I found myself surrounded with classmates, all chanting “1-5!” at the top of our lungs. Between the mosh of overly-ecstatic peers and numb feet from being jumped on too many times, I became invigorated with pride for my class, feeling as if it is finally our time and we deserve to celebrate how far we’ve come.

Through the flailing arms I peeked over to the other classes expecting them to be watching in admiration as I remember doing myself in the years past. However, this year was different. Instead of awe-filled eyes set on the senior class, each class was doing their own version of the seniors roll, all chanting their class numbers.

Silly as it may sound, seniors hold the honorary title as upperclassmen in high regard. My peers expressed a range of emotion from “insulted” to “violated” of our seniority rights during the events of the last pep rally. Feeling as if we deserve the respect that comes with making it through these four years, letting us do our cheer in isolation of other classes isn’t asking much.

Some KHS traditions may not be engraved into stone or on display, but are to be inherently accepted and respected among all classes. There is no handbook that declares Senior Skip day or Toga Night or any other traditions that make Kirkwood unique. It is assumed each class knows their roles in order to make these traditions last.

So feeling like the “our time” is being trumped by other classes, we get defensive. Personally, I wasn’t upset the underclassmen were stealing our thunder more than I was disappointed that they broke tradition. In the past, underclassmen stayed in the bleachers and did not stampede the court. It should be a lesson to all underclassmen to follow this tradition and not to interfere with the seniors cheer.

Coming together as a class to cheer is one of my favorite parts of being a senior as it brings on a whole new level of community. The anticipation leading up to that moment is what makes it so special.

To the underclassmen: your time will come where you too can experience what it is like to feel this new level of gratification for your class. Until then, respect the seniors tradition. During the victory call cheer as loud as you can and have pride for your class. But when it comes to the senior chant, honor the tradition and let the seniors have their moment.