Football season is always a memorable time when students make some of the best memories that they will carry with them even after high school. As football season comes to an end, Senior Night is hosted to commemorate the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears from the year.
On October 30th, the HP Football team had their senior night and homecoming game. Though this football season has not been the best, the Spartans managed to take the win at the end of the night, adding onto the enthusiasm that was expressed.
This has been a long awaited game, especially for the seniors. The ceremony which was held before the game, recognized the seniors in fall sports. This included the seniors in football, cheer, color guard, marching band, and flag football. On this night, a total of 68 seniors walked down the field.
In preparation for the big night, insight on the emotions and thoughts from the seniors was provided. There were mixed emotions that were expressed by some seniors. Many stated that they would feel emotional the night of, while others stated that they felt that they would not feel emotional about it. Through the anticipation, some even mentioned that they were looking forward to being able to finally experience senior night firsthand, not as an underclassman anymore. Despite there being some sentimental emotions, the main moments that some seniors looked forward to include walking down the field with family and friends, as well as receiving the love and support from those around them through the posters and gifts to congratulate them for their hard work throughout their season.
During Senior Night, the sports were lined up according to the order that their names would be announced. While walking down the field, the seniors were introduced to the crowd, along with those who were walking down with them. This was a moment for the seniors to be able to share with others what they were looking forward to doing after high school, as a form of being recognized for the hard work that they are also putting in outside of their sport. The emotions of being able to share out with others about these future plans, such as attending a university, all while walking down with loved ones and being cheered for all together set the mood to a meaningful game and celebration.
Starting off with Band, Senior Edwin Negrete, Assistant Drum Major, shared more of an insight on his experience. Edwin Negrete, mellophone player in the marching band, shared that his favorite part about senior night was performing the halftime show and being able to spend time with his band members. Edwin shared that as a group lead in marching band, it was slightly upsetting seeing the underclassmen cry, but it was an overall fun experience being able to share his special night with those around him.
“My old leaders were able to walk me down the field and it was overall nice because I was able to spend time with friends,” said Edwin.
Kandie Chavez, senior who is Flag Football Captain and wide receiver, shared that senior night made her “realize to work hard every game because it ends fast”. Kandie shared that the senior night experience made her reflect on the rest of her senior year in a sense that “senior year goes quicker than expected”. This was a common response from most seniors, given that this event was an eye opener for these individuals. Senior night was that event that has made them realize that the year is quickly passing by and many other important events are approaching.
Senior night was a different experience for everyone. There were expectations from this experience that these seniors were hoping would be fulfilled. Even though some shared that not all their expectations were met, Bobby Patino, a Football player in the offensive team as a fullback, shared that
“I was made to feel accomplished, it made me feel more excited but scared at the same time about the rest of the year”.
Regardless of any small downsides to the night, senior night lived up to the anticipation that Bobby had set about this night beforehand. It was a common desire amongst the seniors to end the night feeling accomplished about something, that being that they have gone through high school while balancing a sport and their academics up to their senior year.
While feeling all the anticipation, excitement, and some sadness, what seemed to be the most important part about senior night was the thought process as the seniors walked down the field. This was the moment that they were able to take in. To be able to watch everyone around them and have the attention on them for one moment. This in specific was what stood out to Emilee Ayala, a cheerleader with the position as a Base. As Emilee walked down the field, she stated that
“I was thinking about who was cheering for me.”
This thought, which was common amongst the seniors as well, stood out because it is telling that senior night was more than just a night to be recognized, but it was also a night to feel loved and admired by those around to support.
Walking down the field was also that moment for the seniors to take in the impact that they have left on the underclassmen that they became close with. Janice Calderon, a 3rd year vet in Color Guard shared that
“I was seeing my underclassmen team and seeing them cry about us seniors leaving, I was thinking ‘this is really it and it is my last time being on the field”.
The night also became about appreciating the moments that have been shared with teammates, especially those that are younger and look up to the upperclassmen. The reflection that was brought upon the seniors overall made them think about how much time they spent in their sport, and how they are leaving behind that imprint on the underclassmen.
Senior night was overall a night filled with many emotions, thoughts, and new memories. Despite the rough season that there has been this year, the night ended on a high with the overall winning score of 49-0. To be able to have the HP Football team win on a night with such significance was a great closing to the season. This night was a night for the seniors to get a feel of the excitement about having the “last” moments in high school. It was memorable and a snippet at what is to come for the rest of the year.
Written by Samantha Castillo, Staff Writer