The ongoing sound of talking and laughter from all 48 senior girls in attendance was heard from all directions of the Cokley gym and the black box on Friday, April 4. The taste of snacks which were brought from each girl, store-bought and homemade, were shared while a game of dodgeball took place.
With the help of Kara Giesert, Emily Lawler, Riley Neighbors, Kim True and Jessica King, the senior girls STUCO hosted an annual lock-in from nine p.m.
to five a.m.
“I feel like senior girls get into our separate pods throughout high school. I’m excited to be able to see all the girls come together,” senior Jillian Freeman said.
The senior girls’ lock-in is a tradition spanning back 40 years before the COVID 19 virus hit Missouri. Before the tradition was removed, senior girls would spend the night at the high school the day before their courtwarming game. They would use the night to create posters for the school and have a fun time. Since the courtwarming game was on a Friday, the girls slept at the school on Thursday and were still expected to go to classes the next day.
“I’m happy to see the girls to bring this tradition back. Our expectation is for all of the girls to have fun together and have a great night,” Geisert said.
The event was planned by the senior girls in the student council. It was different from former lock-ins because it was on a Friday into a Saturday, so they did not have school the next day. Girls who went watched High School Musical Three, sang karaoke, made friendship bracelets, created posters to hang up during the seniors’ last week of school, made crowns, colored, participated in dodgeball, did crafts, played card games and wrote letters to the incoming freshman girls to provide them with advice about high school.
“I enjoyed spending time with the other girls. There were a variety of different people who came from different social settings and groups, and we all came together when we were doing all of the different activities. It was really special,” senior Caroline Shemwell said.
The gathering allowed the girls to come together and bond with each other before they graduate and go their separate ways. They spent a total of eight hours together.
According to Everyday Speech, “Building social connections in high school has numerous benefits. It provides students with a sense of belonging, fosters positive self-esteem, and promotes emotional well-being. Students with strong social connections are more likely to have better mental health and academic achievement. They feel supported, valued, and motivated to succeed.”
Liberty High School has many traditions for the senior class. They organize events like prom, homecoming, senior skip day, senior breakfast, senior walk, senior sunset/sunrise and more. Most high schools also host experiences like these
for their seniors.
According to Merion Mercy Academy, “Traditions can help to build school spirit and pride, particularly in sports and
other extracurriculars.”
This tradition is expected to return next year. However, currently STUCO is planning senior events for the end of the year.
