L
ook Out... It’s Senior Season!! The class of 2025 has been stepping forward to embark upon their newest adventure, Senior Year! As the new rising royalty of the campus, they are working diligently to fill the large shoes of the previous classes. Starting the 2025 senior season strong, they have self-organized and come together to live out the senior year aspirations of their younger selves. Embarking on the many different St. Luke’s traditions developed by the senior classes who have come before them and leaving their mark on the Wildcat timeline.

The seniors at St. Luke’s have been and will continue to be held near and dear to our hearts. This forty-four-student class has been able to mature and create strong bonds as they take the next steps of their lives together. Many of our students have been able to grow up together. Some since Mother’s Day Out and some joining us just last year. Nonetheless, each one of them has left a permanent mark on our school. The emotions are strong as we watch the young children who used to push each other on the swings apply to college and advance into adulthood. Although this class may end up scattered all across the country, they know that they will always have a family waiting for them back at St. Luke’s.

One of our school's favorite traditions of senior season originated only a few years ago. The unveiling of the painted senior parking spots has become a major highlight at the beginning of the school year for all the students. Over the summer, the senior class is called to design and paint their parking spot. They are allowed to embrace their own creativity and unique personalities. They were able to turn tape and paint into show-stopping pieces of art. Walking around the parking lot and witnessing the vast variations of designs shows the unique qualities and character that make up our senior class. One of the fan-favorite parking spots is Abe Elshoura’s artistic display of his Egyptian heritage.

Almost hidden by the shade of the large oak tree resting near the top of the parking lot, Abe’s spot ensnares the attention of every person who wanders into its gaze. The detailed eagle and bright colors of the flag of his homeland create an emotional and nostalgic aura, which demands appreciation.

Another one of St. Luke's more common senior traditions is the Senior Sunrise. The whole class gathered on an agreed early morning and enjoyed each other's company as they breathed in the last moments of their summer. They bask in the ambiance of the beautiful sunrise over the calm Dauphin Island waves. Arianna Ori recounts her experience at Senior sunrise as, “...As the sun rose, that's when it officially hit me that I had finished rising and I was officially a senior. I was at the top, just like the sun.” Providing a perfect moment to step into their final year at St. Luke’s. This tradition holds a special place in many seniors' hearts as it marks the beginning of the end.

It represents how this grade will arise into the responsibilities as the leaders of the campus. They spent the morning reminiscing on the past adventures and memories of students who have been attending St. Luke’s all of their lives. They spend the rest of their afternoon together, creating new memories while they design their Senior Crowns for their “Last First Day of High School.” Andrew Thomas, who has been a student at St. Luke’s since Pre-K Three describes his first day of senior year as, “.. (It) truly helped me encompass the idea that I’m a senior now. I couldn’t even comprehend how fast time had gone by and how my high school days were coming to an end. Spending all my time at St. Luke’s has made me cherish everyone around me along with the memories I’ve made.”

In the spring, after their last day of senior year, the soon-to-be graduated class will reconvene on the St. Luke’s football field to watch the sunset over their beloved alma mater for the last time. Symbolizing the end of their longest and final journey as St. Luke’s students and marking the beginnings of their lives as the newest St. Luke’s alumni.