The countdown has begun for the class of 2025. With less than three months remaining until graduation, the class of 2025 is feeling a mix of emotions such as joy, sadness, and excitement.
Some students have attended Goodpasture for the past four years, some have been here for eight years, and some have been here for over fifteen years. With the idea of leaving a place that has been such an important part of their lives, a few seniors describe how they’re feeling about the year:
“I feel excited and scared,” Grady Goodman, who plans to attend Vanderbilt University said. “I’m also just really proud of myself for working this hard and making it this far.”
Along with Goodman, Harper Kate Miles, who will be attending Tennessee Tech in the fall, is also reminiscing high school with the people she’s grown up with.
“I’m going to miss the social stuff of high school,” Miles said. “Like the moments you have with people you don’t normally talk to; I’m going to miss everyone.”
With the last few months of high school, many special moments are coming to a close. From football games, rehearsals, study sessions, homecoming, floats week, and so many friendships, the class of 2025 talks about their favorite memories:
“My favorite memory of high school was being a part of The Witch’s Princess for sure,” Sadie Petty said. “I had such a fun time with the whole department, and there were so many jokes we told then that I still laugh about today.” Petty will be attending Belmont University next year.
Skye Yau also cherishes moments from his senior year.
“My favorite memory has always been lunch,” Yau said. “I’ve always loved hanging out with people and just enjoying life.” You will attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall.
With these memories, many students say…
“I don’t think I’ll ever experience anything harder than these past four years,” Karsten Gardener, who will be attending West Virginia University, said. “But it’s shown me that I can get through anything.”
Along with Gardner, high school taught a lot of valuable lessons to seniors.
“High school had a lot of ups and downs,” Bridgette Tucker said. “But ultimately it taught me that nothing should be a higher priority than focusing on your relationship with God and yourself. It’s a time to learn who you are and how you can embody Jesus’s teaching to the best of your ability.” Tucker will be attending Lipscomb University in the fall.
However, along with the memories from high school, comes the senioritis that’s plaguing the seniors in their final days.
Senioritis is named for the decline in motivation students experience during their final months of senior year. After years of hard work, long study hours, multiple tests and essays, and countless homework assignments, the senior class is feeling the senioritis kick in.
“Oh for sure,” Goodman said. “Senioritis has hit me like a truck.”
Senior Rylan Moses, who will be attending Trevecca Nazarene University, also feels the impact of senioritis but is determined to finish strong.
“I’m trying to finish strong by getting all As,” Moses said. “What keeps me motivated is being exempt from exams.”
The seniors are also looking forward to what the future holds.
“In ten years from now, I can see myself applied and admitted to the FBI,” Gardener said.
“In ten years from now, I hope to have a family and work in hospitals as a child-life specialist,” Miles said.
The seniors weren’t the only ones who took time to reflect on their final semester, many teachers also sat down to share words with the class of 2025.
“I definitely wouldn’t say my 8th-period last year was my favorite memory,” English teacher Becky Boyd said, “But I’ve loved my chats with my DE Lit class this year. It’s just been nice to talk about life and I’ve loved the engagement and the honesty in those conversations.”
Along with Mrs. Boyd, Principal Amanda Binkley has been reminiscing about the class of 2025 and what she hopes seniors take with them.
“I love the servant hearts in the class of 2025. It’s clear you love your school and show that in everything you do,” Dr. Binkley said. “I hope you’ll remember that you are worthy, not because of anything you have done or anything you will do. You are worthy because the God of heaven and earth created you. He loved you so much that he paid the ultimate sacrifice for you. You were bought at a great price, and you are precious. Live like it.”
Seniors Hayes and Tucker share what they are looking forward to before graduation.
“I’m looking forward to prom, graduation, and spending these last couple of months with my underclassmen best friends,” Isabel Hayes, who will be attending Auburn University in the fall said. “Then, after graduation, I’m looking forward to my last summer at home.”
“I’m looking forward to spending as much time with my friends as I can before I graduate,” Tucker said. “Then, after graduation, I’m looking forward to not wearing uniforms anymore and being able to express myself and grow independently through new unique experiences.”
As these days come and go, there are certain things that the senior class wants to tell the underclassmen.
“I would say just enjoy everything,” Miles said. “Everything you experience will teach you something. So, just stay where your feet are planted and enjoy every moment.”
“Your mental health matters more than your grades,” Petty said. “Take an 8/10 on an assignment if it means you get 8/10 hours of sleep.”
Overall, as the clock counts down the seniors’ final days, the class of 2025 is holding moments close to their hearts as we celebrate with each other. While so much has happened over the years, the seniors appreciate the memories they have and they look forward to what’s to come during this very special and bittersweet time of their lives.
