On Aug. 24 at Columbus Field, the first of a series of senior class bonding activities, a kickball game and picnic, occurred. Roughly 50 seniors attended the event, which had an admission fee of a food item for the picnic. “Even more people came out than we expected,” Senior Class Activities Coordinator (and brother of Class President Lauren Anderson) Will Anderson said, Senior Class Vice President Vanessa Amoah was also pleased with the turnout and how the event as a whole came out, saying, “It went exceptionally well, we all had fun and played a fair game of kickball. We even danced on the bleachers.”  

This event was planned by the senior class officers, with Senior Class President Lauren Anderson and Amoah expressing their hope that the events help unify the Senior Class and break through artificial divisions that have been formed since each students’ Freshman year. “We’ve been divided into cliques over the first few years of high school; it may sound cliché, but senior year really is all about coming together,” Lauren said, “these events will be a great way to break these cliques and help us all create a new network of support and friends.”  

Amoah echoed these same sentiments, saying, “We all come from around town but the one thing we have in common is we will all graduate and take the next step into life together. We want the Senior class to have a strong foundation. Community is so important, especially when leaving high school.” 

“I just want the senior class to be the closest and strongest group of people there has ever been at Central,” Will explained in his hopes for the events. 

While the specific number of future senior activities is unclear, the senior class officers do plan to hold further class bonding activities. “Honestly, the planning has been pretty good. We’ve had some healthy debate about how realistic some of the ideas are,” Lauren said, explaining how though no proposals have been officially finalized, several proposals have been put forward by the officers. 

“I would like to take a senior trip,” Amoah suggested, “possibly go to an arcade or bowling alley so we can just enjoy each other’s company.”  

Lauren has also suggested some proposals herself, including a fall activity at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and a movie night in the school’s gym for the senior class.  

“Hint: ice skating,” was what Will had to say on the topic of potential future events. 

Lauren, whose main campaign promise was to alleviate mental health issues in the student body, expressed some of her hopes that these bonding activities will help to further her pledge. “With larger friend groups and more integration of cliques, I think these events will fortify students’ mental health by forming connections and establishing a support network.” Lauren then stated that she and the officers plan to have the proceeds of future events go to charities aimed at alleviating mental health problems. “September is suicide prevention month and October has mental health awareness week; lift each other up, get to know each other.”