Norwin graduation is quickly approaching, and with it are a host of strong emotions for the senior class. Four years of high school, finished in a heartbeat, and almost too many events to wrap their heads around.
On Friday May 10, seniors participated in the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) “mock accident,” where members of the local police and fire departments, coroner’s office, and EMTs all demonstrated the realities of a drunk driving incident alongside SADD members.
“The initial feelings during the mock accident– it was kind of a shock,” said senior Andrew Brown. “You see all of the vehicles come piling in, people running in to try to say the kids. At first, a lot of kids think it’s humorous and funny, because they know the people involved and everyone knows it’s staged and stuff like that, but the reality of it sinks in. You end up seeing Anothny Scalise in a body bag and put in a hurst, even though you know it’s Anthony, it invokes a lot of emotion. It’s scary to think about, sometimes it’s not even you to worry about, it’s the people around you.”
Though the mock accident can bring out so many high emotions in students, most agree that it is a necessary experience going into the other important milestones ahead as students prepare for their graduation.
“When you see all of the people involved in the aftermath of something so serious– especially the coroner and funeral director– it really sets in that people could die,” said Brown. “The mock accident was a great way to get our minds right for the end of the school year and make us pay attention to the things we can and can’t control. It reminds us to make good choices as we take this next step towards our future.”
After the somber event, students flooded the main gym to collect their caps and gowns before many returned to their elementary schools for the Senior Parade. Each senior was assigned a kindergarten student at their elementary school to guide them through the building as they reconnected with past teachers and recalled fond memories.
“Going back to the elementary schools was really a full circle moment,” said senior Sydney Reiter. “I know at Sunset Valley– where I went– we went up and talked to our teachers and discussed our future plans. Outside of all the doors, they had our class pictures from whenever we were in the school. In each grade level they did a project with the kids making posters to congratulate us on graduating.”
As nostalgia flooded many seniors, they also had the chance to connect with current elementary students, offering advice and listening in as they talked about their elementary school experience.
“I talked to some of the girls about their Communions, because they had just finished theirs and asked me about mine,” said Reiter. “They ended up giving me one of their posters. It ended up being a really great experience, and I’m really fortunate that we were able to do it.”
If the start of the weekend wasn’t busy enough, Saturday May 11 kicked off the Norwin Prom at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center. With only a week before the senior’s final day, many seniors found themselves releasing their stress in the several hours of dancing, eating, and hanging out with friends.
“I thought Prom was a good last hoorah for all of us to be together,” said senior David Shepherd. “I felt there were good songs, the food was great, and everyone really seemed to have fun. I had all finals the week afterwards, so it was at least a break before all of the testing I have to do.”
More than just a fun night out though, Prom is a milestone of itself that many seniors look forward to throughout their year.
“I love that it’s at the end of the year, right before graduation,” said Shepherd. “It’s almost that last milestone before graduation. Just being able to have one last dance with all of my friends and hang out after– having that whole high school dance process one last time was a good way to end the year.”
With those important “rites of passage” out of the way for seniors, their last week of high school is upon them, and graduation is not far behind it. The timeline until graduation is absolutely packed, with an assembly for upperclassmen on May 17, the Honors Awards Ceremony May 21, the Vespers Ceremony May 22, Commencement Practice May 23, and the Graduation ceremony May 24.
Though all of these events are exciting, traditional milestones seniors look forward to each year, the class of 2024 has plenty to make them stand out from previous Norwin graduates.
For starters, their graduation will be held (if weather permits) outside again, to the delight of many seniors who were previously upset with the initial decision to hold their graduation ceremony indoors.
“I was frustrated because part of graduation to me has always been that we would be receiving our diplomas in the stadium where so many of my high school memories were made,” said senior Sofia Garzon. “More importantly though, having graduation inside reduced our number of tickets. As someone with divorced parents and a sister, I know that it is challenging to pick who to invite. I just kept thinking about students with multiple siblings, parents, and stepparents. Or students who had other influential adults in their lives who would want to be there to celebrate their achievements but could not. When the decision changed, I was excited and relieved! Now I’m just praying it doesn’t rain.”
Outside of their outdoor graduation, the class of 2024 also has— remarkably— eleven sets of twins who will all be graduating this year, something that has reached national attention from news organizations like People and ABC News. While for many, this was a novel experience, the twins of Norwin’s senior class are unfazed.
“I thought being a twin was pretty normal considering my elementary had four other sets of twins, then through high school people would be surprised when they found out I was a twin,” said Jack Cassley.
With so much excitement whirling around the school and events to rush to and from, it can be easy to forget one of the most important aspects of graduation: saying goodbye to high school. However, Norwin seniors are not alone in this endeavor, as three of the high school’s teachers will be retiring this spring and leaving behind Norwin as well: Dr. King, Nurse Lafferty, and Colonel Sandala.
“I do want to say that I’ve been blessed with a job that is my passion,” said Dr. King. “To the class of 2024, I hope that they will be blessed with experiences and job opportunities that will fulfill their passion. To my colleagues, thanks for all you do.”
Even as this chapter of the class of 2024’s lives comes to a close, students will always have the memories made within the Norwin High School walls. So let’s make our final weeks great, Knights!
