Reminiscing:
The class of 2026 has spent four years creating unforgettable memories. When asked what moment they would freeze in time, the answer points to the connections they made at Oak Park High School.
“The moment I would freeze from my time at Oak Park would be cheering during the football games,” senior Nicolette Hendizadeh said. “Performing on the track during Friday Night Lights has been the best four years. Not only have I learned how to be a team player, but I’ve also learned so many valuable leadership skills that I will take with me to college and other parts of life.”
Each experience that seniors have had has taught them growth. The shift from a shy freshman to a confident senior is something that many have in common.
“Thinking back to entering high school in freshman year to now, I’ve changed how I view experiences and myself,” Hendizadeh said. “In freshman year, I was always putting pressure on myself to get the best grades, which took a huge toll on my mental health. Almost four years later, I’ve realized that school is more than just getting the best grades. It’s also about the memories you make with friends and classmates because before you know it, we all will be graduating and saying goodbye to OPHS.
Like many other seniors, Katya Clark remembers the little things she will leave behind in high school.
“I love driving to school with my sister every Monday,” Clark said. “We blast music and have so much fun. I’m really going to miss her and driving there every morning.”
Beyond small victories, the class of 2026 has become a united front through school events. Community did not come just during senior year, but also in moments as an underclassman.
“After coming close multiple times, even losing by one point to the [former] seniors, our grade finally won a rally in our sophomore year,” senior Mahad Mahmood said. “We finally overcame our lack of spirit and managed to win most of the games. I’ve never seen a class more excited than the Class of 2026 that day.”
Advice:
Reminiscing on their last four years, seniors look back on the good and the bad.
“One thing I definitely found myself stressing over as an underclassman was my grades,” senior Elle Markham said. “Don’t get me wrong, grades are definitely important and shape future opportunities for everyone, but younger me constantly found herself stressing out over a B on a test or inching closer and closer towards a lower A. It’s only now, after college decisions have come out and I’m watching as people I’ve grown up next to are finding their place in the world, and for the next four years, that I realize it just wasn’t that serious.”
Hyperfixating on grades and obsessing over test scores is a common theme among the class of 2026. Despite succeeding in the classroom, many seniors wish they had taken more time to pursue other passions. When asked what advice they would give to incoming freshmen, students gave a variety of answers.
“One thing I stressed about as an underclassman was not being able to manage everything in my life,” Bangera said. “However, in senior year, I learned to balance my school life with my social life by setting time aside to lock in while still going out with my friends.”
While reflecting on their high school success, some students share things they would have done differently.
“I wish I had been involved in Youth and Government earlier because I joined my junior year and was able to talk with so many people who are passionate about government,” senior Triya Bangera said. “The trips were so much fun, too. I loved working with such smart and involved people from all over the state.”
Looking to the Future:
Graduation is approaching quickly, and seniors are preparing to leave the campus for the last time.
“It’s a mix of everything,” Clark said. “A little bit of fear, so much excitement, but an equal amount of sadness. These are the people I’ve grown up with, and now I’m moving halfway across the country to start a brand new life. Yes, it’s exciting, and I can’t wait for the new opportunities and people, but I’m going to miss my friends and family.”
Navigating the departure from high school is not just a physical transition. Seniors have to make choices about what skills to carry on and mistakes to leave behind.
“For leaving behind, it’s definitely worrying about what others will think of my interests and actions, especially if I am passionate about them,” Mahmood said. “The part of my identity that I will for sure bring with me to college is being sociable, and connecting with as many different people as I can, in as many different environments as possible.”
Many OPHS seniors hold leadership positions in organizations. Leaving high school for them means stepping away from titles, without losing the lessons they learned.
“One piece of my identity that I hope to leave behind is the leadership and community that I was a part of at Oak Park cheer and ASB,” Hendizadeh said. “Being cheer captain and class president this last year has been such an honor and has taught me how to make relationships and take initiative, which will both be valuable skills that I will take with me after I graduate.”
Students share optimism about what their peers can accomplish. When looking a decade in the future, seniors are confident that they will create something extraordinary.
“I think that this class has some of the highest potential of all the OPHS graduates,” Clark said. “I can see people going on to serve in high-ranking positions in government, managing Fortune 500 companies and running their own hospitals. The legacy of this class is going to be as big and impactful as the individuals who make it up.”
