The junior tailgate was an opportunity for rising seniors to join together in the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community and celebrate the beginning of their last year of high school. This year’s junior tailgate was held on Thursday, May 23, at 7:15 am in the senior parking lot.
The tailgate was the first major event for the class of 2025 to bond and start their time as leaders of the school. This tradition has been going on for years and acts as a celebration for rising seniors for their upcoming year of leadership and lasts. One junior member of the student council, Lyra Carter, expressed her excitement for the event. “The junior tailgate is a tradition where rising seniors all meet in the senior parking lot and people bring breakfast foods to share,” Carter said.
This year two junior student council members, Lyra Carter and Scarlett Lira, took charge of the planning for this event. They hoped for a large turnout and lots of volunteers to bring food for the event. However, most importantly, they wanted everyone to have fun. “The tailgate is a fun way to recognize the new leadership opportunity as seniors and to bond as a class,” Carter said.
Scarlett Lira, a co-planner of the event, explained the symbolism and the significance it portrays. As seniors, the class of 2025 will be the oldest of the school and, therefore, must unite as leaders. “I think the tailgate is very symbolic of coming of age, the juniors are now the new oldest kids in the school, which I think is fun. The tailgate also symbolizes our last year together, which is also a special reason for holding the tailgate every year,” Lira said.
Overall, the most significant aspect of the tailgate is its creation of a sense of community for the class of 2025 to experience. By having a community as a graduating class, seniors will be able to foster a sense of school pride and enjoy their last year of high school. This event is only the start for the rising seniors to unite as a class. Katherine Johnson, student council advisor and BSM learning specialist, is enthusiastic about this event being a stepping stone for all the fun of senior year. “The junior tailgate is a fantastic opportunity for juniors to unite, fostering a sense of community and enthusiasm as they anticipate the exciting journey of their upcoming senior year,” Johnson said.