It’s six p.m. Student Government Association (SGA) members and advisor Nancy Altimore place the finishing touches on the cafeteria’s Senior Square. They are preparing to welcome the Class of 2026’s Outstanding Senior Leaders, a years-long Pines Charter tradition honoring seniors who have made a significant impact on the school community.
“One of the things that I think is important about keeping [this tradition] going is that it’s a reflection for the parents to see the hard work that they have done come to fruition,” says Altimore. “It’s important for everybody to recognize that in a high school, yes, your teachers, your administrators, everyone who is an adult here is very important, but [the students] are really what it’s all about.”
SGA, however, is missing one crucial member: SGA President and 2026 Outstanding Senior Leader Janeyliz Baez.
“Being nominated for this award for SGA while simultaneously planning the Outstanding Senior Leader ceremony is a very unique position, and it’s very special to me because I get to see both sides of the coin,” says Baez. “Throughout the year, SGA has planned so many events, so having the opportunity to attend the SGA event for probably the first time and being able to experience the event being put together was such a special and memorable moment in my life.”
The dinner included speeches from Principal Peter Bayer and teachers. It is the most intimate event at PPCHS, since only the students and their families are invited, whereas the Senior Awards celebrate a much larger group of students.
“I really think it’s one of the neat things that we do. It’s so much more personal than a giant banquet hall, where they just say your name and maybe your GPA. These kids have done so much, and they deserve to be recognized for the impact that they left on the school,” says Principal Peter Bayer. “There are things here, like Ryan doing the Veterans Garden, all the things Julianna did with the CHAT, the amazing influence of Robertzsa in Debate. It’s just so amazing to see Asiya with Science Olympiad and just all of the work that they’ve done that other kids will benefit from; it’s worth taking the time to recognize them.”
The accolade is extra special to some seniors. For example, winner Robertzsa Joseph struggled with a speech impediment for most of her life, but worked through it to pursue her passion for debate and public speaking. Joseph’s diligence culminated in her being awarded Outstanding Senior Leader by Debate teacher Kelly Schwab, who delivered a profound and heartfelt speech commemorating Joseph’s impact on the Debate Team.
“When I was a freshman, I felt a lot of pressure to try to make an impact on my clubs, get into a good college, but I think what surprised me the most is that I ended up enjoying it,” Joseph shares. “I joined debate kind of as a dare to myself, because… I’ve always struggled with public speaking because I was born with a speech impediment, and over time, debate became something I looked forward to because not only did I grow my public speaking [skills], but I was able to make friends and help underclassmen.”
The Outstanding Senior Leader Ceremony is particularly important to the seniors’ friends as well. Senior Xavier Reid-Morgan, who helped spearhead the event and ensured it ran smoothly, recalls his relationships with each of the winners, some of which he has cherished for nearly a decade.
(Adia Smith)
“I got to know these people over the course of four years, and some of them I’ve known since middle school. I’m so proud to see them get honored for all of the hard work they’ve done because I’ve seen everything they’ve done since they were young,” Reid-Morgan explains. “Julianna has been so interested in journalism since middle school; Robertzsa has been a go-getter from the start; I’ve associated Ryan with Military Leadership Club since freshman year; Asiya is such a strong-willed, compassionate person, and she took Science Olympiad and turned it into something grand; Janeyliz has been in SGA since freshman year, and her [passion] as well with journalism.”
At the end of the dinner, the small group ventured to the office, where the 2026 Outstanding Senior Leader Plaque had already been mounted on the wall. Each face represents a different facet of PPCHS culture and community, honoring the student body and the 2026 Outstanding Senior Leaders who have shaped it.
