Graduation is less than a week away for the Class of 2026, and it is therefore time to wrap up the year with a final senior snapshot. To honor this final story of the school year, it is time to honor a senior whose warmth, ambition, and creativity have made a lasting impact on the BT community: Violet Vacanti.
Violet Vacanti first came to BT in seventh grade, meaning she has spent nearly six years growing alongside classmates, teachers, teammates, and friends. Over time, BT became a place where Violet was able to find connection and community: “What I love most about BT is that every student can get involved with the community. Our traditions and activities at the school overlap with most grade levels, so we all end up bonding together in sports or House.”
Throughout high school, Violet always managed to keep busy both on and off campus. At BT, she has been involved in the speech team, volleyball team, journalism club, culture club, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, and academic decathlon. Off campus, Violet works at a floral shop as needed, volunteers with Breakthrough T1D and Heart Ministry Center whenever possible, and plays club volleyball nearly every week.
Yet despite the packed schedule, the memories Violet cherishes most always come back to the people around her. Through the National Art Honor Society, one of her favorite experiences has been volunteering as a teacher’s aide for lower school art classes. “Every time I go, I’m met with so much kindness and it’s definitely something I’ll never forget.” Volleyball also brought unforgettable memories, especially traveling to Lincoln with teammates to watch the Nebraska volleyball game together.
As senior year begins to wind down and graduation quickly approaches, Violet feels both excitement and nostalgia for the chapter ahead: “I’m definitely beginning to feel the excitement of starting a new chapter in my life, but I will definitely feel bittersweet as time goes on.” Looking back on high school, she knows the moments she’ll remember most are the meaningful ones. “I feel like as I begin to look back on high school, I’m really gonna remember the good times rather than focusing on the more humbling times.” 
Next fall, Violet plans to attend Creighton University, where she will major in either health management and policy or pursue a pre-med track focused on reproductive health. While she’ll still be close to home, Violet hopes to fully immerse herself in college life by spending as much time on campus as possible, while also embracing the independence and opportunities that always tend to come with those first years of life on your own.
Of course, no BT senior year would feel complete without the traditions that make it so memorable. Out of all the events this year, Violet especially loved the senior retreat and prom poems. These moments allowed her to bond with students across the school, something Violet continuously loves about BT. One class that particularly shaped Violet’s high school experience was AP Euro with Mr. Smith. Even though the class was challenging, it ultimately became her favorite because of the impact he had as a teacher. Looking back overall, Violet says her senior year has easily been the highlight of her high school experience.
When it comes to advice for underclassmen, Violet emphasized both ambition and friendship. “Give yourself as many options as possible after high school. Try to get as many opportunities as possible, and don’t be afraid to apply to more schools and scholarships because you never know what you’re going to get.” But perhaps the most meaningful advice she shared came when talking about friendships, as Violet believes finding people who support, encourage, and grow alongside you makes life infinitely more meaningful.
Throughout high school, Violet credits both of her parents as role models. From her father’s work ethic and magnanimity to her mother’s constant advice and encouragement, their influence helped shape the person she has become today. Friends and family also played a major role in helping her grow more confident and comfortable in herself over the years.
To unwind during stressful school weeks, Violet enjoys working out, taking baths, getting ice cream with friends, or simply curling up in bed with fresh sheets and catching up on sleep. Yet even with busy schedules and late nights, journalism remained one of the accomplishments she is most proud of. She loves the work she’s done both on her own as Editor in Chief but also in collaboration with her friends in class: “Meelah and I have become an inseparable duo when it comes to podcasts, getting press passes for Hinterland, and writing stories.”
This summer already holds a lot to look forward to for Violet, including a trip to London with her parents, continuing work as a florist, and taking as many small trips as possible before college begins. However, one of the events she’s looking forward to most is attending the Hinterland Music Festival with friends after earning press passes through journalism.
As graduation approaches, one thing Violet knows she’ll miss most is the closeness of everyday life at BT. “I’ll miss being able to talk to almost everyone I walk past, because of how much we see each other every day.”
Whether through journalism stories, volleyball games, volunteering, or simply her ability to make others feel welcomed and supported, Violet Vacanti has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the BT community. The Verbatim staff wishes Violet the very best at Creighton and cannot wait to see all the incredible things the future holds for her.
