As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, the senior class has begun to reflect on the times they’ve had here at DGN. This article, a compilation of various interviews with class of 2026 students, offers an exclusive perspective on this past year and what the final stretch entailed.
Music is a big part of a lot of people’s lives as it can be used to express oneself, to disconnect from reality, or just to relax and listen to a good tune. When asked what song reminds them of their final year at DGN, here is what the seniors had to say.
“Deli by Ice Spice,” senior Brendan Hecht said.
“Where’d all the time go? By Dr. Dog,” senior Aubrey Chiarelli said.
“Landslide,” senior Alex McDonald said.
“I go back by Kenny Chesney,” senior Max Troha said.
“Where Did All the Time Go?” senior Reese Lamantia said. “It will forever remind me of my senior year. I resonate with this song because it reminds me of our time in quarantine and how it had felt like we had such a long time until we’d leave for college.”
“The song Semi-Charmed Life is the embodiment of my senior year so far,” senior Joe Lasota said.
“Bellas Final song from Pitch Perfect,” senior Sawyer Hansen said.
“Landslide by Fleetwood Mac,” senior Hailey Garrity said.
An entire school year is a lot of time for students to encounter new experiences. For the senior class, a lot of these opportunities arose.
“Being the oldest child, I had to learn to navigate the college admissions process by myself,” Chiarelli said. “It was really difficult at first, but eventually you get the hang of it.”
“Some new experiences I had this past year were going out for cross country, getting my yoga certification, and getting a new hostessing job,” LaMantia said.
“Learning how to handle more pressure and responsibility on my own since I had to make important decisions about my future while still keeping up with school,” Garrity said.
People may say that during senior year, everyone “comes together”. While it stands true for some, it might not for others, but even then, their relationships are guaranteed to fluctuate in some way during this final run.
“I think that the friendship dynamics have gone through a drastic change for the better. Senior year makes you mature faster than any other year because you realize how close you are to being on your own,” Chiarelli said. “Because of that, it makes you not only appreciate the people in your life more, but also navigate any disagreements or conflicts better. I think I’ve gotten so much closer with my friends this year, especially the girls, because I realize that a year from now we will be apart and pursuing different things, and it makes me want to make the most of the time I have left with all of them.”
“I believe friendship dynamics changed in my senior year when everyone came together and became friends with everyone,” LaMantia said.
“My friendships became stronger through new teams I pursued and bonding with friends over our plans for the future,” Garrity said.
“Before senior year, a lot of friend groups hung out exclusively with the people they were comfortable with. Different groups didn’t really mesh with each other that well, and the dynamic seemed a little off. I think that now, as seniors, a lot of us have realized that we don’t have much time left together, so it’s important that we take a step outside of our comfort zone and hangout with people we normally wouldn’t have. It has been really cool seeing everyone hang out together and seeing new friendships grow instead of being separated,” Troha said.
“Everyone became better friends senior year because we all understand that we don’t have much time left together,” LaSota said.
Looking back on how the year turned out, there are tons of reflections on both regrets and highlights. The distinctiveness of senior year makes it an incomparable time of school that will never be forgotten.
“Senior spring break was my favorite vacation I’ve ever gone on,” Chiarelli said. “I think I will forever look back at senior year and think of it. In addition, the concerts I’ve been to were amazing, and I attended more this school year than I ever have.”
“Some highlights of senior year would be the NFL games, spending time with friends, and ice cream runs,” LaMantia said
“Senior night was such a full circle moment. It was so special and I had the best time with my team,” Hansen said.
“Making one last run to the Final Four in my senior year of football, and knocking Glenbard West off on their home field. The experiences we made during that playoff run will stick with me for a lifetime, and I have to say those were some of the most fun times I have ever had in athletics,” Troha said. “Also eating the school nachos every day.”
“Cheering on the football team every FNL, senior spring break trip, and our comp cheer season,” Garrity said.
