The Senior Class Picture looks a little different this year.
USN’s class of 2021 gathered over Zoom on Wed. August 25 for an abridged version of the annual Senior Induction.
This year’s induction differed from previous years, as traditional events—eating lunch together off-campus, playing games, and walking into assembly to announce the number of days left until graduation—were unable to happen for safety reasons. Rather than the usual half day set aside for this recognition ceremony, the gathering lasted for only an hour and a half.
“The core elements of the induction experience didn’t have to change,” said Senior Class Dean Matthew Haber. “Obviously we couldn’t [go off campus], but we tried to think about what the goals of an induction ceremony really are.”
Haber said the planners wanted to help the seniors understand their role in the school, and also wanted to give them a chance to think about their goals for their last year—both personally and as a grade. On a less serious note, they also wanted the seniors to simply have some fun together and further develop their class identity.
Dr. Durnan, Dr. Walker, and Mr. Haber all spoke to the seniors, inspiring goal-setting and encouraging leadership for their last year. With virtual tweaking of normal activities using Google Slides, Forms, and breakout rooms, the grade was able to reflect on their past years at USN together, brainstorming about class mottos, mascots, songs, and more.
“I think that I got to know the members of my breakout room a little better,” said Ruben Boero ‘21.
Some seniors were able to walk away with stronger relationships with classmates whom they would not typically interact with.
“I didn’t really have any expectations, so I had a pretty open mind going into it,” said Gabby Floyd ‘21. “I thought it was successful; they did a good job planning everything making it the best that it could be considering the circumstances.”
Typically, the seniors would walk to the Commons at Vanderbilt for the last part of their day to continue their activities and get a feel for walking onto a college campus. Even though the seniors couldn’t be together in person this year, there was still a sense of satisfaction among students in participating in a typical senior year tradition.
“If what it set out to do was be a not-too-serious recognition of our class becoming seniors, then I think it was successful,” said Boero.
Success seemed to be the consensus. “There was just as much energy and enthusiasm and sort of joyousness as they engaged in sort of defining themselves as a class as there would’ve been if they had been in person,” Haber said.
Every year, the seniors shape Senior Induction differently. Although this year was especially unusual, with optimism and enthusiasm, the class of 2021 was still able to make it their own.
