Senior Traditions: Old and New  

Seniors+have+the+option+of+decorating+their+graduation+cap+for+their+big+day.+Many+students%2C+such+as+Jason+Zhizpon%2C+choose+to+get+it+signed+by+their+friends+to+commemorate+their+final+year+at+Pace.+

Jason Zhizhpon

Seniors have the option of decorating their graduation cap for their big day. Many students, such as Jason Zhizpon, choose to get it signed by their friends to commemorate their final year at Pace.

Christina Bubba, Editor-in-Chief

As seniors prepare for graduation, Pace is hosting a slew of events to ease their nerves and celebrate their accomplishments. What used to be a string of parties, such as “Townhouse (TH) Day,” has since evolved into events planned by student run organizations such as Student Government Association (SGA).

Since its termination in 2015, many students may not have heard about TH Day. As described by Dean Lisa, it began as a day where Townhouse residents celebrated the end of the year, but over the years, it turned into a safety concern with outside visitors coming to visit. There was also an issue with substance abuse, which in conjunction with the safety hazard, led the university to end TH Day.

“There were many meetings with the student body on why the day could not be held any longer,” Dean Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo said. “While it was a difficult decision, many students understood the reason behind it.”

TH Day was not the lone event that Pace lost over the years, but new events are presented each year. This semester, senior celebrations started in February and went through May with plenty of activities to commemorate their last semester as Pace Setters.

“In the 12 years I have been here, I believe we got it right and offer the best programming possible,” Dean Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo said. “It has the traditions that the seniors can look forward.”

February 13 marked 100 days until graduation and the seniors celebrated by marking their handprints on their class banner over cake and pizza. After that, there was a senior send off event for first-generation college students and their families. At the annual midnight breakfast on May 7, there was a room dedicated to seniors and there was a senior brunch May 10. The senior bar crawl will be the last event the senior class will do as a group before they step into their cap and gowns.

However, some students wish there were more layover between the end of finals and graduation.

“I do wish there was more time between finals and graduation to enjoy our last days together,” senior applied psychology and human relations major, Christina Marciante said. “My last final is Thursday and I graduate the following Monday.”

The events not only celebrate the seniors final stretch, but keep their minds occupied so they do not stress over graduation. But some students cannot hide their thrill with finally graduation.

“I honestly cannot wait to graduate,” senior nursing major Kiana Jenkins said. “Being here for five years has been exhausting to say the least… I will miss so many of the friends that I’ve made these past few years, though.”