By Cindy Jin, Contributing Writer |

On a usual April morning, as you arrive at 103 Pilgrim Road, you hear enthusiastic cheering and yelling by the front doors, and realize it is not your usual April morning. As you make your way to the main entrance, seniors greet you with friendly smiles and spirited cheers, and welcome you into the building (though only after drawing an ‘x’ on your hand). The day proceeds with stolen chairs, a bouncy house, and unexpected announcements about fairytales and magic on the loudspeaker. 

Senior Prank Day is only one of Winsor’s senior traditions, and one of the most beloved by students. Helen Huang ’29 adds that “this year, the villain, princess, and hero theme was so funny to read.” Huang also notes the importance of Senior Prank Day in the community, and that “it’s just a great way for the seniors and the entire Winsor community to have fun at the end of seniors’ high school career.”

Along with Senior Prank Day, the senior theme makes seniors’ last year at Winsor extra special. This year, the seniors chose the theme, “Once upon a time…,” and Wang says that she finds the theme “really heartwarming because just like in a fairytale, all the seniors went through a lot of trials and tribulations.” Huang adds, “I think this theme embodies their class…because high school really feels like you’re living your own fairytale.” 

Senior Day is also a special day when each senior gets to be celebrated by a Class V student. Huang states, “I feel like Senior Day is really cool because you get to make a poster for and celebrate a senior whom you look up to, and being able to celebrate their success and their high school career was really fun.” 

Additionally, after their final day of classes, seniors work on their Independent Learning Experience (ILE) projects, which can be on any topic of the seniors’ choosing. Mr. Mirelman says that these ILE projects are his favorite senior traditions because he “get[s] to see a different side of them and watch them do something they’re really passionate about.”

As commencement approaches and seniors’ time at Winsor comes to a close, their memories here, and students’ memories of them, will remain; these traditions allow the community to make lasting memories together during seniors’ final year at Winsor. Seniors, like a fairytale, we will remember and reminisce upon your time at Winsor long after you leave 103 Pilgrim Road. We wish you the best of luck as you enter the next chapter of your fairytale!

Image Source: Helen Huang