By Halle Fukawa | Editor in Chief

   On April 28, it was announced that Gabrielino High School’s administration, Senior Parent Committee, and ASB will be hosting activities throughout the month of May for the senior class. These activities will culminate with graduation at the Santa Anita Race Track on June 8. 

   Although “Senior Countdown to Graduation” will not start until May, ASB held activities in April, including the distribution of senior crowns the week of April 4, the Senior Court nominations and coronation during the Senior Night football game on April 17, and the distribution of lawn signs on April 23.

   The Senior Court, a substitution for the annual Homecoming Court, opened nominations to seniors April 7-9, before the voting of the court on April 14 and the coronation on April 17. The 10 court members included princes Curtis Chen, Josuet Cueto, Ethan Munsayac, Preston Yeung, and Eric Zhang, as well as princesses Halle Fukawa, Irene Liao, Bianca Lua, Joann Ma, and Jessica Potter.

Cueto and Fukawa were crowned king and queen, respectively. [Full Disclaimer: the writer was named Senior Queen of the Senior Court after this article was assigned to her].

   “I definitely think that being Senior Court King made a difference my senior year. It brightened [my year] and gave me some hope,” explained Cueto. “I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me.”

   During an administration-held webinar on April 28, the senior calendar was officially announced, showcasing a variety of activities.

   The week of May 3 will be College and Career week, followed by Memory week starting on May 10. The week of May 17 will be Prom Week.

The seniors’ final social activity before graduation will be Senior Sunset on May 28. Senior Awards and Senior Check Out will both take place on June 3.

   Although the planning of these activities requires months of preparation, the changing health and safety guidelines caused delays in finalizing the events. 

   “[The activities] this year [are] so much more important because the Class of 2021 has lost almost their entire senior year, in addition to the end of their junior year,” stated ASB Advisor Edith Gonzalez. “We want to do what we can, within the restrictions we are given, to provide seniors with the traditional senior activities GHS has come to know.”

   Despite the fact that some activities will not be the same as they were in previous years, the work that has gone into planning reflects the sentiment of Gabrielino faculty and family members. 

   “I hope that our seniors do not let this experience diminish their hopes and dreams,” said Principal Sharron Heinrich. “Graduating from high school and being able to seize opportunities in a new world is exciting—don’t let the disappointment of the last year get in your way.”