In the past, the board room at Sewanhaka has been repeatedly utilized to host events, staff meetings, and assemblies. However, this past year, it earned a new title: The Senior Lounge. This newly designated space provided the senior Class of 2026 with a place to relax during free periods, talk with friends during lunch, and celebrate various senior activities during their final year at this school.
The idea behind transforming the board room into a senior lounge was to both provide a comfortable environment and address concerns about seniors’ whereabouts during their free periods. Rather than leaving seniors to wander around the hallways during the school day or leave the school during class periods, the Senior Lounge gave them a place to go whenever necessary to socialize.
The Class of 2026 overwhelmingly enjoyed the Senior Lounge from the day that it became open to them, as the posters from senior events displayed on the wall throughout the year showcased their appreciation for the room that is now dedicated to them. Mr. Kenny, the principal of Sewanhaka High School, agrees and believes that it led to several benefits for the Class of 2026. “It helps them make plans. I really believe that this year’s senior class has had the most activities since I’ve been here, and I think it has a lot to do with you guys being able to share ideas with each other rather than being in a big cafeteria.” Over the course of the Class of 2026’s final year, the Senior Lounge became a central gathering point for events like the Senior Breakfast and Senior Week. Fatima Khan, the president of the Class of 2026, says, “A lot of fun moments and friendships grew stronger here, which made senior year feel even more special.”
While it is evident that the Senior Lounge generated a social atmosphere and improvements in attendance for seniors, it also came with a few challenges throughout the year. One of the most common issues involved the cleanliness of the space, as some seniors frequently forgot to throw away garbage, clean tables, and organize chairs before leaving the room. As Mr. Kenny emphasizes that the Senior Lounge is “just like your home,” maintaining a clean and respectful environment is especially important to demonstrate that seniors can handle the privilege of having their own separate space. Because of this, staff and school administrators reminded seniors of treating the Senior Lounge with the same respect expected in any shared school space. These guidelines were in place to prevent the room from being taken away as a privilege if expectations were not met. “For the future, this is going to be the new senior lounge moving forward. And I think there’s so many benefits,” says Mr. Kenny.
Overall, the Senior Lounge has proven to be a meaningful addition to Sewanhaka and the Class of 2026. Khan highlights that the Senior Lounge “became more than just a room,” making their senior year “exciting, meaningful, and unforgettable.” It successfully helped improve seniors’ by offering a place where lasting memories could be made as their chapter comes to an end. The Senior Lounge has largely achieved its purpose and left a lasting impact on the senior class. In Mr. Kenny’s words, “In the Senior Lounge, you’re all together. And I think that’s a great opportunity for bonding.” This special area will remain a valuable resource for future senior classes to enjoy.
