Soon the class of 2026 will be walking the halls of old middle, and elementary schools, flooded with memories of friendships, and self discovery. With this year’s graduation season approaching, the seniors of West Ottawa are sharing their most memorable moments.

   Sr. Malachi Manning remembers a time in elementary school when his family was falling on hard times that resulted in him having to move. “I had talked to my teacher about what was happening and told her I was going to have to move schools… around Christmas time,” Manning said. On his last day at that school, he found some presents with his stuff. Manning said this always reminds him to “help people in need and to be kind to others.”

   In third grade, Sr. Tori Guerrin’s teacher, Mrs. Bartels, had some kids do an after-school play in her classroom. Every Monday and Friday, they would stay after school to rehearse the scenes. “I am so proud of you. You are the only one being speaking loud enough and you are the most entertaining for me to watch,” Mrs. Bartels said to Guerrin one day. This encouragement has stuck with Guerrin. “I knew right then that all I ever wanted to do was perform and be on stage.” In the same year, Guerrin watched her sister, Kira, perform in the middle school’s production of The Lion King Jr. These events inspired Tori throughout her middle and high school years, as she’s been involved in the productions of many performances.

   In elementary school Sr. Ellie Nelson had her first-ever dance recital. The group had practiced for weeks to get all the steps perfected. “Right as we were about to start, they completely messed up our music… suddenly nothing sounded right,” Nelson said. For a moment the girls panicked as their routine didn’t go as planned. They didn’t give up and did the whole dance by memory. Their hard work paid off as they won first place in the competition. “Looking back, it’s funny now how panicked we were,” Nelson said, as it ended up being one of their best performances. 

   Sr. Eleni Saechao recalls a meaningful moment from her fifth grade graduation. Though it was a small ceremony, one gesture left a big impact on Saechao. “My mother came with flowers… It made me feel appreciated for my hard work,” Saechao said. This experience has stuck with her and has helped shape how she views accomplishments today. “I feel like the littlest thing that people achieved are one of the biggest things to be celebrated,”  

   Sr. Ashten Schwartz Remembers a perfect birthday party he had in middle school where he made great connections and lasting memories. “I had invited a bunch of friends and we messed around for hours,” Schwartz said.  Middle school is a time where kids are finding themselves and the groups they like to hang out with.  Even simple nights full of laughs can be some of the most important at that age.

    With graduation drawing close, these moments remind students of all ages of the important journeys taken to get to where they are. These stories are more than just memories; they show the challenges and accomplishments that have shaped the Class of 2026. As students begin to take their next steps beyond West Ottawa, these experiences will stay with them to remind them of where they started and how far they have come.