(Courtesy/@vikes2college Instagram)

Last Wednesday, seniors received an unexpected interruption to the start of their Common Hour. An ominous email directing them to the Trustees Room led them to a surprise celebration, complete with cinnamon rolls, scones, drinks, and words of encouragement from the college counselors, congratulating them on completing their first round of college applications.

Over the past few months, the Class of 2027 has navigated a hectic first semester, balancing homework and assignments with the demands of submitting multiple college applications ahead of the November 1 deadline. The process involved writing supplemental essays ranging from 100 to 600 words, sending SAT and ACT scores, uploading various documents, and completing questionnaires and checklists across application portals. Jackson K. says, “It has felt like the work just keeps stacking up with no end in sight.”

Despite the mounting workload, seniors have done an exceptional job managing their responsibilities. College counselor Ms. Crucke emphasized the importance of recognizing all accomplishments, saying, “The college counseling team really likes to celebrate every win in this process, and submitting applications is one of the biggest wins.”

Although a table full of treats cannot quite compare to the excitement of a university acceptance, the seniors appreciated the faculty’s recognition and support during an otherwise stressful time. With early application decisions set to be released beginning December 15, the celebration offered a welcome opportunity to pause and recognize how far they have come. Katie N. reflected on the counselors’ continued support and said, “They have done everything possible to support us, not just this quarter but throughout every year of high school. Events like these exhibit how helpful they are, and I know we are all extremely grateful to have them.