With graduation looming, seniors have the chance to consider the impact they have had on the school and their time in it. Many seniors have made an impact by being part of activities and preparing underclassmen.
Junior James Dwyer said he thinks he has left a good impact on Park through his involvement in the school.
“I feel like I’ve always just tried to embrace the school and keep it positive and I’ve worked to better it through like sore and through other stuff,” Dwyer said. “I feel like I did more than most students and I feel good about that. Definitely, that’s a very low bar, and we could have done a lot better.”
AP (Advanced Placement) Psychology teacher Emily Rennhak said she believes this senior class is special because of how they have revamped the school’s spirit.
“I think that this year’s senior class was kind of the first class to revive some school spirit, ” Rennhak said. “I think post COVID-19 a lot of school spirit kind of died down or we forgot the chance we forgot what it’s like to show up for your peers at games and different events and this class definitely brought some of that tradition back.”
Senior Erik Lindell said he thinks he’s left a big impact on Park as the leader of groups. He has started multiple clubs and gotten them off the ground.
“I would say that one of the things I’ve led is the Youth and Government and Model UN organizations, I was able to help found them and then I’ll also lead them and I was able to grow them to, like 50 or so kids,” Lindell said. “It’s one of the biggest clubs at Park and also leading the student council meant that I was able to help organize and plan events like dances and pep fests and all kinds of school spirit events.”
According to Dwyer, he isn’t sure how the school will change but thinks they are in a good position for the future.
“I honestly really have no idea what’s gonna change for the better but I’m not sure,” Dwyer said. “I hope it does. I think there’s definitely good potential. We have a lot of good young teachers that can positively impact the school in the future.”
According to Rennhak, the seniors have left a profound impact on the school and all that they have brought to it.
“I mean, I think every student has their own individual impact. I’m thinking just to the senior classes that I teach and, yes, there’s this collective movement toward school spirit and peppiness,” Rennhak said. “Though each student also brings their own talents, they bring their own special relationships with teachers and with each other the humor, they bring their own intelligence. I think every individual person has had an impact on me and on their peers and on our school collective.”
According to Lindell he left his mark on the school and is putting them in a good position for the future.
“I think both the student council, youth in Government and Model UN are in good hands,” Lindell said. “I think that I’ve done a good job of setting an example for the next generation of leadership and hopefully inspiring some kids.”
