Seniors from Park go to their old elementary schools (Park Spanish Immersion, Peter Hobart, Susan Lindgren, and Aquila) and walk around the halls, seeing old teachers, and current elementary students and staff to commemorate their high school graduation May 28. This is a yearly tradition for Park.
According to senior Logan Shelander, it was enjoyable to see his younger brother at Peter Hobart. He said it was also nice to see the old school, teachers, and new things that have been implemented since he went there.
“I got to see my brother. It was cool to see him, and he was excited to see me,” Shelander said. “It was (also) cool to see the old school, and all the new stuff that’s here as well.”
According to Peter Hobart Pprincipal Aaron Monson, the elementary students were able to participate and commemorate the seniors well. He said it would have been nice to give the current seniors more time to make connections and see the teachers they used to have.
“I thought our students really were able to celebrate the seniors and what they’re doing. I would love to find time to carve out for the seniors to be able to make those connections to staff that they knew,” Monson said. “And just have more dedicated time and space for that.”
According to fifth grader Antonio Aguilar, it can be meaningful and also sad to see where you started. He said this is the main thing he’s looking forward to on the walk when he is a senior.
“I’m looking forward to starting to see the new generation now. I’m looking forward to (my senior walk) because you (get to) see where you began,” Aguilar said. “It’s a little emotional, but it shows where you started.”
According to Shelander, it was fun to see the old hallways and classrooms from when he used to go to Peter Hobart, even if they look different.
“(I enjoyed) seeing the hallways and stuff, it was just really cool. All the classrooms look kind of different, but the hallways still look the same and stuff,” Shelander said. “(I also enjoyed) seeing all the teachers.”
According to Monson, the senior elementary walk is a good way for elementary school students to see what their high school experience will be like. He said students love to see high school students, particularly those coming from DECA.
“It provides an opportunity for our K-5 to see what the end result is (by getting) to see some of those older students and what their next steps are,” Monson said.” Anytime that we’ve had seniors come in, like we work closely with DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), our students love that.”
According to Aguilar, he’s looking forward to seeing friends and old teachers when he becomes a senior and goes through the senior walk.
“I want to see any of my old teachers, or some of my little friends,” Aguilar said.
Monson said something that could make the walks even better is having more people come through, that wayso staff and elementary students could celebrate more people. He said it’s his first year at Peter Hobart as the principal, and it was a good experience to see all those who camethat did come.
“The more people that come, the better, with it being my very first year here (at) Peter Hobart (and) my first senior walk,” Monson said. “It was just really fun to see how many students were here. I would love to see more come through so that again, we can celebrate all the amazing things that you’ve done in your K (through) 12 experience.”
