There is no denying that the Class of 2021 is experiencing an atypical senior year. Beloved fall traditions like Friday night football games, Homecoming, and Pep Rally have all been canceled. Walking through the halls, familiar faces are missed as the hybrid system has split the student body in half. On Friday, January 15th, Mineola High School honored seniors by hosting its first Senior Day.

All seniors were welcomed to the building, reuniting fully virtual students with students from both cohorts. Periods 1-4 occurred as usual for all students (in larger classrooms to allow for adequate social distancing). Senior Day festivities started 5th period, with 8-11 graders participating in “Dream Day” activities from home.

Seniors were given free rein of the school, allowing them to move from activity to activity at their leisure. The array of activities available included Just Dance, karaoke, ping pong, badminton, and outdoor sports. In the art room, students covered their hands in paint and left their mark on specially created Class of 2021 banners. In the gym, seniors participated in a tradition usually reserved for the first Pep Rally of the year: taping their name on the wall. Students were able to order from a food truck parked in the front and were offered pizza. The day concluded with the entire class taking a picture on the field via a drone. As a parting gift, students were given pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory.

Senior Day was a fun and unique way to celebrate the Class of 2021. Seniors are hoping that it is a new tradition that they can experience again before they graduate from Mineola High School in June!