Senior gifts are a widely recognized tradition across the nation where graduating students donate funds or items to their school to leave a legacy, support future students, and express appreciation. Fossil has received gifts that leave a lasting mark and improve the underclassmen experience.
The class officers consist of four seniors, with senior Kate Miller as acting president. Meredith McGowen and Kara Laine are the senior class sponsors, helping the officers pick how to spend the gift budget.
“The class this year was really focused on giving back. At first, they wanted to donate to a charity, but we were like, how can we serve Fossil? They put a lot of time and energy into this, and I think it’s a pretty good year,” said McGowen.
As graduation approaches, the Senior Class Officers decide on what they want to leave behind once they leave. Previous gifts include new flex lab tables, TVs, the Fang statue in the cafeteria, and the stone outside the entrance.
“We worked through about 20 different options for gifts. We got input by the admin on what they wanted. We sent out a form to the entire senior class to see what they wanted,” said Miller.
Assistant principal and activities director, Brad Nye, took the role to support the class officers in 2009.
“It’s a chance to thank Fossil for what they’ve contributed to your class for four years, then try to make the student experience even better for the future Sabercats coming. It’s a pay-it-forward opportunity,” said Nye.
The budget for each year’s gift is funded by the previous year’s prom ticket sales.
“Whatever is left over from the supplies needed for the end of year tunnel, money for the barbecue, that’s the bucket of money they work with to determine what they’re going to do for a senior class gift,” said Nye.
This year, three gifts will be revealed and explained at graduation during the treasurer’s speech.
“One of them is going to help the new students get around the building. One helps struggling students at Fossil, and our last one is something with athletics, with the mascots,” said Miller.
Whether it’s a simple bench or a scholarship fund, senior gifts represent future and past classes, keeping generations connected.