As graduation approaches, Sierra Vista High School prepares to say goodbye to their beloved seniors after spending four years together. As the seniors prepare for the next chapter in their lives, underclassmen prepare to say goodbye to the people who helped shape their high school experience. For underclassmen, seniors serve as role models, teammates, mentors, or even siblings and give many a reason to look forward to coming to school. Now that senior week comes to a close, underclassmen find the right words to express their gratitude for the seniors.
Finding somebody who pushes you to be your best self, inspires you to chase your dreams, and supports you no matter what remains a rare and special bond. For Sophia Garcia ( 10 ), preparing to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Aaron Soteras ( 12 ), leaves her reflecting on their connection and how it grew over the years. Garcia states, “You have left an impact on me that I can’t even fathom. While it may be hard to believe, the mark you left on the JROTC program and me will last for a lifetime. Seeing you in many different seasons has encouraged me to push harder and always hold myself to a higher standard. I am so honored to know you and to have been taught by you, because while Jones was my commander, you taught me everything I know. I feel so blessed to be able to follow in your footsteps and become the next commander. I have the utmost respect for you, and I’m truly so grateful to have shared these two years with you. I am so sad to see you leave, but so happy to see you succeed and graduate. To my commander, my boyfriend, and my best friend, I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for everything you have done.”
Alongside Soteras, Lizzette Correa – Marquez ( 11 ) prepares to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Giovanni Brawer ( 12 ), but beyond just going to college. After high school, Brawer plans on beginning his journey in the United States Navy and serving as a sailor. Correa – Marquez laments, “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for graduating. I’m really grateful for all the memories we’ve made together. You’ve been such an important part of my life, and I’ll always appreciate the time we’ve had. Even though things are changing, I hope you know I’m always going to be rooting for you and wishing you the best in everything you do. You’re going to do amazing things, and I can’t wait to see where life takes you.”
For many underclassmen, beginning new hobbies and extracurricular activities may seem like a daunting task. However, the right person can give people somebody to look up to and feel inspired by. For Jade Nuqui ( 09 ), Christina Fakoya’s ( 12 ) dedication and leadership as Student Body President inspired her to grow more involved in school activities. Nuqui shares, “I hope you know how much I’m going to miss you. This was my first leadership experience in HS, and you truly impacted it for the better! Coming into class, I felt like I didn’t know what to do. I knew for a fact I wanted to contribute to our school, but I wasn’t sure whether I should serve in a position or not. Seeing you work as our SB President changed my entire perspective. The work you put into our council ever since the first day I saw it truly inspired me! I’m so grateful I was given the opportunity to work next to you, while being my class secretary. Thank you for always being there when I had questions or concerns. Even for the times I had to run away during summer Stuco. I love you so much, and I cannot wait to see everything you accomplish in the future. I know for a fact I’m going to continue looking up to you, whether you’re here at Vista or not. Please be safe in college and have an amazing time!”
Many find somebody to truly connect with and grow alongside during their time in high school. For Sofia Hansen ( 11 ), her connection with Aiden Woodson ( 12 ) brought many good memories throughout the years, making her goodbye that much more somber. Hansen reminisced, “I keep thinking about you being done with high school, and it feels kind of unreal. I’m really proud of you, more than you believe. You’ve worked so hard, and it’s crazy to see you at the end of this chapter already. You deserve everything that’s coming next, but I’m also kinda sad about it because I’m really gonna miss you a lot. Not just seeing you at school, but just you in general. It’s going to feel really different without you around. You mean a lot to me, more than I know how to say most of the time. You’re my favorite person in my day without even trying to be, and I hope you know that. I hope you don’t get too caught up in everything after you leave and forget about me. I’ll still be here thinking about you and rooting for you, no matter what. I love you so very much.”
Siblings possess a special bond with one another. Growing up alongside each other, siblings witness each other’s highs, lows, milestones, and more. While many may not express it, siblings always hold a quiet love and appreciation for each other, even if they do not admit it often. Maikaela Brown ( 11 ) opens up about her feelings toward her brother, Ronald Brown ( 12 ), graduating soon. Brown recalls, “I always looked up to you when growing up. I followed in your footsteps throughout every single grade and was always remembered as “Ronald’s Sister.” I would get annoyed when people would just call me your sister and not by my real name, but now I realize how much I truly loved being called your sister, and I was never annoyed. I didn’t know time would pass by so fast that you’d be leaving me solo for my last year of high school, but now I wish we could go back to elementary school when I was wishing for the future days without us going to the same school.”
Some of the strongest bonds come from sharing classes together, inside jokes, and simply creating fun memories with one another. Carlos Ramirez – Botello ( 09 ) expands on his bond with his brother – from – another – mother, Mafua Matthews, and talks about how much their friendship meant to him. Ramirez – Botello reflects, “I’m so proud of you. I’m so glad of everyone I met this year, I met you Mafua and you are such a great friend, encouraging me to do my work, doesn’t fail to make me laugh, makes me feel welcomed when I first entered Spanish class in the beginning of the year. I wanna see you succeed in life and pursue your football career, I will go to your games. I am so grateful for a senior like you, Koa.”
Music acts as the universal language that brings people together. Sierra Vista High School harbors a talented orchestra that fosters a connected and growing community. As seniors prepare to leave, underclassmen reflect on the people with whom they got to make music and memories. Leah Valle ( 11 ) expands on her one – of – a – kind connection with Dawn Morasco ( 12 ). Valle recollects, “You are so beyond talented; without you, I truly don’t think our orchestra will ever sound the same. I’m so proud of you, Dawn. I hope that your future is bright and filled with so much happiness. You should come visit the orchestra next year. I love you lots and will miss you a ton.”
While goodbyes are never easy, the connections built in Sierra Vista High School’s halls
will last a lifetime. As seniors leave to pursue the next chapter of their lives, they leave underclassmen with unforgettable memories, lessons, and their mark on the school. With graduation rapidly approaching, underclassmen get to gratefully look back on the memories made while rooting for their seniors for what is to come next.
