By Renae Brown

   “It was bittersweet because even though it was an exciting night, it was hard to process the fact that I won’t be on the team next year with everyone,” said senior Taryn Hamilton who, along with other senior athletes, recently concluded their final fall sports season at TPA. 

   However, the seniors did not leave without fanfare. 

   Senior athletes were honored at the Homecoming football game when each person walked across the field and under a TPA-colors balloon arch. They gave a short speech about themselves, a favorite memory,a thanks to a teacher or anything they chose.

   Football and cheer seniors participated before the game began while swim athletes were honored during the half-time break. 

   Additionally, all senior athlete photos were on display in front of the bleachers to highlight the individual competitors. 

   Senior swimmer Niamh Waddell said, “It seemed like everyone liked it,” and remarked how, even though the team lost the homecoming game, the football team played a really good game. 

   The high school girls volleyball team hosted their own senior night in much the same way the football and cheer teams did at homecoming. Players and their parents took photos and walked across the court while the athletic director read their written short speech. These speeches were written by the seniors themselves and were about their time in TPA sports and at the school. The team also gave each senior a personalized water bottle, a light-up sign with their initials, gift cards and letters from team members. 

   The TPA gym that night featured a balloon arch, decorations, signs, athlete photos and personalized poster boards made for and by the graduating senior. “It was super cool to see everything all set up and feel everyone’s support,” said Taryn by email.