By: Marley Crisp
As graduation draws near, the atmosphere of the school is a little quieter, with our senior homeroom teachers preparing to bid farewell to their classes that have become so much more than a roll call of students. After four years of daily check in’s, laughter, and even stress, as well as all the milestones in between, the teachers now have to face the bitter reality of saying goodbye to their students.
In a particular homeroom when asked to describe the class in just three words, Mr.Gable chose “superior, humorous, and kind.” According to him, the group has brought a positive energy to the school, balancing hard work with a strong sense of humor that made everyday moments in the classroom memorable. What makes this group unique compared to previous classes is their “involvement and dedication”. Mr.Gabel explained that many of the seniors have actively participated in school functions while remaining focused on their academic and future goals. Their commitment to both school spirit and personal success helped shape the identity of this year’s class. Over the course of the school year, he has also witnessed significant personal growth among the students. He noted that many of them have matured emotionally and academically, gaining confidence as they prepared for graduation and the next stage of their lives.
For Mr.Gabel personally, serving as their homeroom teacher has been deeply meaningful. He described the students as becoming “extensions of family”, explaining that getting to know them and learning about their lives outside of school has had a lasting impact on him. As the seniors move on, he says the thing he will miss most is “the daily laughter in the classroom”, the small moments that made each day enjoyable. Looking ahead, he hopes students remember both the fun and serious moments they shared together, the friendships they built, and the support they gave each other along the way. Most importantly, he hopes they remember that their homeroom was a place where they belonged and where their teacher will always be proud of them.
Another teacher reflecting on this year’s seniors is Mrs. Perez, who described the class in three words: “Energetic. Logical. Fun!” She remembers the group arriving as freshmen full of excitement and ready to take on everything high school had to offer. From the start, they embraced school spirit and even helped bring back old traditions, bringing a lot of energy to campus and making school events feel welcoming for everyone. Over the years, she watched them grow from students who were sometimes unsure of their academic abilities into confident young adults who believe in their skills in writing, speaking, and critical thinking. Even while going through high school during a time when much of the world felt divided, this class still found ways to stay connected and support each other, helping maintain a strong sense of community at school.
Mrs. Perez said her homeroom makes her especially proud. She has watched them grow from students who once didn’t fully understand how grades worked to students who now take pride in their achievements and the effort they put into their classes. Seeing that kind of growth over four years has been one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. She explained that one of the most special parts of teaching at El D is getting to meet students at the very beginning of their high school journey and then sending them off into the world as graduates. Although she will miss this group a lot, she is excited to see what they accomplish next. Most importantly, she hopes they always remember that no matter where life takes them, she will always be rooting for their happiness.