Every year in high school brings new challenges, successes, highs, and lows for students. Senior year, in particular, creates a unique environment for students that brings up a variety of feelings. From excitement to anxiety to gratitude, the college process inevitably impacts students’ mental health as they reflect on their years at KO and the next stage of their lives. As KO seniors navigate this sea of emotions, tradition is the anchor that keeps everyone grounded, reminding them to cherish their final months and memories with their fellow classmates.
No school does tradition better than Kingswood Oxford. From annual community gatherings to the eagerly awaited “senior week,” the KO administration makes a concerted effort each year to create memorable experiences for its students. From the annual prom invitation breakfast, seven year senior dinner, yearbook luncheon, and the highly anticipated class night, it seems like every week in the spring presents a new opportunity for the senior class to connect.
Senior traditions at KO are not just events designed to evoke nostalgia, but they have powerfully positive mental health benefits for the senior class. During the stressful college application season, special breakfasts, celebrations, and events provide a much-needed respite for overwhelmed seniors. Although students can easily get wrapped up in the competitiveness and stress of college application season, senior traditions are a reminder to treasure the time you have left with your peers. KO graduate Mackenzie Caruso ’22 commented on the positive impact of senior class traditions. “KO has a way of making their seniors feel special, valued, and truly cared for,” she said. “The various traditions unique to our school made me realize just how lucky I was to attend a place full of so much gratitude and love for each student.”
Many seniors look forward to “senior week” with excitement, as five days are jam-packed with ways to reflect on memories at KO and connect with their classmates. Some students, however, argue that more senior traditions should be spread throughout the year. “I think senior traditions kind of lost their allure but recently they’ve definitely been brought back,” senior Maggie Poulin commented. “Overall things have been great this year and have really helped our grade connect!” We propose that KO incorporate more traditions during the fall quarter to help alleviate the stressors present during the first few months of senior year.
For years, KO students have looked forward to their senior year and the exciting traditions that come with it. Given the immense value of these events for students, we propose that KO look to build in more traditions across all grades so that the benefits can be enjoyed by the entire student body. One event that we propose KO expand is the concept of Class Night. “Class Night is an amazing senior tradition here at KO,” senior Chelsea O’Donnell described. “It is such a unique and special way of showcasing our talents and coming together as a class the night before our graduation.” Each year at class night, students showcase singing performances, art displays, reflective speeches, and entertaining emcee addresses. This event often elicits excitement and surprise within the audience, as many students discover hidden talents and interests that their classmates have. This event is sacred to the senior class this year, allowing them to connect the night before graduation. While we don’t propose replicating this event for each class, we suggest that the KO administration incorporate more performance-based traditions for each class. Whether this be a required and expanded Coffeehouse or even a simple karaoke night, traditions of performance and art have the power to unite KO students across every grade.
Currently, KO has organized successful trips for underclassmen and Middle School students such as the Form Three trip to Camp Merriwood or the Upper Prep trip to Camp Jewell. These trips have served as a great opportunity for students to bond with their classmates and begin creating friendships before the school year begins. Adding additional events and traditions throughout the school year would not only serve to orient new students but strengthen the bonds among grades who are well into their years at KO, creating lasting memories that students can take away from their KO experience. In addition, we propose that KO add class trips for all grade levels to kick off each year with built-in time for class bonding and exciting adventures.
We hope to see more class traditions incorporated throughout the year so KO students can continue building the community they will remember for years to come!
