One of the highlights of senior year is looking forward to grad parties. Attending the open houses of friends while enjoying food and looking through embarrassing childhood photos pack the weekends in May and early June. Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors had to alter their grad parties to fit guidelines or just not have one at all. Now that the country is slowly increasing in vaccinations and cases are becoming controlled, seniors are finding ways to celebrate their graduations.

LHS senior Emma Sahly is having a joint grad party along with her two friends, Sydni Wietfeld and Kennedy Kolb. The idea came from attending a grad party her cousin had with friends, and growing up with Wietfeld and Kolb. The ability to not have three separate dates appealed to Sahly.

“We have a lot of mutual friends and family, and we decided to save them the extra trips,” said Sahly. “We’ve grown up together, so we have lots of photos and memories together.”

Despite the ongoing pandemic, restrictions are set in place for their grad party. It will be held in a gallery so guests can be spread out and a food truck is being brought in so guests will be handed individual meals as opposed to a buffet. Even though it looks different than other years, Sahly is grateful to be able to have one in the first place.

“It means a lot to me because I have a lot of family coming from out of state and friends that I don’t get to see that often,” said Sahly. “I’m thankful that we got to have more opportunities this year, even if they look a little different than they normally would.”

While some students are holding massive parties, others are keeping it more close by just inviting family members. LHS senior Caiden Fowler is having a grad party exclusively for his family. With limitations on how many could come, he likes the idea of having only family attending.

“It’s more compact and closer and less rushed with trying to meet everybody,” said Fowler. “People are going to be everywhere and wanting to talk to me and that cuts down the hassle.”

Despite only having family members attending, Fowler is excited for the opportunity to see family before heading off for college. 

“I’ll be less available and won’t be able to see family as much and spend time with them,” said Fowler. “To be able to have one last hurrah and have everyone together is nice.”

Whether students are attending several parties of friends or keeping it small with close family members, they are taking time to enjoy their accomplishments. This year has been unusual, but the seniors have persevered through; that in itself calls for a celebration.