The Class of 2024 started their high school careers on Zoom, with hybrid learning the year after. Those very seniors walked the halls for one last time on May 8 before saying farewell to what can only be called an unusual high school experience.

While many had final exams on Wednesday, the highlight of the day was certainly the paper drop (and early dismissal, just after the third period). Students began gathering on the balcony of Entrance B sometime around 10:15 a.m., depending on when they were dismissed from their class. As they walked over to the stairway, they pulled all of their papers from their folders and backpacks so they could toss them to the ground below.

Seniors lined the stairwell and balcony, awaiting the call to throw their papers onto the ground. Getting a “good” spot at the paper drop is a must, as the area can only accommodate so many people.

The paper drop used to utilize all stairwells, but at some point, certain areas were designated in order to consolidate the mess.

Underclassmen did not want to be left out of the action: they joined together in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) to watch the paper-throwing tradition commence. A few papers trickled down as some seniors were too excited to wait for the call to start.

“They threw the paper before I got there. Their teachers all let them out early, before my teacher did. I was pushing people and trying to throw my papers – I ended up throwing mine way after everyone else did. It was kind of sad,” senior Ava Koch said.

Despite an official start time of 10:26 a.m., some of the seniors got started early; once a few papers went over the railing, others were soon to follow.

“Typically, it happens after third hour, and the students normally wait until the two minute bell for the next hour. They should’ve counted a ‘1,2,3 throw,’ but it didn’t run as smoothly that way this year!” Pep Club adviser Elizabeth Mastroianni said.

The paper-dropping continued for just a few more minutes – students flung over homework assignments, essays, and notes.

“I’m feeling bittersweet, and it’s crazy because everyone’s crying, and I’m not crying,” senior Natalie Fernandez said.

A student throws an entire cardboard box worth of papers from her classes.

“It was a moment of relief and like a weight off my shoulders never having to see another homework paper that I didn’t do ever again,” senior Kylie Doyle said.

As senior Anna Pinkevich looks away in disbelief, senior Gabrielle Christman records the action from her phone, laughing as her peers get into the action.

In fact, it was surprising no phone was dropped considering the number of seniors who hoped to capture one of their final high school experiences at WEGO.

Despite his attempt to remain incognito, senior Owen Payton is spotted tossing his box of school supplies onto the ground.

When the seniors began throwing metal signs, recycling bins, and lifeguard tubes over the railing, Dr. Will Dwyer, principal at WCCHS declared the paper throw over and insisted the seniors exit the building.  Students, including now former reporters Fernando Calvillo-Morales and Oscar Munoz-Granados, went downstairs to say one last goodbye to one another.

A number of juniors examine the aftermath of the paper drop tradition in awe. Although it appeared to be a lot of paper, the janitors cleaned it up in 10 minutes. The janitors at WCCHS are well-aware of the tradition, and are prepared to clean up once it is over.

As the last papers fluttered to the group, Dwyer ushered the remaining seniors out the door.

While the paper drop does leave a considerable mess, it is considered a long-standing tradition.

“It fosters a sense of belonging among all the seniors, as it is something unique for our senior classes. I also think it creates memories for the seniors to carry with them as they move on to whatever is next for them, with these events being so different than the normal school day. It also provides them in a way with closure from high school. They made it to the last day, they can celebrate all they accomplished, they get to enjoy the sunrise bright and early with friends and staff and then they can toss their papers up in celebration that they made it to the last day of high school. I think it is all so special,” Mastroianni said.

After the seniors are permitted – or encouraged – to leave the campus, they were ushered onto the football field to play games and eat food before saying farewell to their classmates (until graduation, that is).

Students are given yard signs to honor the end of their high school experiences. These signs will decorate their yards for months to come.

Seniors Alan Munoz, Ethan Klich, and Carlos Allen receive signs for their achievement of finishing high school careers at WCCHS.

Senior Jake Sweeney departs around 11:30 a.m. from WEGO (seniors had a half day of school due to final exams) in his ISU shirt. The class of 2024 was asked to wear shirts depicting the colleges or trade schools they were attending.

“I was feeling nervous and sad because it’s such a big change going from high school to college, and I would not be in the same classroom with my friends anymore. I was also ecstatic that I completed high school. Congrats to the class of 2024,” Sweeney said.

This story was originally published on Wildcat Chronicle on May 14, 2024.