We’ll Miss You, Class of 2022! by Nina Rawal, Senior at Xavier College Preparatory
Nina Rawal is also an Outreach Officer & Varsity team member Mock Trial, Vice President Liturgical Musi and plays solo violin for mass, Yearbook Editor, and Co-Chair of Girls Have IT Day (an event increasing middle school girls’ interest in the STEM field).
Every year, Xavier College Preparatory bids farewell to one of their classes: the Senior class. As a senior, students participate in exhilarating activities, such as Senior Treats, the “Tour D’ Xavier”, Sophomore-Senior Breakfasts, and more. Senior Aliyah Chutkan, who is attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this fall, says, “The Tour D’ Xavier was my favorite activity! It was so fun to do this activity with all my friends.” While being the leader of all four classes can be quite fun and exhilarating, many seniors are nervous about the upcoming college season. The Seniors are just about ready to embark on their journey of navigating a myriad of college campuses, finding a new group of friends, and learning how to live on their own in a world of uncertainty.
When thinking back on their four years of high school, the seniors have mixed feelings of nostalgia, sadness, and joy thinking about all of their memories on Xavier’s campus. As senior Sofia Nagaraj, who is attending Purdue University, says, “One thing I will definitely look back on is the little moments with my friends like having lunch periods that feel five minutes long because we are all laughing and having such a good time together.” Whether it be going to lunch with friends every Friday or even events such as Prom and Homecoming, the girls are immensely grateful for attending such an outstanding school that let them grow in numerous ways. When speaking to senior Adeline Kershner, who is attending the University of Notre Dame, about her high school years, she mentions, “I look back upon my freshman self and see how much I have grown in confidence throughout my time at Xavier.”
Even though there are many feelings of apprehension surrounding the idea of college, each senior is filled with excitement with the idea of finally graduating and moving on to bigger, better things. Senior Fay Zyadeh, who is attending Arizona State University’s Barrett program, states, “I think I’m most excited for taking the experiences and life lessons I’ve learned in high school and using them in college and the real world so that I can succeed not only in school but out of school as well.” The lessons learned from Xavier will stay with the Gators forever, like the notorious Jane Schaffer paragraphs and how to tackle a challenging stoichiometry problem.
Others are excited to further their education to attain their dream career. Senior Adeline Kershner also mentions, “I’m excited for the new opportunities in college, especially in research and to meet new people and explore the Midwest.” Adeline is excited to research chemical engineering or neuroscience at Notre Dame University, which has been her dream school since freshman year.
The class of 2022 has done amazing things during their high school years. Xavier will miss you dearly, but we are so excited to see you all achieving your dreams! Good luck, Seniors!
261 seniors will receive their diplomas at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14 at St. Francis Xavier. More than one-third of the graduates will also receive their Associate’s Degree from Rio Salado.
These students participated in Dual Enrollment, a partnership program between Xavier and Rio Salado College that provides the opportunity for high school students to earn both high school and college credits.
