At the end of every school year, there are many different events that follow. Some of the biggest include Pitman Theater’s play, sports, cheer and color guard tryouts, Pitman Orchestra’s Spring Concert, and graduation.
Color guard and cheer tryouts come at the end of every school year, instead of the summer or beginning of the school year like most school sports. The high schoolers that are already in color guard get to meet new incoming freshmen, and even people at Pitman who are trying out. Anusha Taunk, a freshman on the color guard team, talks about this year’s tryouts.
“Personally, I thought that tryouts were really good. Everyone was nice, and they were all fast learners, which was nice, because then we could spend less time working on one routine so we could do more. I’m excited for next season because I’m excited to experience all the football games and parades and stuff with new people and new friends.”
As the year comes to an end, students are not only finishing their work and getting ready for summer, but also finishing their sports seasons and getting ready for the summer practices ahead. Jackson Grigsby, a football and soccer player and track athlete says, “It kinda sucks having the season end, but I’m going straight into football on like the first day of summer break, so it’s not too terrible. I think the season was a good way to finish off the school year because we have championships coming up, so I think winning and then passing finals would be a good way to end.”
Every year, Piman High School’s theater puts on a production to perform at the end of the school year. This year, they played Harvey Fierstein’s musical, Newsies. The production was a huge success, having sold out nights almost every night. Avery Armstrong, a student who attended the show, talks about her experience. “I thought Newsies was really impressive. The tap dance was really good and I enjoyed watching people I knew on stage. It was really wholesome and was amazing overall.” Eleanor Fremming, an actor in the production, shares her experience about her first theater performance. “My experience for my first big high school production was amazing! Everyone was so nice and funny and it was really fun. I definitely think it was a fantastic way to end the school year.”
Pitman orchestra has a couple concerts every year, but their Spring Concert is one of their biggest, where they play some of their hardest pieces. Chloe Wong, a freshman in concert orchestra says, “I think that this will be a really interesting concert, because I really like all the songs that we are playing, and I really like the theme of the music, since It’s like music through the ages. I think I’m looking forward to this concert mainly because of the music, and because it’s gonna be our last concert as freshmen, and that kinda means a lot to me.”
And to finally end off the year, we have graduation. Graduation is an emotional moment for families and not only seniors, but for lowerclassmen who are going to miss their friends. Odelia Davoodoff, a senior at Pitman says, “I’m kind of excited to start a new life, but I’m also sad that I’m leaving four years of built memories, friendships, and lots of hard work that I’ve put in, and I’m very thankful for everything I’ve had. I feel a little emotional with school coming to an end and I realize that I’ve grown up so much and that I am now an adult, and now I have to start working towards my future, which can also be a little stressful, and that’s how I feel in the end.”
As the school year comes to a close, these events help everyone make memories and celebrate the ones they’ve already had. Even though the year is over, these events are chances to have fun and look forward to what’s next.