The end of Senior year at Brownell Talbot is special for every graduating class. Every BT student awaits the pivotal end of High school, as the end of the year always brings a plethora of events. Senior prom, that final house olympics, senior sunrise, and even graduation itself are celebrated by all with family and friends. While this time is filled with events to remember for a lifetime, it also feels bittersweet for seniors, who wrap up their year with reflection. This year, journalism seniors were asked to share their key pieces of wisdom, hoping that the next graduating classes take them with them to enjoy their final year just as much as the class of 2026 did.
High school is made up of a wild mix of moments, and for 2026 class president, Beckham Reimer, most of them were chaotic yet memorable.
But beyond the spontaneous memories, traditions are one of the things that make BT special. When Even Cohen was asked what her favorite BT tradition is, she answered with a classic Brownell favorite:
“I really like House Olympics because we get to bond with our houses and the younger students. Always take those moments and soak them in—they’re the best, so don’t take them for granted.”
Along with getting involved with traditions, seniors emphasized the importance of getting involved with school itself. While junior and senior years are some of the most fun, they are also some of the most important. Oftentimes, these two years are the most demanding, and so when asked, “What do underclassmen need to know before starting their last two years?” Angela Hensley advised:
“Get ahead on your college lists, essays, and everything you can. Get prepared to get packed with a lot of work, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
Getting involved outside of academics on campus is another theme many seniors emphasized. When asked, “What is the best thing you’ve been involved with on campus?” Violet Vacanti simply spoke from her heart:
“The best thing I’ve been involved with on campus is volunteering with the lower school kids. I recommend getting involved in your school community as much as possible because it truly helps in growing your gratitude, and it’s so rewarding for both you and the students.”
This involvement in academics and campus activities can be seen vividly in Teagan McCallister’s response to the question, “What is your biggest regret from high school?”
“My biggest regret is not getting involved in more things on campus. While I did a lot, I feel like I was sometimes scared to try new things—but looking back, I was scared of things that wouldn’t matter in the long run.”
When it comes to balancing all of this tough school work, a couple of key ways stood out for how seniors balanced school, college planning, activities, and social lives. Two responses from Elliot Clark and Avery Nicholas stuck out to the question: “What’s the best advice you could give to balance high school and try to remain stress-free?”
Avery Nicholes shared her insights as well: “Don’t stop doing what you love. Find things to help you destress, like hanging out with your friends or playing music. Honestly, just stick to whatever makes you happy.”
Of course, high school isn’t all stress and serious reflective moments, so not all advice has to be serious. Sometimes, small, funny moments are the ones that last, so when Christine Aspen was asked to give some less serious advice, she shared:
“The best lunch is the BBQ chicken flatbread…except, no flatbread because I’m gluten-free.”
So overall, while some seniors shared serious advice, others gave a light-hearted message to readers, they all had one thing in common: a love for the bittersweet feelings that come with the end of senior year.
Overall, as the Class of 2026 prepares to leave Brownell Talbot, their words of reflection and wisdom capture their shared understanding of how fleeting yet meaningful high school really is. Spontaneous moments, lasting traditions, and even academic pressure led each of these seniors to where they are today. Their advice shows the importance of showing up while simultaneously letting go to move on. Whether it’s getting involved, staying organized, or simply enjoying the close nature of BT, these senior reflections are a reminder that High school can be whatever you turn it into. So, to the underclassmen reading this message, the Class of 2026 would like to remind you to take risks, embrace chaos, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride, because it’s true—high school passes by before you know it.
