Seniors watch the solar set on their last yr, rejoice reminiscences

From dawn to sundown, it took 282 days.

That’s the time it takes seniors at Richmond Senior Excessive College to get by way of their final yr earlier than commencement.

On August 29, 2022, the seniors started their final yr in highschool, taking part in a Senior Dawn occasion held on the softball area. On Tuesday evening, a number of dozen seniors spent a few hours at Raider Stadium for the annual Senior Sundown to bring to a standstill a yr of reminiscences.

“They watched the dawn collectively as a category on the primary day of college, after which they watched the sundown on the final day of college,” stated Arthur Gilliam, a historical past instructor and senate advisor at the highschool.

The night was crammed with laughter, tears, hugs, meals, and enjoyable actions. Whereas taking part in corn gap, Jenga, and passing a soccer one final time on the sector, many college students introduced chairs and blankets to chill out, taking selfies, sharing tales, and signing one another’s yearbooks.

“I feel with the ability to watch the solar set in your senior yr is one thing particular,” Gilliam stated. “In order that’s the fruits from senior dawn to sundown that makes this a tremendous occasion.”

He stated the occasion is essential to college students as a result of it’s the final time they simply get to hang around on campus.

“There aren’t any huge obligations left, and exams are over, nevertheless it’s not commencement but,” Gilliam stated. “Commencement is form of just like the finale for our college students. You may not see all people once more after that. So, it’s nice to see our seniors out right here simply having enjoyable and connecting with their associates.”

One of many seniors having enjoyable taking part in Join 4 with associates was Kimberly Fast. She stated she liked that she began her senior yr off with the Dawn and was in a position to shut out her senior yr with the Sundown. She stated it introduced her last yr full circle.

“We’ve all grown so much throughout highschool, and tonight we get to see a few of our associates for the final time and say goodbye,” she stated. “Everybody within the college comes collectively and helps one another. We’re just one highschool within the county, and we’ve got to be there for one another. It’s the Raider Means.”

Sitting between the hash marks on the soccer area was a small group of associates reminiscing about their previous yr. Savannah Jordan and Ayden Mabe had been subsequent to one another, signing yearbooks and having laughs about life, and each will likely be heading to North Carolina State College.

Jordan, who plans to review accounting in school, stated she had so many nice reminiscences throughout her senior yr she couldn’t simply decide one.

“We simply had plenty of enjoyable collectively all year long,” she stated. “We received to take action many issues as a category, like film nights, homecoming, pep rallies, and even a dodgeball event. It made the yr go by a lot quicker, and I can’t consider it’s over.”

Jordan and Mabe each stated there was by no means a boring second as a senior.

Mabe, who will main in building administration, stated the night was essential to him as a result of it was one final alternative to see a lot of his classmates earlier than commencement.

“There’s all the time one thing to look ahead to right here at Richmond,” he stated.

When requested concerning the which means of “Raider Magic,” he stated it was a lifestyle rising up right here.

“It’s a couple of group coming collectively and simply figuring out they’re there for you,” he stated. “Even when we lose a recreation, individuals right here in Richmond County are nonetheless behind you and help you.”

Gilliam stated it’s that magic that builds friendship on and off campus.

“Friendship is considered one of our pillars on the college,” he stated. “We would like our college students to be associates and construct these connections that can final a lifetime.”

Internet hosting occasions like Senior Dawn and Senior Sundown, Gilliam stated, reveals the significance of connecting with individuals and constructing these bonds.

“Our youngsters are so enamored with social media that having occasions like this present the importance of that face-to-face interplay, particularly after one thing like COVID,” he stated. “Tonight, they’re in a position to actually