By: Devin Varner, Editor in Training
DITCH: As the seniors’ final year at Riverside Poly Highschool comes to an end, they send their farewells through time honored traditions including senior ditch day.
Were you at Riverside Poly High School on April first? Did the campus feel a little empty? Did the underclassmen seem to outweigh the upperclassmen? That may be due to the lack of seniors who showed up to school that day. Some of them called in sick, some claimed to have doctors appointments, but none were telling the truth. They were participating in a right of passage for all seniors across America known as senior ditch day, in order to mark their final year in high school. This year, the senior bears ushered in the month of April with their ditch day. Is it a coincidence that they planned it on April fools day? Who knows, but let’s just say they were the ones who got the last laugh.
Although the students love this tradition, not everyone supports it. If someone leaks the date on which day ditch day is scheduled on, rumor has it that some teachers will purposely make tests and quizzes on that day to prevent students from missing school. It’s an admirable and strategic effort, but rarely stops the seniors from canceling their last act of rebellion. As a freshman, you watch as the senior class participates in time honored traditions, hopelessly waiting for your turn, but the time flies by and, when senior year rolls around, you’re left creating bittersweet memories. Traditions like ditch day are fun and exciting, but mark the end of a chapter for the seniors. This is no different for this year’s graduating class. The time to say goodbye to our 2022 senior bears has finally arrived, but the traditions they choose to continue, including senior ditch day, will inspire and live on in the future senior bears.
*All participates in senior ditch day acted on their accord, and the day was not condoned nor affiliated with Poly High School*