Macy Goldberg

Seniors line up in the heat to have their final yearbook photos taken.

Students lined up on the path from the quad to the Meeting House, sweating in their formalwear, antsy and geared-up for senior portraits. After the long, hot Labor Day weekend, the class of ‘24 showed up to school ready to take their photos during lunch and M block. The sight of seniors dressed in business casual attire made it obvious who had come prepared to say cheese!

Some irritated seniors complained about the impracticality of the timing of the photographing. Students had to wait until 1 o’clock, 5 hours after the start of the school day, to take their photos. Some touched up their outfits in the bathroom in hopes that their morning efforts would last.

Another hot topic in Senior Hall was Friends School’s nontraditional style of senior portraits. Several seniors commented that having a cap and gown is a symbol of accomplishment and an iconic part of graduating. 

“Even if it isn’t a requirement at Friends, there should still be an option to wear a cap and gown [in a portrait] if desired,” said senior Ky Mason. Ja’la Fuller agreed, and several other seniors nodded. This was something they had waited for, they said – and it didn’t match the image they had in their heads.

Amid the portrait discussion, seniors are thinking about the milestones passing: the start of their final year at Friends, their final yearbook pictures. For the class of ‘24, this is the beginning of the home stretch.