Steamboat Pilot & Today

The bulletin board outside the main office at Steamboat Springs High School is empty for most of the year. Then, at about the same time senioritis becomes rampant, a few motivated seniors begin to count down the days until school ends, hanging up fliers and tearing down one more at the end of each day. Walking by in the morning on the way to first period, the Class of 2007 is constantly reminded that only a handful of days are left until graduation ceremonies Saturday.

In the midst of the stress of last-minute studying for finals, seniors also are enjoying our last few days of high school as well as trying to say goodbye to our friends and teachers.

"I'll always remember our quirky relationships," senior class President Breanne Murray said, "and how everyone got along really well throughout high school, despite our different personalities."

At Steamboat Springs High School this week, it's all about the seniors. Class sponsors Meghan Hanson and Bill Spyker, along with the student class officers, planned events each day to recognize the graduates. Hanson and Spyker worked with the Class of 2007 throughout our four years of high school; both were first-time class sponsors.

"This group of kids has grown from giggly freshmen to nice, young adults," Spyker said. "We're so happy they've made it and grown into such fun and interesting people, but at the same time, (the staff) is sad that they won't be coming back next year."

From freshman homecoming - when the class popped the tires on our flatbed truck that doubled as a parade float - to designing our senior T-shirts in a James Bond theme, the Class of 2007 certainly has left its mark on Steamboat Springs High School.

"This class is one of the best to come through the high school in recent years," Principal Mike Knezevich said. "I really enjoy these students as people."

This Thursday - the graduates' last day of school - classes are shortened for the Senior Assembly. Started last year as a tribute to the graduating class, the assembly is a formal goodbye to the graduates, with an acceptance of next fall's rising seniors.

"It's an opportunity for the whole school to really focus on the seniors," Knezevich said. "It's a chance for us to say goodbye to students who've been in the district, some of them for 12 years."

As for the seniors, our goal is to make the most of our last week of high school. Graduation parties will begin as early as Wednesday and continue through next Sunday.

"I'm excited for the next step in my life," Murray said, "but I know I'll always look back and love my years in high school."