The Senior Class of 2013 begins its final year of high school with one of TJ’s richest traditions: Senior Sleep-out.
Seniors set up their tents on the softball field and prepare for a fun night. Photo By Amanda Koziol
On the night of August 26th, much of the class of 2013 gathered out on the softball field for a night filled with bonding and fun before they greeted the freshmen in the morning.
This was the third year of the resurrected tradition from TJ’s past, and the seniors this year couldn’t wait to get it started. “It was a lot of fun and a great way to start off my senior year with all of my friends,” said Senior Marcus Allen.
The night began with the seniors hanging out and setting up their tents. Some students brought beach balls and Frisbees to pass around while others brought beach chairs to sit on and talk with their friends. For dinner there was a barbecue with lots of little snacks such as chips and cookies. Once every one had eaten and as the sun set, the movie A Haunting In Connecticut was projected while bags of popcorn were handed out. At 11 o’clock, the movie ended and it was time for students to head off to their tents. It was supposed to be a time for Spartans to get some sleep before greeting the freshmen so they wouldn’t be exhausted in the morning, but that didn’t stop many seniors from staying up. After a summer away from their friends, this was a time to catch up. “The senior sleep out was excellent. Everyone who was there looked like they were having a good time and the administration, faculty, and district were very happy,” said Senior Class Sponsor, Matt Santambrogio. “I was apprehensive at first, but it surprisingly went smoothly and was well run and lifted my hopes for the year.”
Before the campers knew it, it was six in the morning and time to wake up and get ready to greet the freshmen. Little did they know that when they were all still sleeping, CBS 4 News was reporting on the sleep out right next to the softball field. Denver Public School’s superintendent, Tom Boasberg, also made an appearance and shook some of the students’ hands. By seven, all the seniors were lined up at the front doors, creating a path towards the auditorium, greeting the freshmen with loud cheers and claps. Some were holding up signs that said “2013 loves 2016” and “Welcome Class of 2016!”
“It felt so good to be the one cheering on the freshmen and welcoming a new class of Spartans,” said Allen. “Welcoming the freshman showed me that this is ‘it,’ and I’ve come a long way with my fellow seniors since our freshman year; but it also made me sad because pretty soon we will be graduating and we won’t be Spartans anymore.”
Like Allen, the senior sleep out marked both the beginning and the end for many seniors. It is the beginning of a great year, but the end of their high school career. “This is it and I have to make the best out of my senior year,” exclaimed Allen.
TJ Principal, Sandra Just, was pleased with the sleep out. “The leaders did a nice job and the seniors brought a lot of energy while welcoming the freshmen. Everyone looked like they were having fun,” she said
Senior Mariah Linton was also satisfied with the event, and said, “It was a lot of fun and it was great bonding as seniors. We were really happy that we were able to keep the tradition alive and we were successful in making the freshmen feel welcome.”
The Senior Class of 2013 would like to thank the following people for making the senior sleep out possible: Sandra Just, Matt Santambrogio, Carole Fulkerson, Cindy Allen, Ivory Allen, Gabrielle Gerlits, Amy Lucero, Susan Deutch, Gunther Cueva, Elizabeth Repensek, Waunetta Vann, and Derek Steffes.
School is in session and it’s time to prepare for an amazing year. Welcome to the Spartan family, Class of 2016!
