involved in your school,” said Sophia Rivera, student body/senior class liaison. “So, it’s just, I think really important to show kids that we can do stuff again.” 

Senior Sunset will be held at the football stadium on May 12 at 7 p.m. Seniors can wear a shirt to represent their plans after graduation, such as a college or military shirt. The event is free but seniors need to have their school ID to participate. 

Powderpuff is a flag football game between the junior and senior girls. The game is May 4 at 7 p.m. in the football stadium. It will cost $3 to enter and $12 for a t-shirt. 

“[Senior year] is just way less stressful and much more fun,” senior Mia Herrera said. “We’re all finally able to not only be Fighting Farmers here, but leave and still be Fighting Farmers outside of school.”