With the end of the 2024-2025 school year a little more than a week away, the Glacier Peak student body is in a transitionary period. After senior serpentine on Wednesday, June 4, the school has decreased by around one fourth of the approximately 1,630 students previously present, and this change is very apparent. “Having a whole grade just kind of disappear out of thin air really does not help the general atmosphere. It feels a lot emptier now the seniors are gone,” said junior Landon Theaker.

All of the different grades have unique perspectives on this change. Theaker, a junior who is taking mostly senior filled classes said, “I have one class that’s just completely empty now as opposed to it being full of seniors. I had a good group of friends and a lot of them were seniors. I’d often spend time eating lunch with them, and in some of my classes talking to them, and hanging out with them. So now that they’re gone, it feels a lot emptier and quieter.” The freshmen, who’s first year it is seeing this transition, have their own opinions. “There’s a lot less school spirit because the seniors are the biggest grade. I’m a little nervous going into my sophomore year but I guess I’m excited to get better at my subjects,” said Elsa Lysaght.

The upcoming school year also means that current juniors are anticipating their last year of high school. “It feels weird being the oldest in the school now because there’s some stuff you want to go back and do over, but also you’re ready to get out of here. Being a senior next year is bittersweet because you want to get out of here, but there’s also some stuff you still want to do,” said George Saliba.

Glacier Peak’s wonderfully orchestrated traditions are part of what make’s this this transition so special. The school has two major events to commemorate the event each year, the first of which being Senior Serpentine. This tradition consists of the freshmen through junior classes lining the halls as the seniors walk out of the building for the last time. Katherine Rhoades, a junior, said, “I really enjoy the tradition. It gives everyone, including teachers and students, and opportunity to say their final goodbyes to each senior as they walk by. I will say it does get pretty traffic jammed at the end, but other than that, I think it’s pretty sweet. I’m really looking forward to doing it next year and seeing all my friends’ faces as I walk by”.

The other event, and the final one to celebrate the passing of the torch, is the Crossover Assembly on the final day of school. For each assembly throughout the year, each grade is assigned to sections of the gym during assemblies. This event has each grade move from one quadrant to the next, symbolizing the advancement of grades. For juniors, the moment is especially memorable. “Every year since freshmen year, you always see the seniors in the corner being the loudest in the gym and always doing the most. I’m really excited to be that for next year and be the ones to carry the school spirit,” Rhoades said.