With these reflections come lessons, and just like the experiences themselves, they will stick with you for a lifetime. After living through it themselves, here are some bits of advice the graduating seniors have to offer.
“Have a bunch of fun,” Hecht said.
“Focus on your relationships, and build a strong foundation with them before you leave. Be empathetic, and truly go into every situation you have with integrity,” Chiarelli said. “These things are important because it will make sure that you look back on your senior year with no regret, and be proud of the person you were. It’s obvious you will change a lot after your senior year, but kindness is a trait you would never regret having.”
“Spend time with your friends and don’t care about what people say or think of you,” Hansen said.
“Try out things that you have never done before because you don’t want to leave high school regretting not doing something,” Troha said. “The year is going to fly by, so embrace the time you still have with all of your hometown friends.”
“Try to enjoy every moment because it goes by so quickly,” LaMantia said.
“Don’t wait for things to be perfect and enjoy the moment. Make time for friends and memories because the year goes by faster than you expect,” Garrity said.
“Enjoy it and don’t take anything for granted,” McDonald said.
With time passing quickly and events and opportunities rising left and right, the correct balance of a social life on top of everything else is tricky. Every student in any grade knows this, but during the final year of high school, the stress to balance everything perfectly is real. Understanding how to deal with this is a key part to enjoying this last year.
“Honestly, I had to sacrifice many weekends to studying and doing homework. I got a lot of FOMO during these times, but on Sunday when I had everything done and no worries for school the next day, I was happy with my decision,” Chiarelli said.
“I was able to manage school and social life by doing my homework before I went out with friends,” LaMantia said.
I feel confident saying this year’s group of seniors is an exceptional group that is comprised of some of the most creative, kind, inviting, encouraging, and authentic people. (It’s not like I’m biased or anything). I have proof to show it, let’s take a look at some of their accomplishments.
“I’m proud of myself for earning West Suburban Silver All-Conference honors in football,” Troha said. “After a tough junior year where I still performed well but was dealing with injuries all season, I fell short of being named All-Conference. This past off-season, I fully bought into every single aspect of the team, and it paid off.”
“I am on the honor roll and was a dual sport varsity athlete this year,” Hecht said.
“I got into Indiana Kelley School of Business! This was a goal of mine for so long and it felt like all my effort from the years prior actually paid off,” Chiarelli said. “I think that I have always wanted to make something of myself since I was young, and high school was where I had to put in the work to have the opportunity to do so. Every time I lacked motivation to do something, I reminded myself that no one in the world reaches their biggest goals without putting in immense effort.”
“I am most proud of winning Defensive MVP for football. I really struggled in the beginning of the season, but with determination, and great coaching I was able to find success in the sport I love,” LaSota said.
“I’m most proud of being able to stay motivated with the help of my teachers to finish the year strong,” Garrity said.
While it might be a cliche we hear time and time again, it really is the truth. Time seems to move slowly at the moment, but after taking an outside look, the weeks and months get away like seconds and minutes. Now that the quickly elapsing time is almost up, the seniors are faced with a new chapter of life. One they get to choose their path every step of the way.
“I feel nervous but super excited to be starting a new chapter of my life,” Lamantia said. “Having such a great group of friends around me is what helped me prepare for this new change.”
“I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Senior year helped prepare me by pushing me to be more independent, which makes this transition feel more real and manageable,” Garrity said.
“My hometown is special, but I am ready to expand my horizon, meet new people, and overcome hardship in my next adventure,” Lasota said.
“It’s the most bittersweet feeling I’ve ever felt. On one hand, I know that this next chapter is going to be filled with so many new and amazing experiences, but on the other hand, it scares me to know that the dynamic of my life is about to change into something i’ve never experienced, and that it won’t ever go back to this,” Chiarelli said. “I think that while that is scary for sure, it’s also so exciting. Things won’t ever be the same, but I’ve realized that doesn’t mean it isn’t changing for the better.”
