On Wednesday, March 31, Wednesday, April 14, and Wednesday, May 5, Gonzaga hosted senior hangouts which included food, drinks and activities for seniors and faculty from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in. For the first one, The Italian Store provided sandwiches, and for the second two, Gonzaga provided pizza. These hangouts gave seniors time to spend with their friends and teachers when they have not been able to during the year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It was cool to see a lot of people that I don’t really see in my classes. You can only really talk to kids who are in your actual classes this year, so being able to see people you haven’t seen in a while was fun,” said Will Lukken, senior.
Lukken attended the first hangout and greatly enjoyed it. He has been trying to get to Eye Street as much as possible during the last couple of months of his high school career. While restrictions sometimes make it difficult, he appreciates what Gonzaga has done to allow seniors to get to campus and spend time with their classmates like they normally would have.
“I think the Gonzaga Fests, senior hangouts and outdoor lunches are great ways to spend time with your friends at school,” Lukken said.
Lukken is not the only student trying to return to campus as much as possible, as many seniors are in the same boat. One senior, Grant Weeter, feels that senior hangouts act as a way to restore some of the community that was lost during virtual school.
‘I’m missing the hallway interactions and the good conversations during lunch,” Weeter said.
Weeter attended the second hangout and thought it felt like pre-COVID times.
“I felt the sense of spirit returning among the seniors there, even in just the hour I attended,” Weeter said.
The senior hangouts, as well as the Gonzaga Fests, provide seniors with the opportunity to end their high school careers with some enjoyment.
“I don’t want to end senior year on a sour note,” Weeter said.
Gonzaga is hosting one more senior hangout on May 12. Any senior can attend these, even if he is not coming to campus that day.