Senior Nights for athletes are bittersweet (2025)

By Jenna Baker & Natalie Hanna

A part of growing up is entering new eras and leaving behind ones. This is especially true for high school athletes when they reach the end of senior year, marking this moment as a celebratory milestone.

Senior Night is a special occasion for athletes where a crowd of loved ones, teammates, and coaches celebrate all they have done in their athletic careers so far, whether that is for playing on the soccer, basketball, or cheerleading team or any of the other host of athletic teams on campus.

Senior Night happens on the last home game of the season, where senior names are announced at the beginning of the game or match. During the ceremony, seniors are presented with memorabilia, such as a framed jersey.

“I thought it was cool that all the graduating seniors got all their appreciation for what they accomplished with their sport in their years at GHC,” junior Leonardo Padilla said, who went to support the basketball team. “It also made me sad that they’re all leaving and a good amount of the players aren’t going to be here next year.”

Although this event is a bittersweet experience where one must say goodbye to their friends and a place of familiarity, graduation is necessary for growing up and pursuing new endeavors. All the practices, tournaments, wins, and losses led to this moment of growth as an athlete.

“As a senior, I definitely get to think back about all the memories I had in my high school career,” senior and wrestler Bader Alwehaidah said.

The various teams’ Senior Nights are filled with crowds of emotional and proud parents, there to support their children. Parents of athletes on Senior Night often feel proud not only of what their child has accomplished in their high school career but throughout their entire lives in their sport. Moving forward from this night, athletes are curious and excited to see what comes next.

Whether you continue to play your sport in college or leave it in the past, the ceremonial Senior Night that honors your career whether ending or moving on to better things is a night to remember.