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Senior Spotlights

Sofia Eliasi
Sofia Eliasi

1. How would you describe your senioritis level during the last couple months of school on a scale of extremely motivated to “get me out of here”?

While my motivation for senior year classes definitely depleted and got closer to “get me out of here” level in the past few months, I certainly became much more motivated to work on other things that I haven’t had much time for lately, such as playing my instrument and learning new skills like 3D modeling and new coding languages. I’m really looking forward to college, though, and I am already motivated to start the curriculum for my upcoming classes!

2. Are there any special senior activities that you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and if so, what?

I always looked forward to my senior internship, because while I didn’t always know what I wanted to do with it, I was excited to have the opportunity to work on something that interested me and have lots of time to work on it. 

3. If you attended prom, what color did you wear?

The color of my dress was somewhere between orange and pomegranate, and the dress had a slight sheen.

4. Do you have any favorite school moment/activity you’ve done in your four years?

My favorite extracurricular activity was definitely founding the Robotics Team. Learning how to build a robot for competition, building a strong engineering community, and inspiring what I want to do in college and in my career was one of the most fulfilling things I got out of my high school experience, albeit only having taken up my senior year and some of my junior year.

5. How would you describe the current environment/attitude consensus of the seniors? Are you guys excited, nervous, etc?

I definitely feel that the seniors, at least those I spend the most time with, are sort of burned out from high school, but are also really looking forward to whatever they have ahead of them. Everyone is going to embark on a different path, yet everyone has the same feeling of excitement, anticipation, and a slight tinge of uncertainty. Some people I know are really excited to leave home, while others are nervous about living alone and being homesick.

6. Do you have any advice for incoming seniors?


It’s really cliché, but everything will work out in the end. Senior year is really crazy, and at least for me, my life changed a lot during this year, but just know that even though the year feels like it’s going to drag along forever, it will pass.

Macey Renzin
Macey Renzin

1. How would you describe your senioritis level during the last couple months of school, on a scale of extremely motivated to “get me out of here”?

I think my senioritis was definitely there, but instead of pushing me to not do my work, senioritis made it so I wasn’t stressed out about my grades. I got things done, but I didn’t worry about their quality in the same way I have in the past.  

2. Are there any special senior activities that you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and if so, what?

I’ve been really excited for the Clap Out at Hillside where the seniors walk through the building and say hi to all the elementary school kids and teachers. We haven’t done it yet, and I am looking forward to seeing all my old teachers! 

3. If you attended prom, what color did you wear?

I wore a yellow dress with pink flowers. 

  1. Do you have any favorite school moment/activity you’ve done in your four years?

There have been so many, but for one, I always love the club fairs at the beginning of the year. It’s really exciting to see all my friends excited to promote their clubs, and to see underclassmen nervously sign up. It’s a great way to get everyone excited about the school year. 

4. How would you describe the current environment/attitude consensus of the seniors? Are you guys excited, nervous, etc?

It’s definitely a mixed bag. I think right now we are mostly feeling relieved about being done with all our work, but I also think that nerves are starting to kick in. Everyone has different plans for the summer so there is definitely some nostalgia in there somewhere. But of course everyone is really excited about college, not just for ourselves but also for each other. 

5. Do you have any advice for incoming seniors?

 Throughout the college process I would try to be as authentic as you can – write and discuss yourself as honestly as possible. That way colleges will have an accurate understanding of you, and you will end up at a school that really matches you. Also, start a funny tv show with a lot of seasons so you have something to keep your spirits up!

Jack Maney
Jack Maney

1. How would you describe your senioritis level during the last couple months of school, on a scale of extremely motivated to “get me out of here”?

In regard to my senioritis, it was very tough to stay motivated during those last couple months especially after I committed to college. I’d say on a scale of extremely motivated “get me out of here”, I’d say a solid 8/10.

2. Are there any special senior activities that you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and if so, what?

 I really had a great time the day before school taking the car pictures. I had seen so many seniors in the past do it and actually seeing so many kids from my grade wearing their senior shirts for the first time really put into perspective how we finally made it to senior year. I also had a great time being a senior at the Olympics. During their senior year, students really get excited about the Olympics more than any other year, so it was super fun to see all the students get into it.

3. If you attended prom, what color did you wear?

 I wore a regular black suit and white shirt with a red tie to match my date’s dress.

4. Do you have any favorite school moment/activity you’ve done in your four years?

The Olympics have always been something that I looked forward to, especially after how well it went my Junior year with Barney and Erik. It is one of the few times a year the school can really come to work with each other in such a fun way.

5. How would you describe the current environment/attitude consensus of the seniors? Are you guys excited, nervous, etc?

Most people are more excited than anything. With so many senior events still to come, it hasn’t really hit me yet that everything is really coming to an end. I will admit though I have had some emotional moments as of late, but I’m so excited for some more end of the year festivities and to move onto my next chapter. 

6. Do you have any advice for incoming seniors?

Some boring advice for incoming seniors would be to start as much supplement writing during the summer. I didn’t listen to this and paid a huge price for this in September and especially October (I’m still trying to block this time out of my memories). Some fun advice would be to really sit down and think about all of the things you really want to make sure you do before you leave for college and do it! I knew that I wanted to do Hudsonettes and even though I was really nervous and sometimes felt embarrassed being the only guy, I can now look back and be really proud that I did it anyway.

