Recently, ASB dropped HP’s Senior Merch for the Class of 2025…and let’s just say it’s not what everyone expected. The release stirred up mixed reactions, with some students approving the new design, while others voiced their disappointment. With a year full of 387 seniors had high hopes for something memorable and unique to wear—sparking a debate on whether the final product truly reflects the spirit of the graduating class.
The merch itself is simple and straightforward, consisting of two options: a crew neck for $25 and a hoodie for $35. Both are gray and feature “HP”—our school’s initials—on the right shoulder and the word “SPARTAN” with “FOREVER A SPARTAN” in bold black on the right part of the chest. On the back, “SENIORS” stands out in large black letters, with “CLASS OF 2025” underneath. The look is meant to resemble the simple, minimal style of the Essentials brand.
Personally, ASB missed an opportunity to make this year’s merch feel truly authentic.
“This year we tried to make it relevant to both the school colors and something the students would want to buy,” says Angel Ruiz, our Senior Class Vice President.
While the design checks the box for school colors, it lacks the particular touch that reflects the identity of the Class of 2025. Many of us were hoping for something that stood out and captured our notable experiences and memories. Instead, the merch feels like a basic piece of school spirit wear, leaving out what really brings us together as a class.
Danielle Martinez, a senior, said she hoped for something “more creative and more colorful,” adding that she wanted the merchandise to be “something we can wear and remember the times we had at the school.” Instead, the plain gray sweatshirts seem too generic, and the lack of creativity leaves many of us disappointed.
The merch had a lot of potential, and it seems like ASB could have done more to capture the essence of what it means to be a senior in 2025. There are ways to make senior merch feel more unique, whether it be incorporating more meaningful symbols, adding a creative take, or tapping into what makes our class special.
Ultimately, the purpose of senior merch is to serve as a memento, something we can look back on. It should remind us of how our high school experience was but this year’s design may leave many of us feeling underwhelmed when we think back on our senior year.
Instead of a timeless piece that you’d be excited to wear towards graduation, the design doesn’t do much to make us feel like we’re celebrating our final year of High School.
Written by Genevie Calderon, Staff Writer