The word resonated as the Class of 2015 picked up their crowns from the Principal’s Patio. On what would become their last first day of school, the seniors expressed their seniority by following MLEC’s tradition: senior crowning.

For some, the crown represents three years of hard work, stressful days, and lifetime memories created at MLEC. For others, it’s a symbol of impending senioritis and a sign that their time in public education is close to concluding.

Class officers worked tirelessly to ensure that every senior would get the opportunity to receive a crown–no matter how sick of spray paint and stencils they got.

But what makes senior crowning such a memorable event is that it creates a sense of unity throughout the senior class. Throughout the day, seniors greeted other seniors with pride as they flaunted their crowns because they made it to one of the biggest years of their lives.

“Although they’re just cardboard crowns, they give the feeling of having a higher status than others as a senior,” said Emil Marquez, a senior in the IT academy.

On top of that, not only is a sense of family and unity instilled in the senior class, but also in the teachers and administration who get to see another group of brilliant students make it to the end of the road.

Even Mr. Parker and Ms. Castro joined in on the festivities, posing in pictures and proudly watching Class of 2015 engage in the first of many senior activities.

Another aspect of senior crowning is the decorations. Some are ready to be seen as royalty and go for a bedazzled, over-the-top design for their crown, while others decorate their crowns more akin to their tastes.

After all, it’s not long until those crowns become graduation caps.