Frieda Belasco
Frieda Belasco

1. How would you describe your senioritis level during the last couple months of school, on a scale of extremely motivated to “get me out of here”?

My senioritis definitely took a little longer to appear than for some of my friends, but once I did start feeling it, around mid-April, it was pretty bad.

2. Are there any special senior activities that you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and if so, what?

Everything! Senior assassin, the trip, prom, etc. The spring of your senior year is just such a fun, special time, and I really love how HHS gives us the space to celebrate and focus on spending our last few months in Hastings, rather than still be in school.

3. If you attended prom, what color did you wear?

I wore a black dress!

4. Do you have any favorite school moment/activity you’ve done in your four years?

There are so many! One unique experience that stands out is when we went on the music trip to Hershey Park in my sophomore year.

5. How would you describe the current environment/attitude consensus of the seniors? Are you guys excited, nervous, etc?

I think, overall, we’re pretty excited for our next adventures. Many of us have been in Hastings for most, if not all, of our childhood, and we’re ready for what’s next. There’s also a level of bittersweetness and nostalgia, since Hastings really has been a big part of our lives for so long.

6. Do you have any advice for incoming seniors?

Enjoy senior year! As stressful as it can be (and it really is quite anxiety-producing), senior year is such a unique experience that truly never happens again. Take a deep breath, it’s all going to be ok, and really let yourself have fun and take in your last year at HHS!

Victoria Lugomer-Pomper
Victoria Lugomer-Pomper

1. How would you describe your senioritis level during the last couple months of school, on a scale of extremely motivated to “get me out of here”?

If I’m being honest, my senioritis level during the last couple months of school definitely leaned closer to the “get me out of here” end of the scale. After finding out I got into college early, it became harder to stay fully locked in. Knowing what was ahead made me excited to move forward, and I couldn’t wait to head West and start something new. I did try my best to stay as engaged as I could be, because I still had a commitment to fulfill. 

At the same time, it’s impossible not to look back with a full heart. I’ve been at Hastings since preschool, and this place has shaped so much of who I am. It’s where I learned, grew, made lifelong friends and found my footing. As ready as I feel to leave, I know I’ll miss this community deeply.What makes Hastings so special is how small and close it is. Everyone knows each other, and there’s a real sense of community you don’t find everywhere. It’s strange to close such a long and meaningful chapter, but I’m stepping into the future with gratitude for everything Hastings has given me.

2. Are there any special senior activities that you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and if so, what?

I think every senior looks forward to graduation and getting their diploma in hand. In all seriousness though, there were definitely a few senior moments I’d been looking forward to for a long time. College Commitment Day was such a fun and proud milestone, and it felt so surreal to finally wear my sweatshirt and celebrate with everyone. I also loved the first day of school; getting to play music as people came into the building was such a full-circle moment. And of course, taking our class number photo felt like one of those big “this is really happening” memories. Those little traditions meant a lot and reminded me just how lucky I’ve been to grow up in a place like this.

3. If you attended prom, what color did you wear?

I wore a light purple dress. 

4. Do you have any favorite school moment/activity you’ve done in your four years?

It’s hard to choose just one favorite moment from my four years, but a couple of experiences definitely stand out. The trip to Mérida, Mexico, was truly unforgettable; the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and explore such a beautiful place with friends was incredible.

Another memorable experience was the music trip to Hershey Park. Despite staying in a less-than-ideal hotel, my friends and I found ourselves in a hilarious situation at 1 a.m., having to deconstruct a bed just to make it work.  

Both trips were unique and contributed to the countless memories that have made these years so special.

5. How would you describe the current environment/attitude consensus of the seniors? Are you guys excited, nervous, etc?

The atmosphere among the seniors right now is a blend of excitement and reflection. While there’s a clear sense of anticipation for what’s next, it’s also hard not to feel sentimental about leaving this community. Over the past four years, we’ve faced a lot together, both as a grade and  as individuals. It’s exciting to move on to new opportunities, but at the same time, there’s a real appreciation for the environment we’ve been part of. Saying goodbye isn’t easy, especially when you’ve built such strong connections here. There’s a certain weight to this moment, excited for the future, but grateful for the past.

6. Do you have any advice for incoming seniors?

My advice for incoming seniors would be to approach the year with both purpose and openness. Senior year can be a time of significant pressure, especially when it comes to college applications and the uncertainty about what comes next. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is different, and in the end, everyone finds the path that’s right for them. While it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of deadlines and comparisons, trust that things will fall into place in due time.

This year is also an opportunity to truly appreciate the time you have left with your peers. You’ve spent years together, and now is the time to cherish those relationships, build memories, and make the most of the moments you have left. Senior year can pass by quickly, so it’s important to be present and enjoy the experiences of both the big milestones and the everyday moments that define this final chapter.

At the same time, don’t hesitate to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Be ambitious, take risks, and seek out new opportunities that will challenge and inspire you. Branch out, whether that means exploring new interests, engaging with people from different backgrounds, or simply trying something you’ve always been curious about. Growth often happens in the most unexpected places.

Lastly, trust in your own growth. Over the course of high school, you’ve evolved in ways you may not even realize yet. Take pride in the person you’ve become and approach the future with confidence because the foundation you’ve built here will support you wherever you go.

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