Senior year is always packed with events and traditions that have been staples in Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) history, ranging from college labs and senior skip days to Grad Bash and more. With so many activities going on throughout the year, it can get somewhat hectic to keep track of them all, but here is an inside look at what’s going on and what to look forward to.
To help students with education beyond high school, Pines Charter offers college labs for seniors. College labs are after-school classes held by Ms. Perez and Ms. Maycock three to four times a week, typically differing each week. These labs help direct seniors on how to fill out college applications, how to properly answer questions, and to teach seniors the process of applying to universities.
Seniors also have the option of coming in to ask general questions or stopping by to complete their college applications, so they can have the space and time to do so, while having someone who can help them whenever needed on standby.
With so much going on during the year, it can be somewhat difficult for seniors to keep up. However, the senior group chat helps keep students informed and up to date. Class of 2026 president Emmanuel Baptiste explains that the group chat is used for announcements, school spirit, and informative purposes. The group chat is also used to create community among the senior student body.
“We made that group chat so that we can attempt to unite the class so that everybody can easily contact and connect with one another,” says Julianna Perez, the vice president of the Class of 2026.
Another aspect that the senior group chat is used for is to plan for senior skip days. Most senior skips are unofficial, being coordinated by the student body, where they typically go to the beach or an area where the entire class can come together and hang out in an inclusive way. However, seniors get one official senior skip day approved by Ms. Battle.
Perez says, “[For the one official senior skip day], we asked in the general group chat what day they think it should be, so it can be worth it. [Seniors] are suggesting Halloween since it is on a Friday, but they might also want to save it for prom. The goal is to pick whichever one would be the most beneficial and memorable for everyone.”
With this year’s spirit week coming up, seniors are excited to show off their flyest fits.
Senior Norah Nicholas says, “My favorite spirit week theme is soccer mom versus barbeque dad because I’m excited to see how everyone dresses up.”
While some seniors are looking forward to dressing similar to their parents, others are simply looking for a good time with friends.
“I’m most excited for is Dynamic Duo because I would love to match with my friends and look cute,” says senior Kaylah Josue.
Although some senior events won’t occur until later in the year, such as Grad Bash, prom, and the senior shirt-throwing on their last day of school, Pines Charter Jags are already anticipating these yearly traditions.
“I’m looking forward to Grad Bash because we get to see people from other schools, and I’m really looking forward to bonding with people from other schools and just having fun,” says senior Heavyn Elizee.
Others, however, are more excited about arguably the biggest event of senior year: Prom.
Senior Jaya Knight says, “The senior event that I’m most looking forward to is prom because I’m a fashionista, so I’m ready to figure out what theme we’re having to be able to dress according to it and to just go out and do what I do best.”
Even though senior year can be seen as eventful and exciting to look forward to, some Jags feel bittersweet about this chapter of their life coming to an end.
“I would say it’s extremely bittersweet being a senior and having to leave. I feel already nostalgic over the fact that we’re leaving and over our last years,” says senior Kimberly Lopez. “It feels like we’ve already left and like high school is already over.”
Nonetheless, senior year seems promising for the Class of 2026. In all, the senior class is excited to spend their last year of high school together and cheer each other on ahead of graduation and into the future.
