As the fall season came to its close, so did its sports, and nothing is quite as bittersweet as the goodbyes the seniors must say to the sports they’ve grown to cherish. For many, this is not such an easy task, hence the reason each sport dedicates one game per season as its “Senior Game,” a game in which the seniors get the spotlight, recognizing them for their hard work, dedication, and passion towards their sport. This game encompasses more than just a regular match. Parents and family members are invited onto the field before the game in order to take pictures and celebrate their athletes, which helps create a lasting memory seniors can cherish for years to come.
Undoubtedly, what each and every senior feels during this game varies. Some may be fearful of the end, while others may see it as a tribute to their passion. Nonetheless, what is similar amongst all is an unparalleled experience, according to senior Theresa Urzi, who plays on the field hockey team.
“[My senior game was] something I can only describe as surreal,” she said. ”To see the stands filled with family and support was the first time I felt dread for the end of the season. My teammates made it all the more hard at the end of the day to say goodbye.”
Unlike Urzi, however, senior Varsity Soccer player Anthony Guaman felt the experience was more satisfying than sad.
“Having only started playing high school soccer at Nanuet my junior year, winning 4-0 in my senior game was an awesome feeling,” Guaman said.
As Urzi held feelings of sadness and Guaman held feelings of bliss, no two senior game experiences were ever truly the same. The same principle applies for senior football player Jonathan Diaz, who possessed a unique take away from his game.
“Although I did not get in for too many plays, being a part of the ceremony provided me a feeling of recognition for all the hard work I have put into the program for the past six years,” he said “My love for being a part of the team and helping in any way that I can [is the best part about football].”
In and of itself, each senior’s experience for their senior game is special, and what makes it truly special are the many distinct takeaways one can have from such a night. Whether or not it is feelings of grief, joy, or admiration, the fact that seniors have a night where they can be filled with such intense emotion, makes for an utterly unforgettable experience, an experience which all of these senior athletes undoubtedly have earned from their unquestionable love and dedication for their sport.