Graduation is both an exciting and daunting time in any high schoolers life. Interviews were conducted with alumni and current sixth formers to discuss their senior spring and graduation experiences. Alumni share stories about their senior spring and graduation experience that share many similarities to the present. Current sixth formers discuss the realization that is now setting in with less than one month till graduation. The alumni described the nostalgia they felt looking back while the current sixth formers conveyed happiness and relief. Christopher Chirieleison ‘85, George Kirjanov ‘83, Rocco Bressi ‘23, and Nimalashree Sivakumar ‘23 were interviewed for this article. 

Kirjanov was accepted as an early decision applicant to Wesleyan University, which he believes helped reduce his stress through the rest of the year. Kirjanov felt a great deal of relief when he graduated. He said “You’ve spent most of your life in a formal institution and you’re at the culmination of an 18 year journey, and it feels like you’re about to enter a fantastic next chapter or fall into a precipice.” After graduation Kirjanov said he experienced nightmares that he had unfinished book reports that were due the following morning. When asked about his senior prank Kirjanov said, “There was a student’s car that was moved to the far fields.” He does not remember the prank well, but said the vehicle was not damaged. 

When asked how it feels to be graduating in less than a month Bressi said, “It’s really dawning on me how much time that I have left and it’s kind of scary, but it’s exciting to know that I’m entering a new chapter of my life.” Bressi noted that he’s also sad to be leaving his friendships and dorm life behind. Looking back at his time at Hill, Bressi said “I have a bucket list of things I want to do and I’ve been trying to check off those boxes.” When asked if he has changed throughout his high school years Bressi said “I don’t think I’ve changed too much, I haven’t tried to change for anyone.” 

When Chirieleison was asked about Hill Traditions he said, “ J-Ball was a big tradition which we enjoyed and competed in fiercely, and we had a form of spring dress.” He said that those traditions stood out to him. Chirieleison said that senior sliding was discussed between the students at that time but the administration had a plan in place to combat it. Chirieleison  said that “At that time the faculty and administration had leverage because if we did not finish with a B plus or better we had to take finals.” When asked how it felt to graduate from Hill, Chirieleison said, “I felt a sense of joy, nostalgia, confidence, gratitude, and pride.” 

When Sivakumar was asked what her favorite spring privilege was she said, “I love senior dress because I don’t have to wear a blazer anymore and sometimes it’s really hot.” When asked about senior pranks she said “ There has not been any talk about senior pranks yet, but I’m doing my own subtle senior prank that will live on once I’ve left Hill.” She wishes that the senior pranks could be more spontaneous and not require pre approval. When asked if she feels different looking back from her first day till now she said, “I feel like I’ve gone through a million permutations since I came here as a sophomore, but in so many different ways it feels like I am the exact same person I was when I stepped onto this campus wearing a mask knowing nobody.” 

Graduation brings up a sense of nostalgia in alumni and seniors alike. Many interviewees had similar emotions surrounding the subject of graduation. Many traditions have never gone away such as J-Ball and sixth form dress. The Hill School’s emphasis on community and traditions are highlighted through both alumni and current sixth formers. In regards to graduation Hill stands the test of time, and makes for a generationless connection between graduates and current students.